Small steps are being taken

We are in this all together and now it is time to grow this party.

Here is an example of how. Happy Brithday Canada

Saskatchewan Liberal Leader Ryan Bater Makes Commitment to First Nations & Métis People
June 30, 2009
Former Saskatchewan Party Candidate to Run for Liberals in Riversdale By-Election

Saskatoon – Today Saskatchewan Liberal Leader Ryan Bater welcomed the selection of Eileen Gelowitz as the candidate for the Saskatchewan Liberals in the upcoming Saskatoon-Riversdale by-election. Mrs. Gelowitz, a long-time resident of Riversdale and activist for her community, was the Saskatchewan Party’s candidate in Saskatoon-Fairview during the 2007 provincial election.

“In recent months I have become increasingly disillusioned with the Saskatchewan Party and the lack of leadership by Premier Brad Wall and his government in tackling the core issues facing First Nations and Métis people – creating sustainable communities and individuals which ensures that everyone participates in supporting Saskatchewan.” said Gelowitz. “I have been truly impressed by the leadership and new direction for the Saskatchewan Liberals that Ryan Bater has put in place and this has convinced me to return home to the Liberals as I continue to work to improve my community”.

Ryan Bater also expressed his support for a new approach in partnering with First Nations and Métis people. “From my years of experience working with the First Nations and Métis community when I was the manager of the Battlefords Regional Economic Development Authority, I have seen far too often that our Aboriginal people are viewed as a ‘solution’ to labour and economic problems in the province instead of as individuals who should be empowered to pursue their own dreams,” said Bater. “It is time for the paternalistic approach of provincial governments of all political stripes to end”.

At the nomination meeting, Bater signed a commitment to the First Nations and Métis people of Saskatchewan that included the following three points:

1) Using the Treaties as a blueprint for future partnerships with First Nations and Métis people of Saskatchewan

2) Implementing a representative workforce strategy at all levels of government

3) Creating a Secretariat within the Premier’s Office to directly address First Nations and Métis issues from a whole-of-government perspective