FOAM LAKE – 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY July 12-14

The Town of Foam Lake is 100 years old!
Get ready to celebrate in style July 12-14, 2024!
Follow and share our event page on Facebook or this website with any Foam Lakers past or present to keep current with events, activities and more being planned for this weekend of celebration!
Information will be added over the next few months!
Happy birthday Foam Lake!

FOAM LAKE WEB: https://foamlake.com/discover-foam-lake/100-year-celebration/

FACEBOOK EVENT: https://fb.me/e/1wECzdrT4

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR OF FOAM LAKE

On behalf of Town Council, I would like to inform the citizens of our community on two items of significance regarding local government:
1. Council has been presented with the official resignation of Councilor Shanna York as an elected member of town council. Your council shall accept Councillor York’s resignation with regret, and appreciate and thank her for contributions and time, serving the community as an elected official.
2. It is with great pleasure that I announce the hiring of Shanna York as the Town of Foam Lake’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) effective August 1st, 2023. After posting the vacant CAO position, council conducted interviews and made the decision to offer the position to Shanna York, which she has accepted. Shanna brings a solid foundation of advanced Local Government Administration education and experience having served as the Administrator for the R.M. of Foam Lake #276 for the past 11 years. This position is tailor made for individuals who:
-thrive on challenge
-are driven to succeed in a team atmosphere
-are passionate about the community
-bring strong administrative skillsets to the table
We believe Shanna York meets all the above requirements to succeed and look forward to continuing our relationship working with her in the new position as Town CAO.
Town Council has been through an extensive HR turnover the past couple of years and we now look forward to the council/staff settling into the work of governing and operations to get the work done.
Regards,
Mayor Shelley Thoen-Chaykoski
Town of Foam Lake

Message from the Council Table

Message from the Council Table

This note from Mayor and Council is meant to provide updates and insight into the Town staffing situation for you- the citizens of our community. There is much talk around the community about the numerous changes in staff and much public speculation as to how council and management is dealing with getting all the positions filled , as well as training and education of a large number of people in positions that are new to them. Hopefully this answers some of your questions.

It is often said that only constant thing in our lives is ‘change”…well , to say that our town has seen a little change in our municipal staffing situation in the last year plus a few months would be an understatement.

Our community has always been very proud of the way our managers and staff have delivered maintenance and services to us as citizens and taxpayers; and we have had the enviable situation of dedicated long serving staff over the past 50 plus years that certainly helps with a broad base of detailed knowledge and training regarding our community services and operations.

We value our employees and provide…..

  • a very competitive salary and benefit package,
  • a safe inclusive work environment
  • up to date technology ,tools and equipment to get the work done,
  • education and ongoing training and more

Council’s role as stewards of the community is to set the policy /rules/bylaws/budgets and then allow staff to manage the resources towards the service and amenities we offer. We run with a system of Policy Governance , with the ultimate guide being the Municipalities Act of the province of Saskatchewan. It is a system that requires everyone understanding their role and expectations -both staff and council as a team.

Council realized that we were going to be seeing staff turnovers in the near future- but probably did not expect this amount of change in such a short time. Over the past 24 months we have seen turnover in senior staff retirements (2 Public Works Foremen, 1 Assistant Public Works Foreman, our Chief Administrative Officer, and Office Assistant Position) AND as of yesterday – our Council Administration Committee accepted (with regret) the resignation of our current Chief Administrative Officer-Joleen Tuchscherer-who has been with our community approx. 2 years . We are regretful to see Joleen leave- but are happy for her at the same time as she is moving on to the City Manager for the City of Melville, a great career advancement for this highly skilled administrator.

So – where are we now?

  • Recent hirings include:
    • New foreman of Public Works- Greg Beaudoin
    • New Assistant Foreman of Public Works- Alyshia Neuman
    • Full-Time addition to Public Works Crew- Zaynn Tkachyk
    • Seasonal Public Works addition- Orren Oshynko
    • Public Works Summer Student – Tylan Henrikson
    • New Office Assistant-Kristian Beatty
  • Finally-the search and process for hiring a new Town CAO begins immediately.

We are very confident in all the recent hirings for the positions with the town, and the dedication that each individual brings to the team working for all of us. There are huge amounts of training (in house and external) that has been planned for and has already begun with some positions…but this takes time, so we all need to be patient and allow our people to be trained and learn our systems and polices and, in some cases, aid in developing policies and guidelines to better our levels of service. We feel we have a great team of people, who are doing good things and will simply continue to get better.

