06 Mar SIGA Announces more than $1.89 million in community funding
The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) increased its Community Investment Fund to $1.89 million for this year, giving back to more than 400 organizations in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with food security being a major focus for giving.
March 6, 2024 – Saskatoon, SK – “SIGA is investing more than $1.89 million in community funding across the province for its 2023-2024 fiscal year, with more than $225,000 going towards local food banks and other food security initiatives, in each of our seven casino markets this year, announced SIGA Vice President of Corporate Affairs Pat Cook, during a press conference for the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre. Pat Cook presented the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre with a cheque for $25,000, alongside Dakota Dunes Casino General Manager Charles Ryder.
“Partnering with food banks and tackling food security-related issues in the province is front and centre in terms of community funding priorities for this year,” said Cook.
“We are seeing and hearing firsthand many accounts of families struggling right now, with the rising costs of living and groceries, and we want to be able to step up and provide that additional support that many families in Saskatoon and area are needing right now,” said Dakota Dunes Casino General Manager Charles Ryder.
The Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre serves approximately 23,000 people per month, and 41% are children.
Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre’s Executive Director Laurie O’Connor says, “With 1 in 5 children in Saskatchewan experiencing poverty, SIGA’s support is welcome news. SIGA’s investment in the community speaks volumes about their values, and we are proud to be trusted with the results of their success.”
“One of our guiding principles Wîtaskêwin refers to sharing the land or, in today’s terms, sharing our resources. This is what guides our commitment to Share Success with the communities that our seven SIGA Casinos and PlayNow Saskatchewan operate in, and to continue to operate in a socially responsible manner so that we can continue to help build a better future, for First Nations and for the people of Saskatchewan,” said Cook.
SIGA, as a non-profit corporation, has a unique revenue distribution model, which reinvests all net revenue back into Saskatchewan. Casino net revenue is redistributed – 50 per cent to the First Nations Trust (which is distributed to the 74 First Nations in the province), 25 per cent to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) which reinvests the money back into local community initiatives and 25 per cent to the provincial General Revenue Fund.
In addition to the CDCs, SIGA has earmarked $1.89 million annually for its Community Investments Program, which sponsors community-level events, programming, and fundraising initiatives throughout the province. SIGA also runs province wide SIGA Volunteer and Scholarship Programs.
Top (in monetary value) SIGA Community Investments from April 1, 2023-March 31, 2024
- $100,000 to Team Sask. for North American Indigenous Games (NAIG)
- $100,000 to FSIN for the powwow
- $100,000 to Synergy 8 Drive for Kids (portable pediatric MRI)
- $125,000 to James Smith for the 2023 FN Winter Games
- $100,000 to STC for their Emergency Wellness Centre
- $50,000 to Wanuskewin Heritage Park for a “Cultural Support Enhancement: Wanuskewin Ready to Welcome the World, UNESCO Campaign.”
To learn more about SIGA’s Community Investments Program visit https://www.siga.ca/sponsorship/
For more information, please contact:
Alanna Adamko
Director of Communications & Media Relations
Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority
Phone: 306-477-7575
Cell: 306-980-8580
About SIGA
SIGA operates seven casinos and the online gaming site PlayNow.com in Saskatchewan. Casinos include Dakota Dunes Resort & Casino on Whitecap Dakota First Nation near Saskatoon, the Northern Lights Casino on the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in Prince Albert, Gold Eagle Casino on the Mosquito First Nation in North Battleford, Living Sky Casino on the Nekaneet First Nation in Swift Current, the Painted Hand Casino on the Kahkewistahaw First Nation in Yorkton, the Bear Claw Casino & Hotel on the White Bear First Nation near Carlyle and Gold Horse Casino on Little Pine Cree Nation in Lloydminster.
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