The provincial government is providing an investment aiming to increase Indigenous involvement in the natural resource sector.
The government announced a $400,000 investment, on Monday morning, into the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence.
The Centre of Excellence looks to identify barriers faced by Indigenous peoples when trying to enter employment in the sector. The funding will also be used to help the organization continue to develop strategies to connect Indigenous people to jobs in the industry.
“We are constantly working toward creating a future where our communities are valued partners and thriving in the energy resource sector,” said First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence President and CEO Sheldon Wuttunee. “We are proud to partner with the Government of Saskatchewan to identify gaps and create opportunities in the natural resources sector where First Nations communities can play an active role.”
The province says the investment is apart of its goal to work directly with Indigenous businesses and communities to increase Indigenous participation in the economy.
“Engagement of Indigenous communities in the workforce is essential to the continued growth of Saskatchewan and is a key component of our province’s recently released Labour Market Strategy,” said Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Immigration and Career Training.
The province and the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence made the announcement Monday morning on English River First Nation urban reserve land south of Saskatoon.
“This is another groundbreaking partnership created in Saskatchewan,” said Sean Willy, President and CEO of the Des Nedhe Group, the economic arm of English River First Nation.
(PHOTO – Sheldon Wuttunee and Jeremy Harrison speak at an event announcing government funding for the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence. Photos by Joel Willick.)