National Farmers’ Union Saskatchewan Regional Convention

The topics we will be discussing at this year’s Convention include land and reconciliation, public pastures and public land holding and implications of the 2017 provincial budget. Here are the program details:

Tuesday, June 27 at 7 PM (doors open at 6:30 pm)

Public screening of the documentary Reserve 107 followed by panel discussion with Gary LaPlante (Councilor from Young Chippewayan First Nation), Wilmer and Barb Froese (farming couple from Laird, SK), and Sheelah McLean (U of S Education professor).

Wednesday, June 28 (call to order is at 9:00 am)

Reports from Region 6 officials (Board, Women’s Advisory, Youth Advisory and International Program Committee) as well as SaskWheat, CGC and Western Grains Research Foundation updates.
Address by NFU President, Jan Slomp
Saskatchewan’s Grassland Commons: Community Pastures and Grazing Co-ops, presented by Michael Gertler, Centre for the Study of Cooperatives and Board member of Public Pastures, Public Interest
Implications of, and responses to Saskatchewan’s 2017 austerity budget, a discussion led by JoAnn Jaffe, U of R Sociology professor and a leader of Save STC
Elections of Region 6 Board, Women’s Advisory, Youth Advisory and International Program Committee representatives, nominations for the annual Grassroots Member Award.
Adjournment will be at 4:30 p.m

The Convention commences with registration on Tuesday, June 27th at 4:00 P.M. with supper at 5:30, a documentary film screening and panel discussion from 7 til 9:30 followed by a social gathering.

Wednesday, June 28th begins with breakfast at 8:00 a.m. The Call to Order will be at 9:00 A.M. Lunch will be a special meal of fresh local food specially prepared by Jenni Schrenk of Chef Jenni Cuisine. Adjournment will be at 4:30 p.m.

Reserve 107 (32 mins) tells a Saskatchewan story about Mennonites, Lutherans and the Young Chippewayan First Nation coming together to figure out how to honour a violated and long-neglected treaty relationship. This is a story of pain and determination, but it is also a story of trust and hope. It’s what can happen when dispossessed people and innocent beneficiaries build a relationship and endeavour to make past wrongs right.

Resolutions on current policy issues may be presented to this Convention and those passed will be forwarded to National Convention. Please think of things you would like to bring forward to our regional convention for discussion! If you have resolutions ahead of time, you may email them to [email protected] . See this short guide to writing resolutions for information on writing resolutions.

Elections will be held for

• three National Board members,
• a Women’s Advisory Committee member,
• a Youth Advisory member, and
• an International Program Committee member

And we will also take nominations for the Grassroots Member Award.

Registration fees are:

• $130.00 Full convention rate (includes one overnight stay at Queen’s House and all meals)
• $ 90.00 Commuter rate (includes all meals but no overnight accommodations)
• $ 80.00 Youth rate (includes one overnight stay and all meals)

If you prefer camping, a full-service camp site within the city is available at Gordon Howe campground located at 1640 Avenue P South, Saskatoon, and is a 15 minute drive to Queen’s House. Call 1-866-855-6655 toll-free to reserve a site.

To book your accommodations at Queen’s House, preregister online (click here) or call Rachelle at 306-231-3601. Even if you do not require accommodations, we ask you still pre-register as we need to know the number of people attending for meal preparations. However, we can always see how we can accommodate last minute registrants as we know it is a difficult time of year to be away from the farm. Also, please let us know if you have specific dietary requirements.

We encourage all members to attend Convention, as it is a time of fellowship and learning with and from one another. Your participation and input are very important in our discussions and will provide continuing direction for our Region. We also encourage you to invite interested farmers and other neighbours to attend and observe the convention.