The CMEB employed and facilitated the hiring of more than 50 Crees to work in the mining sector and related sectors. These jobs concern prospector positions, helpers for several exploration sectors especially camp building and janitor positions. All these positions are either offered by the CMEB, service companies, exploration companies and mines operating in Eeyou Istchee. The CMEB acts as an intermediary between mineral exploration companies and the Cree labour force by recommending experienced Cree workers in the mineral field.

The CMEB works every year, in close collaboration with the Apatisiiwin Skills Development of the Cree Nation Government, on setting up a certified training program for adults in the field of mineral resources. A consultation table, composed of various members in the fields of education, government and mining industry was created to develop this program. The CMEB also implemented programs for prospectors’ course and updating of current mineral knowledge of Cree trappers.

The CMEB believes in its ability to train the Eeyouch youth in the mineral field. In this regard, PowerPoint presentations and field excursions are regularly arranged in Eeyouch communities in order to promote Earth Sciences. Many information sessions aimed at popularizing sciences and explaining the operations of the mineral industry are also presented to Eeyouch community members.

The following training programs were delivered or funded by the CMEB:

• Mineral Resources Geology-Environment. With the collaboration of the Apatisiiwin Skills Development (ASD) and CEGEP of Chibougamau-St-Félicien, a Collegial Studies Attestation Mineral Resources Geology has been elaborated. The first cohort of young Crees graduated in fall 2019, the second graduated in 2021, there was no cohort in 2022 but the CMEB is actively involved in the recruitment of a new cohort that will start in September 2023.
• CMEB – 2022 Prospection Course
• Mining 101 for Cree Community Leaders
• Mining 101 for Trappers and Tally-Persons
• Update on Mining and Exploration Knowledge for Eeyou First Nation’s Natural Resources departments employees.
• CMEB Prospectors Workshop, Val d’Or, December 2022

The CMEB has implemented a training course commonly named “Mining 101”, which provides to Eeyouch community leaders and other interested Eeyouch beneficiaries basic information about the mining industry, from the grass root exploration to the exploitation and decommissioning of a mining project. This course also provides information related to the creation of enterprises in view to provide services required by the mineral exploration and mining industries. In the framework of this course, the CMEB provides its technical assistance as well as the available geosciences knowledge of Eeyou Istchee. This 30-hour course is usually delivered in offices of respective Eeyou Nations. The main objective of this course is to give tools to Eeyouch communities in view to help them to make enlightened decisions when it comes the time to deal with mining companies active on their lands. Every year, the CMEB delivers this course upon request of Eeyouch communities.

The Mining 101 which is addressed to two different audiences namely the Cree leadership with an orientation to better understand the mining business and the other for all Cree beneficiaries with a greater field orientation.

The following table presents the details of the «Mining 101» workshop delivered this year.

Some Exploration companies active in Eeyou Istchee with the collaboration of participating Eeyouch Nations and the CMEB, offered other courses in mineral exploration; the latter provides expertise, coordinates various services and insures the enforcement of basic rules on the field with regards to the preservation of the environment and Eeyouch traditional activities.