Calendar
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives
Skills Ontario’s First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) Initiatives aim to increase the awareness of Indigenous youth in the rewarding career opportunities that exist in the skilled trades and technologies.
Skilled Trades & Technology Days
Spring Indigenous College
Recruiter Days
FNMI Career Awareness
Workshops/Presentations
Through our First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) Initiatives, we do our best to ensure that our programs are led by and inclusive of Indigenous peoples. As we connect youth to Indigenous community members, we develop and deliver programs with this as our top priority. Skills Ontario is dedicated to respecting Indigenous culture; we try to employ FNMI peoples in positions relating to FNMI youth where possible and consult with local First Nations communities when we run events in their area, seeking mentors, elders, and youth to participate.
Thank you to our FNMI Program Sponsors:
This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
FNMI Student Challenges
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Wearable Technology Workshop |
Indigenous Role Model Campaign
Hear the stories of Indigenous skilled tradespeople and their journeys into their careers. Skills Ontario’s First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives aim to increase the awareness of Indigenous youth in the rewarding career opportunities that exist in the skilled trades and technologies. A classroom flyer in English and Ojibway is also available for download.
French classroom flyers are also available on the French section of our website. Please click on the 'Français' button in the upper right corner of this webpage to access the French section of our website.
| DAN WHITE | Ojibway Flyer | English Flyer | Video |
| DEVIN BOOMHOUR | Ojibway Flyer | English Flyer | Video |
| HOLLY FOSTER | Ojibway Flyer | English Flyer | Video |
| KAELLA EARLE | Ojibway Flyer | English Flyer | Video |
| KRISTY CORBIERE | Ojibway Flyer | English Flyer | Video |
| RJ DEGAGNE | Ojibway Flyer | English Flyer | Video |
| NICHOLAS MANNING | Ojibway Flyer | English Flyer | Video |
| AJ MORNINGSTAR | Ojibway Flyer | English Flyer | Video |
| KURTIS BOLDUC | Ojibway Flyer | English Flyer | Video |
Meet the Team
MaKayla Assiniwai (Maternity Leave)
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives Event Coordinator
massiniwai@skillsontario.com
My name is MaKayla Assiniwai and I am the FNMI Event Coordinator at Skills Ontario. I am originally from Virginia, USA where I grew up and went to undergrad, studying Political Science and Sociology. I moved to Canada in October 2020 and reside with my husband and our three cats in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. I wanted to work with Skills Ontario to help with their mission of educating youth about the skilled trades and technology professions that are viable and valuable career options. I love being able to help bring ideas to life and plan awesome events for our FNMI youth across the province. It is my privilege to work with Skills and our FNMI team each day!
Bill Couchie
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives Program Facilitator
bcouchie@skillsontario.com
My name is William Couchie, but most people call me Bill, and I am a First Nation, Metis, Inuit Program Facilitator with Skills Ontario. I started my career at Skills Ontario in the fall of 2015 and I really enjoyed what I get to do at Skills Ontario.
I am originally from Nipissing First Nation near North Bay, Ontario. I did my BA in History at Nipissing University and in 2007, I moved to London, Ontario to begin a Master program in Indigenous History at the University of Western Ontario. I graduated in with an MA in Indigenous History in 2008 and began my career search. I worked several jobs after university, but I just didn’t feel like I was accomplishing anything or felt content about my job. I applied for the FNMI Liaison position at Skills Ontario and began working in 2015. Within the first few weeks, I realized that I had found job that allowed me to be happy and accomplished.
I really enjoy educating students as well as adults about the opportunities and benefits of working in the skilled trade and technology career fields. I get to assist people with the difficult decision of making post-secondary pathway and career choices as well as just introducing them to a whole new career fields they may not have known existed. This position can be very rewarding especially when students tell me that I inspired them to investigate careers in the trades and technologies. Even if only one person tells me I had an impact on them, I feel accomplished.
