GDI is a Saskatchewan-based educational, employment and cultural institute serving Métis across the province
Feb 6, 2020
Posted in: achievement
Gabriel Dumont Institute Celebrates 40th Anniversary and Métis Culture and Education Conference
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, February 6, 2020 – Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research (GDI), a Métis-owned post-secondary and cultural institution based in Saskatoon with campuses across Saskatchewan, is celebrating four decades of operation at its 40th Anniversary Cultural and Educational Conference at the Saskatoon Inn, February 6-8, 2020.
Conference events include a celebration of GDI students and alumni who have distinguished themselves through their perseverance, community involvement, and overall student performance. Twenty students and alumni will be invested into the Order of Gabriel Dumont Bronze Award. The Order of Gabriel Dumont Silver and Gold will be presented to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Métis of Canada. The Order of Gabriel Dumont is one of the Métis Nation’s highest civilian honours.
The conference features keynote speakers and showcases various workshops and presentations that meet GDI’s cultural and education mandate. It also has entertainment from several accomplished Métis artists.
“GDI came out of the 1970s activism and lobbying for Indigenous control of matters that affected their lives. A 1976 Métis conference recommended the creation of a Métis-controlled post-secondary institution. This became a reality in 1980,” said Dr. Earl Cook, Chair of the GDI Board of Governors and Minister of Education, Métis Nation—Saskatchewan.
Through its affiliation agreements with other Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions, GDI offers programs to thousands of Métis students at 16 locations across Saskatchewan annually.
“Today, GDI is the second largest practical nursing training provider in Saskatchewan. Over 1,300 Indigenous students have graduated with a bachelor of education degree from the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program; and another 70 individuals have graduated from the GDI-University of Regina community-based master of education program in Prince Albert. Further, we recently launched a new teacher education program in La Ronge in partnership with Lac La Ronge Indian Band and the University of Regina,” said Geordy McCaffrey, Executive Director of GDI. “GDI has awarded $3.2 million in scholarships to Métis students to date, and has supported over 1,000 trades related jobs for Indigenous apprentices in partnership with Saskatchewan employers since 2011.”
However, some things have not changed. GDI still has smaller classes offered in facilities that affirm and celebrate Métis culture and heritage.
For more information and for media inquiries, please contact:
Geordy McCaffrey Executive Director
Gabriel Dumont Institute
Phone: 306-657-2231 geordy.mccaffrey@gdi.gdins.org
www.gdins.org
Twitter: @gdins_org
#GDIat40
Gabriel Dumont Institute is a Métis-owned post-secondary and cultural institution in Saskatchewan. It is the parent company to a number of subsidiaries, including the Dumont Technical Institute, Gabriel Dumont College, GDI Training and Employment, the Métis Culture and Heritage Department, Gabriel Dumont Institute Press, Gabriel Dumont Scholarship Foundation, Northern Saskatchewan Teacher Education Program (NSITEP), and the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP). The Institute is marking its 40th anniversary in 2020.
GDI is a Saskatchewan-based educational, employment and cultural institute serving Métis across the province
