Manager of Northern Affairs, Cameco Corporation
Métis
Walter Smith didn’t grow up in British Columbia. And he doesn’t work in BC. But we’re profiling him because it’s safe to say Walter has inspired many Aboriginal people across this province, as well as across Canada, to work in the mineral exploration and mining sector.
Walter has worked with Cameco, one of the world's largest uranium producers, since 1993; onsite at Cameco mines in administration jobs; in the head office in Saskatoon; and today, at the company’s office in La Ronge, Saskatchewan. Today, in part because of the efforts of Walter and his team, 42% of Cameco’s Saskatchewan mining operations workforce is Aboriginal. That’s an achievement Walter is truly proud of.
Upon graduation from high school, Walter completed some technical training and then, a degree in education. He credits his technical training for opening doors in the mineral exploration and mining sector, and his university education for giving him many different options in his career since then.
“Education is a key factor in this industry if you want to progress. But other things are important too. Your reputation is truly a valuable asset and your ability to have others defend you is necessary when you are working in a marginalized society with many social issues.” Walter continues, “I’ve found that being honest about how to participate in the industry has served me well. No one is perfect and I am far from it, but building a strong legacy of integrity will allow you to make mistakes and will make you able to influence others when you are trying to bring about change.”
Walter considers himself a multi-tasking administrator in his day-to-day work at Cameco. His primary role is Community Relations, where he and his staff of 11 deal with 40 different communities, including 12 First Nations. His job is a busy one. Walter and his team design programs for the communities in which Cameco operates, with the goal of engaging the community with the industry and what it has to offer. This includes things like community and school visits, consultation activities, tours, scholarship programs, role model program, career fairs, youth conferences, to name a few. Walter and his staff are the first point of contact for Cameco staff wishing to engage with northern communities. They also train company employees from around the world about the different value systems of the region, the history of the communities, and the people, including the Métis, the Dene, the Cree and the non-Aboriginals who have chosen to make northern Saskatchewan their home.
“What I enjoy most about working in this sector is that I’m in control of my own determination and have an ability to bring about change. It’s also great that many Aboriginal people like me have the chance to live and work in or near our own communities, making a decent wage, and ensuring we can continue to practice our culture while supporting our families well.”
What advice does Walter have for Aboriginal young people and others thinking about what to do when it comes to their career?
“This is a cliché perhaps but, be true to yourself, keeping your core identity intact in terms of your language, your history, and your culture. Do this and then use all the tools available to become more than you are. Get as much education as your brains will hold then go and get some more!” Walter continues, “Always do everything that is expected of you, and more. But expect no-one to recognize it (even though they will!). Learn to take criticism constructively and eventually you will be twice as good as the person working next to you.” “Smile, be proud and pull the next Aboriginal up and continue on! We have so much work to do but if we all increase our expectations of ourselves and make those expectations matter more than anything else, we are doing the right thing! No one said it was going to be easy, but the best things in life never are!”