TSIIGEHTCHIC/ARCTIC RED RIVER
Herbert "Mickey" Andre has worked for the Tsiigehtchic band office longer than anyone else in the community.

Herbert "Mickey" Andre: Working for the Tsiigehtchic band office since 1991.

Since starting as a general labourer in 1991, Andre has served many different roles over the past 23 years.

"I started helping out with garbage and brush cutting and stuff like that, then I moved up the chart a little bit I started doing other stuff," he said. "I started operating with equipment and driving the water and sewage trucks. So I kind of moved around a little bit as I went."

Mickey took training and became the community's bylaw officer for three years. He also participated in training to become a community constable.

But, he eventually decided he preferred working with heavy equipment and went back to his old position.

"After three years, I decided to move back to operating equipment," he said.

Now, Andre divides his time between operating equipment and working as Tsiigehtchic's water plant manager.

He said he enjoys his work at the plant.

"Every day is a challenge, you're always cleaning filters," he said. "You do a lot of testing."

Andre said while he likes working at the plant, operating heavy equipment is still his favourite part of his job.

He's taken training to become a certified grader operator and also has his Class 1 drivers' license, which allows him to drive the community's water and sewage trucks.

"As you go, you learn," he said.

Andre said throughout the years, he has learned the importance of safety. He said he now applies the safety checks he uses at work to his personal life, such as making sure to do a "spot check" around his own vehicle before starting it up to make sure there are no children nearby.

"My priority was safety," he said. "Maybe that's why I'm still here."

Senior administrative officer Marjorie Dobson said Andre's attention to detail and his responsibilities have made him an excellent employee.

"He is a very dependable person," she said. "He's very reliable when it comes to his work and he takes his work seriously."

Dobson said Andre's positive attitude is also one of his biggest strengths.

"He is a very pleasant guy," she said.

Andre said he believes taking the good with the bad and not quitting when faced with difficulties.

"Nowadays it's hard to find a job. Whatever you have, you're gong to have good days and bad days," he said. "Stick it out."

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