Success Stories and Profiles
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Saskatchewan Indigenous Post-Secondary Education Success Stories and Profiles September 2019 Indigenous Post-Secondary Education Success Stories and Profiles Briercrest College Success Story – Briercrest Alumnus Mervin Cheechoo Elected Chief of Moose Cree First Nation Profile Campion College Success Story - Engaged Learning with the Sâkêwêwak Storytellers Festival Profile Carlton Trail College Success Story – Framing Success: Strategic Partnership Celebrates 10 Years Profile Cumberland College Success Story - Joseph Neapetung: Adult Basic Education Profile First Nations University of Canada Success Story – Alumni FUniv’s Greatest Success Story Profile Gabriel Dumont Institute / Dumont Technical Institute Success Story - Driver Training Empowers Métis Clients for Success Profile Great Plains College Success Story - Great Plains College Celebrates Another Year of Student Success Profile Lakeland College Success Story - Lakeland College Signs MOA with Onion Lake Social Development Profile Luther College Success Story - Canadian Roots Exchange Profile Northlands College Success Story - Northlands Adult Basic Education Success Story Profile North West College Success Story - North West Success Stories Profile Parkland College Success Story - Students Complete Tiny House Project at Cote First Nation Profile Saskatchewan Polytechnic Success Story - Saskatchewan Polytechnic Receives Indigenous Education Excellence Award Profile Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies Success Story - Louise, Mental Health & Wellness Profile Southeast College Success Story – Success Story: Piapot Urban Profile St. Peter’s College Profile St. Thomas More College Success Story - Creating a Place to Talk about Indigenous Spirituality Profile University of Regina Success Story - A Healing Journey Expressed through the Arts Profile University of Saskatchewan Success Story - Peemahceeoowin (Nakawe) The Journey Profile Appendix A Briercrest Alumnus Mervin Cheechoo Elected Chief of Moose Cree First Nation Nonetheless, in Moose Factory the This couple have devoted Cheechoo family has a long history themselves to education and of service and leadership, with community engagement and have many extended family members passed that same ethos on to their taking on significant positions in the children. community. Mervin first attended Briercrest Briercrest College in the 1980’s earning a Bachelor of Religious Education – Pastoral Caronport, SK Studies degree in 1988. Carol Anne also graduated from Briercrest in 1988 with a two-year diploma Mervin Cheechoo graduated with a and she recently graduated from Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Yorkville University with an MA in Therapy from Briercrest Seminary this Counselling Psychology. April. Since that time, Mervin has been Briercrest is very pleased to active in his church, serving as announce that on July 27, 2019 Associate Pastor of the Sudbury Mervin Cheechoo took his Oath of First Nations Church since 2001. Office as the newly elected Chief Mervin has also been President of the Moose Cree First Nations of the Rising Above Christian headquartered in Moose Factory, Counselling Agency since 1996. Ontario. The Nation was party He and Carol Anne also present to Treaty 9 of August 1905 and seminars on “Parenting with consists of two reserves west of Confidence.” James Bay with a total population of approximately 4500 people. Mervin’s son Jordan and his wife Katarina on her graduation, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. Mervin and his wife Carol Anne have served steadily in their church It was especially heart-warming for and community while raising three our Briercrest community to see remarkable children: Jonathan Mervin and his daughter-in-law (Ashley), Kari (Paul), Jordan Katarina graduate together at the (Katarina). same ceremony on April 18, 2019. The Cheechoo name is well-known Katarina received her Bachelor in the hockey world as Jonathan of Arts in Biblical Studies and we had an excellent seven-season NHL applaud her ongoing commitment career with the San Jose Sharks and to education as she has regularly the Ottawa Senators. Mervin’s son Jonathan #14 with the served as a teacher on her home San Jose Sharks. reserve amidst her studies. Katarina’s husband, Jordan, also We congratulate Chief Mervin graduated from Briercrest with on this achievement and pray for a Bachelor of Arts in Business wisdom, courage, and strength in Administration, and like his father his new leadership role. We are is undertaking graduate studies proud of all our graduates but want in Marriage and Family Therapy. to acknowledge the way Mervin Jordan has also taken on the role of and his family exemplify the mission Head Coach