Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has become Saskatchewan’s only independent agreement holder under the federal Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program, or ISET.

The agreement provides PBCN with direct responsibility for delivering employment and training services to its eight communities across Treaty 6 and Treaty 10 territories in northeastern Saskatchewan.

The federal government is providing $6.8 million for the agreement through the existing ISET funding envelope.

PBCN said the agreement follows nearly a decade of work involving community leadership, Elders, Service Canada, federal partners and consultants.

The agreement also enables PBCN to strengthen partnerships with employers, training institutions and governments while expanding access to employment and training opportunities for its citizens.