(Piikani Nation on Facebook)

By Justin Goulet

Piikani Nation enters work partnership with operating engineers union

Nov 2, 2020 | 9:08 AM

BROCKET, AB – A partnership has been formed between the Piikani Nation and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 955.

In a release, it was stated that the agreement is based around a training initiative directly on the traditional lands of the Piikani Nation.

The union is working with its industry partners to provide Heavy Equipment Operator training on a variety of earth-moving pieces of equipment for members of the Piikani Nation, while providing them with “lifelong employment skills”.

The training will come at no cost to members.

“The partnership that we’ve created with the company is going to create jobs for our people in the rea of heavy equipment operation in and around the area,” said Jim Swag, employment manager for Piikani Employment Services.

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Everyone involved in the training will contribute to the larger scale project of building a 360-metre-long egress road adjacent to the Piikani Nation Rodeo grounds.

The road construction will have Piikani people directly involved in the infrastructure development process, which will focus on creating safer travel during traditional ceremonies and celebrations, as well as better traffic flow.

“We’ve surveyed the area and did a first call with TransAlta and Fortis to see if there’s any underground lines that are there, so they’ll be building that road with gravel and stuff. It’s kind of a slew area, so they’ll put a culvert in,” Swag explained.

“They’ll [Nation members] have extensive experience; so many hours per machine. I think there’s five or six machines there.”

Swag added some pieces of equipment include a bulldozer, loader and graters. The project will be overseen and instructed by members and partners of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 955.

“Our goal is that long after this project is over there will be a permanent reminder of what is possible when you work together,” read a statement from the union.

“By working together today to provide skills and opportunity, we are providing for tomorrows jobs, community and people. There has never been a more ideal time for this training than now, with the metallurgic coal sector in the area ramping up for construction and eventual operation.”

Swag told Lethbridge News Now he hopes the weather cooperates for the project and training should end by around November 20, 2020.

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