Funding will help graduate students focus on school

Omeasoo Butt and Cassandra Opikokew are the winners of $10,000 each, as the recipients of the 2011 Elizabeth II Centennial Aboriginal Scholarship. Both women are students in the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.

Opikokew is in her final year of graduate studies at University of Regina. Through her research with the Indigenous Peoples’ Health Research Centre, she hopes to develop effective policies that close the education gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal post-secondary students in Saskatchewan.

“I applied for the scholarship thinking it was a long shot,” said Opikokew.  “When I found out that I was splitting it with a PhD student, especially one like Omeasoo at the U of S who I know, I was just psyched. It was a total surprise. I think I sent back my acceptance letter for the award within 30 seconds.”

The scholarship, which will be paid out in monthly stipends, will support the rest of her Masters degree, said Opikokew.

“For me the scholarship means I don’t have to stress as much in terms of making sure I have a full-time job. It gives me more freedom and peace of mind to focus on my studies, especially if I’m trying to maintain an outstanding average to be a competitive PhD candidate, ” she said.

Opikokew, who is from Canoe Lake Cree First Nation and was raised in Meadow Lake, is researching why, despite the fact that the Aboriginal population is the fastest growing in Canada, the educational gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians is widening with special focus on First Nations students in Saskatchewan.
“I’m (also) looking at (the fact) that First Nations education is chronically underfunded from early childhood education all the way through to Grade 12 and beyond to the university,” said Opikokew. Her research project involves public policy, education, and some law, as so much of policy with regards to First Nations peoples is still driven by the Indian Act.
Opikokew said she loves the research aspect of her Masters studies and combines this with her work at the Indigenous Peoples Health Research Centre.

“I love working here; it’s nice. Even though it’s at the University of Regina, First Nations University of Canada and the University of Saskatchewan are partners in this,” she said.

Opikokew hopes to continue on with a PhD program which will see First Nations communities as research partners.

“That’s the game plan right now; I’m not sure where I want to do the PhD yet, but it will still focus on policy and education. I’d also like to expand it a bit to look at ways in which First Nations people can have more control and self-determination in education. In terms of career plans, I’m just trying to stay open to what comes along, as it seems in my life one thing always leads to the next.”
Butt is pursuing post-graduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research traces the history of housing in two Indigenous communities and examines changing Indigenous architecture and community planning through the history of colonization.

“Homes speak volumes about the way people think, express their values and live their lives,” said Butt. She hopes her research “will help people think seriously about their own houses – not only as homes, but as meaningful reflections of identity, culture, politics and place.”

The Queen Elizabeth II Centennial Aboriginal Scholarship is awarded annually to First Nations and Métis students who are pursuing graduate studies in any field at any accredited university in Saskatchewan. Students must have graduated from a university in Saskatchewan, with preference given to students who have attended or received an undergraduate degree from the First Nations University of Canada.