Harland Severight (pictured with his wife Priscilla Severight) is Saulteaux Ojibway and is from Valley River First Nation in Manitoba.

Harland graduated in February 2018 from the Pipe Trades Program. His goal was to become a welder and has had the opportunity to work through the union since he graduated.

When Harland first started his journey, he knew he would make it if he had just one chance. That opportunity started at Trade Winds and it continued to grow from there. Harland also knew he wanted to give back and help his people; he just did not know how.

Then, the opportunity came.

Julie Sharpe, Program Supervisor of Hope Homes for Aboriginal Youth at McMan Calgary, approached Trade Winds in November 2020. She asked if Trade Winds could have one of our students build them a custom fire pit for her organization in the next three weeks.

It was a short timeline, but it was made possible with the help of Trade Winds’ partner, UA Local 496, who Trade Winds contacted for assistance on the project, and Nardei Fabricators, where the request was taken up after it travelled through the union hall. Nardei Fabricators is Harland’s place of employment.

Harland was asked to help build this fire pit by Brian Kargus, President of Nardei Fabricators. Of course, he graciously accepted.

The final fire pit is black, with the Cree word Wicihitowin, meaning consorting together and helping each other. To highlight the fire pit, Harland had also added the Cree syllabics on it (ᐁᐧᒋᐦᐅᐃᐧᐣ)

The Hope Homes for Aboriginal Youth Program has been retitled Wicihitowin in a renaming ceremony that Harland attended. Harland felt very proud to be a part of this project and was grateful for the opportunity.

Harland has been asked by McMan to become a mentor for their youth, which is something he had always wanted to do. This was his way to give back to the community, and the youth see him as role model.

For the people by the people – Harland Severight