Native American Boilermakers: Back row, Jason Whiteman, Cheyenne, Tribal Ed Job Training Counselor; Irvin Farr, Cheyenne, retired boilermaker; J.D. Just Gros Ventre, Rigging Instructor; Jason Small, Cheyenne Master Instructor; Richard Crow, Sioux/Crow, trainee; Front row: William Sleeper, trainee; Shadan LaFrance, Cheyenne, trainee; Dorian Pongah, Cheyenne, trainee. PPL Power Plants in the background. Photo by Clara Caufield
Young Cheyenne woman prepares to join Brotherhood of Boilermakers
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Correspondent LAME DEER, Mont. –– In the near future, 21 year old Shadan LaFrance, Northern Cheyenne from Lame Deer aims to become a boilermaker apprentice. As such, she will also join an elite sisterhood of about six other women in Montana in Local 11, the Montana Boilermaker’s Union of nearly 300 members. LaFrance is currently one of about six trainees at the Local 11 Boilermakers Training Center in Colstrip enrolled in a Helper Trainee Program learning welding skills to pass a rigorous test to become an apprentice. A self-professed tomboy, high school cross country champion, college competitor and veteran fire-fighter, the aspiring union hand said: “I have family who weld and inspired me such as my grandfather worked at the Western Energy Coal Mine for years. I love traveling, seeing new places and want to make good money. I can do all that by being a boilermaker.”
Shadan LaFrance, Northern Cheyenne Boilermaker Trainee. Photo by Clara Caufield
Asked about her choice, LaFrance replied “I like to do physical work and adventures.” Trainer, Jason Small emphasized that attitudes have changed regarding women in the boilermaker’s workplace “It still takes a certain attitude and physical ability, excellent strength and stamina, to get along and be successful. Shadan has that.” Small is one of two boilermakers in Montana certified as an International Rigging and Welding Instructor. “Cheyenne have made top boilermakers and I’d like to see more of our young people get in the trade. That’s a main training center goal, supported by Local 11 and International”, he noted. Small was instrumental in creating the Center in 2005 which provides training several times per year, the union paying Small’s wages and PPL donating training facility use. Small recently met with the Northern Cheyenne and Crow education programs to urge financial support for trainees. “The boilermaker trade can be a very viable profession,” said Jason Whiteman, Jobs Training Counselor, and Northern Cheyenne Education Program. “That is why we are helping our boilermaker trainees, including Shandon and Dorian Pongee. We’re very proud of their initiative and encourage more young people to consider this training. Welding is also of great demand in many other jobs.” The Crow Tribal Education Department also recently approved funding to help Richard Crow, Sioux/Crow complete the program. During an intense two months, students learn welding skills required of boilermakers. In the next few weeks, Small will take them to Helena, Mont., Local 11 headquarters for additional classes and the test, where welds must pass exacting industry standards. “The quality of welds ensures integrity in the construction process.” Small explained. Small is preparing the trainees for the annual overhaul at the Colstrip Power plants, scheduled for early May where they can begin apprenticeship. Reaching journeyman status requires 6,000 hours of successful on-the-job performance, normally taking four years, though Small did it in two. Irvin Farr, retired boilermaker emphasized: “In a whole lifetime you could never learn the entire craft. It is too detailed.” During the Colstrip overhaul, union hands from across the nation converge to retrofit/maintain the aging power plants. A large contingent will be Navajos, who control the Arizona boilermakers union, Local 4. “There are quite a few Navajo women boilermakers,” Small explained. “They travel a large circuit with their families, often bringing Grandma to babysit. They love Montana because of the Cheyenne. Some of those women will be great role models for Shadan.” Farr, recently retired after 30 years, remarked" “It’s the best part-time job you’ll ever have. You can work for three months in the spring, three months in the fall, sending money home to your family, make enough to live all year and claim unemployment. When working you put your nose to the grindstone for 12-14 hours per day, stay clean to pass drug/alcohol tests and do a professional job. If not, the contractors will find someone else. They face strict deadlines. There’s no Indian preference out there. It’s ‘get-er-done’ preference.” Wages range from $30-$50/hour depending upon the job and location, the highest rates involving nuclear plants. Union benefits include a retirement pension, annuity (savings similar to a 401K) and union sponsored health insurance. Farr received his training in the 1980’s while the Colstrip plants were under construction. Then, the Tribe had an agreement with the owners and unions to train Cheyenne in various crafts. Several became journeymen boilermakers including Marsha Small (now in college); Marsha “Junebug” Wilson (deceased); Lynn Harris; David Littlewhiteman (deceased); Irvin Small (retired); Jason Small, Irwin Farr (retired) and Shannon “Hoss” Small. Harris is currently employed at the Colstrip Coal Mine, Colstrip while Jason and “Hoss” still work union jobs, Hoss currently in South Dakota. About 125 tribal union members, are employed at the Colstrip energy complex where wages are among the highest in Montana. Boilermaker work is closely tied to the energy industry, Small explained. Journeymen are certified in three categories: 1) Tube welders, high pressure welding; 2) riggers, working with cranes, moving heavy equipment and materials during construction and 3) Mechanics who build structures. They work in power plants, refineries, hydro-electric dams, smelters, water turbines and are key in construction of many industrial facilities. The tribal trainees are highly motivated. Richard Crow travels 150 miles daily from the Crow Reservation. The 44 year old father of ten, a certified auto repair specialist said that he must look off the Reservation for employment such as a recent temporary State Highway job. With welding skills, he may also qualify for a job at the Westmoreland Mine, Crow Reservation under tribal employment preference. 20 year-old Dorian Pongah, recent Busby graduate was more direct. “I want to get off the Rez, see the world and make some big bucks,” he grinned. “But I’ll always come back home, just like Jason and Irv.” William Sleeper, a local non-Indian trainee is taking advantage of the “Helmets to Hardhats” program which allows veterans with an honorable discharge to immediately be accepted into a union apprenticeship program. “We have 70% unemployment on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, huge contrast to the State of Montana, 4.3% and Colstrip less than 1%,” noted Small, who commutes 100 miles daily. “Until the Cheyennes develop coal or provide some kind of large-scale job development, people have to leave the Reservation to work. Boilermaking is an excellent option.” (Clara Caufield can be reached @acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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