Local driving school eliminates barriers & builds confidence among Lheidli T’enneh First Nation members

Coastal GasLink is committed to supporting initiatives for local and Indigenous communities that help build lasting skills. One of those initiatives, developed by Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, is access to driving lessons with PG Driving for Life Academy, a local Prince George driving school, that is open to all Lheidli T’enneh First Nation members.

“The self-confidence, the self-esteem. It builds that,” explains Barbara Allan, Capacity Development and Training Officer for Lheidli T’enneh, of some of the benefits of drivers training.

The program opens many doors to Lheidli T’enneh members, from increasing accessibility to job opportunities, post-secondary education and overall independence.

“It gives them the freedom to not always just be in a remote area,” explains Chris Schulz, CEO and Instructor of PG Driving for Life Academy. “And that means friendship, that's employment, that’s school!”

It’s an important skill to have in northern B.C. where transit systems are less developed than in southern areas of the province. Travel between communities can take an hour or more with a mixture of road conditions. The ability to drive confidently and safely provides many new opportunities outside of work and school.

For Rylie Teegee-Zatorski, a current student at PG Driving for Life Academy, the program has allowed her the ability to start planning future trips around the province and eventually the country to discover all that Canada has to offer.

“I just want to drive around Canada and do big road trips with my friends more - like down to Vancouver and other provinces,” says Rylie. 

Chris Schulz, CEO and Instructor of PG Driving for Life Academy (left) and student Rylie Teegee-Zatorski

The initiative also helps the personal growth of Lheidli T’enneh members by fostering “responsibility, independence, and accountability,” explains Barbara, “with each passing lesson each member will also gain more confidence and self-esteem. These are the foundations for long-term development and self-sufficiency.”

Investing in education and skills training initiatives for local and Indigenous communities to build long-term growth and capacity is a priority for Coastal GasLink. PG Driving for Life Academy driving program is one of the ways that Coastal Gaslink is supporting local businesses in the areas where we work and live now, and for the future.

To learn more about the ways that Coastal GasLink is helping local and Indigenous communities visit CoastalGaslink.com/sustainability/communities.