A partnership involving  the Gabriel Dumont Institute, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, and the University of Saskatchewan alongside First Nations and Métis youth, communities, and organizations is attempting to transform the education and employment systems for Indigenous young people.

Over the next five years, the initiative hopes to support 32,000 First Nations and Métis youth on their path to post-secondary education and as they transition to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Jacqueline Ottmann, Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement at USask says, “The culturally appropriate programming and initiatives that are identified in the 5-year plan meet the students where they are at.” She says it also challenges and transforms ineffective policies, and practices within the institutions.

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).