Sponsored Content Bricklayer program provides exciting opportunity for young learner
They may not be physically present with him, but Stacy Kiyewakan's family is never far from his thoughts when he's in class.
Kiyewakan is enrolled in the Pre-Apprentice Bricklayer Program offered by First Peoples Development Inc. (FPDI), a non-profit organization that facilitates partnerships designed to develop and deliver training-to-employment programs to meet labour market needs.
The program was designed in conjunction with Bricklayers Union Local 1 to give Indigenous people training in employment readiness, safety, and construction skills to facilitate a direct pathway to apprenticeship and employment in the construction industry.
Kiyewakan and his classmates are scheduled to graduate from the program in June with their Level 1 apprenticeship accreditation after completing 800 hours of training. They will then have an opportunity to put the skills they have learned into practice as part of a three-month work placement that could lead to permanent, fulltime employment.
Kiyewakan, 20, says the opportunity to earn a regular paycheque and help support his parents and three siblings is one of the reasons he enrolled in the program in the first place. His mom is currently working full-time while his dad takes care of his three younger siblings. 'I'm kind of excited to help out my mom with the bills and she'll probably be happy about that too,' he says. 'I want to take some weight off of her shoulders.'
Kiyewakan is part of the first group of students taking part in the bricklayers program being offered by FPDI at the Manitoba Building Trades Institute (MBTI) on McPhillips Street.
He learned about the program while he was taking part in FPDI's Workforce Ready program that prepares individuals to enter the workforce. He was intrigued by what it had to offer and decided to switch programs. Kiyewakan says the generous salaries and benefits workers in the construction industry can earn was a prime reason for making the switch.
One of the aspects of the Bricklayer program Kiyewakan enjoys most is its focus on handson learning. He and his classmates learn everything from how to build walls and floors to applying damp proofing.
'I like to be a watch-and-learn kind of guy,' he says.
'I don't like to just sit and read a book all day. I need to physically learn how to do (something) in order to know what I'm doing.'
Kiyewakan also appreciates the fact instructors for the course have worked in construction for decades and are willing to share their knowledge with him and other students in the program. That includes technical tips on how to carry out routine tasks as well as how to conduct themselves on a jobsite.
'It definitely helps because they treat it like we're on an actual job,' he says.
'And they're very strict on the things that they teach us about. They always want us to be here early … and make sure everyone's here to work and ready to go.'
Kiyewakan is looking forward to gaining some on-the-job experience as part of his upcoming work placement.
'It's pretty exciting. I'm also kind of nervous about it because I've never really had a job before so this will be my first time being on an actual job.'
The next Bricklayer program begins in fall 2025. For details about the program and its prerequisites, please visit www.fpdinc.ca.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
What are ‘nation-building projects' anyway?
