Released on August 23, 2013
Today, Premier Brad Wall and Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Chief Perry Bellegarde signed a new Bilateral Protocol between the Government of Saskatchewan and the FSIN.
With this new Protocol, the government and the FSIN commit to working together to achieve positive outcomes for First Nations people.
“Under the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, our government has established key goals to engage First Nations people through improved graduation rates and increased involvement in our province’s workforce,” Wall said. “With our strong economy, we have seen aboriginal employment increase by 3,500 jobs, and unemployment decrease by 2.1 per cent in the last year alone. In addition to the Joint Task Force on Education and the Youth Aboriginal Task Force, this agreement can only further our shared goal of better communication and a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan people.”
“This is an important day as we formalize this commitment to work co-operatively,” Chief Bellegarde said. “The FSIN needs a formalized process so that we have access to Premier Wall and his Cabinet. This will ensure that First Nations issues can be discussed and addressed in the appropriate forums in a timely manner. We need access in order to bring about positive change for all our communities. By working co-operatively, we reinforce the principles of peaceful co-existence and mutual respect as we create a future where First Nations peoples also benefit from the prosperous Saskatchewan economy.”
The Bilateral Protocol sets out a framework for ongoing dialogue and regular meeting on shared priorities. It establishes a two-tier process of engagement:
- A political steering committee will be co-chaired by Premier Wall and Chief Bellegarde. Cabinet ministers and members of the FSIN’s executive council will meet at the call of the co-chairs to discuss matters of mutual interest.
- A senior officials committee will be co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of Government Relations, who is also the Deputy Minister of First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, and the FSIN’s Executive Operating Officer. This group will provide support to the political steering committee as required.
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For more information, contact:
Karen Hill
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2127
Email: karen.hill@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-9207
Mervin Brass
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-956-1026
Email: mervin.brass@fsin.com
Cell: 306-220-7187