Daily Herald Contributor
The City of Prince Albert has partnered with the Metis Nation- Western Region 2 to provide free lifesaving and lifeguard training to local Indigenous and Metis youths.
To be eligible, participants must be over 15 years, identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Metis(status /non status), and reside in Western Region 2. They must also complete in-water screening or have completed swimming lessons.
“Prince Albert has a demographic of over 40 percent of indigenous people. The City of Prince Albert and Metis Nation- Western Region 2 believes that the aquatics team should reflect this rich Indiginous heritage of Prince Albert,” lifeguard Kadin Henry said. “By removing economic barriers (between) Metis Nation- Western Region 2 and the City of Prince Albert, (the) goal is for the lifeguards on the pool deck to reflect the population of our community.”
All lifesaving and lifeguard training will be offered at the Frank J. Dunn Pool through the Lifesaving Society. Eligible participants can participate in Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross and National Lifeguard courses.
Once participants have completed training they will be qualified to work as a lifeguard anywhere in Canada – or locally at the new indoor Aquatic and Arenas Recreation Centre opening in 2025.
“Our goal for this program is to close the gap that has prevented many indigenous people from participating in the career of lifeguarding,” President of Metis Nation – Western Region 2, Sherry Mclennan said. “Not only will it help close the gap but also make Western Region 2 safer for everyone- participants will carry this training with them everywhere they go.”
Registration for lifesaving and lifeguard courses at the Frank J. Dunn Swimming Pool is now open. Eligible participants will have their registration fees waived.
Additional information about being a lifeguard with the city of Prince Albert will be found on the City’s website.
