Saskatoon National Aboriginal Day

national aboriginal day 2016

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national aboriginal day June 21, 2016 Saskatoon National Aboriginal Day events will focus on theme of Reconciliation Jeannie Armstrong Postmedia Content Works

This is really important for all of us. We need to seriously look at how we can walk in a better way... in a way that is reconciliatory, that allows for us to be able to heal – as a community – or the individual journey that each person is on. b i ll m i n t r a m , Friendship Centre executive director

Tomorrow, June 21, will mark the 20th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day (NAD). Observed across Canada, National Aboriginal Day was established two decades ago to honour the heritage, contribution and culture of Canada’s First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples.

In Saskatoon, National Aboriginal Day celebrations will be hosted by the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre and its community partners. Friendship Centre executive director Bill Mintram says that this year’s NAD event will focus on a theme of special significance: reconciliation.

Since 2009, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has heard more than 6,750 survivor and witness statements documenting over a century of abuse at Indian residential schools. In June of 2015, the TRC released its findings, along with 94 calls to action to advance the process of recon-

ciliation.

Mintram says, “Communities, families and individuals have taken those calls to action to heart. This is really important for all of us. We need to seriously look at how we can walk in a better way… in a way that is reconciliatory, that allows for us to be able to heal – as a community – or the individual journey that each person is on.”

With 2016 declared the Year of Reconciliation by the City of Saskatoon, a variety of reconciliationbased activities have been happening across the community, he adds.

“National Aboriginal Day is one of the final events. It will lead into the Reconciliation Walk, which will take place the following day, Wednesday, June 22.”

Because of ongoing construction around Friendship Park, this year’s National Aboriginal Day activities will take place in a new location in Saskatoon: Victoria Park, located along Spadina Crescent West, south of River Landing and adjacent to the Riverside Badminton and Tennis Club.

National Aboriginal Day celebrations will get underway tomorrow at 10 a.m. in Victoria Park, as dignitaries, elders and war veterans are joined in the Grand Entry by survivors of Indian residential schools. SP f i le ph oto

The National Aboriginal Day site at Victoria Park will include indigenous craft vendors as well as a children’s tipi village, offering non-stop fun activities. Ph oto: Jeff Lyons

Because it is the summer solstice, June 21 holds great cultural significance for Aboriginal groups. NAD organizers in Saskatoon will begin their observation of the longest day of the year with a sunrise pipe ceremony.

Programming will get underway in Victoria Park at 10 a.m. tomorrow, with the Grand Entry and opening ceremonies. “In keeping with the theme of reconciliation, residential school survivors have been invited to join the Grand Entry, along with the special dignitaries, veterans and elders. We will be giving out orange ribbons to represent reconciliation and throughout the day, we will be talking about what that means,”

says Mintram. Upon the conclusion of the Grand Entry, speeches will be given to welcome those in attendance.

The Saskatoon Showmobile Stage is being set up in Victoria Park for the event and a full afternoon of family-focused entertainment will take place following the opening ceremonies. It’s an opportunity to enjoy thrilling drum performances, fiddle music and pow wow dancing. School groups will also perform Métis and First Nations dances. A highlight of the afternoon will be a gigantic round dance. “Everyone in attendance will be invited to join in,” says Mintram.

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A full afternoon of lively entertainment is scheduled as part of NAD celebrations. Among the performers will be school groups demonstrating traditional indigenous dances. P hot o: Jeff Lyons

ABOUT THIS CONTENT: NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY 2016 was produced by Postmedia Content Works as a result of advertisers’ interest in raising awareness about this subject. Advertisers were not given the opportunity to put restrictions on the content or review it prior to publication. Postmedia’s editorial department had no involvement in the creation of this content.

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national CREATE A FAMILY STORY aboriginal day June 21, 2016 ROBe Connect with First Nations culture at Wanuskewin Heritage Park

J e n n i f e r Jac o by- S m i t h Postmedia Content Works

Many First Nations people recorded important history, family events or battles on the back of a buffalo hide using pictures. These story robes, as they were called, would eventually become a pictographic representation of their history – like a visual journal or diary.

This year’s National Aboriginal Day (NAD) activities at Wanuskewin Heritage Park offer your family a chance to caption your own story while connecting with First Nations culture.

Wanuskewin has planned an entire day of activities which begin tomorrow at 9 a.m.

