NNOC was filled with so much energy on November 25, 2025, as the University of Manitoba’s City Planning students and instructors lent their time to introduce a youth workforce development strategy to NCN. The goal of the session was to spend the day with the bright young minds of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and to get all organizations to contribute to this initiative. The Mission was clear and powerful: to prepare the NCN youth for the careers they want, introduce them to real job pathways, and explore what the future landscape of our Nation could look like, with the NCN youths’ voices leading the way.
Representatives from the NCN Development Corporation, including Ed and Buddy, led the event to offer their support and vision. “We are here and hopeful that you, the youth of NCN, will be in our place in the future,” Ed told the group.
Students spoke about their first jobs and the skills they want to develop to achieve their dream career. What stood out was the strong interest in trades, many youth said they wanted to become carpenters, builders, and creators of the new NCN. Even the women expressed interest in construction and trades, breaking barriers and showing that hard labour jobs have no gender.
Throughout the session, Ed spoke about the long-term impacts of colonization and the incredible growth NCN has achieved: paved roads, a hotel, three stores, two gas stations, buses, and more. Developments, he said, are a sign of the Nation’s strength and potential. But the next chapter belongs to the youth. “There is a big job ahead of you, and you must give us your opinions. The future must reflect what YOU want to see in NCN.”
NCN Youth worked on a hands-on planning activity, designing their ideal NCN strip mall. With pens and creativity, the youth filled their diagrams with restaurants, clothing stores, cafés, and places that bring people together, Businesses they could work in, own, or enjoy in their free time. It was clear that NCN is full of future entrepreneurs, builders, and visionaries.
The event, officially named “Bridging the Youth into the Workforce,” focused on understanding the strengths, priorities, and challenges of NCN Youth with real input that will guide training and economic development strategies moving forward. The event’s goal was to speak with young people, directly listening, learning, and building programs that support employability.
By the end of the event, it was clear that the future of NCN is bright. These young people are capable, curious, ambitious, and ready to shape the Nation in ways that reflect their dreams. The engagement, confidence, and vision shown by the youth shows a strong future for NCN.
NCN youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are shaping NCN right now.
