In 2020, Alliance Pipeline made a $200,000 investment in Saskatchewan Polytechnical’s Indigenous Student Success Strategy, the goal of which is to increase recruitment, retention, and graduation rates for Indigenous students.
The institution held a celebration event on June 16 at the Moose Jaw campus to recognize Alliance Pipeline’s gift. Previous attempts at a recognition ceremony were derailed by COVID-19.
Kris Brown, Sask Polytech’s associate VP of advancement, spoke at the event on behalf of president and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia.
“I would like to extend a special welcome to our guests from Alliance Pipeline,” Brown said. “Thank you for joining us, and thank you for your support of Sask Polytech, especially for all you have done to support and encourage our Indigenous learners. This support goes to the center of a philosophy we embrace here at Sask Polytech — miyo wâhkôhtowin. Miyo wâhkôhtowin is a Cree phrase which expresses the value and positivity of interconnectedness and relationships.”
Support from Alliance Pipeline has provided for Sask Polytech’s Indigenous Role Model Calendars from 2020 to 2024.
Two of the Indigenous students featured in the role model calendar spoke at the event.
Shania Fiddler is a Métis woman from Cumberland House Cree Nation who is in her fourth semester of architectural technologies. She spoke about the challenges of being a student and expressed gratitude for Indigenous support programs at Sask Polytech.
“I wouldn’t have (come) this far without the support I’ve received,” she said. “Being a Métis woman and navigating both worlds has definitely come with its own set of challenges. I grew up very unsure of where I belonged. But thanks to my experience at Sask Polytech, all the wonderful people I’ve met, the programs I’ve been fortunate enough to take part in, and the opportunities that have come my way, (I have) really built my confidence, self-awareness, and skills. With these experiences in mind, I can say I’m very proud of where I am and who I am, which is a strong Indigenous woman.”
Jamie Bainbridge recently graduated from the electrical engineering technology program. She is a Dene woman who returned to school while raising her children.
“I wanted to show my kids that it doesn’t matter how old you are or where you come from, it’s never too late to learn something new,” Bainbridge said. “On behalf of Sask Polytechnic students, I would like to extend a big thank-you to Alliance Pipeline for their support of the Indigenous Students Success Strategy.”
“On National Indigenous Peoples Day, we as individuals have an opportunity to reflect on how we can make a difference and commit to action,” said Steve Loney, senior community and Indigenous relations advisor with Alliance.
Loney said during his remarks that Alliance Pipeline, which is jointly owned by Enbridge and Pembina, was happy to see their investment having a positive effect.
“Representation of Indigenous role models is important to the success of Indigenous students,” said Deanna Speidel, Sask Polytech Indigenous Strategy director. “Alliance Pipeline’s gift, which began in 2020, has helped Sask Polytech celebrate and share the educational journeys of 24 students over the past two years through the 2021 and 2022 Indigenous role model calendar. The gift also helps support events organized by Sask Polytech’s four Indigenous Students’ Centres and support relationship building with our Indigenous student advisors.
Thank you to Alliance Pipeline and its owners for investing in Sask Polytech’s Indigenous students.”
