LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - On paper, Rosie Browning deals with training opportunities. But her real stock and trade is in dreams.

Rosie Browning, the Local Training Authority co-ordinator for Liidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson, is passionate about helping people get the training they need to achieve their employment goals. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"I want to give that option back to dream, that it's OK to dream and have goals even though we come from a small community," she said.

Browning is the Local Training Authority (LTA) co-ordinator for Liidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson. Every community in the Deh Cho has a LTA.

The authorities are run with funding from the federal government's Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement, which flows through Dehcho First Nations and out to the communities. The authorities' goals are to develop and implement education and training programs that meet local aboriginal training needs.

Browning sees training as something more than just taking classes to obtain a certificate or diploma.

"When I see people training I see food in their tummies, love in their hearts, a roof over their head and a job," she said.

Training is an individualized process, said Browning. Clients go to the same courses but each have their own goals and skills that they need to obtain in order to get a job, she said.

Browning works closely with other organizations in the village to offer training opportunities to all aboriginal residents including Metis. In their office Browning and Cathy Simms, the LTA assistant, offer a variety of services including career counselling, job searches, apprenticeship support, wage subsidies and post-secondary financial support.

For Browning, who has worked with the authority since January 2007, part of the joy of the position is that every day brings something different.

"I love my job," she said.

"I get a natural high out of working with the people."

Browning said she gets satisfaction knowing people are working to make changes in their lives.

The authority has a number of initiatives underway. Working with Aurora College, the band is sponsoring eight students in the building trades helper program and another eight in the adult basic education program.

The authority is also supporting three people through college and university preparation courses.

Another five students in fields as diverse as engineering and aboriginal multimedia are receiving funding for their post-secondary education.

The authority will be offering Class 4 drivers' training this month and the Firearms Acquisition Certification in December.

When the authority organizes a training event the expected outcome is that it will give clients direct entry into a job or at least a good possibility of working in that field, said Browning.

She said she's always looking for new training opportunities that can be offered locally.

"It's pure satisfaction of helping the people," said Browning about what inspires her.