Indigenous Achievement Week at the University of Saskatchewan
SASKATOON – Media are invited to attend Indigenous Achievement Week (IAW) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). The week is open to the public and celebrates the successes and contributions of Métis, First Nations and Inuit students, staff and faculty.
Monday, Feb. 4 – Friday, Feb. 8
Locations across the University of Saskatchewan campus
Indigenous Achievement Week events will focus on honouring excellence in academics, research, education, community engagement and leadership. Events are planned by groups from across campus. This year’s theme is Powerful Voices.
Media are welcome to attend all events. View list of IAW events.
Highlights of the week include:
Beads and Stone by Ruth Cuthand and Vanessa Hyggen:
February 4 – 8, top of the Arts Ramp, Arts Building.
There will be a kickoff event at noon Monday, February 4 in front of the Arts Building to break the slab Tyndall stone.
Renowned Plains Cree artist Ruth Cuthand and Woodlands Cree artist Vanessa Hyggen will be joined by students, staff and faculty to create artwork during IAW. This piece will begin by breaking a slab of Tyndall stone, a symbol of USask’s architecture, according to the artists. This act represents decolonization and creation of space within the institution for Indigenous traditions, languages and systems of knowledge. Beadwork, stone and resin will be joined in a collaborative art piece representing a new foundation on which to build the university the world needs.
This event is presented by the Office of the Vice-Dean Indigenous; Indigenous Student Achievement Pathways (ISAP); and the College Art Galleries Indigenous Artist in Residency Program in the College of Arts and Science.
Dr. Kim Tallbear – Decolonizing Science and Technology
Tuesday, February 5, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre. This event will be livestreamed.
Dr. Kim Tallbear (PhD) is an associate professor in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. In 2016, she was named a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Peoples, Technoscience and Environment. Tallbear studies the ways in which genetic science is co-constituted with notions of race and indigeneity and in 2013 published, Native American DNA: Tribal Belonging and the False Promise of Genetic Science. More broadly, she is interested in the historical and ongoing roles of science and technology (technoscience) in the colonization of Indigenous peoples and others.
This event is presented by the College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Saskatchewan Indigenous Mentorship Network.
Red Talks: Student Voices
Wednesday, February 6, 9 – 11 am, Quance Theatre, Education Building.
USask Indigenous students chose the week’s theme, Powerful Voices. At this event, Indigenous Student Achievement Award winners will speak for 15 minutes on a topic of their choice.
Wednesday, February 6, 1:30 – 3:30 pm, Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre.
Dr. Daniel Heath Justice (PhD) will speak about the importance of Indigenous literature. He will then have a conversation with Indigenous artists Tennille Campbell, Eekwol (Lindsay Knight), Mika Lafond and Janelle “Ecoaborijanelle” Pewapsconias. Afterwards, the artists will perform their works. This event will include the official launch of the Certificate in the Study of Indigenous Storytelling.
This event is presented by the Aboriginal Students’ Centre, Departments of Indigenous Studies, English, and Drama.
Indigenous Student Achievement Awards
Thursday, February 7, 2:30 – 4:30 pm at the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre.
A time to honour and celebrate the academic excellence, research endeavours, leadership and community involvement of Indigenous students. This year, 40 indigenous students will be honoured.
Friday, February 8, 4:30 – 7 pm, Education Student Lounge, Education Building.
The Métis Dinner and Dance will celebrate Métis/Michif culture and will include dinner and cultural demonstrations. This event is presented by the SUNTEP Student Representative Council and the Gabriel Dumont Student Representative Council.
ITEP Student Round Dance
Friday, February 8, 7 – 11 pm, Education Gym, Education Building.
The round dance is the final event of IAW and caps off the week with dancing, singing and celebration. The event is a student-led Indigenous gathering bringing together the Elders, children, friends, youth and families of our students.
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For more information, contact:
John Shelling
Communications and Publications Specialist
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-2365
john.shelling@usask.ca