First Nations and Métis Governance and Communications

The graphic below represents the general structure of First Nations and Métis governance from local rights holders to regional and provincial institutions.

The Métis in Saskatoon and area are represented at the provincial level by Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S), at the regional level by Métis Nation-Saskatchewan Western Region 2A, and at the local level by CUMFI Local #165, Gabriel Dumont Local #11, Saskatoon Métis Local #126, and Victoria Racette Local #11a.

73 of the 75 First Nations in Saskatchewan are represented provincially by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), and seven First Nations are represented regionally by the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC). Locally, there are 22 First Nation rights holders with land interests in Saskatoon and region that include member nations of the Agency Chiefs Tribal Council, Battlefords Tribal Council, Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Prince Albert Grand Council, and Yorkton Tribal Council.

Rights holders refers to First Nations and the Métis who have constitutionally recognized Inherent Rights to traditional resource practices like hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering, the right to practice one’s own culture and customs including language and ceremony, and collective rights to self-government and self-determination. First Nations also hold Treaty Rights, which include the ability to maintain a traditional lifestyle, medals and annuities, harvesting and education rights, and reserve land entitlement, among others. For more information on Inherent and Treaty Rights, visit Office of the Treaty Commissioner.

ayisiyiniwak: A Communications Guide

ayisiyiniwak [a/yi/see/ni/wak, Cree for ‘the people’]: A Communications Guide” (ayisiyiniwak), is part of the City’s commitment to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada’s Call to Action #57, which specifically calls upon governments to: “provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal-Crown relations.”

The guide was initially developed in 2017 by the City, in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC) and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC). It serves as an educational resource for City employees to deepen their understanding of Indigenous culture and practices. 

The second edition of ayisiyiniwak was released in 2019 with the addition of:

• a chapter devoted to Métis culture and local history;
• a new Inuit chapter;
• updated Cree translations;
• new sections within the First Nations chapter including 60’s Scoop, Elder’s Helper, Syllabics, Flag Etiquette, Anthems/Honour Songs, The Grand Entry, Blanketing and Two-Spirit People; and,
• several new terms and suggested resources.

During the development of the 2nd edition, the project team was also privileged to have the guidance of a Cree linguist, several First Nation and Métis Elders and Knowledge Keepers, as well as Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami [ITK].

The Guide is intended to be an adaptive and living document that will continue to evolve as relationships and understanding grow. Visit ayisiyiniwak to download a copy of the guide.