Photo: Jason Mercredi wants people to know about their meeting Wednesday, March 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Kamsack Library. Photo courtesy Métis Nation Saskatchewan
By Kaitlynn Nordal
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Kamsack Times
As Métis Nation Saskatchewan (MN–S) continues their mobile assistance outreach, one of their March stops will be in Kamsack.
MN–S tries to do these mobile engagements once a month as a cost-effective way of meeting with everyone throughout Saskatchewan.
“The Kamsack-Yorkton region is important for us. We are looking to get a better footprint there. We wanted to make sure we had a physical presence in Kamsack before we open an office in Yorkton later this year,” said Jason Mercredi, MN–S Director of Child and Family Services & Ma Faamii.
This MN-S meeting stop will be to help if people want to apply to be or are Métis citizens and want to come and talk to the MN-S staff about different programs or services.
“They can help people fill out applications and explain to them the various programs and services that are available for Métis citizens in Saskatchewan,” said Mercredi.
“There are a lot of benefits. We help with everything from housing, accessing childcare, to health services,” continued Mercredi. “We want to make sure folks are aware of what types of services they can get access to, as the program list is quite lengthy. We want to make sure it’s as accessible as possible.”
Mercredi also notes this is a way to help those who may not have access to the internet or their toll-free number.
“Not everyone has access to a computer to do things online or know the phone number to do 877 our toll-free number. A staff member will be on site to help folks navigate and start building those relationships,” said Mercredi.
Those from MN-S will also bring old reporting, so people can come read about what they have done in the past and what they plan on doing in the future.
Mercredi and those at MN-S want to use these mobile meetings as a way to build better relationships with everyone around the province.
“Relationships go a long way. We want to make sure we are available, and they see our faces, get to know us a bit better, and know we have staff in that area that can help them,” said Mercredi. “I think sometimes people think we only have staff in one or two cities, but we have staff throughout the province.”
The Kamsack MN-S meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 18, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Kamsack Library at 416 B First Street.