Campeau makes history with cabinet appointment
- EFN Staff | June 06, 2014
For the first time, the Saskatchewan Party has a First Nations female cabinet minister.
Today Premier Brad Wall announced changes to the governing party's cabinet.
Included in the shuffle was moving Saskatoon Fairview MLA Jennifer Campeau to the posts of Minister of Central Services and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Transportation Corporation.
Campeau, a member of the Yellow Quill First Nation, made history when she was elected in 2011: it was only the second time in Saskatchewan that a First Nations woman was elected to the Legislative Assembly (Former NDP MLA Joan Beatty was the first First Nations woman to be elected to the Legislature when she won the Cumberland riding in 2003). It was also the first time the Saskatchewan Party elected a First Nations female.
At the time of her win, Campeau said Beatty paved the way for women and Aboriginal people such as herself.
"The fact that I am a First Nations female is significant," says Campeau. "The fact that I am a First Nations female in the governing party is significant. I think the Leg is going to be changed, and I think it will open up new avenues for others to follow."
Campeau is one of three new MLAs in cabinet. The other two are Mark Docherty, becoming Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, as well as Minister responsible for Provincial Capital Commission; and Scott Moe, who is now the Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for SaskWater and the Water Security Agency.