University of Regina President to visit northern Saskatchewan communities as part of annual Community Connections Tour

News Release Release Date: September 23, 2014 10:50 a.m.

University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Vianne Timmons, along with the Dean of Education, the Director of Centre for Continuing Education, the Indigenous Lead and the VP External of the University of Regina Students’ Union, will be visiting five northern communities as part of the President's Northern Tour on September 22-24.

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.

“It’s important for the future success of our province to do all we can to make post-secondary education more accessible for Aboriginal students,” 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 institution.”

One of the goals in the University's strategic plan, mâmawohkamâtowin: Our Work, Our People, Our Communities (2009-2014), is to build relationships with First Nations communities. It also strives to respond to the needs and aspirations of its First Nations and Métis students.

The Community Connections Tour has been an initiative since 2009.