Beatty named to provincial cabinet post

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Joan Beatty didn't have much time to savour the joy of the ballot box.

Just over two weeks after she became the first Aboriginal woman elected to the Saskatchewan legislature, Beatty became the first Aboriginal woman to serve in the provincial cabinet.

The New Democratic Party MLA for the Cumberland constituency was sworn in as Minister of Culture, Youth and Recreation by Lt.-Gov. Lynda Haverstock at Government House on Nov. 21.

In an interview, Beatty said she wants to see her new department develop policies to encourage and promote the issues of Aboriginal youth.

To do that, she said, education and cultural identity are key.

"I believe the development of Aboriginal youth through the establishment of a strong spiritual and cultural identity is a very important part of the future of this province," Beatty said. She noted that while First Nations and Metis people comprise about 13 per cent of Saskatchewan's population, the birthrate among Aboriginal people is higher than in non-Aboriginal people in the province, and the median age of the Aboriginal population is much lower than the median age of non-Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan.

In short, this means First Nations and Metis people will make up a larger share of Saskatchewan's population in the future, and young Aboriginal people must be educated to be ready to take important roles in the province's economic, political, and social life, she said.

It's an issue that's close to Beatty's heart, and that of her constituents.

"A lot of my priorities, even before I decided to run in the election, were and are in dealing with the issues of Aboriginal youth," she said.

For example, 45 per cent of the residents of her northeastern Saskatchewan riding of Cumberland are under the age of 24.

"I have 33 nieces and nephews," she said. "I have an idea of the issues they and other young people today are facing.

"If Aboriginal young people are to become full citizens of this province, then recognizing Aboriginal culture will have to be a priority."

Her new cabinet position also requires her to oversee the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the Saskatchewan Archives Board, the Saskatchewan Communications Network Corporation, the Western Development Museum and the Interprovincial Lotteries.

A press release announcing the post-election cabinet shuffle said that one of Beatty's priorities will be to provide leadership in increasing the involvement of youth in government and public policy. It's a daunting task for a rookie MLA, but she says she's ready for the challenge.

"Becoming an MLA is just another level of involvement for me," she said. "It's certainly not that big of a leap.

"The biggest challenge as a cabinet minister is to learn how government works, from the inside. But in my department, I have an incredible team with me."

Beatty, who was a senior customer service manager with SaskTel before the election, has an extensive record of volunteer work. While with the provincial telephone company, Beatty founded the SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence, now in its fourth year.

She's the past president of the Interprovincial Association of Native Employment, and has also been a member of the Saskatoon District Health Board, the Regina Board of Police Commissioners, the University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors, and the Saskatchewan Forest Science Advisory Board.

Before joining SaskTel six years ago, Beatty was a reporter and producer at CBC Television in Regina and an award-winning filmmaker.

Beatty served as a vice-president of the Saskatchewan NDP organization before winning the Cumberland nomination. She replaces Keith Goulet, who didn't seek re-election. She won the Cumberland constituency for the NDP with 69 per cent of the vote, receiving 3,268 votes.