Empowering Aboriginal Women…Inspiring the Next Generation
Through the Tamatumani program, Vicki Amidlak became the first Inuit woman to work as an underground miner at Glencore’s Raglan Mine, located in Nunavik territory in northern Quebec. Vicki has risen to a senior position and is inspiring others to follow in her footsteps. She is a mentor to Inuit girls and women who otherwise may not have thought about pursuing a career in mining.
In 2018, Tamatumani, which means “second start” in Inuktitut, celebrates 10 years of recruiting Aboriginal talent and growing their careers. In 2008, Glencore launched the Tamatumani program, a skills development initiative that has contributed to the training and hiring of hundreds of Nunavimmiut. Today, more than 200 Inuit employees work at the Raglan Mine, representing almost 21% of the operation’s workforce, and the mine has become one of the largest employers in the territory.
The Raglan Mine developed the Tamatumani program with several community partners, including the Kativik Regional Government and the Kativik School Board, and they continue to monitor its evolution. This collaboration helps to ensure that the program addresses the needs and realities of the local communities.
Today, Tamatumani offers a diverse range of programs. There is an essential skills program, which includes French and English courses, a transition-to-work program and applied technical training for various positions. There is also on-the-job trainings such as a two-year apprenticeship program called the Stope School, whereby Inuit employees are trained to become underground miners. The mine has also recently implemented several new programs, including Building Maintenance and Heavy Equipment Mechanics, to expand the training available to Nunavimmiut and give them access to more career options. Finally, since 2013, the Raglan Mine’s RIDE program (Rapid Inuit Development and Employment) has been accelerating the internal mobility of high-potential employees.
Canada’s mining industry is a top employer of Aboriginal people. Our diversity is our strength.
