Sask. government offers Indigenous internships at Crowns through pilot program

A new $1.2-million program is designed to create more opportunities for Indigenous residents to pursue careers in Saskatchewan’s Crown corporations.

Crown Career Pathways is a two-year pilot program that will see 22 Indigenous interns hired – 11 each year – to work at positions at Crowns including SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskEnergy, SGI, SaskWater, Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan, and Crown Investments Corporation.

According to the Crown Investments Corporation, the pilot program was developed alongside the province’s Crown corporations in order to help Indigenous post-secondary graduates find permanent employment opportunities inside the Crowns, the provincial government and the private sector.

Dustin Duncan is minister responsible for all major Crowns in Saskatchewan. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

Dustin Duncan, the minister responsible for all major Crowns, said the program was created in response to a call to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, calling for more employment opportunities for Indigenous people.

“This internship program is an important step in ensuring Indigenous people are represented in our workforce and have quality opportunities across Saskatchewan,” Duncan said in a statement.

The provincial government said that after the two-year pilot is concluded, a review be held to “measure outcomes and determine future program options.”