Assistance is available for Métis residents in northern Saskatchewan. (file photo/paNOW staff)

By Derek Cornet

Metis assistance

Funds available for northern Métis to assist with pandemic relief

Apr 22, 2020 | 11:30 AM

Métis residents in northern Saskatchewan should be aware of social programs put in place as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s according to Northern Region 1 Area Director Earl Cook, who said there are a number of ways Métis citizens could qualify for funding. For instance, household support is available to help pay for rent, mortgages and other potential issues that could arise at home. The average payment for household support is $500.

“We had access to $25,000 to start off with and we can go up to $75,000,” Cook said. “We have gone through our funds already for the first $25,000 for housing and we’re asking for another $25,000.”

Residents can also apply for an additional $500 to help address food security or if they are a caregiver or senior. There’s also an isolation fund available to provide up to $2,000 and there’s assistance for funeral expenses if someone should pass away due to COVID-19.

For Métis students, $250,000 is available through the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) in the form of a needs-based bursary. Students will need to apply through the GDI website for the funding, while all others should apply through the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan website.

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“We also have $60,000 to partner with First Nations if we have to in terms of checkpoints,” Cook said. “I haven’t received the funds yet, but when I do, I’ll be contacting Montreal Lake Cree Nation because there’s a checkpoint south of the First Nation and it effects Timber Bay where we have a local.”

An additional $4,000 was also provided to the region by Saskatchewan’s Métis Women, which was used to purchase groceries for food hampers for residents in La Ronge, Timber Bay and Weyakwin.

Historically, Cook mentioned Métis residents in Saskatchewan never had access to funds to assist residents in any situation. He said it’s been the first time in history they have been able to do so.

“A lot of our people were in dire straits,” Cook said. “I know students are hurting, so we try help them as much as possible through GDI in terms of the bursaries. A lot of people have been laid off and that’s affected them tremendously. Any kind of assistance they get they really appreciate.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno