Relations & Initiatives - First Nations and Métis Relations

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In 1944, after the Piercy report described the severe obstacles to education faced by Métis people, the Saskatchewan government assumed responsibility for educating all Métis and non-status Indian children.

Through the Aboriginal Policy and Operations Branch, the Province manages and coordinates a variety of programs and initiatives affecting First Nations and Métis people living in Saskatchewan. This work encompasses five main areas of involvement:

Coordinating and contributing to the development of policies and initiatives relating to Aboriginal people and communities, including Aboriginal economic development;
Facilitating dialogue between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people through consultations and the creation of formal linkages and processes;
Participating in, or contributing to, intergovernmental processes on Aboriginal matters;
Delivery of the Aboriginal Employment Development Program; and
The Ministry provides small grants to non-profit organizations, First Nations and Métis community organizations to assist with events and projects. Provincial First Nation and Métis representative organizations and urban service delivery agencies also receive grants to assist with capacity and special projects that benefit their respective memberships.

For further information on the work of the Aboriginal Policy and Operations Branch, please see the following topcs:

		First Nations Governance First Nations and Métis Relations participates in processes that facilitate working relationships between Aboriginal groups, the Province and Canada.

		Intergovernmental Relations First Nations and Métis Relations co-ordinates Saskatchewan's involvement in national Aboriginal matters to ensure that Saskatchewan's interests are represented at a national level.

		Métis Relations First Nations and Métis Relations works with the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan, and with Canada, to address matters of mutual concern relating to Métis people in the province.

		Programs First Nations and Métis Relations promotes Aboriginal peoples, communities and organizations, facilitates improved cross-cultural relations, and advances opportunities for Aboriginal people in the province of Saskatchewan.

		Urban Strategy The purpose of the Framework for Cooperation is to guide provincial government ministries in working in a respectful and sensitive way with off-reserve First Nations and Métis people in Saskatchewan.