President Timmons visits northern communities

Posted: September 26, 2014 1:45 p.m.

Dr. Vianne Timmons, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Regina with Grade 5 students at Rhoda Hardlotte Memorial Keethanow High School in Stanley Mission. Photo: External Relations

University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Vianne Timmons visited five northern communities as part of the President's Northern Tour on September 22-24.

Timmons was joined by the University of Regina Dean of Education, the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education, the Indigenous Lead and the VP External of the University of Regina Students’ Union.

This annual tour provides opportunities for University of Regina leaders to listen and learn about First Nations and Métis needs from school administrators, students and community leaders in Buffalo Narrows, La Ronge, Pinehouse, Prince Albert, and Stanley Mission.

“Making post-secondary education more accessible for Aboriginal students in Saskatchewan is of increasing importance to our province’s future,” said University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Vianne Timmons. “Approximately 11 per cent of the University of Regina's students have self-declared that they are of Aboriginal descent, therefore, it is extremely important to ensure that those students and future students - as well as our faculty and staff and members of the public - find our University to be a welcoming and inclusive campus.”

The University's strategic plan, mâmawohkamâtowin: Our Work, Our People, Our Communities (2009-2014) outlines a commitment to build relationships with First Nations communities and to respond to the needs and aspirations of its First Nations and Métis students.

In recent years, a number of important initiatives have been implemented to help Indigenize the University of Regina and support the success of Aboriginal students, faculty and staff on campus. The Aboriginal Student Centre, for example, has been expanded to provide a culturally appropriate studying and gathering place for students and an Aboriginal Advisory Circle has been created to regularly advise President Timmons about measures that must be taken to ensure that the campus remains dedicated to and focused on meeting the needs of Aboriginal students, faculty and staff.

For more information about the continuing efforts of the University of Regina to Indigenize the campus and to related events, visit: www.uregina.ca/president/indigenization.html.

The Community Connections Tour has been a University initiative since 2009.