The Oẏateki Partnership

SASKATOON, SK – The Oẏateki Partnership is a unique collaboration designed to transform the education and employment systems in Saskatchewan in service of Indigenous young people. Over the next five years, this bold initiative will support 32,000 First Nations and Métis youth: on their path to postsecondary education, throughout their education and training, and as they transition to meaningful employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

This unprecedented partnership is co-implemented by the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI), Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT), and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) alongside First Nations and Métis youth, communities, and organizations. The Oẏateki Partnership builds on a history of collaboration across the three partner institutions, the unique strengths and relationships that each institution holds, and a strong desire to create a more dynamic, integrated, ‘wholistic’, and responsive education system that meets the needs of Indigenous youth.

“The Mastercard Foundation has provided us the amazing opportunity to deepen relationships between GDI, SIIT, and USask by engaging in work that transforms educational systems and structures to comprehensively support Indigenous students through their entire educational experience and through to the workforce and careers of choice,” said Jacqueline Ottmann, Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement at USask, “The culturally appropriate programming and initiatives that are identified in the 5-year plan meet the students where they are at and challenges and transforms ineffective pedagogies, methodologies, policies, and practices within our institutions – this is systems change.”

This partnership would not be possible without the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation through its EleV Initiative. EleV, launched by the Foundation in 2017, aims to support Indigenous youth in their pathways through education and on to meaningful work and livelihoods reflecting their values, traditions, and aspirations.

“Supporting success for young Indigenous people means transforming education and employment systems based on the direction of Indigenous youth, communities and Nations,” said Jennifer Brennan, Head, Canada Programs for Mastercard Foundation. “The Oyateki Partnership is truly innovative in that it will deepen collaboration across the institutions to directly meet the unique, diverse, and evolving needs of First Nations and Métis youth and communities and accelerate their success.”

The outcomes of the partnership are ambitious and targeted.

1. Support successful transitions to post-secondary for Indigenous youth.

2. Increase positive outcomes for Indigenous learners while at post-secondary.

3. Support successful transitions from post-secondary into meaningful careers and work for Indigenous youth.

4. Strengthen coordination, communication, and integration of the post-secondary and employment systems for Indigenous youth.

These outcomes will drive all activities and ensure the development of a truly inclusive system.

Riel Bellegarde, President and CEO of SIIT explains, “As a post-secondary institution governed by First Nations leaders, we take very seriously our mandate to serve First Nations people and communities. This founding belief extends to our partners, GDI and USask. With the support of the Mastercard Foundation, we have the capacity to drive successful outcomes for Indigenous learners across the province. There is no more important time than now for our province and communities to ensure meaningful Indigenous inclusion in the labour force and the economy.”

Indigenous people make up 16% of the total population in Saskatchewan and, since 2006, have grown at a rate four times faster than the non-Indigenous population. Indigenous people in Saskatchewan are also significantly younger, on average, than the non-Indigenous population (28 vs. 41). However, historical systemic barriers have resulted in Indigenous people having higher unemployment rates (~10% higher) and being less likely to have received a post-secondary education than the non-Indigenous population (12% vs. 29%). Despite these realities, Saskatchewan is home to strong, resilient, and culturally grounded Indigenous peoples, Nations, and organizations as well as non-Indigenous allies and organizations committed to furthering reconciliation, decolonization, Indigenization and addressing inequities faced by Indigenous young people. The three partner organizations have been at the forefront of this work. GDI is a Métis-led post-secondary institution, SIIT is a First Nation-led post-secondary institution, and USask is a non-Indigenous university with deep commitments to serving Indigenous learners and communities.

On an individual level, the Oẏateki Partnership seeks to improve levels of self-determination among Indigenous young people in Saskatchewan by increasing their engagement with post-secondary schooling and improving educational attainment and labour market outcomes. Achieving these short-term results will positively and meaningfully contribute to the overall ‘wholistic’ health, wellbeing, and socio-economic impacts for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities that will be felt in society.

“The Mastercard Foundation’s investment in the Oyateki partnership is a huge step forward in closing the education gap for Métis youth across the province. For this, we are so thankful. GDI is proud to contribute to this partnership in a way that creates meaningful change in Métis post-secondary education,” said LisaBird Wilson, GDI Executive Director.

With the agreement signed, the partners are excited to begin the search for a managing Director for this ground-breaking collaboration. The position offers a singular opportunity for the right change agent. The

Oẏateki Director will have the resources and support to make a significant difference in the economic and social development of Saskatchewan and provide a template for future change across the country.

