MELFORT AREA STRIKES GOLD WITH ABORIGINAL EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT

Released on August 29, 2008

A prominent mining company and the Melfort region have both set their eyes on a glittering future. The Ministry of First Nations and Métis Relations today welcomed four new businesses, a First Nation, a Métis region and two provincial training institutions as its newest Aboriginal Employment Development (AED) partners.

Those businesses signing on today include Shore Gold Inc. of Saskatoon and its suppliers Whitford Construction Ltd., of Shipman, Saskatoon-based Kimberlite Catering Partnership and Nuna Drilling F.A.L.C. Ltd., from Edmonton. Muskoday First Nation and the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan Eastern Region II are both coming on board as are the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and Cumberland College.

"Saskatchewan's economy is experiencing many economic opportunities. The Government of Saskatchewan wants to ensure this economic growth is maximized, and First Nations and Métis people benefit," Acting Assistant Deputy Minister John Reid said on behalf of First Nations and Métis Relations Minister June Draude. "Shore Gold and the other partners have the vision to see that our young First Nations and Métis workforce is an integral part of our future."

The partnership which came together in order to meet unique needs and challenges of Saskatchewan's booming resource sector, is aimed at creating a more representative workforce in the Melfort area while making the economic growth in the area sustainable and the benefits permanent.

"We at Shore want to do our part in ensuring that all people have an opportunity to participate in the growing opportunities in Saskatchewan," Eric Cline, Vice President, Corporate Affairs said. "By signing this Partnership Agreement Shore Gold operations will be part of the solution to help all Saskatchewan residents prosper."

At the heart of this partnership are the potential demands and opportunities of Shore Gold's proposed Star Diamond Project. Located 60 kilometres east of Prince Albert, construction of the mine may begin in 2011 and Shore Gold could need to fill upwards of 1000 positions in a variety of labour and skilled trade occupations. Potential operations could require between 400 and 500 employees on an ongoing basis.

"We are excited about being a part of this initiative and the promise it holds for increased employment opportunities and regional economic development," Helene Johnson, Métis Nation - Saskatchewan, Regional Director, Eastern Region II said. "We see the partnership as benefiting Métis people, and extending to the entire Melfort area."

"The opportunity for our First Nations to partner with business through this agreement has us hopeful that we can develop more and better employment opportunities for our members," Eldon Crain, Muskoday First Nation Education and Labour Force Development Portfolio Councillor said. "By directing training at jobs that we know will be in need of employees, our young people will have new and better career options to pursue."

Through AED, partners work collaboratively to identify and remove barriers that may prevent First Nations and Métis people from achieving representation at all occupational levels in proportion to their population numbers in the province. Provincial education and training institutions can then offer programs to give people the skills they need to compete successfully for jobs.

"SIIT has been delivering training programs in the province of Saskatchewan f or the past 30 years and is in a unique position to be able to provide training required to meet the growing demand for skilled labour in the province," SIIT President Randell Morris said. "We are ready to move forward to train Saskatchewan people for future opportunities."

"Cumberland College is ready to work with business, First Nations and Métis governments to develop the training required to meet the growing economic development opportunities of the northeast region," Cumberland College CEO Valerie Mushinski said. "We are excited to be a partner in this initiative."

"Investing in Saskatchewan is not just a matter of money. Collectively, the partners are supporting our Representative Workforce Strategy initiative - moving towards achieving a representative workforce where First Nations and Métis people can succeed at every level," added Reid.

With this signing, there are now 88 Aboriginal Employment Development partnership agreements in place. Agreements have been signed with public and private sector employers, organized labour, government ministries, First Nations and Métis organizations, post-secondary institutions, First Nations and Métis communities. Visit www.fnmr.gov.sk.ca/aedp/ to learn more.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Sean St. George
First Nations and Métis Relations
Regina
Phone: 787-7177