PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has become Saskatchewan’s only independent agreement holder under the federal Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program, giving the First Nation direct responsibility for designing and delivering employment and training services for its members.
The Government of Canada announced Aug. 22 that PBCN is now an agreement holder under the ISET Program, which supports Indigenous-led employment and skills training initiatives across the country.
The agreement, which took effect Jan. 1 under the First Nations stream of the program, provides PBCN with direct responsibility for delivering employment and training services to its eight communities across Treaty 6 and Treaty 10 territories in northeastern Saskatchewan.
The Government of Canada said the agreement reflects a broader commitment to Indigenous-led workforce development by allowing communities to tailor training and employment programming to local priorities, labour market demands and participant needs.
The federal government is providing $6.8 million for the agreement through the existing ISET funding envelope.
PBCN said the agreement follows nearly a decade of work involving community leadership, Elders, Service Canada, federal partners and consultants. The Nation said gaining direct control over employment and skills training programming allows it to better address the needs and priorities of its members, including those living in urban centres across Saskatchewan and Canada.
The agreement also enables PBCN to strengthen partnerships with employers, training institutions and governments while expanding access to employment and training opportunities for its citizens.
Chief Peter Beatty said the agreement represents a significant step toward self-determination in workforce development.
“For years, we have said that our people know what our communities need, and this agreement puts that principle into action,” said Beatty. “We can now design training around our own priorities, our own people and the opportunities that exist in our communities and across the province. This is about removing barriers, creating opportunities and giving our members the tools they need to build careers and support their families. Most importantly, it puts those decisions where they belong — with our Nation.”
Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, said the agreement marks an important milestone for the First Nation.
“This is an important milestone for the members of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. As the only independent ISET agreement holder in Saskatchewan, PBCN now has the authority to design programming that reflects the self-determined priorities of its own communities. Together with our partners, we are building stronger communities and securing long-term economic prosperity for generations to come.”
Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, said the agreement demonstrates the value of Indigenous communities having greater authority over their own economic and workforce development priorities.
“Canada is committed to advancing opportunities for Indigenous Peoples. This important milestone for the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation reflects the value of working in partnership to create the opportunities that will put the power in the hands of the community to decide their future.”
According to PBCN, the number of members receiving training support increased from approximately 20 to more than 500 after the Nation took over program delivery.
The ISET Program was developed in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous organizations and replaced the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy following consultations with Indigenous partners in 2016 and 2017.
The program is delivered through long-term funding agreements that began in 2019. At the launch of the program, there were 85 agreement holders. Employment and Social Development Canada says that number has grown to more than 120 after the approval of 38 additional agreements.
Since its inception, the program has served more than 307,900 Indigenous participants nationwide, with more than 120,400 people securing employment and more than 40,800 returning to school.
The agreement gives PBCN authority to design employment and training programs based on community priorities while connecting members with education, skills development and employment opportunities.
