Feds announce $5.3M for skills training in Mackenzie Delta region

The federal government is giving money to a couple ofprojects aimed at building professional skills among Indigenous youthin the Mackenzie Delta region.

A total of $5.38 millionwill be invested from the Skills and Partnership Fund, MP Michael McLeodsaid Tuesday in Inuvik, N.W.T. He was joined at the funding announcement by leaders from the Gwich'inTribal Council (GTC) and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC).

The bulk of the money just over $4.5 million will go towarda new program delivered by the Gwich'inTribal Council. The Taii Trigwatssii(Breaking Trails) project involves an eight-monthskills training program for about 80 young people from the communities of Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Inuvik and Tsiigehtchic.

"It's going to incorporate Gwich'in' traditional knowledge, essential life skills, adult basic educationand workplace essential skills, as well as entrepreneurship," saidGTCvice-president Jordan Peterson.

The remaining money will go towarda licensed practical nurse program, delivered by Aurora College in partnership with the IRC. The $826,984 will help train 18 Indigenouswomenthrough a two-year program delivered at the college's Inuvik campus.

IRCchair Duane Smith says he hopes the new funding will help build and keep a professional workforce in the region.

"It provides stability, it reduces cost to the system but they're also homegrown," Smithsaid.

There are already 27 applicants to the practical nurse program.