First Nation/Hometown: The Key First Nation
Program: Integrated Resource Management
Campus: Prince Albert
“Make sure you take care of yourself throughout education. Check in on your personal medicine wheel and make sure all quadrants are balanced. You will do better in school if you are mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually healthy.”
Kylee Warkentin first learned about Saskatchewan Polytechnic as a high school student. Hands-on learning and smaller class sizes drew her to enrol in her program.
During the Integrated Resource Management program, students can step into nature for practical learning experiences. "In the fall, we went on hikes identifying Saskatchewan plants and we also dug soil pits and assessed the soil. It was nice to get out on the land."
Throughout her time in the program, Kylee participated in events and benefitted from resources offered through Indigenous Student Services. She went to the All Nations Gathering Space to study, eat lunch and find a quiet space. The Medicine Wheel Talking Circle was an opportunity to talk and meet people. Counselling services and a connection to her culture has helped her move forward. "I went to the Indigenous centre to smudge every morning and I found it brings me more peace. I also attended sweat as much as I could. Ceremony has had a huge impact in my life and I feel more grounded with it."
Kylee is looking forward to a career in environmental work where she will have the opportunity to integrate Indigenous values and ways of knowing.
