Latest news with #AuroraCollege
CBC
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Aurora College research team wants to change the way the North looks at food security
In Fort Smith, N.W.T., an Aurora College research team hopes to shift the conversation around food security through community gardening, knowledge sharing and relationship building. Food security is a growing concern in the North, where costly store-bought food and the impacts of climate change, like wildfires and low water levels, highlight the fragility of local food systems. Sarah Rosolen manages the South Slave Research Centre at Aurora College and leads the Boreal Berry Patch Collective, which planted berry patches around the community last summer. "Berries are really important to people here," she said. "The concept started when we had a bad drought, and the berries in the bush were not plentiful, and people were really concerned about that." The group is working on the project with local Indigenous governments and organizations. From saskatoons to strawberries, each group chooses its preferred berry. Eventually, they will map the locations so residents and tourists can find specific berries. The team also draws on expertise from longtime growers who carry valuable knowledge about what thrives in the region. "People have been growing here for decades," Rosolen said. "There's a lot of history and knowledge about what can be grown here." 'It's really empowering' This year, the research team is testing which strawberry varieties grow best in Fort Smith. Rosolen said the project is about increasing food security and local harvests. Trent Stokes is training to become an agricultural technician. He said they want to share the data with the community so they can plant their own high-yielding strawberries. Stokes said this work matters now more than ever. "I believe that food security is a major thing that is overlooked in the North," he said. "We can diminish costs for fresh food … and it's a lot healthier for people." Along with free gardening workshops, the team manages the community garden and is building a network of shared wisdom through its Facebook group and hands-on learning. They've set up a plot for the food bank, which they maintain and encourage other growers to contribute produce or help with upkeep. The centre also has initiatives aimed at getting more youth involved in gardening. And they are exploring the idea of planting food in the town's fire breaks. "It's really empowering when people grow their own food … they're tasting a carrot out of the garden, and they produced that," she said. "We're building confidence and capacity around food." Another key member of the team is Jane Mariotti, a master's student at the University of Guelph. She's in the North looking at soil quality. Mariotti will collect samples from across the South Slave. They will use those samples to understand how wildfires and the surrounding landscape can affect soil quality. "We're going to look at the nutrients in it … that are important for growing crops," she said. "And see if we can associate any of those nutrients with particular tree species or vegetation communities. Mariotti says the work will help local growers better understand what crops might thrive in the South Slave. And what conditions to look for to find the best soil. "We're just trying to get some baseline fertility data for the area," she said. "Because there's not a lot of studies that have been done up here."
CBC
15-04-2025
- General
- CBC
Indigenous women dive into welding at Aurora College
A new welding workshop at Aurora College in Fort Smith, N.W.T., is giving Indigenous women hands-on training and a boost of confidence in a field traditionally dominated by men.
CBC
14-04-2025
- General
- CBC
'I feel pretty badass': Indigenous women dive into welding at Aurora College
Social Sharing A new welding workshop at Aurora College in Fort Smith, N.W.T., is giving Indigenous women hands-on training and a boost of confidence in a field traditionally dominated by men. The WeldHER+ Workshop, which is running April 7-17, is tuition-free and designed specifically for Indigenous women. Participants say it's opening doors to careers they never imagined, and building a sense of belonging in the skilled trades. "I was shy to get into this course until I found out it was for women," said Dora Hansen, one of five participants. The program is part of the Canadian Welding Bureau's (CWB) Women of Steel initiative. It includes 54 hours of training, introductory welding and joining skills, access to safety certification and exposure to industry-recognized standards like CWB structural testing. Hansen said she joined the course because it seemed like a good opportunity. But it turned out to be more than that. "I feel pretty badass," Hansen said. "My favorite part was yesterday, when I started not only getting the hang of welding, but actually perfecting my lines and being more consistent." She is now encouraging other women to overcome their hesitation if they want to get into the trade. She said participants are proving that women can succeed in trades traditionally dominated by men. "I'm actually kind of proud of my work, and I'm not nervous to do it anymore," she said. "You feel so accomplished." For instructor Richard Bird, a Red Seal welder and carpenter who typically teaches shop class at Paul William Kaeser High School, the growth he's seen in just a few days is remarkable. "From no welding experience to doing some pretty good welds, it's amazing to see," he said. "Some of them are amazing welders, and they love it." Bird said women bring a unique enthusiasm and potential to welding and he believes there is an essential need for women in the field. He said it's not just welcome, but valuable. He was also very proud that some participants see welding as a potential career. "Right now is the best time