Alamos Gold Inc. and Marcel Colomb First Nation (MCFN) are partnering together on a series of projects to facilitate traditional hands-on knowledge and skills training among Indigenous youth.

The Youth Development Project has received $30,000 through the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund (MMDF) while the Alamos Gold Inc. and MCFN has provided $60,000 and $15,000 in funding, respectively.

Youths from Northern Manitoba will be mentored and trained as they learn how to construct a cabin and build a new trail to provide access to Chepil Lake on the north side of the Black Sturgeon Reserve.

“Earlier this year, Alamos Gold and the MCFN explored ways in which we could collaborate to support young people in the community, and identified this project as an opportunity,” said Rebecca Thompson, vice president of public affairs at Alamos Gold on Thursday.

“It is a great foundation for future training opportunities leading to employment at the proposed Lynn Lake Gold Project, and it can lead to future careers in the mining sector in support of Manitoba’s Look North Action Plan priorities for developing Northern Manitoba’s economy.”

Thompson hopes that this project will also support relationship building, provide a forum for knowledge sharing, and enhance Alamos Gold’s understanding of community traditions and the reconciliation journey outcomes that are closely tied to this project.

The project will be conducted under the supervision of Elders, Knowledge Holders and mentors from the community involving traditional practices and ceremonies, while adhering to strict public health COVID-19 protocols.

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