Prime Highlights:
Indigenous high school students explore university life, participate in cultural teachings, and experience diverse academic programs at USask.
Participants engage in activities like building solar cars in the College of Engineering, using advanced technology in the College of Dentistry, and exploring arts in the College of Arts and Science.
Key Background:
The University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Indigenous Summer Institute (ISI) provides Indigenous high school students with a unique opportunity to explore educational paths, build relationships, and experience campus life in a culturally inclusive environment. This initiative, led by Anteia Waldron, Oyateki Student Advisor at the Office of the Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement, aims to encourage students to envision their futures in higher education while addressing any uncertainties they may have about attending post-secondary institutions.
Originally piloted by Dr. Angela Jaime, USask’s Vice-Provost of Indigenous Engagement, during her tenure at the University of Wyoming, ISI was launched at USask in 2025. The inaugural program hosted 15 Indigenous high school students from Saskatoon and surrounding areas. During their stay, participants lived in residence, explored Saskatoon, and engaged with Métis and First Nations community members for cultural teachings.
While the program highlights various academic offerings at USask, its primary goal is not to determine future career paths for participants but to inspire them to consider their educational options. Waldron emphasized that the ISI is designed to reduce anxieties surrounding post-secondary education by giving students a firsthand experience of university life, from living in dorms to dining at Marquis Hall. Beyond academics, ISI fosters important connections that influence identity and belonging. Mentors, such as Tianna Sangwais, a member of the Ochapowace First Nation, are dedicated to helping students navigate their cultural and academic journeys. Sangwais noted the significance of community within USask’s Indigenous student groups, providing students with a sense of “home away from home.”
Mentors like Precious Harvey, a member of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, share personal experiences, demonstrating that there is no singular path to success. Harvey highlighted the value of lived experience and encouraged students to pursue education when they are ready, reaffirming that “school isn’t going anywhere.” Participants also had the opportunity to explore various USask programs, from solar car-building in the College of Engineering to the College of Dentistry’s state-of-the-art technology. These activities exposed students to the vast potential that higher education offers.
