ITEP was established to increase the number of First Nations teachers to help meet the social and cultural needs of Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan and throughout Canada, as well as contributing to school systems where Indigenous and non-Indigenous children make up the student population. Graduates of ITEP receive a Bachelor of Education degree.
“ITEP was built because it was what our Elders wanted: to strengthen identity and culture and provide opportunities to build strong Indigenous people and communities through education,” said Yvette Arcand, director of ITEP and a 1997 graduate of the program. “Today, Indigenous teachings and ways of knowing are embedded not only in our schools and provincial curricula, but that desire to engage with and learn about Indigenous culture is throughout the larger society as well. ITEP was a part of that.”
The program connects First Nations students to their culture, traditions and language, and prepares educators to pass along that knowledge with skill and talent. ITEP is the longest-running Indigenous Teacher Education Program in North America. Over 3,000 alumni have graduated from the program and gone on to varied careers in education, leadership, politics, art, business and other sectors. The program provides a strong foundation for graduates to pursue further academic and professional degrees.
“The impact of the program extends far beyond the classroom, and has now shaped the lives and careers of individuals across three generations who are making a positive difference throughout Indigenous communities,” said Dr. Julia Paulson (PhD), dean of the College of Education, where the program resides. “The fact that ITEP is the longest-running Indigenous teacher education program in North America is a testament to its success. The University of Saskatchewan has learned so much through its ongoing work with ITEP and is honored to support Indigenous education.”