Released on March 25, 2009
The Ministry of First Nations and Métis Relations is providing a grant of $134,000 from the Consultation Participation Fund to ensure that the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan has the necessary resources to inform and gather feedback from its members on provincial fisheries resources.
This consultation will engage Métis people from across the province to assist the Ministry of Environment as it develops a new fisheries management plan.
"It is essential for our government to support the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan as it seeks insight about the vast Saskatchewan fisheries resource from Métis communities," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister June Draude said. "This will enable us to design a more sensitive and comprehensive fisheries management plan."
The provincial government is committed to developing a new provincial fisheries management plan that will guide the long-term management and allocation of the province's fish resources. The plan is being developed to address emerging issues, such as increased access to fisheries, changing climatic conditions, and increased demand for some fish species.
The current consultations with the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan will take place in the form of Métis Local and community workshops. The funds will also allow for the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan to obtain technical expertise and provide feedback to government regarding the draft Métis Harvesting Memorandum of Understanding and the draft Consultation Policy Framework.
The Ministry of First Nations and Métis Relations has previously provided the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan and Métis regions and a Métis Local with $370,000 from the Consultation Participation Fund to assist with the development of strategic and regional responses to government for a total of more than $500,000, including today's announcement.
In addition, Métis Local #42 and Cumberland House Cree Nation were just awarded a grant in the amount of $172,000 for a Traditional Land Use and Occupancy Study.
The Ministry of First Nations and Métis Relations previously supported Environment's consultation with First Nations on the fisheries management plan in grants totalling $190,000.
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For more information, contact:
Bonny Braden
First Nations and Métis Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5701
Email: bonny.braden@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-530-2237