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New President of SAO from Tisdale and Ministry of Health announce Glaucoma Eye Care expansion in rural and remote areas

Sheila Wanite Bautz
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New President of SAO from Tisdale and Ministry of Health announce Glaucoma Eye Care expansion in rural and remote areas

Sheila Bautz

Special to the Herald

In an announcement earlier this month, the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists (SAO) in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health made an official launch for a two-year Glaucoma Eye Care Pilot Program. The Saskatchewan pilot program will actively reduce travel barriers for time sensitive and vital eye care clinical tests and assessments in an effort to prevent blindness from occurring in patients.

In a diverse and large province with remote and rural communities, travel distances often restrict and delay patients with the ability to attend vital health care appointments. As such, the pilot program is a vital necessity for the province’s rural and remote residents. It seeks to ensure that they receive timely glaucoma care through licenced ophthalmologist appointments that are closer to their home and communities.

“Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists (SAO) applauds the decision by the Ministry of Health to ensure glaucoma care provided by optometrists,” said Dr. Heather Hunter, new President of the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists (SAO). “Optometrists have had the ability to treat glaucoma in Saskatchewan since 2016. Expanding public funded access to glaucoma services will improve access to care, particularly in rural markets.”

Dr. Hunter is from Tisdale and was recently appointed as President of the SAO to represent Saskatchewan at the local, regional and national levels. She owns, operates and is a practitioner at the Tisdale Eye Care Center. 

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the differences between the professions of Ophthalmologist and Optometrist is the level of training received and the areas of expertise the professionals attain in the medical field of eye health care.

The AAO experts inform that an Ophthalmologist is the only optometry care specialist — eye doctor — with a medical degree (MD) or doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO). An Optometrist is not a medical doctor, but instead, they hold a doctor of optometry (OD).

“Ophthalmologists must complete many more years of medical training than optometrists and opticians,” state Jennifer Churchill and Dan Gudgel with the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). “As a result, an ophthalmologist is the most qualified among eye care professionals to diagnose and treat a wide range of eye diseases, beyond the routine eye and vision care provided by an optometrist.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, the eye condition known as glaucoma damages the optic nerve that is located at the back of the eye. The optic nerves are vital for sharp vision and responsible for sending the visual messages to an individual’s brain. However, damage to the optic nerve often results through internal high pressure to the eye due to to various causes. The pressure has the potential to stimulate vision loss or blindness in the eye.

“Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs,” inform the Mayo Clinic Staff in a public statement. “The effect is so gradual that you may not notice a change in vision until the condition is in its later stages.”

The Mayo Clinic also state that the medical condition of glaucoma can result with no obvious symptoms or pressure in the eye. Glaucoma can occur in every age group from infants to seniors in their golden years. In individuals over the age of 60 years old, it is one of the leading causes of blindness.

“We are very pleased to introduce the Glaucoma Care pilot program which will provide this focused care in a more efficient and sustainable way,” said Lori Carr, the Saskatchewan Minister of Rural and Remote Health. “Allowing optometrists to work to the top of their scope of practice enables ophthalmologists to focus on more complex cases and surgical interventions. This will improve patient flow within the health system and expand access for patients across Saskatchewan.”

Eye exams with a licensed optometrist who assesses various aspects of eye health, such as eye pressure tests, are important for early detection of potential eye problems, such as glaucoma. Through monitoring and early detection, glaucoma may be remedied, slowed or prevented. In addition, individuals with diabetes type I and type II are often encouraged by licensed optometrists to maintain regular, routine eye exams every six months to identify potential issues that are diabetes related.

The Saskatchewan Glaucoma Care Pilot Program ensures that provincial residents will have greater access to glaucoma assessment, monitoring, diagnostic testing and follow-up services delivered by licensed optometrists within their legislated scope of practice.

“Expanding publicly funded glaucoma services to include services delivered by optometrists increases patient access to 200 licensed optometrists operating in 42 communities,” said Hunter (SAO). “This will improve access to care, particularly in rural areas of the province.”

As a result, the Glaucoma Care Pilot Program in Saskatchewan has joined other western provinces who already expanded glaucoma care in their demographics. In Saskatchewan, this pilot program ensures consistency with national eye care requirements and approaches for greater accessibility in receiving medically required eye care.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Week is a time to celebrate food, farming & protection of wildlife

Sheila Wanite Bautz
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Saskatchewan Agriculture Week is a time to celebrate food, farming & protection of wildlife

Sheila Bautz

Special to the Herald

Saskatchewan Agriculture Week was celebrated in the Land of the Living Skies from Oct. 5-11 this year, yet the importance extends throughout the month of October.

The week highlights awareness about Saskatchewan’s vibrant province wide agricultural community, the food producers, the culture and the Agriculture sector’s various areas of important involvement, such as with the protection of wildlife and land stewardship.

“Agriculture is an important driver of our provincial economy and integral to our communities’ economic and social wellbeing,” said Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison. “Agriculture Week is an opportunity to celebrate this vital sector, share stories, and recognize farmers, ranchers and agri-businesses who help feed our province, country and the world.”

As such, the week also celebrates the year-round interconnectedness of the farming and ranching culture in various sectors. One of those sectors is the conservation of wildlife and endangered species, which is part of the compounded agricultural responsibilities in the province. Management of vital native grassland is another area that members and producers in the agriculture industry strive for in conservation efforts, which are crucial to sustaining wildlife habitat.

The interconnective aspect of the Agriculture Industry in Saskatchewan demonstrates an important extension of the provincial direct impacts farmers and ranchers make to the environment as well. Through Agriculture’s interconnectedness and the unity it requires to work together and thrive, the web of overall well-being in the province is multi-faceted and multi-specied.

“For Saskatchewan Agriculture Week, we would like to highlight the importance agriculture plays in conservation,” representatives from the South of the Divide Conservation Action Program Inc. (SODCAP Inc.) publicly announced. “Producers are integral to managing our grasslands that forms extensive tracts of habitat for species at risk and the broader range of wildlife populations. Let’s #CelebrateAg and the prairie stewards that work to maintain biodiversity across the Saskatchewan landscape!”

The SODCAP Inc. is one example of the partnership created between agriculture stakeholders and government to implement actions that relate to the South of the Divide Multi-Species Action Plan. Under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996), the federal Government of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan and other territorial governments negotiated an agreement to establish conservation programs. The important legislature that resulted ensures the protection of wildlife species at risk in various Canadian and agricultural demographics. 

