SASKATOON – The Commission on First Nations and Métis Peoples and Justice Reform has scheduled a number of important events for the week of May 26-30.

Willie Littlechild, chair of the Commission on First Nations and Metis Peoples and Justice Reform, says the week’s activities are part of an intense period of consultation and discussion for the five members of the Commission.

"We have reached a critical phase of our work and these community dialogues and presentations will be very important as we prepare for our interim report in September and our final report which is due in March 2004," Littlechild said. "With only a few weeks remaining to hear presentations and to visit communities it is important for us to use our time wisely. These events will certainly be very useful in our deliberations over the summer months and beyond."

On Monday, May 26, the Commission will hear a presentation from Muriel Stanley Venne of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. And Edmonton-based organization, the IAAW’s goal is "Achieving Social Justice" for Aboriginal women. This presentation will be received between 10:45 and 12:15 at the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre in Saskatoon. The address is 168 Wall Street.

Also on Monday, the Justice Reform Commission will receive a paper from the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan Southern Plains Region’s Youth Justice Community Forum. This event will take place between 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., also at the Friendship Centre.

Following this presentation, the Commission will hear from the Correctional Service of Canada between 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

All three events are open to the public and the media.

On Wednesday, May 28, the Commission will be in Fort Qu’Appelle for a community dialogue. This dialogue will run all day beginning at 9:00 a.m. and concluding at 4:00 p.m. It is being held at the Legion Hall, 197 Company Avenue in Fort Qu’Appelle.

The public and the media are welcome to attend.

On Thursday, May 29, the Justice Reform Commission will participate in a community dialogue on the Cowessess First Nation near Esterhazy. This dialogue will run between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the Cowessess First Nation Band Hall.

The public and the media are welcome to attend.

On Friday, May 30, the Commission will be in Saskatoon for a number of presentations including one from the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners. This presentation will be delivered by the Chair of the Police Commission, Leanne Bellegarde Daniels, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Indian & Métis Friendship Centre.

Also on Friday morning at 10:45, the Justice Reform Commission will receive a presentation from Craig Dotson, Deputy Minister of the Department of Learning.

At 1:00 p.m. the Commission will receive a presentation from Duncan Fisher, Assistant Deputy Minister of Health.

A report from Piapot Health Services relating to a symposium held in January entitled "Making the Right Choice/Working Together in Our Community will be received between 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 on Friday.

All of the Friday events are open to the public and the media.

Littlechild notes the first week of June will also be busy for the Commission as it travels to La Ronge and Melfort for community dialogues and prepares to hear presentations from organizations including the Saskatoon Police Service, Métis Elders and the Prince Albert Grand Council.

For Further Information Contact:

Warren Goulding
Director of Communications
Commission on First Nations and Métis Peoples and Justice Reform
(306) 964-1212 or (306) 227-4350