Kahkewistahaw First Nation opens new autobody training facility

Kahkewistahaw First Nation has opened up an autobody shop to help train new technicians from local communities.

Kahkewistahaw First Nation welcomed its new autobody training facility in a ceremony late last week.

“At the end of the day, we want to make sure it’s learning spaces for everybody,” Kahkewistahaw First Nation Chief Evan Taypotat said.

The grand opening of Kahkewistahaw First Nation’ autobody took place in Broadview, Sask. on Sept. 26. Tastefully decorated cupcakes and a cake with the First Nation’s eagle eagerly awaited those who showed up in support of the project.

After an opening prayer by Senator Amanda Louison, the speakers took turns by the podium. Chief Taypotat represented Kahkewistahaw First Nation. He took the time to thank everyone by name, who helped the First Nation realize the project.

“In terms of Kahkewistahaw, our chief and council are really proud that we can work together with our trust to provide an opportunity to help change lives,” he told CTV News. “To help change families, and help challenge and combat the residential school effect through education and through opportunity.”

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The autobody is a training facility for aspiring technicians from local communities. The chief said they identified a need within the community for education opportunities outside of university programs.

“So many of our people don’t want to do four-year degrees. They want to come and do certifications and shorter programs, but more of a get your hands dirty programs,” he explained. “So, [we] did a survey in our community and [found] a lot of young men and young women that are interested in this course.”

The autobody project is a joint proposal by Kahkewistahaw First Nation and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies. The former bought the infrastructure through their trust, and the latter provides the training.

“It’s a learning space for essentially 15 auto body technicians to be. So, we’re really proud of that.”

Despite the grand opening on Friday, the course started two weeks and will run until December.

“I say jokingly to them, thank you for being in the program. Now, I don’t want to see any broken-down vehicles on the First Nation,” the event’s emcee said between the speeches.

Other speakers included FSIN representative Vice Chief David Pratt, Yorkton Tribal Chief Isabel O’Soup, SIIT representative Darren Cote, Broadview Mayor Colleen Umpherville, and MLA for Moosomin-Montmarte Kevin Weedmark.

“There’s a growing demand for red seal certified tradespeople, and this program will really help fill a gap in our, in our workforce,” Weedmark said, emphasizing the importance of the new facility in his speech.

Chief Taypotat says that Kahkewistahaw First Nation is already considering future plans.

“So, I think for us right now, we want to watch it, we’ll revisit it in November and look for expansion.”