Sask Polytechnic, SIIT and NWC sign Indigenous education protocol agreement
- Fraser Needham | May 22, 2015
Various stakeholders gathered at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Saskatoon earlier this week to sign a major Indigenous education protocol agreement.
Aside from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and North West College (NWC) are also signatories to the protocol agreement.
The seven-principle agreement was developed by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).
These principles include implementing intellectual and cultural traditions of Indigenous peoples in the curriculum, increasing the number of Aboriginal employees and establishing Indigenous-centred holistic services and learning environments.
SIIT President Riel Bellegarde says the protocol agreement is all about providing the greatest educational opportunities for Indigenous learners.
“We feel very strongly that if a student or learner walks through our doors that if they want to pursue higher education, or pursue a different path, that we open those doors so they can move on to Sask Polytech, they can move on to a regional college,” he says. “It’s creating these relationships and collaboration efforts that actually gives our learners a choice that ultimately leads to success.”
NWC CEO Tavia Laliberte adds ensuring Aboriginal student success is about more than raw enrolment numbers.
“Ensuring that there’s success with Aboriginal learners involves more than just intake assessment and going through the programs, it’s bigger than that,” she says. “And one of the protocols is around governance and ensuring that your organization is set up and prepared to acknowledge and see Aboriginal people successful.”
Saskatchewan Polytechnic President Larry Rosia says with the ongoing labour shortage in skilled trades, colleges need to change the way they do things to ensure as many Indigenous people as possible are trained and ready to meet this employment gap.
“Given the way technology is evolving and what’s happening in the workplace now, we’re seeing a larger need for students that are graduating out of our organizations,” he says. “So people with the know how, along with the knowledge, of some of these highly technical jobs and skills. And one of the roles of the protocol is to really expose Aboriginal youth to the significant opportunities, employment opportunities and career opportunities, that exist in technology and trades.”
The protocol was developed by CICan’s Indigenous education committee in a number of conferences held in 2013 and 2014.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves roughly 26,000 students at its four campuses in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw.
About 18 per cent of these students are of Aboriginal descent.
SIIT is one of four credit-granting academic and training institutions in the province and is governed by First Nations leaders from across Saskatchewan.
North West College is one of seven regional colleges in the province providing adult basic education, skills training and university programs throughout the northwest region.
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