SLAAMB

Waaciye;

Welcome to the second edition of the SLAAMB/CAARPROJECT newsletter. We have a beautiful new office building that we just opened! We also have updates on our activities, stories, pictures and reports. The trainee's are onsite working as part of the crews that come and go at the work site . The winter is here and the workers are putting up frames so they can start working inside.

Bob Bruyere, Coordinator, SLAAMB

I started in SLAAMB as Co-ordinator in November 1991. Over the last year and a half we've done five classes with people with experience to prepare them to write the trades exam, so today we have 4 journeyman Carpenters and 2 journeyman Residential Electricians and an agreement with Hydro One to try to get other people into their jobs.

My name is Matthew Kakekaspan and I work for SLAAMB as their Project Manager /Employment Counsellor for the Centre for A b o r i g i n a l Apprenticeship Research Project, better known as the CAAR Project. I started this position on September 02, 2008.

My name is Arnold Gardner and I started working for SLAAMB on October 14, 2008 as the Hydro One Employment Coordinator.

Over the past few months, SLAAMB has been involved in an exciting new partnership with Hydro One Networks in relation to their apprenticeship programs. SLAAMB agreed to promote Hydro One’s apprenticeship programs in SLAAMB area communities and five other First Nations affiliated through SLAAMB’s Centre for Aboriginal Apprenticeship Research trades project.

Dave Beazley - Project Manager Project Manager for the hospital

That entails right from the original concept from master program, master plan working through with the hospital and the functional program and meeting with the Ministry staff to get the functional plan approved. I also work with architects and other consultants at the tendering stage.

So how is this program turning out over there?

Louie, a very energetic Carpenter Apprentice, learned his craft through a job creation program he was in at Wabigoon Lake First Nation when he was young. He did a lot of schooling, training courses with Rick Hill and Bill Cooke, of Bill Cooke Construction. He's done heavy equipment work and lots of construction experience he says.

Today Louie has 21,000 hours from 11 years of work first at Wabigoon Lake First Nation, later in Sioux Lookout at Northlite Glass and in Dryden at Wynnwood glass and "all over."

Ellis Don Site Superviser, Gerald has 41 years experience
in construction field.

Journeyman Carpenter from Bearskin Lake First Nation.

He learned his craft in 1980 from the carpenters of the day. He was taught to learn more on his own. He did not receive any formal carpentry training he says and he never worked with non-aboriginal carpenters, very little if at all.

On behalf of the Executive Board and staff I would like to take this opportunity to extend my very best wishes to you and your families a merry Christmas and a very happy and peaceful New Year filled with health and prosperity to all. Thank you for your support with our continuing efforts to better the way of life of our members and our families.

In solidarity,

Luigi (Gino) Russo
Business Manager

Local Union 607
730 Belmoral Street
Thunder Bay Ontario
807-622-0607

Saugeen First Nation, Project Manager Trainee.

Howard is working with Dave Beazley. Howard has extensive computer experience which he says is self-taught with limited construction experience. Howard is excited about his job and he couldn't be at a better place.

Journeyman Carpenter from K.I.

He has 20 years carpentry experience, learned his craft working in his home community and working with outside professionals in Sioux, Thunder Bay.

This spring Dale challenged the C of Q exam and passed.

Carpenters Union

I work as the CAAR Employment Counsellor/Coach/ Mentor. I assist in implementing and documenting the apprentice and training support and services developed throughout the project. We will be visiting a number of communities in the next few months. Community ads and notices of our visits will be sent out in advance to better inform and reach out to those interested in our programs. If you are busy working at the time we are in your community, we can work flexible hours and accommodate you. Remember we are also a phone call away.

I'm the E-Learning Coordinator for all learning online for remote communities. Ernie also produces online content for SLAAMB CAAR website, as well as assisting the members of the CAAR team with a variety of technical and computer services.

Sheesheep and the doctor A woman runs into a Vet’s office with a limp duck and says to the doctor, “Please Doctor, you have to help Sheesheep, something is wrong with him!”

The Doctor picks up the limp duck and examines it, “ sorry but there’s nothing more I can do,” he said putting the duck down.

“Please,” said the lady, crying and begging, “examine him.. there must be something you can do!”