Since 2009, the Maskwacis Employment Centre has been helping local workers in the community and surrounding four nations (Louis Bull Tribe, Ermineskin Cree Nation, Montana Cree Nation, and Samson Cree Nation) find jobs in their field or help community members reach for their career goals.

The Employment Centre was created in partnership with the four nations, Alberta Human Services, and Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development Canada. Since its creation, it has been community driven, aimed on helping the people of Maskwacis get to work.

Patrick Lightning, a job coach at the Maskwacis Employment Centre, says that the Employment Centre has been "helping direct people to their platform and helping them along their journey."

A poster for the Maskwacis Employment Centre. Photo credits to Ryan Hunt.

In an interview, Lightning talks about employing and engaging with the community, saying that "we can outsource as much as we can, but we want people who are local to have that pride and that work ethic to be able to come into their community and say, 'they helped out.'"

While working local is important to Lightning, branching out is important too, saying that "we want to keep building relations and having contractors come into the community, and keep building up community engagement."

When asked about how things are going currently for the Maskwacis Employment Centre, Lightning talked about one of his clients, saying that at first, his client "didn't have the background, so we helped him get the tickets he needed, and he's now working on projects [in the community]. He's keeping that momentum for himself, staying local, and not having to go outside of the reserve to find that work".

More information on the Maskwacis Employment Centre and how you can reach out to them can be found on their website.

Listen to the full CFWE interview with Patrick Lightning: