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Top News - July - 2003
Published July 7, 2003
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First Nations University launched
Award winner receives royal treatment
Riel letter shared with the publicThis is only a partial listing of the stories featured in the July 2003 issue of Saskatchewan Sage. If you are not receiving your own copy of Sage, then you have missed out on a lot.
First Nations University launched
Matt Ross, Sage Writer, ReginaMore than 2,000 people gathered together on June 21 to help the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC) celebrate its new campus and identity.
The SIFC, which has been providing post-secondary education to both First Nations and non-First Nations students for the past 27 years, is now the First Nations University of Canada. The name change was timed to coincide with the official opening of the school's new Regina campus, and makes the First Nations-run institute the only one of its kind in North America.
Vikas Khaladkar is chair of the university's project management team, and was also the school's acting dean of academics for two years. He says students who enter First Nations University will not only get a world-class education, but will be treated more holistically than if they choose to attend elsewhere.
"Besides the academics, we try to maximize the success that is culturally consistent in keeping with the ways of the Elders," said Khaladkar, who's been involved with the school for more than 20 years.
Since 1976 when SIFC opened with seven students, the school has been affiliated with the University of Regina, and that relationship will continue following the college's metamorphosis into a university. During those 27 years, more than 2,000 students at SIFC have graduated with degrees, diplomas and certificates.
The school currently has more than 500 full-time students and 1,000 part-time students enrolled in Regina, with another 500 students attending at the school's other campuses in Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Though the enrolment continues to rise, the concept of keeping a low student-to-teacher ratio remains key, Khaladkar explained, adding that there is a closer relationship between the faculty and students at this school than there is at other universities.
Prior to the opening of the new campus, SIFC operations in Regina were scattered throughout seven locations in the city. Creation of the new campus in Regina has been more than a decade in the making, and the timing couldn't be better.
Currently, Aboriginal people make up more than 10 per cent of Saskatchewan's population, and that percentage keeps increasing. The Aboriginal population in the province is also younger than the non-Aboriginal population-the average age for Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan is 17, while the average age for non-Aboriginal people is 39. Which means many employers will be looking to Aboriginal people to meet an increasing demand for employees as the current workforce nears retirement age.
Because students are required to attend classes at the U of R in conjunctionwith their courses at the First Nations University, the school won't be producing graduates who have been insulated from non-Native lifestyles, Khaladkar said, adding that the staff too teaches at both campuses.
"There is a joint set of standards as far as what's taught in the classroom and the academic credentials of our faculty are also the same as the staff at the University of Regina. Teachers here will teach there and must meet that bar."
Among those attending the unveiling of the university was Matthew Coon Come, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. He expressed excitement about what the school means to First Nations' people across the country.
"Education is a way to get out of our poverty and give our young people a choice," Coon Come said. "This university is First Nations controlled, that's the difference, with its board of directors who are First Nations leaders."
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Chief Perry Bellegarde was also on hand at the opening of the new campus. Stating that education is a right that dates back to 1874 when the local First Nations signed Treaty 4, Bellegarde said this university is a necessary part of the rebuilding of those First Nations.
"The first (type of school) is the kindergarten through Grade 12 and the post-secondary education with the maths and the sciences and everything else. But equally important is that which our Elders talked about-the languages, the traditions and the culture. This is a good balance and that's what this institution teaches us," Bellegarde said.
Regina MP Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Federal Interlocutor for the Métis and Non-Status Indians, also took part in the celebrations, speaking about the importance and symbolism of opening the new campus and launching the university on National Aboriginal Day.
"In a very tangible way, this day helps fulfill the dream of ancient leaders who, seeing the disappearance of the ancient buffalo, saw that for their people's future the new buffalo would be education," Goodale said.
Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert spoke of how these ceremonies ranked among the milestones of the province's history, including the openings of the legislature and the universities of Regina and Saskatchewan.
One of the last dignitaries to speak was the school's president, Dr. Eber Hampton. Saying that his heart was "full of pride and joy", he stated that this day was important not only for First Nations, but for all people, the province of Saskatchewan and Canada as a whole. Hampton also recognized the school's past by acknowledging the institution's previous incarnation, specifically singling out one word from the name the school had operated under for more than a quarter of a century.
"Federated in the literal translation is to accompany and invite our siblings to accomplish something," Hampton said. "Today we can say we did this ourselves and nobody did this for us."
Award winner receives royal treatment
Matt Ross, Sage Writer, ReginaAfter spending more than 1,200 hours pursuing individual accomplishments and performing community service, the reward for Blaine Beaven was a hearty handshake from a member of the royal family.
The Métis youth from Air Ronge received the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award of Achievement at a ceremony in Regina on June 21. His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, handed out the framed certificates to all of the 49 recipients from throughout the Prairies.
To obtain the gold awardthe highest level of achievement in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards programeach participant had to complete the requirements in five different categories over a period of at least 18 months. They included maintaining a skill, providing community service, improving their physical fitness, completing a four-day expedition, and participating in a five-day residential project.
"It shows that there is good character because of how you can set a goal and finish it," the 17-year old said of what the program meant to him. "The purpose is to make you a well-rounded person and each of these steps will help you achieve that."
In his address, the prince said the event was a public celebration of private achievements, within a program designed to help youth enhance themselves and their communities. Established in the United Kingdom by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956 with the intent of encouraging and motivating adolescents in a series of voluntary self-development activities, the award is now offered in more than 100 countries. Canada joined this global movement in 1963 and nationally the program is known as the Young Canadians Challenge.
