Whitecap Dakota First Nation, SK - SaskEnergy is proud to announce the unveiling of new safety signs, designed by Saskatchewan Indigenous artist Jade Roberts, to be installed in the 52 gasified First Nations throughout the province.
By incorporating Indigenous design, SaskEnergy’s aim is to deliver natural gas safety messages in a way that resonates with Indigenous communities and customers.
“SaskEnergy and the Government of Saskatchewan recognize the importance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action,” said Lisa Lambert, MLA for Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood. “By installing these new signs, SaskEnergy is demonstrating its commitment to building meaningful, long-term relationships with Indigenous groups and communities.”
Safety is at the centre of all of SaskEnergy’s work. This project supports awareness and authentic engagement while communicating messages that are preventative and solution focused. The new designs build on two of SaskEnergy’s core safety messages: ‘dig safely’ and ‘If you smell natural gas’ - a message reminding customers that if they smell gas to evacuate the premises and call SaskEnergy.
“SaskEnergy has provided natural gas capacity to our Nation since the mid 1980’s and together we have made safety awareness a top priority,” said Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear. “Today marks that continued effort and we are pleased to see this new, Indigenous designed, reminder about natural gas safety. We welcome this new addition and congratulate Jade Roberts on this design.”
This project builds on SaskEnergy’s commitment to foster positive relationships with Indigenous Peoples based on mutual respect. The goal is to create constructive outcomes as outlined in the Corporation’s Indigenous Engagement Policy and Indigenous Procurement Policy.
“SaskEnergy is committed to the safety of the public, including the Indigenous communities we serve,” says President and CEO Mark Guillet. “These signs help us to highlight how safety is a shared responsibility — in a way that’s visually and culturally appealing — while demonstrating that we value our relationships with First Nations as we work together to create safer communities.”
SaskEnergy supports the Saskatchewan economy through local and Indigenous procurement. In 2023-24, SaskEnergy purchased $258.1 million in goods and services from Saskatchewan vendors, which made up 65 per cent of our purchase orders, and more than $34.2 million in contracts were awarded to businesses with Indigenous ownership or Indigenous content.
Following the unveiling of the safety signs at Whitecap Dakota First Nation, SaskEnergy, will work with the remaining gasified First Nations to see their signs installed through the spring and summer with all installations completed by fall of 2024.
For more information about this initiative and to view a video about the artist’s inspiration and work on this project.
Jade Roberts is an Indigenous artist from Lac LaRonge and currently resides in Treaty 6 Territory in Saskatoon. Jade is an exceptional educator, podcaster, artist and community leader. Jade is a CBC Saskatchewan Future 40 Award winner.
For more information, contact:
SaskEnergy Media Relations
Phone: 306-552-4838
Email
SaskEnergy delivers safe, reliable and affordable natural gas to homes, businesses and industry throughout Saskatchewan.