SASKATOON (Staff) – Saskat-chewan natives will be working with non-native business leaders to build economic ties and bring jobs to aboriginal communities.
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations has created a 10-member task force with a mandate to create opportunities for joint ventures with the Saskat-chewan Chamber of Commerce. It will be chaired by the chamber’s Don Rosten and the FSIN’s Ken Thomas.
“First Nations peoples contribute millions to the economy. The chamber has not been aware of what we have been doing. We have not been aware of them either,” said Blaine Favel, federation chief.
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Native population young
Favel said thousands of native youths will enter the work force in coming years and they need to have jobs to be a part of the mainstream economy. He said 50 percent of the aboriginal population is under the age of 18.
“The network must be in place before this young population reaches the work force,” he said.
The chamber hopes to take advantage of the untapped resources of the native economies in Saskatchewan through partnering in joint ventures and helping to direct the education paths of young people into areas of labor shortage.
“This should have a positive effect on the rural economy. The eco-tourism business alone will mean an increase in use of rural facilities,” said chamber president Sonya Prescesky. She also suggested an increase in the agricultural manufacturing sector would benefit rural economies, native people and Sask-atchewan’s business community.
Favel said links to the mainstream economy are vital for the success of the native economy and the agricultural sector is no different.
“Bands have vast agricultural land holdings and native farmers have to be aware and take part in the same opportunities as non-native farmers,” he said.
