New portal for First Nations youth interested in mining
Monday, February 27, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
SAULT STE. MARIE INNOVATION CENTRE
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Algoma Games for Health awarded significant contract to develop First Nations mining portal
SSMIC’s serious gaming studio will create Learning 2 Mine
(February 27, 2012) - Algoma University and The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) today announced that Algoma Games for Health (AGFH) was recently awarded a contract with the Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education & Training Institute (OSHKI) in Thunder Bay, Ontario to develop a gaming portal for First Nations youth.
In early February, AGFH and OSHKI, an Aboriginal post-secondary education and training institute dedicated to increasing access and education to those in the 49 communities of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, signed a significant contract for the development of a web-based portal called Learning 2 Mine (L2MP).
The OSHKI L2MP provides an online hub for First Nations youth in Northern Ontario interested in a career in the mining industry.
The portal is slated to provide social connectivity features, educational games, videos and documents as well as career planning tools and resources.
“Algoma Games for Health is excited to begin work on such a project that fits our vision to improve quality of life through innovative approaches to rehabilitation, therapy and education, so well. The team at AGFH has worked very hard to make this deal come to fruition and bring that work to our community,” said Jason Naccarato, interim CEO, AGFH.
According to the Mining Industry Human Resources Council, Ontario’s mining sector and labour market is expected to grow over the next decade.
The L2MP will provide a valuable resource for training purposes and increasing demand.
AGFH is partnering with Cambrian College and Gold Corp. on the initiative and estimated completion of the product is set for the fall of 2012.
“An innovative youth web-portal will be a platform to create interest among aboriginal youth to prepare for a wide range of jobs in the mining industry through education and skills training,” said Rosie S. Mosquito, executive director, OSHKI.
“This project is an example of the kind of work we had envisioned when we first conceived AGFH,” said Dr. Richard Myers [shown], president of Algoma University. “A Northern Ontario partnership between industry, colleges and universities to enhance learning opportunities for First Nations youth is something that not only makes sense, but is core to the mandate of Algoma University.”
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada. For more information on L2MP, contact Jason Naccarato, interim CEO, AGFH, by e-mail jnaccarato@ssmic.com or at 705-942-7927, ext. 3121.
About Algoma Games for Health
The Algoma Games for Health studio is a partnership between Algoma University and the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, located on the Algoma University campus.
Algoma Games for Health is a serious game development studio focused on the application of video game technology to the health and rehabilitation sectors.
The goal of Algoma Games for Health is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and age-related conditions through innovative approaches to rehabilitation and therapy.
Through the application of video game technology to innovations in rehabilitation research we provide cost effective and engaging solutions that help people remain independent and healthy.
Our software will help connect health professionals to individuals in need and will remove many of the limitations that would ordinarily be imposed by geographical separation.
About Algoma University
Algoma University is committed to offering an undergraduate education experience unlike any university in Ontario, offering a wide variety of program options.
Algoma University also offers accelerated second-degree programs in business administration in Brampton, and two degrees, including a Bachelor of Social Work, in Timmins.
As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture.
To learn more about Algoma University, visit here.
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