EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONSIDERS KITASKINAW AND GATHERING RECOMMENDATIONS
The City is making strides with its community partners towards recommendations from the 2014 Kitaskinaw Project and the Urban Aboriginal Community Gathering. Progress and next steps are outlined in the Aboriginal Engagement and Inclusion report going to Executive Committee on September 21.
“The City has progressed over the last year in enhancing its programs and services for Aboriginal citizens and strengthening relations with Aboriginal peoples and organizations,” says Gilles Dorval, Director of Aboriginal Relations. “Input on future actions and initiatives to address priority areas will be a foundation for our future success towards full Aboriginal participation in our community.”
Kitaskinaw means “our Land” in Plains Cree and is used to describe a wide snapshot of our community. Recommendations from Kitaskinaw and the Gathering had significant input from Aboriginal citizens and focused on enhancing Aboriginal well-being and inclusion. The City undertook various programs to meet these recommendations, including:
- Education workshops and awareness campaigns, for the City and the community-at-large, focused on understanding and reducing racism.
- Taking a lead role in the establishment of the Saskatoon Aboriginal Employment Partnership through Saskatoon Regional Intersectoral Committee with Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Association (SREDA), the private sector, and Aboriginal and other community-based organizations.
- Providing a “Profile Saskatoon Grant” of $150,000 and in-kind support for the World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) and the first International Indigenous Music and Cultural Festival to be held in Saskatoon in August 2016.
- Naming Chief Darcy Bear Park in recognition of Chief Bear’s accomplishments and our longstanding relationship with Whitecap Dakota First Nation.
- A partnership with the Saskatoon Tribal Council and Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. and other faith based community organizations, supported awareness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action report through a June 2, 2015 community event.
- A contribution of $17,000 towards a CUMFI project for an affordable elder’s residence within a residential care home. Since the Attainable Housing Program’s inception, 10 Aboriginal housing projects have been supported
The Report outlines future actions to continue addressing recommendations to enhance its programs and services for Aboriginal people and to strengthen relations with Aboriginal people and organizations.
“Working with First Nations and Métis citizens and elders, Aboriginal organizations, federal and provincial governments, educational institutions, the private sector, and community-based organizations will be important in delivering enhanced programs and services to better meet the needs of our Aboriginal citizens,” Dorval says.
The City is partnering with the United Way, Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Health Region, and other Community-Based Organizations to host Mawe Wicihitowin – “Working Together” conference, to build local on local Aboriginal engagement and service delivery. An Elders/Old People workshop, held in conjunction, will focus on incorporating Aboriginal values in programs and services. In 2016, the City will engage with Aboriginal citizens through an urban Aboriginal gathering with community partners to report on progress to-date and obtain feedback.
The Aboriginal Engagement and Inclusion report supports “Quality of Life” by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community.
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.