SASKATOON — The Saskatoon Tribal Council handed over 2,000 backpacks filled with their back-to-school essentials in time for the new school year’s opening on Thursday, Sept. 1.
STC Chief Mark Arcand, Nutrien interim president and CEO Ken Seitz and Mayor Charlie Clark led the giving away of the backpacks on Friday, Aug. 26, at the White Buffalo Youth Lodge.
“We help because this is where we live. This is our community, not only financially but our staff is volunteers as well. In the current economic environment it is very tough for some families, so if Nutrien can help we will,” said Seitz.
The backpacks given away were filled with pens, notebooks, crayons, binders and other items needed by kids for the 2022-23 school year
A free community barbecue and carnival were also simultaneously held with kids getting free haircuts, twisted balloon creations, games and other fun-filled activities.
Arcand said Nutrien was their premier sponsor but other businesses and the entire community also pitched in to make the event successful.
“They are all good sponsors and I don’t have the entire list but it’s the entire community that has come together for this event. We are thankful for their help,” Arcand told SASKTODAY.ca.
He said that they plan to increase the number of backpacks that they are going to give away to help more families.
“We see the need, so we're probably going have to grow that number to maybe three to four thousand next year because we see the inflation of food, see the inflation of power lights, all that stuff, [and] parents that have multiple children,” added Arcand.
“We had a lot of newcomers here, which is good because being an Indigenous organization we're here to help everybody. It made us feel good regarding the community coming together to support a good cause.”
Arcand said it was unfortunate that they have to turn some people away, as the backpacks are given on a first-come basis, but the STC is committed to helping those who failed to get one.
“We have asked for their names and some how we will try to support them the best we can. Going back to school is a costly time of year for families and this year is no different,” Arcand said.
This is the eighth time that the STC held the event, which Arcand said is what the community needs especially in these trying times.
“The demand is there and we do it for one reason only, the children. It doesn’t matter your race, skin color or ethnic background we want to help everyone. This is something that the community needs and you can see by the turnout or we got our carnival going. It's making a difference in people's lives,” said Arcand.
STC has already given away more than 15,000 backpacks, averaging 2,500 a year. Arcand is looking to at least double the number in 2023.
“We need to increase the number [of backpacks] because of our community. Because every kid that's going to school deserves to have a quality education. And we come together as a community to support that it's going to benefit us all as a whole. It's based on sponsorships and partnerships. We're going to push up so we're going to try to get 4,000 for next year,” he added.