Opinion The Canadian Press reports that 38 CEOs of Canadian energy companies signed a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, congratulating him for his election win and pitching policy measures like overhauling (read 'gutting') the Impact Assessment Act, scrapping federal emissions caps on oil and gas and repealing industrial carbon pricing. Carney met with them and thanked them for their communications. (Carney talks partnerships with energy execs, Free Press, June 2). Then, 13 premiers met with the PM to pitch their favourite projects which include pipelines and nuclear plants. The process sounds more like a high-stakes version of Dragons' Den, with the feds ready to dole out the public purse, than it does a thoughtful, serious assessment of the very real dangers that Canada faces — not just from the U.S. tariffs and the economy, but also from climate change. Couldn't the premiers smell the smoke emanating from the infernos blazing across the northern forests as they sat behind closed doors in a Saskatoon hotel room? Now the PM and cabinet will make decisions about which of these projects make the cut — which ones will be 'pre-approved' and fast-tracked. A few hints are leaking out: looks like nuclear will make the short list, along with 'decarbonized barrels of oil' — which is shorthand for as yet unproven carbon capture, but which sounds like a perfect oxymoron. What are the criteria for these decisions? Does anyone know? Will the public get that information? Will Parliament? Just a week before that, 130 civil society organizations from across the country, representing many thousands of Canadians, also wrote the PM, reminding him that the 'nation-building' energy and infrastructure projects that Canada needs will not only create good jobs and build the economy, but also respect Indigenous rights and protect the climate. Oil and gas development and pipelines will not meet these goals, never mind the threats of Alberta separation. Did Alberta Premier Danielle Smith not get the memo that several oilsands sites were evacuating due to wildfires? Oh, the irony). Nuclear builds are too slow to address the global warming crisis and nuclear is among the most expensive forms of electricity production. Taxpayer dollars can be invested way more efficiently in actual renewable energy sources (including efficiency and storage) — all available now and ready to be deployed, and regional and national grid interconnections that are so sorely needed. These are the best investment for energy supply, requiring less capital investment and providing the best return on the dollar in terms of energy production, job creation, and rapid greenhouse gas reduction. And imagine for a moment a remote nuclear plant engulfed in a wildfire. (Thinking here about Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe who promotes 'small modular nuclear reactors' for remote communities while acknowledging at the time that his province 'cannot manage and handle a single other fire'). Oil, gas and nuclear projects are more properly 'nation destroying' projects. Ask any of the First Nations currently evacuating their homes and territories as climate change creates prime conditions for out-of-control fires. It's unlikely the PM will meet with civil society groups (though we did ask). Will he meet with and more importantly, hear the concerns of, First Nations worried that 'fast tracking' impact assessments will only run rough-shod over their rights and lands? As Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak put it 'We need to talk about these issues collectively… our inherent rights, treaty rights and human rights are at issue…' Also at issue: our children's future. How is it that we can be at this point in history where we know without a doubt what the impacts of climate change are — and yet our governments seem prepared to invest and go whole hog into the very same industrial development schemes that created the problem in the first place? If it's true as the International Energy Agency has stated that countries will be seeking non-fuel-dependent sources of energy and actually winding down fossil fuel infrastructure by 2030, why would Canada spend crucial resources (our money) on exactly these fuel dependent technologies? (For the record, nuclear is dependent on uranium and therefore not renewable). Can you say, 'stranded assets'? Not only are we at risk of betting the farm on unsustainable projects and creating even more economic chaos for the future, by not changing the development paradigm we put at risk the very building blocks and sustainers of life itself — water, air, forests, oceans, the ability to grow food. We owe it to future generations (as well as ourselves and especially those being drastically impacted by climate change today) to turn this ship around. The energy CEOs might not agree, but that's what our premiers should be calling for. That's what our new government should be determined to do. Anne Lindsey volunteers with the No Nukes MB campaign of the Manitoba Energy Justice Coalition and has been monitoring nuclear waste since the 1980s.
