GDI is a Saskatchewan-based educational, employment and cultural institute serving Métis across the province
Jan 13, 2016
Posted in: Uncategorized
By James Oloo
2015 was an exciting and eventful year at Gabriel Dumont Institute marked by significant milestones. In February, the Western Economic Diversification Canada announced a $3.1 million funding for a new GDI Aboriginal Apprenticeship Project to create 150 new jobs in Saskatchewan and indenture 100 new apprentices in severe shortage trades.
Dumont Technical Institute students in La Loche students organized a well-attended Suicide Awareness Walk in the community. Jeannie Murray, Adult Basic Education instructor, stated that “Just two cases of suicide were reported in the 1970s. Today, it is a very common problem.”
In July 2015, the first cohort of the GDI-University of Regina Master of Education program held a graduation celebration. Twenty three of the 25 (or 92 percent) students who started the program graduated after successfully meeting the requirements of the program.
The Dumont Technical Institute Business Plan 2015-2018 was released in July 2015. The Business Plan titled, Helping Build Brighter Futures, is available online at https://gdins.org/about/reports/businessplans
In August 2015, the Government of Saskatchewan and GDI renewed a funding agreement for five years to provide (financial) support to the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) and the Dumont Technical Institute. The provincial government will provide GDI with $11.23 million in operating and program funding in 2015-2016.
During 2015, GDI introduced a new online system for employee T4 forms for 2014 tax returns. It was the first year in the Institute’s history that printed copies of T4s were not mailed to employees.
Karon Shmon, the Director of GDI Publishing, was honored with the 2015 YWCA Saskatoon Women of Distinction Award in the Education category. The award recognizes exceptional educators in schools, institutions, or community programs who are role models in their profession and the community.
Ashley Hayden-Ross, Employment Counselor at the GDI Training & Employment Centre in Regina, released her first book titled You Can’t Make Me (High Interest Publishing) in June.
The Institute celebrated the retirement of three employees, Sharon Wood, Muriel Luther, and Sandy Sherwin-Shields. Together, the three have worked at GDI for a total of 61 years. Sharon Wood, a graduate of SUNTEP, worked at the GDI Prince Albert location for 20 years while Muriel Luther was at the same location since 2007. Sandy Sherwin-Shields joined SUNTEP Prince Albert in 1982 as a sessional lecturer.
GDI Family celebrated the life of Leonard Gamola, a dear friend and colleague. Lenny joined the Institute in 2009 and worked with dedication at our La Loche Learning Centre until he passed away in January 2015.
We a look forward to another successful year. Happy 2016!
GDI is a Saskatchewan-based educational, employment and cultural institute serving Métis across the province
