Kenjgewin Teg and Legend Mining are partnering to train more Indigenous people for work in the mining industry.
On Oct. 15, the Manitoulin Island training institute and the Sudbury mining contractor signed an agreement outlining their plans to collaborate on training for a number of mining-related courses.
Areas of focus include common core for non-production workers in smelter operation; surface miner; hard rock common core; underground miner certification entry level; basic hard rock common core; service underground common core; and underground supervisor training.
Trainees will have access to various hands-on training opportunities with Legend, ranging from one-day, entry-level opportunities to more comprehensive training of up to 25 days.
“Kenjgewin Teg is excited to be part of mobilizing skilled trades careers for Anishinabek people living in urban and on-reserve communities and their First Nations, who are looking to advance sustainable development in their traditional territories,” Beverley Roy, president of Kenjgewin Teg, said in a news release.
“We look forward to being an integral and critical partner with Legend Mining to help build Northern Ontario’s skilled workforce for years to come.”
Kenjgewin Teg, which is based in M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island, has steadily increased its skilled trades-related programming over the last five years.
In 2019, Kenjgewin Teg completed construction of a 9,700-square-foot Anishinabek Skills, Innovation and Research Centre to meet market demands for skilled labour in the welding, carpentry, electrical, and heavy equipment fields.
Three years later, it welcomed its first cohort of welders as a testing centre, certified through the Canadian Welding Bureau.
The organization viewed partnering with Legend Mining as the next logical step.
Discussions with the Sudbury mining contractor — a leading mining contracting company in Northern Ontario — began earlier this summer.
Scott Rienguette, Legend Mining’s general manager, called the collaboration with Kenjgewin Teg a “significant step toward empowering Indigenous communities through meaningful training opportunities.”
“This collaboration goes beyond just knowledge transfer; it’s about fostering a sustainable future within our shared community,” Rienguette said in the release.
“With our team of experienced trainers who possess extensive expertise in underground mining, both in development and construction, we are well-equipped to provide hands-on learning experiences that meet the needs of future miners.
“We are proud to be part of a meaningful initiative that honours the rich heritage of Indigenous peoples while paving the way for a thriving mining workforce of the future. Together, we can build a legacy of success, resilience, and shared prosperity.”
Announcements about programming under the new initiative are expected to start in November.
