Saskatchewan Briefs - April

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 release stated that hockey programs in the community will be greatly affected by the loss.

More funds to First Nation child welfare system

Vice Chief E. Dutch Lerat of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations expressed his satisfaction at new investments announced by the province that provides 34 million to the child welfare system.

“We are encouraged by the recent investment announcements which will increase supportive measures for children and their families,” Vice Chief Lerat stated in a release. “These budget measures will go a long way in keeping families together.”

A $1.5 million portion of the total amount will help the 18 First Nations Family Service Agencies to address case management and capacity/case load issues for children apprehended off-reserve and placed in on-reserve care.

This may allow for a better system of information management and a more effective approach to streamlining shared services, the release stated.

SGI funds traffic safety in First Nations

Two tribal councils have been chosen as trial locations for an SGI-funded two-year pilot project for traffic safety liaison positions to improve road safety on 18 First Nations communities.

The traffic safety liaisons at File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council (FHQTC) and the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) will increase education and awareness such as seatbelt use and impaired driving.

“Collisions on First Nations roads result in far too many catastrophic injuries and fatalities, making those road systems a priority for us,” stated SGI President and CEO Andrew Cartmell.

The liaisons will work with community Elders and youth to identify traffic safety issues in their communities and help come up with solutions.

While FHQTC chairperson Edmund Bellegarde hopes the program will put solid traffic safety plans in place, STC Chief Felix Thomas wants to see band members engaged in helping to recognize safety gaps in communities and working together to develop solutions.

Once the two-year pilot has been completed, the program will be reviewed by SGI to determine its success.

Sasipenita opens new exhibit at Wanuskewin

A new exhibit launched at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park on March 24 pays tribute to the contributions of First Nations and Métis women locally, nationally and internationally.

The exhibit focuses on the significant place women have in First Nations and Métis cultures and highlights the work of eight extraordinary women and five gifted artists.  These are Freda Ahenekew, Laura Big Eagle, Marie Merasty, Alvina Poitras, Bernice Sayese, Bette Spence, Wendy Swenson, Shannon Loutitt, Leah Dorion, Lousie Halfe, Roger Jerome, Mary Longman, and Linda Young.

It also honors the lives of missing and murdered women by exploring the lives of Daleen Bosse and Amber Dawn Redman.

The Saskatoon based organization, Sasipenita (Cree for ‘Never give up’), created and fundraised for the project to counter negative stereotypes and to positively influence how First Nations and Métis people are viewed.
The exhibit is on display at Wanuskewin from March 24 to July 4, 2011.