"I'm currently enrolled in the Master of Arts (Indigenous Studies) program at USask. I live in Prince Albert and commute to classes 2-3x a week. The highway drive is my chance to talk quietly to the Creator to say thank you for a new day of experiences to add to this journey and thank you to my ancestors for guidance.
"I would not have been able to do any of this without my family, friends, and teachers. Their amazing, endless support, encouragement, and unconditional love is the reason I am where I am today."
- Julie Naytowhow
"I believe this journey in obtaining my Master's of Education in Ed. Foundations is incredibly important to continue in decolonizing education in Saskatchewan and abroad. Simultaneously, I also believe it's important to create space to decolonize within the post-secondary institution itself. One way to achieve this is through higher enrollment of Indigenous students into the graduate and postdoctoral programs.
"Nearing the halfway-point in my coursework, I am already seeing the benefits of my education as it shifts my teaching practices. I feel good knowing I'm working in new ways to make a difference."
- Anthony Nickel
Implementing the Strategy |we are all in this together
Our approach focuses on shared achievements, storytelling, learning from others, includes families, and provides an opportunity to be mentored by a variety of Indigenous community members who have previously walked a similar path. Pillars of CGPS' strategy include:
Relationships- Better support students throughout their graduate student journey.
- Provide a sense of belonging.
- Promote growth and self-knowledge kiskêyimisowin.
- Indigenous language are incorporated into CGPS’ everyday work to promote respect and reciprocity.
- Create curated visual spaces in to tell the stories of Indigenous graduate students, ancestors and cultural expression Indigenous student story-telling
- Understanding the needs of Indigenous graduate students by purposeful and intentional conversations with students, families and their community. Modelling respectful partnerships
- Co-create opportunities for Indigenous youth to discover graduate studies as an educational pathway. Indigenous graduate journey ambassadors
- Work with University Advancement to identify possible philanthropic funding that support Indigenous graduate student success by prioritizing community belonging and bridging projects. Striving toward a better tomorrow
The land is acknowledged as our Mother, the Earth. The University of Saskatchewan is committed to honor and support the *Indigenous peoples, Indigenous cultures, Indigenous values, and Indigenous languages that belong to the land of Treaty 6 Territory and Homeland of the Métis. The University of Saskatchewan is committed to working towards mending colonized lands and protecting the land in a way that demonstrates honour, respect, and love. The University of Saskatchewan extends this commitment to the lands and Treaty territories (Treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10) that constitute kisiskâciwan ([Saskatchewan], “the swift current”, Cree/Saulteaux), and all Indigenous people that call kisiskâciwan home. We are born to the land and the land claims us.
Initiatives
| Cousin's network | Opt-in to the functionality of MS Teams and join the cousins' network. A peer-to-peer network that is unique to USask's Indigenous graduate students. All Indigenous students who are interested in sharing information and learning from each other are encouraged to request access to cousins, a USask MS Teams channel moderated by CGPS' Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator. |
| Mentorship opportunities |
Creating opportunities for Indigenous graduate students to make connections with other students, potential employers, and community leaders in a fun and safe way. Check the calendar for upcoming opportunities. |
| Community engagement |
Fostering Indigenous community through building and uplifting relationships with campus colleagues, community leaders and students. Check out student spotlights and recent news stories. |
| Special events | Creating pathways for Indigenous youth to explore graduate studies as an educational route and offering platforms to showcase the accomplishments of Indigenous graduate students as mentors and scholars. Check the calendar for upcoming opportunities. |
| GradHUB | USask's graduate student online resource for understanding and planning your graduate journey. |
| Scholarships | You have access to a diverse range of scholarships and awards that recognize and reward excellence in academic achievement, research potential, and community engagement. |
Indigenous Graduate Leadership Award
The Indigenous Graduate Leadership Award is aimed towards Indigenous students who have taken an active role of leadership within their community. Master’s and PhD students are eligible to receive $20,000 (for up to 2 years) and $25,000 (for up to 4 years) respectively.SK Lt. Governor's Indigenous Scholarship
The Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor's Indigenous Scholarship is a $20,000 scholarship awarded annually based on academic excellence to one student, or split between deserving candidates, who are pursuing graduate at the USask or U of R.William R. Dixon Indigenous Graduate Scholarship
Two annual entrance awards of approximately $10,000 each are awarded. Open to Indigenous graduate students entering a graduate program at USask. Open to both Master's and Doctoral students with an entrance average of 80% or more.Tri Agency Indigenous Pilot Program
The Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative consists of a one-year, non-renewable supplement valued at $5,000 for all meritorious Indigenous CGS M applicants and a one-year, non-renewable award valued at $17,500 for all alternate candidates, subject to the limit of available funding.
Oẏateki Partnership
The oẏateki partnership is truly innovative in that it will deepen collaboration across the institutions to directly meet the unique, diverse, and evolving needs of Indigenous youth and communities and accelerate their success. In a collaboration between GDI, SIIT and USask.
USask College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS) and the Office of the Vice Provost, Indigenous Engagement (OVPIE) co-created a program to provide mentorship and professional development for Indigenous students transitioning from post-secondary to professionals. With input from Indigenous graduates, Elders and Knowledge keepers, the aim is to provide programming, events and support that creates a pathway to continued studies in CGPS and success beyond the academy. The model is inclusive to graduates of all three Oyateki partners.
Contact us
Ian Worme, Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator
Ian is a registered band member with Kawacatoose First Nation in Treaty 4 through his father and from Chisasibi in Eeyou Ishee (situated on the James Bay coastline of Quebec) through his mother. He is a USask alumnus, receiving his Bachelor of Education through the Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) in 2010 and earning his Master’s of Public Administration through Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS) in 2021.
Ian's position involves providing assistance to Indigenous graduate students and fostering the growth of the Indigenous graduate community at USask.