Saskatchewan Sage

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations executive council passed a resolution at its annual winter assembly to consider changing the name of the organization. While the acronym would remain the same, FSIN would stand for Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. “That in itself is a strong statement – to say that we are still sovereign,” said FSIN Chief Perry Bellegarde. He…

On Feb. 15, the Aboriginal Peoples’ Commission hosted “Eradicate the Ignorance,” an Indigenous issues roundtable. The discussion was hosted by APC’s vice president-communications Kevin Seesequasis of the Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation, and explored issues ranging from treaties, the Indian Act, the Kelowna Accord, First Nations child welfare, murdered and missing Indigenous women, Bill C-45…

First Nations and Métis patients and their families will soon have better access to health services in Saskatoon hospitals St. Paul’s and Royal University. The service will provide clinical and traditional care. Health educators will facilitate navigation service, act as a cultural support, including the ability to interpret in a First Nation language, coordinate service and be a…

The significant education gap between First Nations people and the general population is directly affecting the employment opportunities for Aboriginal people, particularly in Saskatchewan, according to a report recently released by Dr. Eric Howe, a University of Saskatchewan economics professor. The study Employment of First Nations People: Saskatchewan Lags Behind referenced 2006…

The SIAST Kelsey Campus in Saskatoon hosted a full-day of activities on Feb. 14 for Indigenous youth as part of the Soaring conference, presented by Indspire. About 150 grades 9 to 12 students attended from across Saskatchewan and Alberta. They received hands-on experience, as well as knowledge of the post-secondary setting and support services. The students participated in…

Three people have been charged in the Jan. 1 death of Duril McKay, 20, of Red Earth First Nation. Police went to the reserve at around 2 a.m. after receiving a report that several people were fighting outside a residence. Ambulance workers found McKay unconscious. He was taken to hospital where he was declared dead. Charged with second-degree murder are Lenny Head, 20, Tyson Whitehead, 26, and…

Saskatchewan’s Child and Youth Advocate Bob Pringle is renewing the call for a national children’s advocate and voiced his opinion in a recent letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Pringle wrote Harper asking him to visit some Indigenous communities to see and hear the issues up close. “We believe that that is the number one human rights issue in this country, is the condition of Indigenous…

For the 2011/2012 fiscal year, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority earned $267.2 million, with a profit of $81.6 million. The revenue total represented an increase of 27 per cent over the previous year’s net earnings. SIGA’s net earnings have been boosted by expansions, which were undertaken from 2006 to 2009. In that time span, SIGA expanded operations with the openings of Dakota Dunes…

The federal and provincial governments have teamed up to create the Skills and Partnership Fund, which is aimed at helping First Nations people find fulfilling long-term employment. The federal government will kick in $7.9 million and the province $1.5 million through the Ministry of the Economy as an investment in Northern Career Quest. Additional funding for the project will come…

The northern Village of Pinehouse and Kineepik Metis Local Inc. have signed a collaboration agreement with Cameco, Areva Resources Canada Inc. to guide future co-operation and sharing of benefits from uranium mining operations. The agreement builds on 25 years of co-operation between the community of about 1,000 people and the uranium mining industry and sets out specific commitments by the…

READ Saskatoon is one of 12 organizations to recently receive funding from the TD Financial Literacy Grant Fund. “Eighty per cent of the clients at READ Saskatoon are employed with most earning a low income,” said Sheryl Harrow, Executive Director, READ Saskatoon. “The TD Financial Literacy Grant will ensure our community has increased access to mainstream financial education opportunities. …

Both Chiefs helped to lay the ground work but when it came time to meet with the Prime Minister, only one went.

“I’ve always dared to be different from other Chiefs,” said Chief Marcel Head, of Shoal Lake Cree Nation. “I saw this as an opportunity … and we had a mandate from the people to seek ways to get the government to engage in a dialogue to start implementing treaties.”

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Newly-released documents show that a Saskatchewan optometrist’s billings to the Non-Insured Health Benefits program raised concerns for Health Canada. The March 2012 report describes the apparent difficulties that Health Canada staff experienced when they tried to look deeper into allegations about the unidentified optometrist’s billings. The report makes recommendations for Health Canada’s…

The Saskatoon Police Service’s Professional Standards Division are investigating a complaint that on Jan. 21, Drayton Bull, 19, was picked up by police, dropped off on the outskirts of the city, and forced to walk in below -30 C. When he arrived at his father’s home, he was taken to hospital and treated for a concussion. In a news release, the SPS said that an initial investigation has shown…

Regina & District Chamber of Commerce’s first-ever job fair targeted at First Nations and Métis attracted hundreds. All Nations Jobs Expo was held Nov. 28 with more than 70 employers in a wide range of industries, including construction, financial services, tourism and hospitality, manufacturing and information technology. Post-secondary schools and training…