Eighteen First Nation youth successfully complete Cisco Academy course
Keewaytinook Okimakanak is working in partnership with several organizations to support First Nation youth across Ontario to obtain certification as computer technicians.
The recently completed Cisco IT Essentials 1 (ITE1) course that ran from November 2005 to January 2006 had twelve First Nation youth successfully complete the program. Three youth passed the course the first time it was delivered in the winter of 2004-2005. Three other First Nations youth successfully completed the ITE1 Instructor training program in 2004 and are now delivering this course from their communities to other youth.
The course is delivered online using a variety of e-learning communication tools. Most of the participants are working as Computer Technicians in their home community and are employed under a Youth Employment initiative coordinated by members of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak team with funding from Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet program.
Instructors for the ITE1 course are:
- Angus Miles (Lead instructor), Fort Severn First Nation (ITE1 and ITE2 instructor certified)
- Aaron Hardy, Fort William First Nation (ITE1 and CCNA1 instructor certified)
- Jamie Ray, Flying Post First Nation (ITE1 and CCNA1 instructor certified)
The 2005-2006, ITE1 graduates include:
- Leon Keeper, Pikangikum First Nation
- Darren Nadjiwon-Elliot, Cape Croker First Nation
- Benjamin Sabourin, Pic Mobert First Nation
- Denise Mckay, Deer Lake First Nation
- Delphine Matthews, Big Trout Lake First Nation
- Manley Wapioke, Shoal Lake #39 First Nation
- Jamie Michano, Pic River First Nation
- Jason Tait, Sachigo Lake First Nation
- Jeremy Sawanas, Deer Lake First Nation
- Robert Shawana, Wikwemikong First Nation
- Eric Sutherland, Fort Albany First Nation
- Willie Lazarus, Attawapiskat First Nation
The ITE1 2004-2005 ITE1 graduates included
- Robert Semple, Kasabonika First Nation
- Zach Morriseau, Fort William First Nation
- William Solomon, Fort William First Nation
Angus Miles is now working with Aaron Hardy to deliver the ITE2 Cisco Academy training program to those ITE1 graduates interested in getting this certification.
Other partners involved in the development of this training opportunity include the Keewatin Career Development Corporation and the Aboriginal Human Resource Development department that funded the Train-the-trainer program working with the Education Network of Ontario and Centennial College.
Many of these youth will be attending the upcoming Chiefs of Ontario gathering in Six Nations where they will meet to continue the ITE2 training as well as participate in the First Nations Youth Education gathering.