The topics of education and skills development were prevalent among the groups. The importance of having an academic institution or trades training facility in a First Nation or within close proximity t the First Nation that offers specialized programs in in-demand fields was important. Many of the participants acknowledged that a contributing factor to why young people leave their community is due to the lack of jobs. A participant explained, “lack of job opportunities in our First Nation is a major factor in young talent leaving home for urban centres for post-secondary education, employment opportunities and overall better quality of life”.
Participants see technology-based credentials and job creation as the key to the success of their communities. Participants are actively pursuing potential partnerships with local institutes, colleges and universities that offer certifications, diplomas and degrees in areas such as GIS, LiDAR, and other technologies. First Nation Adapt participants are also establishing partnerships with Canadian technology firms and collaborating on many fronts aimed at elevating the technical capabilities and capacity needs of their communities. Another related topic was the need for awareness and learning opportunities at the community level. Many participants felt that the reason why their community leadership and community membership are not invested in climate change is due to limited knowledge on the subject.
