The Prince Albert Grand Council and the University of Saskatchewan have formally committed to continuing to work together.
PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte and U of S president Peter Stoicheff signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday morning in Prince Albert.
“It’s going to support our Indigenous students,” Hardlotte says. “I think this agreement will help to shape a framework for dialogue and sharing of information between the Prince Albert Grand Council and the university. We are thrilled to sign this memorandum of understanding with the University of Saskatchewan.”
The agreement is also a commitment to collaborate on projects and research.
“The research is a very important area that we can assist the university with our knowledge keepers,” Hardlotte adds. “The university is moving in a direction that is heavily focused on reconciliation and Indigenization and we are in support of their plans to ensure that it’s campus programs, courses, research and support services better reflect the needs of their First Nations students, especially those from our PAGC communities in northern Saskatchewan. The Prince Albert Grand Council and the University of Saskatchewan recognize the need to work towards fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation calls to action.”
Hardlotte also says he is happy the university has hired Jacqueline Ottmann as the vice-provost of Indigenous engagement.
“This is so significant,” Stoicheff says. “The memorandum of understanding represents an opportunity to renew and strengthen our respectful and reciprocal working relationship, while supporting our Indigenization efforts at the new USask campus in Prince Albert. It is special to be able to build a formal relationship that will become a deeply meaningful relationship.”
(PHOTO: PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte (bottom center) and U of S president Peter Stoicheff (bottom right) sign the memorandum of understanding. Photo by Brendan Mayer.)