Grand opening celebrations set at U of S for Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre

SASKATOON - Members of the media are invited to the official grand opening celebrations of the University of Saskatchewan's (U of S) Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre.

Wednesday, Feb. 3, 11 am
Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre
5 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan




    • The ceremony will be up to an hour and a half long. Media are invited to a brief interview session 30 minutes before the formal event begins. Available for interviews at that time will be U of S President and Vice-Chancellor Peter Stoicheff, U of S Chancellor Blaine Favel and U of S Students' Union President Jack Saddleback. The guest speakers will also be available for interviews following the program. For more information, call or text Meghan Sired at 306-381-7992.


SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, Feb. 3

10:30-10:45 am: Pre-event interview session

• U of S President Peter Stoicheff
• U of S Chancellor Blaine Favel
• U of S Students' Union President Jack Saddleback

11 am: Opening celebration

    • Opening prayer by Elder Larry Oakes (son of the late Gordon Oakes)


Speeches:

    • • U of S President and Vice-Chancellor Peter Stoicheff

    • • U of S Chancellor Blaine Favel

    • • Member of the Legislative Assembly Paul Merriman

    • • National Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde

    • • Treaty Commissioner George Lafond

    • • Métis Nation of Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette

    • • Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Felix Thomas

    • • U of S Students' Union President Jack Saddleback

    • • Architect Douglas Cardinal


11:45 am: Presentation of gifts

    • • Dana Carriere, Aboriginal liaison of the U of S Graduate Students' Association and chair of the Indigenous Gradation Students' Council, and Feather Pewapisconias, president of the Indigenous Students' Council, present a blanket to Jean Oakes, widow of Gordon Oakes.

    • • Speech by granddaughters of Gordon Oakes.


Noon: Honour song to end formal ceremony.

Noon to 1 pm: Reception and 15-minute performance by Juno-award winning singer Susan Aglukark.

2-4:30 pm: Student open house: Pizza, cake and tours.

7-9 pm: Alumni reception: U of S President and Vice Chancellor Peter Stoicheff and architect Douglas Cardinal.

Thursday, Feb. 4

2-4:30 pm: Staff and faculty open house: Everyone is invited to come in and take a look around the new centre.

3-3:45 pm: Presentation by Canadian Senator Lillian Dyck.

Friday, Feb. 5

Noon-2 pm: Traditional feast (No photography allowed).

2-4 pm: Community open house: Everyone is invited to come in and take a look around the new centre.

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For more information, contact:

Meghan Sired
Communications Co-ordinator
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-6068 (office)
306-381-7992 (cell)
meghan.sired@usask.ca

James Shewaga
Media Relations Specialist
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-1851 (office)
306-270-5583 (cell)
james.shewaga@usask.ca
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