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 that help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to achieve self-sufficiency.

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 Resource Development Inc.

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 in court, while Pratt sought arbitration over the firings. Details of the settlement were not released. “(FNUniv) wishes to make clear that neither Mr. Pratt nor Mr.

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 support from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Saskatoon Tribal Council to purchase and develop the 28,000 acres.

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.

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.

(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.

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 Morley Watson, Vice-Chief with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

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. Cameron and  patrol partner Const. Marc Bourdages died in July 2006 as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty in Spiritwood.

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 nominees awarded the regional director’s position by acclamation.