Indigenous construction students complete energy efficient shed at Westbank First Nation

Indigenous graduates from this year's the REnEW program. (Left to right) Kaylamay Meldrum, Jordan Lindley; Selena Joe; Bill Louie (program mentor); Dakota Ned; Chayton Coble; Ricky August; Kenny Derickson; Tiffany Louie and Tanita Beaulieu.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Nicole Brown

November 27, 2020 - 9:00 PM

It’s a challenging time for many as people continue to grapple with this global pandemic. But on one tiny, yet significant square of the world, Indigenous students are prepping for a new normal by training in clean energy construction.

From Sept. 21 to Oct. 29, ten Indigenous construction students worked to build an energy efficient shed on Westbank First Nation (WFN).

The completed building, which has high-efficiency walls, insulation, two windows and a solar light, is located next to the WFN Community Garden and will be used for food and equipment storage.

“I liked the teamwork when we built the garden shed-everybody being together and helping each other,” says PIB member Selena Joe. “It’s given me a sense of accomplishment.”

Selena Joe onsite, building the WFN energy efficient shed.

Image Credit: Athena Bonneau, Local Journalism Initiative

Joe and the other students were building the energy efficient shed as part of a training program in collaboration with WFN, the Okanagan Training and Council (OTDC)and FortisBC’s Residential Energy and Efficiency Works (REnEW) program.

“I entered the program to get some experience under my belt. I had never worked on a job site before,” says Joe.

Over the course of the 4-week program she and the other students received eight safety-related certificates in the program, including WHMIS, First Aid, and small machinery operator’s licence. The students received two weeks of in-class and on-site training with mentors and industry professionals from West Kelowna construction company, WIBCO Construction Ltd.

“I’m feeling a lot more confident now about going to a job site,” says Joe reflecting on the experience.

An inside peek of the Insulation of garden shed.

Image Credit: Athena Bonneau, Local Journalism Initiative

Building opportunities

The program’s goal is to provide participants with the self-confidence and skills they need to achieve new goals and opportunities in the construction industry, says Nicole Brown, corporate communications advisor for FortisBC.

“It gives students some exposure that they might not have had before. It makes them familiar with what it’s like to be on a job site,” says Brown.

WFN worked with FortisBC and OTDC to identify students for the program.

“Fortis value’s the relationships with Indigenous communities,” Brown says, “We feel that those partnerships are the best foot forward and making sure that we have an energy system in BC that serves everyone.”

Now in its tenth year, the REnEW program, they work with 57 different First Nations across B.C., according to Brown. The ten recent graduates join the 122 other students who have graduated from the program.

For these students, their journey will continue after graduation. They’ll be supported for two-weeks of work experience on a real construction site and continue to get mentorship for up to three months as they search for related job opportunities or navigate related post-secondary programs.