Sask Polytech hosts honour ceremonies to celebrate the achievements of Indigenous students.
March 15, 2017 – Looking to celebrate the hard work, dedication and achievements of our Indigenous students preparing to graduate, Saskatchewan Polytechnic will be hosting honour ceremonies across the province. Sask Polytech has been hosting Indigenous honour ceremonies for approximately 25 years.
Media are invited to attend.
| Moose Jaw campus: | March 22, 2017 5-8:00 p.m. Macoun Lounge, Moose Jaw campus |
| Prince Albert campus: | March 16, 2017 4:30–8 p.m. Cafeteria, Prince Albert campus |
| Regina campus: | April 12, 2017 5–8p.m. Cafeteria, Regina campus |
| Saskatoon campus: | March 30, 2017 5:30-7:30 p.m. E.A. Davies Auditorium, 1030 Idylwyld Dr N |
“Honour ceremonies give us the opportunity to celebrate the educational achievements of our Indigenous students,” says Jason Seright, director, Aboriginal Strategy. “We’re proud of what they’ve accomplished and we want to show our support in a culturally appropriate way.”
Each ceremony welcomes students in their graduating year and their families and friends as well as Elders and other members from the student's home communities. Those attending will have dinner as well as an opportunity to hear success stories from current students and a performance of an honour song.
“We’re always looking for ways to connect with our Indigenous students,” says Seright. “Often that home stretch before graduating is daunting. The honour ceremony lets us recognize and celebrate the hard work they’ve put in to their education and show that we’re here supporting them the whole way.”
More than 18 per cent of the student population identifies as Indigenous. The Aboriginal Student Achievement Plan helps remove barriers to success for Indigenous students and enhance their experience by incorporating Indigenous ways of thinking and learning into the everyday culture of Sask Polytech.
“These ceremonies are part of a larger initiative to indigenize Sask Polytech and incorporate indigenous culture and traditions into practices and policies throughout the entire institution. These ceremonies are just one, of many, ways we are achieving that goal,” says Seright.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves 28,000 distinct students through applied learning opportunities at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and through extensive distance education opportunities. Programs serve every economic and public service sector. As a polytechnic, the organization provides the depth of learning appropriate to employer and student need, including certificate, diploma and degree programs, and apprenticeship training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic engages in applied research, drawing on faculty expertise to support innovation by employers, and providing students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.