The concept of Oẏateki as a symbol of this collaboration was gifted to the partnership by Kunsi Connie Wajunta of Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation. Oẏateki is a Dakota word meaning: all people together and leaving no people behind. This sense of gathering holds two meanings for this collaboration. Firstly, the three post-secondary organizations come together in their commitment to empowering Indigenous youth. Secondly, this partnership endeavours to bring all people together into self-determination, the invitation of all people to the table, and the elimination of those barriers that keep us apart.

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact: Dr. Victoria Lamb Drover Director, Strategic Communications Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies Phone: (306) 441-5418 Email: droverv@siit.ca

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About the Partners

Gabriel Dumont Institute:

GDI is a Métis-owned post-secondary and cultural institution in Saskatchewan. Since 1980, GDI has prided itself as a conservator of Métis culture and history. GDI Includes the Dumont Technical Institute, Gabriel Dumont College, GDI Training & Employment, GDI Press, and the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP), GDI provides Métis-specific education programs and services in 13 communities across the province.

GDI is affiliated with the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan (MN–S) and is governed by a 12-member Board of Governors plus a chair who is the MN–S Minister of Education. GDI gives priority to Métis learners, with an impressive student population of over 90% self-identified Métis.

Mastercard Foundation:

works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management. For more information on the Foundation, please visit: mastercardfdn.org

Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies:

SIIT is a First Nations-governed educational institution. SIIT provides adult learners with academic, vocational, and technical training as well as services and supports for employment and career growth. Indigenous learners are at the core of SIIT, representing over 90% of the student body.

In all things, SIIT is committed to maintaining a First Nations focus and is dedicated to ongoing collaboration with First Nations stakeholders and communities to implement learner-focused strategies. SIIT recognizes a broad array of stakeholders that includes students, job seekers, graduates, instructors, educators, training partners, employers, Elders, First Nations leaders and communities, SIIT staff, management and board.

University of Saskatchewan:

USask is one of the top research-intensive, medical doctoral universities in Canada, and is home to world-leading research in areas of global importance, such as water and food security and infectious diseases.

USask advances the aspirations of the people of the province and beyond through interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to discovering, teaching, sharing, integrating, preserving, and applying knowledge, including the creative arts, to build a rich cultural community. An innovative, accessible, and welcoming place for students, educators, and researchers from around the world, we serve the public good by connecting discovery, teaching, and outreach, by promoting diversity and meaningful change, and by preparing students for enriching careers and fulfilling lives as engaged global citizens.

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BW By By Shari Narine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Windspeaker.comWindspeaker.com Fri., Aug. 13, 2021timer4 min. read A five-year collaboration in Saskatchewan between two Indigenous post-secondary institutions and a university is striving to make ‘system’ changes that will provide stronger educational and employment opportunities for about 32,000 Indigenous youth.

Funding from the Mastercard Foundation has led to the Oyateki Partnership, which brings together the First Nations-governed Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT), the Métis-owned postsecondary and cultural institution Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI), and the University of Saskatchewan (U of S).

The three Saskatoon-based institutions have worked together in the past on a variety of tasks, says Tavia Laliberte, vice-president-academics, Academics Department with SIIT, who sees this partnership as an “opportunity to leverage the strengths of each of those institutions and also in some ways mitigate some of the weaknesses.”

The goal is to ensure that Indigenous youth in Saskatchewan are able to access skills and resources.

“GDI and SIIT in many ways were established and built because the systems that existed weren’t meeting the needs of Indigenous communities. But even within those institutions, our institution here in SIIT, there are still systems that need to continue to be challenged,” said Laliberte. This includes “ineffective pedagogies (the method and practice of teaching), policies, and practices within our institutions,” reads a statement from the foundation.

The same is true for the university, she says, adding, “I think probably our partner at U of S would say that’s a priority of theirs as well.”

One of the systems already identified as a priority by all partners is embracing the principle of “nothing for us without us.” Laliberte admits that all three institutions have tried to incorporate Indigenous community and youth voices and priorities in various ways, but none have fully succeeded.

“I’m really excited to figure out ways to make sure that it’s driven by our student population and in the community youth population, especially for those who still may not be able to access GDI and SIIT for whatever reason, making sure that these are the voices that are driving this initiative,” she said.

She doesn’t anticipate that community consultation will be lengthy, as GDI and SIIT are “so closely connected to our communities … In some ways they are part of our institutions.”

