Several Saskatchewan Aboriginal leaders met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Saskatoon on Thursday.

One of those leaders was Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Executive Director Neil Sasakamoose.

He says Harper and his aides want to know how to make First Nations people more economically prosperous.

Sasakamoose says he told Harper to follow BATC’s example – help Aboriginal people get good jobs – for example in the oilpatch and mining.

He says BATC has reduced welfare dependency in member bands by 13.5 per cent using a similar strategy.

“We are there basically as an example of how to be innovative and think outside the box,” he says.

Sasakamoose adds BATC was flattered to be invited as the tribal council has only been in existence for five years.