FSIN, U of S working together to improve academic success of Indigenous students

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the University of Saskatchewan are working together, wanting to improve the academic success of Indigenous students.

"It's not just the numbers and it's not just the percentage of success, it's distributing Aboriginal students across many of the different disciplines that are influential in society," said Peter Stoicheff, president of the university.

As part of the agreement, the U of S president will meet with the FSIN at least once a year.

"[We will] talk about what we're doing regarding Aboriginal students and Aboriginal student success, but hear back from them about the kinds of things they say we need to be doing," Stoicheff explained.

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The leader of the FSIN, currently Bobby Cameron, will also visit the U of S a few times a year.

To reach the goal, Stoicheff said work will be done to ensure every degree program includes significant Indigenous content, and that the university is a welcoming place for Indigenous students — visually, socially and academically.

Stoicheff said the university will have a lot to learn.

"The FSIN can help us to understand, given the things that we do and try to do well, how can we turn them to the benefit of Aboriginal students."

To help in the agreement, a forum is being held next month that will bring the 17 colleges and schools at the U of S together to share what they've been doing and what's been successful.