USask and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami to sign historic agreement
SASKATOON—The University of Saskatchewan (USask) and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) will sign a first of its kind Memorandum of Understanding on June 28 to develop a formal, objective and secure process for verifying the Inuit enrollment status of individuals who apply to USask for Indigenous-specific opportunities or positions.
This agreement is aligned with the Government of Canada’s Inuit Nunangat Policy, which was co-developed with Inuit.
The agreement is also aligned with USask’s deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin policy, which provides a framework for the implementation of Indigenous membership/citizenship verification with documentation. The university is committed to safeguarding the cultures and integrity of Indigenous peoples, Indigenous values, and Indigenous languages within the university.
Dr. Angela Jaime (PhD), Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement and her team have been leading USask in its commitment to Indigenize academia.
“This agreement is truly about recognizing Inuit Treaty Organizations and their sovereign and inherent rights to determine their membership and who they claim,” said Jaime. “It is our job at the university to make sure that the space for Indigenous people is held for Indigenous people.”
Media are invited to attend the remarks, signing event, and media scrum,
Dr. Jaime, ITK President Natan Obed, and USask President Peter Stoicheff will be available for questions. Media from outside of Saskatoon are also invited to connect to the event livestream and ask questions via Zoom. RSVP for connection details.
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For more information and to RSVP, contact:
Daniel Hallen
USask Media Relations
daniel.hallen@usask.ca
306-966-6922
media@itk.ca
613-292-4482