By Deborah Shawcross

FSIN chief addresses Conference Board of Canada forum in Regina

May 29, 2014 | 7:19 AM

paNOW Staff

The Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations wants to see more Saskatchewan businesses employ First Nation and Métis people.

Chief Perry Bellegarde spoke at the Conference Board of Canada's Saskatchewan Forum on Wednesday afternoon. He urged industry leaders to develop a strategy to recruit and keep more First Nation and Métis people in the workforce.

“The fastest growing segment of Saskatchewan’s population is First Nations and Métis people, that’s a huge asset to Saskatchewan,” he said. “So invest in education and training, make sure they have the skills necessary to participate fully in the economy.

The need for training and jobs is not going away anytime soon, 33 percent of the province's population will be First Nation and Metis by 2045.

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Bellegarde also sent the message that First Nation people are not opposed to development. But he said there needs to be a national energy strategy involving the government, industry and First Nations.

“We’re tired of being economically marginalized and so we have to get involved,” Bellegarde said. “So there is a definite need for the full inclusion of First Nations people in partnering to develop those resources in a very sustainable way.”

He says if a national energy strategy is created the protection of land and water for future generations must be included.

Bellegarde also noted that many First Nations communities are becoming self- sufficient and the whole province is benefiting. He says there are many success stories to share. He used the example of Gordon First Nation partnering with Atco to build camps at BHP and K+S Potash. Bellgarde also pointed to the Whitecap Dakota First Nation, south of Saskatoon where they have developed a golf course, invested in a bison ranch and will soon have a hotel.

Bellegarde says positive things are happening but not without key strategic partnerships with industry.

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