Research Start-up Summary and Abstract:

This research is intended to advance community-identified educational, organizational and governance needs and aspirations of the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC). Saskatoon is currently home to the largest number of STC off- reserve members, including approximately 1,000 school age children who constitute the fastest -growing demographic within the city’s schools. Despite some progress, these and other Aboriginal children still benefit the least from publicly funded education as provided by the city’s two school divisions (Merasty et al, 2013). Given the close relationship between educational attainment and other measures of wellbeing, achieving more equitable educational outcomes for STC learners attending Saskatoon schools is currently one of the most compelling concerns of STC leadership and parents.

• Saskatoon’s Urban Aboriginal Identity Population (2011, NHS)

  9.3% (23,895) of Saskatoon’s population identifies as Aboriginal, 9.8% (25,350) report having Aboriginal ancestry.
• 49.2% are First Nation, 48.2% are Metis, less than 1% are Inuit and 2.2% report having multiple or other Aboriginal identities.