Creating Over 140 Jobs with the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n 2 Wind Project

Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation (MMBC) held three recruitment open houses in Listuguj, Gesgapegiag and Gespeg in January. Listuguj’s open house was held on January 15th at the Listuguj Community Development Center (Bingo Hall.)

MMBC’s Mi’gmaq Project Coordinator and Spokesperson, Terry Shaw – former Chief of Gespeg, gave a presentation on MMBC’s values, projects and upcoming opportunities with the the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n 2 (MU2) Wind Project in the MRC d’Avignon. Like MU1, MU2 will be done with an equal partnership between MMBC and Innergex Renewable Energy. This renewable energy initiative will generate over 140 jobs with the goal of maximizing Mi’gmaw employment and aims for commercial operation by December 2026.

MMBC’s Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n Project Manager, Kirt Dedam spoke about the four pillars the organization focuses on when it comes to its projects: Employment, Education, Training and Communication.

If you are interested in a career in the renewable energy sector in Gespe’gewa’gi, there are a number of options available.

There are several employment opportunities with the upcoming MU2 Project:

  • Construction workers (heavy equipment operators, electricians, millwrights, ironworkers, labourers)
  • Site management (site managers, coordinators, health and safety officers)
  • Non-specialized trades (security, janitors, and more)
  • Administrative and logistics (site nurses, clerks, assistants)

For more information on these positions, or to submit your application visit: www.mmcorporation.ca/employment

MMBC offers a Scholarship and Bursary Program, which will be rolling out in May 2025. You can find more information on this at www.mmcorporation.ca.

A 14-week Entry-Level Wind Turbine Technician Program will be starting in April 2025. This program consists of online classes, in-community training and internship experience. It offers a weekly compensation, a meal allowance, and one of its main focuses is to encourage Indigenous women to apply. Spaces are limited.

MMBC offers a paid Traineeship Program at the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n Wind Farm, where individuals can take part in a two-day on-site program, and see what the day in the life of a wind turbine maintenance technician is like. The program includes a guided tour of the operational facilities and the wind farm site, learning essential safety protocols, hands-on workshops and more. Individuals will also get the opportunity to climb a 100-meter wind tower.

If you’d like to apply for the Entry-Level Wind Turbine Technician Training Program, or the Traineeship Program at the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n Wind Farm, please contact Kirt Dedam for an application at kdedam@mmcorporation.ca or 418-759-3070.

By Ann Marie Jacques

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Full Spectrum Doula Services Now Available in Listuguj!

Maternal Child health program in partnership with the Mishwaashin Lodge Indigenous Women’s Support Centre hosted the Aunties on the Road: Indigenous Full Spectrum Doula Training in September 2024. We had a wonderful group who took part in this training.

We would like to present to you 4 community members who took part in the Indigenous Full spectrum Doula training in September 2024.

  • Allanah Dedam
  • Sarah Clement
  • Chantel Isaac
  • Brianna Caplin

What is an Indigenous full spectrum doula?

it is a non-medically trained care provider who offers support to Indigenous people throughout their reproductive and sexual health journeys. They can help with a variety of experiences, including:

  • pregnancy, birth, postpartum, abortion, family planning, menstruation, adoption, loss, and perimenopause and menopause.

Indigenous full spectrum doulas can provide culturally relevant care that builds on traditional Indigenous roles and teachings. They can help clients honor their traditional and spiritual practices and support their cultural and language needs.

If ever you are interested in Doula Services or have any questions, you can contact Avery or Katrina at the Health center at (418) 788-2155.

By Listuguj Community Health Services

Chief’s Corner with Chief Scott Martin – January 2025

Pusu’l Puna’ne!

For 2025, I encourage you to look after one another, and yourselves. Be sure to check in on your family during these cold winter months, especially our Elders in the community.  Like every year, there are plenty of events to look forward to in 2025! Be sure to keep an eye on all Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government social media channels for information on upcoming events throughout the year! Chief and Council also strive to keep you informed of developments and projects throughout the year.

Listuguj Income Security

The Listuguj Community Social Services Directorate (LCSSD) offers several programs and resources to the community, one of these resources is the First Nations of Quebec Income Security Program.  In the community, there are a number of employees working for LCSSD who specialize in the Income Security Program. Denise Jacques is the Manager, Brandey Barnaby and Macy Vicaire are Intake Workers, Sheila Brisk is the Receptionist and Sophie Delaney is the Community Support Worker.

This Income Security Program is used as a last resort for independent adults, married persons and common law partners only.

To be eligible you must:

  • Be an adult aged 18 years or older OR, if you are under the age of 18, be or have been married or be the parent of a dependent child.
  • Live in the community to which you have submitted your application.
  • Demonstrated that you have no other financial resource at your disposal. (Note that exclusions may apply with respect to your liquid assets, goods and income.)

This program is divided into two categories:

Unable to Work

Income assistance under the category of Unable to work is provided to people who have restrictions preventing them from holding employment or participating in training measures owing to their precarious state of health, a chronic impairment, their age, or any other reason recognized by the regulation.

Able to Work

Income assistance under the category Able to work is provided to people in a situation of financial insecurity or employment instability and who have not demonstrated an incapacity to participate in employment insertion and training measures. This category of income security is considered a transitional step.

For community members interested in applying for this program, they must submit an application and complete the income security program registration form.  

They will then be asked to provide supporting documents to determine eligibility and establish the amount to which they are entitled.

Supporting documentation that may be requested may include, but not limited to:

  • Proof of residence form
  • Birth certificate or picture ID
  • Bank statement

After you have filled out the appropriate paperwork and supplied the supporting documents, your application will be processed, and a decision will be made within the next 10 days.

If you are approved for the program, you must complete a Monthly Declaration form each month and return it. This form must be submitted no later than the 15th of every month.

Once per year, your files will be re-evaluated.

The Income Security program also offers special allowances to help cover needs that are not considered by your basic benefit. Some of the special needs include funeral expenses, pregnancy, childcare, diabetes, etc. It is an individual’s responsibility to inform the Income Security team of their special need no later than 30 days following the event. Supporting documentation must be supplied.

If you are interested in the Income Security Program in the community, or if you have any questions, please contact 418-788-2909 or email denise.jacques@listuguj.ca.

By Ann Marie Jacques and the Listuguj Community Social Services Directorate