between the committee, teachers and our
partners is what we believe is the true
meaning of reconciliation,” says Fortier-
Fréçon. And the project continues to
grow and evolve, “We are now planning
a collaborative project between students
from Regina Public Schools and the Conseil
des écoles fransaskoises. The purpose of
this activity is to allow students to meet
with students from another school (and
another school board) to start building
relationships and reflecting about the
meaning of ‘We are all Treaty People.’
During this time, students will learn about
the Métis culture in Saskatchewan with
Calvin Racette.” This year there will be a
language component, with Historian Laurier
Gareau presenting on “the historical
place of languages in Saskatchewan and
the presence of assimilation politics that
unfortunately removed all languages except
English in the province 100 years ago.”
Treaty4Project was made possible thanks
to the support from Saskatchewan Arts
Board, First Nations University of Canada,
Faculty of Education (U of R), The McDowell
Foundation, and Regina Public Schools.
The teaching team since 2015 are all
Faculty of Education alumni: Heather
Findlay, Tamara Ryba, Tana Mitchell, Tiffany
Agopsowicz, Janine Taylor, Jessica Moser,
Elizabeth Therrien, and Tracey Ellis.
Education faculty such as Drs. Anna-Leah
King, Michael Cappello, Shauneen Pete,
and Jennifer Tupper have particpated in
the youth conferences and UR S.T.A.R.S.
(Education students) offered the Blanket
Exercise in 2016.
UR Educators Event
U of R President Vianne Timmons Shauna Beylefeld and Jolene Goulden
STF President Patrick Maze Dean Andrea Sterzuk and
Associate Dean Val Mulholland
The second annual UR Educators Event took
place on October 4, 2017 at the Innovation
Place Atrium. The UR Educators event brings
first-year students together for the first time
in their journey as educators. Students are
awarded a Faculty of Education pin, and they
hear from leaders in the field of education.
The University of Regina, President and
Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Vianne Timmons and
the President of Saskatchewan Teachers’
Federation Patrick Maze encouraged students
to think about the importance of their future
role as educators in ensuring that all students
receive the best education possible. Dr.
Timmons, herself an educator, offered advice
for their journey, challenging students to “be
idealistic, believe you will make a difference.”
Alumnus Patrick Maze reminded students
not only of the rewards of teaching, but also
the responsibilities. “Teaching is a major
commitment,” he said. “Teachers are entrusted
by the public to guide and care for children,
the most impressionable and vulnerable people
in Saskatchewan. Because of this, teachers
are held to a higher moral, ethical, and legal
standard than many others in society are.”
Giving students an opportunity to consider their
educational path as professionals-in-the-making
is important for realizing that teacher education
isn’t just about going to class and excelling
academically, it is also about becoming, about
being inspired and transformed along the way.
This event was possible through the efforts of
Dean Andrea Sterzuk, Jolene Goulden, Shauna
Beylefeld, Kristina Lee, Lindsay Perez, and
Wanneta Martin.
student comments about the value of this event :
“It was significant in the fact that it is acknowledging that we are making a path
for ourselves, and becoming, you know like, lifelong learners in the sense that
we are going to be educators. I think it is awesome that they recognize that and
they recognize that we are going to have to have anti-oppressive and anti-racist
education.” Portia (Secondary English)
“I think it speaks to the professionalism of this program and there is a reason why
we chose to be here, and they are welcoming us in, and telling us about values so
early on; that’s really important.” Talia (Elementary, middle years)
“I really liked the fact that [Dean Sterzuk] mentioned the First Nation land and kind
of made us realize that we are still on First Nations land, and we still kind of owe it
to them for their kindness.” Jacques (Secondary, English/Fine Arts)
“I thought that it was an honouring experience, eye opening, the impact we’ll have
on students and it makes me really excited for the future.” Alaina (Secondary)
“It shows how much the university cares about its students, how important it views
us getting our degrees. As someone who has got one degree from the university
before, I acknowledge that the university really does care for its students.” Jamie
(BEAD/Arts ed)
“I thought it was really kind of touching, hearing all the stories, and how important
they think we are, and so that makes it easier for us to think that our job is going to
be important as well.” Aurora (Elementary/Pre - K to 5)
Education News | Page 9