Donna Montgomery
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives Program Facilitator
dmontgomery@skillsontario.com
My name is Donna Montgomery, and I am a First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives Program Facilitator with Skills Ontario. Over the years, I have applied my background in Social Work in a variety of different roles, working mainly with young people, but I feel that I have found my niche with Skills Ontario. As a lifelong resident of the beautiful Ottawa Valley, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to educate young people who enjoy this vast rural playground that there are many opportunities in the skilled trades and technology fields that can allow them to pursue exciting and rewarding careers without leaving the area.
FNMI Student Conference
Beginning in 2016, Skills Ontario hosts a community gathering specifically for FNMI students at the Skills Ontario Competition. This event helps youth understand the rewarding career options in the skilled trades and technologies, while celebrating a shared cultural heritage and the success of FNMI youth across Ontario.
The 2024 FNMI Student Conference will be held May 7 from 9:30am - 12:00pm in person at the Toronto Congress Centre, and there is an option for youth to attend the event virtually.
Registration at 9:30-9:45 AM EST.
In person: Toronto Congress Centre
(North Building)
Skip below for virtual option!
BOOTH EXPLORATION- 9:30-10:40 AM EST:
Youth will be encouraged to visit the interactive exhibitor booths hosted by Indigenous organizations, skilled tradespersons/apprentices, partners of Skills Ontario, Colleges, organizations and other skilled trade and technology related industries. The booths provide students an opportunity for networking and trying their hand at a variety of hands-on activities.
FORMAL PROGRAMMING- 10:45- 11:45 AM EST
• An inspirational keynote message
• A Speaker Panel of Indigenous Skilled Trade or Technology Professionals
• Interactive exhibitor booths hosted by Indigenous organizations, skilled tradespersons/apprentices, partners of Skills Ontario, Colleges, Organizations and other skilled trade and technology related industries. The booths provide students an opportunity for networking and trying their hand at a variety of hands-on activities.
LUNCH: 11:50 AM EST
In-person Registration Opens: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 9:30am
| Register Here |
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We encourage you to register as soon as possible as this event fills quickly, and is on a first come, first serve basis.
The registration fee is $15 per person (for both student and educator) who attend the event. If this cost is a barrier, please reach out to myself: acuglietta@skillsontario.com
Please note the following when registering for our event:
• Skills Ontario will invoice you after the event takes place. IMPORTANT: You will be invoiced for the total number of spaces reserved unless those spaces are cancelled/released prior to March 28, 2024.
• You will have the opportunity to make changes to your registration by contacting me directly (acuglietta@skillsontario.com) up until the day registration closes (Thursday, March 28 at 4:30pm). Once registration closes, all registrations are final and you will be invoiced for the full number of spaces reserved. If you need to cancel all spaces, please notify me (acuglietta@skillsontario.com) prior to March 28, 2024. Any cancelations after deadline will be charged. Substitutions are permitted.
Please note, all events have a limited number of seats available and are filled on a first come, first serve basis. If the event is FULL, and you wish to be placed on a waitlist, please contact acuglietta@skillsontario.com
VIRTUAL FIRST NATION, METIS, and INUIT STUDENT CONFERENCE
Tune in live on Tuesday May 7th from 10:45 – 11:45 AM EST. Attend the conference remotely to hear from Indigenous Skilled Trade or Technology Professionals. For the first 500 people that register- you will receive a complimentary kit and kit build video to complete after the formal programming.
There is NO registration fee to attend virtually.
Virtual Registration Opens: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 9:30am
| Register Here |
The 2024 FNMI Student Conference will take place with sponsorship from Pomerleau.
Event sponsors for the 2024 FNMI Student Conference.
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Skilled Trades and Technology Days
Skills Ontario’s Trades and Tech Days are an opportunity for youth who identify as First Nations, Métis, Inuit (FNMI) and non-Status to meet and network with community members who have already chosen a career in the skilled trades and technologies. Youth learn about the journey of these mentors and explore their interest through experiential activities.
