Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick — Eight lucky kids from Elsipogtog First Nation were given a week-long crash course in welding basics, as the Mind Over Metal welding camp welcomed its first group of prospective Mi’kmaw tradespeople last week, the CBC reported Monday.
Elsipogtog First Nation is located about 90 kilometres north of Moncton and was looking for a way to engage its young people with the many career opportunities available in the skilled trades sector, honing in specifically on younger kids who are still in elementary school.
The CBC spoke with 10-year-old Payden Augustine, who said “[the] first day of camp it can be scary. It was really scary, but as you get more into the camp it’s actually really fun.”
Her mother told the media that she wanted to give her daughter exposure to the trades in the case becoming a professional hockey player doesn’t work out in the future. Though initially spooked by the sparks, her mother said Payden had fun making cowbells and tags.
Eleven-year-old Kyron Lantz said he was excited to use the plasma cutter to make his own batarangs and revel in the relative danger, like any 11-year-old would.
“I never tried this before and it’s so cool because you have to wear a mask and it’s very dangerous,” he said.
Journey Levi, an 18-year-old student attending New Brunswick Community College to become an industrial electrician, returned home to Elsipogtog to help mentor the kids through their week of new experiences.
“When I was younger, I saw all these people giving back to the community and I dreamed of being like them,” said Levi.
The camp came together as a result of a partnership between the First Nation, the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) and the CWB Welding Foundation.
JEDI’s Indigenous project apprenticeship co-ordinator and fellow Mi’kmaw from Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation, Laura MacFarlane said this camp was designed with the goal in mind of helping plant a seed for a coming generation of Indigenous red seal tradespeople.
“We’re really excited when someone succeeds and to bring Indigenous people into good jobs and career paths,” said MacFarlane.
“I’m just beaming with pride as I see these kids come in.”
Campers were provided with safety training, a presentation from SkillsCanada and five days of hands-on welding experience.
