College of Education Alumni in the News
This page features College of Education Alumni that have been "in the News" within the past 6 months.
Desjardins Earns Outstanding Coach Award
Texas Stars Coach and College of Education Alumnus Willie Desjardins has been named the winner of the Louis A. R. Pieri Award as the American Hockey League’s Outstanding Coach for the 2012-2013 season. With a long list of career achievements including earning coach of the year honors in 2005-2006 and serving as both assistant coach and head coach for Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championships, Desjardin is very deserving of this prestigious award. He joined Texas this season after two years serving as associate coach of the Dallas Stars. Prior to that, he was the head coach of the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League from 2002-10, winning league championships in 2004 and 2007. Desjardin also received the College of Education’s Alumni Wall of Honour Award in 2012.
Martell Recognized with National Award
Local educator and College of Education Indian Teacher Education Program Alumnus, Gordon Martell was recognized with a national award for his commitment and contribution to education and helping students realize their potential. As the Superintendent of Learning Services for the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School, he has been honoured by Indspire with a Guiding the Journey: Indigenous Educator Award for leadership. Gord’s impressive portfolio includes the First Nation and Metis Unit, First nations Elders, Indigenous Language programming, and community schools.
Netmaker Granted ABEX Community Involvement Award
“To see an Aboriginal person running a business in the mainstream marketplace is huge,” says Kendal Netmaker. With the goal of improving the lives of First Nations Youth, Kendall has turned the profits from his clothing company into an opportunity for others. Soon after founding Neechie Gear, Kendall formed a non-profit called NG Athletics Club Inc. that creates the opportunity for First Nations youth to get into sports. Kendall explains “I envision a day where underprivileged kids don’t have to pay for anything just to play sports. You solve that problem, and you solve so many lifelong problems after that.”
To celebrate his success, Kendall was presented with the 2012 ABEX Community Involvement Award by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. Chosen based on the exceptional performance in support of amateur sports, Kendall is no stranger to winning awards. The 24 year old entrepreneur has an extensive list of achievements, including representing Canada at the G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit alongside Stephen Harper. Kendall recognizes the importance of getting an education and that his time at the U of S was essential to his success.
Beyond the Classroom Walls, Miyo Pimatisowin Takes Students Outdoors
Charlie Conner, a recent graduate of ITEP (Indian Teacher Education Program) at the College of Education, is excited for the future of a new outdoor education program.
(Students from Beuna Vista School in The College's Prairie Habitat Garden)
The program is based on successful models developed by the Saskatoon Public School Division, and was developed by educators from the College of Education, University of Saskatchewan and the Thunderchild First Nation. The program is named Miyo Pimatisowin and translates to "healthy living" or "good healthy living" in Cree. The name was developed by the Elders, when they heard what the program entailed.
As part of the curriculum of the new program, outdoor education will consist of activities and trips that focus on environmental conservation, traditions, and customs of the Thunderchild Cree Nation. With 10 years of experience as an outdoor educator, Conner knows that trips can be challenging. Through activities like camping, canoeing, and dogsledding, students will need to exude determination, strength, and perseverance to overcome the obstacles. Conner explains, “It can be hard physically and mentally, and students need to dig down deep in order to finish. It is not all butterflies, roses, and clear starry nights.” But he is confident that the challenges will help students to “establish their identity and find meaning in the world by connecting to our Cree culture, exploring our great province, and learning about people around the world who strive for social justice and ecological accountability.”
A significant factor in developing Miyo Pimatisowin was to decrease disengagement of students between the 7th and 9th grades. Conner hopes that the excitement and adventure associated with learning outdoors, will keep students interested in continuing with their education. He also notes the environmental impact the program can have, “Outdoor Education allows students to develop a connection to Mother Earth, and understand that practicing ecologically sound principles is a personal and moral choice. Without a connection established through experience, their actions will continue to contribute to environmental degradation.”
Conner is very excited for the future of the Miyo Pimatisowin program, and is appreciative of his education in the Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) through the College of Education. He explains, “The faculty within ITEP has always been supportive and encouraged me to pursue my passion for the outdoors. They connected me with the right people and the classes provided the theory and background to allow me to think that an alternative education model could work with resounding success.”
- Kate Clements is a graduate of the SUNTEP Program at the College of Education Unversity of Saskatchewan. Kate represented her fellow Alumni by speaking at the Celebration to Commemorate the University of Saskatchewan's Program renewel with the Gabriel Dumont Institute. Kate was featured in the July 2012 issue of Eagle Feather News, follow this link to read the article http://aborigin.sasktelwebhosting.com/past_issues.html
Kate Clemments
College of Education Grad, Blaine Favel is interviewd by CTV. Former cheif of Poundmaker Cree Nation speaks about the Assembly of First Nations Conference. Blaine has also been awarded an Honourary Doctorate of Laws Degree by the College of Education, as well as inducted into the Alumni Wall of Honour. Watch below or follow this link http://www.ctvnews.ca/videoclipId=722446&playlistId=1.882351&binId=1.810401
Blane Flavel and his mother.
