Memorandum of Understanding concerning Collaboration to increase labour force participation of First Nations through Active Measures in Saskatchewan

between

Agency Chiefs Tribal Council
File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council
Meadow Lake Tribal Council
Saskatoon Tribal Council
Yorkton Tribal Council
Represented by their respective Tribal Chiefs

And

Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada
Represented by the Minister of
Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis
and Non-Status Indians and the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

and

The Government of Saskatchewan
Represented by the Minister of
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration

Whereas:

The Parties have common goals of improving opportunities for Saskatchewan First Nations participation in the economy and for improving Saskatchewan First Nations employment outcomes;

The Parties recognize that Saskatchewan First Nations should actively participate in the development and implementation of Active Measures (i.e., activities to enhance employability of Income Assistance clients) programs and initiatives;

The Parties recognize that Saskatchewan First Nations are at varying stages of development and have differentiated needs, and that Active Measures strategies will require differentiated responses to meet these diverse needs;

In committing to the improvement of First Nations participation in the economy and employment initiatives in Saskatchewan, the Parties to this Memorandum of Understanding shall establish this new relationship based on mutual respect; and

The Parties recognize the need for a formalized tripartite relationship that will guide the collaborative efforts of all Parties in reducing First Nations social assistance dependency by promoting Active Measures in Saskatchewan.

Therefore the Parties have reached the following understanding:

1. Purpose:

1. The purpose of this MOU is to:

1.1 improve Saskatchewan First Nations participation in economic opportunities and readiness for greater access to labour market opportunities;

1.2 enhance collaboration among the Parties for the development of strategies to successfully transition First Nations income assistance recipients to employment through Active Measures; and

1.3 establish and define a collaborative and coordinated tripartite partnership for improving the labour market participation of First Nations people and their communities in Saskatchewan.

Therefore, the Parties agree on the following:

2. Priorities and Actions:

Upon signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, a Tripartite Active Measures Steering Committee be formed to provide leadership and oversee implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding and the commitments therein. The Steering Committee will:

2.1 Consist of - the Chief of each Tribal Council; the Regional Director General Saskatchewan Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada; the Director General, Aboriginal Affairs Directorate, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada; and the Deputy Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration for the Government of Saskatchewan;

2.2 Develop terms of reference for the Steering Committee including clearly defined reporting, governance (including membership expansion/replacement) and accountability mechanisms to monitor progress and the achievement of results;

2.3 Identify priority areas for collaboration on Active Measures, such as:

• youth career planning and skills development;
• strategies to address barriers to training and employment;
• short-term training, including literacy, adult basic education, and essential skills; and
• partnership development with industry, private and public sectors in training and employment opportunities;

2.4 Encourage consistency in the delivery system for income supports to leverage efficiencies and effectiveness in program administration and client service;

2.5 Focus on the development of incentives that enable First Nations to actively support labour market and community development initiatives;

2.6 Produce an on-going work plan that includes activities and actions that relate to the identified priority areas for collaboration;

2.7 Establish a tripartite working group consisting of designated representatives from each Tribal Council, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada/Service Canada, and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration that will make recommendations on priorities, activities, reporting and performance indicator development and report semi-annually to the Steering Committee;

2.8 Report on progress, which may include recommendations on priority areas of collaboration, on an annual basis to the member Chiefs of each Tribal Council, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and the Saskatchewan Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration; and

2.9 Have an initial mandate of two years, at the end of which, the Steering Committee will assess its mandate and progress made under the MOU and report to the signatories.

3. General

3.1 The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Memorandum of Understanding does not create legally enforceable or binding obligations.

3.2 Any Party may withdraw from this Memorandum of Understanding by providing written notice to all other parties. The withdrawal is effective 30 days after written notice is provided.

3.3 The Parties acknowledge that, as progress is made, other Parties may wish to collaborate in the process set out in this Memorandum of Understanding and that as strategies are developed, they will be made available to all Parties.