Cision Canada
6 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Global News and The Local Win CJF Excellence Awards
TORONTO, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Global News is this year's recipient of the CJF Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism in the large-media category, for organizations with more than 50 newsroom employees. Global News received the award this evening at the annual Canadian Journalism Foundation Awards. Named in honour of CJF founder Dr. Eric Jackman, this annual excellence award established in 1996 recognizes news organizations, large and small, that embrace journalistic excellence — originality, courage, independence, accuracy, social responsibility, accountability and diversity — resulting in a positive impact on the communities they serve. The CJF honoured Global News for The New Reality: The Business of Indigenous Kids in Care, an investigation into the treatment of Indigenous youth in the child-welfare system, that revealed startling allegations that some of the most vulnerable children are being preyed upon by some for-profit, group-home companies. This marks the first time Global earned the Dr. Eric Jackman Excellence award. In the small-media category, The Local also won its first CJF Dr. Eric Jackman Award for Divided City, its groundbreaking neighbourhood-level analysis of life expectancy in Toronto that revealed stark disparities across the city, especially between richer and poorer neighbourhoods. Held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, the CJF Awards brought together more than 500 journalists, media executives and business leaders from across Canada to celebrate journalistic achievements of the past year. Among the evening's other honourees: CJF Award for Climate Solutions Reporting: This $10,000 award, sponsored by Intact Financial Corporation, celebrates a journalist or journalistic team whose work shines a spotlight on the climate crisis and related innovative solutions. This year's award went to Canada's National Observer for Big Green Build, reported by Darius Snieckus, a series of deeply researched stories on Canada's housing construction crisis and the generational opportunity to build greener and better to meet the country's climate targets. The Landsberg Award, celebrating exceptional coverage of women's equality issues, went to Jana Pruden, for In Her Defence: 50th Street, a podcast series produced with Kasia Mychajlowycz for The Globe and Mail and focused on the life and still-unsolved death of Indigenous woman Amber Tuccaro. The William Southam Journalism Fellowships at Massey College, which provide mid-career journalists with an academic year to audit courses and participate fully in life at Massey College, are awarded annually by the University of Toronto and Massey College. This year's winners are: Blaise Eyong, a Cameroonian multimedia specialist with more than a decade of experience, as the Gordon N. Fisher / Journalists for Human Rights Fellow; Owen Guo, a Toronto-based freelancer, as the Massey College Journalism Fellow; Freelance writer and producer Pacinthe Mattar as the St. Clair Balfour Fellow; Jordan Michael Smith, a contributing writer at The New Republic, as the Webster McConnell Fellow; and Award-winning journalist and educator Vinita Srivastava as the Massey College Journalism Fellow. Additionally, the following previously announced bursary, fellowship and award recipients were recognized. The inaugural CJF Indigenous Health Journalism Fellowship, in partnership with the Canadian Medical Association, went to Winnipeg journalist Lenard Monkman. This groundbreaking three-year initiative is aimed at fostering expert reporting on critical health issues affecting Indigenous communities and is supported by the Canadian Medical Association. The CJF Bursary for BIPOC Student Journalists, designed to support students who have demonstrated strong engagement with the BIPOC community and a commitment to high journalistic standards, went to Alexa Toguri-Laurin of Concordia University. The bursary is supported by Media Profile. The CJF-CP News Creators Fellowships provide aspiring news creators with comprehensive training and mentorship from The Canadian Press's editors and journalists during a six-week paid internship. These fellowships are supported by YouTube Canada and The Google News Initiative. The inaugural CJF-CP News Creator Fellows are: Willa Easton, of Toronto and the Blue Mountains, Ont.; Angelina Havaris, of Toronto and London, Ont.; Jacqueline Newsome, of Halifax; Fatima Raza, of Toronto; Noah Trenton, of Mississauga, Ont.; and Janessa Ventura-Alvarenga, of London, Ont. The CJF Black Journalism Fellowship Program, established to amplify Black voices, improve coverage of Black issues and cultivate future Black media leaders, provides the opportunity for early-career Black journalists to be hosted for six months at newsrooms with fellowship partners The Globe and Mail, CBC/Radio-Canada, CTV News and the Investigative Journalism Bureau (IJB). The 2025 fellowship recipients are: Myrialine Catule, the CJF-IJB Black Journalism Fellowship, with thanks to sponsors North Horizon and Unifor; Amal Mohamud, the CJF-CBC/Radio-Canada Black Women's Journalism Fellowship, with thanks to sponsor Aritzia; Adriel Smiley, the CJF-CBC/Radio-Canada Black Journalism Fellowship; Bianca Thompson, the CJF- Globe and Mail Black Business Journalism Fellowship, with thanks to sponsor Canada Life; and Kayla Thompson, the CJF-CTV News