To create their personalized journals, families can get their Story Robe Booklets stamped at each of the six activity stations: indigenous garden, crafts and colouring, air pony rides, scavenger hunt, dance performances and artist demos. After getting all six stamps, visitors can be entered to win a Pendleton blanket.

At the indigenous garden station, visitors will be taken through Wanuskewin’s unique garden project – including a composting display with lots of fun ways to en-

Wanuskewin Heritage Park hosts a variety of fun family-friendly activities to mark National Aboriginal Day. Story Robe Booklets will be provided to visitors so they can create a visual journal of their visit. S u ppl i e d ph otos

gage the little ones, while they learn about indigenous gardening.

Kids can ride on inflatable ponies for a relay race at the air pony station, while a scavenger hunt will have them hunting down treasures.

Throughout the interpretive centre and grounds, art demonstrations will allow visitors to get a peek at how artisans create their beautiful works of art for the Wanuskewin Gift Shop. Ever wondered about the jewellery or beadwork? You’ll get to see and hear the artists talk about their work.

Dance performances will take place hourly in the amphitheatre,

highlighting a number of traditional dances including women’s fancy shawl, men’s grass, men’s traditional, jingle dress, women’s traditional and hoop dance. A grand entry is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

“If they’ve never been to a pow wow before, this is a demonstration of what it would be like – a grand entry with all the dancers, all the drummers and all the singers,” says organizer Chris Standing.

Standing anticipates that between 300 to 500 people will visit Wanuskewin Heritage Park tomorrow to mark National Aboriginal Day. There will be lots to do and experience around the national heritage park whether they participate in the organized activities or not.

In addition to all of the planned NAD activities, all of Wanuskewin’s amenities will be open as usual for visitors, including the gift shop, art galleries and hiking trails.

“There’s something for different people. People like to go and watch birds,” explains Standing.

“Some people are into the geology, the science, so the archaeology really draws them in. And for other people, it’s the art galleries.”

He adds, National Aboriginal Day is a great time to sample the menu at Wanuskewin Park Restaurant,

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one of the top indigenous kitchens in Canada as rated by the Food Network. Andrew McDonald with Wanuskewin Heritage Park explains the restaurant will convert to a barbecue theme for National Aboriginal Day to put a fun twist on traditional foods.

Celebrating the longest day of the year is an ancient tradition. Connecting with First Nations culture at Wanuskewin can become an important tradition for your family as well. Using the story robe booklet, your family can create fun memories. Document your interactions.

Capture the moments of surprise, delight and fascination as they embrace First Nations culture. This is an opportunity to capture your own story as you travel through the six activity stations.

“I think it reminds – not just Aboriginal people – that this is something important,” says Standing. “[It’s a chance] to celebrate your culture and get ready for the summer.”

Summer means a busy schedule of events such as rodeos, festivals, pow wows – including the Potash Corp Wanuskewin Days Cultural Celebration and Pow Wow taking place in August. Tomorrow’s National Aboriginal Day activities offer a chance to come together and celebrate before summer gets into full swing.

The activities at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, located just north of the city, get started at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Everything wraps up at 4 p.m. Admission is free for everyone.

We believe that strong communities grow from strong roots.

At PotashCorp, we’re helping to nourish the potential in our communities by investing in education and training, apprenticeship programs and local partnerships that can open doors for more Aboriginal people to pursue careers with our company.

By encouraging people to reach for the sky, we can see a bright future for us all. Because together, we grow.

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national SUPPORTING SUCCESS: aboriginal day June 21, 2016 U of R Omâ program provides key supports to indigenous students J o nat h a n H a m e l i n Postmedia Content Works

When he began studying at the First Nations University of Canada, Jamin Mike was admittedly a bit overwhelmed.

“I graduated as the valedictorian in high school, but coming to university was a whole new challenge,” said Mike, who is enrolled in Indian Communication Arts. “I was struggling with all my classes and going crazy with the workload.

I didn’t know how I could do this.”

Part way through his first year, Mike was referred by friends to the Nitôncipâmin Omâ Student Success Program (OMA Program) which is delivered through the Aboriginal Student Centre. Modelled after higher education theorist Vincent Tinto, it’s a free classroom community program designed to provide first-year First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) students with tools they need to navigate their academic path successfully.

“This program helped me in so many ways,” said Mike. “The support system and friendships I made helped me stay sane and the program also opened my eyes to what university really stands for and how this education can benefit me.”

