Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services

The purpose of Regina Treaty/ Status Indian Services Inc. (RT/SIS) is to provide assistance, programming, training, advocacy and referral services for the Urban First Nations and those First Nations transitioning between Reserve and the City.   RT/SIS is committed to:

1. Gain recognition as a caring and sincere service provider to the Treaty First Nations Population who are amongst those in greatest need;
2. Recognize and advance the linkage between the Urban Treaty First Nations people, their respective First Nations and ties to the Treaties;
3. Promote equal opportunities for First Nation people in programs that meet their social, economic, political, recreational, justice and spiritual needs; and
4. Promote better understanding for First Nations people by offering them greater participation in all aspects of urban lifestyles; and
5. Assist First Nations people transition either to or from their First Nations for greater opportunity for training, employment or housing.

Atoskata Youth Restitution Program (since 1994) is an option for youth ages 12-18 years of age who have been convicted of a property related offence. An order of restitution or community services is part of a Youth Court disposition and helps to pay restitution back to victims of property crime. Part of the premise of the program is that children will be able to remain in the community and complete a court order disposition as opposed to be placed in custody. It is the intention that the child will learn a new type of behavior based on a sense of restorative justice as opposed to be institutionalized and possibly being stuck in a cycle of recidivism. Children/participants, funding permitted, are required to create a cultural gift that is to be given back to the victim along with their payment. The youth are able to use the Atoskata Youth Restitution Program as a referral which will be needed to engaged in future employment.

First Nations Family Support Centre (FNFSC) hosts a variety of programming that assists children at risk in hopes of creating a stable environment. The objectives of the First Nations family Support Centre are to: decrease stress levels for First Nations Families; establish and deliver services to meet the developmental needs of First Nations Children ages 0-6 and who live in conditions of risk; re-introduce and strengthen the traditional believes and values of First Nations communities; to foster a safe environment where relationships within our First Nations extended family system and strengthened and supported; and to create opportunities for First Nations families to make positive choices for healthier lifestyles and relationships.

First Nations Employment Centre (FNEC) works towards the continued advancement of employment and training opportunities for all First Nations people who may be unemployed/low-skilled/low educational levels/illiterate or disabled. RT/SIS is a sub-agreement holder to the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) provided by the Federal Government and provides the opportunities for First Nations people to work towards the advancement of employment and training. There are various levels of services offered including walk-ins and appointments to assist in job searches and attainment. The major emphasis is on case management and ensuring client employment. FNEC partners with various institutions and educational facilities to achieve their mandate. FNEC understands the benefits of its programs and ASETS. They focus on closer interaction with the clients by doing case management and get to know more about the destination in regards to an attainable career not just a job. FNEC does welcome all nationalities including newcomers to Canada to utilize the facility for non-funded services.

Red Feather Youth Integration Program is designed to assist youth who are involved with the youth criminal justice system, transition them back into community or while on community supervision. Youth are referred by Corrections, Public Safety and Policing’s young offender unit and are of both genders, all nationalities’ with a focus on First nations youth. Youth are generally between 13 – 19 years of age. Youth are transported in a 15 passenger van to and from program Monday – Friday within the time frame of 9am- 4pm with exception of evening program hours. Meals and healthy snacks are provided as needed. The program focuses on First Nations based cultural programming where the focus is on cultural self-identity. We also offer an intensive 10 week interval life skills program, Cedar strip Canoe building program, Medicine wheel & Tipi teachings program, recreational program, City of Regina affordable family fun pass and education & employment based learning. The overall premise of the program is to facilitate and prepare the youth’s transition process to community interaction and involvement and to establish necessary connections to individuals, organizations, and community resources to address known risk factors to create a wraparound approach. The program also is intended to guide and support the youth genuinely and objectively through their reconnection and community and home. The premise of the program is unique and is successful because the youth retention rate is extremely high.

Treaty Four Education Centre (Treaty 4 Ed) has enabled First Nation youth and adults to achieve maximum benefit from their educational experiences in a culturally sensitive and supportive environment that recognizes the individuality of each student. Treaty 4 Ed seeks to develop students physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Treaty Four Education Centre seeks to extend the knowledge, wisdom, and the imagination of its students to enable them to take leadership positions in whatever future occupation or post-secondary institution he or she chooses. Students go through standardized Canadian Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) and based on these results plus working with a FNEC counsellor, and being interviewed to identify student needs, are placed in an appropriate program that reflects their interests and abilities. The Saskatchewan Education Curriculum requirements and include First Nation content in all of our courses. Technology is an integral part of the teachings and subject. A full adult program is offered and is based on individualized learning.

Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program works at the community level to ensure eligible former Indian Residential School students and their families have access to emotional health and wellness support services and can safely address emotional health and wellness issues related to the disclosure of childhood abuses. Staffing consists of Resolution Health Support Workers and Cultural Support Workers. Delivery of the program and services includes frontline emotional support, facilitation and coordination of other support services and hearing attendance and travel. The program also is intended to build capacity among individuals, families and communities which included workshops such a suicide prevention training, traditional parenting skills including supporting intergenerational family units (a mother lives with her children in their parents household and receive parenting assistance), addressing intergenerational impacts and addictions. The program also creates awareness about residential schools that include understanding Indian Residential School survivor’s issues. Workshops are developed to include giving people an opportunity to learn a First Nations language and culture which counteracts the negative intergenerational affects that Residential schools had on First Nations people and their continued losses in this area.