While there is no question there is a need to engage the First Nations communities of the province, shouldn't the ultimate goal be to better the province and residents as a whole?
This week Premier Brad Wall and Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Chief Perry Bellegarde announced they have signed a new agreement - called a "Bilateral Protocol."
With this new deal the government and the FSIN say they are committed "to working together to achieve positive outcomes for First Nations people."
That's all fine and dandy, but there are plenty of other nationalities residing in this province, many of whom are also struggling and having a tough time putting food on the table. Where are the 'agreements' to help these people? Yes we have programs to help newcomers get settled. We have welfare or social assistance for natural born residents who beg and plead, but where is the tangible help for the hard working and under paid average Joe who rather than a hand out (and being labelled) just needs a little helping hand?
"Under the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, our government has established key goals to engage First Nations people through improved graduation rates and increased involvement in our province's workforce," Wall says. "With our strong economy, we have seen aboriginal employment increase by 3,500 jobs, and unemployment decrease by 2.1 per cent in the last year alone. In addition to the Joint Task Force on Education and the Youth Aboriginal Task Force, this agreement can only further our shared goal of better communication and a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan people."
This is good. But with that said, ALL residents need to feel engaged, welcome and successful. Just because some appear to be doing fine because they "help themselves" doesn't mean they should be left behind. If we are to be inclusive of all, then let's truly be inclusive of ALL.
