Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Secures $6.8 Million ISET Deal, Taking Direct Control of Training in 8 Communities
Updated
Updated · SaskToday.ca · Aug 25
Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Secures $6.8 Million ISET Deal, Taking Direct Control of Training in 8 Communities
3 articles · Updated · SaskToday.ca · Aug 25
Summary
$6.8 million in federal ISET funding gives Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation direct control over employment and training services for members in eight communities across northeastern Saskatchewan.
The agreement makes PBCN Saskatchewan’s only independent holder under the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program, letting it tailor programs to local labour demand and member needs, including for citizens in urban centres.
PBCN said the deal follows nearly a decade of work with community leaders, Elders, Service Canada and federal partners, and frames it as a step toward self-determination in workforce development.
Training support has already expanded sharply under PBCN delivery—from about 20 members to more than 500—while the national ISET program has served more than 307,900 Indigenous participants since 2019.