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By Bryan Jessop Unified efforts to reach a common goal are nothing new between the municipality of Leamington and Caldwell First Nation, but the latest partnership between the two communities is being declared a first of its kind. Representatives of the two groups met at the Leamington municipal office on Erie Street North Thursday, March 31, where Caldwell chief Louise Hillier and Leamington mayor John Paterson signed an agreement that officially launched the Skills Development Initiative. The mentoring program has been established as an ongoing arrangement where Caldwell employees and affiliates will job shadow Leamington municipal staff who perform the same duties. The internship program is intended to not only promote diversity and create new community partnerships, but also to generate as many as 50 new jobs once it is fully developed. “The relationship has been just wonderful,” Paterson explained, noting that Leamington has received the support of Caldwell First Nation in projects ranging from new sewage systems along Bevel Line to programming at Leamington District Memorial Hospital. Departments where job shadowing is expected to take place include engineering, public works, finance and possibly planning. A specific example that the two communities have in mind is marina management, where staff at the Caldwell’s marina on Bevel Line — formerly Towles Marina — will learn from employees at the Leamington Municipal
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Caldwell First Nation chief Louise Hillier looks on as Leamington Mayor John Paterson signs documentation making a Skills Development Initiative official between the municipality and local First Nation community. (SUN Photo)
Marina on Robson Road. Paterson noted that the longterm program will take place at no expense to taxpayers. “Between marinas, if Leamington’s gets backed up and too busy, they can send us the overflow,” Hillier explained. “There are a lot of boaters using our new ramp. There’s still room for improvement, we’re still learning and we’re not fully operational because not all services are available yet. We hope to get there in the near future.” With no such partnership known to exist between any other municipality or city and a neighbouring First Nation community anywhere in Canada, Paterson said that the local Skills Development Initiative has received “strong recognition” at both provincial and federal levels.
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Leamington, Caldwells form partnership
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Since plans for the program became public knowledge, Leamington has been contacted by other First Nation communities to learn about how it functions. The idea to initiate the project first started taking shape not long after the Caldwells purchased the former Leamington Royal Canadian Legion building at 14 Orange St. and made it their head office. During a visit to the new headquarters, Paterson and Caldwell representatives began discussing community strategies that would be mutually beneficial between the First Nation group and Leamington. “It was something that sort of evolved naturally,” said Hillier. “There was a mutual respect and concern from the beginning on how our neighbour would work
with us. Because we have respect and trust, understanding developed quickly.” The program and its training process were written by then Leamington human resources officer Lisa Granger, who recently resigned from the position to become human resources manager for the Town of Lakeshore. Granger began writing the program in April of last year and presented it to chief Hillier and Leamington CAO Peter Neufeld in August. The future of the Skills Development Initiative includes applications for grants from both the provincial and federal governments. “It’s so exciting to think about what this program can do for all partners, and not just at the political level,” Granger said. “It’s a perfect
chance to be a role model for the rest of the country.” Granger explained that the program began taking shape after the student employment program at the Leamington marina came to an end. Requiring new workers to fill the gaps, she approached Paterson asking if he’d be willing to approach the Caldwells to determine if any of their members would be willing to take on positions at the municipally owned and operated facility. Paterson was enthusiastic about the idea and upon suggesting it to Hillier, found that the Caldwell chief was equally enthusiastic. “As we moved on in our discussions in supporting one another, we always maintained that we’re good neighbours,” Hillier said.
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