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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Two cousins in Fort Simpson with backgrounds in the mining, oil and gas industries are addressing what they see as an area of missed opportunities for youth.

In the past two months Wilbert Antoine and Bob Norwegian have given presentations to students at both Aurora College and the Thomas Simpson School on the career paths they followed and the other jobs that are available in the two industries.

Wilbert Antoine discusses mining career opportunities with students in the research and enrichment junior high class at Thomas Simpson School on May 14. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The pair were at Thomas Simpson School on May 14 and 15.

"It was a wonderful life and we'd like to share it with the kids," said Norwegian, who spent approximately 37 years in the oil and gas industry in Alberta before returning to Fort Simpson.

"The only way in and out is education," he added.

Norwegian spoke about his job running compressor stations on natural gas pipelines, and outlined some other opportunities.

"You have to open your minds," he said.

"You guys could drive a CAT just like anyone else."

When it was his turn Antoine talked about how he got into mining.

"When I was your age I never thought of mining," he said.

Antoine told the students that there's nothing to stop them from becoming miners but that they need to follow the path that is right for them.

"Through education, through hard work you can achieve whatever you want in life," Antoine said.

"The choices that you make are yours alone."

The message was well received at Aurora College, said Dean Harvey, the course's instructor.

Echoing Norwegian's words, Harvey said the students liked seeing that "a little Indian from Rabbitskin River could make it in the south and come back."

Their message was "if they can do it, so can you" - and students connected with it, Harvey said.

Antoine and Norwegian's initiative is important, said Kevin Heron, a benefits advisor with the Mackenzie Gas Project in Fort Simpson.

Young aboriginal people who are entering the workforce need to understand that there's nothing wrong in working for industry, said Heron. Like the two presenters, Heron is a Metis from Fort Smith.

"Quite often, industry is profiled in the negative sense by aboriginal leaders who haven't had the opportunity to work for industry," he said.

Both Antoine and Norwegian spend a lot of time in the bush and maintain traditional values. They are examples of how industry and tradition can be balanced successfully, Heron said.

The idea of talking to classes at the schools started when Antoine and Norwegian discussed the lack of activity they see in the Deh Cho. The Deh Cho leadership talks a lot about the youth and about opportunities for them but there is no action behind it, Antoine said.

Introducing youth to opportunities in oil and gas, mining and other industries is one way to motivate them, he said.

"When I was that age no one came to our school and said these are the opportunities, these are things you can do," said Antoine, who worked in coal mining for more than 30 years - and is currently the manager of northern development for Canadian Zinc.

Norwegian said it's time that people step forward and talk about the good things an industry-based career can offer. .