b'AdvertorialMOMENTUM KEEPS BOILERMAKERS INDIGENOUS RECRUITMENT DRIVE IN ACTIONThe International Brotherhood of BoilermakersIve been a job steward and a foreman.Indigenous Recruitment Initiative has gainedMy experience with the Boilermakersmomentum since its launch in 2018. Thehas changed my life. It has helped build the program aims to introduce First Nations, Mtisconfidence in me to be a stronger leader for my and Inuit youth to new and well paid careerpeople when I am back home. The brotherhood opportunities in the Boilermaker tradeasis strongits my second family when Im away welders, riggers, fitters and shipbuildersfrom home for work.in some of the largest construction andStagg sees work opportunities abounding maintenance projects in Canada. across the country for the right men and women. Emile Gareau, the IBBs full-time IndigenousI encourage anyone who is a hard worker and recruiter, has been crisscrossing the country committed to getting things done to give the often virtually since COVID-19 struck with suchBoilermakers a shot, so you can enjoy the same force this yearspeaking with communitybenefits and opportunities I have. Its been a elders about the program and engaging youngrewarding journey thus far.folk eager for a new direction in life andThe Indigenous recruitment drive makes a hungry for training, travel, and lucrative newCheyenne Leeson is a proud member concerted effort to attract more First Nations careers. The union has set up regional officesof the Boilermakersthe first woman women to the trade. Cheyenne Leeson is one. that are busy interviewing qualified candidatesRed Seal welder in her family. Before joining the Boilermakers, I was a welder and, despite the health crisis, phone lines areat various shops lighting up at the IBB. around Winnipeg for a few years, Once we are clear of the coronavirus threat, says Gareau,she says. Eventually, I grew more many major construction projects are going to start up, and frankly,interested in continuing my welding there may not be enough tradespeople to fulfill all the needs of theapprenticeship and getting my industry. So there is no better time to begin sharpening your skills inRed Seal. The Boilermakers union preparation for an apprenticeship or a career with the Boilermakers.made this possible. Going back to There will be lots of work forthcoming, and a number of hugeschool was exciting and was always projects are slated to be built on Indigenous land. Who better thansomething I looked forward to. our First Nations recruits to share in the financial windfall of thoseNow that its all said and done, I am projects? proud to be the first woman Red Though there have long been colonial-cultural barriers thatSeal welder in my family!made success in the skilled trades a struggle for many IndigenousLeeson looks forward to learning workers, Gareau believes his unions drive marks a sea changesomething new every day shes in industry. Im Mtis, and I made it as a Boilermaker, though itat work. Every job I get sent out wasnt easy when I started out, thats for sure. But I persevered, Ito is different from the last. I loveEmile Gareau is the national worked my butt off, and I made an amazing life for myself in thisthe brotherhood mindset of theIndigenous recruiter for the trade. I tell the youths I meet that they can do it too, and my unionunion. Ive felt nothing but supportBoilermakers union.is dedicated to streamlining their way to a successful life. The past isfrom co-workers and friends that the past. Were leaving it behind. Were talking about a new futureI have met along the way. The in which everyone can share inBoilermakers union really ends up being a second family.prosperity through honest hardA major draw for many new Indigenous recruits is the financial work. independence offered by a highly paid career in the trades, and the Experienced Boilermakerssocial safety net that comes with being a member of a strong union. from Indigenous communitiesSays Leeson, With the help of the Boilermakers, I am able to take are happy to be seen ascare of myself and not have to depend on anyone else. Their wages, role models for the youngerpension plan and benefits package are unlike anything Ive seencandidates Gareau is nurturing. with my past jobs. For Isaac Stagg, the unionLeesons experience has made her a cheerleader for the union. has been life-changing. IShe never passes up a chance to extol the virtues of the trade to am a proud 10-year memberothers. I would encourage other Indigenous youthand women of Boilermakers Lodge 555 to consider following the same path I did if you want to lead a life and treaty to the Dauphinof independence. If you have a positive mindset, good work ethic, River First Nation in theand the drive to learn and expand your skill set, the Boilermakers Treaty 2 territory, Stagg says.union is for you.Since becoming a Red SealGareau encourages interested candidates to start out by journeyman in my trade, I haveIsaac Stagg is a ten-year veterancontacting him at egareau@boilermakers.org, or to reach outgained a lot of skills and trainingBoilermaker. He considers the union to the IBBs head office in Edmonton at ibbadmin@boilermaker.ca to perform the work we do. to be a second family. (or by phone at 780-483-0823).'