According to the public document, Species at Risk Act: A Comprehensive Inventory of Legislative Documents 1973-2017, on March 2 & 3 of 2018, Nadine Hoffman presented the history of the nation of Canada’s legal commitment to protect endangered species since 1973. The resulting nation-wide political agreements involve strategic planning and measures for wildlife protection, as it was recognized that various species of wildlife also work together in a highly functioning ecosystem. Balance is key. 

Through sharing habitats with wildlife, the importance of meeting the individual species requirements and needs is vital for endangered species to thrive in a highly functioning environment – which is often owned by grain and livestock producers. The focus in the South of the Divide Multi-Species Action Plan currently addresses 13 different types of wildlife species, such as the burrowing owl, who are receiving protection due to being identified as “At Risk”, “Threatened”, or “Endangered” in the Species at Risk Act.

Annually, the provincial Ministry of Agriculture partners with Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan to gather various organizations, businesses and communities together. The gathering occurs through direct and indirect connections with the agriculture industry. Saskatchewan residents also exchange and share their stories while fostering understanding about agricultural communities.

According to Farm and Food Saskatchewan’s public statements on Environmental Care, one key role farmers and ranchers continue is their responsibilities to land stewardship and the wildlife inhabitants that are sustained in those environments. This is due to the wide and diverse landscape owned by farmers and ranchers containing multiple bodies of water and food sources that also sustain various species of wildlife, including those endangered, in the ecosystem.  

As a result, the agriculture community makes efforts to ensure proper land management – such as planting native grass – occurs while being obligated to protect water sources, the land and the wildlife species for the next generations.

”Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan is an industry leader in building agriculture awareness in the province,” said Clinton Monchuk, Executive Director for Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan. “Pride in the people who produce food in this province runs deep. Each year Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan has the privilege to lead celebrations for this great agriculture industry. Ag Week allows everyone in Saskatchewan the opportunity to think deeper about how the food they enjoy comes to their family’s table.”

The theme this year for Ag Week, #CelebrateAg, encouraged everyone to enter conversations about food sources and the people behind it – wildlife included. The Saskatchewan government reports that, through a mix of online campaigns, community events, and interactive activities, Ag Week aims to bridge the gap between producers and people. 

Part of the agriculture celebrations throughout the province include the Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan online photo contest. Photographs often capture the landscape, wildlife, and day-to-day operations on farms and ranches throughout the province. The photo contest is ongoing throughout the month of October. Saskatchewan residents are encouraged to continue participating in the photo contest.

Agriculture Week is about celebrating shared values,” stated Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan in a public statement. “We want Canadians to know that we care deeply about the food we produce for them.  Each year, Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan provides a toolkit and ideas to help us all #CelebrateAg together.”

Various organizations and cultures provide important networks in the food and farming industry, demonstrating the central role of interconnectedness Agriculture producers have amongst their fellow sub-cultures in the province. Saskatchewan residents are also encouraged to continue their involvement in the agricultural activities and celebration, which explores the inter-connectiveness of people, cultures and wildlife in the diverse province.

Saskatchewan Women’s History Month: The humanizing power of the vote for non-Indigenous & Indigenous women

Sheila Wanite Bautz
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Saskatchewan Women’s History Month: The humanizing power of the vote for non-Indigenous & Indigenous women

Sheila Bautz

Special to the Herald

This is the second story in a two-part series on Saskatchewan Women’s History Month. Part one ran in Friday’s Daily Herald.

The 1960s provided a pivotal decade in the history of North America overall for both women’s and human rights. The era challenged the status quo, human rights violations and important progressive movements in all sectors for non-Indigenous and Indigenous women.

Across Canada and the USA, a growing movement began to rebalance existing inequalities between cultures and racial differences through various forms of advocacy. This increased the balance in the scales of justice. Along with African American resistance, Indigenous activism opposed systemic oppression in Saskatchewan and beyond.

The Canadian Parliament also enacted the Canada Elections Act. The Act awarded all status First Nations people that were registered, the right to cast a vote in provincial and federal elections.

However, in 1968, according to historical documents dated June 25, the Canadian citizens voting for their representatives who were elected on November 8, 1965, was dissolved on April 23, 1968. The Governor General issued the order as voting arrived again in the short three-year term. For the Governor General to issue such an order is a rare occurrence – as under the British North America Act, Parliament is limited to a maximum of a five year political term before holding the next election.

The historical document issued by Canada in 1968 specifies that “All Canadian citizens, as well as British subjects resident in Canada for twelve months, both male and female and aged 21 and over… Veterans and active members of the Canadian armed forces, both men and women, who have not yet reached the age of 21 on polling day are also eligible to vote.”

The document further categorizes voters who are ineligible to vote as, “However, the mentally ill, persons who have lost their civil and political rights, judges appointed by the Governor-General, the Chief Electoral Officer and his Assistant, and the Returning Officer in each electoral district are disqualified from voting.”

During this time, the Canadian Bill of Rights also passed in parliament and referenced equality and non-discrimination amongst all people in the country.

In the 1970’s, First Nation leader Isabelle McNab from Muskowpetung First Nation became President of the Saskatchewan Indian Women’s Association (SIWA). In 1972, McNab provided a powerful public introduction statement to address the multi-faceted issues that First Nations people faced.

“Shall it soon be that, “the hand that rocks the cradle shall rule the world?” I think not just yet, but Indian Women today are letting other people know what they think and how they feel about problems on the reserves,” said McNab in her public introduction in 1972, “and are now doing something about it in their own way. We now have a voice, called SIWA.”

Working closely with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), SIWA operated independently for over 35 years. The powerful organization addressed the Indian Act and gender inequalities set forth by the federal government. SIWA supported and assisted with advancing the rights of Indigenous women living on reservations and provided a link for the ladies to preserve and promote their culture. SIWA also aligned with the FSIN to counter many challenges together in their mission with Treaty rights, education, political participation and knowledge mobilization.

In 1980, Sadie Cote became the president of SIWA. Her leadership and political advocacy on behalf of Saskatchewan Indigenous women proved instrumental with the inclusion of the province’s Indigenous women in politics. It also addressed raising awareness about the needs of Indigenous women.

In 2006, Joan Beatty, the Federal Minister Responsible for The Status of Women, released a statement addressing the ongoing gender issues in Canada.

“March 14th, 1916, is probably one of the most important historical dates for women living in Saskatchewan,” said Beatty. “Winning the right to vote was a major step forward for Saskatchewan women and it became a stepping stone to even greater social reform and women’s equity rights.”

