MaryAnn Mihychuk. Photo courtesy AFN.ca
Federal labour minister MaryAnn Mihychuk told a national chiefs conference that improving aboriginal employment and providing a work ready indigenous work force is a priority for her department. Right now the aboriginal unemployment rate in Saskatchewan is nearly 14%, twice the provincial average, while the high school graduation rate for aboriginal students is about 40%, which is half the provincial average.
It is those kind of numbers that were the focus of the federal labour ministers speech at the closing day of the AFN’s special chiefs assembly in Gatineau Quebec. Mihychuk laid out what her hopes are for the future and promised a far different approach from the past.
“For four hundred years our Indigenous people have not gotten the respect, rights and services they deserve,” She said. “It is time for that to change.”
Mihychuk says First Nations children must be motivated to stay in school and must be welcomed into the workforce. She says it is the fastest growing segment of the population and it is her responsibility to make sure there is opportunity and jobs for them.
FSIN chief Bobby Cameron also addressed the national chiefs conference. He told them while change is happening very slowly, things are moving much faster than they ever did under a federal conservative government.
“The investment is a little slow and we are getting frustrated and concerned, but you know what, I would rather work with this Liberal government than the conservatives.” He said.
Chief Cameron spoke with MBC Thursday morning echoing this sentiment.
“These things take time,” he says.
Prime minister Justin Trudeau attended the special chiefs assembly for the second year in a row. He is the first sitting Prime minister to attend the assembly. Several of his cabinet ministers also made presentations to the chiefs conference.
Chief Cameron told MBC that this speaks volumes, so he is asking First Nations people in Saskatchewan to be patient.
The FSIN Chief also spoke optimistically about the special assembly saying there was a high level of engagement from the delegates.
The conference wraps up this afternoon with a resolution session and closing remarks.