News
Celebrating Excellence: 2023 M.Ed. Graduation Ceremony
Sep 8, 2023
Posted in: Education, GDI, Graduation, Teacher Education
We celebrated the achievements of the Gabriel Dumont Institute’s 2023 Indigenous Community-Based Master of Education graduating class at the Prince Albert Wildlife Federation on July 27th, 2023. Graduates demonstrated dedication, perseverance, and an unwavering passion for advancing education throughout this two-year program.
Committed to empowering Métis and Indigenous learners through culturally relevant education, the Gabriel Dumont Institute, in collaboration with the University of Regina, has offered this Indigenous Community-Based Master of Education program for the past five years. Dr. James Nahachewsky, U of R Dean of Education, shared words of hope for the future of education with the graduates, and Acting Executive Director of GDI, Brett Vandale, spoke about the importance of this occasion for the graduates and the Institute as a whole. Both institutions commend the academic achievements and contributions graduates have made and will make in their communities.
M.Ed Sessional Lecturer and Knowledge Keeper, Mike Relland addressed the graduating class with pride, saying, “You know we’ve inherited a mess [. . .], but we need to try to make the world a better place, especially for the children.” An essential aspect of the Master of Education program is emphasizing Indigenous knowledge systems, and graduates learn to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing and learning into their curriculum development.
A crucial factor in the graduating class’s success is the faculty who walked with them Devin Hildebrand spoke on behalf of the instructors to congratulate the students and reminded them that what they have accomplished, no one can take away from them. Veronica Stewart and James Meyers spoke on behalf of their graduating class about the supportive community and lifelong friendships they created during the program.
Throughout their rigorous studies, the masters’ students delved into curriculum development, educational leadership, and research methodologies. With their knowledge, compassion, and dedication, the 24 graduates are poised to uplift the future of Saskatchewan Indigenous communities and leave a lasting impact on inclusive education.