Prior to The Saskatchewan Elections Act amendments, Saskatchewan’s provincial elections were governed by The Dominion Elections Act 1900. The 1900 Act stipulated, “No woman, idiot, lunatic or criminal shall vote”. The message from the patriarchal government demonstrates the culture women of all ethnic backgrounds faced in the foundation of Canada from 1876. 

“[W]e must also acknowledge the struggles of suffragettes… who played such a major role in championing women’s right to control their own destiny,” Beatty said in 2006. “Over time, women subsequently won the right to legally own property, be guardians of their children, earn their own income and hold public office.”

In 2017, the newly-elected One Arrow First Nation Chieftess Tricia Sutherland — whose mother, Mary Claire, became Chieftess of their First Nation near Batoche in the mid-1990s, released a public statement.

“I think we all run to give back to our communities,” said Sutherland. “The Elders have said there again will be a time when women start leading. The time is here.”

In 2024, past Federal Minister Ien further acknowledged that presently, “[W]omen across all sectors continue to face systemic barriers, including gender-based biases, discrimination, sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and pay equity challenges.”

Saskatchewan Chieftess Historian, Executrix Director of the Royal United Services Institute and Authoress, Kelsey Lonie, recently emphasized the importance of providing a Voice to the women who advocated for Saskatchewan women.

“Throughout Saskatchewan’s history, women have been catalysts for real and lasting change,” said Lonie. “Yet their contributions are often overlooked. By foregrounding their voices and stories this month, we expand the historical record and help future generations understand the full scope of who we are and how we came to be.”

Lonie’s forthcoming book, A Vacation for Victory: An Illustrated History of the Women’s Land Army in Canada (May 2026), explores the successful mobilization and contributions of prairie women during World War Two.

Record Number of Saskatchewan Tourism Businesses are Finalists for the 2025 Canadian Tourism Awards

Sheila Wanite Bautz
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Record Number of Saskatchewan Tourism Businesses are Finalists for the 2025 Canadian Tourism Awards

Sheila Bautz, Special to the Herald

For the province of Saskatchewan, 2025 marks a record-breaking year for the province’s businesses and tourist industry leaders for nation-wide awards in various Canadian tourism categories.

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) announced the short-list on Oct. 9. Out of the TIAC’s twelve categories that recognize tourism excellence across Canada, there are seven Saskatchewan businesses and tourist industry exemplary individuals selected as finalists, some in multiple categories. A majority of the Canadian tourism award categories consist of selecting three finalists across the nation as contenders to become recipients of a Canadian Tourism Award in their category.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to congratulate the finalists who will be representing our province at the Canadian Tourism Awards,” said Alana Ross, Saskatchewan’s Minister Responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan. “This record number of finalists speaks to the vibrancy and strength of Saskatchewan’s tourism industry, as well as the dedication, creativity and passion of its people.”

The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented by the TIAC, which is based in Ottawa. Founded in 1930, TIAC states that the organization is the national private-sector advocate for the $130 billion tourism industry sector. TIAC also recognizes and awards tourism businesses across Canada, and the people who are involved in tourism.

“The best and brightest in Canada’s tourism industry,” is how the TIAC describes the finalists for the awards on their website. “From outstanding teams and organizations to individual luminaries who surpass all expectations, exemplifying a commitment to provide nothing short of exceptional tourism experiences from coast to coast to coast.”

There are three finalists in each tourism award category, with an exception in one category that resulted in a tie to become a finalist — making four finalists. Another category is narrowed down to two finalists.

In the Indigenous Tourism Award category, Saskatchewan tourist businesses Dakota Dunes Resort from Whitecap and Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatoon are two of the three finalists across Canada. The recipient of the award must demonstrate authentic Indigenous cultural tourism while promoting and enhancing the growth of tourism in their demographic. This includes through employment initiatives, advancement of Indigenous culture, diversity, inclusion and visitor satisfaction of quality, authentic tourist experiences — amongst other criteria listed by TIAC.

In the category of Business of the The Year, Ag in Motion from Langham and the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina are finalists. The award recognizes corporate Canadian events that enhance the appeal of the demographic destination while elevating the province’s profile along with creating national awareness. According to TIAC, business event’s that are selected must make economic impacts within the region and beyond, and show a strong community involvement with a commitment to continued growth, innovation and product development, along with other criteria.

For the Tourism Employee of the Year Award, Thomas Royal Anderson with Dakota Dunes Resort in Whitecap, Saskatchewan, is a finalist. The TIAC award recognizes front-line employees demonstrating a high level of professionalism, leadership, positive attitude, dedication, and quality service. As such, Royal Anderson represents excellence in the Canadian tourism industry.

Dakota Dunes Resort is also a finalist for the Tourism Employer of the Year award. In this category, businesses must be visionary. According to TIAC, finalists are selected for their multiple and multi-tiered abilities to lead and create a positive workplace culture. This includes incentives, empowerment and integrity for all involved in a diverse workplace in tourism. The businesses must also demonstrate a commitment to fostering equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Workplace safety and security is also a criteria for this award.

From Saskatoon, Blackstrap Glamping Resort is a finalist in the Small or Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award. This tourism award recognizes businesses with fewer than 20 employees. The business, according to TIAC standards of excellence, must demonstrate being exemplary of the Canadian tourist industry’s best practices through their business models, strategies and commitment to growth and development in the tourist sector.

In the category of Travel Media Professional of the Year Award, there are only two finalists. One of those finalists is The Saskatchewanderer from Regina. This award by TIAC recognizes outstanding storytelling that is unique and engaging in perspective. According to the TIAC, the candidate must demonstrate a robust portfolio of extensive travel media work celebrating and showcasing Canada’s tourist spots, while creating promotion. In addition, criteria for the category includes media professionals, such as The Saskatchewanderer, who surface and champion the hidden gems as tourist spots in Canada.

In Saskatoon, the Field to Shield by Adventure Destination is one of four finalists in the Culinary Tourism Experience Award category due to a tie between finalists. The culinary tourist experience involves preparing and cooking food, and preparing beverages. According to TIAC, the candidate must demonstrate innovation in showcasing the authentic culinary experiences in their region, their province. This category also requires that the business exemplify the country of Canada on an International level as a culinary destination experience.

Saskatchewan businesses, employees, and events have a long history of regularly being selected for recognition at the annual Canadian Tourism Awards, with regular past winners across multiple sectors related to tourism.

“Tourism Saskatchewan applauds the businesses and individuals nominated for their impressive work and we are delighted to extend heartfelt congratulations to these fine ambassadors for our province and industry,” said Jonathan Potts, the CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan.

“These distinguished finalists are industry leaders who strive to deliver on the promise made to their guests. This recognition at the national level is most deserved and shines a bright spotlight on our province.”