of the Midget Varsity of Briercrest—"to equip the church team at Prairie Hockey Academy in and engage the world.” Caronport, Saskatchewan. Jordan’s sister, Kari, has a BA in Business from Tyndale University. Briercrest College Caronport, SK Cheechoo family photo at Mervin’s Oath of Office Ceremony (Jonathan and Ashley were unable to attend). Indigenous Post-Secondary Education Profile Contacts: Don Taylor, Dean of the College, [email protected] Institution Briercrest College and Seminary Leading See attached intergenerational story that is quite common in our context. With Briercrest having education from kindergarten to Practices/Success graduate allows entire families to come and go from our institution with education for the entire family and allows students to come Story and go at various stages in their life. Governance and Indigenous Strategic Plan Annually the Office of Indigenous Affairs works with the standing Faculty Committee to determine Building Capacity to the most suitable activities for our community. Main considerations and objectives are as Indigenize and follows: Foster Mutual 1. To welcome and support Indigenous students into our community. On an individual level, Respect this means building a relationship with each student and determining what, if any, specific supports would be helpful in making the student successful—socially and academically. On a group level, we want to provide opportunities for the Indigenous students to meet together to gain mutual encouragement and group cohesion. We want to do this in a culturally healthy manner so as not to isolate the group but allow for sharing and expressions of their culture and experience. 2. To educate our student body on Indigenous history and colonialism to expand their understanding of Canada’s obligation to maintain Treaty agreements, the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 3. To showcase Indigenous leaders on our main stage and in our classrooms as positive role models and influencers who will inspire all our students. 4. To encourage the culture of our whole student body to be welcoming to diverse others through engagement, educational opportunities, and exposure to Indigenous leaders and history. Indigenous Knowledge Keepers/Elders/Advisory Council Indigenous representation on • Dean of the College – Don Taylor (Seneca Nation) Executive, Board of Governors, • Board Member – Larry Wilson (Director of First Nations Community Church of Winnipeg) faculty and staff Internal Indigenous cultural • Aboriginal Awareness Week activities in the past have included: a public Teepee raising with awareness training, Treaty, and an Elder providing the symbolism, educational sessions Indigenous culture, blanket exercises, Briercrest College and Seminary August 16, 2019 1 | Page Indigenous Post-Secondary Education Profile reconciliation education, anti- presentations on topics from Indigenous leaders and topical experts, main chapel sessions racism strategy delivered by Indigenous leaders, and a concert showcasing student talents. Indigenous MOUs, partnerships with • Development officers meet with donor to obtain financial support and scholarships for our Engagement Indigenous organizations and Indigenous efforts and our students. communities Engagement sessions, events or • We played an important role in local Indigenous events such as The Atamiskākēwak National activities involving Indigenous Gathering from April 23rd to April 28th, 2018 held in Moose Jaw. Our Indigenous Director was communities and organizations a frontline organizer and many students and staff attended. Response to Truth Overview of reconciliation • In recent years our Director of Indigenous Affairs has traveled to reserves meeting Chiefs, and Reconciliation efforts Elders, and leaders to build relationships. Commissions’ Calls Courses and programs that to Action support the preservation, revitalization and strengthening of Indigenous languages Mandated Indigenous courses or • Core Course Option for our college – ING Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies courses with mandatory • Elective course options offered occasionally: Indigenous content • INDG 356 Indigenous Literature • INDG 430 Indigenous-Newcomer Relations in Canada • INDG 450 Indigenous Epistemology and Pedagogy Educate teachers/instructors on how to integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods into classrooms Denominational post-secondary institutions provide education on comparative religious studies that include a segment on Aboriginal spiritual beliefs and practices in collaboration with Elders Structure and Student success initiatives For over 50 years Briercrest has welcomed Indigenous students to our community and sought to Indigenous Student provide support and care as needed for each person’s unique