Fort Nelson First Nation seeks to empower community with Career Fair

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Those seeking employment in Fort Nelson will get a glimpse of what could be their futures soon, as Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) will host a career fair.

Scheduled for Friday, May 29th, the event seeks to “connect our members and community members with diverse upcoming opportunities.”

Initially conceptualized this winter, FNFN’s Karleigh Kotchea told Energeticcity.ca FNFN plans to hold the event every two years after 2026.

Kotchea is the manager of corporate services for FNFN.

“This is our first year we are running something like this, and our hope is to actually run it every second year,” said Kotchea. “This is something that was brought forward by our council when our nation was looking at how we can support not only our own workforce, but the communities around us.” 

“We want to make sure our members are wholly supported, and we are aware that while we continue to branch out and try and create relationships with other organizations.”

Concentrating on the concept of community growth, Kotchea revealed other Treaty 8 nations, including Blueberry River First Nations, West Moberly First Nations and Halfway River First Nation, have been invited to the event. 

The event will consist of more than just prospective job opportunities: FNFN is also including a hand games demonstration, dinner and a drum dance as part of the festivities.

Prospective vendors and workshops during the event will include those focused on Indigenous entrepreneurship and traditional skills services, as well as Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) area businesses.

The idea, said Kotchea, is not only to be part of the community but also part of the “solution” regarding career opportunities.

Industries in Fort Nelson, such as forestry, have been hit hard in recent years. A 2025 story by Resource Works suggests a shrinking population – down to just 2,611 by 2021 – and closures of sawmills and a natural gas processing plant contributed to the decline of the local economy, something NRRM Mayor Rob Fraser called “being at a standstill.”

FNFN’s career fair is free to all attendees and will take place on Friday, May 29th at the Chalo Gym at 4021 Fontas Road in Fort Nelson beginning at 12 noon.

The drum dance will conclude the event at 9 p.m. Further information is available by contacting FNFN at (250)774-7257.