SCHOOL DIVISION FIRST TO SIGN AED PARTNERSHIP WITH BOTH FIRST NATIONS AND MÉTIS

Saskatchewan's latest Aboriginal Employment Development (AED) partnership agreement brings together the Prairie Valley School Division (PVSD), 15 First Nations, Métis Nation - Saskatchewan Eastern Region 3 and Western Region 3 and the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 5252.

The large and diverse group from the southeast area of the province is committed to working together to boost First Nations and Métis participation in the province's thriving economy, and to address its imminent and long-term labour market shortages. It marks the first time a school division will sign an AED partnership focusing on employment that includes both First Nations and Métis communities.

"I know this partnership agreement will produce many positive outcomes," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Bill Hutchinson said. "The synergy arising from this group's combined talents and efforts will benefit them, enhance students' education experience and strengthen our province's labour market."

"Prairie Valley School Division believes that by bringing together the stakeholders in this partnership, we will have greater success in achieving our goals of a representative workforce and Aboriginal participation in student learning," PVSD Director of Education Ben Grebinski said. "We are committed to meaningful relationships with our First Nations and Métis communities to develop programs around Aboriginal employment opportunities and to encourage participation with positive role models in our schools."

The First Nations signing onto the AED partnership agreement are: Cowessess, Pheasant Rump, Starblanket, Ochapowace, Muscowpetung, Standing Buffalo, Okanese, Carry the Kettle, Little Black Bear, Muskowekwan, Pasqua, Peepeekisis, Piapot, Sakimay and Kahkewistahaw.

PVSD is a public school board with 38 schools in 30 communities surrounding the City of Regina and serves more than 8,000 students from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12.

The AED initiative focuses on bringing the largely untapped First Nations and Métis workforce into Saskatchewan's growing economy. By performing workplace audits, existing AED employers and partners identify jobs that need trained employees. Educational partners then focus their training to meet these needs and assist First Nations and Métis people in acquiring the skills they need to compete successfully for employment. All AED partners work to identify and address barriers to training, hiring and retaining First Nations and Métis people.

Agreements have been signed with public and private sector employers and associations; organized labour; First Nations and Métis organizations; post-secondary institutions; and First Nations and Métis communities. Visit www.fnmr.gov.sk.ca/aedp/ to learn more.

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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