By Bryan Eneas

Harpauer takes over First Nations and Métis relations portfolio

Aug 31, 2016 | 6:00 AM

At a time when racial tensions are high throughout the province, a shuffle in cabinet has brought a new face to the First Nations and Métis portfolio.

Donna Harpauer, who represents the Humboldt – Watrous constituency said she hopes to use her experience from the education and social services portfolios to continue to build strong relationships with the First Nations and Métis peoples of Saskatchewan.

Harpauer said she will be addressing the issue of racism in Saskatchewan through the education system.

“The earlier you can address issues with racism and stem it from growing, is (for) the betterment of the future,” Harpauer said.

She plans to have discussions with Education Minister Don Morgan and Jennifer Campeau to address the issues of racism through the education system. Campeau has done extensive work on addressing bullying in the education system, according to Harpauer.

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Harpauer hopes to use her experience to begin bridging the gap between the First Nations and non-First Nations education system.

“The gap is starting to close but not as quickly as we’d like to happen. We’re encouraged it’s starting to close for graduation rates,” Harpauer said.

While Harpauer was Minister of Education she was part of a task force which brought forward recommendations, and saw the implementation of some of those recommendations in First Nations education and employment engagement.

Harpauer has been a member of the legislature since 1999 when she was first elected to represent the Watrous constituency. She took over as Minister of Social Services in 2007, and then took over the education portfolio in 2010. In 2012 Harpauer took over as Minister of the Crown Investments before moving back to social services in 2014.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas