SK

NationTalk: Gaming payments are back on track in this year’s budget with a $61.5 million investment to support Indigenous-led social and economic initiatives in Saskatchewan.

Casino closures due to COVID-19 had previously impacted the payments and resulted in $80 million in emergency pandemic support over two years for First Nations and Métis organizations, in addition to community-based organizations to help offset the impact of the pandemic.

“Our province is committed to continued investment in Indigenous communities across the province that promotes economic development and supports the social well-being of Saskatchewan people,” Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs Don McMorris said. “Revenue from Saskatchewan gaming establishments support the hard work of our partners and benefits all residents.”

The Gaming Framework Agreement governs the distribution of gaming payments and was originally signed in 2002 between the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and Saskatchewan for 25 years, and was later extended to 35 years. The Ministry of Government Relations administers Saskatchewan’s legal obligations by distributing casino gaming profits to:

• The First Nations Trust
• The Métis Development Fund; and
• Community Development Corporations (CDC) such as:
• BATC Community Development Corporation;
• Bear Claw Community Development Corporation;
• Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation;
• Living Sky Community Development Corporation;
• Northern Lights Community Development Corporation; and
• Painted Hand Community Development Corporation.

These profits are used for funding initiatives related to economic, social, educational, recreational and cultural development. Other initiatives include justice-related, senior and youth programs, health projects and community infrastructure and maintenance.

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For more information, contact:

Shaylyn McMahon
Government Relations
Phone: 306-787-4340
Email: shaylyn.mcmahon@gov.sk.ca

Advanced Education, Education and Social Services have established a senior out-of-scope Indigenous Advisor role to lead internal and external engagement and to provide Ministry advice on strategies, policies, programs and partnerships that will lead to improving Indigenous outcomes. Other initiatives:

Métis governments from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario are gathering next week in Ottawa on March 9 and 10 for a first-of-its-kind conference on Métis self-government. The conference builds on the historic signings of the Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreements (MGRSAs) in June 2019. The MGRSAs are the first agreements in Canada to recognize the Métis inherent right of self-government based on Métis rights recognition and implementation. This conference will bring together Métis leaders, citizens, federal government representatives, legal experts, academics, and First Nations who have successfully negotiated modern day treaties and self-government agreements.
https://www.canada.ca/en/crown-indigenous-relations-northern-affairs/news/2019/06/historic-self-government-agreements-signed-with-the-metis-nation-of-alberta-the-metis-nation-of-ontario-and-the-metis-nation-saskatchewan.html

This agreement affirms the Métis right of self-government and recognize the mandates of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan (and Métis Nation of BC and Métis Nation of Alberta). The agreement also set out next steps to formally recognize the Métis governments as Indigenous governments in Canadian law.

While the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan already has well-established province-wide governance structures, the agreements signed today deal with the recognition of Métis jurisdiction in core governance areas (citizenship, leadership selection and government operations). They also set out processes for negotiating other agreements dealing with additional areas of jurisdiction in the future.
https://www.canada.ca/en/crown-indigenous-relations-northern-affairs/news/2019/06/historic-self-government-agreements-signed-with-the-metis-nation-of-alberta-the-metis-nation-of-ontario-and-the-metis-nation-saskatchewan.html

APTN News – The Government of Saskatchewan officially apologizes to the survivors of the Sixties Scoop when approximately 20,000 First Nations children were seized from their homes and re-located to non-Indigenous homes. The practice stripped children of their language, culture and family ties.

Metis Nation of Saskatchewan and Canada Signed a MOU on Advancing Reconciliation:
https://metisnationsk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MOU-Government-of-Canada-Advancing-Reconciliation-2018.02.pdf

Signing of a Framework Agreement on reconciliation with Métis Nation-Saskatchewan.

Subjects covered include:

• Land Claims
• Land Related Issues
• Reconciliation Issues
• Governance Issues
• Cultural, Social, Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, Economic Well-Being of the MNS, its Citizens and its
• Communities
• Well-being/Cultural/Rights Protection Fund(s)

https://metisnationsk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Framework-Agreement-for-Advancing-Reconciliation-2018.07.pdf

Some of the Government of Saskatchewan’s strategies that are already well underway include:

• Child Welfare Transformation Strategy
  • Work differently with First Nations and Métis people
  • Increase prevention and support for families; and
  • Renew the child welfare system for launch in 2017
• Saskatchewan Disability Strategy
  • Ensure First Nation, Métis and Inuit people experiencing disability are well-supported regardless of their home communities
• Joint Task Force on Improving Education and Employment Outcomes for First Nations and Métis People

The Plan for Growth also focuses on securing a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan people. Work flowing out of the plan includes:

• improving K-12 and post-secondary education results for First Nations and Métis people;
• supporting the healthy growth and development of children;
• supporting strong families and communities where children can grow and thrive;
• transforming child welfare;
• developing restorative and culturally-responsive justice approaches; and
• enhancing community safety planning.

34 C2A directed at provincial governments.

The Ministry of Advanced Education has purchased a two-year license to deliver the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation, an online multi-media course which will be made available to all Ministry employees. The 4 Seasons of Reconciliation was produced by Cazabon Productions under the guidance of the First Nations University of Canada’s Indigenous Advisory Circle and features Indigenous contributors throughout the education units. Subject areas include:

• Indigenous perspectives on colonialism,
• pre-contact history, Treaties,
• residential schools,
• the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,
• Indigenous relations,
• reconciliation, and
• restitution.

The online course includes PowerPoint presentations, videos, films, quizzes and a completion certificate. Advanced Education’s sector partners, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Regina, are also providing this resource to their staff and students.

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/first-nations-citizens/moving-forward-with-the-truth-and-reconciliation-commission#ongoing-work-with-first-nations-and-metis-people

Since the June 5, 2015 statement’s release, the government has had initial discussions with First Nations leaders on the TRC report and how we can move forward together. Ongoing work with First Nations and Metis people.

Some of the Government strategies that are already well underway include:

• Child Welfare Transformation Strategy
• Disability Strategy
• Education Sector Strategic Plan, and
• actions on violence prevention.

First Nations and Saskatchewan’s Plans for Growth

Saskatchewan’s Plan for Growth, along with several other interministry strategies, aligns with many of the TRC’s Calls to Action outlined in the report, including plans to:

• Sustain growth and opportunities for Saskatchewan people – through initiatives that will improve education and employment outcomes, as well as those that engage First Nations and Métis people in economic development; and
• Meet the challenges of growth – by increasing the number of child care spaces and increasing the number of First Nations and Métis people in our workforce.

Interministry Strategies and the TRC

The following list highlights the work that the Government of Saskatchewan – along with its ministries, Crown corporations and agencies – is doing which aligns with the TRC’s recommendations:

• Joint Task Force (JTF) on Improving Education and Employment Outcomes for First Nations and Métis People
• Provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy
• Saskatchewan Disability Strategy
• Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan
• Child Welfare Transformation Strategy

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/first-nations-citizens/moving-forward-with-the-truth-and-reconciliation-commission#ongoing-work-with-first-nations-and-metis-people

We will create a multi-ministry team to carefully examine this report and the full report once released. We will look to build on successes, such as teaching Treaty and First Nations and Métis histories in the classroom and the Joint Task Force on improving education and employment outcomes for First Nations and Métis

“We will create a multi-ministry team to carefully examine this report and the full report once released. We will look to build on successes, such as teaching Treaty and First Nations and Métis histories in the classroom and the Joint Task Force on improving education and employment outcomes for First Nations and Métis people”.