JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR FIRST NATIONS AND METIS PEOPLE

The Government of Saskatchewan signed an Aboriginal Employment Development Program (AEDP) partnership agreement with a health region, its affiliates, and unions today in Swift Current.

The Department of First Nations and Métis Relations signed an AEDP partnership agreement with: the Cypress Health Region and affiliates, Ponteix Nursing Home and Herbert Nursing Home; the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO); the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 336; the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN); and Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS).

"I commend Cypress Health Region and affiliates, Ponteix Nursing Home and Herbert Nursing Home, for signing their first AEDP partnership agreement with the province," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "We all share a vision here today. In order for Saskatchewan to reach its potential, all residents must participate fully in the economic, social and political life of this great province."

"We are taking an important step forward today. This partnership between SAHO, First Nations and Métis Relations, HSAS, SEIU and SUN is a move toward ensuring Aboriginal people are represented appropriately in the health care field," SAHO Chair Alex Taylor said. "SAHO first signed an agreement with the government in 1996 to work in partnership with Aboriginal people in building a representative workforce in Saskatchewan's health sector. Since then, Aboriginal representation in the health sector has grown to 4.5 per cent or approximately 1,500 employees. By continuing to develop these partnerships, we expect to increase that number."

"We look forward to the future benefits that this partnership will provide," Cypress Regional Health Authority Chairperson Dennis Lafreniere said. "Health regions are currently facing, and will continue to face, the need to recruit a wide variety of health care professionals. This partnership will increase the opportunity to match our human resource needs with the members of the Aboriginal community who have the required qualifications and skill sets."

The Cypress Health Region has a population of approximately 45,000 and employs 1,700 employees. Currently, First Nations and Métis people comprise of 1.1 per cent of the total population within the region.

Through the AEDP, the Saskatchewan government strives to build a representative workforce in the province where First Nations and Métis people compete for jobs based on their skills and qualifications, and where they are represented at all occupational levels in proportion to their population numbers in the province.

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For More Information, Contact:

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