Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation, Randy Schmaltz, says more resources and people need to be allocated toward Indigenous language instruction within public schools.

“It’s the thread running through all of our recent conversations with Indigenous leaders — the relationship between language, a sense of self, a sense of belonging and a means of ensuring cultural survival,” Schmaltz said in a written release. “There are always bright spots to talk about, but overall there is much, much more to be done; particularly this year, which the United Nations has declared as The Year of Indigenous Languages. It’s not a question of our children or their children. They are all our children and they need the resources required for them to succeed.”

According to the officials from Saskatchewan's Treaty Commissioner, half of all indigenous children live off-reserves and attend public school.

The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation has said if the provincial government is really serious about closing the numbers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous graduation rates, more money and support would be provided.