The Saskatoon Aboriginal Community Action Plan (SACAP) is a community based partnership comprised of local agencies and businesses committed to improving the lives of Aboriginal citizens of Saskatoon and the greater Saskatoon community.

SACAP was proud to be a part of the Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network's (SFNEDN) employer and employee engagement sessions in March 2019. Through this work, the SFNEDN continues to build relationships and improve the lives of Indigenous people in our city and province.

Residential and Day school survivor support

We are excited to help launch and make available the information and stories that will undoubtedly help advance the TRC's 94 Calls To Action through economic inclusion and the building of representative work forces.

Click here to access the Indigenous Enagagement Employer Handbook.

“Pronounced KEE-PA, Kîpa is the Cree word meaning “hurry up.” Kakwayahook, pronounced Caulk-A-way-Ah-Hoke, is the Michif word for hurry up.”

“Employers are seeking to Kîpa or Kakwayahook in finding ways to attract, recruit and retain Indigenous people more effectively in the workplace. Many sectors are experiencing or projecting labour shortages. What better way to foster the resiliency your company seeks and remain competitive in today’s marketplace, than to become an employer of choice for Saskatchewan’s Indigenous population?

This project brings mainstream businesses together with Indigenous organizations and employees to create a better understanding and comfort level on how we can collectively take action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The Call to Action #92 states that the corporate sector must engage in meaningful consultation and develop respectful relationships with Indigenous communities and businesses as well as providing education and opportunities to Indigenous people.

To support employers in the journey, this handbook has been developed to provide guidance and practical options for employers seeking to improve their Indigenous workforce recruitment and retention outcomes. It is based on a series of workshops and consultations held in early 2019 that included some of Saskatoon’s largest First Nation, Métis and non-Indigenous employers, employment, education and training institutions, business associations and community organizations.

In addition, we have produced a series of vignettes offering personal accounts from both employers and employees about their journeys in either engaging Indigenous people in the workforce or participating in it from an Indigenous perspective.

Different sizes of businesses, in different industries, and at different stages of their Indigenous engagement process will need distinct strategies and capacities to reach their goals. While not every suggestion in the handbook will be relevant for everyone, we hope that many of the suggestions will resonate with most employers.

It’s time to Kîpa and Kakwayahook to better engage Indigenous participation in the economy from employment to partnerships to ownership, and to help ensure that Saskatchewan enjoys a diverse, resilient, and growing economy.”

Watch Employer and Employee Perspectives

SFNEDN - Brad - STC Industrial - Final: https://vimeo.com/351489805

SFNEDN - Riley - STC Industrial - Final: https://vimeo.com/351489992

SFNEDN - Charlie Clark - City of Saskatoon - Final: https://vimeo.com/340245381

SFNEDN - Richard - City of Saskatoon - Final: https://vimeo.com/354978143

SFNEDN - Jacine - Affinity - Final: https://vimeo.com/354977968

SFNEDN - Chantel - Affinity - Final: https://vimeo.com/340244440

SFNEDN - Chantel - SaskPoly Tech - Final: https://vimeo.com/340244960

SFNEDN - Carm - Sask Community Foundation - Final: https://vimeo.com/340244009

SFEDN - Milton - Nutrien - Final: https://vimeo.com/355194938

SFNEDN - Aaron - Nutrien - Final: https://vimeo.com/352499407

SFNEDN - Terry #1 - K+S Potash - Final: https://vimeo.com/351647735

SFNEDN - Terry #2 - K+S Potash - Final: https://vimeo.com/351657037

SFNEDN - Steven - KPCL - Final: https://vimeo.com/351666076

SFNEDN - Mary - KPCL - Final: https://vimeo.com/354100833

SFNEDN - Candace - U of S - Final: https://vimeo.com/354307787

SFNEDN - Dana - UofS - Final: https://vimeo.com/354307146

SFNEDN - Charles - Ramada - Final: https://vimeo.com/354977771

SFNEDN - Kiley - Ramada - Final: https://vimeo.com/351636232

Sponsors

SACAP was established in early 2016 by the following organizations who share an aspiration of ensuring Saskatoon becomes a community where organizations work collaboratively to create positive and sustainable change:

• Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan
• City of Saskatoon
• Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC)
• Central Urban Metis Federation Inc. (CUMFI)
• Office of the Treaty Commissioner
• Saskatoon Health Region
• United Way of Saskatoon and Area
• Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority

SACAP’s membership has grown significantly and are continuously seeking additional partners, refining goals and priorities and engaging Aboriginal citizens and organizations within Saskatoon and area. SACAP has reviewed and leveraged numerous reports, studies and research exploring gaps and barriers faced by Aboriginal people in Saskatoon and developed a framework based on 7 priority areas. These initial priority areas are intended to move conversations about Aboriginal issues in Saskatoon from research findings and recommendations to implementation and action. The identified priorities are as follows:

• Access to Holistic Health Services
• Community inclusion and safety
• Reducing barriers to service and support
• Education and Training
• Aboriginal culture and history
• Homelessness and Affordable housing
• Employment and Economy