Some of the posts on NORTEP/NORPAC’s Facebook page. Collage created by Chelsea Laskowski
Dozens of northern Saskatchewan residents are donning their NORTEP and NORPAC gear and dusting off their cap and gown photos, in a Facebook bid to show the programs have affected their lives.
The aim is to get the province to cancel its plan to redirect the La Ronge program’s funding.
Some alumni who went onto study law and journalism after attending NORTEP/NORPAC are taking part in the social media campaign.
Teachers like Tracey Linklater, who is now at Little Red River School, say they started their careers through NORTEP programming.
Mike Durocher teaches a law class with the school right now, and wrote on NORTEP/NORPAC Facebook group “If this funding is cut, my job is probably toast.”
Alumni from Birch Narrows and Turnor Lake have pulled out their NORTEP sweaters and posted photos.
These are just some of the many success stories that are being shared online.
The topic got a federal mention on Thursday as the NDP’s Georgina Jolibois stood in Parliament, mentioning protests held on Wednesday at the Legislative building, in La Ronge, and in Saskatoon.
“Liberals promised to invest $50 million in First Nations post-secondary education. Where is it? Will the Liberals ensure that programs like NORTEP/NORPAC receive funding that strengthens education services for northerners?” she asked.
Minister Carolyn Bennett says her government is committed to increasing Indigenous access to post-secondary education by increasing Canada student grants by 50 per cent this year.
She didn’t speak specifically about NORTEP/NORPAC.
For many of the other stories, you can visit the NORTEP/NORPAC Facebook page.