IA Quarterly Meeting - June 11-12, 2024

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          On June 11-12, the Saskatchewan First Nations Family and Community Institute (SFNFCI) hosted its Quarter 1 IA Network Meeting at Prairieland Park. The meeting began with warm welcomes extended to all attendees both in-person and online. Elder Wally Awasis opened our meeting with a prayer, song, and shared knowledge relating to Income Assistance.

          Attendees included Income Assistance/Social Assistance Administrators, Case Management, Pre-Employment Skills Coordinators, SFNFCI staff, and representatives from FSIN and ISC. On Day 1, there were 112 in-person and 14 online participants. On Day 2, there were 70 in-person and 9 online participants. The quarterly meeting had representatives from 50 First Nations/Communities, 4 Tribal Councils, and 3 Organizations.

          On the first day of our meeting, Karen Pelletier gave a brief update on the Social Development side from FSIN. She let us know FSIN was looking for representation for the Social Development Committee and emphasized the importance of forming an advisory group. Karen spoke about the approval of a Political Task Force on Income Assistance and briefly mentioned the upcoming Houseless Shelter Project.

          We then heard from Jason Yew (ISC), who stepped into a new role as the Acting Manager. He touched on the discontinuation of the supplemental/covid fund, noted that IAFNYES is now in year 3 of its pilot project, and mentioned that those approved should have received a letter by now. He also informed us that the PES program was approved for funding for another 3 years. Next on the agenda, Laurie Callum (ISC) went over the Budget and Decision Income Calculation Sheet. We then had a quick update from Kelly Quewezance about Assisted Living.

          The last item on the agenda for the first day was an update from the IA Reform Project (SFNFCI). They called for any interest in joining the reform team. If anyone is interested in joining the IA Reform Project Committee, please get in touch with Maxine (maxine@sfnfci.ca) or Leslie (leslie@sfnfci.ca). The team informed participants that they had completed a draft competency dictionary and shared their plans for the new fiscal year.

          On the second day of the Quarterly Meeting, the agenda included round table updates. Attendees shared brief updates, highlighting successes, challenges, and plans for their communities. At the end of the second day, Elder Wally Awasis sent us off with a prayer and a song.