Saskatchewan Polytechnic is flying the Métis flag at its four main campuses
November 15, 2018 – Situated on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories, and Homeland of the Métis people, Saskatchewan Polytechnic will fly the Métis flag at our four main campuses in recognition of Louis Riel Memorial Day on Friday, November 16. This day celebrates the life of Louis Riel, a Canadian politician who represented the Métis peoples’ interests.
“Through these events Sask Polytech is incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing, teaching and learning on our campuses. We are proud to raise the Métis flag in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon,” says Jason Seright, director, Indigenous Strategy. “Indigenous students are an important part of Sask Polytech’s community. We want our Indigenous students to know they are valued members of our community.”
Everyone is welcome to come celebrate the life, challenges and contributions of one of Canada's most notable historical figures.
| Moose Jaw campus: | 9:15 a.m. - flag raising 11:30 a.m. - Dancing, a traditional Michif meal and a Louis Riel/Métis display |
| Prince Albert campus: | 10 a.m. - Flag raising with Metis national anthem sung by Kim Kuzak 12 p.m. - Métis Trivia Challenge game in the Library |
| Regina campus: | 1 p.m. - Louis Riel presentation by Wendy Gervais 1:30 p.m. - Flag raising |
| Saskatoon campus: | 9:15 a.m. - Flag raising and singing and fiddling performed by St. Michael’s Community School |
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 offering tutoring and counselling, assistance with scholarships and funding, summer transition programming, and access to Indigenous students’ centres to meet other students and Elders.
In June 2018, Sask Polytech unveiled a new Indigenous Success Strategy that builds on the success and lessons learned from the 2009 Aboriginal Student Achievement Plan. Keeping its primary focus of Indigenous Student Success, this new strategy contributes to Sask Polytech's efforts to meet the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action and to live up to its commitments under the Colleges and Institutes Canada's Indigenous Education Protocol.
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.