June – Aboriginal Partnerships

A Partnership in Training at Point-Pelee National Park

Summer students Samantha Hillier and Matthew Watson work on building protective boxes for turtles nests
© Parks Canada / M. Ruston

In an effort to provide hands on job training to first nations youth, Point Pelee National Park has partnered with Caldwell First Nation’s Aboriginal Student Training Program. Now entering its third year, three students are currently working for the park in all aspects of park operations -- general works, visitor experience and resource conservation. Not only do the students gain practical experience they also provide invaluable support to a number of park projects including turtle research and monitoring, the annual Festival of Birds and invasive species management. One of the successes of the program so far is that we have seen a number of students return year after year and a few are actively pursuing careers in environment stewardship and presentation.