to be in trades. There are so many opportunities," he said. Hansen said she plans to return to school this fall to upgrade her courses in preparation for welding classes being reintroduced to Fort Smith in 2026. Raine Simba is another participant who wants to pursue welding as a career – after thinking it would be an interesting course to take while visiting the community. She said the experience has been so intense that "no words could describe it." Her favourite part has been overcoming the challenges she first experienced, like feeling claustrophobic behind the welding helmet. Simba said focusing on her breathing, keeping a slow pace, and concentrating on the task helped her with that initial hurdle. "Once you actually get focused into it, it all goes away," she said. "It's just so much fun." Simba also likes that the workshop challenges gender stereotypes and hopes that it changes the way people see women in trades. "Women can do anything," she said. "Men tell you what you can't and can do, it's so dumb. It's not just based on gender labels." Simba said the experience has changed her life, and she hopes the workshop encourages more women to consider welding and the trades. She said it just takes baby steps and a little courage.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What's the plan for adult learning in small N.W.T. communities? MLAs want to know
How will the territory support learning in small N.W.T. communities after Aurora College announced in January it would shut 19 community learning centres? That's the question MLAs asked Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland at the Legislative Assembly on Friday. "These closures unfairly target Indigenous communities and will make education less accessible for Indigenous learners," said Sheryl Yakeleya, the MLA for the Dehcho. "Our people need more learning opportunities at home and in our own communities." Four other members had similar comments, and asked Cleveland how her department would fill the gap once the centres close at the end of June. "We should be doing more for small communities, not less," said Jane Weyallon Armstrong, the MLA for Monfwi. Based on how much funding the government of the Northwest Territories provides to Aurora College — $35 million in base funding for the 2023-2024 fiscal year — MLAs emphasised the need for the government and the college to be aligned. Cleveland said the Department of Education, Culture and Employment was working with Aurora College to determine the college's plan moving forward and then, she said, the department can come up with its own plan to fill the gaps. "Because they still do maintain the responsibility at the end of the day of ensuring that there are access to education and access to employment opportunities within communities." Caitlin Cleveland, the territory's education minister, says her department plans to fill gaps left by Aurora College's decision to close 19 of its community learning centres. (Julie Plourde/Radio-Canada) Cleveland said any funding the college doesn't use comes back to the department and the government can use that money to advance education opportunities across the territory. Cleveland also said her department has been hearing from communities and Indigenous governments that have their own ideas of how they'd like to use the facilities, though she didn't provide more detail on what some of those ideas are. "Although this has been certainly a shock to the Northwest Territories, I think we're in a really good position and have an opportunity in front of us to re-envision what these centres become and what adult learning looks like in communities," Cleveland said.
CBC
08-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
What's the plan for adult learning in small N.W.T. communities? MLAs want to know
How will the territory support learning in small N.W.T. communities after Aurora College announced in January it would shut 19 community learning centres? That's the question MLAs asked Education, Culture and Employment Minister Caitlin Cleveland at the Legislative Assembly on Friday. "These closures unfairly target Indigenous communities and will make education less accessible for Indigenous learners," said Sheryl Yakeleya, the MLA for the Dehcho. "Our people need more learning opportunities at home and in our own communities." Four other members had similar comments, and asked Cleveland how her department would fill the gap once the centres close at the end of June. "We should be doing more for small communities, not less," said Jane Weyallon Armstrong, the MLA for Monfwi. Based on how much funding the government of the Northwest Territories provides to Aurora College — $35 million in base funding for the 2023-2024 fiscal year — MLAs emphasised the need for the government and the college to be aligned. Cleveland said the Department of Education, Culture and Employment was working with Aurora College to determine the college's plan moving forward and then, she said, the department can come up with its own plan to fill the gaps. "Because they still do maintain the responsibility at the end of the day of ensuring that there are access to education and access to employment opportunities within communities." Cleveland said any funding the college doesn't use comes back to the department and the government can use that money to advance education opportunities across the territory. Cleveland also said her department has been hearing from communities and Indigenous governments that have their own ideas of how they'd like to use the facilities, though she didn't provide more detail on what some of those ideas are. "Although this has been certainly a shock to the Northwest Territories, I think we're in a really good position and have an opportunity in front of us to re-envision what these centres become and what adult learning looks like in communities," Cleveland said.
