Education Minister Russ Marchuk and Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Fourth Vice Chief Simon Bird have received the final report from the Joint Task Force on Improving Education and Employment Outcomes for First Nations and Métis People.
"On behalf of the seventy-four First Nations and the executive of the FSIN, I thank the Government of Saskatchewan for making Early Childhood through Post-Secondary education, and employment issues a priority," Bird adds. "Thank you to the grassroots participants, the stakeholders who shared their stories and innovative solutions, and to the members of the task force who thoughtfully brought voices to our people. This report is a great start in investing in our future, as our First Nations continue to be the largest untapped resource in this territory we call Saskatchewan. If this new way of working in collaboration is any indication of what we can do together, then it's only natural that we as First Nations have a very strong role to play in the future."
The Government of Saskatchewan's 2013-14 Budget provides $3 million for task force recommendations, as well as an additional $22.2 million for initiatives intended to support improved First Nations and Métis education and employment outcomes. This includes $3.8 million to support the First Nations and Métis Education Achievement Fund as well as an increase of $1.5 million for Adult Basic Education on-reserve.
The Government of Saskatchewan and the FSIN launched the three-member task force on March 26, 2012, with a mandate to focus on several key goals for First Nations and Métis people including:
Improved early childhood outcomes and transition to school;
Increased high school and post-secondary completion rates;
Improved participation in the labour force and employment; and
Greater quality of life and enhanced self-sufficiency.
Métis perspectives were also represented through a partnership between the Government of Saskatchewan and the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan (MN-S). The MN-S conducted research and consultations with Métis people, communities and stakeholders across the province and incorporated this information into a report for the task force.
The Government of Saskatchewan will review the report and respond later this year.
