Deanna Speidel is nêhiyaw iskwêw, from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation on treaty 4 territory, her experience in leadership and has expertise in understanding Indigenous cultures, protocols and ways of knowing, that support Indigenous initiatives. Deanna has been working within the education systems focusing her career on the improvements of Indigenous student success.

Deanna is currently the director of Indigenous Strategy at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, which is situated on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories, and homeland of the Métis. Sask Polytech is committed to the renewal of relationships miyo wâhkôhtowin with our Indigenous communities. For Sask Polytech, this means we must integrate Indigenous ways of being, knowing, teaching and learning in everything we do. The Indigenous student experience at Saskatchewan Polytechnic is at the heart of the Indigenous Student Success Strategy. Sask Polytech’s overarching goal is to continue to increase recruitment, retention and success of Indigenous students across all our programs.

Anita Cameron was born and raised in Saskatoon and is a member of the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation in Treaty 6 territory. Higher education and employment have been instilled in her from a young age as the means to a better life and to ensure present and future Indigenous learners can have supportive, positive learning experiences and environments leading to lifelong learning and open the doors of opportunity.

She is a graduate of the Indian Teacher Education program and started her career a classroom teacher in Beardy’s and Okemasis in 2000; seconded to the Office of the Treaty Commissioner in 2004 to work in public education with the Speaker’s Bureau, Teaching Treaties in the Classroom, and the beginnings of the provincial Treaty Learning Network. Anita transitioned to be an instructor in the Adult Basic Education programs for Southeast Regional College, working in numerous FN communities in Treaty 4 territory. In November 2014 Anita became employed at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Moose Jaw Campus, as a Literacy & Adult Education instructor. She moved to Indigenous Strategy in December 2018 as the Indigenous Student Centre coordinator at Moose Jaw campus and continued the same role at Prince Albert campus until her she accepted the role of the Sask Polytech Indigenous nursing advisor in the School of Nursing.

Anita brings a varied background of experiences and opportunities from over a decade long volunteer with the SaskTel Indigenous Youth Awards, to being a Sask Polytech student with the Leadership Skills and Indigenous Leadership Skills certificates and just began the venture into learning about patient oriented care research with her colleagues from CHRIS.

Aaron Tootoosis has been with Sask Polytech since 2017 as an Indigenous Students’ Centre coordinator and then moved on to becoming an Indigenous student advisor in November 2019. His passion is in Indigenous arts, history and culture and education. “Growing up on the Rez, I didn’t have much to look forward to until I took a leap and decided to take a post-secondary education program. Having done that, I don’t have to become a chief or councillor now to get myself a fancy truck, because at one time that’s how I thought”. He is the father of three children and currently resides on the Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation east of Regina. Aaron is Plains Cree from the Poundmaker Cree Nation.  

My home community is Muskowekwan First Nation. I am Saulteaux, Cree and Métis. I am a mother of three. I have a B.A. with a major in Indigenous Studies and a minor in Anthropology.  Also, I have an Information Technology (IT) certificate.  My hobbies include beading and sewing.

tansi! My name is Samara Jackson. I am a member of Cowessess Cree Nation and raised in Regina. I hold a bachelor of Music Education from the University of Regina. As an Indigenous student success coach, I look forward to supporting students through their chosen educational paths. I am very fortunate that I get the opportunity to make connections with Indigenous students and the communities of southern Saskatchewan.

Taanishi! My name is Jen Pritchard (she/her/hers) and I am a proud Métis woman from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I'm a graduate from the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) and hold a Bachelor of Education. As the current Indigenous Student Success Support Coach, I am here to support and guide our Indigenous students on their educational journeys. I feel very fortunate that my career provides me the opportunity to not only work and support our Indigenous students, but also make connections with different communities within Saskatchewan.

Marlene was born and raised in Treaty 4 Territory and the homeland of the Métis. She is Métis and is active within her Métis community. Marlene and her husband reside in Regina, where they raised two beautiful children. Their daughter was married this past August, and they currently live in Calgary. Their son, lives in Regina and works in the family small business. Marlene has been an instructor at Sask Polytech for the past 13 years. She is constantly learning the teachings and ways of her culture and of other Indigenous cultures. The older Marlene gets, she has come to realize that she does not have all the answers, she seeks out and finds answers and guide. She enjoys working with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, students and the community. Marlene has been an instructor in the Aboriginal Policing program, Court Service program, Community Safety Officer program, and Victim Services online curriculum development. She has been the online instructor for Victim Services for the past five years. Marlene feels fortunate that her time as an instructor has provided her with many opportunities to work with students and setting them up for successful career paths within Sask Polytech.

Tracy is a proud, Métis woman who grew up in North-East Saskatchewan. Tracy has a personal and professional passion for Indigenous student support, with over 16 years of experience supporting Indigenous adult learners. Tracy has completed a 4-year Bachelor of Arts Degree in Indigenous Studies from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as a post-degree certificate in Leadership in Post-Secondary Education, also through the University of Saskatchewan. Tracy’s teaching and advising style is based in andragogy and adult learning principals, taking into account the specific needs of adult learners. Tracy’s teaching style is a blend of intellectual and experiential engagement rooted in land and community-based approaches. Tracy’s goal is to enhance student engagement and persistence.

