The Kakisiwew-Ochapowace Nation and the City of Saskatoon are entering a year-long partnership allowing members of the nation to access recreational facilities like leisure centres, outdoor pools, and indoor rinks.
“Recreation is not just about buildings and not just about programs. It’s about belonging, it’s about health, it is about connection and family and the simple but important opportunity to fully participate in your community life,” said Deputy Mayor Holy Kelleher.
A headperson of the nation, Tyler George says this is a significant partnership that will make a difference as it allows families to come together in a healthy way.
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“When we, as nêhiyaw people want to bring families together, live a good life… a lot of it comes from physical wellness. And so, being able to access swimming pools, indoor and outdoor skating rinks, tracks, it’s very exciting for our membership.”
George says being able to be active and have fun as families in these ways helps play a part in reconciliation through family bonding.
“When it comes to families, it’s really important for them to come together, because through colonization, our family systems have always been, well, they’ve been disrupted,” they said, adding, “You know, I talked about our mission and vision statement, being a unified, proud, prosperous sovereign nation. And that unification piece is important for our families so that we can be proud.”
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Although the partnership is only one year long, they look to expand on it in the coming year and open more opportunity for partnerships with the city.
“I’m very hopeful that something like this will open the doors for future partnerships with the city. You know, employment, summer jobs for our people living here. The opportunities I think are wide open and endless for us right now,” said George.
Watch above for more on the new partnership and what it will mean for Ochapowace families in Saskatoon.
Great idea but cost should not be paid by taxpayers that live in Saskatoon. We have the right to know the cost breakdown. Agree with the concept fir these people. And feel seniors should also get a discount rate if a resident of the city
Great idea whom is paying for this ? Are they residents of Saskatoon? And hope the nation is picking up the cost. Not fair for others to pay full price of membership that live in the city and also pay taxes. And seniors dont even get a senior rate. But feel it is a good plan
A few reserves do this in Regina. It’s not a free partnership, lol. The council pays a reduced fee. And if you looked at the utilization it’s prob not even close to anything worth moaning about.
“Shocking”.
Vote-buying at its finest.
All on the taxpayers dime as usual.
All involved are quite pathetic and insufferable.
Yup, it figures. I and my family pay massive taxes yet we can afford the $15+ entry fee per person. But others not paying taxes get free access. Awesome 😎😎😎. Makes me happy to be taxed into poverty while others get free access,
That sounds right the government promotes divisiveness all the time I pay my taxes and don’t get handouts yet I have to pay for people to go there while it’s hard to afford taking my own kids all on the name of colonization I had no part of. It makes so much sense.
It’s no wonder there’s so much division between natives and non natives when our very own government promotes inequality.
I live in City and pay my taxes which have increased ridiculously
Over last 2yrs and I can’t afford to take my family to these facilities !!!!
Can’t afford to keep paying my share plus for others.
Is there a fee? No mention as even a nominal one would be nice as the fees keep increasing each year. It’s not easy to go now.