Farm Credit Canada is committing $150,000 over the next three years to help Aboriginal post-secondary students in Regina and Moose Jaw achieve their educational goals. This initiative is part of the FCC Aboriginal Student Empowerment Fund, established last year by FCC and four post-secondary institutions:  First Nations University of Canada, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, and the University of Regina.

Twenty-two safe rental suites for families opened recently in Swift Current. Saskatchewan Housing Corporation provided $2.4 million toward the new Silver Sage rental housing development, which cost approximately $4.7 million. The funding balance was provided by Silver Sage Holdings Ltd. The homes are located close to the downtown area, services and shops. The development consists of two two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom townhouse style units.

The City of North Battleford entered into an economic partnership with local First Nations for the development of a world-class tourist attraction. The city will contribute two parcels of land north of Highway 16 for the Battlefords First Nations Cultural Pavilion and Heritage Park. The park will be the first of its kind in the world, showcasing the rich history, culture and traditions of the Cree, Lakota and Saulteaux First Nations.

The federal government has joined forces with the province of Saskatchewan, the City of Regina, and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations to provide funding for the Regina 2014 North American Indigenous Games Host Society. The federal and provincial governments are each providing up to $3.5 million, while the City of Regina is investing $1 million, and FSIN is providing $135,000. The games will take place in Regina from July 20 to 27, 2014, and will involve more than 3,000 volunteers and over 5,000 junior athletes aged 13 to 19, who will compete in 15 sports.

A ribbon cutting was held Aug. 28 marking completion of a 24-unit First Nations affordable housing complex in northwest Regina. “Days like this make us feel proud instead of negative,” Edmund Bellegarde, chair of Silver Sage, a non-profit dedicated to housing First Nations people in affordable rental units, told Metro Regina. The facility cost $5.5 million to build.

GEObet Gambling Network has been appointed by Saskatchewan First Nations to look into opportunities and develop an online gaming solution that would provide revenue for Saskatchewan First Nations. GEObet has already made several presentations, among the most recent being one before the Special Indian Gaming Assembly in Prince Albert. “We are exploring online opportunities in order to create revenue for our communities and provide business and employment opportunities for our members.

The federal government has launched a request for proposals to identify two organizations to administer HPS Rural and Remote Homelessness funding and Aboriginal Homelessness funding in Saskatchewan. From April 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014, the chosen organizations will distribute over $1.6 million in the targeted funding to other organizations in Saskatchewan for the development of housing and support services. The application deadline is Oct. 31, 2012.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is concerned with the federal government’s response to the underfunding issue to on-reserve schools. The federal budget this spring announced $275 million in new investments for First Nations education across Canada. However, First Nations in Saskatchewan have yet to receive this new funding and a process for distribution has yet to be identified.

The new George Gordon Childcare Facility marks the joint work being undertaken by the First Nation and ATCO Sustainable Communities. The 4,500-sq.ft. facility is the first project completed by ATCO Sustainable Communities, a new ATCO company that provides a full range of pre-fabricated building solutions for Indigenous and other remote communities. The daycare can accommodate 48 students, nearly twice the capacity of the former building which was prone to flooding. It is energy efficient and low maintenance featuring child-size amenities, bright offices and a durable metal roof.

Despite a storm that cancelled a scheduled hearing by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission at Ile-a-la-Crosse during the TRC’s most recent visit to Saskatchewan, the attempt to conduct a hearing is being seen as a strong commitment on the part of the commission.

Neither the Métis people nor Ile-a-la-Crosse was included in the 2007 Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement that created the TRC. However Commission Chair Murray Sinclair holds that for the full picture of the residential school era to be painted, Metis have to be heard.