The Annual Canadian Tourism Awards presented by TIAC recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada’s tourism industry. The organization also rewards individuals, demographics, organizations and the tourist events that excel with providing travelers with superior tourism experiences across Canada.

The 2025 Canadian Tourism Awards will be held in Gatineau, Québec, at the Tourism Congress on November 18 to the 20th of this year. A complete list of the 2025 Canadian Tourism Award finalists is available on the TIAC website.

Saskatchewan Women’s History Month: The humanizing power of the vote for non-Indigenous & Indigenous women

Sheila Wanite Bautz
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Saskatchewan Women’s History Month: The humanizing power of the vote for non-Indigenous & Indigenous women

Sheila Bautz

Special to the Herald

This is the first story in a two-part series on Saskatchewan Women’s History Month. Part two will run in Saturday’s Daily Herald.

The province of Saskatchewan is celebrating Women’s History Month, a time to explore and recognize the multi-cultural and vast contributions from both non-Indigenous and Indigenous women in Saskatchewan. Such contributions have — and continue to — make advancements with creating a progressive society.

“The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed October as Women’s History Month, and I encourage everyone to celebrate the women who made a difference in our lives and continue to move us forward,” said the Alana Ross, Saskatchewan Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. “We owe a great deal of thanks to the women in Saskatchewan who broke barriers, made history, and changed the world through perseverance and immense effort.”

In 1917, Saskatchewan women won the historical right to vote and be accepted as human beings with human rights. However, it took until 1929 for Canada’s highest court of appeal to recognize and legally define a woman as “a person”. During the Second World War, the women, now known as “people” because the courts at this point admitted that they were, continued to perform hard labour and strenuous work —  but with pay — by filling more occupational roles in factories and on farm land due to the men going off to war.

The previous Federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality Canada, Marci Ien, launched the beginning of the 2024 Women’s History Month in October last year with powerful statements.

“We would not be where we are today without the women in Canada, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to advance the rights of women and promote gender equality,” said Ien. “During October, we celebrate Women’s History Month as a time to commemorate and honour these women.”

In October 1992, the Government of Canada launched the first annual Women’s History Month to recognize the historic decision in 1929. However, the voting rights won by non-Indigenous women in Saskatchewan in 1917 did not initially apply equally for First Nations and Indigenous women. First Nations and Indigenous people were not recognized or defined as a person, and were continually denied the right to vote or hire legal representation until decades later.

Past Federal Minister Ien further acknowledged in 2024 that presently, “We also must recognize that the journey toward gender equality is inextricably linked with intersectionality, and acknowledge that the diverse experiences of women—across race, ethnicity, ability, and identity—shape their unique challenges and contributions to our society, at home, at work and beyond.”

After women won the right to vote in 1917, the first elected woman government representative in Saskatchewan, Sarah Ramsland, was successfully elected into the Saskatchewan Legislature after her husband, Magnus, died shortly after winning his elected seat. She was elected twice and served the Pelly District from 1919 to 1925. Historical documents from the Government of Canada state that in the final hours of Ramsland’s second term, she “called for an amendment to grant women the same right as men to apply for divorce on the grounds of a spouse’s adultery.”

However, the evolution of First Nations and Indigenous women’s legal voting rights demonstrates a long, winding path continuously blocked and full of patriarchal legal loopholes intended to maintain the dominant colonial patriarch culture of the time.

From Confederation until 1920, The Indian Act set up by the Federal government ensured that First Nations people could not vote in federal or provincial elections. The government’s law and legal standard to test if someone was “a person” viewed First Nations people as wards of the state incapable of managing their own affairs. As such, this law was designed by the government to practice coercive control over First Nations people’s best interests.

When it came to the human right to cast a vote in a democracy, the only First Nations people who were allowed to vote at that time were those considered to be successfully enfranchised. Canadian history tells us that only 250 First Nations people nation-wide were allowed to vote as a result.

Enfranchisement required a First Nations voter to have a university education, and a probation period of three years. However, due to the cultural and physical genocide occurring in residential schools — coupled with historic mounds of evidence demonstrating various abuses, bias, oppression and inequality – all contributed to ensuring First Nations people failed during this time. As such, many First Nations people were also purposely prevented from becoming enfranchised.

Beginning in 1951, First Nations men who applied for enfranchisement were required by law to provide the name of their wife and children. By doing so, they would then also be enfranchised and allowed to vote at their legal voting age. Until 1985, Aboriginal women continued to lose their Indian status if they married a white man.

In 1954 in Saskatchewan, Gwen O’Soup of the Key First Nation became the province’s first post-treaty female chief, otherwise known as a Chieftess. O’Soup was 24 years old at the time. According to the Federation of Sovereign First Nations (FSIN), the federation publicly affirmed O’Soup was also Canada’s first elected female Chief(tess).

With O’Soup elected in as the first Chieftess in Saskatchewan and Canada, the success of the election reignited a succession of First Nations women becoming a Chieftess. Also voted in were Alphonsine Lafond of Muskeg Lake Cree First Nation in 1960, Piapot’s Cree First Nation’s Rose Desjarlais in 1969, and Carry the Kettle Nakoda First Nation’s Jessie Saulteaux in 1971.   The elected Chieftesses represent one type of First Nations leadership. Many Indigenous women continued to establish careers as doctors, professors and educators, lawyers, social workers, and protectors of resources that sustain life.

The Physician Assistant profession expands as Saskatchewan launches new program

Sheila Wanite Bautz
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0
The Physician Assistant profession expands as Saskatchewan launches new program

Sheila Bautz

Special to the Herald

On Sept. 12, the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) held the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program welcoming ceremony. The education and training program creates a new health care position in the province of Saskatchewan, which is another nation-wide first for Canada.

Saskatchewan is reported as the only jurisdiction in the country to seize the opportunity and take the innovative approach to train Physician Assistants (PA). A PA is a medical profession that traces back four decades to the Canadian Military.

“Welcoming the first students to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program is a proud moment for Saskatchewan,” said Ken Cheveldayoff, Saskatchewan Minister for Advanced Education. “This program reflects our commitment to expanding high-quality, locally delivered education that meets the evolving needs of our communities and creates rewarding career pathways for Saskatchewan students.”

The 24-month long MPAS program is a milestone and a bold step for the Government of Saskatchewan’s health care strategy plan. In 2023, legislation was introduced to allow the new PA profession to become licensed to practice in the province. At that time, the provincial government announced a $1.3 million investment in training professionals for PA positions. The health care PA profession became regulated under The Medical Profession Amendment Act, 2023. The development of the two-year MPAS program received in excess of $7 million from the Saskatchewan government.

