Cumberland House celebrates 26 graduates of community-based Cree teacher education program

CUMBERLAND HOUSE, Sask. – Media are invited to join the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the Northern Lights School Division at the community celebration in honour of the upcoming graduates of the Bachelor of Education Cree Teacher Education Program (CTEP) cohort offered by the College of Education, and the College of Arts and Science in the community of Cumberland House.

Event details:
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Time: 1 pm 
Location: Ministik Community School Field, Cumberland House

Twenty-six students will be joined by more than 500 guests to celebrate their completion of a four-year Bachelor of Education degree with teaching areas of Cree and Indigenous studies. The program was made possible through an agreement signed in June 2019 by USask, the Northern Lights School Division, Cumberland House Cree Nation, The Northern Village of Cumberland House, and Métis Nation-Saskatchewan to help with teacher recruitment and retention in the northern community.

The following spokespeople will be available for interviews. Phone interviews are possible in advance and following the event for media unable to attend in person. Photos will be available after the event.

  • Jason Young, Director of Education, Northern Lights School Division #113
  • Lily McKay-Carriere, Program Co-ordinator, CTEP, Northern Lights School Division #113
  • Rayne Bo Favel, CTEP student, University of Saskatchewan
  • Shaun Murphy, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs, Partnerships and Research, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan

Agenda*
*Order of agenda subject to change

  • Master of Ceremonies: Ryan Carriere and Mary MacColl
  • Arrival of Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan Russell Mirasty and Her Honour Donna Mirasty
  • National Anthem: Aaron Fosseneuve, Principal, Ministik Community School
  • Opening Prayer: Elder Bertha McKay
  • Cree Honour Song: Kato Carriere and guest; Entrance of Cree Teacher Education Program students
  • Opening Remarks: Jason Young, Director of Education, Northern Lights School Division #113
  • Greetings and Remarks:
    • Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan His Honour the Honourable Russell Mirasty
    • Member of the Legislative Assembly for Athabasca Jim Lemaigre, Government of Saskatchewan
    • Member of Legislative Assembly for Cumberland Doyle Vermette, New Democratic Party Caucus
    • Mayor Kelvin McKay, Northern Village of Cumberland House
    • Chief Rene Chaboyer, Cumberland House Cree Nation
    • Local President Gerald Favel, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan
    • Chief Marcel Head, Shoal Lake Cree Nation
    • Chief Zachary Whitecap, Red Earth Cree Nation
    • Grand Chief Derek Fox, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
    • Board member Richard Thommes, Northern Lights School Division #113
    • Director of Education Josy Roske, Lac La Ronge Indian Band
    • Shaun Murphy, Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs, Partnerships and Research, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan
    • Priscilla Settee, Acting Vice-Dean Indigenous, College of Arts and Science, University of Saskatchewan
  • Presentation of beaded stoles to Cree Teacher Education Program participants
  • Special recognition: Collaborating teachers from Nisto Awasisak Memorial School and Ministik Community School

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For media inquiries, contact:

Connor Jay
Communications and Advancement Co-ordinator
College of Education
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-7829 or 306-380-3079
connor.jay@usask.ca