MN-S: Local Government Week Recognized in Saskatchewan

Press Release

Nov. 12, 2019

Treaty 4 Territory, Regina, Sask.– To raise awareness and engagement in local democracy, Local Government Week has again been officially proclaimed in the province of Saskatchewan, at the joint request of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), Métis Nation Saskatchewan (MN-S), the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) and the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA).

The week runs from Nov. 11 to 17 this year and was officially designated by Lori Carr, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Government Relations and Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs. This is the second year that Local Government Week has been proclaimed. The call to recognize the week with a provincial proclamation emerged through discussions between the partner organizations as an excellent opportunity to recognize and raise awareness about Saskatchewan’s systems of local governance.

The work of local governments affects the lives of Saskatchewan residents every day. Local governments are responsible for everything from educating the province’s youth to building and maintaining the local roads residents use. To provide the many services offered, Saskatchewan’s local governments collectively employ more than 38,000 people. Locally-elected governments represent the voices of the people they serve and provide connections and accountability to their communities.

“Our province recognizes the important work leaders of all communities and local government organizations do each and every day. Chiefs, mayors, reeves, councillors, trustees and administrative officials all play roles that contribute to the quality of life for all who share this great land called Saskatchewan. When neighbouring communities work together with other government partners on common goals, resources can go farther and relationships can grow stronger to help improve the lives of everyone,” said Carr.

“The FSIN Executive welcomes the celebration of Local Government Week in Saskatchewan, as it highlights and recognizes the tireless work of the many leaders in all of our communities,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “Our Chiefs and Councils represent thousands of First Nations people across the province and we want to recognize their efforts to create a better tomorrow for our future generations. Our Executive ensures that our Inherent and Treaty Rights and the exertion of First Nations jurisdiction remain at the forefront of our relationships with other local governments. We are thankful for the partnerships we have created and will continue to create in the future.”

“The self-government agreement we recently signed with the federal government recognizes the Métis Nation Saskatchewan as a government, which represents the Métis in the province,” said MN-S Minister of Education (Northern Region 1) Earl Cook. “It is only fitting that we celebrate our successes in Local Government Week.”

“Elected officials are instrumental in ensuring our communities remain strong and vibrant,” said SARM President Ray Orb. “SARM is committed to building capacity at the local level and it starts with recognizing the important role of municipal government through Local Government Week.”

“School boards are locally elected to bring community voice to publicly funded education,” said SSBA President Shawn Davidson. “Local Government Week helps to highlight the importance of grassroots-level decision-making.”

“Our hometown governments are responsible for everything from wastewater collection to fire and protective services,” said SUMA President Gordon Barnhart. “Local Government Week is a chance to highlight the role local governments play in shaping our communities.”

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For more information, contact:

Larissa Burnouf
Communications
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations
Cell: 306-291-6864
Email: communications@fsin.com

Julia Burns
Director of Communications
Métis Nation Saskatchewan
Phone: 306-343-8285
Email: jburns@mns.work

Joe Couture
SSBA Communications
Cell: 306-502-3546
Email: jcouture@saskschoolboards.ca

Ashley Leugner
Communications and Marketing Coordinator, SARM
Phone: 306-761-3931
Email: aleugner@sarm.ca

Sean McKenzie
Director of Advocacy Services, SUMA
Phone: 306-525-4388
Email: smckenzie@suma.org

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