The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) is the operator of six First Nations casinos in Saskatchewan. The casinos are conveniently located across the province: Bear Claw Casino (Moose Mountain Provincial Park), Dakota Dunes Casino (Saskatoon), Gold Eagle Casino (North Battleford), Living Sky Casino (Swift Current), Northern Lights Casino (Prince Albert) and Painted Hand Casino (Yorkton).

SIGA casinos entertain 3.6 million guests annually and offer the excitement of 1800 slot machines, 52 live table games, a full line of food and beverage services and live entertainment. Most importantly our casinos offer traditional First Nations hospitality which is second to none

As a 100 percent non-profit gaming operator, revenues are distributed among our beneficiaries including: Saskatchewan's First Nations communities, the Provincial Treasury, and Community Development Corporations located across the province.

With approximately 2,200 employees, SIGA is one Saskatchewan's top employers and our company is currently ranked in Saskatchewan’s top 30 companies.

 

 Zane Hansen, President & CEO

Mission

SIGA will strengthen the lives of First Nations people through employment, economic growth, positive community relations and financial self reliance. This will be done through the operation of distinctive First Nations gaming destination resorts that reflect the traditional aspects of our First Nations culture and hospitality.

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Guiding Principles and Business Values
SIGA has - as a First Nations organization employing First Nations people - adopted five principles to encourage balance, while incorporating the traditional aspects of First Nations culture. While our five guiding principles are presented here in Cree, there are parallel expressions in the Saulteaux, Dene and Lakota, Dakota and Nakota languages.

Tâpwêwin
The principle of Tâpwêwin advocates speaking with precision and accuracy. From a business perspective, this means SIGA must be accountable for its actions and conduct business with integrity, honour and discipline.

Pimâcihowin
Pimâcihowin stresses the importance of "making a living" and is today's realization of our First Nations' treaty relationship. The financial and operational success of SIGA provides the means to exercise a holistic approach to improving the quality of life for our people.

Miyo-wîcêhtowin
The value of getting along with others is embodied in the word Miyo-wîcêhtowin. By conducting our business in a manner that reflects our First Nations hospitality, traditions and customs, we are able to foster good relations with our customers. Guest satisfaction is crucial to our success and our First Nations heritage is a source of competitive advantage.

Miskâsowin
Miskâsowin signifies the value of finding one's sense of origin and belonging. A fundamental goal of SIGA is to bring about this sense in a positive way. This value speaks to instilling a sense of pride in ourselves and our province's First Nations' heritage.

Wîtaskêwin
Living together on the land is the fundamental value conveyed by the word Wîtaskêwin. SIGA's vision "Sharing Success" talks to the concept of sharing our land or, in today's terms, sharing resources. This value directs us to give back to the communities where we live and work.

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Structure
Profits generated from SIGA's operations are distributed to the First Nations Trust (50%), which is distributed to Saskatchewan First Nations; the Provincial Government's general revenue fund (25%) and Community Development Corporation (25%). 

SIGA's gaming operations are a revenue source for the Provincial Treasury, Saskatchewan's First Nations and for Community Development Corporations (CDCs) situated in the casino locations. The CDCs distribute this money to charitable and not-for-profit community organizations. SIGA is working to maximize profitability in a socially responsible manner, through transparency and accountability. 

Governance Practices
Authority
Under the First Nations Gaming Act, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Inc. created the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority on June 10, 1995. SIGA was then incorporated under The Non-Profit Corporation Act of Saskatchewan on January 11, 1996, and is designated as a charitable corporation. The FSIN owns the only issued Class A Membership. Class B Memberships are held by the Tribal Councils and independent First Nations.

Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
The Province of Saskatchewan, through the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, regulates SIGA. This authority is responsible for the approval of budgets, operating policies and procedures, expansion of services, etc. Constant dialogue takes place between the management and employees of both organizations.

Corporate Governance
The Board of Directors is committed to the recommendations on corporate governance as outlined by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.

The Board of Directors
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. It has established terms of reference addressing its principal duties and responsibilities as a Board. All of its directors are independent of management and no member of management serves as a director.

