Released on October 9, 2001
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Pat Lorjé is encouraging individuals andorganizations to come to consultation meetings to discuss the government's
strategy to improve the lives of Métis and off-reserve First Nations people
in Saskatchewan.
The consultation meetings on the Framework for Cooperation have begun and
will conclude October 23rd in North Battleford. Meetings will also be held
in Yorkton, La Ronge, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon.
"The Framework targets practical initiatives that were identified by
everyone involved in the process," Lorjé said. "The suggestions of many
Métis and off-reserve First Nations communies contributed significantly to
the development of the strategy. Now, I am asking for further input from
the communites 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 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.
For a complete listing of all Framework consultation meetings, check the
Government of Saskatchewan web site, www.gov.sk.ca, under the "What's New"
section or the Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs web site at
www.iaa.gov.sk.ca.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Wendy Campbell
Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-8008