The Saskatchewan First Nation Resource Centre of Excellence (SKFN) opened its doors in 2009 and bills itself as; ‘We provide First Nations with the tools, business expertise, and industry guidance essential for sustainable advancement and success’ and ‘To serve First Nations in achieving their aspirations, now and for future generations.’ It says it represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. (exactly the same as ‘Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN)’) It’s composed of a 12-member elected Board of Directors ‘providing education, capacity building, and networking to solidify strategic partnerships.’
| Main man, since inception, is Sheldon Wuttunee, former chief of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation . |  |
Sheldon Wuttunee was elected chief in February 2006 after defeating the busted ‘cash-for-votes fraud’ Charles Meechance 404 votes to 277. Nothing changed at Red Pheasant under his tenure.
The BoD of SKFN is a who’s who of dirty Saskatchewan First Nation Chiefs. Here. (admin@skfncentre.ca)
 |
Chief Bobby Cameron, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. |
There is no obvious source of funding spelled out but one may guess where the SKFN gets much of its money. The Feds provided $4.5m in 2023. In April 2024 the Province provided $400k for ‘conducting a needs assessment and developing strategies to help Indigenous peoples find jobs.’
What precisely SKFN ‘does’ isn’t totally clear. It seems to arrange various meetings where hot air is exchanged. “A groundbreaking three-day event designed to explore the transformative potential of First Nations’ leadership in North America’s energy transition”. Sheldon Wuttunee’s compensation isn’t obvious.
Engagement of Indigenous communities in the workforce “is essential to the continued growth of Saskatchewan,” say politicos and corporations at photo ops.
Leave a Reply