National Aboriginal Day special occasion for U of R

On June 21 Canadians from coast to coast will come together to celebrate National Aboriginal Day. There will also be plenty of celebration at the University of Regina. The U of R is attracting ever-increasing numbers of Aboriginal students. In the past year, the number of self-declared undergraduate Aboriginal students increased by 15 per cent and now stands at almost 11 per cent of the total undergraduate student body. The increase is, in part, due to the University’s concerted efforts to indigenize campus so that all students – Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal – learn and succeed in the most accessible and culturally-appropriate environment possible.

“We are committed to indigenization,” says University of Regina President Vianne Timmons. “It’s one of the tenents of our strategic plan entitled mâmawohkamâtowin, a Cree word meaning co-operation and working together towards common goals.”

A key objective of the strategic plan is to ensure that wherever possible, First Nations and Métis cultures are reflected in all aspects of campus life – in everything from curriculum to campus design to the ceremonies that are part of convocation.

The University is reaching its indigenization goals in many unique ways. In recent years a number of important initiatives have been implemented to help support the success of Aboriginal students, faculty and staff.

The Aboriginal Advisory Circle consists of First Nations and Métis faculty and staff who provide recommendations to senior leadership to help address the challenges Aboriginal students face while pursuing post-secondary education. The group also works to build long-term relationships with First Nations and Métis communities and advises leadership on initiatives that keep the campus focused on meeting the needs of Aboriginal students, faculty and staff.

The recently expanded Aboriginal Student Centre provides a range of services that helps new students make a successful transition to post-secondary education. It also provides a culturally-appropriate studying and gathering place for Aboriginal students.

On a recent tour of northern Saskatchewan communities, President Timmons announced a new $1,000 annual entrance scholarship that will be awarded to one student from each of Saskatchewan’s 74 First Nations. The Honouring our Future Entrance Bursary will provide additional support for new Aboriginal undergraduate students starting this fall.

Last month, the University hosted the Lloyd Barber Summit on Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education. The national conference brought together educators and leaders to explore ways to narrow the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal’s access to education.

These initiatives and others like the emergency bursary fund established for First Nations and Métis students, the incentive fund created to support activities to indigenize university curriculum, the continued support of the Gabriel Dumont Institute and Native Teacher Education programs, and the continued support of First Nations University of Canada through the Administrative Services Agreement, illustrates the University’s ongoing commitment to delivering quality, accessible education for all.

“At the University of Regina we see the well-being of Aboriginal peoples as fundamental to the future of Saskatchewan,” says Timmons. “We are building long-term relationships with First Nations and Métis communities and preparing all our students to live in a Saskatchewan where First Nations and Métis cultures are celebrated.”