Indigenous Initiatives
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ON CAMPUS NEWS news.usask.ca SEPT. 13, 2019 Volume 27, Issue 1 INDIGENOUS INITIATIVES The University of Saskatchewan (USask) continues to move forward in its Indigenization and reconciliation efforts, a commitment carefully woven throughout the entire new university plan to be The University the World Needs. In this edition, we feature Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann (PhD), the university’s first vice-provost of Indigenous Engagement, and discuss the annual faculty and staff Indigenous Gathering with Elizabeth Duret, USask’s inclusion and diversity consultant. Also in this issue, we explore the significance and history of the university’s land acknowledgement greeting, and take a closer look at the development of new apps and a web-based database to help USask educators revive Indigenous languages. SEE PAGES 3, 7, 8, 9 — 4 — — 6 — — 11 — ALUMNI WEEKEND PARALYMPIC PURSUIT VIRTUAL REALITY LAB Publication Mail Agreement #40065156 Alcorn accepts new challenge On Campus News is published 12 times in Pharmacy and Nutrition per year by University of Saskatchewan Marketing and Communications. It is KIERAN KOBITZ distributed to all USask faculty, staff, graduate students and members of With a background in veterinary changes to the college’s programs and team exploring the application of governing bodies, as well as to others medicine and pharmaceutical with faculty and staff development. cannabinoids and derivatives with in the university community, related sciences, Dr. Jane Alcorn (PhD) While Alcorn is neither a pharmacist humans and animals for health, organizations, some Saskatchewan brings a unique combination of nor a dietitian, she has worked exten- disease and disorders. CRIS features government officials and news media. education and experience as the new sively with both divisions. researchers from across campus, as Subscriptions are available for $24 dean of the College of Pharmacy “I plan to help create a place well as other Canadian and interna- per year. Story and photo ideas and Nutrition. where all faculty, staff and students tional research institutions. are welcome. Advertising rates are A faculty member of the college are proud to be a part of and proud Alcorn has also worked to available online or on request. KIERAN KOBITZ since 2001 at the University of to contribute to,” said Alcorn. “It’s enhance the college’s graduate - Saskatchewan (USask), Alcorn offi- important to me to ensure supports programs to increase student engage- Dr. Jane Alcorn (PhD), the new dean of On Campus News aims to provide a cially began her five-year term as and programs are in place to ment, and to introduce self-assess- the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, forum for the sharing of timely news, dean on July 1, 2019. produce high-quality results at the ment of competencies and more has been at USask since 2001. information and opinions about “After an extensive andundergraduate and graduate levels.” rigor to the programs. In 2016, she events and issues of interest to the USask community. comprehensive search, Dr. Alcorn Alcorn is well-qualified for her was awarded the university’s Distin- learned to become more objective in stood out as the top candidate new role after serving as associate guished Graduate Supervisor Award. her decision making. The views and opinions expressed by writers of letters to the editor and during the search process,” said Dr. dean, research and graduate affairs, Previous to her time as associate “I learned how to remove viewpoints do not necessarily reflect Tony Vannelli (PhD), provost and in the college since 2016. During dean, Alcorn served as university my own bias and opinion from a those of USask or On Campus News. vice-president academic. that time, Alcorn played a key role in veterinarian from 2011 to 2016. situation, and make decisions that - Alcorn saw the opportunity to helping establish the Cannabinoid That role helped her prepare for her become dean as a new challenge and Research Initiative of Saskatchewan deanship as she developed relation- SEE EXPERIENCE, PAGE 14 We acknowledge we are on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the a chance to help facilitate ongoing (CRIS), an interdisciplinary research ships across the university, as well as Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nation and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - A lot happens at the USask during the weeks when On Campus News isn’t published. EDITOR Here are a few of the top stories from news.usask.ca: James Shewaga WRITER Chris Morin Suzuki Fellowship CFI funding Record enrolment Law initiative DESIGNERS A University of Saskatchewan Eight USask researchers received $1.3 As of the first day of classes on A USask legal education program to Brian Kachur professor has been named one of million