September 25-October 1, 2023 is National Environmental Public Health Week. This week we are highlighting the important work that environmental public health professionals do every day in our FN communities to keep our water, food, land, air and facilities safe. “Standing up to protect everyone’s health each and every day.”
Left to right: Shanna Durocher (CLCFN) Lily Aubichon (ERFN) Allison Iron (CLCFN) Jade McKay (FDFN) Darlene Matchee (FDFN) Sahayle Norman (FDFN) Betthany Thomas (FNU Program Support) Carrie Lavallie (Associate Professor) Jennifer Fontaine (Doula Instructor)
The Indigenous Birth Support Worker Certificate is an 18-credit program offered on a full-time or part-time basis. This program began as a pilot project primarily offered at the FNUniv Northern Campus, Prince Albert, during the Winter 2023 academic term. The Birth Support Worker program was developed to certify and assist learners in working in community to develop their own land-based birthing support practices.
The Indigenous Birth Support Worker program is NOW OPEN to students across Saskatchewan for our Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 academic terms. There are options for full-time (2 days) or part-time (one day per week) studies, with the practicum being 2 full weeks onsite and then four weeks in their home community. Students are encouraged to contact Student Success Services for the application and admission process. Those interested in applying can apply through FNUniv northern campus with
Jackie Nixon Academic Advisor and Student Counsellor
p: 306.765.3333 Ext. 7135
Students who are interested in taking IBWC might be funded through their post-sec, Labour Force funding, or Maternal Child funding from ISC.
The Indigenous Birth Support Worker Certificate program will be offered remotely to select areas starting Winter 2024. FNUniv welcomes communities that are interested and encourage them to contact Bethany Thomas at FNUniv for further details.
Please contact me with any further questions or inquiries.
Bethany Thomas- Curriculum Developer Associate
306 765-3333 Ext. 7503
Patients in need of Dialysis can now get it locally, or a lot closer to home for most northern patients.
Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley and Trade and Export Development Minister and Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison were on hand to officially open a new six-bed satellite hemodialysis unit in Northwest Health Facility (NHF) in Meadow Lake.
Operational since March and staffed by specially trained nurses, the new dialysis unit can accommodate six patients at one time, and runs twice per day, accommodating 12 patients.
“The Saskatchewan Government is committed to ensuring health programs and services, including dialysis, are available to residents throughout the province,” Hindley said. “We recognize the unique needs of the province’s north and are pleased to be able to provide this vital service to residents in their home community.”
Typically, hemodialysis patients receive three, four-hour treatments per week. Eligible patients can now access dialysis services closer to home, eliminating the burden of having to travel to other locations in the province for treatment. A patient’s eligibility will be determined after assessing their risk factors as well as treatment plan to ensure they meet the criteria for safe appropriate care in the satellite unit.
“The new six-bed Satellite Hemodialysis Unit in Meadow Lake allows the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to provide care closer to home, cutting down on travel time for these patients and giving them more time with their families,” Saskatchewan Health Authority Chief Operating Officer Derek Miller said. “Meadow Lake is currently the most northern satellite dialysis clinic with other northern satellite clinics located in Prince Albert, Tisdale and North Battleford. The SHA is currently planning for an additional satellite clinic to be located in La Ronge.”
The Saskatchewan Government has committed $700,000 in ongoing funding for unit operations and improved access to kidney health services for area residents. The government’s initial investment was $2.65 million for construction of the unit, with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and Indigenous Services Canada providing $1.05 million for equipment and furnishings.
The doors have opened on the Minisitkwan Lake Youth/Prevention Centre.
With programs developed strictly for The Cree Nation, community members can approach prevention to help with clothing and food in dire situations. The program was developed to keep the community youth safe and fed, by doing weekly home visits/safety checks.
Elders of the community will be involved in parenting classes, as well as carrying on the oral tradition of storytelling. They will also be made available for one to one talks to help with addictions. The use of our traditional teachings to help against a contemporary problem.
The Youth Centre also has a full gym and a pool table.
(Toronto, ON- April 12, 2023)- Meadow Lake Tribal Council Industrial Investment is the 2023 recipient of Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business’ Aboriginal Economic Development Corporation Award.
A group of nine First Nations form the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, and this led to the creation of Meadow Lake Tribal Council Industrial Investments (MLTCII) in 2012. Based in Saskatchewan, the Indigenous-owned MLTCII continues to make a meaningful and positive impact on economic development, focusing on five sectors: forestry, renewable energy, oil and gas, agriculture, and hospitality services.
“MLTC was founded over 40 years ago, in the 10 years since developing MLTCII, they have made an exceptional economic impact throughout northwest Saskatchewan and beyond,” says president & CEO, Tabatha Bull. “The continuous growth in the number of projects and their success makes MLTCII a most deserving recipient of the AEDC award. Our sincere congratulations to MTCII.”
