Nisga'a Nation gains close to 500,000 in funding for skills training programs

A pair of Community Workforce Response Grants will be heading the way of the Nisga'a Nation as the province of British Columbia adds the Nass Valley to the list of British Columbia communities to benefit from a skills training program.

The funding announced yesterday will see the Village of Gingolx is receiving $197,997 to support 15 people. The funding will increase their employment options, with training to develop skills that will open doors to industries, including hospitality and tourism, and will be delivered by service provider Indigenous Community for Leadership and Development (ICLD).

Another 300,000 dollars will be provided to the Nisga'a Lisims Government to support 20 people in the villages of Gitlaxt’aamiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Laxgalts'ap and Gingolx in gaining management skills with the Nisga’a Canadian Aboriginal Management Program, delivered by the University of Victoria.

Gingolx Chief Councillor George Moore outlined some of the areas where funding such as the type to be provided can be put to use.

“Skills training in our community that meets the needs of our people helps us build up our future generations and make sure they have opportunities to succeed. We’re pleased to be celebrating this new project and its students as we celebrate our future generations during this year’s Nisga’a New Year celebrations — the Hobiyee.”

Snapshots of the two programs are as follows:

The Village of Gingolx's Key to Employment program began Jan. 6, 2019, and runs for eight weeks. Training will provide participants with skills for employment, including numeracy, literacy, computer skills, communication and teamwork, as well as certification, including FoodSafe and World Host. Jobs will support the local tourist operations. 

The Nisga’a Lisims Government Nisga’a Canadian Aboriginal Management Program runs from March 1, 2019, until July 30, 2019. It is a dynamic course that combines intensive study with practicum experience, builds management skills in people and capacity in Nisga’a communities.

The funding in the Nisga'a Nation is part of a larger 4 million dollar program which will provide similar grants to 16 Indigenous communities this year through the Community Workforce Grant program.

More background related to the Nisga'a funding can be explored here.

For more items of note from the Nass Valley see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.