INCREASING ABORIGINAL EMPLOYMENT

Released on June 20, 2005

Two agreements geared toward getting more Aboriginal people into the workforce were signed in North Battleford today.

The Department of First Nations and Métis Relations along with representatives of the City of North Battleford; the Prairie North Regional Health Authority (PNRHA) and affiliate; and several unions signed two Aboriginal Employment Development Program (AEDP) partnership agreements. This follows an AEDP signing last week in Saskatoon.

Through the AEDP, First Nations and Métis people are encouraged to choose from a broad range of career options, attain the necessary training for those jobs, and compete for those jobs based on their acquired skills and qualifications. The result is more Aboriginal people in the provincial workforce.

"The AEDP signings are addressing the bigger picture, which is unemployment for Aboriginal people, which is five times higher and costing government $1.4 billion dollars a year to keep unemployed and under employed Aboriginal people home," Government Relations Minister Len Taylor said on behalf of First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Maynard Sonntag. "Using education, training and work experience more First Nations and Métis people will be able to meet their own goals in the workforce."

The first of today's AEDP partnership agreement was signed with the City of North Battleford; and the second with the Prairie North Health Region and affiliate; Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO); the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN); the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

"SAHO is a proud partner in several signings that embrace a representative workforce." SAHO Chair Alex Taylor said. "By signing this agreement today, Prairie North Health Region is joining a growing list of SAHO members taking this important step toward ensuring that Aboriginal people are always represented appropriately in the health care field."

"The AEDP ensures First Nations and Métis people have completed a career path training process, have attained a job through a transparent hiring process and were deemed the most qualified person available for the position. This program is an important step in Aboriginal people being fully integrated into the workplace," North Battleford Mayor Julian Sadlowski said.

"Prairie North Regional Health Authority is proud to be entering into this partnership agreement. We believe it will serve to strengthen the workforce, improve service to our patients, residents and clients, and enhance employment opportunities for First Nations and Métis people within the Region," PNRHA Board Chairperson Bonnie O'Grady said. "We look forward to working closely with the First Nations and Métis communities, the unions, the provincial and municipal governments, educational communities, and others in developing and fulfilling the goal of a Representative Workforce."

The Prairie North Health Region provides a co-ordinated network of health services to over 70,000 residents. The services are delivered to a diverse population including urban, rural and First Nations.

"We can effect change within our communities by building partnerships. The strength of these partnerships and the willingness of the partners to listen to ideas and solutions will allow us to move the vision of a representative workforce to reality within the health region," SUN Board of Directors member Glenna Olenick said. "We look forward to participating in a successful partnership that will transform our communities, society and ultimately ourselves."

The Province has now signed 65 AEDP agreements. Two thousand First Nations and Métis employees and 8,500 employees have received Cultural Awareness training through the Program.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Darlene Wapegan First Nations and Métis Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-7177