Saskatoon hosts Aboriginal engagement conference
- EFN Staff | December 15, 2015
Aboriginal engagement and service delivery in Saskatoon received a big boost in the form of the Wicihitowin “Working Together” conference. Over two days in November, 320 delegates were treated to sessions on First Nations history and the residential schools, Métis history, media training, anti racism education and hiring and retaining Aboriginal people. Running concurrently was an old people and elders session led by Willie Ermine where they focused on incorporating Aboriginal values in programs and services. The session built a learning document to be available as an introductory guide for individuals who have questions about protocol and the appropriate role of Elders and Old People within their organizations.
“Aboriginal engagement and inclusion is an important issue in our community,” said Gilles Dorval, Director of Aboriginal Relations with the City of Saskatoon. “Working together – the theme of our first Aboriginal Engagement Conference – is important in delivering enhanced programs and services to better meet the needs of our Aboriginal citizens.”
The conference was presented in partnership with the City of Saskatoon, the United Way, Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Health Region, and other Community-Based Organizations. The goal was to help provide support to the many organizations across Saskatchewan that are inclusive of Aboriginal people as employees, volunteers and decision makers – especially in the understanding of Aboriginal people in the context of historic and contemporary issues.
“We hope the conference will influence organizations that serve Aboriginal people to be representative of the Aboriginal community in their workforce and in decision making capacities in governance,” says Ashley Kayseas, Director, Aboriginal Relations, United Way of Saskatoon and Area.
The introductory keynote speaker was Stephen Kakfwi, the former Premier of the North West Territories and the President and CEO of Canadians for a New Partnership. His message was one of unity. “An essential thing in working together is knowing each other. Building a community, the elders told us to respect one another,” said Kakfwi. “We learned that working together was the way to be strong.”
Click here for more photos from the conference.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission Chair Murray Sinclair gave an eloquent and very emotional closing key note speech that brought the two days together. Opening with a video of a residential school survivor, Sinclair had a rapt audience as he explained the effects of over one hundred years of government oppression. “Nobody can heal you but yourself and the answers are in the community. The solutions must come from the indigenous community. The Government can't help,” said Sinclair. He also had advice for those looking to offer reconciliation. “Read the Calls to Action. Find one you can help to make a reality. All of them are achievable with effort. I challenge you all. Don't stop talking about this. Make a commitment to continue to work together. If you don't, then who? It is up to you.”
Gilles Dorval was impressed with the overwhelming positive reaction to the conference. “We want to keep the feeling of hope going and keep people thinking that reconciliation is possible,” said Dorval. “The amount of people here from different sectors was amazing and we had great support from the corporate community. Now we have to keep responding to the needs of our citizens and keep going forward building a better Saskatoon.”