Exploring the Skilled Trades through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and Indigenous Education

Throughout the spring, Grade 10 students enrolled in the Food and Nutrition course at Archbishop Denis O'Connor Catholic High School participated in an exciting Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and Indigenous Education initiative. Students took part in several workshops led by Indigenous community partners where they learned about food sustainability, Indigenous food, customs and culture. In addition, students explored the apprenticeship pathway in secondary school through enrolment in tech courses and cooperative education in a skilled trades placement.

During the first part of this initiative, students had the opportunity to learn on the land with Beedahbin Peltier, an Indigenous community partner, where they explored the surrounding area of their school and learned about different plants and biodiversity.

After learning on the land, students travelled to the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food at Durham College (DC) and they toured the one-acre urban farm and greenhouses where DC students plant, grow and harvest produce. Students also had the opportunity to cook crepes with the DC faculty in their state-of-the-art kitchen while learning more about the OYAP Level 1 programs available to Grade 12 students including cooking, electrical and welding to name a few. 

The final task in this initiative was working with Indigenous chef, Keri-Ann Peacock. Keri-Ann discussed her culinary pathway with the students and lead them in cooking an Indigenous recipe. The students cooked a delicious meal of seared bison steaks with sumac and wild blueberry juniper sauce and a roasted maple squash salad. Please watch the video to learn more.

A special thank you to Indigenous community partners, Beedahbin Peltier and Keri-Ann Peacock, for your support with this project. This initiative was funded through OYAP.

Students interested in applying to the OYAP Level 1 programs should visit their Guidance department for more information or visit our website to learn more.