WORKING TO INCREASE ABORIGINAL EMPLOYMENT

The number of First Nations and Métis people employed in the health care sector in Saskatoon is getting a boost.

The Department of First Nations and Métis Relations along with representatives of employers and unions in the Saskatoon health care sector are making an investment in the First Nations and Métis communities by signing an Aboriginal Employment Development Program (AEDP) partnership agreement.

Through the AEDP, First Nations and Métis people are encouraged to choose from a broad range of career options, attain the necessary training for those jobs and compete for those jobs based on their acquired skills and qualifications.

"Through this agreement more First Nations and Métis people will be able to achieve their goals through education, training and work experience," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "This is about building a provincial workforce that is not only good for First Nations and Métis people, but good for the province as a whole and a demonstration of fairness, dignity and equality."

The AEDP partnership was signed with the Saskatoon Regional Health Authority (SRHA); the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO); the Service Employees International Union, Local 333 (SEIU); the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN); the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) and affiliates.

"SAHO has had the good fortune to be part of several signings that embrace a representative workforce. Today's signing is just as momentous, and we are proud that the Saskatoon Health Region is taking this important step toward ensuring that Aboriginal people are always represented appropriately in the health care field," SAHO Chair Alex Taylor said.

"Saskatoon Health Region, as Saskatchewan's largest employer, is committed to a representative workforce, ensuring that our workforce reflects the community we serve," SRHA Chairperson Darlene Eberle said. "With today's signing, we renew and strengthen the high standard we set signing the first partnership agreement with the Province 10 years ago. This standard now extends to our partners, other regional health authorities and organizations across Canada."

The Saskatoon Health Region is the largest of Saskatchewan's health regions. It employs 11,000 staff and more than 700 physicians and specialists who serve 300,000 residents in 100 cities, towns, villages and First Nations.

"SEIU Local 333 is pleased to take part in this historic agreement. While the partnership may be historic to our respective organizations, it could be monumental to the lives and careers of many First Nations and Métis people in Saskatchewan," SEIU Local 333 Vice President Ken Winton-Grey said. "This is another step to opening windows of opportunity for people who continue to be marginalized in the work force. We look forward to working with government, the employer and our colleagues in labour to make this partnership a reality."

As a result of the AEDP, the Province has now signed 63 agreements, AEDP partners have hired 2,000 First Nations and Métis employees and 8,500 employees have received Cultural Awareness training.

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For More Information, Contact:

Darlene Wapegan First Nations and Métis Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-7177

Leanne Nyirfa Saskatoon Health Region Saskatoon Phone: (306) 655-3386