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Home to more than 60,000 Albertans in the skilled trades

Message from the Building Trades of Alberta

On behalf of the Building Trades of Alberta, we are proud to present this year’s Indigenous Role Models in the Building Trades Unions Calendar, a celebration of the incredible Indigenous tradespeople who are helping to build Alberta — and a brighter future for generations to come.

This calendar shines a light on the stories, strength and accomplishments of Indigenous members across our affiliated unions. Their journeys reflect the values that unite us all: hard work, skill, mentorship and pride in building something that lasts.

These role models represent opportunity and inspiration. The skilled trades offer meaningful, respected careers that support families, strengthen communities and honour traditions of craftsmanship and collaboration. Of the many trades that keep our province moving, it is evident there is a place for Indigenous talent and leadership.

Representing 18 Alberta unions and more than 60,000 skilled trades professionals, the Building Trades of Alberta believes that diversity and inclusion make our industry stronger. We remain committed to creating pathways, partnerships and supports that welcome more Indigenous workers into the trades — and to ensuring they see themselves reflected as leaders and changemakers.

We extend our deepest thanks to the individuals featured in this calendar for sharing their stories, and to all those who continue to inspire the next generation to dream, build and belong.

Lyle Daniels
Community and Indigenous Director
Building Trades of Alberta

Message from the Honourable Rajan Sawhney, ECA, MLA

Minister of Indigenous Relations, Government of Alberta

It is my honour to share a message of pride as we celebrate the achievements of Indigenous role models across Alberta who are building their futures — and our province — through the skilled trades.

The stories featured in this calendar reflect strength, perseverance and cultural pride. Each individual has forged their own path, showing that success in the trades is not only a personal achievement, but also a way to give back to community and inspire others.

The skilled trades offer meaningful, rewarding careers where creativity, technical skill and problem-solving come together. For Indigenous youth, these paths represent opportunities to apply traditional values of hard work, craftsmanship and collaboration in modern industries that are vital to Alberta’s growth.

I encourage every young person looking through these pages to see themselves in these stories — to imagine their own journey in the trades, supported by community, culture and training. The future of Alberta’s workforce is stronger and more innovative when it includes Indigenous knowledge, leadership and talent.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Lyle Daniels and the Building Trades of Alberta for creating this calendar and for their continued commitment to promoting inclusion, opportunity and representation in the skilled trades. Your efforts help open doors and inspire Indigenous students to explore rewarding careers that strengthen communities and our province as a whole.

On behalf of the Government of Alberta, I extend my deepest thanks to the role models featured here for sharing their stories and inspiring the next generation to dream big and build boldly.

The Honourable Rajan Sawhney
Minister of Indigenous Relations
Government of Alberta

Indigenous Role Model of the Month

George Emery

A member of Treaty #6 and Kehewin Cree Nation, George Emery has dedicated over four decades to the unionized construction industry, beginning his journey in the early 1980s at the Strathcona Refinery in Alberta, where he saw union work as a means for stability, equality, and empowerment for himself and other First Nations individuals. Grounded in humility and a strong work ethic, George progressed from supervising large teams on job sites to serving as a training coordinator, where he launched the fireproofing apprenticeship program and provided essential safety education. His commitment to mentorship and community culminated in his election as Business Manager of Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Union Local 222 in 2017, and later as Financial Secretary-Treasurer for the Building Trades of Alberta, leaving a legacy of resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to uplifting others through union solidarity as he approaches retirement.

George Emery
George Emery

A member of Treaty #6 and Kehewin Cree Nation, George Emery has dedicated over four decades to the unionized construction industry, beginning his journey in the early 1980s at the Strathcona Refinery in Alberta, where he saw union work as a means for stability, equality, and empowerment for himself and other First Nations individuals. Grounded in humility and a strong work ethic, George progressed from supervising large teams on job sites to serving as a training coordinator, where he launched the fireproofing apprenticeship program and provided essential safety education. His commitment to mentorship and community culminated in his election as Business Manager of Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Union Local 222 in 2017, and later as Financial Secretary-Treasurer for the Building Trades of Alberta, leaving a legacy of resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to uplifting others through union solidarity as he approaches retirement.

George Emery

A member of Treaty #6 and Kehewin Cree Nation, George Emery has dedicated over four decades to the unionized construction industry, beginning his journey in the early 1980s at the Strathcona Refinery in Alberta, where he saw union work as a means for stability, equality, and empowerment for himself and other First Nations individuals. Grounded in humility and a strong work ethic, George progressed from supervising large teams on job sites to serving as a training coordinator, where he launched the fireproofing apprenticeship program and provided essential safety education. His commitment to mentorship and community culminated in his election as Business Manager of Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Union Local 222 in 2017, and later as Financial Secretary-Treasurer for the Building Trades of Alberta, leaving a legacy of resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to uplifting others through union solidarity as he approaches retirement.

George Emery
George Emery

A member of Treaty #6 and Kehewin Cree Nation, George Emery has dedicated over four decades to the unionized construction industry, beginning his journey in the early 1980s at the Strathcona Refinery in Alberta, where he saw union work as a means for stability, equality, and empowerment for himself and other First Nations individuals. Grounded in humility and a strong work ethic, George progressed from supervising large teams on job sites to serving as a training coordinator, where he launched the fireproofing apprenticeship program and provided essential safety education. His commitment to mentorship and community culminated in his election as Business Manager of Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Union Local 222 in 2017, and later as Financial Secretary-Treasurer for the Building Trades of Alberta, leaving a legacy of resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to uplifting others through union solidarity as he approaches retirement.