Métis Community Association hosts Spark Métis graduation ceremony

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The Métis Community Association hosted a graduation ceremony for nine graduating students of the Spark Métis program. 

The ceremony took place at the Bizzybody training centre in Fort St. John on October 5th. 

Graduates will be placed in an 11-week employment and training opportunity with local industry partners and organizations. 

The 5-week program consists of providing young adults between the ages of 19 and 30, “A unique learning experience in a safe and culturally appropriate classroom,” read the description. 

Organized by the BC Métis Federation, the Spark Métis program is a pilot project funded by the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. 

Originally scheduled to take place in Kelowna, this edition was transferred to Fort St. John due to wildfires. A total of three programs are planned to run across B.C.

In this edition, the graduates researched different subjects throughout the program and were awarded opportunities in different industries. 

To be eligible for the Spark Métis program, applicants must identify as Métis, be between the ages of 19 and 30 years old, be out of school or training for at least six months, have been out of work for more than six months and be willing to participate. 

Jocelyn Eisert, one of the founding board members of the Peace Region Métis Community Association, stated the organization hasn’t been able to announce its presence to the community due to time constraints.

The association was incorporated at the end of August and immediately began hosting the Spark Metis program. 

Moving forward, various initiatives and services are scheduled to be announced. 

“We’re going to start something called Métis Mondays, and we’ll open up this space from three to five so anybody that’s Métis, or is part of our local chapter, can come have a coffee, and build our community because we’re starting from scratch,” said Eisert. 

One of the Métis Community Association’s goals is to grow and conserve Métis culture and traditions, such as Métis and Michif languages.

The association has a Michif language program that could be used to collaborate with schools in the region. 

“We’ll also host a Métis jamboree next June, with three days of Métis Jigging and different cultural offerings that we haven’t seen in this region in the past,” said Eisert. 

The Métis Community Association collaborated with different local organizations for employment opportunities for its graduates, which were chosen based on the preferences and skillsets of the students.

“We engaged in conversation amongst the leadership from our program, and we went through the highlights of what these individuals wanted,” said Eisert. 

“This student wants this, what companies do we think might do it? So there was a lot of investment in the community and building the bridges accordingly.”

Eisert expressed the importance of providing support and creating a foundation for young adults like these, who will be the drivers of society in the future. 

“It has been a real honour getting to know these nine young adults, who are going to be the drivers of our communities in the decades to come,” said Eisert.

“It’s a really big role to be part of their foundation, and we’re honoured to have played that role. We’ve seen all of them grow some wings in the short five weeks, so no doubt that they’ll all be successful wherever they go.”

Pearl Cardinal, a graduating student of the program, highlighted her feelings about graduating and the friendships made along the way. 

“I’m leaving feeling really great because I made a lot of friendships for years to come. I also got a career, now it just feels good,” said Cardinal.

Cardinal will join the Fort St. John Dental Clinic as a dental assistant for 11 weeks and says she would like to return to school to become a dental hygienist in the future. 

“I learned a lot. The teachers were really nice and understood if we needed help, and when to leave us alone,” said Cardinal.

“We were taught about our culture, our feelings, and how to deal with them. We also took various online courses, like my dental course.”

Cardinal recommends the program to anyone interested and encourages young adults to apply. 

“It’s opened up a lot of opportunities for me, and it’s opened a lot of relationships for me as well,” said Cardinal.

The next Spark Métis program is scheduled for the spring of 2024 in Surrey, however, the location hasn’t been solidified. 

More information on the program can be found Spark Métis’ website.