Niitsitapi Employment Centre Announcement
May 1, 2026
Blood Tribe Employment and Skills Training (BTEST) is pleased to announce a renewed three-year funding partnership agreement with the Alberta Government and Community Futures Treaty 7. An opportunity presented itself for BTEST to apply for the funding to assume responsibility for employment and training services previously delivered by Saamis Employment and Training Association in Lethbridge, AB. Recognizing the importance of maintaining these services for Indigenous clients, BTEST pursued this opportunity to ensure continuity of support and prevent service disruptions.
This transition supports the establishment of the Niitsitapi Employment Centre, an organization named after the original occupants of this territory, the Blackfoot People consisting of Kainaiwa–Blood Tribe, Siksika, Piikani and Aamskapi Pikuni. Niitsitapi Employment Centre will commence operations on May 1, 2026, and will be serving all Indigenous clients in Lethbridge and the surrounding communities.
Building on the foundation established through Saamis and our current organization, BTEST is positioned to continue delivering quality employment and training services while strengthening cultural and language connections, expanding partnerships, and improving access to supports for participants, including disability clients, who seek education, skills development, and meaningful employment outcomes. Our goal is to continue to build an inclusive, community-focused space to help all Indigenous clients build successful careers.
Niitsitapi Employment Centre will be hiring two new positions to better serve our community: a Service Navigator and a Receptionist. We are also excited to announce a logo design contest open to local Indigenous artists to coincide with our re-branding. In addition, we plan to host an Open House event in the coming months to celebrate this announcement.
For more information on these positions, including job descriptions, application requirements, and contest details, please visit BTEST’s website at https://bloodtribe.org/blood-tribe-employment-skills-training .
Through this transition, BTEST and the Niitsitapi Employment Centre aim to sustain and enhance services in Lethbridge while creating a stronger, Indigenous-led approach to workforce development in the region.