Brandi is part of the Métis Nation Saskatchewan and originally from local 25, Southeast Saskatchewan. Brandi is a Sask Polytech alumna. She graduated from the Saskatoon campus with the Youth Care Worker certificate in 2003. She has spent most of her career working in various non-profits, with most of her time as the youth skills coordinator at the Rainbow Youth Centre. She is married and a mother of three children. She returned to school as a mature student and took most of her classes while working full time. In 2018, she graduate with her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Regina. After her degree, she worked with the Saskatchewan Health Authority as a clinical social worker. Brandi started a career at Sask Polytech, as the Indigenous Students’ Centre coordinator, in Regina in December 2019. 

Derek has worked in the human services field for over 20 years, with an emphasis on providing clients with opportunities for growth. He has practiced in several scopes of social work, including: residential treatment, outreach, secured services, social service case management, mental health assessment, family therapy as well as being the clinical director for a specialized school program with the Saskatoon Public School Division prior to making the leap to Sask Polytech. Derek has operated a private family therapy practice for past 12 years and is fortunate to have presented at several conferences during this time. Since 2015, Derek has worked with Sask Polytech as the science and health counsellor, as well as an Indigenous student advisor, before taking his latest role as the Indigenous Student Center (ê-sihtoskâtoyahk ᐁᓯᐦᑐᐢᑲᑐᔭᐦᐠ) coordinator.  

Tanshi. I am Rosemarie Zaba Stewart and have worked in the student advisor role with Indigenous Student Success Strategy since 2011. I serve students, faculty and staff at the Moose Jaw campus. For 25 years prior, all of my professional work experience has been in a clinical social work therapist/counselor capacity working as a mental health practitioner in private practice as well as in government, non-government and school counselor settings. Throughout the temperate seasons, you will likely find me in our garden enjoying the beautiful flora and fauna. I am always excited to have the opportunity to get to welcome our incoming and returning students and to have the honour and opportunity of being a beneficial influence in the academic success of our Sask Polytechnic students. 

Kristen Bergstrom is a proud Métis woman from Treaty 6 Territory who graduated from the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) in 2010 with a major in Native Studies and she also has a background in nursing. Kristen has eight years plus working in human services where she uses her educational skills and personal experiences to apply her knowledge to improve the quality of life for all the people she works with. Kristen is passionate about education and she is dedicated to helping her students enhance their experience, overcome barriers and succeed. Kristen works with her students to ensure they feel welcomed to Sask Polytech and they are prepared for their academic journey so they are inspired to attain their goals. Kristen celebrates her students achievements and highlights their accomplishments so they know Sask Polytech is a place where they belong. 

Shayleen is a Métis woman born and raised on Treaty 6 Territory. She is a mother of two children. Her background is in corrections and more recently mental health. She completed her Indigenous Social Work degree in 2018 and has been in the Human Services field for nine years.

Tanshi, my name is Stanley Workman. I am a proud Métis man born on Treaty 7 Territory in Calgary, Alberta, but was raised and grew up on Treaty 6 Territory in Prince Albert where I call home. I am a social work graduate of the Mount Royal College in Calgary, Alberta. After graduation, I worked for sixteen years supporting individuals in the community as a probation officer. I am excited to now be a part of Sask Polytech, as an Indigenous student advisor since February 2020 at the Prince Albert campus. Our Indigenous Student Success Strategy offers comprehensive support; I look forward to getting to know our Indigenous students and will work to support each one of them in fulfilling their educational dreams through Sask Polytech. Marsee!

Aaron Tootoosis has been with Sask Polytech since 2017 as an Indigenous Students’ Centre coordinator and then moved on to becoming an Indigenous student advisor in November 2019. His passion is in Indigenous arts, history and culture and education. “Growing up on the Rez, I didn’t have much to look forward to until I took a leap and decided to take a post-secondary education program. Having done that, I don’t have to become a chief or councillor now to get myself a fancy truck, because at one time that’s how I thought”. He is the father of three children and currently resides on the Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation east of Regina. Aaron is Plains Cree from the Poundmaker Cree Nation.  

tanisi! I am Brooklyn Neveu. I am a nêhiyaw woman from Sturgeon Lake First Nation. I am a graduate from Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) and a graduate from the Indigenous Languages Certificate Program. My background history is working in Saskatoon elementary schools. I am dedicated to helping Indigenous students at Sask polytechnic by overcoming barriers, making them feel welcome, and helping them succeed. I look forward to watching students accomplish their learning and career goals.

Shane has worked at Sask Polytech in Indigenous Strategy for the past 11 years after completing a MSW practicum in the LINC program as a counsellor for new Canadians. He believes in the strength of the therapeutic relationship built between student and advisor, and is committed to walking with students along their path to success. Shane values connection and encourages students to contact him often. He feels very fortunate to work with a great team, including our invaluable Elder Services.