Rt:  Lloyd Martell, Director of Aboriginal Relations at Nexen; Daphne Taras, Dean, Edwards School of Business; Darren Hill, President, Junior Achievement of Saskatchewan, Chief Larry Cachene, Chief - Yellow Quill First Nation representing the Saskatoon Tribal Council

Aboriginal youth will have the opportunity to learn more about financial literacy and entrepreneurship thanks to a new partnership agreement between Junior Achievement of Saskatchewan (JA), the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) and the University of Saskatchewan’s Edwards School of Business.

This is the first partnership of its kind to offer delivery of JA programming to elementary school children on-reserve at all seven STC First Nations member communities and two core area schools in Saskatoon.

Chief Larry Cachene, Chief - Yellow Quill First Nation representing the Saskatoon Tribal Council

STC’s seven member First Nations schools include Kinistin Saulteaux First Nation, Mistawasis First Nation, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Muskoday First Nation, One Arrow First Nation, Whitecap Dakota First Nation and Yellow Quill First Nation. The program will also be offered at two Saskatoon core area schools. A total of 74 JA classes will be delivered to nine schools, reaching more than 1,850 Aboriginal students.

“The studies and the statistics prove our youth have a more entrepreneurial spirit, which is not surprising when people look at our history,” said STC Chief Felix Thomas. “With the rate of unemployment and the need to create new jobs and economies in our communities, we need to provide as much opportunity for our youth to be successful, especially in business.”

“The Junior Achievement programs will provide Aboriginal youth with a springboard,” said Darren Hill, president, Junior Achievement of Saskatchewan. “Together we can help open the doors to entrepreneurial opportunities, greater participation in the provincial economy and further Aboriginal economic development across Saskatchewan.”

Dean Daphne Taras, Dean, Edwards School of Business

“The Edwards School of Business is committed to fostering relationships with the Aboriginal community,” said Dean Daphne Taras. “We are determined to make a difference by finding ways to open our doors and reach out to Aboriginal youth and adults who are keenly interested in business education. This initiative is a signal of our intention to move forward in a concrete way, and show we mean business.”

Nexen Energy, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, provided the core funding for the program, totalling more than $70,000.

“Nexen is proud to support the Edwards School of Business and their delivery of financial literacy programs,” said Lloyd Martell, director of Aboriginal relations at Nexen. “We consider it a privilege and our responsibility to invest in Aboriginal communities in proximity to where we do business.”

For more information contact:

Saskatoon Tribal Council
Jennifer Campeau, Junior Achievement Program Co-ordinator
(306) 956-6110

Edwards School of Business
University of Saskatchewan
Josephine McKay, A/Director, Aboriginal Initiatives
(306) 966-1307

Junior Achievement
Darren Hill, President/CEO Junior Achievement of Saskatchewan 
(306) 955-5267