Released on November 20, 2001
A final consultation meeting will be held Wednesday to discuss thegovernment's strategy to improve the lives of Métis and off-reserve First
Nations people in Saskatchewan.
Similar consultation meetings on the Framework for Co-operation took place
earlier in the fall in Ile-a-la-Crosse, Yorkton, La Ronge, Prince Albert,
Regina and North Battleford.
"Public response to the meetings has been very positive," Aboriginal
Affairs Minister Chris Axworthy said. "Community events give individuals
an opportunity to offer feedback on what has been developed so far. Now, I
am asking for input from Saskatoon residents to make sure the framework
strategy remains responsive and accountable to the needs of the community."
The framework strategy was launched in January, 2001. In March, Premier
Lorne Calvert committed $10 million from the provincial budget in new and
enhanced funding to the strategy.
Métis and off-reserve First Nations communities helped develop the
strategy's four key goals. The first goal is to assist Aboriginal children
to stay in school and graduate from high school. This year's budget
commits $7 million to double the number of community schools from 41 to 83
and to increase by 90 per cent the targeted funding to school boards for
Aboriginal education initiatives.
The other goals relate to work preparation and training; employment and
economic development opportunities; and improving community and individual
well-being.
The Saskatoon event will be held at St. Mary Community School gymnasium,
337 Avenue O South. The evening begins with a feast at 6:00 PM, followed
by the meeting from 7:00-9:00 PM.
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For more information, contact:
Wendy Campbell
Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-8008