Last month, the launch of the Saskatchewan government’s new PA training program celebration began with a traditional prayer in Indigenous language by Elizabeth Duroche.

“I extend my congratulations to this program, Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program. Awesome,” said Elizabeth Duroche, Indigenous Coordinator at USask and Language Keeper, “and I think with any ceremony or any program that’s come on campus, it makes us look deeper into some of these initiatives that are going out into the workforce, into the community to share that knowledge with others — especially in community health organizations, in community health clinics, and just conversing every day with people.”

Originally from Île-à-la-Crosse, Duroche further stated, “I talked a lot about partnership key words: working together. Key words, we’ve asked Creator to bless us and honor us in our walks and walk us in a direction that is going to be working together – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners.”

Physician Assistants (PAs) are trained healthcare providers from diverse backgrounds who are selected to work under the mentorship and supervision of a physician. Upon successful completion of the advanced educational training proceeding to an official license to practice, PAs provide vital health care services. A PA’s key duties include patient examinations, ordering and interpreting tests, and writing prescriptions.

As a result, PAs are involved in medical areas such as primary care, long-term care, emergency medicine, cancer care and surgical specialties – to name a few. As such, PAs practical training involves vast clinical and medical team settings to compound their existing knowledge and experience, which improves Saskatchewan patient’s access to quality care.

 The welcoming ceremony celebrated 20 selected candidates for USask’s MPAS program from a candidate pool of 340 applications. Saskatchewan students represent 75 per cent of the selected candidates, as 15 of the 20 successful applicants are Saskatchewan residents.

“We are excited to support the growth of the Physician Assistant profession by launching the USask MPAS program,” said Dr. Sarah Forgie MD, Dean at the College of Medicine. “There was an enthusiastic response from applicants, and we have an exceptional group of students that is both connected to this province and brings diverse perspectives and educational backgrounds to the program.”

A couple of the PA positions involve dual roles: one in a clinical setting and the other as an instructor. The dual employment positions liaison between the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and the College of Medicine with both clinical and teaching roles. The SHA and USask designed these positions to fulfill a key role in the educational training of future PAs.

The new trainees dedicated to becoming a PA must strictly adhere to the Registrar-approved Practice Description and contract requirements to actively practice healthcare procedures, analysis, and treatments during their training. PAs can not practice independently and are restricted in their authority. The trainees are only allowed to perform medical practice procedures that are directly authorized by their medical supervisor. The PA supervisor must also be a regulated member with the legal rights to perform the medical procedures.

“I am interested in furthering my education in order to provide care in both urban and rural areas,” said Rachel Rosin, MPAS program student and cardiovascular technologist. “I look forward to being a member of the cohort helping to pave the way for the future of Physician Assistants in the province.”

PAs are not to be confused with Clinical Assistants (CAs), which are two separate medical field practice areas. The difference between a PA and a CA is that CAs are trained Physicians with unfulfilled requirements that are necessary to attain their clinical licensing. A license grants professionals the ability to operate a fully independent medical practice.

“I became a Physician Assistant in 2010 during my 35-years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Ashley Millham, Director of Learners, practicing PA for the SHA and with the MPAS program. “My career offered multiple opportunities to deploy into remote regions around the world, where access to health care providers had a clear and often serious impact on the wellbeing of communities. In Saskatchewan, the addition of Physician Assistants to the health care delivery team will help to improve access for patients across our province.”

The history of PAs in Canada involves the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 1984 when CAF created the terminology “Physician Assistant”. The profession originally was known as Senior Medical Technician or 6B medics who fulfilled necessary medical roles for senior medics. Due to the military requiring the much-needed medical professionals, a nation-wide spotlight created interest in PAs across Canada by 1991, popularizing the PA profession. As such, the Canadian Military Physician Assistant graduates were initially and formally trained as Canadian Physician Assistants.

“Integrating Physician Assistants into our health system will improve access to a range of health services, support continuity of care and enable physicians to see more patients in a timely manner,” said Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan Minister of Health. “This new health care provider group will bring an important contribution to enhancing care and strengthening health teams and I am very pleased to see the first Physician Assistants already practicing in our province.”

The requirements to become a licensed Physician Assistant is under Bylaw 2.13.1, which requires PAs to meet certain professional requirements before council issues a licence to a fully trained PA.

“There is immense opportunity for Physician Assistants to provide expanded access to care and reduce wait times for people seeking care in various areas of medicine,” said Dr. Rashaad Hansia, a SHA Integrated Regina Health Physician Executive. “Physician Assistants are specially trained to provide clinical support, allowing physicians to spend more time with more complex patients. Physicians and PAs work together to improve the health and wellbeing of patients and communities.”

According to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS), the requirements to become a PA include proficiency in the English language and Currency of Practice. Currency of Practice involves the PA having 3 years of active, independent practice with an additional completion of 5 months minimum of practice within the past 5 years. Other stipulations required are a demonstration of good character, compliance with the law, moral integrity, and extensive professional documents.

Transcending Beyond Care: Saskatchewan government announces new rural Medical Residency Seats in Nipawin and Melfort

Sheila Wanite Bautz
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Transcending Beyond Care: Saskatchewan government announces new rural Medical Residency Seats in Nipawin and Melfort

Sheila Bautz

Special to the Herald

Physician training opportunities are expanding across Saskatchewan due to the partnership between the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) College of Medicine. As a result, the Department of Academic Family Medicine is adding four new residency training seats with two in Nipawin and two in Melfort for the 2026 Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS).

“Our government is very happy to support the addition of new training opportunities for medical residents here in the province,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “Expanding residency seats in Nipawin and other locations [Melfort] in the province aligns with our commitment to improve access to health care in Saskatchewan and we encourage new residents to consider building their practice here in the future.”

The new medical residency training seat expansion builds on the inclusion of residency seats added three years ago in Moosomin, Weyburn and Humboldt. Over the past five years, the training opportunities in family medicine rose to 20 seats. Through the 2026 CaRMS match, the College of Medicine is offering 68 training seats also.

“This announcement reflects a strong commitment from our provincial government to strengthening the health care system here in Nipawin,” said Mayor Marlon Zacharias. “As the Regional Hub of the Northeast, expanding training opportunities for future physicians will highlight the Exceptional by Nature philosophy that defines our community and we believe that once new doctors experience what Nipawin has to offer, they will choose to stay and build their careers here. We sincerely thank the provincial government for this investment in Nipawin’s health care future and look forward to its success.”