The Omâ Program will be heading into its seven cohort in the 2016-17 academic year. According to Misty Longman, manager of the Aboriginal Student Centre at the U of R, the program was launched to combat low retention rates among FNMI students. Prior to the program, the average retention rate from first-year to second-year was only 52 per cent.

“We’re a community-based people, and it’s hard when you’re coming into someone else’s community and not knowing where you fit in,” said Longman. “A lot of

these students are first-generation students going into university, and they don’t have that background in their family, traditionally speaking.

This program was created to help lay the foundation that will allow students to be readily prepared for their post-secondary experience.”

The Omâ Program is facilitated by a student success facilitator, who orients students upon entering the program; collaborates with professors and post-secondary coordinators to facilitate and support student success; ensures academic, personal and social supports are on hand to engage students and help them focus on their studies; liaises with post-secondary coordinators in regards to funding; and networks with various on-campus resources and community support organizations to ensure student success.

Through the program, students have access to detailed class material review sessions, priority access to tutors, cultural and social programming and scholarship opportunities – including the chance for students to get their first-year tuition paid for.

Nitôncipâmin Omâ is Saulteaux for “We are here”. Longman said it’s a fitting name because there’s a strong social component to the program.

“It means they belong here, this is their home. The students get Omâ sweaters and they feel like they’re part of their own community on campus and even within the Aboriginal Student Centre at the U of R,” she said. “This past year, students in the program went to Star Wars at the Imax, went bowling, went to Laser Quest and started facilitating their own social activities together, which we hadn’t seen before.”

When asked about what made the program so worthwhile for

There is a strong social component to the Omâ Program. This past year, students in the program went to Star Wars at the Imax, went bowling, went to Laser Quest and started facilitating their own social activities together.

Ph oto: U of R

him, Mike made special mention of Cheyanne Desnomie, a student success facilitator.

“When I was in the program, Cheyanne actually become a motherly figure to a lot of the students,” he said. “She took great care of us, did outstanding work and really opened up our eyes and our ears.”

In the past academic year, there were 22 students enrolled in the Omâ Program, close to the capacity of 25. There was an 83 per cent transition retention rate among these students, a great increase over some of the previous numbers. Longman noted there are already 18 students enrolled in the program for the fall semester.

Moving forward, the program definitely has Mike’s ringing endorsement.

“I believe that this program should be used as a model for years to come,” he said. “Based on my experience, it benefitted the students in every way possible.”

Honouring aboriginal heritage and culture

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The children’s tipi village will be a fun zone throughout the day at Victoria Park. “We’re going to have five or six tipis offering engaging children’s activities,” says Mintram. At the tipi village, kids can enjoy face painting, sports-based activities, games, crafts and more.

Each year, National Aboriginal Day celebrations in Saskatoon include a soup and bannock lunch, which is served free to the public.

In past years, the organizers have served an average of 2,000 lunches. “This year, we are preparing to serve 2,500 meals, in expectation of increased attendance,” says Mintram. “In past years, when we’ve had this scale of activities, our attendance has averaged between 3,000 and 4,000 people.”

Community partners have contributed to the event’s success over the past 20 years, including the Saskatoon Fire Department, the Saskatoon Police, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission and the Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan. “Numerous organizations in the community contribute staff in kind to make sure the infrastructure is in

place to support this event,” says Mintram.

This year, Saskatoon Urban Treaty Day will coincide with National Aboriginal Day celebrations, sharing the Victoria Park venue.

On Urban Treaty Day, status First Nations people receive an annual annuity payment from the federal government, in accord with historic treaty agreements. The ceremonial fixed rate payment of $5.00 is made to each First Nations person by an RCMP officer wearing traditional red serge. On-site displays will offer information on the meaning and significance of treaties.

On Wednesday, June 22, Victoria Park will be the site of the Reconciliation Walk, organized by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. The walk, entitled “Rock Your Roots: A Call to Action – Day for Reconciliation,” will take place from 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon. From noon until 3:00 p.m., participants are invited to enjoy a barbecue and entertainment organized by Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre.

“These events are an opportunity to understand the cultural diversity within our community and learn how we can walk together.

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These events are an opportunity to understand the cultural diversity within our community and learn how we can walk together.

We honour our past and are proud to educate future leaders.

bill mintram

It takes all of us walking together in a good way, in a way that recognizes the importance of reconciliation, to be able to grow as a community in the best way we can,” says Mintram.