Among those systems changes will be enhanced supports focused on transitions to post-secondary, success in post-secondary and transitions to meaningful work; new and expanded mentorship and transition programs to support youth who are currently disengaged from post-secondary education and employment, including youth who are incarcerated; and new entrepreneurship programs that will provide business development, wrap-around services and start-up grants. Mental health, cultural supports, and land-based delivery of programs will also be included.

Laliberte knows making system changes won’t be easy.

“There’s still lots of work to be done and I don’t know that it all needs to be ‘successful’ in order for it to be successful. I expect there to be setbacks and challenges, otherwise are we really challenging those systems?” she said.

Collaboration between the three institutions was a natural fit, she says, as SIIT had a partnership with U of S already, and GDI offered complementary programs and services.

Over the past number of years, SIIT has been targeting private sector and foundations for investments. It was in this manner that they connected with the Mastercard Foundation, which has as part of its mandate to work with youth in Indigenous communities in Canada.

According to Mastercard’s news release, “It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world.” “As we started the dialogue with the Mastercard Foundation … there was an interest to see … how a project might work amongst a group of institutions and that really excited SIIT because it was really an opportunity to do something bigger and more than we probably could do on our own,” said Laliberte. Laliberte also points out that this would be one of Mastercard’s first Indigenous post-secondary co-led projects.

Before the partnership officially got underway, Laliberte says the three institutions began talking to figure out how they could work together. The year’s worth of discussions had its challenges, including trying to build trust through Zoom conferences because of restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There was a commitment and intent for Mastercard to support this collaboration, but there was certainly work that needed to be done among the partnership institutions before there was this formal commitment,” she said.

Another challenge, Laliberte says, will come in measuring the success of system changes. She anticipates such “traditional metrics” like enrollment, retention, completion, graduation and “even into employment” will be used.

To make that possible, Laliberte expects one of the cohorts they may be working with will be a group of graduates.

The system changes will not only be for the five-year collaboration period.

“I think that’s kind of the beauty in the challenging of the systems is that there is potential for these institutions to potentially look different and function differently through the projects that we embark on over the next five years,” said Laliberte.

“I look forward to being able to do that, to provide a better education ecosystem for Indigenous youth in Saskatchewan.

Today, a new partnership between the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI), the Mastercard Foundation, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT), and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) was announced that will support 32,000 First Nations and Métis youth on their path to post-secondary education over the next {ve years.

The initiative named the Oẏateki Partnership is a unique collaboration designed to transform the education and employment systems in Saskatchewan in service of Indigenous young people. On an individual level, the Oẏateki Partnership seeks to improve levels of self-determination among Indigenous young people in Saskatchewan by increasing their engagement with post-secondary schooling and improving educational attainment and labour market outcomes. Achieving these short-term results will positively and meaningfully contribute to the overall ‘wholistic’ health, wellbeing, and socio-economic impacts for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities that will be felt in society.

The outcomes of the partnership are ambitious and targeted.

1. Support successful transitions to post-secondary for Indigenous youth.
2. Increase positive outcomes for Indigenous learners while at post-secondary.
3. Support successful transitions from post-secondary into meaningful careers and work for Indigenous youth
4. Strengthen coordination, communication, and integration of the post-secondary and employment systems for Indigenous youth.

These outcomes will drive all activities and ensure the development of a truly inclusive system.

This partnership would not be possible without the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation through its EleV Initiative. EleV, launched by the Foundation in 2017, aims to support Indigenous youth in their pathways through education and on to meaningful work and livelihoods re|ecting their values, traditions, and aspirations.

“The Mastercard Foundation’s investment in the Oyateki partnership is a huge step forward in closing the education gap for Métis youth across the province. For this, we are so thankful. GDI is proud to contribute to this partnership in a way that creates meaningful change in Métis postsecondary education,” said Lisa-Bird Wilson, GDI Executive Director,

With the agreement signed, the partners are excited to begin the search for a managing Director for this ground-breaking collaboration. The position oxers a singular opportunity for the right change agent. The Oẏateki Director will have the resources and support to make a signi{cant dixerence in the economic and social development of Saskatchewan and provide a template for future change across the country. The Director position has been posted on the careers page of the SIIT website here. (https://siit.prevueaps.com/jobs/175297.html)The Deadline to apply is August 25, 2021.

To read the full media release click here. (https://gdins.org/me/uploads/2021/08/MCF.GDI_.SIIT_.USASK-Media-Release-August-3-2021.pdf)