The CaRMS organization publicly state that “Every year we match thousands of medical students and residents to the training positions needed to put them on the path to practicing medicine in Canada. We connect applicants with Canadian medical faculty training positions in a fair, competitive process.” An independent organization, CaRMS states they provide transparent applications and a matching process to place residents with, and services for, the Canadian medical educations community.

The importance of rural hospitals is known by the residents in rural and remote locations across the province. The natural settings and unique demographic of Saskatchewan require progressive solutions, particularly at a time when the province is in an accelerated growth in all sectors with an increasing population.

Medical experts from the United States of America (USA) also confirmed through a publicly released 2022 study on rural health care success that there are key elements and strategies practices. The study, entitled Beyond patient care: a qualitative study of rural hospitals’ role in improving community health, involved four American medical experts in the fields of Surgical Oncology, Health Policy and Management.

“In rural communities, hospitals are frequently the primary organization with the resources and capabilities to address health issues. This characteristic highlights their potential to be a partner and leader for community health initiatives,” state Dr. Mochamad Muska Nataliansyah from the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr Xi Zhu with the Fileding School of Public Health USCLA in California, and Dr. Thomas Vaughn and Dr. Keith Mueller with the University of Iowa.

According to Nataliansyah, Zhu, Vaughn and Mueller, the motivation for their study was to gather a full understanding about the success for rural community hospitals. The team of medical experts conducting the research interviews selected four USA rural hospital leaders who demonstrated a commitment to their communities.

Upon completion of gathering data, researchers Nataliansyah, Zhu, Vaughn and Mueller identified three types of motivation that improve community health. They are internal values, economic conditions and social responsibilities. The team of experts also discovered and publicly revealed in their 2022 study that the key strategies for succes in rural hospitals is building capacity, building relationships and building programs.

“It is encouraging to see increased training opportunities for Melfort and hope the medical residents will be inspired to stay and build their future practice here,” said Mayor Glenn George. “I am grateful to the provincial government for providing these new residencies to our community and I look forward to all the good things that are coming to the Northeast in health care.”

Earlier this year, CaRMS matched 54 local graduate residents from USask’s College of Medicine to remain in Saskatchewan. There were 147 medical residents in total who were a match for the prairie province.

“Where learners train strongly impacts where they practice,” said Dr. Sarah Forgie (MD), Dean at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. “Continuing to grow training opportunities across the province is a priority for our college, and these new resident doctor positions will strengthen health care supports for people in the area.”

Representatives from both regions are looking forward to increased health care providers and services.

“This announcement brings great news for the Town of Nipawin and the surrounding area,” said Terri Bromm, MLA for Carrot River Valley. “With this addition of two new residency seats, we are building opportunities to expand patient care in rural communities.” 

“We recognize and appreciate all the hard work our doctors have done in our community and across the province,” said Todd Goudy, MLA for Melfort. “With this announcement, we are excited to see more training and recruitment opportunities for physicians in Saskatchewan.”

The Government of Saskatchewan states that the new medical residency seats are expected to launch training by July 1, 2026.

The Vision of First Nations Businesses: Athabasca Basin Development invests equity in First Nations Bank of Canada for national growth

Sheila Wanite Bautz
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The Vision of First Nations Businesses: Athabasca Basin Development invests equity in First Nations Bank of Canada for national growth

Sheila Wanite Bautz

Special to the Herald

Recently, five Indigenous investors successfully reached a $9 million equity investment with the First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC). One of the five Indigenous investors is the investment firm Athabasca Basin Development from Prince Albert with a second office in Saskatoon.

“We are pleased to invest in this strong and well-established business,” said Geoff Gay, CEO of Athabasca Basin Development. “We see a lot of growth happening for Indigenous groups, and FNBC is well positioned to service them. This was an excellent opportunity for us to continue our work growing wealth for the Athabasca communities, and we look forward to supporting First Nations Bank as they continue their plans for growth and expansion.”

The Indigenous investment firm states that the key to their success is a strong focus on the creation of wealth and reinvesting finances through identifying lucrative opportunities by either acquiring, launching or continuing the growth of existing companies.

Established in 2002, the Indigenous investment firm expanded to include complete or partial ownership in companies delivering a vast range of services. Athabasca Basin Development’s investments into established companies include industrial security, skilled workforce supply, drilling and aviation to name a few.

Due to a rising demand in the First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC) core commercial lending business — and through launching programs in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) — the new capital funding supports the FNBC’s continued loan book expansion.

The CIB is focused on being an impact investor with a goal to develop infrastructures that Canadian residents require and need. The specialized bank for infrastructure states that they deliver outcomes in the areas of sustainable economic growth, connected communities and energy competitiveness.

“Indigenous Nations and communities are on the rise in this country, with this capital investment we plan to keep pace with Indigenous Nations and be the lender of choice for Indigenous-led growth,” said Bill Lomax, President and CEO of First Nations Bank of Canada. “We stand proud to be building a bank that is owned by Indigenous communities and works for Indigenous communities.”

The FNBC was founded in 1996 and is 88 per cent Indigenous owned, operated and controlled. The financial institution focuses on serving Indigenous people in Canada, along with non-Indigenous people, corporations and governments. The FNBC report that, in recent years, there is an increasing demand for lending to Indigenous governments, entrepreneurs, and businesses across Canada. The financial institutes funding is set to scale up lending under its CIB Indigenous land development loan program and the banks recently launched the FNBC-BDC Indigenous Business Acquisition loan program.

Geographically, the Athabasca Basin is a Northern area in Saskatchewan with a land base that covers over a quarter of the province’s demographic. There are seven Indigenous communities in the Athabasca Basin, which is largely composed of the Dene First Nations. This includes Fond du Lac, Stony Rapids, Black Lake, Hatchet Lake, Wollaston Lake, Camsell Portage and Uranium City. The demographic has little to no infrastructure, such as accessible roads that are scarce, while hosting the world’s richest high-grade uranium deposits.

The company, Athabasca Basin Development, is owned by the seven communities in the Athabasca area. As a result, there are endless opportunities to maximize local community participation in the mining industry, such as employment opportunities.

The other four communities’  who are investors include Whitefish Lake First Nation on Treaty 6 in Alberta. There are two First Nations from British Columbia, which are Úújǫ Developments on Treaty 8 and Doig River First Nation on Treaty 8. The fourth community is Dáanaa Jíli (Cache) Trust in the Yukon.

“This equity raise is a strong endorsement of our strategy and the trust that Indigenous communities across Canada place in FNBC,” said Lomax. “These are not just investors – they are partners in building an Indigenous-led financial institution capable of accelerating economic reconciliation and driving prosperity in our communities.”