For more information about National Aboriginal Day events in Saskatoon, visit the Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre’s website at www.simfc.ca. For more information about the June 22 Reconciliation Walk, visit the website of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner at www.otc.ca/ events.

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national GROWING SUCCESS aboriginal day June 21, 2016

Flying Dust First Nation market garden a model of success

Carol T odd Postmedia Content Works

Seeds planted seven years ago are bearing fruit, literally, for a Meadow Lake area First Nation.

The Riverside Market Garden, a project of the Flying Dust First Nation, employs members of the Cree8 Workers’ Cooperative to operate a market garden and store on the First Nation, which is located adjacent to Meadow Lake.

The first seeds were sown back in 2009 in response to increasing societal trends toward healthy eating, concerns about the level of Type 2 diabetes among First Nations and a perceived need for fresh produce in the area.

“A number of local people saw the need for garden [products],” says Len Sawatzky, market garden general manager. He says area people, as well as those from neighbouring members of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, also expressed concern about the rate of diabetes and other illnesses that are diet-related. (Health Canada has reported that First Nations on reserve have a rate of diabetes three to five times

Mining and First Nations collaboration thriving in Saskatchewan R av i na B a i n s a n d Tay l o r Jac k s o n The Fraser Institute V AN C OU V ER , B . C . / T r o y M e d i a

We often hear about First Nation communities in Canada opposing natural resource projects. Whether it’s an LNG plant in British Columbia or mining projects in eastern Canada, the news is full of First Nation opposition to resource development. However, the one jurisdiction that may be the exception to that rule is the land of living skies, Saskatchewan.

In Saskatchewan there are countless examples of First Nations communities working in partnership with mining companies to bring projects to fruition. In fact, there are more than 45 mining partnerships between First Nations and resource companies in Saskatchewan. For example, Muskowekwan First Nation and Encanto, a Vancouver-based company, are undertaking a joint venture to develop the first on-reserve potash mine in Canada that will generate 2.8 million tons of potash annually and create approximately 1,000 jobs. Just recently, English River First Nation and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation acquired 30 per cent of JNE Welding, a company that manufactures

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higher than that of other Canadians.)

Sawatsky points out that access to fresh produce is a challenge for northerners. “That’s a huge issue,” he says, “That’s why we try to do as much locally as we can to encourage sustainability and access for people in the north. People buy what they can afford and are now used to eating junk food. We are trying to change that as well.” The market garden’s website states that its location “is uniquely situated to provide northern Aboriginal peoples with convenient access to fresh, healthy organic produce.”

Last year, the market garden initiated community-shared agriculture arrangements with two different First Nations in the north and Sawatsky says the hope is to expand such agreements with other First Nations in the Meadow Lake Tribal Region and beyond in the future.

It’s not only the expanded role with other First Nations that shows the green growing. From a start of only two acres in 2009, the garden has grown to 60 acres of potatoes, vegetables and fruit this year. The potatoes are the main crop for now, along with other root vegetables, with limited production of straw-

berries, raspberries, Saskatoon berries and other fruit. And, it’s all organic, with the garden using only Certified Organic seed potatoes, as well as Certified Organic and Heritage seeds. Crops are grown chemical and pesticide-free, using organic growing principles.

The attraction of organic produce grown by a First Nationowned market garden staffed almost entirely by First Nations and Métis people has spread well beyond the immediate area and other First Nations. “We are really happy and appreciative of the support the non-Aboriginal community has shown, both here in Meadow Lake and elsewhere,” Sawatsky says, pointing out that the garden now provides its produce to six Sobey’s stores in Saskatoon, North Battleford and Lloydminster, as well as to Sysco Distribution, the Saskatchewan Indian and Gaming Authority and local grocery stores and restaurants. And, Thomas Fresh, a western Canada food distributor, has contracted to buy most of this year’s production.

In 2013, a state-of-the-art potato storage, retail and commercial kitchen building was constructed with funding from the Aboriginal

steel vessels for mining companies.

With these types of partnerships it’s no surprise that the mining sector is the largest private-sector employer of aboriginal people.

But what helps make Saskatchewan an attractive jurisdiction for mining investment from both First Nations and resource companies?

