In an effort to support the advancement of child and family services, the Saskatoon Tribal Council will receive nearly $71 million in Federal funding over the next three years.

Minister of Indigenous Services, Marc Miller, made the announcement Thursday in Saskatoon alongside six Saskatchewan Chiefs.  Miller says it’s about “building back better” and every First Nation child should have the ability to grow up in their own communities, immersed in their own culture, surrounded by their own peoples and loved ones.  He says for too long that has been something that has been denied, to too many children, leaving a tragic legacy that spans and haunts generations.  Miller says the investment of $23 million annually will go towards reducing the number of Indigenous children in care and getting them back to their communities.

Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand says the investment will make significant changes to Indigenous communities, helping families and children rebuild from residential schools.  Arcand says the STC has developed medical plans for children, specifically for mental health, that will include the hiring of psychologists.  He adds the psychologists will work along side Indigenous Elders, to work on the trauma that has been caused by residential schools.