DEVELOPING COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN Women an~ Youtb in Aborioinal Communit;!] Development • • • • •• • I II •••• Ill •••• • I Loleen Berdahl POLITICAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN Bonita Beatty NATIVE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN Greg Poelzer POLITICAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN ABSTRACT Scholars interested in Aboriginal community development have paid little attention to the impor- tant roles and contributions of women and young people. An extensive quantitative survey - the first such survey undertaken - provides valuable insights into the views and activities of Northern Saskatchewan Aboriginal residents. By assessing the extent of community participation and the support of residents for community engagement, this study demonstrates a deep and broad com- mitment to working at the community level. The study also shows stark differences between on- and off-reserve populations: on-r eserve members have a very homogenous pattern of community engagement, while off-reserve Aboriginal people demonstrate significant differences by age and gender. These findings have important implications for the understanding and implementation of Aboriginal community development. INTRODUCTION Aboriginal people in Canada's resource-rich provincial Norths find themselves in the midst of a widespread economic boom, one that has brought comparatively few benefits and many challenges to their communities. Northern Sas- katchewan, for example, has attracted growing 90 interest. Corporations have broadened their min- eral exploration activities, undertaken early stage oil sands development, expanded existing ura- nium and gold mines, sustained forestry opera- tions, and developed plans for extensive hydroelectric development. The Province of Sas- katchewan stands to benefit from expanded pro-