Social work program celebrates 20th year

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Driving by the seemingly drab and dormant grey building on 3rd Avenue and 20th Street in Saskatoon which houses the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College's

Indian Social Work program one would hardly imagine that this year alone 30 social

work students armed with degrees will be leaving the program physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually stronger people.

Just like their predecessors, those students will fondly remember the social work program, not only for the academic skills acquired but for the very necessary cultural enrichment they have enjoyed as part of the distinctive character of the program.

Already caught up in the pre-graduation excitement, those 30 students will be among many returning alumni invited to participate in the celebration planned for the Indian school Work Program's 20th Anniversary. In January 1974, 18 very eager and committed First Nations students entered the then Indian Social Work Education Program. The following September 18 more started in the program. Since those few semesters, SIFC's Social Work Program boasts a continuously increasing student population. In fact, since its inception in 1974 the program has graduated 480 certificate and degree graduates.

Moreover, in contrast to many other academic departments and despite continuous criticisms of "too many students going into social work," SIFC's School of social Work is one of the few departments that can point to a very successful rate of employment after graduation. Indeed, according to Yvonne House, social work department head, "most graduates of SIFC's school of social work are employed with First Nations organizations across Canada."

Not forgetting the hard work and dedication the founding Elders contributed to the success of the program, the organizing committee (Joan Sanderson, Thelma Knight, Sid Fiddler, John Sealy, Louise McCallum, Chester Knight, Alice Abey, Shelley Thomas and many many student volunteers) plan to ceremoniously honor them. Also included in the honoring ceremony are specific individuals from the academic and political communities who have made significant contributions to the program.