ROUNDTABLE BUILDS THE START OF A NEW RELATIONSHIP

A sense of moving forward together and building trust emerged from the two-day Roundtable Conference on First Nations and Métis Consultation and Accommodation in Saskatoon today.

"We wanted to break down the 'us and them' attitude," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister June Draude said closing the conference. "Now we feel we can talk more freely with each other, and that gives us a solid base to build on so that together we can shape the province's future."

There were also some hard questions asked and some harsh criticism levelled at the way governments have operated in the past.

In the roundtable discussions, First Nations, Métis, industry representatives and government heard an urgent call for traditional land use mapping as a starting point for economic development. All parties said there is a pressing need for clear rules about how to consult with affected communities.

Another priority for First Nations and Métis is to have the resources to hire and train their own professionals so they can fully participate in the consultation process.

Within the next several months, the First Nations and Métis Relations ministry will send a roundtable report to conference participants and then consult further with communities and industry. The goal is to have draft consultation and accommodation guidelines ready by December for review. After the review of the draft, we intend to put together a final policy and release by early 2009.

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For more information, contact:

Alethea Foster
First Nations and Métis Relations
Regina
Cell: 306-533-2168

Bonny Braden
Executive Council
Regina
Cell: 306-541-7068