SAIT: Fostering Indigenous Student Success

The Office of Indigenous Engagement and Natoysopoyiis, the student support centre, are integral to the intergenerational success of Indigenous students at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

By Danielle Vienneau

For a century, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) has evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of the industry and the broader workforce, starting with returning First World War veterans. The institution now offers degrees, diplomas and certificates and is renowned for its industry-informed hands-on learning.

Now, SAIT is creating another legacy with the creation of the Office of Indigenous Engagement and renaming the Indigenous (First Nation, Métis and Inuit) student support centre, formerly Chinook Lodge, to align with Treaty 7 languages. With the development of ethics and history training in journalism programs and the inaugural tradition-centered celebrations of Indigenous graduates, the institution is working diligently on its path to reconciliation.

SAY Magazine recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ksikk inni na ki (White Buffalo Woman in Blackfoot), Jennifer Russell, about her role as the Director of Indigenous Engagement with SAIT and the support available to Indigenous students through Natoysopoyiis (nah-toy so po yees), “Holy Wind Lodge.” The Lodge, which has existed since 2001, offers academic advising and resources for navigating the post-secondary system, including engagement with Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

The creation of Russell’s role coincided with the opening of the Office of Indigenous Engagement in March of 2023. “The whole premise behind my role and the Office of Indigenous Engagement is to meet the commitment to education from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action,” says Russell. “My department and role were one of the first steps in that journey.”

Russell brings with her a wealth of knowledge and skills. She is Cree, her dad is Blackfoot from the Siksika First Nation, and she is also a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Coincidentally, Russell was the first Indigenous recruiter at SAIT 13 years prior. “I worked out of Natoysopoyiis, formerly Chinook Lodge, as a recruiter and then a student advisor,” she says. Before leaving SAIT for a career with Shell Canada, she worked as the coordinator of the Lodge. With all of her experience, it’s no wonder SAIT recruited Russell to lead them on the journey to reconciliation.

Natoysopoyiis is integral to the success of Indigenous students at SAIT—both the Lodge itself, with its open, welcoming spaces as well as the support available to students. “Natoysopoyiis was born way before Truth and Reconciliation,” explains Russell. “For more than two decades, Indigenous students have been able to practice our culture, which was outlawed at one point in our country, and been able to utilize the space. The structure itself is ventilated so that we can smudge, pray, and do ceremony in a safe way.”

In the two decades since Natoysopoyiis was created, there has been a significant increase in Indigenous student success at SAIT. “Thirteen years ago, we had under 100 Indigenous students; we now have more than 640,” says Russell. “And the beautiful challenge facing a lot of post-secondary institutions, including SAIT, is the growing rates of Indigenous students graduating high school and choosing to go to post-secondary at numbers we’ve never seen before.”

“As a mother of four and a grandmother of two, I believe it’s our duty as an institution to prepare to receive those students,” she continues. “My goal for those who choose SAIT, and in keeping with our Sacred Seven Teachings, is to make it a welcoming and safe space where they feel a sense of genuine belonging.” The dedicated team at SAIT is prioritizing doing more to indigenize the campus. “The more Indigenous students we welcome to SAIT, the more opportunities we’ll have for them to see themselves in the SAIT community,” says Russell.

Intergenerational Success

With surmounting high-school graduation rates, Russell hopes that SAIT will be able to report registration numbers of more than 1,000 Indigenous students in the next three to five years. “That is the ideal,” she says.

Russell explains the potential rise in post-secondary interest among many Indigenous youth nationwide. “When it comes to education, the change is due to walls coming down. Because of residential schools, there has been such a validated fear of sending our kids to school. Just that innate fear of that colonial institution in and of itself.”

Some studies suggest that youth who graduate from high school are more likely to graduate because their parents did. “We’re starting to see an intergenerational turnaround of the effects of residential school, where we now look at education and post-secondary education as the new buffalo,” says Russell. “It’s that domino effect or that trickle-down effect. When we see our family members be successful in post-secondary, we are more inclined to follow a similar path.”

“The more we can change how we see education, away from a legacy of residential schools, the more we will see intergenerational success in education,” she explains. “I am the second generation in my family to graduate from post-secondary, and many are behind me.”

“We have to recognize the traumatic history—that’s real, and that’s the truth,” says Russell. “At the same time, we can look at the resiliency and the triumphs that our communities have had—that’s a form of intergenerational success.”

Natoysopoyiis: Support for Indigenous Students

Between classes, many Indigenous students frequent Natoysopoyiis—a culturally safe space for students to gather with peers that is respectful of the unique identities, spirituality, and traditions of the First Peoples. From orientation to graduation, an all-Indigenous team is available to assist students in reaching their goals at SAIT. Support systems are in place to ensure every student has access to student advisors, counselling services, financial aid, and housing assistance. For a successful post-secondary journey, students also have ongoing access to cultural and spiritual advising, student success workshops, tutoring, and special events such as orientation, graduation, and pow wows.

SAIT works closely with local Treaty 7 community Knowledge Keepers to support learners throughout their program and after graduation. Russell credits much of the success of the Natoysopoyiis to a great effort from alumni and the development team. “They garner support from organizations and donors that see the value in supporting Indigenous students,” she says. Part of the funds donated to SAIT go towards an emergency fund for students called Kokum‘s (meaning grandmother) Fund—a life-changing support for a student trying to balance life, work, and academics. “As an institution, we try to be flexible and as helpful as possible because things like child care, transportation, housing, and more, really lend to the stability that a student needs to succeed,” explains Russell.

In June of 2024, over 90 Indigenous students graduated from SAIT programs. “We have a big, beautiful Indigenous graduation celebration to honour the achievements of those students,” explains Russell. Each year, SAIT hosts two Indigenous graduation celebrations, one in November and one in June, and the number of graduates continues to rise yearly.

The Future is Bright

As the development of the Truth and Reconciliation Strategy continues, Russell confirms that it is a process that takes time, requiring commitment and a level of engagement from the institution, students, and the community. “It’s going to take some time because we want to do it in the right way,” she says. “This means it needs to be a collaboration of the SAIT community and the broader community, especially with the Elders that we’re so blessed and honoured to work with and who support SAIT and our Indigenous students.”

“Mindfully, we’re going to walk down this path toward reconciliation, and it’s going to be a journey to bring everybody along.” With ongoing momentum and dedicated faculty, there is a desire to change the culture to be welcoming and respectful of all cultures, encouraging students to bring their authentic selves.

“At Natoysopoyiis, we often talk about all my relations and what that means. We [the world] will get to a place one day where we all see each other as equal humans. The younger generation gets it; they will lead the way, and Natoysopoyiis and SAIT will support and grow with them.”

Photos courtesy of SAIT