High school students from Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories experience the U of R

The Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies and the ta-tawâw Student Centre, in partnership with the Registrar’s Office (Enrolment Services) and First Nations University of Canada (University Relations), invited Indigenous youth in grades 7 to 12 to spend some time at the University of Regina campus. During their stay at the U of R they a got taste of varsity sports, interacted with other Indigenous students and student athletes, and learned about hard work and dedication, on and off the court. 

I remembered who I was doing it for and I persevered, hoping to show Indigenous youth that they, too, can succeed in higher education. — Jordynn Pewapsconias, Indigenous Student & Youth Engagement Intern, Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies

Approximately 180 students travelled to the U of R from schools across Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territory. This included Ocean Man First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, The Key First Nation, Keeseekoose First Nation, White Bear First Nations, Ochapowace Nation, Mosquito First Nation, Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation, and Miller Comprehensive, Sacred Heart, and Campbell Collegiate in Regina. Students from schools that were over two hours outside of Regina also stayed overnight on campus in the Wakpá Tower. 

Jordynn Pewapsconias BBA’24, BSRS’24 works in the Faculty of KHS as their Indigenous Student & Youth Engagement Intern. Thinking back to when she first came to the University of Regina from the Keeseekoose First Nation, Pewapsconias remembers how intimidating it can be to come to university, especially when it means having to leave your home community right out of high school. 

“The biggest takeaway that I hope the youth left with is that they know that they are heard and that we see them, appreciate them, and believe in them,” she says. “When I first came to the U of R, it was tough seeing myself in these spaces, and at times, I wanted to give up. But I remembered who I was doing it for and I persevered, hoping to show Indigenous youth that they, too, can succeed in higher education.” 

Student athletes Noah Pelletier (Quarterback, Regina Rams) and Jessica Chow (Midfielder, Cougars Women’s Soccer) spoke to the students about their individual journeys connecting with their Métis culture and the important role that sports has played in their lives. 

Following Pelletier and Chow, keynote speaker Craig McCallum shared his journey of growing up on the Canoe Lake Cree Nation in Northern Saskatchewan, making a decision as a teenager to give up on drugs and alcohol, and going on to have a successful hockey career. He then attended the University of Saskatchewan while playing for the U of S Huskies men’s hockey team, and began working as a teacher. In 2023, McCallum was appointed as the 4^th Vice Chief for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. 

The students were also able to attend two Cougars women’s basketball games against the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Timberwolves. The Cougars won the Thursday evening game 72-42 and the Friday afternoon game 90-51. 

Friday afternoon’s game was kicked off with the unveiling of a Métis flag in Gym 3 in the Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport. The Métis flag joins the existing Canadian, Saskatchewan, and Treaty 4 flags that hang in the gym (and outside of the Riddell Centre), representing and acknowledging all Indigenous people here on the University of Regina campus. 

Pewapsconias says that she hopes that the students seeing the Cougars women’s basketball team win in back-to-back matches will inspire them by showing how effort and dedication can lead to success, on and off the court. 

“Like Vice Chief Craig McCallum, Michael Linklater, Brigette Lacquette, and other great Indigenous athletes, sport has played a big part in their lives and has taught them discipline, team work, and perseverance,” says Pewapsconias. “Craig is a good role model in that he is an Indigenous person who has had a tough journey and yet pushed through, telling kids that yes, you need to be disciplined, and it will be hard, but the journey can also be rewarding and exciting.” 

This event was made possible thanks to funding provided by Dairy Farmers of Canada and SaskMilk.

Check out the University of Regina Cougars full schedule to catch an upcoming game!

Banner image: Left to right: Jessica Chow, Noah Pelletier, Craig McCallum, and Jordynn Pewapsconias with students and teachers from across Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territory. Credit: University Communications and Marketing