(The information below is provided in both English and Innu-aimun)

As a Diesel Plant Operator, Ben works to maintain operations of the remote diesel plant in Natuashish, which our teams operate on behalf of Mushuau Innu First Nation. Ben loves learning new things and is passionate about the important work he is doing to help power his community.

Uastepamakea kapempeats, Ben kanakataapamat uaste pamakea nte Natuashish. Ben menuenitam eskutimashat tshe kana ekasenita manuenitum euitshat Innua Tshetshiuaste pantshi.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Ben Rich – I’m from Natuashish (a community off the coast of Labrador). I spend my time hunting, filming, doing carpentry work and taking part in sweat ceremonies in my community.

Ninu Ben Rich – nte Natuashish ueshinan etatusean entuuinan Ekuntshean mak ematsakunnapeunan ke emeteshian nte Natuashish.

Describe your role here at Hydro.

I’ve worked as a Diesel Plant Operator at the Natuashish Diesel Plant for 16 years. I keep the generators operational with fuel, oil, coolant, etc. so that the lights stay on in Natuashish. Even after 16 years, I still enjoy learning new things about the diesel plant and meeting new people.

Tshash piekunnu ashu ashutash tatapuna ntatuse, Nakatu ua pamaats uaste pa makets kauish pampanutshi. Tshe tshi kamesepe me petishi tshetshi ka astu uepanets. Piekennu ashu ashutash tatapana essi atusean esk namanueniten tshe kuaia eshaskutimashunan nte uastepamakentshuapish.

What made you want to come to work at Hydro?

I wanted to learn new skills. Before starting with Hydro, I worked as a carpenter building houses in Natuashish, before everyone relocated from Davis Inlet.

Nuiskutamashun katak tshekuan esk eka atasean nte uastepamaken tshuapish, uskash etatasean namatsheapan esk ekaiatukants ete Natuashish.

What does an average day look like for you?

An average day for me means checking on the operation of the Diesel Plant, lots of fuel deliveries, oil changes and working with mechanics, electricians and line crews.

Mushanau nakatauapate uaste pama kentshuae epishapamean, eatanaman kauasheskukames, mak nuuitshauts KAiapnkunatsheshats mak uastepamakepasha kanutshikas.

What’s something about your job that most people may not know?

If you don’t do your job safely, if you don’t know what you’re dealing with, it can be very dangerous work – especially when dealing with high voltages.

Aka miam tu,tameie statuseun Tshaka-kuste-kun stetuseun shutshimAkea uaste-pamake pasha.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Winter season and bigger demands for power – demands are always growing every winter.

Tsheshuae masta uspenats uaste pamakets Pe pushi, Esha kama puna uspanuts.

What’s the biggest reason you’re motivated to do your best work every day?

To go home safely to my family at the end of each day and to keep the power on so that everyone in my community stays warm.

Tshetshitshanam tshi uean katshitesseani eshe kam tshishakaua. Tshe uaste pats nitshanuts mak tshe tshi Tshashuts.