Saskatchewan Sage

The Advocate for Children and Youth 2012 annual report emphasizes the need for greater inclusion of First Nations in designing, implementing and monitoring the new child welfare system. “We share the concerns of the Advocate for Children and Youth as raised in their recent annual report; particularly, that we must collectively do better for First Nations children and youth in Saskatchewan as…

The Aboriginal Youth Task Force chaired by Saskatoon Fairview MLA Jennifer Campeau and vice-chair Rob Norris, Saskatoon Greystone MLA and Legislative Secretary for First Nations Engagement, will visit 12 communities across Saskatchewan.  The task force will hold meetings in Regina, Saskatoon, Stony Rapids, Moose Jaw, Fort Qu’Appelle, Yorkton, La Ronge, La Loche, Ile a la Crosse,…

Representatives from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority and Indigenous Gaming Regulators are entering into discussions aimed at expanding the regulatory authority of IGR to include the registration of on-reserve charitable gaming employees and suppliers. “Providing IGR with additional regulatory authority is the next step under the terms of the Gaming Framework Agreement,”…

The best in First Nations and Métis writing and publishing were celebrated at the Saskatchewan Book Awards ceremony in April. The Rasmussen and Charowsky Aboriginal Peoples’ Writing Award went to Regina’s Blair Stonechild for his biography, Buffy Saint-Marie: It’s My Way. Luther and University of Regina Arts Award for Scholarly Writing went to Reconciling Sovereignties: Aboriginal…

Blaine Favel, the president of One Earth Oil and Gas and a former chief of the Poundmaker Cree Nation, has been appointed chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan. Favel is an alumnus who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by the university last year. He is a lawyer and former head of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations who holds a masters of business administration from…

(Back row from left) Donna Desnomie (Director of Post Secondary and Higher Learning -Peepeekisis Cree Nation), Richard Ironquil (Headman - Peepeekisis Cree Nation), Ed Hourd (Business and Training Representative - Parkland College); (front row) Michael Cameron (Director of Training and Business Development - Parkland College), Mike Koochicum (Chief - Peepeekisis Cree Nation), Frank Dieter (…

The University of Saskatchewan has launched a new Web site that brings together all of the university’s Aboriginal initiatives, lists all of the events, resources and programs affiliated with the university’s Aboriginal academic and community activities, and outlines partnership activities. It also provides an overview of U of S’s English River facilities, located on a First Nation reserve. It…

SaskMétis Economic Development Corp. has signed an agreement with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to deliver a grant contribution program to Métis businesses in Saskatchewan.  The Métis Assistance Program will be similar to the former business contribution program that had been delivered by Aboriginal Business Canada. The MAP program will provide funding for eligible…

After serving less than two years as president of First Nations University of Canada, Doyle Anderson has resigned stating family health as the reason. Anderson was appointed in 2011. Juliano Tupone, the university’s current vice president of finance and administration, has been named acting president. Tupone comes from the Sweetgrass First Nation. FNUniv also named a new board chair…

Targeted funding for programs and initiatives that benefit First Nations and Métis received a 6.2 per cent budget increase in the 2013-14 Saskatchewan budget.  The Ministry of Economy is to receive a $3.1-million increase to $29.8 million, which represents an 11.8 per-cent increase in funding for First Nations and Métis initiatives and institutions, including $1.5 million to help…

The Peepeekisis Cree Nation is refusing to re-sign its Contribution Funding Agreement with the federal government while Onion Lake Cree Nation has signed the CFA under duress. “We met with AANDC officials on a number of occasions to renegotiate the current CFA,” said Peepeekisis Chief Michael Koochicum in a written statement, “but our requests fell on deaf ears.” Onion Lake Chief…

A 38-year-old man will make a return appearance in court on May 23 on charges related to a bomb threat at the Dakota Dunes Casino on the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. The casino was evacuated on April 6 after the threat was received. It was re-opened two-and-a-half hours later.  According to RCMP, members of the Saskatoon detachment responded around 8:20 p.m. after a threat was made. The…

An Assembly of First Nation’s hosted National Treaty Forum held at Whitecap Dakota First Nation at the end of March has resulted in the creation of a new National Treaty Alliance that would take a tougher stand on treaty rights. “There’s a growing sense that something needs to happen – that people need an alternative,” said Grand Chief Derek Nepinak, of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs…

Nine years following the death of 25-year-old University of Saskatchewan student Daleen Bosse, the man accused in her murder has yet to stand trial. On April 15, Douglas Hales, 34, opted for new legal representation and the trial has been adjourned until February 2014. Hales was arrested in connection with Bosse’s death in 2008 after her body was found in a secluded area just outside…

At the end of March, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations released a report indicating that First Nation education receives 40 to 50 per cent less funding for instruction than provincial schools. The report found that First Nations schools also receive 18 per cent less for basic instruction and 14 per cent less for operations and maintenance. The FSIN report compared on-…