“If you love what you do, then you never have to work a day in your life.” It’s a life lesson Boris Sanguez points to as advice Indigenous youth can learn from and that he follows himself. He was born in Yellowknife and was raised by his grandparents in Jean Marie River. He moved to Fort Simpson to go to high school and his career had many twists and turns from there.

After high school, Sanguez worked for the government in the department of Public Works. He would paint fences, cut the grass and perform other maintenance tasks. When he moved home at one point and worked for his dad, he would deliver water and dispose of garbage and sewage. He got a job at the power corporation covering for the plant operator, a role his dad held for many years. He also worked at the liquor store until he got a millwright apprenticeship and then a journeyman credential, an achievement he felt was like winning the lottery. He worked in the mines and in camp jobs until he got lonely and moved home to run the plant at the power corporation.

At present, Sanguez is in Délįne installing wood stoves. He completed certification to install wood and pellet stoves and started a business that is thriving. His current project involves 11 stoves to install but a future project will have him installing 350. He also works with a company called Arctic Energy Alliance and installs stoves with them in communities all over the North. Continuous learning is a value Sanguez holds and he’s still learning on the job.

Motivating him to do this work is the ability to help people. In many inspections, he has found faulty appliances or chimneys and risks of chimney fires. He is happy to support preventing housefires with the work that he does. Keeping people safe is something he is proud to do.

His advice for Indigenous students leaving their home communities to pursue their education is to be prepared to miss home, family and friends. Sanguez notes that there will be times they will want to quit and encourages youth to pick a career goal that they are passionate about.

When it comes to obstacles, Sanguez overcame his own challenges with the help of his close friends and family, but kept his circle small. “When somebody's got your back, it makes you feel like you can do anything,” he muses. Knowing someone had his back made overcoming struggles easier for him.

To balance his mental health, Sanguez plays the guitar as a way to relieve stress. He works out, works on his own vehicles to keep his hands busy and generally tries to stay busy. Fixing his quads, skidoos, and motorcycles helps him manage his stress.

If he could share a message with his younger self it would be, “Learn more. Read more.” The value of education was something drilled into him from when he was young by his grandparents. While Sanguez was usually in the bush when school started, his grandfather would go and get his schoolwork from his teacher. He learned and worked in the bush and got his drive to learn from his grandpa.

As far as inspiration goes, Sanguez looks to his father and grandfather, both of whom he’s lost. He admires their work ethic and wants them to be proud of him. He’s also grateful for each day and brings that gratitude to his work.

Loving what he does, Boris Sanguez doesn’t have to work a day in his life. Installing wood stoves to keep Northern people warm, he also makes sure their chimneys and homes are safe. Inspired by the hardworking men of his family and the value of continuous learning, he stokes the fire of personal development and perseverance in his heart.

Thanks to Alison Tedford Seaweed for authoring this article.