Contact North | Contact Nord’s newest online learning centre to help
Kettle and Stony Point First Nation residents access education and training
without leaving their community

Local MPP to lead ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 10

Thunder Bay, ON – Contact North | Contact Nord’s newest online learning centre, within
Kettle & Stony Point First Nation’s Four Winds Community Employment Services Office, is
set to help local residents get their degree, diploma or certificate or upgrade their skills
without leaving their community.

Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton will be on hand for the official opening
of the centre, which gives local residents access to a variety of free services, including:

• Information on available online programs and courses from Ontario’s
  9 Indigenous institutes, 24 public colleges, 23 public universities, 76 district
  school boards, 200 literacy and basic skills providers, and 20 skills development
  training providers
• Help with registrations and funding options
• Free, in-person access to high-speed Internet, computers, web and
  videoconferencing, extended reality (XR) headsets and technical support
• Support and encouragement to complete programs and courses
• Supervision of exams
  

This is the first online learning centre to be opened in an Indigenous community in
Contact North | Contact Nord’s Southwest Region.

“Every person in our Lambton-Kent-Middlesex – no matter where they live – deserves to
have access to training they need to find meaningful careers and build better lives for
themselves and their loved ones,” said MPP McNaughton. “Today’s announcement with
Contact North is another example of how our government is working for workers to ensure
people across our community can learn the skills needed to build a stronger tomorrow for
us all.”

Adds Carrie Stuart, Director, Recruitment & Partnerships, Southwest Region, for
Contact North | Contact Nord: “I’m thrilled to be working alongside this community, helping
local residents access the programs and courses that’ll position them to compete for local,
in-demand jobs. I can’t wait to see the success stories unfold.”

Kettle & Stony Point First Nation Director of Economic Development and Training
Dianne Thomas says: “Education is the first step to gain the knowledge, critical thinking and
skills to empower personal success. On behalf of Chief and Council, the staff at Four Winds
Community Employment Services are excited to welcome Contact North to work onsite in
the community. This partnership is a long-term goal achieved to increase access to
programs for individuals.”

Adds Terese Bressette, Four Winds Community Employment Services Program Manager: “In
terms of skills training and job preparedness, this represents a fantastic opportunity for the
people of Kettle & Stony Point.”