Black Journalism Fellowship, with thanks to sponsor BMO Financial Group. The CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowship, established to foster better comprehension of Indigenous issues, was awarded to Joy SpearChief Morris, an Indigenous Black journalist from Lethbridge, Alta. The Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award, which provides an early-career photojournalist with the opportunity to spend six weeks at The Canadian Press head office in Toronto, went to Toronto-based photojournalist and multimedia creator Sammy Kogan. The award is co-presented by The Canadian Press and supported by Sony. The CJF Edward Burtynsky Award for Climate Photojournalism, which celebrates provocative, impactful and inspirational climate photography from around the world went to Gavin John of Calgary. This award is generously supported by Marci McDonald and Clair Balfour, Lisa Balfour Bowen and Sony. Special CJF honorees included Bob McKeown, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his decades-long record of excellence in investigative journalism, reporting from more than 60 countries and winning dozens of awards and honours as a reporter, host producer, writer and documentary filmmaker. Award-winning journalist, author and filmmaker Tanya Talaga received the CJF Tribute in recognition of her commitment to Indigenous storytelling, bringing critical issues in neglected communities to light and changing Canada's media landscape. Award-winning multi-instrumentalist, singer, producer and songwriter Aysanabee made a special appearance to pay tribute to Talaga. The Toronto Star received a CJF Special Citation for its groundbreaking investigation into the sexual abuse that Andrea Skinner, daughter of Canadian literary giant Alice Munro, suffered at the hands of her stepfather, Munro's husband. The months-long investigation, reported by Deborah Dundas and Betsy Powell, demonstrated extraordinary courage and sensitivity, illuminating the darkest shadows of human experience. The evening also featured the CJF's annual In Memoriam tribute to journalists who have passed over the preceding year. The Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowship recipient for 2025 has been selected. The Fellowship announcement will be made in the spring of 2026. Elamin Abdelmahmoud, host of CBC Radio's daily arts, pop culture and entertainment show COMMOTION, hosted the awards ceremony. The CJF is grateful for the generous support of presenting sponsor CIBC for its awards evening. The CJF also thanks supporters Google News Initiative, Rogers, Labatt Breweries of Canada, McCain Foods, Intact, TD Bank Group, Aritzia, BMO Financial Group, Canada Life, Sobeys, CBC/Radio-Canada, CTV News, Scotiabank, RBC, FGS Longview, KPMG in Canada, Canadian Bankers Association, WSP Canada, Jackman Foundation, Canadian Medical Association, Accenture, Aga Khan Development Network, Apple News, Bennett Jones LLP, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Canadian Women's Foundation, CPP Investments, Loblaw Companies Ltd., Maple Leaf Foods, OLG, Rishi Nolan Strategies, TD Securities, Uber Canada, Barry and Laurie Green, CDPQ, Zai Mamdani/Mamdani Family Foundation, North Horizon Holdings, Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail and Massey College. In-kind sponsorship is provided by Beehive Design, The Canadian Press, Bespoke Audio Visual, MLSE, The Globe and Mail and Porter Airlines. Cision is the exclusive distribution partner of the CJF. About the Canadian Journalism Foundation Founded in 1990, The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) fosters excellence in journalism through the support and recognition of emerging and experienced journalists and their organizations and enhances the public's understanding of fact-based journalism. The CJF facilitates dialogue about the role of journalism in Canadian society and the ongoing challenges for journalism in the digital era through its J-Talks public speakers series, which are hosted at venues across Canada and online. The Foundation recognizes excellence in journalism through its prestigious awards programs, which are showcased at the CJF's annual gala. Through its fellowships programs, the Foundation provides opportunities for journalism education, training and research to encourage a diverse Canadian media. #CJFAwards SOURCE The Canadian Journalism Foundation
Cision Canada
7 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Dene and Métis people of Tulita District the focus of a new $16.5M Office and Cultural Centre for Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve Français
TULITA, NT, June 6, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to creating economic opportunities and benefits for Indigenous communities and protecting naturally and culturally treasured places in Canada, including through the advancement of infrastructure projects and impact and benefit plans. Today, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on behalf of the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced a $16.5 million investment under Parks Canada's National Park Establishment program to advance construction of a new office and cultural centre for the Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve in Northwest Territories. Construction of this landmark building fulfills a commitment in the Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve Impact and Benefit Plan, will include a cultural centre exhibition, and will serve as