Some of the graduates of the Liberal Arts program. (University of Regina)

By Derek Cornet

post-secondary

Liberal arts graduates celebrate program completion in Pinehouse Lake

Dec 20, 2019 | 1:54 PM

The first cohort of 19 Indigenous students to successfully complete a Liberal Arts certification program in Pinehouse Lake celebrated Dec. 17 with a graduation ceremony.

The program was offered through a partnership with Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) and the University of Regina. It was offered throughout a 12-month period and the course load was modified and reduced to ensure success. The program was designed to be portable with the ability to relocate as needed and demand required.

“In the end, it becomes more than just GDI or U of R, because there is community ownership and buy in,” said GDI Research Coordinator James Oloo. “GDI delivers the program [and] grads earn a U of R credential. It is a win-win situation for GDI, U of R and Indigenous students.”

After an enhanced affiliation agreement was renewed in October, a number of partnerships have been the result such as GDI and U of R working together to offer such programs. For GDI, the organization’s main goal is to provide Métis people with access to post-secondary education and to expand educational opportunities for the Métis.

“The U of R has a strong goal of working with Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan, including Métis and other communities in northern Saskatchewan,” said Professor Harvey King, director of the Centre for Continuing Education at the U of R. “In fall 2018, former U of R President Dr. Vianne Timmons and others visited Pinehouse as part of our northern community tour. There was shared excitement for this program to help their students and communities grow, and achieve development and success.”

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Among the 19 graduates were mother-daughter duo Sherry Lariviere and Jolene Tinker, who described the experience as challenging with a lot of hard work. They would also like to see the programming offered in other northern communities to provide opportunities for more residents.

“In 2014, I was accepted to the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program in Prince Albert,” Tinker said. ‘My kids were very small and it was my first time leaving the community. I did not succeed, so when they offered the liberal arts certificate program right here in Pinehouse, I jumped at the opportunity. I got to stay in my community, around my kids and my supports. This increases the likelihood of success.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno