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Sheryl Rivers: Building Opportunities for Indigenous Workers at Woodfibre LNG
Oct 25, 2024
“By being able to integrate my culture with my MBA, this has truly become the best role I’ve ever held,” shares Sheryl Rivers, reflecting on her path to becoming the Indigenous Workforce Development Manager at Woodfibre LNG.
Rooted in the Squamish Nation (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw) and the village of Ustlawn (Eslhá7an), Sheryl’s heritage is embodied in her cultural and spiritual names, Siamtnaat and Milnitdi. Building on this foundation, she graduated from Simon Fraser University with an executive MBA specializing in Aboriginal Business and Leadership as part of the program’s first cohort in North America. With nearly three decades of experience in cultural competency education, Rivers has been a driving force in promoting Indigenous participation across business, government, and grassroots organizations. She now brings this wealth of knowledge to Woodfibre LNG as the Indigenous Workforce Development Manager and a cultural trainer.
“This role is more than just a job to me, it’s a mission to create a lasting legacy,” Rivers explains. “I envision a future where Indigenous values are fully integrated into large-scale industrial projects, creating opportunities that benefit both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Woodfibre LNG is walking the talk, aligning with my values and recognizing the importance of truth and reconciliation.”
Since joining Woodfibre LNG earlier this year, Rivers has been involved in cultural and gender safety training at WLNG. In 2023, Woodfibre LNG introduced mandatory gender and cultural safety training for all workers and contractors on-site and, to date, more than 1,500 workers and WLNG staff have received the training. These sessions are led by Squamish Nation trainers, including Rivers, who share their personal experiences to highlight the impact that industrial development and systemic racism has had on Indigenous Peoples and communities.
“Every time I return to the Woodfibre LNG site, I feel an immense respect from the workers,” Rivers says, noting that she’s seen the positive cultural shifts that cultural training has created. Workers often engage with her outside training sessions to share personal stories and express gratitude for the changes they’ve experienced- a testament to the safer, more inclusive environment that Rivers is helping to foster.
In her role as Indigenous Workforce Development Manager, Rivers is focused on creating opportunities for the Indigenous workforce, ensuring that local Indigenous Peoples are well represented in Woodfibre LNG’s operational workforce from commissioning through full operation.
One of her main areas of focus is the Operator Training Program, a fully funded two-year program aimed at providing Indigenous people, especially Squamish Nation people, with hands-on experience to pursue a career as a Process Operator at the future Woodfibre LNG facility. In conjunction with the Squamish Nation Trades and Technical Centre and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), the program takes candidates through an initial readiness program to meet prerequisites for the Power Engineering program, where they then spend 37 weeks, earning their status as a 4th class Power Engineer. Following successful completion of the BCIT curriculum, candidates will be offered full-time positions at Woodfibre LNG and would help prepare for opening of the facility in 2027. The program includes a training allowance throughout to support participants financially as they prepare for their careers.
“They can see that they can reach for the stars,” she notes, “You can see their enthusiasm for their future career growing and how dedicated they are to their success.”
As Woodfibre LNG goes further into the construction phase, Rivers looks ahead with enthusiasm. “I’m really excited to see the build-up of our Indigenous workforce,” she says. “For me, this role is not just about managing workforce development; it’s about ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard, respected, and integrated into every aspect of the project.”
Although Rivers’s primary focus is on building a workforce for the construction and eventual operation of the Woodfibre LNG project, her impact extends far beyond that. She is helping to lead the development of new opportunities for Indigenous Peoples at Woodfibre LNG as well as sharing her experiences to help train her colleagues in gender and cultural safety. Through this work, Rivers is not only transforming her community and workplace but also creating a lasting legacy that will continue to influence lives and perspectives for years to come.
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