MLTC manages four wholly owned companies: NorSask Forest Products, Northwind Forest Products, MLTC Bioenergy Centre, and most recently, MLTC Solar Farm and has partnership positions in another 10 active companies. These companies are spread across MLTC’ s traditional territories in northwest Saskatchewan and the remainder of the province. MLTC provides many direct and indirect benefits by contributing to employment, dividend distribution to communities and overall economic growth.
“As we look at the future, MLTC is enthusiastic about new opportunities for diversification and growth in forestry, agriculture, petroleum services, the hospitality industry, renewable energy, digital communication and environmental consulting,” says Richard Ben, Tribal Chief of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council. “It is truly an honour to be recognized among the outstanding group of past winners. MLTC will continue to work toward the betterment of our nine nations and is looking to the future with optimism.”
The AEDC award is proudly sponsored by Rio Tinto and will be presented at CCAB’s East Coast Awards Dinner on May 2, 2023 in Halifax, N.S.. The day begins with the East Coast Business Forum, followed by CCAB’s Award dinner.
“Rio Tinto is very pleased to collaborate with CCAB as the sponsor of the 2023 Aboriginal Economic Development Corporation award and to recognize Meadow Lake Tribal Council Industrial Investments’ excellence and leading role in harnessing development opportunities for its member nations,” said Rio Tinto General Manager Procurement Atlantic, Sylvain Lemay. “As Rio Tinto continues its journey towards reconciliation, we are fully committed to leveraging our business to create sustainable economic opportunities in terms of jobs and local procurement and supply opportunities for Indigenous people across Canada.”
About Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business:
CCAB is committed to the full participation of Indigenous peoples in Canada’s economy. As a national, non-partisan association, its mission is to promote, strengthen and enhance a prosperous Indigenous economy through the fostering of business relationships, opportunities, and awareness. CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to its members to cultivate economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples and businesses across Canada. For more information, visit www.ccab.com.
For more information, please contact:
Alannah Jabokwoam
Senior Associate, Communications & Public Relations
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
[email protected]
T: 416.961.8663 ext. 227
March 17, 2023 – Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
All Canadians need reliable, affordable high-speed Internet and cellular service, no matter where they live. That is why the Government of Canada is taking action to bring high-speed Internet access and mobile connectivity to unserved and underserved regions across the province.
Today, the Honorable Minister Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, announced up to $37 million in funding for projects that will bring high-speed Internet access and mobile connectivity to communities across Saskatchewan. Thanks to this funding, over 5,000 homes in Northern Saskatchewan, Prince Albert, Saskatoon–Biggar, Regina–Moose Mountain and Yorkton–Melville, including over 2,700 homes in Indigenous communities, will benefit from improved high-speed Internet access, and mobile connectivity will be improved up to 500 kilometers of highway.
Today’s announcement builds on the Government of Canada’s progress toward ensuring that 98% of Canadians have access to high-speed Internet by 2026, and 100% by 2030.
Quotes
“We all know that Internet and mobile connectivity are no longer a luxury—they’re a necessity. That’s why our government made a historic commitment to connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and why we continue to improve mobile connectivity across the country. Today’s announcement in Meadow Lake marks a significant milestone for connectivity in Saskatchewan. The funding committed will bring reliable high-speed Internet access to more than 5,000 underserved homes in communities across the province.”
“Today, with the commitment, we are going to be learning. It’s exciting for our students, our communities, our offices, our opportunities with economic development and working together in the tourism industry as well. We appreciate the support and look forward to future endeavors with Canada, our nine First Nations, and our three satellite communities will definitely benefit. So thank you for providing this opportunity from the bottom of my heart. Mahsi Cho”.
Feb 9th, 2023
The Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation has taken a bold step into processing meat for distribution across Saskatchewan.
The First Nation has officially purchased Country Choice Meats, Located in Duck Lake Saskatchewan. The company has been well known for dedication to excellence, reputation for quality and a commitment to building long -lasting relationships across Saskatchewan with the best pork products available since 2007.
“For our First Nations community, the purchase of Country Choice Meats allows for the opportunity to engage Saskatchewan’s food industry with a solid business foundation that can provide quality pork products across Saskatchewan. It’s also a meaningful economic approach to developing food sovereignty, not only for our own community, but for First nations communities across Saskatchewan”
“This is an exciting venture for Makwa Sahgaiehcan. Not only are they one of the first First Nations to get into processing meat in Saskatchewan, but also a First Nation own entity that will have retail products for purchase across Saskatchewan retails. We are looking forward to developing, branding and expanding the products provided and developing indigenous engagement with industry. This business concept and values are not new to Saskatchewan, in that with First Nation ownership in the food industry. When you purchase a Country Choice meat product, not only are you feeding yourself, but you’re feeding a First Nations community”.
Phone:
+1 (306) 236-5654 (Main/Admin)
+1 (306) 236-8287 (Child & Family Services)
+1 (306) 236-5817 (Health & Social Development)
+1 (306) 236-1356 (IT Support)
+1 (833) 236-6582 (IT Support/Toll Free)
