The indigenous student experience at Sask Polytech is at the heart of the Indigenous Student Success Strategy. Indigenous students should feel welcome, inspired and empowered, but most of all they should feel like Sask Polytech is a place where they belong.
Each of the Indigenous Student Success Strategy’s four goals—welcome, inspire, empower, belong—contribute to achieving this overarching objective and to improving the Indigenous student experience.
This month we want to share more information about our second goal: ki-kinomawo, which is the Nakawe word for inspire, teach by example, teach by role modeling.
To support Indigenous student academic success and encourage active participation in post-secondary life, Sask Polytech will embrace an Indigenous world-view by establishing Indigenous-centred holistic services and learning environments.
Actions Sask Polytech is taking over the next five years to inspire Indigenous students include:
- Integrate Indigenous knowledge and ways of learning in programs and curricula, so that an Indigenous perspective informs teaching and learning.
- Formalize an early intervention strategy for Indigenous students experiencing difficulties, so Sask Polytech can better support them through challenging times.
- Provide specific supports to help Indigenous students overcome identified obstacles to learning success, so Sask Polytech can assist Indigenous students in being as successful as their non-Indigenous peers.
- Support faculty and staff knowledge development to integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods into curriculum and services.
Indigenous students make up 19 per cent of Sask Polytech’s student population and this proportion is growing steadily each year. Sask Polytech supports Indigenous students through tutoring and counselling, assistance with scholarships and funding, summer transition programming, and access to Indigenous students’ centres to meet other students and Elders.
Learn more about the Indigenous Student Success Strategy goals, in September we shared our first goal: Nebah ho?á, welcome.
For more information visit saskpolytech.ca/indigenous.