These events not only deliver a unique mentoring opportunity but also provide youth with information from our in-school presentation program, as well as with the experience to participate in workshops. This combination allows students to actively explore the knowledge and skills involved in skilled trade and technology occupations.
Out of several hundred participants, over 90% have reported being more interested in considering a skilled trade or technology career after attending Skills Ontario’s Trades and Tech Days. Educator and workshop leaders have expressed the success of, and need for, this programming in their communities.
Connect with Brittany at braymond@skillsontario.com for more information on this program.
| Date | Region | Target Audience | Information | |
| Thursday, September 28, 2023 | Sault Ste. Marie |
Grades 7 -12* *(this event is for communities part of the North Shore Tribal Council) |
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| Tuesday, October 17, 2023 | Dryden |
Grades 7 - 12
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Wednesday, October 25, 2023 |
Owen Sound | Grades 7 - 12 | ||
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Tuesday, May 28, |
Kenora | Youth |
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Spring Indigenous College Recruiter Days
These information sessions are for Indigenous youth in secondary school to learn about supports and opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies.
| Date | Time (EST) | Co-Hosts |
| March 29, 2022 | 10 am - 11 am Watch recording here |
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| March 29, 2022 | 1 pm - 2 pm Watch recording here |
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| March 30, 2022 | 10 am - 11 am Watch recording here |
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| March 30, 2022 | 1 pm - 2 pm Watch recording here |
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| March 31, 2022 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am Watch recording here |
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| March 31, 2022 | 11 am - 12 pm Watch recording here |
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| March 31, 2022 | 1 pm - 2 pm Watch recording here |
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| May 26, 2023 | Watch recording here |
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| May 26, 2023 | Watch recording here |
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FNMI Career Awareness Workshops/Presentations
Opportunities in the Skilled Trades and Technologies
We’re thrilled to continue to educate and inspire youth to explore the skilled trades and technologies, and are now offering our presentations virtually on multiple platforms. Book a presentation for your classroom here.
The FNMI Initiatives program tailors the Skills Ontario presentation program to a hands-on workshop with culturally relevant information. This workshop is designed to educate students on the hundreds of career opportunities available in the construction, motive power, service, industrial and technology sectors. This interactive, 45-60 minute multimedia hands on workshop is updated annually.
Workshops regarding career opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies are available in communities, cultural gathering places, and in schools. Skills Ontario’s FNMI Workshop brings the topic of skilled trades and technologies to the forefront and encourages young FNMI people to consider and test out their hands-on abilities.
During the workshop, youth, unemployed and underemployed attendees, and educators have the opportunity to:
- Discover the benefits of careers in the skilled trades and technologies
- Take a visual tour of the skilled trades and technologies that interest them: with topics such as median salary, description of the role, what qualities, education and training a worker should have; students are encouraged to look for a career that fits their desired lifestyle, personality and interests
- Learn about the steps to apprenticeship, as well as other pathways to a career in the skilled trades
- Find out how to acquire skills and experience
- Understand the importance of employability skills in the workplace and how these skills can easily make or break a job opportunity
- Access further resources and determine how to get started on a path that is right for them
Skills Ontario’s FNMI Workshops are the perfect complement for all career exploration or development courses.
FNMI-focused Summer Camps & Virtual Workshops
Our Skills Ontario Summer Camp & Virtual Workshop program offers sessions specifically for FNMI youth. Visit the Summer Camps page for more info.
New! By the Fire Series
New from the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) Initiatives, please join us in celebrating the launch our new Skilled Trade and Technology Inclusivity Series, By the Fire!
Starting October 30th, the series will feature eight weekly installations that will feature a spotlight presentation and a guest speakers! Our By the Fire conversations aim to bring a sense of closeness, as if our youth are talking to an auntie or uncle. Conversations where we listen to the stories that are shared and learn more about the skilled trades and technologies!
To register for the series, please follow this link: https://forms.gle/9tPM5xzcFBLnGZJR6
