Cora Cuthand practices CPR on Reuben Bugler during the CPR and first aid training day at the Red Pheasant Cree Nation Arena.on Weds., June. 26. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

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In Dante Meechance’s family, saving lives is a calling.

“It’s something that I’ve been interested in for a long while,” he said.

“There’s been a line of firefights for three generations and they’ve all taken first aid or the firefighter course of some sort and that’s what encouraged me to take this course.”

He, along with about 20 others participated in the Red Pheasant Cree Nation pre-employment services and Saskatchewan Indian Training Assessment Group safety ticket training course to prepare them for working in oil, mining or similar industries that require certification in CPR, Ground Disturbance Level 2 or food safety.

Meechance explained he was in firefighting for a couple of years and now is in a transitional period.

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“I’ve been interested in taking the (Emergency Medical Services) course,” he said, referring to his post-secondary plans.

According to Rene Wuttunee, client services liaison and personal development coach with pre-employment services, the course, which is on now until Fri., June. 28, will give those who are certified a foot in the door for employment.

“Those who are just starting out, the green hands I guess, it’s fast moving if they’re trained properly and go in there with some confidence, they should be able to make it,” he said.

“We like to help get them there.”

As someone who worked in the oil and gas industry for years, Wuttunee said just through good connections and work ethic, a job will be available in boom times.

Rameses Cuthand practices wrapping his taller cousin Diamond in a sling during the CPR and first aid training day at the Red Pheasant Cree Nation Arena.on Weds., June. 26. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“You have to be able to be away from your family for long periods of time and that’s always tough, but it works well for some of the young people that we have doing this,” said Wuttunee.

Instructing the group in all manner of first aid, from how to properly inject epinephrine to resuscitate an infant or how to wrap a sling, Jerry Dunlop with EverGreen Safety and Training said being able to hold the course onsite at the Red Pheasant Arena made it easier for people to participate.

“Yesterday we did a lot of the didactic parts so going thorough a lot of the PowerPoints, videos and talking about the skills and that for basic first aid and CPR,” he said.

“Today, we’re doing all the practical applications.”

He explained his students were quite engaged in the learning and practiced their new skills on each on other.

“They really seem to be…enjoying it quite a lot,” he said.

As a prevention facilitator with Red Pheasant Prevention Services, Sabrina Peeaychew had to be recertified in first aid.

“I work out in the community a lot with our young people and the community as well and I think it’s very important to know your first aid,” she said.

“Accidents are prone to happen, but we try to keep everybody safe.”

Peeaychew explained that in the intervening years since she’s had to be certified, much has changed in the way first aid is delivered and she has been enjoying learning the new techniques.

“I did go home yesterday, sharing with my family and people who had visited about new things that I’d learned,” said Peeayhchew.

Dante Meechance and Sabrina Peeaychew practice performing CPR in an infant mannequin during the CPR and first aid training day at the Red Pheasant Cree Nation Arena.on Weds., June. 26. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“I was kind of excited to share them and things that they were going through, I was able to help them with new things on how to help themselves, you know, it’s going good.”

Wuttunee said they will work to help their clients in any way they can to get them on the path to success.

“The biggest thing that we have facing – that they have – facing them here, some of the barriers, we want…to establish a relationship with everyone, so we want to meet them one on one,” he said.

The team works to learn who each client is, their experience and where their interests lie to help guide their direction. In working through barrier such as not having transportation, childcare, or mental health, the key Wuttunee said was to be honest.

“Some people are a little embarrassed with what the issue might be but there’s no need for them to be, we’re here to help them,” he said.

“Everybody’s got the skills that they need to survive but we want to help develop their skills to live, you know? To live a good life.”

Meanwhile Meechance said that the legacy that began with his grandfather continues with both him and his little sister. This course is the first step into his new direction in first responding within the EMS field and keeping the family tradition alive.

“When I’m on the scene, I don’t think of myself as a hero or anything, I just think of myself as a normal person helping someone,” he said.

“After when everything is done, I’m proud of myself for helping that person ‘cause to me it feels like I did something good, and it makes my family proud.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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