With the Coastal GasLink project ramping up for one of its most important construction seasons, Indigenous advisors from the are back at lodges, and ready to welcome workers to their communities.
The CWAA Program launched last year and is a first-of-its-kind program designed to foster a respectful and safe relationship between workers and the local communities that host them.
鈥淭his kind of program hasn鈥檛 been done before,鈥� said Lorisha Desjarlais, a member of the Saulteau First Nation, and one of the program鈥檚 coordinators.
鈥淩eal time, on-the-ground access to activities, wellness, and cross-cultural awareness opportunities 鈥� no other major project has done that. It means Coastal GasLink is looking to provide action to reconciliation,鈥� she added proudly.
Destiney Michelle is one of the advisors making the program a reality. Destiney is from the Skin Tyee Nation and as part of the program, she lives in 7 Mile Lodge, a workforce accommodation located within her home community.
鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 a pioneer,鈥� shared Destiney. 鈥淭his has never been offered on any other project that I鈥檓 aware of. Being able to support the local Nations that are giving you the opportunity to go through their territory, not just to employ them, but to let them share their history, their knowledge, their culture is a huge honour.鈥�
Through cultural events, recreational activities, wellness challenges, and mental health support, Indigenous advisors like Destiney are creating a healthier for workers at every lodge. The respect, inclusivity, and transparency they foster help make lodges a valued part of every community.
When asked what this program means to her and her community, Destiney had this to say, 鈥渋t shows how we鈥檙e coming together as Nations and communities [鈥. It just goes to show how we鈥檝e learned to work together and help each other. We鈥檙e given the opportunity to be heard.鈥�
Just last month, Destiney organized a time of learning and listening at 7 Mile Lodge to commemorate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Together with her mother, Hereditary Chief Ludooks (Helen Michelle) from the Skin Tyee Nation, Destiney shared traditional knowledge on soapberry canning and plant medicine with residents of the lodge.
Learning and partnering with Indigenous communities is a core component of Coastal GasLink鈥檚 commitment to creating an of safety and respect for all people, communities, and the environment. The CWAA program is an important way the project is putting that legacy in action.
鈥淚 feel honoured to have the opportunity to share my culture, because it wasn鈥檛 always an option. We鈥檝e come a long way to where we are today,鈥� added Destiney.
To learn more about how Coastal GasLink is partnering with Indigenous communities as it ramps up for the summer construction season, visit .