Iskotêw Training Inc.
ᐃᐢᑯᑌᐤ ᓭᓴᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ   

Iskotêw Training focuses on Indigenous youth on and off reserve to deliver employment skills in the emergency services career field. Iskotêw Training provides youth with employability skills, soft skills, cultural knowledge and an understanding of the importance of mental health. Students are lead by experienced firefighters/community minded people who are qualified at the instructor level. The program consists of 18 hours of hands-on experience with real life active firefighters that will lead you through a practical and theory-based program and be immersed in medical scenarios. Students are also welcome to use this course on their resumes and professional portfolios after they receive their certificate as well they may use instructors as employment references. Indigenous Youth who participate in the program have the potential to be awarded a bursary to attend post-secondary in an emergency services program.

Mental Health is very important to us at Iskotêw. Indigenous youth have the highest suicide rates in Canada affecting ages15-24 and some as young as 8 years old, the rate for these ages is 6.2 times higher than for non-Indigenous population in the same age range. We can bring this statistic down by promoting life through hope, belonging, meaning and purpose which are the four key elements that are integral to mental wellness in Indigenous communities. As for Canada’s workforce and economy we have learnt that if the gap in opportunities for indigenous communities were closed, Canada’s economy would grow by $27.7 billion. As of now 61% of Indigenous adults (20-24) have not completed high school, compared to 22% for other Canadians. Currently in Canada, only 2% of fire fighters are indigenous.

After completing this course, the students learn a variety of skills that will stay with them for a lifetime. Students learn how to properly dress in structural firefighter gear and Self-contained breathing apparatus. Students learn how to properly ventilate a smoke-filled structure, how to start various tools, water supply and fire hoses. Students also learn the application of foam and different vehicle extrication techniques. Most fire departments are tasked with medical calls and most of their calls are medical based in nature. Firefighting is a dangerous task for both your physical and mental health both instructors talk about the importance of mental and physical health and students will learn all about how important taking care of yourself is. We will survey students and analyze data.

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Future Lakeland College Students:

Once our students are awarded a certificate for completing our course, they can go on to apply for a bursary that will cover the costs to attend the Lakeland College Vermilion Campus Fire/Emergency Services Program if interested. Students are also welcome to use this course on their resumes and professional portfolios. They are welcome to use the Iskotêw team as references for employment opportunities. 

*Bursaries are limited, participation in the course does not guarantee acceptance*