News Releases

The City of Saskatoon in partnership with Reconciliation Saskatoon invites residents to wear an orange t-shirt or clothing item on September 30 and get involved in a number of community activities planned on the day.

“As a survivor of the residential school system, Orange Shirt Day is extremely significant for me as it shines light on the impact of the Indian residential school system not just to the thousands of children taken from their homes, but to their families and descendants who are still recovering from the devastating impacts today,” says Neal Kewistep, Executive-in-Residence, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan. 

“We need to listen to and respect the voices of the survivors who are willing to speak up about their experiences and keep working together as a community towards answering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Calls to Action,” says Kewistep.

A free indoor community pancake breakfast will be held at 10 a.m. at the Western Development Museum, which will include a speaker program, music and entertainment. A moment of silence will be held to honour the survivors, their descendants and those that lost their lives.

“It’s been great to see Orange Shirt Day growing in momentum every year, both here in Saskatoon and across Canada,” says Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. President Shirley Isbister.

“Reconciliation Saskatoon, along with our main sponsors Saskatoon Community Foundation and Nutrien, are proud to support this day and bring the community together to raise awareness of the terrible impact of Indian residential schools on generations of children, and to honour the survivors and their families,” says Isbister.

The event coincides with Métis Cultural Days celebrating 25 years of community, which includes music and entertainment for the family, an interfaith service and a gospel jamboree featuring musician, singer and country music artist Donny Parenteau. For more information, visit cumfi.org.

Prior to the breakfast, residents can also join the EY River Classic Run and wear orange to honour survivors with a 10K, 5K or 2K Run. Orange shirts are available to purchase online. Register at raceroster.com and search for “EY Classic”.

Reconciliation Saskatoon is an 88-member initiative of community organizations, non-profit organizations, businesses and partners who have come together to initiate a citywide conversation about reconciliation and provide opportunities for everyone to engage in the TRC’s Calls to Action.

Orange Shirt Day was officially recognized in 2016 by the Saskatchewan School Boards Association. Schools and businesses across Saskatoon will participate by running educational activities in the weeks leading up to September 30.

The City of Saskatoon’s commitment to the TRC’s Calls to Action supports the City’s strategic goal of Quality of Life by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal residents’ well-being and participation in our community.

A driver who narrowly missed a roadways worker and damaged specialized patching equipment in a Circle Drive work zone was this week issued a ticket under The Traffic Safety Act for driving without due care and attention.

“Even in light of our highly visible ‘At What Cost?’ public awareness campaign, some people continue to disobey work zone road signs, put lives at risk and in some cases cause work to shut down,” says Brandon Harris, Director of Roadways & Operations.

This is the second such ticket issued this month for work zone violations reported by City staff. Multiple reports of other work zone violations are still under investigation by Saskatoon Police Service.

The City remains firm on its commitment to report drivers who illegally enter work zones and threaten the safety of workers. Crews who witness a driver inside their work zone are encouraged to record license plate information and provide a driver description to police.

“People squeeze their vehicles between barricades all the time, thinking they are above the law,” says Harris. “It’s dangerous for our workers, puts the equipment at risk of damage and can be harmful for the driver.”

Near-miss incidents can have a lasting effect on workers, as shared by Ryan in his video for the City’s public awareness campaign.

Even though construction season is winding down, the City reminds drivers to remain alert and obey work zone signs as year-round repairs and maintenance work continues. Learn more about the risk of entering a work zone at saskatoon.ca/respectworkzones.

Winners from the 2018 Toons on Transit contest were revealed tonight at a reception hosted by PAVED Arts. Starting today, as part of the fourth annual Toon's On Transit campaign, thirty local photographers will have their work on display in Saskatoon Transit buses as part of a 2-month roaming gallery exhibition. The winning works will also be on display for 2 weeks at PAVED Arts (424 20th Street W).

On July 12, 2018, a call was put out to Saskatoon and area photographers to submit photographs depicting “Diverse Communities.” The Open Call resulted in submissions from more than 80 photographers. Submissions were narrowed down to 30 by a community jury consisting of Cory Schewaga (Artist/Photographer/Videographer), Ben Lindsay (Youth Coordinator, Out Saskatoon), and John Shelling (Graphic Designer/Artist).

For nine weeks (September 27–November 18), 60 city buses will feature these unique photographs. “Saskatoon Transit is proud to support community initiatives such as this one,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “Toons on Transit allows residents from every neighbourhood in Saskatoon to experience a piece of local art.”