Unlike provinces like B.C., Saskatchewan is covered by historic treaties and Treaty Land Entitlement agreements. These agreements allow First Nations to purchase Crown land anywhere in Saskatchewan to convert to reserve land, providing land certainty not currently found in provinces like B.C., where more than 100 per cent of the land is under claim with very few historic or modern treaties.

And First Nations partnerships and land certainty are two of the things that have made Saskatchewan the most attractive province for mining investment.

In 2015, as in 2014, Saskatchewan was not only the most attractive jurisdiction for mining investment in Canada but also the second most attractive jurisdiction in the world, according to the Fraser Institute’s annual mining survey.

Saskatchewan is also one of the only jurisdictions in Canada where uncertainty surrounding disputed land claims is not a significant barrier to investment in the mining sector. In fact, Saskatchewan has the highest percentage of respondents across all Canadian jurisdictions that view the situation regarding disputed land claims as an encouragement to investment at 22 per cent.

The province’s standing on this measure has also been improving. Back in 2012, only 16 per cent of respondents for Saskatchewan

reported that the situation surrounding disputed land claims was encouraging investment.

This positive trend for Saskatchewan stands in stark contrast to how disputed land claims are affecting the perceptions of miners in B.C. In 2013 in B.C., 69 per cent of respondents found disputed land claims to be a deterrent to investment. This increased to 73 per cent of respondents in 2014 and finally reached 77 per cent in 2015.

And it’s not just that more and more miners are finding that disputed land claims are hurting B.C.’s investment climate; it’s also the extent to which they say it’s hurting. In 2013, only six per cent of potential investors said that they would not pursue investment in B.C. because of disputed land claims. Fast forward to 2015 and this number has risen to 13 per cent.

No respondents for Saskatchewan said that uncertainty arising from disputed land claims would lead them to not pursue investment in the province, and of those who did say that disputed land claims were a deterrent to investment, the vast majority noted it was only a minor deterrent.

Through its consistent high ranking in the annual Fraser Institute Mining Survey, Saskatchewan has demonstrated that land certainty and positive partnerships with First Nations help make the province one of the most attractive jurisdictions in the world for mining investment.

Ravina Bains is the associate director of the Centre for Aboriginal Policy Studies and Taylor Jackson is a policy analyst in the Centre for Natural Resources at the Fraser Institute. © 2016 Distributed by Troy Media

Members of Flying Dust First Nation, near Meadow Lake, work for Riverside Market Garden, planting seeds for a new crop of fresh produce. In 2009, the Riverside Market Garden raised produce on two acres of land. This year, 60 acres will be planted. P hot o: R iverside Market Garden

Agriculture Initiative as part of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. It allows for temperaturecontrolled storage of up to 300 tonnes of potatoes and root vegetables and features a retail store for locals and tourists. Sawatsky says the building is being expanded this year to provide space for the first steps toward value-added production.

“What’s exciting is the expansion of the building so we can store more potatoes and also get a state-of-the-art processing line to process raw vegetables such as potatoes, carrots and beets,” he says. The processing will include cleaning, grading, sorting and bagging the produce for sale. Sawatsky says the kitchen also allows for traditional canning and preserving of vegetables, baking and prepared meals for sale in the retail area. The store currently sells some jams and

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other products, as well as locallyproduced organic meat products.

As the market garden keeps growing, it plans to also move inside. Slated for the future is the construction of a 3,000 square foot passive solar greenhouse to provide fresh vegetables and herbs year round. Sawatsky expects the foundation to be laid this year, with the greenhouse in operation by the summer of 2017.

As the Riverside Market Garden continues to grow, Sawatsky says respect for the earth, as well as a commitment to local production, will continue to drive the business forward, to the benefit of all. “We always keep in mind agricultural sustainability and that the earth and the environment are taken seriously. We try to incorporate as much traditional values as we can,” he says. And, that’s a seed that will grow anywhere.

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Celebrate National Aboriginal Day From many peoples strength Tuesday

JUNE 21 The Saskatchewan we know and love has been built by many hands, by many different peoples. Join us June 21st as we celebrate the outstanding achievements of First Nations, Metis and Inuit of Canada.

On National Aboriginal Day, take time to remember and recognize their many contributions to our province and to our country.

Celebrate

National Aboriginal Day Proudly celebrating with our First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, teachers and staff who bring their rich culture and tradition to our division.

Together we are stronger.

