“I Just Want to Get Working” – RoFATA Student
GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION – “I just want to get working!” Students in Ginoogaming First Nation are working on the Ring of Fire Aboriginal Training Alliance (RoFATA) program to gain the skills needed to work in the mining industry. Getting a job is the goal for students in the class at the Ginoogaming Training Facility in the First Nation community.
The program in Ginoogaming First Nation has students from a wide range of ages, from youth to adults. The students are working in the classroom to complete the first step of the RoFATA training.
Gathering the skills needed to make a new career in mining is the goal for Matawa First Nations. The programs are designed for students to get the skills they need, and move forward. The RoFATA program is being operated by Matawa First Nations through its own training delivery organization, known as Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment & Training Services.
The program in both Long Lake #58 and Ginoogaming First Nation have started. Aroland First Nation’s program is scheduled to commence on Wednesday February 5. There is also a Mining Readiness Program that has been operating in Nibinamik First Nation since January 20…we would not want to ruffle feathers by excluding them J. Finally, there will be a MR program operating in Neskantaga First Nation as well, in the coming weeks.
Ginoogaming First Nation (formerly the Long Lake 77 First Nation) is a small Anishnawbe (Ojibway) First Nation located in Northern Ontario, located approximately 40 km east of Geraldton, Ontario, Canada, on the northern shore of Long Lake, immediately south of Long Lake 58 First Nation and the community of Longlac, Ontario.
There are about 160 residents living on the First Nation.
The level of enthusiasm in the classroom is very positive. Students are taking the opportunity very seriously, and looking at the opportunity with an engaging attitude. “The Mining Readiness Program is offered via the RoFATA initiative which consists of a partnership between Confederation College, Noront Resources Inc., and KKETS (Matawa First Nations), and is funded through Employment & Social Development Canada.”
