FSIN Interim Chief Morley Watson wants to meet with Premier Brad Wall to solve Aboriginal unemployment.
Watson says he had hoped last week’s budget would contain measures to solve unemployment, especially among Aboriginal youth — but he says it didn’t.
He plans to make his views heard when he meets with First Nations and Metis Relations Minister Ken Cheveldayoff today.
Watson says he will urge Cheveldayoff to set up a meeting with the whole cabinet — including Wall — so the problem can be tackled.
He also wants other MLAs who represent Aboriginal people to be there.
Watson says the Provincial Sales Tax and gaming revenue could be used to cut Aboriginal unemployment.
Speaking at the FSIN’s Youth Assembly in Saskatoon, he said that money could be used to train Aboriginal youth to fill the many jobs available in Saskatchewan.
“Each year, the province collects millions of dollars from First Nations from gaming profits, federal transfer payments, PST revenue — so we know the resources are there. We want the province to use this money for the re-investment, for the investment we talked about today.”
Watson says it makes more sense to train and hire Aboriginal people than search for workers around the world.