PROVINCE FUNDS PUBLIC EDUCATION ON ABORIGINAL PEOPLE

The Government of Saskatchewan is taking action to help boost general understanding of Aboriginal people and cultural awareness.

The province will provide $100,000 to the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) to increase awareness about Treaty issues and racial harmony through public education.

"This partnership is a milestone because it endorses and focuses on awareness of the Treaties and related issues," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "Supporting an established and respected organization such as the OTC enables us to build bridges between the First Nations and non-First Nations communities. This partnership is a win-win situation because the OTC has credibility with the non-First Nations community and is highly respected by First Nations people."

"The Office of the Treaty Commissioner welcomes the support of the Government of Saskatchewan in our efforts to bring awareness about the Treaties to all people," Arnot said. "The Treaty relationship is important to everyone – we are all Treaty people in this province. These funds will assist OTC public education programs including the Treaty Learning Centre, Treaty Awareness Displays, and the Treaty Awareness Speaker's Bureau."

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner also has a Treaty Resource Kit titled, Teaching Treaties in the Classroom, which is used in schools across the province.

"Programs like this, that help to improve cross cultural awareness, are important to all people in Saskatchewan," Sonntag said.

The funding announcement comes on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Alethea Foster First Nations and Métis Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-5701

Darrell Seib Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatoon Phone: (306) 244-4794