Indigenous peoples and Métis (people of mixed white and indigenous ancestry) from northern Saskatchewan began to move to the city in the late 1960s. A 1972 study found that while some indigenous peoples had become educated and relatively affluent, many ended up in an area west of the downtown core, where alcoholism, poverty, and crime were common. Since that study the indigenous population has increased much more quickly than that of the rest of the city. In 1996 aboriginals made up eight percent of Saskatoon's population. In contrast they make up three percent of the population of Canada. The city, together with other levels of government, has begun to recognize the need for concerted action in the areas of indigenous education and employment, as well as addressing systematic discrimination against indigenous peoples in the justice system.
After major efforts to develop good relations between the indigenous peoples and the local police, tensions increased during the winter of 1999-2000. Two policemen were suspended after being charged with dumping two indigenous men at the outskirts of the city in the middle of the winter. They froze to death. The city requested a special Royal Canadian Mounted Police task force to investigate the matter.
