Saskatchewan NDP honour Joan Beatty, first Indigenous woman elected as MLA

Saskatchewan's NDP held a reception to honour Joan Beatty, the first Indigenous woman elected to the provincial legislature.

On Monday, Saskatchewan’s NDP held a reception to honour Joan Beatty, the first Indigenous woman ever elected to the Saskatchewan legislature.

Beatty served as an MLA from 2003 to 2008 before becoming the first Indigenous woman appointed to the Saskatchewan cabinet.

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During the reception, Beatty told guests about the importance of representation in the legislature.

“It’s so huge, especially if you’re in cabinet or just in your caucus, they need to hear the kinds of things that we’re going through, whether it’s a small northern community, Indigenous community, the challenges we face, they need to hear that,” she said.

During her time as MLA, Beatty served as the minister of culture, youth & recreation, as well as the provincial secretary from November 2003 to February 2006, the minister of northern affairs from February 2006 to November 2007, and minister of status of women from February 2006 to May 2007.

She served as provincial secretary again from May 2007 to November 2007.