Helping Create Positive Futures for Indigenous Youth

COMMUNITY: Meadow Lake

Helping Create Positive Futures for Indigenous Youth

Making dreams come true… that’s what Saskatchewan Polytechnic does, by helping Indigenous students achieve their educational and career goals. And Tolko has partnered with them to create an Indigenous activity book to promote Indigenous youth entering skilled trades.

Recognizing that the average Indigenous youth will drop out of high school by Grade 10, the activity book promotes continued education and career development. It highlights career options and role models in featured trades, encouraging students to stay in school and pursue a post-secondary education.

More than 25,000 copies of the book have been distributed to inner-city schools with high Indigenous populations, elementary and high schools on First Nations in Saskatchewan, and at career fairs.

“Through Tolko’s Innovation Fund, we provided financial support to Saskatchewan Polytechnic for the development, design, and distribution of the activity book,” says Scot Durward, HR manager, Operations and Woodlands. “Tolko is currently sourcing applicants from these programs for our Meadow Lake mill and beyond and we recognize this organization as an industry leader in the province in terms of Indigenous inclusion.”

Sask Polytech is Saskatchewan’s primary public institution for post-secondary technical education and skills training, recognized nationally and internationally for its expertise and innovation. Sask Polytech programs include business, forestry, manufacturing, technology, and technical training for trades.