A team of two dozen workers in hard hats and high-visibility vests pose in a deforested area under a blue sky, with one worker lying on the ground.A team of two dozen workers in hard hats and high-visibility vests pose in a deforested area under a blue sky, with one worker lying on the ground.

People

Planting trees and growing futures.

Through hands-on forestry experience, Indigenous youth are building skills, exploring career opportunities, and helping renew forests for future generations.

In July, a group of Indigenous youth in the Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP) had the opportunity to gain hands-on forestry experience during a week of tree planting on a Canfor block in Whitecourt, where they learned about sustainable forest management and explored career opportunities in the forest sector.

Established in 2000, OYEP hosts a national network of land-based education, training, and work opportunities for high school aged Indigenous youth. Over the course of six weeks, participants gain experience in a range of fields, including safety, forestry, science, energy, mining, and other field work.

The program takes an inclusive approach to Indigenous education and recruitment, while providing a safe learning environment that can be tailored to the needs of local communities and partners. Over the last 26 years, OYEP has worked across 190 communities, hosted over 1,000 participants, helped students earn close to 2,500 high school credits, and have planted over 2.9 million trees across Canada.

Following this year’s OYEP visit in Whitecourt, Tara Marie Turnbull, our Indigenous Relations and Engagement Coordinator in Alberta, connected with participants to learn more about their experiences, goals, and what they have learned so far about forestry.

Raelynn – Lubicon Lake Band, Little Buffalo, Alberta

Raelynn, a second-year OYEP participant, returned to the program after a memorable first experience. In fact, her first experience was so memorable, that she encouraged her sister, Hailey, to join the program as well.

Before this experience, Raelynn noted that she had little to no interest in the forest sector. However, after working alongside industry professionals and learning how to plant trees, her perspective has completely shifted.

Raelynn is now interested in returning to OYEP next year as an instructor, with hopes to pass on the knowledge she has gained to future participant.

Smiling young woman in a hard hat and safety vest sits on a log in a clear-cut forest, with trees in the background.

Hailey – Lubicon Lake Band, Little Buffalo, Alberta

Entering the forestry component of OYEP after joining at the recommendation of her sister, first-year participant Hailey had only a limited understanding of the forest sector and the opportunities it offers

After two days of direct experience planting and learning from forestry professionals, her perspective is now grounded in the realities of sustainable forestry and the important role reforestation plays in ensuring forests continue to thrive.

When asked about the work she’s doing planting trees, Hailey noted that she feels good knowing the trees the students are planting will be around for generations. Hailey hopes to see a photo of the same block they are working on years from now to feel a sense of accomplishment, knowing the work she and her fellow participants put in helped restore the forest for future generations.

A young woman in an orange hard hat and reflective vest smiles in a cleared forest.

Leslie – West Moberly First Nation, Moberly Lake, BC

Leslie, who is in his second season with the OYEP program, initially joined the program at the advice of an employee who spoke about the program at his high school.

Leslie has been around the forestry industry his whole life because his grandfather owned a logging company. This early exposure to logging gave Leslie ample opportunities to learn about forestry – including learning how to operate a power saw at just 11 years old!

Through OYEP, Leslie was introduced to another side of the industry - silviculture. Planting trees gave Leslie a new appreciation for forestry and the work that is done to ensure forests remain healthy for generations to come.

With aspirations of being an accountant, Leslie notes that the experience he’s had with OYEP, alongside his previous experience in the forest industry, has strengthened his interest in pursuing a career that keeps him connected to the sector, even if he isn't working directly in the woods.

A smiling young man in an orange hard hat with a KEYOFED logo and a reflective safety vest stands in a logged forest clearing.

Kade – Swan River First Nation, Slave Lake, Alberta

Kade came into the OYEP program with previous experience working in the forest, as he spent last summer fighting forest fires.

This summer, he’s contributing to the health of forests in a different way, helping plant the next generation of trees that will support the long-term sustainability of our forests.

Kade’s favourite part of the experience so far has been getting to meet all the students he’s working alongside. He hopes to return to this specific block in years to come with some of his fellow tree planters turned new friends, to see how those seedlings are faring.

For Kade, this experience has further solidified something he already knew; he wants to continue working in the forests as a firefighter in the future. He notes that this experience has made him feel a lot more certain about what lies ahead and encourages any perspective students who are curious about joining OYEP to take the leap.

A young person with curly hair and glasses, wearing a black t-shirt and dark pants, stands in a forest.

Looking ahead.

As the program continues, these students are helping renew the forest landscape today while growing the knowledge, confidence, and connections that may shape their careers tomorrow.

Related Stories.