PRINCE ALBERT, SK, Aug. 22, 2026 /CNW/ — A strong Canadian economy depends on giving everyone a fair chance to participate and succeed in the workforce. Indigenous-led employment and training services help make that possible by responding to community priorities and local labour market needs while removing barriers to participation and opening the door to opportunity. This kind of community-led investment creates jobs and strengthens the well-being of communities across the country for generations to come.
Today, the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, that Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) is an agreement holder under the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program. The agreement enables PBCN to directly design and deliver employment and training services for its eight communities in Treaty 6 and Treaty 10 territories in northeastern Saskatchewan.
PBCN’s agreement took effect on January 1, 2026, under the First Nations stream of the ISET Program. It gives PBCN direct responsibility for designing and delivering employment and training services that respond to the priorities of its citizens and communities.
The agreement reflects a shared commitment to Indigenous-led workforce development and gives PBCN greater authority over how employment and training services are delivered to its citizens. Through locally designed programming, PBCN can align services with community priorities, participant needs and employment opportunities in the region. Agreements like this one help build a stronger Canada, one where no community is left behind.
Quotes
“This is an important milestone for the members of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. As the only independent ISET agreement holder in Saskatchewan, PBCN now has the authority to design programming that reflects the self-determined priorities of its own communities. Together with our partners, we are building stronger communities and securing long-term economic prosperity for generations to come.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
“Canada is committed to advancing opportunities for Indigenous Peoples. This important milestone for the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation reflects the value of working in partnership to create the opportunities that will put the power in the hands of the community to decide their future.”
– Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada
Quick Facts
- The ISET Program is a co-developed and co-managed program with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban/non-affiliated Indigenous partners with investments flowing through ten-year agreements that began in 2019.
- At the start of the program in 2019, there were 85 ISET agreement holders. Since that time, the department has approved 38 new ISET Program contribution agreements, growing to over 120 agreement holders.
- Since its inception, the ISET Program has served more than 307,900 Indigenous participants, with over 120,400 individuals securing employment and more than 40,800 returning to school.
- Funding for this agreement, totalling $6.8 million, will be provided from the existing ISET funding envelope.
Associated Links
Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program
Skills and Partnership Fund
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
