FSIN, SIEC sign innovated education agreement for Indigenous youth

So many of our young people are playing video games, why aren’t they creating them?

That was a question posed by the master of ceremonies, Indigenous educator Dale Worme, during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) and the Saskatoon Industry Education Council (SIEC).

Thanks to the signing of the MOU, resources will be made available for Indigenous students to prepare them for the future and current job opportunities, linked to technology and innovation. It allows the two groups to work together on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) outreach activities.

Delores Netmaker, executive director of education with the FSIN, spoke of how integral education is for Indigenous youth.

“Education is what’s going to get our people out. It’s an avenue I remember hearing about when I was young. I was always told, ‘Get your education,’” she said.

“They are well capable. I think when we have the right people in place — good partnerships — that we will do wonders for our kids.”

Worme said the work on the MOU has been done within the last year or so, with many nods to coming out of the pandemic and looking to the future as the reasoning for being proactive.

Janet Uchacz-Hart is SIEC’s executive director. She said the program model has virtual and in-person delivery options.

FSIN’s executive director of education, Delores Netmaker, pictured on Aug. 19, 2021. (Brady Lang/650 CKOM)

“The ultimate goal is to provide digital skills development in all schools in Saskatchewan, no matter where they reside,” Uchacz-Hart said.

Edward “Dutch” Lerat, FSIN’s third Vice-Chief, said Thursday’s official signing is integral in the future of Indigenous education.

“To us as leaders, (this) will make a huge difference to our First Nations children, our youth, our teachers, and of course, our community at large going forward,” he said.

“This MOU signing today, it’s a special day … STEM outreach activities are accessible to all of our First Nations schools and teachers, and more importantly, our students.”

This program, SEIC’s SaskCode looks to equip the educators with pedagogy, technological skills and physical tools for computational thinking and coding in the classroom.

The MOU will last the next five years, or whenever sufficient funding can be secured by the SEIC.