Celebrating 25 years of post-secondary education

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For the past quarter century, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies and the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College have been providing post-secondary education opportunities to First Nations people. This year, both institutions are celebrating 25 years of serving the First Nations community, both within Saskatchewan and beyond the provincial borders.

The Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC) opened its doors in 1976 with fewer than 10 students. Now, the First Nations-controlled university college has an annual enrolment of 1,300, with campuses in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. The college also reaches students through distance education courses, and community-based university classes.

This spring's convocation, held May 25, saw 108 SIFC graduates receive degrees, diplomas and certificates.

The SIFC operates the National School of Dental Therapy and the School of Business, and offers programs in English, Indian education, Indian languages, literatures and linguistics, Indian studies, Indian communications arts, Indian fine arts, Indian social work, and science.

In addition to celebrating 25 years of educating First Nations people, SIFC is also celebrating the start of construction on a new campus building in Regina. Work on the new building began at the end of April, and is slated for completion in the spring of 2003. The new building will allow the college to consolidate its Regina operations-currently spread across six different buildings on the University of Regina campus as well as in rented off-campus space-under one roof.

The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) is also celebrating 25 years of providing post-secondary education for First Nations people. SIIT was established by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) in 1976, and is now one of the largest First Nations post-secondary institutions in Canada.

SIIT offers diploma, certificate and adult basic education programming through permanent campuses located across the province, including campuses in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Lebret, North Battleford, Meadow Lake and Yorkton.

The institute also offers community-based programs to First Nations communities, both in Saskatchewan and in other provinces.

SIIT started out its life as the Saskatchewan Indian Community College, offering skills training and adult basic education programs. It became the SIIT in 1982, and has expanded its course offerings to include certified technical, vocational and trade programs.

Currently, SIIT offers programs in management and community service, as well as technical and trade programs. Academic preparation programming, employee development courses, and applied programming is also available through the institute.

Last year, SIIT expanded its scope yet again, when it received provincial recognition as a post-secondary institution, allowing SIIT students to transfer credits earned at the institute to other post-secondary institutions.

The last 25 years have seen more than 6,000 students graduate from the 75 programs. Enrolment at the Saskatoon campus alone has more than tripled in the last three years, and total enrolment at SIIT for the 1999-2000 school year was more than 2,000 students.

To mark its first quarter century of existence, SIIT held a gathering June 14, celebrating the 25th anniversary and holding a student reunion at the same time. A province-wide convocation for the latest group of SIIT graduates took place June 15.

For more information about the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, visit the college Web site at www.sifc.edu, or call the Regina campus at 306-546-8400. More information about the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies is available on their Web site at www.siit.sk.ca or by calling 1-800-667-9704.