The University of Regina and the Gabriel Dumont Institute have signed a couple agreements to continue advancing Métis education in the province.
On Wednesday, the schools agreed to a new affiliation agreement and a renewal of the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) offered through GDI.
University of Regina vice-president Dr. Thomas Chase said they’re hoping to become more creative in how they deliver courses to more people across the province with these partnerships.
“We can’t always ask people, especially adult learners or mid-career learners who have families or jobs, to always come to campus,” explained Chase. “Instead, we’re looking for ways to deliver more programming in local communities online or on television to meet the needs of those people.”
The new affiliation agreement recognizes university-caliber programming offered through GDI, which are accredited by the senate of the university. It also helps open the door to the joint development of other programs and educational initiatives in order to address the needs of students of Métis ancestry in the province.
“Anything that we can do to extend academic programming that meets the needs of that community in the province, we will work hard to do.”
The renewal to continue the partnership with SUNTEP will also assist students attending school in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert through GDI in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the University of Saskatchewan.
Dr. Earl Cook, chairperson with the Gabriel Dumont Institute, said these opportunities will help expand what they can offer across the province.
“It enables us to address training needs throughout the province for the next few years,” stated Cook. “For instance, we can offer liberal arts in places such as Pinehouse or wherever they might need university programming.”
The U of R and GDI hope these agreements will create sustainable and cost-effective educational opportunities for the Metis community, providing members affordable university programming.
