Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has taken full authority over its workforce development, officially becoming Saskatchewan’s only independent agreement holder under the federal Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program.
Community leaders and federal ministers gathered on Saturday, Aug. 22, to mark the agreement.
The deal grants PBCN $6.8 million in federal funding and makes the First Nation direct responsibility for designing and delivering employment and skills training programs tailored specifically to its members.
While the formal announcement took place over the weekend, the agreement officially took effect on Jan. 1, 2026, following nearly a decade of planning.
“For years, we have said that our people know what our communities need, and this agreement puts that principle into action,” Chief Peter Beatty said in a statement. “We can now design training around our own priorities, our own people and the opportunities that exist in our communities and across the province. Most importantly, it puts those decisions where they belong—with our Nation.”
The new model gives PBCN the flexibility to serve more than 12,000 members spread across its eight communities in Treaty 6 and Treaty 10 territories, as well as members living in urban centers across Canada.
Since taking over program delivery under the framework, PBCN officials say the number of PBCN members receiving funded training has surged from approximately 20 to over 500.
Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty noted that the agreement reflects the value of working in partnership to put decision-making power directly into the hands of the community.
(TOP PHOTO: Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty and PBCN Chief Peter A. Beatty sign the agreement. Photo by Tina Pelletier)