Local Government Week was proclaimed in Saskatchewan for Nov. 14-20, 2022.
The call to recognize Local Government Week with an official proclamation from the province emerged through discussions between the partner organizations as an excellent opportunity to increase awareness and engagement in the systems of local democracy.
School boards are elected to govern K-12 education in their school divisions and are essential members of local government. They ensure that the wishes of the community are reflected in the schools and make decisions that shape the education of Saskatchewan children.
Education Resource
To raise awareness and engagement in local democracy, local government organizations in Saskatchewan have launched a guide to support Grade 4 educators as they teach students about governance.
The guide – Who Governs Us? Who Governs the Land? – focuses on governance at the local, community, civic and provincial levels, including both Métis and First Nations governance structures and K-12 education governance. Lessons, which offer key questions, vocabulary and activity options, focus on outcomes from the Saskatchewan Grade 4 Social Studies Curriculum.
The comprehensive guide also provides access to a speakers bureau. Educators can contact the speakers bureau by emailing jwelke@saskschoolboards.ca to be connected with local representatives – mayors, reeves, chiefs, trustees and directors – who can speak to students about local government and governance.
Full PDF (includes all Lesson Files):
PDF Lesson Files:
- Introduction
- Lesson 1: Who Governs Me? Unit Introduction
- Lesson 2: Decision Making
- Lesson 3: Who Governs Our Land?
- Lesson 4: Saskatchewan School Board Governance
- Lesson 5: Municipal Government
- Lesson 6: The Provincial System of Government
- Lesson 7: First Nations Governance
- Lesson 8: Traditional Processes for Métis Leader Selection
- Lesson 9: Métis Nation – Local, Regional, Provincial and National Governance
Special thanks to Nicole Turcotte, Associate Director, Professional Learning, Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation for leading the resource development along with a committee of dedicated educators: Karon Schmon and Tate McDougall from Gabriel Dumont Institute, Amber Thompson from Sun West SD, Shalen Fox from Light of Christ Catholic SD and Kristian Roy from Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools.
Partner Organizations
The partner organizations representing local governments include:
- Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN)
- Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S)
- Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM)
- Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA)
- Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA)
Other Resources
The Local Government Week partners have issued media releases:
- Local Government Week Upcoming in Saskatchewan (2020)
- Local Government Week Being Recognized in Saskatchewan (2019)
- Local Government Week Proclaimed in Saskatchewan (2018)
The SSBA made the following resource package available for Local Government Week: