Government Continues to Invest in Joint Task Force Recommendations

Released on June 20, 2014

Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Education Russ Marchuk, along with Treaty Six Education Council (TSEC) Director of Education Patrick Bugler, Light of Christ Catholic School Division (LOCCSD) Director of Education Herb Sutton, and Living Sky School Division (LSSD) Director of Education Randy Fox, announced the Invitational Shared Services Initiative (ISSI) partnerships between TSEC and each of the two school divisions.  The Government of Saskatchewan has allocated $150,000 each to LOCCSD and LSSD to manage operation of their agreements. These partnerships are in response to a recommendation from the Joint Task Force on Aboriginal Employment and Education report that was released last year.

“These ISSI partnerships align with the Education Sector Strategic Plan and are designed to put the student first,” Marchuk said.  “Through partnerships such as these, we come another step closer to meeting the needs of all Saskatchewan students regardless of where in the province they reside.”

"The ISSI partnerships are a great example of First Nations and the provincial government working together to meet the needs of our students,” Bugler said.  “First Nations' experience with the education system in the past has not been positive, and much has to be done to re-establish the working relationship required in educating students.  The ISSI partnerships’ funding will allow improved supports in transitions and relationship building between the collective education system and students, families and communities.”

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 TSEC and LSSD has been created to produce a collaborative process that will build on the work already completed aimed at addressing issues in ensuring improved academic success for First Nations students in LSSD and in TSEC member bands.  The intent of the partnership is to reflect the Education Sector Strategic Plan, particularly the priority to address First Nations and Métis learning outcomes.  It is designed to increase engagement, educational success and graduation rates of First Nations students.  

“On behalf of Living Sky School Division I would like to express my appreciation to the Government of Saskatchewan for making funds available to help us further address the needs of our students,” Fox said.  “We have been talking for a number of years about a Braided Journey program to support our First Nations students but funding has always been a challenge.  With us now able to implement the Braided Journey Program to support our students as they work toward graduation, we believe graduation rates will be enhanced as students benefit from the support and guidance of our Graduation Coach.”

The partnership between TSEC and LOCCSD has been created to provide direction and pursue initiatives that will implement support activities for First Nations learners in achieving academic success.  It is designed to build on the work already completed to improve learning outcomes for First Nations students on-reserve and in the provincial school division.

“This initiative has incredible potential to help us achieve our graduation goals,” Sutton said.  “Not only will this enable us to meet our Education Sector Graduation targets, but it will improve the opportunities for First Nations and Métis students, and ultimately, for our communities and province.  There is plenty of research to support building relationships with students, taking a keen interest in their lives, and creating a sense of hope and vision for their futures as a means to improving student learning.  That is what this project is all about.  Light of Christ is very excited about being part of this.”

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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