Released on February 11, 2008
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan (MNS) are each receiving $150,000 from the Province to support their efforts to plan and prepare for an upcoming roundtable conference that will have a significant impact upon Saskatchewan's economy.
"We made a commitment to fully engage First Nations and Métis people in developing the province's new duty to consult and accommodate policy," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister June Draude said. "This money will help the FSIN and MNS work with their members to gather input to plan their approach. This is key to forming a strong co-operative policy to help sustain Saskatchewan's economic momentum and ensure all people are benefiting."
These contributions do not impact any requests for funding for capacity building around consultation that individual First Nations or Métis communities may make.
"The Province welcomes and values these individual requests because they are a strong indication of the high level of interest that is out there for First Nations and Métis communities to work toward ensuring their members can more fully participate in the growing Saskatchewan economy," Draude said.
The roundtable conference is scheduled for May 12 and 13, 2008, in Saskatoon and will involve invited First Nations, Métis, industry and other key interest groups. The focus will be to find common ground which will provide the framework for developing options for a new duty to consult and accommodate policy.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Alethea Foster
First Nations and Métis Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5701
Email: afoster@fnmr.gov.sk.ca