A Warrant Officer, 2nd Class, with the local Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Beaven's position is the highest in the squadron. He met the Duke of Edinburgh community service requirement through a combination of his teaching duties in Cadets and serving on his high school's student council.
Involved in the sport of biathlon (cross-country skiing and rifle shooting), Beaven has competed in both Nunavut and New Brunswick within the past year. His proficiency in shooting played a significant part in his fulfillment of the expedition component of the program, which took the form of a hunting trip with his dad in northern British Columbia.
"We found a mountain goat ,but I missed because I'm not good at shooting downhill from 500 yards. But I had a great time with my father," Beaven said.
Learning to fly a glider fulfilled the skill element of the program, although the task wasn't without its risks. As Beaven explained, steering a glider requires perfection because there are no second chances.
The residential element of the program is acknowledged as the hardest because it requires youth to step out of their comfort zone and the security of friends and family by meeting a group of strangers and spending at least five days with them. Beaven met this requirement early on in his involvement in the Duke of Edinburgh program, travelling to Ottawa as part of Encounters with Canada, an arts and culture festival where perhaps the biggest challenge was being just one of 19 boys among more than 120 girls.
Unlike most of the other 48 award recipients from the Prairie provinces, Beaven was only among a handful who had completed the program independently, without the assistance or support of a group. Besides everything else he learned or encountered during the program, Beaven said developing organization and paperwork skills were among the benefits he gained from having taken on this commitment on his own.
During the awards ceremony, each recipient walked onto stage when their name was called and greeted Prince Edward, who presented them with a framed certificate. Beaven admitted to some nervousness before the meeting, anxiety that lasted right up until his name was announced.
While his brush with royalty may have been fleeting, the encounter was memorable.
"He asked me 'How did you enjoy the program?' and I said 'I enjoyed it very much'," Beaven said.
Tom Maracle was one of the people in attendance at the awards ceremony. Originally from Saskatchewan, Maracle now lives in Ottawa where he sits on the board of directors for the Ontario region Duke of Edinburgh awards. He is also the manager of Aboriginal community relations with Xerox Canada.
Maracle was pleased that Beaven was acknowledged with this award and hopes that other Aboriginal teenagers take up the challenge.
"There are a lot of talented Aboriginal kids that are out there and through this program, we can recognize their activity and achievement," he said.
Beaven recognizes that he could be a role model for other teenagers.
"Certainly there are other members in my squadron who will look at this and say 'I want to do that'. I hope Aboriginals will feel the same way and (this will) inspire them to achieve their goals."
One of Beaven's goals for the future is attending law school at the University of Saskatchewan.
Riel letter shared with the public
Matt Ross, Sage Writer, ReginaThe public has a chance to see a little piece of history, thanks to a public exhibition of a letter to the editor of the Ottawa Citizen, written by Louis Riel days before his execution.
The letter to James Johson was publicly displayed for the first time at the Saskatchewan Archives in Regina on June 20, and expressed Riel's thanks for an editorial that appeared in the Citizen suggesting that, despite being found guilty of treason, Riel and his fighting party should be pardoned. The letter was penned from a Regina jail on Nov. 9, 1885 on the eve of what was to be Riel's execution, although his hanging would be delayed until the Nov. 16.
"Tell Mr. J. Johnson I thank him for his leniencyfor the Prophet of the New World," was the main text of this 36-word document.
The letter was never published. Johnson, and later his descendants, kept it until two years ago when the family sold it back to the Citizen. When the newspaper was preparing a retrospective of previous letters to the editor, it was decided that Riel's letter should be put on display. The letter is part of an exhibition entitled Louis David Riel: A Letter to the Editor, which was co-oordinated by CanWest Global Communications, the Saskatchewan Archives, and the Library and Archives of Canada.
At the unveiling, Ian Wilson, Canada's national archivist, talked about how much foresight Johnson must have had to personally preserve the note.
"It was clear from the very beginning that things associated with the rebellion were historical," Wilson pointed out, adding that by publicly coming out in favour of leniency for Riel, Johnson had bucked a social trend when it came to the Métis leader's cause.
"This was a very advanced attitude in terms of the day, especially from a position in eastern Canada."
With the nation split between Anglophones and Francophones about how Riel should be dealt with, the decision of the jury hearing Riel's case added fuel to the fire. The jury found him guilty, but recommended he not be sent to the gallows, even though that was the penalty for the crime of treason.
Without question, the sentiment among the English, including the press, was that Riel's fate was sealed, noted the head of the history department at the University of Regina, Bill Brennan.
"Letters to the editors in Ontario said that justice should take its course because he led a rebellion against the Crown. There was no debate," said Brennan.
The letter has been valued at $15,000, not only because of it's historical significance, but also because its authenticity was verified in a letter written in December 1885 by the priest who witnessed Riel writing it. The value is also increased because of the good condition of the paper it is written on, and the fact that it was written on a single piece of paper and is signed.
The Citizen's editorial pages editor Graham Green said his publication paid a fair price for the letter because it was the family that wanted the document to be returned to the newspaper.
Even though Riel's gratitude didn't see print in 1885, Green said the importance of letters to the editor cannot be understated.
"These aren't the record keepers but ordinary people and what they thought about on that particular day and it gives historians a context as to what happened in the news of the day," Green said.
The exhibit will be at the Saskatchewan Archives in Regina until July 11.