NEW ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN OF SASKATOON ABORIGINAL PROGRAMS

For Release: November 25, 2014

Over 1,000 programs and services have been compiled and listed following a recent environmental scan of Saskatoon’s Aboriginal community. The Kitaskinaw project, released today, is a partnership between the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Tribal Council, United Way of Saskatoon & Area, and the Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research. The report includes feedback from Saskatoon’s Aboriginal community about the comprehensive inventory of programs and services currently accessed.

“This is a solid and reliable resource,” says Saskatoon City Manager, Murray Totland. “Knowledge of the overlaps and gaps that have been identified through community feedback is essential when it comes to policy development regarding Aboriginal service delivery in our city.”

Through a Community workshop, an old people’s gathering, and a user survey, participants indicated cultural awareness and sensitivity are the most important qualities to have in an agency that serves Aboriginal people.

“The Kitaskinaw project is an important step in the delivery of services for citizens,” says Saskatoon Tribal Chief, Felix Thomas. “This is especially true for the First Nations population and the need for the delivery of effective, meaningful services to individuals and families.”

The report also highlights the need for mainstream organizations to be inclusive of Aboriginal people as employees within their organizations in order to build culturally competent service delivery.

“This important report, which includes the voices of those seeking service and help in our community, will influence how we work at the United Way,” says Saskatoon United Way Chair, Lea Pennock. “It will move us forward as an organization on our journey towards authentic engagement with Aboriginal Peoples in our community.”

Information gathered for Kitaskinaw, which means “our land” in the plains Cree language, will assist corporate, academic and political organizations make informed decisions.

“This project is the first of its kind for Saskatoon,” says Gabriel Dumont Institute Executive Director, Geordy McCaffrey. “With community voice, the inventory of programs and services, and the gathering of existing community information, the links between program and service delivery across Saskatoon may be better understood.”

Technical Committee

City of Saskatoon
Saskatoon Tribal Council
United Way of Saskatoon & Area
Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research

Advisory Committee

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Central Urban Metis Federation Inc. (CUMFI)
Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre
University of Saskatchewan
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
Saskatoon Public Schools
YMCA
Saskatoon Health Region

Kitaskinaw will be available on the following partner websites in mid-December: saskatoon.ca, sktc.sk.ca, unitedwaysaskatoon.ca, and gdins.org.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

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