Congratulations on embarking on your journey in graduate studies! It is an exciting and challenging time that will push you to new heights of understanding in your chosen field. As you navigate graduate school, you will encounter both triumphs and setbacks that will help to shape your understanding of the world, and yourself and provide an opportunity to expand your kiskiyemisowin.
333
Self-declared Indigenous students
64
PhD students
27
Master's project-based students
75
Master's thesis-based students
151
Master's course-based students
This is what USask's Indigenous
graduate students are saying...
Every grad student's journey is different, but no one is on that journey alone. A key component to student success is your ability to connect with and learn from others in your graduate student community.
"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
Discover Campus
To help you navigate USask as a new or returning graduate student, we have developed a new initiative to help you connect with Ian, CGPS's Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator, and the rest of the Indigenous graduate student community.
Indigenous graduate students are invited to opt-in to MS Teams and join a new community channel called, COUSINS, a grad student community. To learn more about MS Teams and how you can opt-in, visit the MS Teams wiki article.
The Gordon Oakes Red Bear Centre offers various cultural, academic, social and student development programming throughout the year. Gordon Oakes works closely with colleges and student services across campus to support Indigenous students and provide advising and referrals for each student's individual needs.
To learn more about programming and how to contact Gordon Oakes, visit their website.
The Trish Monture Centre is a central space in the College of Arts and Science dedicated to student success, located in ARTS 250. TMS is smudge-friendly and food-friendly, with access to Wi-fi, a microwave, and kitchenette.
The righthand TMC offices house Indigenous Student Achievement Pathways (ISAP), while lefthand offices support the University of Saskatchewan Transition Entrance Program (USTEP) and Academic Advisors for Indigenous Students who work fluidly with the Undergraduate Student Advising Office (in Arts 265) to offer a holistic approach to academic advising that greets students’ mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual selves with expertise specific to their student experience.
Indigenous Achievement Week (IAW) is an annual University of Saskatchewan event that celebrates Métis, First Nations and Inuit students, staff, faculty and alumni’s successes and contributions.
Each year, CGPS joins the USask community in celebrating Indigenous student achievement at this event.
The USask Health Sciences department has developed Stepping Stones: Resources for Indigenous Health, Wellness, and Reconciliation as a resource to help meaningfully address current health inequalities rooted in colonization and systemic racism.
The collection of videos, webinars, readings, websites, activities, courses, and more are provided for people seeking to develop or enhance their understanding of - and approaches to - health and wellness through an Indigenous lens.
Follow the stepping stones to Indigenous health and wellness that resonate with you and self-direct your unique journey towards more appropriatee, equitable, inclusive, and caring interactions.
Scholarships & Awards Opportunities
As an Indigenous graduate student, there are unique scholarships and awards created to support you with funding throughout your program at USask.
The University is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and is proud to support academic opportunities for Indigenous students. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally, and value the unique perspective Indigenous students provide to strengthen these relationships.
For some awards administered by USask and CGPS, only Indigenous candidates will be considered. To ensure eligibility, students are invited to self-declare their Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation through the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapewin: Indigenous Truth policy framework. For more information about this process, contact indigenoustruthpolicy@usask.ca.
The Indigenous Graduate Leadership Award is open to Canadian Indigenous students at the Master’s and PhD levels who demonstrate leadership through active engagement and involvement in their communities.
- Master’s students are eligible for $20,000 per year for two years.
- Doctoral students are eligible for $24,000 per year for two years.
To be eligible for this award, students must be of First Nations, Inuit, or Métis heritage, have graduated from a Saskatchewan university, be a Canadian citizen, and have an undergraduate degree in any discipline. They must also be enrolled in or have applied for admission to graduate or post-graduate studies at an accredited Saskatchewan university for the upcoming year in a thesis or project-based program.
NEW! Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative
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. If you self-identify as Indigenous you are eligible to apply for this initiative. Note: CIHR is not participating in this initiative.
Perceptions Survey
Open until October 20th, the Indigenous Graduate Student Perceptions Survey is aimed at gathering insights about your graduate student experience at USask. Your responses will be invaluable in shaping the work of the Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator in the College of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.
The survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete and includes a variety of multiple-choice and open-ended questions about topics such as well-being, funding, cultural ceremony, experiences of racial violence, and suggestions for new programs and supports. The data collected is anonymous, protected, and will not be shared.
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 role serves as a support to Indigenous graduate students and a cultivator of the Indigenous community at CGPS.