Community & Partnerships
Who We Serve.
Who We Build With.
SIIT sits at the centre of a wide network — students, employers, First Nations governments, entrepreneurs, and institutions all come together here. This is who we work with and what that looks like.
The Organizations SIIT Works With
From band offices to boardrooms, from community halls to innovation labs — SIIT's network spans every kind of organization that cares about Indigenous economic and community development in Saskatchewan and beyond.
First Nations Governments & Bands
SIIT was created by First Nations leaders, and every program it delivers traces back to community. Band councils and First Nations governments across Saskatchewan have shaped SIIT's curriculum, identified workforce gaps, and guided the development of programs that work for their people.
- Band councils seeking workforce development
- First Nations with economic development corporations
- Treaty bodies investing in education
- First Nations governments building long-term capacity
Indigenous Entrepreneurs & Startups
Through the pawâcikêwikamik Indigenous Innovation Accelerator, SIIT directly supports Indigenous entrepreneurs — from idea to launch. The MakerLodge, non-repayable MicroGrants, Miyoskamin certificate, and Innovator-in-Residence program are all built for people building their first business or scaling an existing one.
- Early-stage Indigenous entrepreneurs
- Social enterprise founders
- Tech and clean-tech innovators
- Community-based business builders
Employers & Industry Partners
Over 1,100 employers province-wide connect with SIIT through the JobConnections network. These companies — across trades, health, technology, and business — are actively looking to hire skilled, work-ready Indigenous graduates.
- Construction and trades companies
- Health authorities and care providers
- Technology firms and IT departments
- Resource and energy sector employers
- Government and public sector organizations
Post-Secondary Institutions
SIIT offers transfer credit pathways and institutional partnerships with post-secondary institutions across Canada. Students can build on their SIIT credentials at other universities and colleges, and institutions can partner with SIIT to expand Indigenous education delivery.
- Universities accepting SIIT transfer credits
- Polytechnics with shared program models
- Colleges with articulation agreements
- Research institutions partnering on Indigenous innovation
Social Enterprises & Non-Profits
Social enterprises and non-profits serving Indigenous communities are natural SIIT partners. SIIT's connection to the Social Enterprise Exchange (SEE) network, and its employment services, create pathways for community-focused organizations to find trained staff and grow their capacity.
- Indigenous health organizations
- Community development corporations
- Cultural preservation non-profits
- Housing and social services organizations
Government & Funding Bodies
Federal and provincial governments, alongside Crown corporations and funding bodies like SDTC (Sustainable Development and Technology Canada), have been instrumental in SIIT's growth. The pawâcikêwikamik accelerator itself was funded through SDTC — a model for what government investment in Indigenous innovation can look like.
- Federal Indigenous Services Canada funding
- Provincial education and workforce bodies
- Crown corporation partnerships
- Municipal economic development partnerships
Resource Sector & Economic Development
Saskatchewan's resource economy — mining, energy, agriculture, and construction — relies on skilled tradespeople. SIIT's trades and industrial programs feed directly into this workforce need, with joint training committee relationships and apprenticeship pathways that connect First Nations workers to well-paying careers.
- Mining and resource companies
- Energy and utilities firms
- Agricultural businesses
- Construction and infrastructure developers
Community Learning & Outreach Partners
SIIT's 35+ community learning sites across Saskatchewan exist because we go where the learners are. Community organizations, band-operated schools, and local learning networks partner with SIIT to deliver programs in remote and rural communities that wouldn't otherwise have access.
- Band-operated schools and learning centres
- Community halls and gathering spaces
- Rural and northern community organizations
- Libraries and public learning spaces
Want to work with SIIT?
Whether you're an employer looking to hire, a partner organization wanting to collaborate, or a community wanting to bring programs closer to home — reach out.