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PotashCorp Kamskénow program encourages students to pursue careers involving science

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national aboriginal day June 21, 2016

Michael Robin

PotashCorp Kamskénow, an award-winning U of S outreach program that brings engaging science and math education to community schools in Saskatoon, has just received renewed funding through PromoScience, a program of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

“NSERC funds are fabulous because we certainly have the demand, and to have the threeyear funding, that’s just a dream,” said Lana Elias, director of science outreach with the College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan. “It allows us to do some forward planning which is such a blessing.”

The program, which started with only one classroom in 2009, just finished its seventh year. It is also supported through a number of organizations including its title sponsor, PotashCorp.

The name of the program, PotashCorp Kamskénow (gum-SKAYnoh), which means “to find, to learn, together” in the Cree language, was bestowed by Elder Katie Poundmaker.

Last year, PotashCorp Kamskénow put science outreach instructors into 42 classrooms at 14 schools in the Saskatoon area, for 90 minutes once a week for 13 weeks. The program culminates with the students visiting the U of S campus for further activities in actual classrooms and labs.

“Howler came to give high-fives to the kids as they came off the bus,” Elias said, describing the welcome to campus by the U of S Huskies mascot.

Elias explained that PotashCorp Kamskénow also creates opportunity for U of S students to share

PotashCorp Kamskénow instructors work with Grade 4 students at Pleasant Hill Community School in Saskatoon. P hot os: U of S / David St obbe

With renewed funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, PotashCorp Kamskénow will continue to bring engaging science and math education to community schools in Saskatoon. Last year, the program put science outreach instructors into 42 classrooms at 14 schools in the Saskatoon area, for 90 minutes once a week for 13 weeks. knowledge and serve as role models of people pursuing careers in natural sciences, education, engineering and health sciences. Last year, the outreach team employed two undergraduate and 11 graduate students, including one Aboriginal student.

PotashCorp Kamskénow’s goal is to get more Aboriginal children interested in science, and according to the stats, it is succeeding.

When surveyed at the program’s end, students nearly unanimously gave it a good or very good rating,

and most reported they liked science more.

“I think the most impressive thing is that after participating in the program 69 per cent of students said they are likely to choose a career that involves math or science,” Elias said. “Another 24 per cent are undecided, which says to me that most of the students would now consider such a career.”

Elias explained PotashCorp Kamskénow is offered in partnership with Saskatoon Public Schools and Greater Saskatoon Catholic

schools. The program is focused on designated community schools, which tend to have a high proportion of First Nations and Métis students.

“We want kids to discover science through fun and exciting hands-on activities presented in a culturally responsive way,” Elias said. “We’ll do dissection of owl pellets and the kids will determine what type of skulls they have and how many there are. But we will also bring in Aboriginal legends, for example, ‘how the owl got its big eyes.’”

PotashCorp Kamskénow offers six levels of programming, with about 100 different presentations comprising about 300 different activities.

“We’ve developed quite a lot of material,” she said. “Someone that’s in the Grade 4 program can do the Grade 5 program in the next year and not repeat anything.”

PotashCorp Kamskénow’s popularity is such that it would have to more than double in size to meet demand. Elias said about 60 teachers were on the waiting list to have their classrooms participate this year. Its quality has also been recognized internationally, with two Global Best Awards in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) category through the International Education Business Partnership Network, affiliated with the Conference Board of Canada.

Michael Robin is a science writer at the University of Saskatchewan.

This story was provided by the University of Saskatchewan to promote awareness of this topic. Postmedia’s editorial departments had no involvement in the creation of this content.

Knowledge is beautiful.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada called all Canadians to become active yet humble partners in achieving reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. At the University of Saskatchewan, we are engaging in university-wide analyses to integrate Indigenous learning and build on our history of Indigenous engagement.

This commitment means we want to be the best place we can be for current and future Indigenous students and their communities. By bringing together different ways of learning, we can enrich the experience for all students and make the U of S a welcoming place for everyone.

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national aboriginal day 2016

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A global business renaissance is happening, and this summer Saskatoon will be at the epicentre. From August 23 to 25, Saskatoon will be the sixth city in the world to have the honour of hosting the World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF).

Since 2010, indigenous business leaders from around the world have used the WIBF as a platform to discuss and share knowledge about the global economy. Over 1,000 delegates have been invited from Mexico, New Zealand, United States, Taiwan, Namibia and even Norway to attend the conference being held in Saskatoon at TCU Place and tour Muskeg Lake Cree Nation land. The goal is to encourage ‘Seven Generation Thinking’ in hopes to provide sustainable prosperity and wealth for the next seven generations to come.

