Message from the Tribal Chief

The Saskatoon Tribal Council is a complex, dynamic, forward-focused alliance of seven (7) First Nation governments. Our corporate enterprises, charged with mandates of program and service delivery, advocacy, policy change and Treaty Office technical support are challenged to ensure they drive towards the fulfillment of the Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Convention Act objectives. 

 

The breadth of those objectives can be intimidating however their strategic accomplishment are critical to the health, balance, prosperity and well-being of our people, their children and families, and our nations.

 

I sought the office of the Tribal Chief for several compelling reasons. Having served my own community of Kinistin Saulteaux Nation as Chief for eleven years I understand the need for strong and steady leadership in something as important as our Tribal Council. Former Tribal Chief Joe Quewezance (1982-1999 and 2005-2008) laid a solid foundation and road map through the development of the Corporate Strategic Plan and through his Statesmanship and diplomacy. I wish to continue in that example.

 

My platform was premised on the unequivocal fact that First Nations self-government is enshrined in the Constitution of Canada but needs to manifest in a contemporary context based on our Treaties, which are paramount above all. 

 

How this will be achieved is through pursuing and engaging in mutually beneficial strategic alliances in service delivery, public service and particularly business and economic development endeavours. These strategic alliances and partnerships will contribute to the development of First Nations’ capacity which in turn will increase prosperity and independence. Our prosperity is the prosperity of Saskatchewan and Canada as a whole.

 

The Saskatoon Tribal Council alone contributes $40 Million and 175 direct jobs to the economy of this area, collectively it reaches to over $130 Million and 675 jobs. The First Nations population is 15% of Saskatoon’s population. The demographic and disparity research studies have published their findings and those findings are clear. So although we recognize education as our greatest economic developer, there remains a significant role for the Saskatoon Tribal Council and our member First Nations to play in both the urban setting of Saskatoon and in our geographic district.

 

I extend an invitation to the people of Saskatoon to visit, engage and prosper with us. We are The Saskatoon Tribal Council.

 

Meeg’wch