Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre officially opened.

Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre officially opened.

After a decade of planning, designing and construction, the University of Saskatchewan officially opened the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre. The facility is named after Gordon Oakes, chief of the Nekaneet First Nation from 1958-62 and 1970-92, and was unveiled on the anniversary of Oakes’ death Feb. 3. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde was among the dignitaries present for the occasion. The $17-million 20,279-square-foot building houses the university’s Aboriginal Students’ Centre. Architect Douglas Cardinal was present to celebrate the centre he designed.