Portfolio Assignments

• Canada First Nations Transfer Agreements (CFNTA)
• First Nations Education Authorities Association (FNEAA)
• First Nations University of Canada (formerly SIFC)
• Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT)
• Sports, Youth, Culture & Recreation
• Youth Employment Strategy

Mission Statement

The primary role of the Education and Training Secretariat is to provide technical assistance and support to the Saskatchewan Indian Education and Training Commission (SIETC) and the FSIN Executive Member with the education portfolio. Under the overall direction of the SIETC and the Executive Member, the Secretariat is also responsible for duties related to the ongoing regional development of the First Nations education system.

Generally, regional functions include such responsibilities as the following:

• consultation, coordination and management of specific education initiatives including Cooperative Education, SchoolNet, Computers for Schools, Science Camps, Student Employment and Work Experience Programs;
• organization and facilitation of regional forums such as the Directors of Education and the Post Secondary Education Coordinators;
• organization and facilitation of regional conferences/workshops such as the First Nations Administrators' Short course and the First Nations Education Authorities Training Symposium;
• provision of technical and administrative support to the Saskatchewan Indian Education and Training Commission;
• provision of technical support to the Chiefs Legislative Assemblies;
  Saskatchewan representation to the National Indian Education Council of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN);
• provision of technical support to the Saskatchewan representative on the AFN Chiefs Committee on Education;
• provision of technical support within the FSIN on various regional issues and initiatives that impact on educational development.

The Secretariat provides advice and assistance in the following areas:

• specific advice, assistance and support services to individuals in response to questions and issues they have in regard to education programming and funding;
• advice, assistance and technical services to First Nations in regard to the management of education programs and the provision of training for education authorities;
• advice and assistance to non-First Nations governments, agencies and individuals in regard to First Nations education

The Secretariat is also responsible for the provision of development services such as technical support, advice and assistance in areas of ongoing education jurisdiction work that results from FSIN, Federal and Provincial agreements. Currently, these development services include the work required to support the FSIN's involvement in the Treaty Governance process. This work includes the technical support, advice and assistance with respect to the ongoing work that results from general FSIN initiatives that relate to education, youth, sports, culture, and recreation; and specific research under the direction of the SIETC and the Executive Member.