Released on March 30, 2001
The Province of Saskatchewan is investing an additional $10 million in 2001-02 to improve the economic and social conditions of Metis and off-reserve
First Nations people in Saskatchewan.
The initiative, A Framework for Co-operation, strives to bring together
federal, provincial and municipal governments with Metis and First Nations
governments and organizations, all working toward a common vision of having
everyone in the province participate fully in Saskatchewan's social and
economic fabric.
"The Framework for Co-operation identifies education as a top priority,"
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Pat Lorjé said. "Helping Aboriginal children
stay in school, graduate and receive post-secondary education and training
is crucial to connecting them to the future. Accordingly, the government
is providing new funding to double the number of community schools and
increasing by 90 per cent the targeted funding to school boards for
Aboriginal education initiatives."
Skills training and work preparation are also priorities, with $609,000
being provided for Aboriginal apprenticeship initiatives, expansion of the
forestry training program and a program to help Aboriginal people in the
north access nursing training.
The government will invest $1.7 million will be spent to enhance Aboriginal
employment opportunities through forestry development and reforestation. A
further $690,000 will go toward implementing a public service internship
and management development program targeted to Aboriginal people, and
$100,000 will be invested to advance Aboriginal economic opportunities
through purchasing practices in the north. The ongoing Aboriginal
Employment Development Program, which connects qualified Aboriginal
candidates with employers, will receive an additional $125,000. The
program removes barriers and prepares Aboriginal people to compete for jobs
on an even footing.
The 2001-02 budget also includes $60,000 to promote urban Aboriginal
community development by enabling First Nations and Metis people to
continue to develop their own service delivery systems in urban settings.
"The Framework for Co-operation is targeting practical initiatives that
have been identified by everyone involved in the process. This strategy is
one of the most forward-looking, far-reaching, co-operative initiatives in
the history of our province," Lorjé said.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Wendy Campbell
Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-8008