A BOOST FOR ABORIGINAL EMPLOYMENT IN SUNRISE HEALTH REGION

Released on June 22, 2005

A partnership agreement has been signed in the Sunrise Health Region to increase the number of First Nations and Métis people in the province's workforce. It is the fourth agreement in the province in the last few days.

The Department of First Nations and Métis Relations, along with representatives, of employers and unions in the health care sector, is making an investment in First Nations and Métis communities by signing an Aboriginal Employment Development Program (AEDP) partnership agreement.

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 AEDP partners are working together to ensure First Nations and Métis people participate in Saskatchewan's economy," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "By using education, training and work experience, more First Nations and Métis people will be able to meet their own goals in the workforce."

The AEDP partnership was signed with the Sunrise Health Region and affiliates; the 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 has played a role in several signings that embrace a representative workforce, and every time we sign a new agreement in a different part of the province, there is reason to celebrate," SAHO Chair Alex Taylor said. "SAHO is currently moving forward with stage two of the Career Pathing Project which involves identifying where shortages in the health sector are happening and providing Aboriginal people with the skills and training they need to fill those positions."

"The Sunrise Health Region is proud to support the representative workforce partnership agreement," Sunrise Health Region Board Chair Ben Weber said. "The signing of this agreement represents a commitment to work collaboratively in the pursuit of a representative workforce. The Region supports the development and implementation of special initiatives that assist our Aboriginal communities prepare individuals, by developing the skills necessary, to facilitate their participation in health sector occupations and especially into the workforce of our health region."

The Sunrise Health Region provides a wide range of services delivered in hospitals, community health centres, clinics, and in homes of residents. It employs more than 2,700 people in facilities and programs throughout the region.

"HSAS is committed to bringing down barriers which preclude Aboriginal people from having successful careers in the health care system," HSAS Sunrise Regional Council Chair Tamara Dobmeier said. "This partnership will provide Sunrise Health Region with a previously untapped resource and a link to Aboriginal health care professionals. We are pleased to be a strong supporter of a representative workforce."

Sixty-six agreements have been signed under the AEDP. The AEDP partners have hired 2,000 First Nations and Métis employees and 8,500 employees have received Cultural Awareness Training.

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For More Information, Contact:

Alethea Foster First Nations and Métis Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-5701