Students building future

Page 17

Robert Lafontaine is doing a job he enjoys. Lafontaine works as a tenant councilor for the Gabriel Housing Corporation in Regina.

He got the job through the Metis Housing Administration Program, which ended on June 6 when Lafontaine and nine other students graduated.

Lafontaine first heard about the 16-month program through the Yorkton Parkland Native Outreach Centre. He had a varied background in the housing industry and thought by applying for the program he would satisfy his need to further himself in the industry.

"The aspect of working with and helping my own people interests me very much," he explained.

The program was developed and funded by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Saskatchewan Municipal Housing Division, and the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan.

"The program was developed to increase the number of Aboriginal people employed in the housing industry," Brian Doran, general manager of CMHC's Prairie and Northwest Territories Region, said at the graduation ceremony.

The program was launched in early 1993, with 10 students selected from almost 100 applications. The program was held in Saskatoon and consisted of eight months of classroom work, followed by eight months of practical experience in various Saskatchewan centres.

"I enjoyed it very much," says Phyllis Durocher. "I've been out of school for 20 years so it was kind of a struggle, but the instructors were very encouraging and professional."

"I have four children and one grandchild, so it was also a struggle to balance my time between home and school," added the 40-year-old graduate.

Durocher says there's one thing she'd like to see changed about the program.

"I believe the program should be open to both Metis and Native people, because I think there is a need for trained housing co-ordinators on the reserves.

The program provided a basic foundation in all aspects of housing. It covered such topics as housing programs, contract administration and property management. Federal and provincial relations and new house construction were also addressed.