Indigenous leaders in Northern Saskatchewan met virtually with the federal government’s special representative for the Prairies on Monday to talk about the $18-billion in funding over the next five years for Indigenous communities that was announced in the budget.

Minister Jim Carr described the meeting as moving and impactful with stories about the challenges with housing, mental health and addictions, clean water, education and support during the pandemic.

Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson says the federal government has been very responsive during the pandemic, and she hopes the funding announced in the budget will mean more investments in Northern Saskatchewan. She gives the example of previous funding helping to secure a mental health and addiction treatment facility, which is expected to open this November, with support from both the provincial and federal governments.

Former provincial MLA for Desnethe-Mississippi-Churchill River, Joan Beatty, says one of the most significant issues for young people in northern communities is homelessness because there isn’t enough housing. Another issue which became even more critical in the pandemic is slow, broadband connections for students.