The Government of Canada has partnered with the Northern Development Initiative Trust to fund a pilot project supporting First Nations government internships throughout Northern B.C.

In a press release Jan. 17 the Trust said they and the Department of Indigenous Services Canada will commit $480,000 over the next three years to finance the internships for First Nations and tribal councils located within the Trust鈥檚 service area. The 50-50 partnership is part of the Trust鈥檚 strategic goal to invest in indigenous communities.

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The program will support four 12-month internships each year between now and 2020 with the equivalent pay of $40,000 per year. The aim is to offer university graduates the chance to pursue careers in band or First Nations government administration.

鈥淭he goal of the program is to boost capacity in First Nations communities, support administrative excellence and create rewarding career opportunities for indigenous youth,鈥� read the release.

The pilot project was originally launched in 2017 with three interns successfully placed in host communities, including the Kitselas First Nation near Terrace, Skidegate Band Council on Haida Gwaii and the Tsilhqot鈥檌n National Government in Williams Lake.

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The program is part of the Trust鈥檚 strategic goals to support investments in indigenous communities, and represents a 50-50 partnership between the Trust and Indigenous Services Canada, with each organization committing $240,000 to the project over the next three years.

Applications for candidates and host First Nations communities are available on the .

quinn@terracestandard.com
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