News Releases

Imagine you are a Cree hunter and you discover you can no longer track Bison because a railroad is being built. Then, the government says you have to stay put and try to feed your family; this is the experience the Wîcihitowin “blanket exercise” wants to create for participants.

“We’re hoping to teach community and business leaders more about our shared history, which continues to touch our current times,” says Gilles Dorval, Director of Aboriginal Relations with the City of Saskatoon. “Education creates more understanding and compassion. In Saskatoon, we’ve made a lot of positive change for the inclusion of our indigenous community, but as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission demonstrated, we still have a ways to go.”

Covering more than 500 years of Indigenous peoples’ history, 40 participants took part in the interactive learning experience at the Frances Morrison Library today. Part of the Wîcihitowin (wee-CHEE-toh-win) Speaker Series, the event brings together people from Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations from in and around Saskatoon to gain greater understanding of historic and contemporary Indigenous issues.

This Wîcihitowin Speaker Series event takes place in advance of the Wîcihitowin Aboriginal Engagement Conference, October 12-13, in Saskatoon.

“Our organizing committee hopes to continue spreading the message and realizing the meaning of Wîcihitowin,” says Neal Kewistep, Manager, Our Neighbourhood Health Centre & Building Health Equity for the Saskatoon Health Region. “That means learning from one another to build a better community and assisting organizations in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.”

The October conference is presented in partnership with the United Way of Saskatoon, Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Health Region, and the City of Saskatoon

“Wîcihitowin was created on the premise that by working together, we can achieve more and create a community where everyone thrives,” says Warren Isbister-Bear, Director of Aboriginal Relations for the United Way of Saskatoon. “The Reconciliation component is the participation from organizations and individuals within our community to gain an understanding of our shared history and make efforts of reconciliation.”

Follow the conversation on Facebook and Twitter using #Wicihitowin2016.

Wîcihitowin supports the City’s Strategic Goal of “Quality of Life” by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community. For more information, visit Saskatoon.ca/aboriginalrelations.

September 7, 2016 Meeting

7.2.1 High School Bus Passes – Tammy Jensen

Decision

* The Committee recommended to City Council:
-That the age limit of 21 for eligibility to purchase High School Student fares, rides (tickets) and passes be eliminated.
-That the change be effective September 1, 2016.
-That the City Solicitor be directed to amend The Transit Fares Amendment Bylaw No. 9078 as outlined in the report.

Background

*A speaker at the November 9, 2015 SPC on Transportation meeting requested that the current age limit of 21 for eligibility to purchase the high school bus pass be removed.
*Saskatoon Transit Administration met with the School Boards on the matter.

7.2.2 Inquiry – Councillor Hill (April 25, 2016) Transit and the Saskatoon School Divisions

Decision

*The Committee recommended the report be forwarded to City Council as information.

Background

*The report provides an update on the possibility of increasing ridership while at the same time providing support for school divisions to decrease operating costs.
*Administration and both Saskatoon School Boards have met to consult about the various suggestions in the original inquiries.
*The School Boards were interested in some of the suggestions and have agreed to work with Saskatoon Transit to develop proposals.

September 7, 2016 Meeting

7.2.1 Inquiry – Councillor Jeffries (January 25, 2016) Options for Assistance – Front Street Garbage and Recycling on Streets with Significant Parking

Decision

*The Committee recommended to City Council:
-That the information be received.
-That the Administration be directed to report back to City Council in December 2017 with updated information once a full study has been completed.
-That the Administration consider a two-person collection crew on select collection routes.

Background

*The following inquiry was made by Councillor Jeffries: “Residents on some streets have trouble setting out their garbage and recycling bins because there are no areas available with sufficient distance from parked vehicles to guarantee bin pick-up. Could Administration please report back on options to help residents with the problem of front-street garbage and recycling pick-up on streets with significant use of on-street parking."
*Administration is studying multiple options to address collection on streets with significant parking.
*Administration will prepare a recommendation following evaluation of all options with a complete life cycle value analysis.
*When a more comprehensive report is submitted in December, Administration will seek City Council’s direction on whether or not to proceed further with this initiative, which will involve significant citizen engagement.

September 6, 2016 Meeting

6.1.1 Snow & Ice Management Program, Value for Money Report, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Decision

*The Committee receive the report as information.

Background

*The value for money engagement was conducted to determine whether program management is achieving economically, efficiently, and effectively in the manner in which they are operating.
*The report found the Snow & Ice Management Program of the City of Saskatoon is evolving and its ability to better track program data on a continual basis is improving.
*As a result of performing this value for money engagement of the Snow & Ice Management Program, PricewaterhouseCoopers concluded the program in place is effective in achieving the objectives set by management and the program is achieving economy and efficiency.

September 13, 2016 Meeting

10.1 2017 Business Plan and Budget Process

Decision

The Governance and Priorities Committee resolved:

*That the resolution of the Governance and Priorities Committee of April 18, 2016 endorsing the proposed process for the 2017 Business Plan and Budget, be rescinded.
*That Phase 4 outlined in Attachment 1 of the report of the City Manager dated April 18, 2016 be amended and endorsed to reflect that the Administration will table the proposed 2017 Business Plan and Budget at a special meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee to be held on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.
*That a special meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee be held on Monday, September 19, 2016 at 12 noon to receive an update report from the Administration on the 2017 Business Plan and Budget.

Additional Information

*Councillor Charlie Clark moved for the release of the proposed budget prior to the 2017 Municipal Elections.
*City Council voted unanimously in April 2016 to endorse the 2017 Budget Plan put forward by Administration to release the preliminary budget at the Governance and Priorities Committee on November 21, 2016.