Residents of Yorkton were invited to share their opinions on how to improve education and employment prospects for Saskatchewan's Aboriginal people at a consultation session here on May 29.
The Joint Task Force on Improving Education and Employment Outcomes for First Nations and Métis People, a partnership between the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, the Saskatchewan Métis Nation, and the Government of Saskatchewan, is hosting community discussions in cities around the province this spring. The task force is seeking opinions from involved parties and members of the public on how to achieve its mandate.
"We want to hear what's working as well as what we could add to, or tweak, or change," said Rita Bouvier, a member of the task force, at last Tuesday's meeting at the Gallagher Centre.
In Yorkton, the panel held dedicated meetings in the afternoon with groups such as the Yorkton Tribal Council and the local school divisions, leaving the evening session to a small but passionate group of members of the public: about half a dozen educators and businesspeople who came of their own initiative to have their views heard.
There was no shortage of ideas for improvements at the meeting. Attendees called for improved social supports for Aboriginal men, instead of just women and children, including greater efforts at rehabilitation out of prison. One regular employer of First Nations and Métis workers discussed the success he had found by placing these employees in situations that make them feel comfortable, such as on crews with other First Nations members.
A recurring theme in the discussions was a call for greater understanding and accommodation of the issues often faced by First Nations and Métis people in school and in the workplace. Education curriculums tailored to Aboriginal backgrounds, transportation assistance, increased promotion of self-employment options, and shorter pay cycles were among the suggestions.
When its consultations are complete, the Joint Task Force will compile a report offering recommendations to the government on improvements that could be made to employment policies and to all levels of education in Saskatchewan.
