MuniCast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In episode six we speak with long-time MuniCast sponsor, SaskTel, about their 2020-25 plan to expand broadband services to small and remote communities in Saskatchewan. Expanding Broadband Access with SaskTel features a conversation with Greg Jacobs, External Communications Manager with SaskTel about this initiative, the work that has been done to date, the value of this initiative to citizens of these small urban communities, and SaskTel's plans to continue expanding broadband access throughout the province.

Episode five, Serving Members: Membership, Funding, and Supplies, features a conversation about the value of membership, ordering election supplies, connecting members to legal support, and more information on the funding opportunity available through the Targeted Sector Support initiative. The work done in corporate services is often done behind the scenes, but their work does a lot to support SUMA members. Led by Jean-Marc Nadeau, CEO of SUMA, learn more about the behind the scenes work that SUMA engages in behind the scenes to support members.

In Episode 4 SUMA's Northern Regional Director and Councillor for the Northern Village of Île-à-la-Crosse, Gerald Roy, joins us for a conversation on Reconciliation and Governance. We discuss the value of engaging with first nations communities, economic growth in the north, and the value of municipalities engaging in acts of reconciliation.

Gerald was born and raised in the historic Métis community of Île-à-la-Crosse and is a lifelong resident of Saskatchewan’s North. He graduated from Rossignol High School and convocated from the School of Human Justice at the University of Regina. Gerald is an Indigenous Business Development Specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Trade and Export Development. He is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys boating, angling, ice fishing, snowmobiling and hunting. He is serving in his fifth term as councillor with the Northern Village of Île-à-la-Crosse. 

In season 5 of MuniCast we are discussing how truth and reconciliation relates to municipalities.

In this episode we are joined by Kevin Harris, Account Executive - Indigenous Business Market with SaskTel to learn about how SaskTel is connecting communities throughout Saskatchewan, and the value of partnering with Indigenous led organizations.

Kevin is a settler in the Treaty 4 area where he and his family live, learn and work and has been employed with SaskTel for the past 42 years, much of that time as an Account Executive in the Financial Services Sector, and for the last 8 years as an Account Executive with the Indigenous Business Development Team.

Kevin’s journey into understanding Truth and Reconciliation began about 24 years ago when as a family they became foster parents. Kevin and Lori-Lee are very proud parents of two Indigenous children who are now adults and are active in connecting and celebrating with them their culture, ceremonies and communities. The work that Kevin does with the Indigenous communities and the personal life they lead are interconnected and intersect regularly. Kevin values the relationships he has with Indigenous leaders and knowledge keepers, and is on a constant journey to continue learning how to be a good ally for Indigenous views and practices.

Learn more about SaskTel's indigenous engagement here: https://www.sasktel.com/about-us/Community/Indigenous+Engagement

In season 5 of MuniCast we are discussing how truth and reconciliation relates to municipalities. In this conversation Rhett Sangster and Shaid Heimbecker from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner discuss the progress of reconciliation in Saskatchewan, resources that municipalities can access to start, or enhance, their reconciliation work, and the reconciliation journeys that have already begun.

Rhett Sangster works with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, coordinating efforts to engage both the public and community leaders on the nature of reconciliation in Saskatchewan. This process aims to work with as many partners as possible to identify shared priorities and a broadly-owned vision for the future.

Shaid Heimbecker is a member of the Muskoday First Nation on Treaty 6 territory. She was eager to learn about the Treaties, Canada’s history and the importance of her culture when she was in her adolescence and had the opportunity to work casually for the OTC from 2010 to 2015. Her return at the OTC in fall of 2021 has allowed her the opportunity of gaining a deeper understanding of Treaties and the history of Canada as well as her own culture, all of which she is passionate about. She is working with the Reconciliation team in the Truth and Reconciliation through Treaty Implementation(TRTI) Department, helping guide organizations on building an action plan for their reconciliation journey.

Learn more about the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and how your municipality can work with Reconciliation Saskatchewan at http://www.otc.ca/pages/reconciliation_saskatchewan.html

In season 5 of MuniCast we are discussing how truth and reconciliation relates to municipalities. Episode 1: Truth, Law, and Reconciliation with John Stefaniuk K.C. outlines the calls that apply directly to municipal governments, and John discusses what that means for municipalities of all sizes, and how municipalities can uphold their responsibilities to work towards reconciliation.

John is a practitioner of municipal law with the Manitoba law firm Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP. He engages in a broad practice which includes emphasis on municipal law, and has experience in municipal approvals, taxation and assessment, and business acquisitions. He appears regularly before government licensing bodies and administrative tribunals including the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission and Municipal Board, municipal councils, provincial legislative committees and in all levels of court in Manitoba and in the Federal Court in connection with environmental, resource, regulatory municipal, and property issues.

Access the resources discussed in this episode:

Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Stronger Together Toolkit

Association of Municipalities Ontario

Resources on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action Toolkit

Indigenous-Municipal Relationship Agreements: A Guide for Municipal Leaders

What Municipal Leaders Can Do To Better Support Indigenous Residents And Neighbours At This Time

Alberta Municipalities

A Municipal Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action

Documentary Film (Saskatchewan)

Reserve 107

In this episode we speak with University of Regina (UofR) researcher, Iryna Khovrenkov, the Executive Director of the Community Initiatives Fund, Tracey Mann and the CEO of Heritage Saskatchewan, Ingrid Cazakoff about the Wellbeing in Policy project, and their findings following a province-wide survey of Saskatchewan municipalities on mental health, culture, municipal economics, and environmental well-being. Tune in as we discuss how these important themes fit in with municipal planning and budgeting.

SaskTel is a regular participant in the Tradeshow at SUMA’s Annual Convention and they value the opportunity to connect with SUMA members. Randy Palazzo, Business Development Manager, Business Sales and Solutions, SaskTel joins us to discuss the efforts SaskTel has been making to engage with communities of all sizes, share their approach to innovation and discuss the value of participating in the annual SUMA Convention and Tradeshow.

Season 4 of MuniCast is sponsored by SaskTel.

In this episode of MuniCast we speak with Joan McCusker, 1998 Olympic Gold Medal Winner on the Sandra Schmirler curling team, about her Saskatchewan roots, the importance, and her role as the MC for the 2023 SUMA Convention and Tradeshow. 

Season 4 of MuniCast is sponsored by SaskTel

Cody Demerais will be the keynote speaker at the 2023 SUMA Convention and Tradeshow. In this episode Cody sits down with us to discuss his keynote presentation, why he is looking forward to talking to Saskatchewan's Urban Municipalities, and his experiences with mental health and addictions. 

Season 4 of MuniCast is sponsored by SaskTel