Parks Canada's primary operations base for the park reserve. The ground-breaking event coincided with Tulita community's annual "Fire Day," which commemorates the devastating 1995 wildfire, also celebrated community collaboration, cultural leadership, and shared stewardship. Indigenous and community members from Tulita and Norman Wells gathered to speak of the cultural and regional significance of this long-anticipated milestone. The office and cultural centre will be a place for connection and cultural discovery, provide a space for community members to gather, facilitate meaningful visitor experiences, welcome Mackenzie River paddlers, and to share the rich history of the Sahtu Dene and Métis. The building will also house Parks Canada's operational facility, where local staff will work to protect, present and celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve. Investments in infrastructure, like the Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve office and culture centre project, benefit the community of Tulita by growing local economic development, boosting the tourism sector, and driving job creation. Infrastructure improvements in the Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve will deliver high-quality and meaningful experiences are for visitors and community members alike to connect with and discover the natural and cultural heritage of the Sahtu region and underscores the federal government's commitment to northern communities and Indigenous partners. Quotes "Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve is a majestic keystone in the Canada-wide network of protected areas. The government is committed to working in collaboration with Indigenous peoples and local communities to safeguard the rich cultural and natural heritage of this special place. Today marks a major milestone, with the construction of the office and cultural centre now underway. This vibrant, modern space will not only unlock economic opportunities in the region and deliver benefits to Indigenous businesses, it also reflects our shared commitment to protecting the environment. This project is an exciting example of how conservation, economic development, and sustainable design can blend together, and I salute all those who have worked to bring this vision to life." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages "The government is committed to supporting northern communities across Canada, including the Sahtu Region. Today's groundbreaking is an important next step for the Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve. The project will serve as a permanent space for community members to gather and provide a landmark destination to welcome visitors exploring this incredible region. This space will also enhance Parks Canada's operational capacity to protect and present the natural and cultural heritage of this special place with the Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve Management Committee." The Honourable Rebecca Alty Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations "This is good for the people. Parks Canada has listened to the Elders and the community about what is important. It took time, but this new building shows how we can work together. This is a good day for our community." Douglas Yallee Mayor of the Hamlet of Tulita Quick Facts Located in the southwestern portion of the Sahtu Settlement, Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve is in the traditional lands of the Shúhtaot'ine (Mountain Dene). Many dedicated people from the Sahtu Dene and Métis of the Tulita District, as well as from the federal and territorial governments, helped create the Park, which was formally established under the Canada National Parks Act in December 2014. Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve is co-operatively managed by the Sahtu Dene and Métis of the Tulita District and Parks Canada through the Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve Management Committee. The management committee consists of representatives from Fort Norman Métis Community, Tulita Land Corporation, Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got'įnę Government Incorporated, Parks Canada, and the Government of Northwest Territories. Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserve protects the land around Mount Nááts'įhch'oh. Together with Nahanni National Park Reserve, the Parks protect 86% of the Tehjeh Deé (South Nahanni River) watershed. The Park is an important habitat for grizzly bear, Dall's sheep, mountain goats, woodland caribou, and trumpeter swans. It is a place where wildlife can thrive, and traditional harvesting can continue for future generations. The construction contract has been formally awarded to Northern Industrial Construction, based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, following a competitive solicitation process. The construction and management of the building will provide economic opportunities and benefits to Indigenous communities. The building design meets energy efficiency standards of the Government's Greening Government Strategy for low carbon emissions and is predicted to deliver an 89% reduction of operational greenhouse gas emissions, as compared to minimum code requirements, over its 40-year life cycle. Parks Canada expects the administrative office space to open in fall 2026 with the cultural centre exhibition expected to be completed by spring 2027. SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)