Why was Saskatoon, Saskatchewan chosen to host such a prestigious event?

“First of all we think that the community at large has a lot of success stories,” said Milt Tootoosis, chairperson, Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network (SFNEDN). “Muskeg Lake is the first urban reserve in Canada, and we felt that we should tell this story to the world. We all know about the challenges and poverty, the under-filling and lack of infrastructure for reserves. What we don’t hear enough about are the success stories and optimism due to the flourishing economic activities in Canada and around the world.

There is a renaissance under way and mainstream media needs to be aware of this.”

When SFNEDN first entered their bid to host the WIBF, they were sceptical about their chances at first. Hawaii, Guatemala, Sydney and New York were all previous choices to host discussions about WIFB’s four main economic sectors: community, industry, academic and government. With the full support of the City of Saskatoon behind them, SFNEDN was able to cinch the bid for 2016. Since then, various other sponsors from government and private industry have donated time and money to ensure WIBF 2016 will be a world-class event.

Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is only one of several success stories that show how Canada’s Aboriginal and Métis people are reclaiming their culture by travelling back to their ancestral roots. For example, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, a National Historic Site of Canada, is seeking a UNESCO designation to become a world heritage site. Archaeological evidence has proven the site was used for the last 6,000 years by several First Nations tribes as a meeting place to trade goods and share stories – long before European fur traders arrived.

For the last two years, the SFNEDN planning committees have been working hard to ensure youth, First Nations, and Métis all have a shared voice at the forum. “There will be about 100 youth invited to attend from across Canada. They are the future leaders. Let’s get

Global business leaders to gather in Saskatoon for World Indigenous Business Forum them involved… so there’s mentoring, teaching, sharing and inspiration across different generations,” explained Tootoosis.

The SFNEDN has also been planning for more than just a business conference. They want the world to understand what Saskatchewan hospitality really means. By day, WIBF will be a business conference for leaders of industry, but at night the Saskatchewan World Indigenous Festival For the Arts (SWIFFA) will take over to host a music festival – using the same stage as Rock The River in the Delta Bessborough Gardens. Visit swiffa. ca for more festival details.

What is Tootoosis looking forward to most at WIBF Saskatoon 2016?

“Learning and being inspired by global indigenous leaders from New

Zealand. I’ve heard so much about the progress from the Maori people, and they will be sharing a political strategy and livelihood strategy that has never been assimilated by European values. They’ve main-

tained their strength and cultural values, and have never compromised their indigenous values while creating wealth for their communities. I look forward to their story, and watching our people become inspired by it,” said Tootoosis.

“We are now in a process to rebuild an economy, and rebuild these communities around the Milt Tootoosis is chairperson of the Saskatchewan First Nations Economic Development Network. The SFNEDN led a successful bid to bring the World Indigenous Business Form to Saskatoon August 23 to 25. S u ppli e d

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world. There is a price to pay when breaking the laws of Mother Earth. And that leads to new business opportunities like cleaning up the environment and growing food in a more sustainable way.

The outside world can learn from our indigenous values about longterm economic development. Our ancestors spent time on this land, thousands of years before settlers, and it worked. They survived, and they had enough.“ To learn more about the World Indigenous Business Forum, visit www.wibf.ca.

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Pathways for Aboriginal Students

Celebrate National Aboriginal Day “ I chose nursing because I want to become a role model for Aboriginal youth in rural settings to join the healthcare field.”

Jennifer McGillivary, 3rd Year Student, Saskatoon Campus

Recognize and celebrate the First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures, and the many contributions made

by Saskatchewan’s Indigenous peoples.

SaskCulture’s grant programs support many cultural activities in Saskatchewan.

Find out more at saskculture.ca.

www.SaskCulture.ca /SaskCulture

@SaskCulture

Our commitment to

Indigenization

The University of Regina is pleased to announce Emily Grafton as our new Executive Lead – Indigenization.

Grafton is a member of the Métis nation and has spent considerable time working with Indigenous communities during her nine years of experience as a researcher in academic, government and non-governmental organization environments.

Grafton holds a bachelor of arts in political science and women’s studies from the University of Winnipeg and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Manitoba. She is also nearing completion of her PhD from the University of Manitoba.

Emily Grafton, Executive Lead – Indigenization