All our work continues, and challenges are dealt with and overcome  on a daily basis to be as good as we can for THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO LIVE.

Thank you!
On behalf of council

Mayor STC

Foam Lake & District Health Foundation Bursary

Foam Lake and District Health Foundation Bursary

BURSARY PROGRAM

The purpose of the Foam Lake and District Health Foundation Bursary is to recruit and retain needed health care professionals to meet the needs of the people of Foam Lake and surrounding area. This bursary is for individuals entering into or upgrading a Health related post-secondary education.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to apply for this Foam Lake and District Health Foundation Bursary, you must:

  • Must be upgrading or entering into a health related post-secondary program
  • Complete a Return in Service of 2 years in the Foam Lake area

BURSARY AMOUNT

Up to $5,000 (one-time payment)

RETURN IN SERVICE REQUIREMENT (RIS)

  • Bursaries are awarded to individuals who sign an Agreement agreeing to, directly upon graduation, provide a two year RIS in the Foam Lake area.
  • Failure to provide the RIS means bursary funds must be repaid as per the agreement.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications for funding is continuous. For those wishing to apply please provide the following:

  • Confirmation of acceptance into a Health related program
  • A letter stating:
  • Name, address and email address;
  • Education and Work Experience;
  • Program name, length of program, start and completion dates;
  • Why you are entering into this program;
  • What attracted you to work or want to work in Foam Lake;
  • Attach any reference letters.

Applications are to be sent to the Foam Lake and District Health Foundation at:
Email – admin@foamlake.com;
In person – 326 Main Street; or
By mail – PO Box 57 Foam Lake, SK S0A 1A0

Applicants who are successful will receive an agreement for the RIS to be signed and returned. Upon the Foam Lake and District Health Foundation receiving your signed RIS agreement a cheque will be issued to you for the approved bursary amount.

Applicants who are not successful will receive a letter advising them their application was unsuccessful.

Sask Health Authority – Career Opportunities

Saskatchewan Health Authority – Career Opportunities

We’re hiring!

We are currently hiring for a wide range of positions throughout the province, from entry-level positions to trained health-care professionals. We offer comprehensive benefits along with rewarding career opportunities focused on improving the health and well-being of the people of Saskatchewan.

If you’re looking to apply on a job or learn more about working at the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), check out the link here: www.saskhealthauthority.ca/careers

“The Community Well” Volunteer Group

THE COMMUNITY WELL – Connection, Community, Wellness

The health care system across Canada was experiencing shortages in staff pre-pandemic. Concerns over rising chronic and acute mental and physical health conditions, difficulty accessing specialized care, and increasing social isolation were already being discussed by the provinces and health authorities pre-COVID. Many Canadians do not have a consistent health care provider, or access to trained mental health care providers in their home communities. The pandemic exacerbated these pre-existing issues and over the last two years we have seen how these gaps in care and services impact our vulnerable populations, specifically our older adults in the community.

The Community Well, a newly formed volunteer group in Foam Lake, came together with the goal of addressing these concerns at a grass roots level. We hope to work together with seniors and citizens of all age groups to link older adults to programs and services that already exist, to provide increased opportunity for mentorship, to evaluate our current infrastructure for seniors in community, to increase access to health care professionals and health information, and to create new programs that will increase socialization and wellness across the community. We aim to access and utilize for the betterment of our community – the federal and provincial grant programs that are accessible to all communities, with the goal of creating programs and improving infrastructure to help older adults, and the community at large, age well, stay home longer, decrease social isolation, and improve general health and well-being.

In order to focus the efforts of this group we are distributing a survey community-wide that will help to identify specific areas for growth. These surveys will be available at the Town Office, Foam Lake Pharmacy, the Foam Lake RM Office, Senior Citizens Centre, Health Centre and on the Town’s website and Facebook through a google form. We are also calling upon any interested older adults and volunteers of any age with an interest in this area to join our group.

CLICK HERE to complete the survey: https://forms.gle/ku5RdQcymfxY8M629

For more information please contact Celise Hack at 306-269-8800.

Mayor’s Message – October 27, 2022

Mayor’s Message – October 27, 2022

On behalf of council and staff, I would like to congratulate Amber Pankratz on being the successful candidate in the October 26, 2022 By-Election. We look forward to the contributions that Councillor Pankratz shall bring to the table.

I also wish to commend and show appreciation to all the candidates who were not successful in their bid for council. Tyler Goosen, Kelvin Holowaty and Mike Casey, letting your names stand on a public ballot to serve your community shows you care – thank you.

Also, kudos to the election planners, our returning officer, poll clerks and municipal staff – well done.

