SASKATCHEWAN GOVERNMENT WORKING TO INCREASE FIRST NATION LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION

Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians John Duncan and five Tribal Councils, representing more than half of Saskatchewan's 70 First Nations people were in Saskatoon today to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to work together to increase labour force participation for First Nations people in Saskatchewan.

"The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to improving the education and employment outcomes for First Nations people," Norris said. "We are pleased to partner with the federal government and Saskatchewan Tribal Councils to ensure First Nations people are full participants in our economic prosperity."

The MOU identifies a number of priority areas such as: youth career planning and skills development; strategies to address barriers to training and employment; short-term training, including literacy, adult basic education and essential skills; and partnership development with industry and private and public sectors in the development of training and employment opportunities.

"Saskatchewan's First Nations and Métis people offer a home-grown solution to our province's ongoing talent challenge and today's signing will help meet the needs of our growing province," Norris said.

The five Saskatchewan Tribal Council Chiefs included in the MOU signing were Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Felix Thomas; Meadow Lake Tribal Council Chief Eric Sylvester; Agency Chiefs Tribal Council Chief Steven Jim; Yorkton Tribal Council Chief Gilbert Panipekeesick; and File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council Chairman Edmund Bellegarde.

A multi-partner Active Measures Steering Committee will be formed to provide leadership and oversee implementation of the MOU.

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For more information, contact:

Chris Jones-Bonk
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3106