Trade Winds to Success Annual Impact Report 2025-26

20 Years of Building Futures

Trade Winds to Success provides pre-trades training and support to Indigenous people in Alberta, to secure employment and journeyperson status in the construction trades, leading to economic self-sufficiency.

Twenty years ago, Trade Winds to Success was founded on a simple but powerful belief: that Indigenous people deserve meaningful opportunities to build rewarding careers in the construction trades. This belief has since grown into a thriving Indigenous-led organization that is transforming lives, strengthening communities, and helping build Alberta’s future, one student, one apprenticeship, and one success story at a time.

A Night to Celebrate Two Decades

To mark the significant milestone, Trade Winds proudly hosted its 20th Anniversary Gala in November, bringing together alumni, students, Elders, partners, government representatives, employers, sponsors, and friends to celebrate two decades of impact.

The evening featured cultural performances, prayers, stories and the celebration of remarkable achievements by Trade Winds alumni and staff.

A Powerful First: All-Women Electrician Training Program

As Trade Winds continues to focus on breaking barriers for Indigenous Albertan women, we are proud to celebrate the success of our first all-women Pre-Trades Electrician Training Program, sponsored by Oteenow Employment and Training Society and Dow. The program welcomed 11 Indigenous women, with 10 successfully completing the training and 9 now employed as first-year electrical apprentices. This was an incredible achievement that demonstrates the strength, determination, and readiness of Indigenous Women to enter the skilled trades when given the opportunity.

The program was created to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous women in the trades, hear from a few of the participants:

• Lorissa Dillon, is working on the LRT expansion: “when I was attending school I got told I was a leader and it was going to take me far. It means so much to me, and will always be in my heart.”
• Shawna Cook, is an industrial electrical 1st year apprentice: “The curriculum and the hands-on experience has shaped me for the work field I have entered.”

A Year of Measurable Progress – Growing Careers, Strengthening Communities

• Residential Construction Stream‘s key component is the build of energy-efficient, Eco-Smart homes, which are donated to Indigenous communities across Alberta. For students, these projects provide valuable, real-world experience where they can apply the skills they’ve developed throughout their training while contributing to housing solutions in communities across the province.
• Commercial & Industrial Stream provide hands-on training and clear pathways into high-demand skilled trades careers, while helping increase Indigenous participation in Alberta’s workforce.
• Outreach Stream continues to create accessible training opportunities within or close to participants’ own communities. By bringing training closer to home, individuals can develop practical skills and gain valuable industry experience while remaining connected to their families, support systems, and culture. In 2025, Trade Winds delivered Outreach Programs in Siksika Nation, East Prairie Métis Settlement, Fishing Lake Métis Settlement, and Lethbridge.

As you examine our 2025-26 Annual Impact Report, you’ll see the tangible results of these training pathways and the meaningful successes they create—not only for individuals, but for communities across Alberta. Every graduate, new career, and new opportunity reflects the impact of investing in Indigenous Albertans and creating pathways to sustainable employment.

 Read the full 2025-26 Annual Impact Report here → Online Flipbook