Prince Albert works on five-year strategy

Various service organizations, including Prince Albert Parkland Health Region, Prince Albert Police Service, Gabriel Dumont Institute, Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association, met at the Prince Albert Indian Métis Friendship Centre in early March to identify barriers preventing urban Aboriginal people from fully participating in the local economy. The Aboriginal population in Prince Albert has grown from 18 per cent in 2006 to nearly 25 per cent in 2011, and continues to grow. Engagement co-ordinator Cathi Wilson-Loescher noted a 20 per cent gap for the high school graduation rate between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people as well as a 20 per cent gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people participating in the labour force. “We’re going to be developing a five-year strategy,” Wilson-Loescher said. “This is one of the steps in the process to help us really understand local needs in Prince Albert and area.”