Currently, there is very low philanthropic investment in Saskatchewan, particularly outside of urban centers or in Indigenous communities.
For years, Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan have been contacting the Northern Manitoba Food, Culture, and Community Collaborative (hosted at MakeWay) asking for support. MakeWay undertook a learning journey, supported by 42 Saskatchewan-based knowledge keepers and resulting in the 2021 report: Centering Indigenous Communities & Philanthropic Action in Saskatchewan. As described, communities put forward six interwoven priority areas of Indigenous-led work.
The program officially launched in 2023, establishing a Working Group comprised of people based in Saskatchewan and involved in Indigenous-led community work. After careful consideration and ceremony, they came to the name “Sîhtoskâtowin” for the program name: a Cree word that means “lifting each other up”.
MakeWay continues to support the co-creation of the Sîhtoskâtowin Program by engaging community members, funders, and governments to participate. We are humbled and encouraged with the program and support we have created together.
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