From 2022 to 2025, Focus Forward for Indigenous Youth, in partnership with the Matawa Education and Care Center (MECC) in Thunder Bay, Ontario has delivered a powerful, multi-year initiative—Enhancing Capacity for Indigenous Youth— that has helped 46 Indigenous youth build new skills across four unique program phases.

Designed to combine hands-on learning, cultural connection, and career exploration, the program offers youth pathways into both skilled trades and entrepreneurship while allowing youth to earn wages, high-school credits, and gain practical workplace certifications.

Program Goals: Skills, Culture, and Career Readiness

The overarching aim of the program is to:

• Introduce Indigenous youth to specialized trade and craft skills,
• Provide experiential learning that supports both personal growth and community building,
• Connect youth to culture through traditional teachings and creative expression from Elder’s and Knowledge Keepers, and
• Strengthen employment readiness through real-world training, workshops, and mentorship.

Each phase has offered a unique project focus, allowing youth to explore diverse career opportunities while building confidence, cultural pride, and lifelong skills.

“After speaking to some of the students who participated in the program, they told me it was the reason they wake up in the morning and come to school.”

Principal, Matawa Education and Care Centre

Program Highlights by Phase

Phase 1: Pergola Construction Project

11 youth developed foundational carpentry skills by constructing a pergola for MECC’s outdoor cafeteria space. They learned essential techniques such as accurate measuring, safe hand tool use, and earned safety certifications including WHMIS, Tool Safety, First Aid/CPR, and Working at Heights.

Phase 2: Rink Shack Build Project

In response to the needs of MECC’s Hockey Canada Skills Academy,16 youth participated in the build of a functional Rink Shack. This phase focused on intermediate carpentry, including framing, insulation, drywalling, flooring, soffit and fascia installation, and basic electrical wiring.

“I learned quite a bit about the workforce as a whole and will be using this newfound knowledge in my future careers.” 

Gabriel

Phase 3: Bike Rack Welding Project

12 youth applied both carpentry and welding skills to design and construct bike parking stations at MECC. They gained hands-on experience in metal roofing, pouring cement forms, and metal fabrication, enhancing their technical skillset.

“I enjoyed the program because of the new connections and skills I learned, and because of the way doing something helped me mentally and helped me get out there. I feel like I have purpose and a place in this co op class”. 

Drea

Phase 4: Pre-Trades Native Clothing and Craft Skills Artisan

This culturally rich, entrepreneurial-focused phase introduced 8 youth to traditional and artisan trade skills. Activities included beading, hand drum making, belt making, leatherwork, and regalia making—blending cultural expression with potential career pathways. Additionally, youth were able to visit a local gallery to learn about how items for sale in the gallery are chosen, how artists/makers can approach different retail spaces, and other ways that artists/makers will sell their works. 

A Holistic Model for Indigenous Youth Empowerment

The Enhancing Capacity for Indigenous Youth Program supports the whole person through self-reflection, hands-on learning, cultural revitalization, and career exploration.

Across four phases, youth developed trade and artisan skills, earned safety certifications, and participated in workshops focused on communication, problem solving, financial literacy, and resume writing. The final phase introduced entrepreneurship, blending traditional artistry with modern career paths.

Over four years, this program has empowered youth to envision futures where their culture, skills, and aspirations align. From carpentry and welding to beadwork and regalia, these young leaders are not just creating art and infrastructure—they’re shaping stronger futures for themselves and their communities.