Authority

Under the First Nations Gaming Act, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Inc. (FSIN) created the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) on June 10, 1995. The FSIN entered into the Gaming Framework Agreement (GFA) with the Province of Saskatchewan, which established its exclusive access to casino markets in Saskatchewan. SIGA was designated as the proponent for casino development and was then incorporated under The Non-Profit Corporation Act, 1995 of Saskatchewan on January 11, 1996.

In September 2021, an amendment to the GFA was signed between the FSIN and the Province to establish the legal framework for a new online gaming site, which will be run by SIGA. In November 2021 SIGA became the sole operator of online gaming for the Province of Saskatchewan.

Gaming Governance & Industry Oversight

In 2023, the Province of Saskatchewan created Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) as a Crown Corporation to, amongst other things, conduct and manage lottery schemes and oversee the gaming sector in Saskatchewan pursuant to the Lotteries and Gaming Corporations Act from and after June 1, 2023. The launch of Lottery & Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) now carries out the managerial oversight of all forms of gaming – replacing the roles previously carried out by three separate government ministries. SIGA’s operating agreement relationships will now be with LGS, while the Saskatchewan Liquor & Gaming Authority (SLGA) and Indigenous Gaming Regulators (IGR) undertakes regulatory responsibilities.

Our Structure

SIGA’s gaming operations are a revenue source for Saskatchewan’s First Nations, the Provincial Treasury and for the Community Development Corporations (CDCs). The CDCs distribute this money to charitable and non-profit community organizations. Profits generated from SIGA’s operations are administered by the Province of Saskatchewan using the following breakdown: 50% to Saskatchewan First Nations, as distributed through the First Nations Trust; 25% to the CDCs; and 25% to the provincial government’s General Revenue Fund.

Governance Practices

The SIGA Board has formally adopted a governance model with generally accepted governance practices, and a suite of corporate governance policies. These policies ensure continuity of good governance practices and provide ongoing direction for the Board, its committees, and management. To ensure that SIGA continues to exemplify high standards of corporate governance it mandates that the policies are reviewed by external parties.

Policies and Resource Links

• Board Terms of Reference
• Position Description: Board Chair
• Board of Directors Biographies
• Code of Conduct
• Audit and Finance Committee
• Governance and Human Resources Committee

Role of the Board

On behalf of the Shareholders, the Board of Directors is responsible for the stewardship of the organization and is ultimately accountable for the management of the affairs and business of SIGA. In meeting this responsibility, the Board works with management to develop and approve the organization’s strategic plan, annual budgets, and ensures that a communication policy is in place. The Board has established a terms of reference addressing its principal duties and responsibilities as a Board.

The Board of Directors is comprised of not more than thirteen members. The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the Tribal Councils appoint these members to the Board, with one Director, with financial expertise being appointed by the Board. Only individuals registered under  The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act, 1997 may be members of the SIGA Board.

First Nations Gaming Organization Structure