Chief Alvin Francis from Nekaneet — located just south east of Maple Creek — was on hand during a special ceremony announcing the official start of construction on Friday morning and spoke about how important the opportunity is to his people.
‘It’s very important because I always try and encourage our youth to go out and enjoy the real world,” he said. “Because when you’re on a reserve, sometimes you become isolated and then you don’t think about what’s going on… I had a great experience going out into the real world and doing construction so I encourage that today.
“That’s why we have all the important agreements with SaskPower and all the Crown corporations, to make sure that we know we’re working together to make a better future. That’s what must always go on because without it, we won’t have those good feelings we have going on with each other.”
The fact construction jobs like those at the Great Plains site are very well paying only enhances the importance in Francis’ eyes.
“It’s very valuable because there aren’t very many jobs that can provide for you (back home),” Francis said. “I keep encouraging them when they get out of school, ‘okay, now go get a mainstream job, because by the time you’re 50, you can retire’, and everyone would love to retire that young. As we build these opportunities between private and Crown corporations, I believe this is going to be a better future for everyone so they can provide a living for their family.”
Francis was quick to stress the jobs aren’t guaranteed — workers have to prove they’re capable, just like everyone else. But getting that chance when the opportunity might otherwise not exist is an important step.
“It’s an opportunity once they get out of school, they can work during the summer,” said Francis. “But it’s also an opportunity to prove themselves. I can put my foot in the door for them, but that’s all I can do. There are no guarantees of any kind, they have to work just like I did, and I think that’s the way it should be done, to prove that you can be a good worker.”
Minister Responsible for SaskPower Don Morgan hopes to see the partnership continue well into the future.
“The Chief talked about what we’ve done in the past but also talked about looking forward to jobs and economic activity on a local and individual basis and I couldn’t agree more,” he said.
SaskPower president and CEO Mike Marsh added that Nekaneet First Nation members are well on track to land permanent jobs once the project reaches completion.
“We’ve been working with the Nekaneet First Nation in a training program for operators and we’d like to eventually see the opportunity for members to find employment here,” Marsh said. “They’ve started on that path and we’re happy to work with them.”
Moose Jaw mayor Fraser Tolmie took a more conciliatory tone to Indigenous workers receiving opportunities, especially in light of recent events.
“It’s a sad time for our nation, so to be able to have Chief Francis come and share his heart, it means a lot to our community because we have a historical past with First Nations,” he said. “So to be able to share this project and have a blessing from him and to hear his words, it’s very important and it’s the right step. We have a lot to learn and the only way you can do that is by learning together. The best thing we have now is being able to communicate and that’s what this project has been about.”
