The University of Regina now boasts an Aboriginal student population of nearly 1,600.
This is a record high and an increase of 50 per cent over the past five years.
U of R President Vianne Timmons says the university has a plan to make the institution more relevant and inviting to First Nations and Métis students.
Timmons has taken the lead on this plan with the full support of university faculty and staff.
She is of First Nations heritage herself and understands the importance and value of education and providing career opportunities for Aboriginal youth.
Timmons says the university is focused on implementing initiatives to support the success of Aboriginal students and to ensure First Nations and Métis culture is reflected in academic programming and services.
She says the initiative is important for all students on campus.
“We have a province in which we work, live and play, and study with Aboriginal students and aboriginal people,” she says. What do we know about them as a population? How do we support them? What do we understand about the history?”
As part of the initiative, Dr. Shauneen Pete has been appointed as executive lead on Indigenization to ensure Aboriginal culture is reflected in campus life.
“Now we have a new strategic plan that is coming forward that is really going to look at Indigenizing our entire campus and the campus is very much on side with this.”
Other initiatives include expanding the university’s Aboriginal Students’ Centre, implementing orientation and mentoring programs and establishing an Aboriginal advisory circle.
About 11 per cent of the university’s student population is Aboriginal.