Board Chair
The Chair, as the presiding director, provides leadership in guiding the Board and coordinating its activities, and fosters these relationships in the best interests of the organization. The Chair, while working closely with the President and CEO, retains an independent perspective to best represent the interests of SIGA, the Board and the communities they serve. The Chair, on behalf of the Board, reports to the FSIN Economic and Community Development Commission (ECDC) and the FSIN Legislative Assembly on the affairs of the corporation, including all business aspects of casinos owned or operated by SIGA. The Chair in turn reports to the Board of Directors any recommendations offered by ECDC and the Assembly. The Chair is a non-executive appointment.

Directors
The Board of Directors is comprised of not more than thirteen members. The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Tribal Councils appoint these members to the Board. Only individuals registered as gaming employees under The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act 1997 may be members of the Board.

Board Members
Ray Ahenakew (Board Chair)
Vice Chief Edward Henderson
Isabel O'Soup
Gary LaPlante
Chief Felix Thomas
Chief Reginald Bellerose
Chief Brian Standingready

Bob Gerow

Chief Sheldon Wuttunee

Chief Richard Ben

Chief Shirley Wolfe-Keller

Carole Bryant

Senator Roland Crowe (Board Advisor)

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SIGA History
On June 10, 1995, the FSIN First Nation Gaming Act became a reality and a management body was created to develop, conduct, manage and operate on-reserve casinos. That entity was the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA). It was incorporated on January 11, 1996, as a non-profit organization.

Shortly after its creation, SIGA opened the doors to four First Nations casinos in Saskatchewan.  The fifth opened eleven years later:

  • Gold Eagle Casino, North Battleford, March 1996
  • Northern Lights Casino, Prince Albert, March 1996
  • Bear Claw Casino, White Bear First Nation, November 1996
  • Painted Hand Casino, Yorkton, December 1996
  • Dakota Dunes Casino, Whitecap First Nation, August 2007

Finally, SIGA's added its sixth casino, the Living Sky Casino, which opened in late December 2008 in Swift Current.

SIGA is responsible for the daily management and operation of accounting and auditing systems, the conduct of casino activities, the procurement and maintenance of gaming equipment and the casino's game delivery, in addition to security and surveillance.

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Stakeholders

Many of the culture and traditions of First Nations people in Saskatchewan flow from the teachings and practices of our forefathers and Elders of today. Our forefathers, who entered into treaties with the Crown, did so with the intention of establishing mutually beneficial arrangements between the Crown and First Nations. The Chiefs and Headsmen who negotiated the treaties also had the wisdom and forethought to provide for our generation and those yet to come.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the treaties as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of treaties that were made with the First Nations more than a century ago.

The goals and objectives of the FSIN are:

  • The protection of treaties and treaty rights
  • The fostering of progress in economic, educational and social endeavours of First Nation people
  • Constructive criticism and thorough discussion on all matters
  • The adherence to democratic procedure
  • The promotion of respect and tolerance for all people

 

The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) is a Treasury Board Crown Corporation responsible for the distribution, control and regulation of liquor and most gaming across the province. SLGA achieves this through socially responsible, fair and cost-effective services and programs delivered by employees located at its head office in Regina, a liquor distribution centre in Regina, an office in Saskatoon, a network of 81 liquor stores, and more than 190 franchise outlets throughout the province.

SLGA is the main distributor of, and sole licensing agent for the sale of, beverage alcohol in Saskatchewan. It owns and manages all video lottery terminals (VLTs) and owns and manages the slot machines at the casinos operated by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA). SLGA licenses and regulates most forms of gaming including: bingo, raffles, casinos, breakopen tickets and horse racing. SLGA also registers all provincial gaming employees and gaming suppliers.

 

Indigenous Gaming Regulators (IGR)

Under the 2002 Gaming Framework Agreement between the FSIN and the provincial government, IGR will have exclusive authority to issue license to charities on designated First Nations to conduct and manage lottery schemes such as bingos, break-opens, raffles and SIGA table games.

Indigenous Gaming Regulators Inc.
400-203 Packham Avenue
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 4K5
Tel 306.477.5700
Fax 306.477.5704
 http://www.igr.ca

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