Released on May 2, 2013
This spring First Nations and Métis youth will have an opportunity to participate in a dialogue on education and employment challenges, and identifying the types of supports they believe would be most helpful to them in achieving their goals.
The Aboriginal Youth Task Force chaired by Saskatoon Fairview MLA Jennifer Campeau and vice-chair Saskatoon Greystone MLA and Legislative Secretary for First Nations Engagement Rob Norris plan to visit twelve communities across Saskatchewan. The task force will hold meetings in Regina, Saskatoon, Stony Rapids, Moose Jaw, Fort Qu’Appelle, Yorkton, La Ronge, La Loche, Ile a la Crosse, Prince Albert, Sandy Bay and Pelican Narrows.
“This is an important step for our government to identify and respond to grass roots issues as experienced by young people who are directly impacted by them,” Campeau said. “This information will help the government improve programs that assist to transition youth into education and the workforce as stated in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth Vision 2020 and Beyond.”
“We want to hear from First Nations and Métis youth about what works, what does not work, and what they think we need to do to make programs targeted toward young people work better,” Norris said. “We really want to understand more clearly their interests in, and questions about, education, employment and entrepreneurship.”
Young people aged 16-25 are being invited to meet the task force near these communities. Participants will have the opportunity to share their education or skill development plans and activities, and for those already working, a chance to recount their experiences transitioning to the workforce. Feedback will be shared with government decision-makers on an ongoing basis, to inform and guide initiatives that impact First Nation and Métis people.
The meeting times and locations will be finalized and invitations sent in the coming week.
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For more information, contact:
Karen Hill
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-7872127
Email: karen.hill@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-9207