kakisiwew-ochapowace Nation members get free recreation access in Saskatoon

A new partnership between the City of Saskatoon and kakisiwew-ochapowace nation is reducing barriers to fitness by eliminating the cost of entry.

Effective as of April 9, nation members will be able to access the drop-in programs at 14 city-operated recreation facilities for free.

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That includes six leisure centres: Lakewood, Lawson, Cosmo, Shaw, Saskatoon Field House and Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, once renovations are complete.

There’s also four outdoor pools — Lathey, Riversdale, Mayfair and George Ward — as well as four indoor rinks — ACT, Archibald, Cosmo and Lions arenas — that are part of the agreement.

Tyler George, headperson for kakisiwew-ochapowace nation, said “cost can be a barrier” for the community’s members.

“Living in the city can be expensive,” she said, so “doing whatever we can to remove those barriers is so important.”

According to George, families are already excited about the improved access.

To get in for free, she said people will need to show their Indian status card or their confirmation of membership in the nation.

The Shaw Centre is one of the 14 facilities included in the agreement. George said the nation wants its people, “to be active, to live a good life, a healthy life, and (with) this partnership we get to see that come to fruition for our members living in Saskatoon.” (Marija Robinson/650 CKOM)

The agreement entered into by Saskatoon and the nation is only for one year, but George said that’s because this is more of a trial.

“Why we did it for one year is because we wanted to be able to renegotiate another contract or agreement and look at possibly expanding it,” she said.

kakisiwew-ochapowace nation already has a similar partnership with the City of Regina, according to George, since it has the highest concentration of nation members of any city.

The second highest concentration is in Saskatoon.

Even though kakisiwew-ochapowace nation is a 4.5 hour drive away from the Bridge City, George said this agreement will “target our people living here,” promoting healthy living.

George said she thinks this is the first time the City of Saskatoon has entered into a partnership with a First Nation where this sort of access is offered. The benefits of the partnership go beyond gaining free entry to pools and skating rinks, though.

According to George, kakisiwew-ochapowace nation wants to promote its families coming back together. That’s because through colonization, which included residential schools, the “family system has been broken,” she said.

Having these facilities where relatives can come and spend time together for free is a step towards repairing that system.

“It’s very exciting for our membership because now they don’t just get to come as individuals, but they get to come as families,” George said.