A group of children wearing traditional style skirts and clothing stand in front of a sign with a picture of the new school on it

Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation celebrates the ground breaking of its new elementary school

Pic River, ON – Biigtigong Nishnaabeg is extremely pleased to celebrate the groundbreaking of its new elementary school (kindergarten to grade 8) in the community in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada and the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC).

The Government of Canada has committed an investment of $25.8 million to support the new school. The government of Canada, along with the OFNTSC, is working in close partnership with Biigtigong leadership to ensure the project is successful.

OFNTSC staff and visitors stand on the deck in front of the new office in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. Board member Paul Schisler and Executive Director Melanie Debassige hold a red ribbon and scissors ready to cut the ribbon signifying the official opening.

New office helps OFNTSC increase outreach in northern Ontario!

Atikameksheng Anishnawbek - The Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) is pleased to announce that a fourth office will soon be launched! The new office is located in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation, which is 20 minutes west of Sudbury. The occasion will be celebrated with a grand opening on June 9th, 2022 which includes an open house and free barbecue.

 

A three ring binder lays open on a wooden table with a red pen and some paper clips strewn about. The title on the open page reads "Emergency Response Plan"

Cessation of Emergency Management Preparedness Service offered by OFNTSC

For the past 12 years, the Emergency Management Preparedness service at OFNTSC has prepared First Nations in Ontario to meet the challenges of emergency situations through training, assistance with Master Emergency Response Plans, consultation, and more. The program supported First Nations by building technical capacity in emergency management preparedness and community infrastructure.

A rendering of the new school shows the front facade entrance with the words Biigtigong First Nation School

​​​​​​​Construction to begin on new school in Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation

Biigtigong Nishnaabeg is extremely pleased to announce the construction of a new elementary school (kindergarten to grade 8) in the community in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada. The new school facility has a floor area of 2,780 square meters (29,924 square feet) and is sized to accommodate a student population of 175. The construction of this new facility will relieve the overcrowding issue at the existing school and eliminate the need for portables.
A lady with short brown hair is wearing a white lab coat and holding a clipboard with the words "First Nations Youth Technical Career Fair" on the picture.

Career fair for First Nations youth focuses on cultural connections to STEM careers

On December 9, 2021, the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) will host a technical career fair for First Nations youth through its Technical Youth Career Outreach Project (TYCOP). The focus of the event will be to empower and inform Indigenous youth of the various technical STEM-related careers that exist while connecting these careers to traditional Indigenous knowledge and culture.
a community building

Funding Opportunity Community Spaces

The CCRF aims to help communities across Canada build and improve community infrastructure projects so that they can rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CCRF’s purpose is to support not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and other community groups, as well as Indigenous communities: build new community infrastructure and revitalize existing assets; bring people back to public spaces safely as health measures ease; and create jobs and stimulate local economies.
A boardroom meeting table and chairs

Update on OFNTSC's Board Committees

As part of our ongoing commitment to remain accountable and transparent to our stakeholders, we provide an update on our recently established Board committees. To improve oversight of the organization, we have implemented modern board committees to ensure good governance, strong financial management and ongoing accountability to First Nations in Ontario.
A young First Nations woman is standing with her arms crossed, smiling while standing in the welding bay. She is wearing a welding shield on top of her head and there is a blurred out person welding with sparks flying in the background.

New First Nations youth mentorship program focuses on technical careers

The Technical Youth Career Outreach Project (TYCOP) is excited to announce the launch of a brand new mentorship program for First Nations youth in grades 7 - 12. The program is designed specifically to help students explore and pursue technical service careers (e.g. water/wastewater, solid waste, engineering, environment, etc.)
A boardroom meeting table and chairs

OFNTSC announces new Board of Directors following governance reforms

BRANTFORD, ON (January 12, 2021) – On January 7, 2021, Voting Members of the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) selected a new Board of Directors after undertaking extensive governance reform work. These governance reforms aim to ensure that OFNTSC is focused on delivering the vital technical and capacity building services that First Nations in Ontario need to become self-sustaining and to achieve living standards that are comparable to those enjoyed by Canadians at large.

Subscribe to our e-newsletter and stay up-to-date on OFNTSC and TYCOP news and events!

Subscribe to E-News