Since 2023 when Lomax became President and CEO of the FNBC, the bank publicly states that Lomax led his team to the expansion of the lending capacity for the bank. Lomax accomplished the first goal through a $100M loan participation agreement with the CIB in 2024. This loan assisted in financing the construction of new Indigenous infrastructure projects. Presently, a $100M initiative with BDC is reported to accelerate the acquisition of existing businesses by Indigenous communities and organizations.

Currently, the FNBC is seeking to secure up to $50 million in equity capital over the coming year. FNBC states that the proceeds will further strengthen the bank’s ability to serve Indigenous economic development and expand its national reach.

The Wheatland Express Excursion Train: a historical experience with teamwork between Wakaw and Cudworth

Sheila Wanite Bautz
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The Wheatland Express Excursion Train: a historical experience with teamwork between Wakaw and Cudworth

Sheila Bautz

The Wheatland Express Excursion Train is a tourist attraction that operates for six months throughout the year between Cudworth and Wakaw. The two prairie towns work together to create historical adventures on the train covering a landscape rich in history. The memorable tourism experiences include the opportunity to book private special tours and customized themes.

 This year’s public excursion train themes attracting tourists include The Great Prairie Train Heist with an 1892 time era setting, Nightmare Express and the Magical Christmas Express. As the tourist attraction momentum builds, international visitors from across Europe and as far away as Africa are partaking in the excursion train experience.

“We have increased tours next year for the 2026 season from 16. Our aim is for between 25 and 30 train excursions,” said Haley Beswick, the Wheatland reservation specialist. “We just started the Train Heist theme this year. People really love the Murder Mystery theme too.”

On board the Wheatland Express train is a gift shop, overnight rooms and two bars with the ability to accommodate passengers for meals. Both hospitable communities offer an array of stores, with more tourist attraction businesses set to open for the 2026 tourist season in Cudworth, further stimulating economic development in rural Saskatchewan.

Historical Figures & Landmarks

There are beautiful historical buildings in both communities, including a replica of John George “Dief the Chief” Diefenbaker’s first law office that was opened in Wakaw and later moved to Prince Albert. Diefenbaker became Canada’s 13th Prime Minister — once he established himself extensively as a defence lawyer. 

Diefenbaker, who had a love for trains, supported civil rights for all people, social justice and championed the Canadian Bill of Rights. In the 1960’s, for the first time in Canadian history, he granted the extension for the right to vote to First Nations people. Prior to this, the Indian Act required First Nations people to give up their Treaty rights. 

“There are more opportunities to meet the people when you go by train, than anywhere else,” said Diefenbaker in a historical speech. “People feel – when you meet them in this way – that they are part and parcel of your thinking, and they feel that they have been personally recognized, as they have been by the fact that you have chosen to visit with them. Their problems, your problems.”

Diefenbaker also nominated the first Indigenous Member of the Senate, James Gladstone, from the Blood Nation in Alberta and appointed Canada’s first ever female cabinet minister, Ellen Fairclough. As Prime Minister, wheat sales to China and agricultural reform revitalized western agriculture under his leadership.

“My friends, this is a time for greatness in planning for Canada’s future,” said Diefenbaker during his political office. “Unity demands it. Freedom requires it. Vision will ensure it. My purpose and my aim will be to lay the foundations of this nation for a great and a glorious future.”

In a nation-wide, high-profile train wreck legal case in 1950, Diefenbaker represented Alfred John “Jack” Atherton in R. v. Atherton, also known as the Canoe River case. Atherton was a railway telegrapheraccused of causing the train crash when two trains collided head-on, killing 4 locomotive crew members and 17 soldiers on their way to Korea. Diefenbaker secured a not guilty of manslaughter verdict. 

During his administration, Diefenbaker loved to travel the country by train. Prior to his death, his planned elaborate funeral included a final train journey across Canada with a burial in Saskatoonbeside the Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker Centre at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).

The railway connecting Cudworth and Wakaw also carries an interesting history on its rails. 

“This piece of rail is a Canadian national branch line. It was called —  is called — the Cudworth subdivision, but before that, it was a branch-line for a railroad called the Grand Trunk Pacific,” said Bill Noble in a public interview. “That railway was part of the last great transcontinental railway that was built about the turn of the 20th century. It took them from 1905 until 1914 to build the main line from Quebec city to Winnipeg to Prince Rupert.” 

Noble, a train enthusiast, is a former aviation expert and real-life rocket scientist who is the conductor on the Wheatland Express Excursion Train.

“This line that we’re riding on, was designed to funnel business into the main line. Canadian National no longer owns this line,” said Noble. “It’s now owned by a consortium of towns — Wakaw, Cudworth and Rural Municipalities Fish Creek, Hoodoo —  and they are Wheatland Rail and they own the tracks and the infrastructure, if you will. This train is actually owned by the Wheatland Express, which is a separate company, but we’re also — and more importantly — we’re also a registered charity so anything we make goes back into the system.”

The Entertainment & Employment Opportunities

During the summer, the Family Summer Express themes are highly popular with children, as is the Halloween and Christmas themes. Especially designed for families with children 10 years old and under, the summer adventures create an electricity of energy as children are entertained by magicians and balloon artists, and offered face paintings.

In addition, youth employment opportunities are created in the rural setting due to the excursion train business initiative between the prairie towns. This includes the hired acting crew from the Buttered Ghost Theatre Group and the increasing student employment opportunities for youth over the summer months.

The Buttered Ghost Theatre company provides the acting cast who perform and improvise interactive drama for the tourists. Saskatchewan actors and actresses play out the various themes, such as the Train Robbery Heist that has a Robin Hood vibe as all money collected from passengers on the excursion train is donated to various charities. 

“The company is absolutely wonderful,” said Beswick. “They also work with the Cursor Clinic Theater, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan and The Fringe on Broadway and the Broadway Theater. Every year the actors switch it up — switch up the storyline and everything — so that’s pretty popular.”

The characters on the excursion train include Mayor Quincy Calloway, who is played by Graheame Kent, the creator and producer of the various interactive performances. Sheriff Presper Breakstone is played by Jacob Yaworski. The role of Gertrude Rosendale is played by Johanna Arnott, the Assistant Producer. Over 14 other actors and actresses are involved in the excursion train theme performances. 

Andrea Richardson and Crystal Wilms provide horse and wagon rides to the passengers arriving by train in Cudworth. Bonnie and Clyde, the team of Belgium cross horses, stand patiently waiting for the tourists to depart from the excursion train adventures.  

