Saskatoon Tribal Council hands out 3,000 backpacks, other supplies for school year

On Friday, hundreds of people lined up outside of the White Buffalo Youth Lodge waiting to fill up backpacks in preparation for the school year.

For the past eight years, the Saskatoon Tribal Council has provided backpacks for members of the community who are in need of school supplies.

The first year, 500 backpacks were provided. This year, that number has grown to 3,000.

Ijeoma Njwoke, a mother of three, was standing in line hoping to get supplies like backpacks, calculators and exercise books for her children going into kindergarten, Grade 3 and Grade 7.

She said she’s thankful for programs like the backpack giveaway, especially this year as she has seen a much higher cost for school supplies compared to other years.

Njwoke said when online shopping for school supplies, her cart totalled $280 this year in comparison to the $200 she has seen in the past.

“That’s a lot,” she said, noting it can be challenging as a parent financially when kids go back to school.

“It’s not easy. It’s not easy when the bills come.”

The backpacks are valued at around $120 apiece, Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand explained.

“I think it’s coming together exclusively as a community to help raise the children,” Arcand said, noting the giveaway is available to anyone who needs it.

It’s not just about backpack supplies, Arcand explained, adding that other necessities like toothbrushes and running shoes were also available to people.

Organizations such as the National Lacrosse League’s Saskatoon Rush also gave out toques, mitts and scarfs.

“We don’t care if that backpack is overfilling. It’s what people need and we’re here to help,” Arcand said.

Mayor Charlie Clark reiterated on Friday the importance of kids going to school with the right supplies, which are getting more expensive every year.

“The worrying thing is that more people are needing backpacks every year. The impacts of inflation and poverty are growing in our community and growing across the province,” he said, adding it was shocking to see the lineup of people around the block from the youth centre.

Clark said the types of assistance programs should be examined to make sure families have what they need, and there needs to be a greater integration between health care, social services and the school system to make sure that “kids aren’t falling through the cracks.”

Arcand noted there’s also a need for a bigger facility for the White Buffalo Youth Lodge to help carry out programs such as the backpack giveaway.

The facility also provides services such as sports and cultural programs, as well as an on-site nurse practitioner.

Clark said city council has just approved funding for a new facility, and more details on the design will be coming within the next several months.

“We’ve got to make that investment for a neighbourhood that really needs a shining light, and I think this is a beacon for this neighbourhood,” Arcand said.

The annual backpack giveaway was to run until 5 p.m. Friday.

The Saskatoon Tribal Council handed out 3,000 backpacks and other supplies to members of the community on Aug. 25, 2023. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)