Photo Courtesy SIIT.ca

The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies is celebrating 40 years with a fund-raising gala Thursday night in Saskatoon.

Several dignitaries and leaders are expected at the event including keynote speaker, Canadian television star Rick Mercer.

Riel Bellegarde, President and CEO of S-I-I-T says the fact they have been around for 40 years speaks to the importance of Indigenous education.

“It was 40 years ago that all the First Nations institutions in the province were really born and they really had that vision to serve First Nations in their communities to align with some of the opportunities at the time and into the future.”

The fund-raising gala is taking place at Prarieland Park.

All funds raised will go towards the SIIT scholarship fund.

In addition to the 40th Anniversary Gala SIIT says they have plans to hold several more events throughout the year to celebrate the milestone.

Bellegarde says in addition to aligning themselves with powwows and other traditional First Nation events they will be bringing the celebration to their 13 locations throughout Saskatchewan.