“We work for the Wheatland Express and we’re gonna have a train rolling by here right away,” said Wilms, “and people are going to get off and we’re gonna give wagon rides to everybody on the train.” 

Inside the Cudworth train station built in 1925, the era’s furniture and decor remains. The train station is also filled with donated antique items in rooms with themes. Various original documents are on display. On the top floor, some theme rooms represent various ethnic cultures. In other rooms, tourists step back in time to view children’s classroom educational material and a medical office.

“Some people want to come up here [to look around],” said Taylor Mcivor, a first year USask student entering Social Work studies and hired for the summer, “so, we wanted to represent different cultures that came to settle in Cudworth and homestead it.”

Saskatchewan as an increasingly popular tourism hot spot involves Cudworth and Wakaw, which are an hour from Prince Albert, The Great Gateway to The North. The historical Batoche is a short distance from both prairie towns where hotel and motel rooms, along with camping accommodations, are available.

The Wheatland Express Train Excursions contribute to the province’s economic growth, increasing business operations and employment opportunities with multiple venues and offshoot businesses.

Fall CHIF joint infrastructure funding applications open for Saskatchewan communities and organizations

Sheila Wanite Bautz
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Fall CHIF joint infrastructure funding applications open for Saskatchewan communities and organizations

Sheila Bautz, Special to the Herald

The Government of Saskatchewan opened applications for the Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) for all provincial communities and organizations.

Eligible communities and organizations throughout the province are encouraged to submit applications to the CHIF Provincial-Territorial (PT) Stream until noon on Friday, November 28, 2025.

In March, the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan finalized the 10-year long term agreement for CHIF. Under the CHIF program, the Government of Canada is providing $187.9 million and the Government of Saskatchewan is allotting $155 million for capital infrastructure projects. The projects address and remedy important housing-enabling infrastructure priorities related to water issues. The projects must demonstrate a dedication to new construction, rehabilitation or for expansion projects, including for hybrid and natural infrastructure. 

“The Government of Saskatchewan is committing more than $155 million towards this program to add additional options towards affordability for all residents of our province,” said Eric Schmalz, the Saskatchewan Minister of Government Relations. “The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund offers additional options to deliver on this promise by enabling communities to thrive. Our government continues to make Saskatchewan a great place to live, work and raise a family.” 

The cost sharing between the federal and provincial governments includes a federal contribution of 40 per cent and a provincial contribution of 33.33 per cent for a majority of the projects. There are two exceptions to the cost sharing. Indigenous applications will receive up to 100 per cent of the cost for vital water-related infrastructure, pending previous agreements with the federal government while the provincial government’s contribution is capped at 25 per cent. For-profit Private Sector project applications are allocated funding of up to 25 per cent from the federal government no funding available from the province of Saskatchewan for those projects. 

“Strong communities start with strong infrastructure. By investing in critical systems like drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater management, this agreement lays the foundation for sustainable growth and more housing across Saskatchewan,” said The Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. “Through this partnership, we’re making sure that communities have the infrastructure they need to support families today and into the future.”

Eligible CHIF Indigenous applicants include a variety of qualifying political and business sector areas. Indigenous governments and governing bodies include band councils. Band councils must be defined within the meaning of Section 2 of the Indian Act. First Nation, Inuit and Métis governments or authorities who are established in a Self-Government Agreement are eligible to apply for CHIF. As well, First Nation, Inuit and Métis governments or authorities in a Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement between His Majesty the King that has been approved, given effect and declared valid by federal legislation are eligible to apply. 

In addition, the eligibility for capital infrastructure projects applications extends to First Nation, Inuit or Métis governments that are established by or under federal, territorial or provincial legislation incorporating a governance structure. As well, Indigenous not-for-profit organizations whose central mandate is to improve Indigenous outcomes and Indigenous development corporations can make an application.

Other non-Indigenous eligible CHIF applicants include a variety of government and public sectors, including the provincial government. Municipal governments that qualify must be established under, or by, a provincial or territorial statue. Applications from the public sector body are expected to meet the specified requirements for their category.

“Infrastructure investments are key to fostering sustainable growth in our communities,” said Schmalz. “The Government of Saskatchewan is actively engaging with partners and stakeholders in continuing to provide a foundation for building a strong, safe and secure Saskatchewan. CHIF will be instrumental in enhancing Saskatchewan’s development and we strongly urge eligible applicants to apply.”

Additional eligible capital infrastructure projects applications include incorporated not-for-profit organizations and the for-profit private-sectors. For-profit private-sectors must be working with an eligible government sector, public sector or Indigenous applicant.

“Families in Saskatchewan deserve to live and work in communities with reliable and modern infrastructure,” said Buckley Belanger, Member of the House of Commons and Secretary of State Rural Development. “By working with our partners to improve critical systems like drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste management, we are helping communities strengthen services and support more housing for the future.”

The Government of Canada stipulates that all provinces and territories involved in the combined $5 billion investment through the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) across the country for the CHIF program, must finalize the agreements and commit to the key housing-enabling conditions to receive the allocated funds. The HICC program includes two funding steams, which are the Direct Delivery stream and the Provincial-Territorial agreement stream (PT).

The Direct Delivery stream delivers $1 billion over eight years directly to the recipients to address vital infrastructure needs, and to create more housing. At least 10 per cent of the funding must be dedicated to Indigenous-led projects and recipients. This is due to the federal government’s commitment to honour their prior agreements with Indigenous communities. The Government of Canada is committed to do so through a recognition of the distinctive nature of housing and infrastructure needs in Indigenous communities, which are often remote. The vital requirement for reliability and access to clean drinking water, for instance, are also under CHIF Direct Delivery by the federal government to support current and future populations.

Through the PT agreement stream, HICC is providing $5 billion over a decade. This application — which is due by November 28, 2025 — has an expectation from the Government of Canada for Indigenous projects to be given due consideration in each province and territory across the nation. 

Along with the capital infrastructure projects, planning projects are also eligible for applications. Eligible planning projects include studies, plans, design work, engineering reports and feasibility studies. Applications for various assessments include housing needs, risk, climate and environmental impact assessments. Planning projects must support a potential future capital project that is eligible under CHIF. 

The Government of Saskatchewan is accepting one planning and one capital application per CHIF intake from eligible candidates. Regional projects involving two or more communities can submit one application per CHIF intake and will not count toward the participating applicant’s application limit.

For complete eligibility requirements on CHIF, the Government of Saskatchewan encourages all provincial communities and organizations to visit the Government of Saskatchewan CHIF page on-line. 

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