in funding from the Canada September 4, enrolment at USask increase the number of practicing Pierre Wilkinson three recipients of a 2019-20 David Foundation for Innovation for for the 2019/2020 academic year was lawyers in Nunavut will receive Suzuki Fellowship. Dr. Priscilla equipment to support new projects. up by 1.6 per cent and on track to be $341,000 through the Justice Settee (PhD), a professor in the Funded were: microbiologist Dr. the university’s highest enrolment Partnership and Innovation Program Department of Indigenous Studies Linda Chelico (PhD) for treating HIV; ever. “I’m pleased to report we expect over the next two years. The federal in the College of Arts and Science, geochemist Dr. Matt Lindsay (PhD) to a fifth straight year of a planned investment enables USask students is the new Indigenous Knowledge restore the environment; biologist Dr. increase in enrolment,” said Alison to engage in experiential learning and Climate Change Fellow. She Philip McLoughlin (PhD) to conserve Pickrell, assistant vice-provost of opportunities in legal advocacy and said she was “thrilled” to have her wildlife; biologist Dr. James Benson strategic enrolment management. establish a legal clinic in Iqaluit to gain work and research recognized by (PhD) to improve cryopreservation; By the end of the academic year hands-on law practice experience. The being awarded a fellowship valued at biologist Dr. Byung-Kook Ham in April 2020, student enrolment program will provide guest lecturers ISSN: 1195-7654 $45,000. Settee’s northern trapping (PhD) to enhance global food is projected to exceed 26,000—an on Arctic, Inuit and Circumpolar PUBLICATIONS MAIL research will focus on sharing security; gerontologist Dr. Alexander increase of between one and two per issues, and hold programming AGREEMENT NO. 40065156 Indigenous knowledge to support Crizzle (PhD) to make roads safer; cent—making it the highest in USask on cultural skills, Inuktitut legal Return undeliverable addresses to: climate change monitoring and the toxicologist Dr. Markus Brinkmann history. As of the first day of classes, terminology, and traditional law UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN development of local solutions and (PhD) to manage toxicological risks; international student enrolment lectures. The program is a partnership MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS G16 THORVALDSON BUILDING opportunities within and across and engineer Dr. Li Chen (PhD) to was up 5.5 per cent, and Indigenous between USask’s College of Law and 110 SCIENCE PLACE Indigenous territories. improve computer chips. enrolment increased 6.1 per cent. Nunavut Arctic College. SASKATOON, SK S7N 5C9 Email: [email protected] FOR MORE UP-TO-THE-MINUTE NEWS, VISIT: news.usask.ca @usask 2 SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 PEOPLE OF THE PLAN The University of Saskatchewan’s new seven-year plan through to 2025 is entitledThe University the World Needs and has been gifted Indigenous names nīkānītān manācihitowinihk (Cree) and ni manachīhitoonaan (Michif), which translate to “Let us lead with respect.” In each issue of On Campus News in 2019, we take a closer look at the 12 major goals of the new plan by profiling individuals involved in the university’s commitment to Courageous Curiosity, Boundless Collaboration and Inspired Communities. In this issue, we chat with Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann (PhD), USask’s vice-provost of Indigenous Engagement. COMMITMENT: INSPIRED COMMUNITIES GOAL: EMBRACE MANACIHITOWIN (Inspire the world by achieving meaningful change with (Strengthen bonds of respect, trust, and shared benefit with Indigenous and for our communities) communities in Saskatchewan, across Canada, and globally) Jacqueline Ottmann: Embrace manacihitowin JAMES SHEWAGA When Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann toonaan. This goal invites us to (PhD) first learned of the Univer- developing respectful, recip- sity of Saskatchewan’s (USask) rocal relationships, so we’re all new plan to shape the institution renewed and restored.” through to the year 2025, she Ottmann said the univer- couldn’t wait to get started. sity has an opportunity and an Ottmann was hired on Oct. 1, obligation to learn and respect- 2017 to serve as the university’s fully share Indigenous stories first vice-provost of Indigenous and histories to develop deeper Engagement, supporting the understandings of concepts like key pillar of Indigenization that manacihitowin. has been woven throughout the “Indigenous stories, entire new strategic plan unveiled teachings and songs will inspire in 2018 to be The University The and strengthen our campus World Needs. It was that level of community and people beyond commitment in the new univer- our boundaries,” she said. “It’s sity plan—gifted by Elders the important to meet Indigenous Indigenous names nīkānītān peoples