Five of Saskatchewan’s tribal councils have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the federal and provincial governments where all parties agree to work together to increase First Nations participation in the province’s labour force.

From playing hockey in bob skates, using a willow stick and frozen horse manure for a puck, Fred Sasakamoose went on to become the first Aboriginal player in the National Hockey League.

For this, and other accomplishments, he received a standing ovation upon receiving his National Aboriginal Achievement Award March 11 in Edmonton.

His niece, Lorraine Sasakamoose, and other family members, were cheering for him along with 2,000 other audience members in the sold out Jubilee auditorium.

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Guy Lonechild is calling this year’s provincial budget a demonstration of responsible leadership by the Government of Saskatchewan.

Chief Lonechild was in attendance at the provincial Legislative Assembly in Regina on March 23 for the delivery of the 2011-2012 budget.

There was plenty to smile about as the Ministry of First Nations and Métis Relations received a departmental budget of $167.2 million which is an increase of $13.1 million or six percent over last year.

Statistics Canada has recently reported that northern Saskatchewan has had a rising percentage of the overall population under the age of 20.

The trend has been so steady that industry has targeted northern Saskatchewan as being potentially one of the largest upcoming suppliers of labour for the province. As Saskatchewan’s workforce declines more and more with increasing retirees and shifts in the economy there is greater demand across all industries for new workers to fill the void.

Ochapowace loses community centre

A major centre on the Ochapowace First Nation was destroyed in a fire on March 31.

The Fred Bear Communiplex was used for community feasts, family functions, bingos, funerals, and sporting events. It had a fully functional rink with an artificial ice plant and an attached band hall.

The Communiplex, which was built in 1985, made it possible for the First Nation to develop the Ochapowace Minor Hockey Program and had players taking part from the surrounding First Nations.

A chief and council’s decision to ban the performance of an Aboriginal adaptation of a Greek play didn’t stop the playwright from showcasing the performance in her own community.

“It’s almost like communist tactics to silence people and they have tried to silence me. But it wasn’t going to stop me,” says Deanne Kasokeo, Poundmaker band member and playwright of Antigone.

Chief and Council held a closed-meeting March 29th where they voted to ban the play.

When Sandra Nataucappo of Fishing Lake First Nation moved back to Saskatchewan from Vancouver Island four years ago she had some experience working in the hotel industry.

So when she got compensation for her years spent in residential school, she decided to use part of the funds to purchase Junction 5/35 Motor Lodge in Wadena and start her own hotel business.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) is leading the way to ensure the unimpeded sale of tobacco products among their First Nations communities.

The FSIN has prepared draft legislation for the sale of tobacco so its 74 member nations can adapt it to meet their community needs and enact it as a bylaw with the power to supersede provincial laws.

First Nations leaders from around the province gathered in Saskatoon on March 29 to talk about reforming First Nations governance structures at a conference hosted by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN).
One attendee was Sakimay First Nation Chief Lynn Acoose, who said she would like to see her own band reverting back to the way they governed themselves before they had their first election under the Indian Act in 1979.

Like father, like son.

Well, Jesse Cockney, a 21-year-old Inuit cross-country skier who lives in Canmore, actually surpassed his father’s accomplishments.

Cockney managed to win four medals (three gold, one bronze) at the recent Canada Winter Games, which were held Feb. 12-27 in Halifax.

“Was I surprised?” Cockney said. “No. Happy? Very. The goal was to come away with two or more golds to match my dad’s golds.”