Saskatchewan Sage

Funding from the federal government to Methy Construction and Maintenance Corporation will provide Aboriginal people who are homeless with new transitional housing. Methy Construction is receiving over $445,000 in Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding to create four transitional housing units for single-parent Aboriginal families who are homeless. The HPS provides structures and supports…

The Meadow Lake Tribal Council is undertaking its largest project ever. The Meadow Lake Bioenergy Centre will run on bark, branches, sawdust and wood chips from the NorSask Forest Products sawmill. It will generate up to 36 megawatts of renewable low-emissions power, which is enough to power roughly 30,000 homes. The bioenergy centre will receive $499,000 from the federal government. The MLTC…

The First Nations University of Canada reached an out-of-court settlement with two of its former senior officials. Charles Pratt, former president, and Allan Ducharme, former VP of administration, were put on leave and then fired in 2010 following allegations of misuse of funds and submission of inappropriate expense claims. Both men denied the allegations. Ducharme filed a statement of claim…

The Mistawasis First Nation is interested in purchasing protected lakefront Crown land near Shellbrook with plans to build cabins and develop the lakefront property as a way to create jobs and revenue for its community. While a portion of the region is already developed, the land in question is protected under the provincial Wildlife Habitat Protection Act. The First Nation has received…

The western treaty nations gathered in Prince Albert Aug. 6-9 where discussion centred around the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement, which shifted control of Crown land and natural resources from the federal government to the provincial governments in 1930.
“One thing is certain at this point, we are not asking the governments to begin the revenue sharing agenda, as we are going ahead…

The James Smith Cree Nation has received help from the provincial and federal governments to temporarily address the issue of flooding which has become a growing health crisis. Funding will be used for roads, houses and schools. Flooding and washed out roads caused the First Nation to issue an evacuation order Aug. 3 for nine homes and 123 band members. Evacuees stayed in hotels in Melfort. At…

(From left) Dr. Angelina Weenie, Department Head of Professional Programs at First Nations University of Canada; Dr. Lynn Wells, Vice President Academic at FNUniv;  Dr. Fay Myers, President of Parkland College; and Gwen Machnee, University Program Coordinator at Parkland College signed an agreement at Fort Qu’Appelle between the two educational institutions.

This fall, the First Nations…

First Nations in Saskatchewan are well on their way to becoming the new Attawapiskat.

“There are a lot of our communities that are very, very close to having the same situation as we saw in Ontario and I’m sure there are many regions in Canada that can come forward and say we are in the same situation as what Canada saw when they saw the housing conditions in (Attawapiskat),” said…

The Constable Robin Cameron Education Complex Hoop Dance Troupe performed during a ceremony at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration held at the Brandt Centre in Regina on Aug. 11. The Diamond Jubilee Celebration told a story that is steeped in history and tradition, but one that also celebrates Canada’s future. The troupe is named after Cameron, who was born on the Beardy’s Okemasis First Nation.…

The once put off election for the Provincial Métis Council for the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan has yielded mixed results for nominations.

While choices for the executive positions are healthy – including six vying for the title of president including incumbent Robert Doucette – out of 12 regions, only five are holding elections. Two regions had no nominations filed, while five others saw…

Yellow Quill First Nation and ISM Canada have signed an agreement designed to help foster students’ interest in technology-related career paths.  ISM Canada will initially provide 30 laptops and related technical support for use by Yellow Quill First Nation’s Nawigizigweyas Education Centre in specially designed programs to encourage and support students interested in technology related…

The Saskatchewan Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council, representing unionized construction trades in the province, is calling for increased funding of Aboriginal apprentices. In a 24-page brief called Trades Training: Investing in Saskatchewan’s Economy and released early June, the building trades make six recommendations to increase skills training in the province, including…

In mid-June, members of the Cote First Nation started receiving cheques as part of a land claim settlement with the federal government. Members are eligible for a lump sum payment of $20,000 or an annual payment of $1,500 for 16 years while Elders are eligible to receive a lump sum of $25,000 or have the amount distributed over several years. The majority of the approximately 3,500 band…

FSIN does not support private members bill
Despite a face-to-face with Rob Clarke, MP, Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River, who presented his Private Member’s Bill to Amend the Indian Act, chiefs of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations are still not impressed. Clarke made a presentation at the FSIN’s spring legislative assembly in Nipawin on June 26. However, said Peter…

Nearly 100 people marched in Saskatoon June 20 to remember children who died in Saskatchewan foster care and group homes. According to Saskatchewan’s Children’s Advocate, 34 children died in 2010 and 43 others were critically injured while in foster care or group homes. “This is our new residential school. A lot of our Aboriginal children are in foster care and we need more programs. They are…