Saskatchewan Sage

It has been one year since the apology was delivered by Stephen Harper for the abuse suffered by Aboriginal children in Canada's church-operated Indian residential schools, and many people across Canada want to ensure that day is never forgotten, including Assembly of First Nations National(AFN) Chief, Phil Fontaine.
"(This day) is about reminding Canadians how very important we are to…

A recent report released by the Parliamentary Budget Officer states that inadequate planning, redirected budgets, and no inspections has placed many First Nations schools across Canada in a poor state and furthermore, criticizes Indian and Northern Affairs Canada(INAC) for its management of the schools.
When looking at Canada's 803 First Nations schools, the report says, 10 are closed and…

Saskatchewan's Onion Lake Cree Nation is rolling up its sleeves and welcoming a $22 million construction investment that will create more employment opportunities.
"This investment is more than building much needed housing and infrastructure. This is about creating jobs for our band members," said Chief Wallace Fox in a press release.
Located 50-kilometers north of Lloydminster, the…

The number of H1N1 Human Swine Flu cases increased substantially in Saskatchewan over the last month, and the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic. But the province's health officials say the best thing to do is not to panic, and to follow simple preventative measures to keep the disease from spreading.
"For this virus, the single best thing is to wash hands and wipe…

A nine-week training course pilot project, a partnership between Parkland College, Lakeland College, Keeseekoose First Nation, and Inroads to Agriculture funded through the provincial and federal governments, recently graduated more than two dozen First Nations students into entry level employment in the agriculture and agri-business sectors in the Yorkton-Kamsack area. Participants of the “…

Results of a University of Saskatchewan telephone survey undertaken prior to the November 2011 provincial election are disturbing. Nearly 1,100 people surveyed were asked about their political and social beliefs, including five questions specific to Aboriginal attitudes and policies. More than 58 per cent of people agreed with the statement, “generations of discrimination have created…

A national search has resulted in Juliano Tupone, member of the Sweetgrass First Nation, named as the new vice-president, finance and administration for the First Nations University. Tupone most recently served as the director of operations for the Star Blanket Cree Nation. His background includes working with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. In his new role, Tupone’s focus…

The University of Regina is looking for someone to facilitate the development of a strategic plan for indigenizing the institution. The executive lead would take advice from the Aboriginal Advisory Circle and work closely with the Human Resources Aboriginal and Diversity Consultant and the Manager of the Aboriginal Student Support Centre while providing advice to the president. An Aboriginal…

Renowned negotiator of First Nations legal issues and business-law expert W. Thomas Molloy is one of four new appointees at Miller Thomson, the nationally known business-law firm. Molloy will be based in the Saskatchewan office, where he will form part of its Aboriginal law team. Aboriginal law is a fast-growing field as potash and oil and gas development require meaningful consultation with…

Muskowekwan First Nation voted on Feb. 25 to approve a proposal from Encanto Potash to expand designation of mineral rights. Eighty per cent of band members who voted cast their ballots in favour of the development. Just over half of eligible band members turned out.  “This vote is a clear mandate from our membership to continue with our work to develop Canada’s first potash mine on our First…

Cowessess First Nation is the first band to receive accreditation status for providing quality health care to the community. The designation comes with acceptance of the Accreditation Primer Award in November 2011. Chief Grady Lerat said becoming accredited is about providing better services and being a guide for other First Nation communities. Accreditation is the nationally and…

Buckley Belanger, a longtime NDP MLA representing northern Saskatchewan, is considering a run for leader.
“If one of us aspires to be a leader, then I think that’ll prompt a lot of discussion, it’ll prompt a lot of thought and in a long way I think it will empower a lot of aboriginal people to think about politics and to think about the possibilities,” Belanger, who is Métis, told CBC…

Sundance Energy Corporation has finished exploratory test wells on its 40,000 acre Ochapowace First Nations Lands and on its 58,000 acre Muskowekwan First Nations Lands. The two exploratory test wells indicate oil and gas and Sundance has determined that the reservoirs present are capable of supporting potential hydrocarbon production. Sundance holds federal oil and gas permits on First…

(From left) Chiefs Wallace Fox (Onion Lake Cree Nation), Rose Laboucan (Drift Pile First Nation), Jim Badger (Sucker Creek First Nation) and Craig Mackinaw (Ermineskin Cree Nation) signed a memorandum of understanding in front of gas and oil industry partners and the government.

The findings of a recently-released survey on community-perception of the Regina Police Services do not surprise the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

Almost 75 per cent of Aboriginal people living in the province’s capital distrust the city police. Morley Watson, FSIN Vice-Chief, takes those results further.

“I think generally because of the residential school effects…