In the months before his death, Songhees Chief Robert Sam was working for a better future for his nationB次元官网网址檚 young people.
He and Chief Andy Thomas of the Esquimalt First Nation had formed a joint company with Ralmax Group of Companies and Ruskin Construction.
The new marine business, named Salish Sea Industrial Services Ltd. in May, provides training and employment opportunities for members of the two First Nations, including a contract to dismantle the old Johnson Street rail bridge.
The company employs nine people, six of whom are First Nations. Its barge prominently displays the logos of both First Nations.
In an interview last winter, Sam called the partnership a significant opportunity for young people, as well as a way to build awareness of the Songhees people.
B次元官网网址淚t creates for us a presence on the harbour and the downtown core area,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e heard from people, B次元官网网址極h, we thought you guys were gone.B次元官网网址� Ha!B次元官网网址� he laughed. B次元官网网址淣o, weB次元官网网址檙e still here.B次元官网网址�
The venture with Ralmax was not the first Sam negotiated with the private sector.
The first phase of construction on the Dockside Green development gave apprenticeship opportunities to some Songhees members. Sam signed a similar work agreement with the Victoria International Marina, which still awaits approval from the federal government.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 groundbreaking in terms of the business community accepting us and seeing us as partners,B次元官网网址� he said in November 2011. B次元官网网址淧reviously, when something started, we were always on the outside.B次元官网网址�
The unemployment rate was a concern for Sam, who said the average education level on reserve is between Grade 8 and 10.
Agreements with the private sector, he said, B次元官网网址渁re a good opportunity to get some training for our young people, get them some job skills and get them out into the work force.B次元官网网址�
However, he added, more needs to be done to ensure follow-up training is available to young people after they complete workplace apprenticeships. B次元官网网址淲e should have had a follow up,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e have to do it.B次元官网网址�
Ian Maxwell of Ralmax has been working toward an agreement with the two First Nations for the past several years.
B次元官网网址淲e are deeply saddened by ,B次元官网网址� he wrote in a statement to the B次元官网网址. B次元官网网址淲e at Ralmax have long been advocates for the meaningful inclusion of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations in the working harbour economies. IB次元官网网址檓 proud to have been Chief Robert SamB次元官网网址檚 business partner. Our prayers and sympathy go out to everyone.B次元官网网址�
Salish Sea Industrial Services acts as a labour pool, where unskilled workers can train as labourers. They can also be seconded to other companies within the Ralmax Group, where they will receive further training in specialized skills such as hazardous material abatement, or apprenticeships in fields such as welding and metal fabrication.
rholmen@vicnews.com
