Government Continues to Invest in Joint Task Force Recommendations

Released on June 17, 2014

Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Education Russ Marchuk, along with Yorkton Tribal Council (YTC) Director of Education Ross Brown and Good Spirit School Division (GSSD) Director of Education Dwayne Reeve, announced $150,000 in support of the Invitational Shared Services Initiative (ISSI) partnership between YTC and the school division.  This partnership is in response to a recommendation from the Joint Task Force on Aboriginal Employment and Education report that was released last year.

“This is an exciting time for First Nations and Métis students in Saskatchewan,” Marchuk said.  “These ISSI partnerships are the first of their kind in Saskatchewan.  They align with our province’s shared goals while still recognizing local priorities and are designed to put the student first.”

“The Yorkton Tribal Council is excited to support the unprecedented level of collaboration that is developing between Keeseekoose Chiefs Education Centre, Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex and the Good Spirit School Division through Kamsack Comprehensive Institute,” Brown said.  “The focus on keeping students in school and improving graduation rates through improvement in reading, and by creating a community connection in a culturally appropriate way, is just the support that many students need.  We appreciate the generous provision of resources by the provincial Ministry of Education and the enthusiastic efforts of educators in both the First Nations and provincial schools.”

The ISSI brings together the provincial education system and First Nations education organizations so that students living on-reserve benefit from the same supports to students and teachers that are available in provincial schools.

The partnership between YTC and GSSD has been created to improve the high school completion rate of Cote First Nation and Keeseekoose First Nation students living on reserve.  YTC and GSSD are concerned about the completion rates of First Nations students attending Kamsack Comprehensive Institute, Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex and Keeseekoose Chiefs Education Centre.  Students often move back and forth between these schools, and this partnership is designed to consistently support students at all three schools, with a focus on reading comprehension and attendance.

“Partnerships create strengths, and the three communities each bring different strengths to the table with a primary focus on students and the willingness to work as a team for their students,” Reeve said.  “The Invitational Shared Services Program offers us at Good Spirit School Division an opportunity to increase communication, work collaboratively, and as a collective support students in the communities of Kamsack, Cote and Keeseekoose.”

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For more information, contact:

Kelly Johnston
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: kelly.johnston@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506