University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors announces plans for construction of Gordon Oakes-Red Bear Student Centre

"Our students are central to the university's goals, and we are committed to both enhancing their experience as students and supporting their academic success," said U of S President Peter MacKinnon. "The Gordon Oakes-Red Bear Student Centre will welcome Aboriginal students to feel at home at the U of S and will help us better serve our students as our enrolment continues to grow."
The new student centre will provide a central location for support services geared toward Aboriginal students, including the Aboriginal Students' Centre. It will also serve as a central space where all
U of S students, staff and faculty can gather and learn from one another.
Design of the building was done by Douglas Cardinal, whose signature buildings include the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec and the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
The building is named after Gordon Oakes, who was born in 1932 in Cypress Hills on what is now the Nekaneet First Nation. Throughout his life, he was a spiritual leader within his community and across the province. Oakes died in February 2002 and arrangements to name the centre after Oakes began early in the project's life.
Construction on the Gordon Oakes-Red Bear Student Centre may begin as early as spring 2012.
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For more information, contact:
Mark Ferguson
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-1851
Email: m.ferguson@usask.ca