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Tahltan Nation Development Corporation recognized with prestigious industry award

Honour highlights community-driven training and employment opportunities in the mineral exploration sector
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Marie Quock, Iskut Band, Chief; Beverly Slater, Tahltan Central Government, President; Todd den Engelsen, TNDC, CEO; Richard (Rocky) Jackson, Tahltan Band, Chief; Riannon Ball, TNDC, Chair of the Board; and Teneal Nole, TNDC, Board Member receive the 2024 AME Robert R. Hedley Award at the AME Awards Gala in Vancouver on Jan. 22 for a community driven training program.

The Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) has been recognized with the prestigious 2024 AME Robert R. Hedley Award, honouring its efforts to advance community-driven training and employment through its Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) program.

Presented by the Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) during the AME Awards Gala in Vancouver on Jan. 22, the award highlights TNDC’s dedication to social and environmental responsibility. The gala was part of the AME Roundup conference, celebrating contributions to the mineral exploration and development industry.

“TNDC is deeply honoured for this recognition by the mineral exploration and mining sector,” said Todd den Engelsen, TNDC CEO. “Thanks to our partners, we are building capacity in Tahltan communities and developing the next generation of Tahltan operators to serve the resource development sector in the Golden Triangle.”

Launched in early 2023 as a three-year pilot, the HEO program addresses employment barriers while building capacity within the community. Centred on the concept of “Tahltans teaching Tahltans,” the initiative offers training and hands-on experience in mining and construction, creating opportunities for residents to pursue careers close to home.

A key innovation of the program was tackling the lack of Class 5 driver’s licences—a prerequisite for most industry roles—within the community. In collaboration with a local driving school, TNDC made licences accessible and expanded the initiative to include commercial licences with funding from the BC Government and industry partners.

The program aims to train new operators and advance existing ones into mentorship roles, helping to alleviate regional skills shortages and promote long-term employment. It aligns community resources with national standards for training and certification, ensuring sustainable benefits for the Tahltan Nation and the broader resource development sector.



About the Author: Quinn Bender

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