TIMMINS, ON: Northern College was pleased to host 21 Indigenous high school students this summer as part of the Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP).

The program, held over six weeks in the height of summer, is designed to provide participants with the kinds of useful skills that will benefit them both personally and professionally as they look towards making key decisions about their career path.

“They learn a wide variety of skills related to natural resources and its land-based education as well,” stated Shawna MacLean, the on-site facilitator for OYEP. In addition to learning new skills, the high school students will earn certificates and credits.”

Based out of Esker Lakes Provincial Park near Kirkland Lake for much of the program, the students spent one week at Northern College’s Timmins Campus taking courses hosted by Northern College faculty and staff.

Northern College’s Indigenous Services Assistant, Armanda Sutherland, led the group in the creation of moccasins and dreamcatchers.

“To share this knowledge, to share our culture is so rewarding,” stated Sutherland. “This is our culture, to share in this way, to teach, to tell stories and to bond in activities like this. The program is incredible, as it brings people together from around the region to create bonds of friendship that can last a lifetime.”

“I wish I had access to a program like this when I was young,” Sutherland added. “I’ll certainly be enrolling my son when he’s old enough to participate in it.”

For the past six years, Christian Iserhoff has spent his summer with OYEP, first as a student and now as a team lead, finding sincere value in the experience.

“I see myself growing, I see this new person growing,” stated Iserhoff. “We leave this program with new friends, all of these certifications, all of these resources and all of these outlets and we really try and reinforce that within the program, to remind them of the importance of these resources and the opportunities that can come from it.”

Northern College is proud to participate in the Outland Youth Employment Program again this year and to provide staffing and facilities to such a worthy cause.

Access to Education is enshrined in Northern College’s Strategic Plan and as such, any opportunity to support ventures like these is one gladly taken by Northern.