(Submitted photo/University of Saskatchewan)

By Ben Tompkins

Cree Teacher Education Program

Pelican Narrows now offering Bachelor of Education programming

Sep 28, 2023 | 5:45 PM

Courtesy of the University of Saskatchewan (USask), the Northern Lights School Division (NLSD), and the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) Education Authority, aspiring teachers can now receive their Bachelor of Education degrees in Pelican Narrows.

The agreement supports courses delivered by the College of Education and the College of Arts and Science to pre-service teachers.

There is a facility in Pelican Narrows (right beside the high school) where all 34 students will have the opportunity to study, along with satellite locations available in Sandy Bay and Deschambault Lake, if needed.

Named the Cree Teacher Education Program (CTEP), all 34 joined the cohort earlier this month and are working towards a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree, specializing in Cree and Indigenous Studies.

(Submitted photo/Pelican Narrows)

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“I am excited that we are celebrating culture, language, identity, and relationships in this beautiful community with all of these beautiful people,” said Jason Young, director of education with the NLSD.

“There will be challenges along the way, but I know these students will succeed because they have gone this far and that they will continue to be successful on the journey. I look forward to observing their progress and seeing them at the graduation ceremony.”

In 2019, the first CTEP cohort began classes in Cumberland House, Sask. The program reached its conclusion this spring, with 26 students receiving their B.Ed degrees.

As a result of the first CTEP cohort, the two schools in the Cumberland House area no longer face staffing shortages.

“We saw that there were a number of teachers that we were short in the Pelican Narrows area, it’s been an issue for us for a few years. Seeing the model work in Cumberland, it made sense for us to look at partnering again. We look forward to employing them within our division once they’ve completed the program,” Young said.

The Bachelor of Education programs last for a total of four years, with many of them usually only being available in places like Regina and Saskatoon.

Now, with both the demand and the success of the programs up north, it’s nothing but positives for an institution like USask to offer this type of expansion.

“After the success of the first CTEP cohort, the College of Education is thrilled to continue offering Indigenous students in northern communities the opportunity for post-secondary education close to home,” explained Dean Julia Paulson.

“The college is honoured to work with strong community partners to enhance education in northern Saskatchewan. It’s wonderful to see 34 students sitting before us and we wish them all the best on their learning journey.”

The agreement was signed in Pelican Narrows on Wednesday (Sept. 27) between all three of the organizations.

PBCN Education Authority Incorporated administration and other dignitaries were in attendance, including PBCN Chief Karen Bird, Pelican Narrows Mayor Ovide Michel, and Sandy Bay Mayor Gertrude Bear.

“The desire of our local communities to expand and offer language and cultural programs is also crucial to our First Nations to revitalize Canadian Indigenous languages and cultures,” added Darren Linklater, PBCN Director of Education.

“Indigenous peoples are significantly underrepresented in the teaching professions. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to serving our communities and our response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, specifically Calls to Action 62 and 64.”

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