Finally, thank you to each and every citizen who came out and exercised your right to vote. Having a say in your community is simply the right thing to do.

We now have a full compliment of members at your Town Council table again and I look forward to working hard for the community towards being the “Best Place in the World to Live”.

Mayor Shelley Thoen-Chaykoski
Town of Foam Lake, Saskatchewan

 

CLICK HERE to see the full results from the by-election

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day – September 30, 2022

The Town of Foam Lake has made the decision to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2022. As such, the Town Office and Town services will be closed to the public on Friday, September 30, 2022.

Observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a part of the Town of Foam Lake’s commitment to continuing on our pathway forward in the vital process of truth and reconciliation. More information can be found in our “Good Neighbour Policy”

CLICK HERE to download a copy of the “Good Neighbour Policy – 2020-001”

Brief history of Orange Shirt Day:
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake in the spring of 2013.  It grew out of Phyllis’s account of losing her shiny new orange shirt on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.  The date was chosen because children are back in school and teachers have time to plan, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the year.  Orange Shirt Day is also an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and community agencies to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. (for a full history of Orange Shirt Day click here)
Resources from www.orangeshirtday.org

 

Links and Resources:

  1. Orange Shirt Day: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/
    The Orange Shirt Society was formed in Williams Lake by the founders of Orange Shirt Day to encourage and support communities to recognize Orange Shirt Day and to support reconciliation events and activities. Our goal is to create awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools through Orange Shirt Day activities, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.
  2. The Orange Path (Resources for Learning): https://www.orangepath.ca/resources?category=Indigenous+Veterans+Day
    The Orange Path is a movement that helps each person shape their path toward reconciliation. Your journey is unique to you.
    The Orange Path is based on 4 key steps for everyone to forge their own path to reconciliation.
    1. Learn about the history and what needs to change.
    2. Share what you have learned with your family, friends, and your network.
    3. Show your support for truth and reconciliation.
    4. Act now and you can shape the path forward!
    We have a collection of resources for your journey to truth and reconciliation.
  3. National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: https://nctr.ca/education/trw/
    TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION WEEK 2022 is a national program open to all schools across Canada. This year, our theme is “Remembering the Children”. Join us as we memorialize the children lost to the residential school system and honour Survivors and their families. Learning and commemorating the truth of our history from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit knowledge keepers is an important part of the path to Reconciliation.
    Upcoming events are listed here: https://nctr.ca/education/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-2/
  4. Free Online Programs through Coursera
    Several universities in Canada offer free online courses intended to deepen our understanding of the history and issues impacting Indigenous peoples in this country.

    Aboriginal Worldviews and Education (Offered by the University of Toronto)
    Intended for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal learners, this course will explore indigenous ways of knowing and how they can benefit all students. Topics include historical, social, and political issues in Aboriginal education; terminology; cultural, spiritual and philosophical themes in Aboriginal worldviews; and how Aboriginal worldviews can inform professional programs and practices, including but not limited to the field of education.
    CLICK HERE to register for Aboriginal Worldviews and Education for FREE

    Indigenous Canada (Offered by the University of Alberta)
    Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Topics for the 12 lessons include the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions.
    CLICK HERE to register for Indigenous Canada for FREE

  5. Government of Canada – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html
    Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
    The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
  6. Government of Saskatchewan – Moving Forward with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/first-nations-citizens/moving-forward-with-the-truth-and-reconciliation-commission
    The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) is an independent body that was established to provide former students of Indian residential schools and anyone affected by the legacy of those schools with an opportunity to share their individual experiences in a safe and culturally-appropriate manner.
  7. Reconciliation Canada – Useful Links: https://reconciliationcanada.ca/resources/useful-links/
    Reconciliation Canada actively provides programs and initiatives to inspire positive change in communities throughout Canada.

Videos:

  1. Origin of Orange Shirt Day in Canada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuW4WbekhxY
    Phyllis Webstad explains the story of her experience at Residential School and the origination of Orange Shirt Day in Canada. She discusses the present situation and her hopes for the future.
  2. Canadian Residential School History: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFbLMNgTXeI&t=3s
    A brief history of Canada and the Residential School System imposed on the indigenous people of Canada. Timeline from early European contact through to the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2010.
  3. Truth and Reconciliation channel on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user6187854
    The Truth and Reconciliation Channel on Vimeo features 213 public access videos about the legacy of residential schools and the importance of truth and reconciliation.

The Town of Foam Lake recognizes that we are located on the lands of the Treaty 4 Territory and Homelands of the Metis