Employment & Training Success Stories

Today, Aliesha Bighetty is operating one of the largest haul trucks in the world at the Syncrude Aurora site. A goal that began with enrolling in the Haul Truck Operator Program at Keyano College.

When Isaac Smorong enrolled in the Holistic Skilled Labour Program, he knew this path would lead him to bigger things. Sure enough, these skills led him to the Suncor Haul Truck Operator Program and a career he is excited for.

Hannah Redden is a 23-year-old Métis woman whose interest in equipment operating began at a young age. From motorcycles to heavy machinery, she has always been fascinated by how things work.

Kimberly Cardinal is a proud member of the Bigstone Cree Nation from Calling Lake, Alberta, Treaty 8. At 44, she is a mom, a grandma, and a “Deadly Auntie,” carrying cultural knowledge alongside a strong sense of humour.

Louisa’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and transformation. As a thirty-eight-year-old Inuk woman from Wakeham Bay, Nunavik, Louisa Sakiagak, recently completed the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) Program, formerly known as the GED, through the Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC).

Meet 16-year-old Corbin, a goal-oriented Inuit youth from Fort McMurray who recently completed his Class 5 driver's license through the Athabasca Tribal Council's Driver Training Program – an important and impressive achievement. 

Sara Voyageur, a proud member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation from Fort Chipewyan, began her journey into project management in November 2024 after enrolling in the Basics of Project Management course offered through a partnership between Keyano College and Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC). She discovered the opportunity through ATC’s Facebook page and was accepted into the program just a few weeks after applying. 

For five years, Reeve Morton worked as an ironworker with Local 720, but deep down, he knew it was time for a change. As a proud member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), Reeve sought new opportunities—ones that would challenge him while opening doors to a fulfilling career. That’s when he came across Keyano College’s Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) program. With ATC’s support, he applied and was accepted, embarking on a hands-on learning experience that provided both practical skills and essential industry knowledge.

Dolores is a 58-year-old Métis woman who was born in Fort Chipewyan but raised in Fort McMurray. Widowed at age 21, she raised two small boys and joined the workforce as a labourer. Dolores decided it was time for a different career path.

Thirty-year-old Roy is a member of Fort McMurray 468 First Nation. He participated in the Upskilling Program through Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) after hearing about it through ATC and his band FM468FN.

Chantal is from Onion Lake First Nation on the border of Saskatchewan and Alberta. Looking for a change from her gas station job where she did see the opportunity for promotion happening, she participated in the Class 2S Melt Training program after seeing it advertised on Facebook and becoming interested.

The Community-Based Environmental Monitoring (CBEM) program provides students with education and training in environmental monitoring by focusing on a “Two-Eyed Seeing” approach.

The Urban Indigenous Employment Preparation Program (UIEPP) is a unique Upskilling Program. The partnership between Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) and Keyano College sees First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people living in the Wood Buffalo region able to take courses to improve their the education and ultimately their resume, fueling opportunities for employment, career advancement, and continuing skills training toward their dreams.

The Indigenous Haul Truck program provides opportunities for First Nations, Métis and Inuit people living in the Wood Buffalo region to get the training and skill needed to operate some of the largest machines used in the oil sands industry today.

Wendy is a forty-seven-year-old Indigenous woman, mother, wife and grandmother. She is a member of the Canoe Lake Cree First Nation, located in Saskatchewan, but recently relocated her family to Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Twenty-six-year-old Tyrone, from Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, successfully completed Athabasca Tribal Council’s (ATC) Security Guard Training Program, ultimately securing employment which was his goal when he started.

Cyrus is a 22-year-old member of the Berens River band in Manitoba, and is father to a one-year-old little girl. He participated in the Class 5 Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) program after seeing it advertised on Athabasca Tribal Council’s (ATC) Facebook page.

Twenty-nine-year-old Robyn is a mother of two and a proud band member of the Fort McMurray 468 First Nation. Robyn participated in the Haul Truck Operator course offered through Keyano College after seeing it advertised on Athabasca Tribal Council’s (ATC) Facebook page.

Forty-year-old Leah is a proud member of the McMurray Métis. Together with her husband, Nathan, Leah has three beautiful children who have all been raised in Fort McMurray — the community they call home.

Emily is a twenty-three-year-old from Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nations in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. In 2018, she moved to Fort McMurray to make a better life for herself with more work opportunities, and has since participated in the Haul Truck Operator program through Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC).

Forty-nine-year-old Norma is a mother and grandmother from Fond Du Lac First Nation in Saskatchewan. It was in Saskatchewan where she graduated from high school, and went on to complete her Heavy Equipment Operator course.

Tammy is a forty-nine-year-old Qalipu First Nations member who recently participated in the Indigenous Security Guard program after hearing a radio advertisement promoting the program.

JoAnn is a 47-year-old Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation member who completed the Security Guard training program after seeing it advertised on Athabasca Tribal Council’s Facebook page.

Amber is a 23-year-old Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation member from Fort McMurray but has family roots in Fort Chipewyan. Amber participated in the Community Based Monitoring Program (CBEM), sponsored by the Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) at Keyano College.