PAVED Arts will also be displaying prints of the winning photos in their Digital Photography Suite. The Digital Photography Suite is open to the public Tuesday to Friday, from noon to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from noon – 4:00 p.m. This is a unique opportunity for visitors and residents to view the City through the eyes of the artists and honours the artists with a professional print of their work.

Toon's On Transit is a continuation of PAVED (photography, audio, video, electronic, and digital) Arts programming that highlights the talents of local artists through outreach and exhibitions. Located in the heart of Riversdale, PAVED Arts has been facilitating independent media artists for over a decade. Their gallery space highlights emerging artistic talent from the community. “We are excited to take Toon's on Transit into every neighbourhood of Saskatoon,” says Travis Cole, PAVED Arts Executive Director.

For more information on the Toon’s on Transit Exhibition please visit PAVEDArts.ca or look for the hashtag #TOT2018 on twitter and Instagram (@PAVEDArts, @StoonTransit).

Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in collaboration with its business partners and the City of Saskatoon, is celebrating its anniversary as Canada’s first created commercial urban reserve. 

“Thirty years ago, the City of Saskatoon and the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation took a bold step to create Canada’s first created commercial urban reserve,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.

Mayor Clark says for 30 years Saskatoon has benefitted from increased economic activity, job creation and a closer relationship with the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.

“This is something that we can be proud of in Saskatoon. We want to lead the national conversation about how to create a more resilient, inclusive community that is working together with First Nations partners toward reconciliation. I would like to offer my largest thanks to everyone involved for making these past 30 years so successful.”

Urban reserves are a significant locally-grown initiative because it was the first agreement of its kind. The federal government, Muskeg Lake and the City paved the way as Treaty Land Entitlement emerged for a new way of doing business that was rooted in respect and recognition. In the years since, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation established a separate board of directors to oversee the business that ensures stability and security for investors in the McKnight Commercial Centre.

“Our board is building a successful future, a board that is independent and has created stability for business and investors, it is important that we recognize and honour those who laid the foundation,” says Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Chief Kelly Wolfe.

Demonstrating the solid foundation, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) will be strengthening its ties to the urban reserve.

“SIGA has been a staple tenant with us for over a decade,” says Murray Westerlund, Board Chair of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Investment Management Corporation.  “We are ecstatic with the decision they have made to expand their new head office located within the Asimakaniseekan Askiy (Veteran’s Land) urban reserve.”

The new two storey development will be 100% occupied by SIGA as their new head office and will also include 6284 sq ft for their new Slot Management program. The new building will be 50,630 sq ft which will bring Muskeg Lake Cree Nation’s total developed space to 185,031 sq ft.

“We are confident this land will continue to develop for the benefit of all Saskatoon citizens and continue to be a relationship model and business model,” Westerlund says.

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As part of the City’s commitment to reconciliation, a transit shelter was designed in collaboration with students from Aden Bowman Collegiate and Saskatoon Metis Elder, Senator Nora Cummings to be installed in front of the school.

“This new transit shelter is a wonderful addition to our community and our transit system,” says Mayor Clark. “The inspiring artwork can be enjoyed by everyone, including the neighbouring community and transit riders alike.”  

Saskatoon Transit’s Bus Shelter Art Project complies with Call to Action #79, calling upon the government, Aboriginal organizations and the arts community, to develop a reconciliation framework for Canadian heritage and commemoration, including integrating Indigenous history, heritage values and memory practices into Canada’s history.

“This beautiful bus shelter is just one example of what we hope will be many collaborations with the youth in our community,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “This project serves not only as a bus shelter in a location where there otherwise wouldn’t have been one, but also celebrates the rich cultural history of the area.”  

The artwork was inspired by Métis history, heritage, values and the memories of Senator Elder Nora Cummings and was laser cut by Metal Shapes Manufacturing.

“It's exciting for us as Métis to have the historic value and contributions of the Road Allowance Métis people acknowledged by the youth of Aden Bowman,” Cummings says. “This area was once a community garden of the Métis and this shelter is a beautiful representation of what once stood on this place.”

“It was an honour for the art students of Aden Bowman and for me to meet with Métis Elder Nora Cummings and learn about the Métis history in this area,” says Tamara Rusnak, Art teacher at Aden Bowman.

Saskatoon Transit completed the first engagement session with Elder Cummings and 19 students at Aden Bowman on May 8, 2018. Elder Cummings spoke specifically to the landscape and the people of the area where Aden Bowman is situated and shared pictures of what the area looked like when she was a young girl.

The students were asked to create original, timeless and commemorative art that celebrates the Métis heritage, history, values and memories of Elder Cummings. They created the art for the bus shelter using inspiration from the engagement session, keeping in mind the functionality and design of the shelter.