Premier Brad Wall has added a new dimension to his commitment to address Aboriginal unemployment and lack of opportunity.
Today he announced an Aboriginal Youth Task Force which will be headed by Saskatoon MLA Jennifer Campeau.
The Premier says the mandate of the task force will be to improve the economic opportunities and quality of life for young aboriginal people.
“She has some ideas around what we can be doing and also how we can better hear from those who may not have a voice through traditional means – though tribal councils or chiefs – those who are off-reserve and the voice of young Aboriginal people,” he says.
Campeau is a member of the Yellowquill First Nation and she has a masters in business administration and is completing a doctorate in native studies.
In addition to the task force, she will also responsible for anti bullying initiatives.
The Premier says Campeau has a long track record of working with Aboriginal youth on business initiatives and he is confident she can get the work done and produce results.
He says the Saskatoon MLA’s new duties will strengthen the work already being done in a number of areas, including a task force that is just completing its work on native education and employment.
Wall also hinted that there will be some new initiatives for Aboriginal people in next month’s budget.
Campeau was one of 10 backbench MLAs who were given new responsibilities by the Premier today.
Among the others is the appointment of Prince Albert MLA Darryl Hickie who is tasked with improving traffic safety after last year’s record death toll on Saskatchewan highways – 175 people died in road accidents.
The new duties do not come with a pay hike.