SIIT welcomes students to 2016-2017 term

N ew and returning learners to SIIT’s 2016-2017 term were

welcomed in early September to all three main campuses with

a barbecue for students and staff. As part of the transition to

student life, learners received a revised Learning Services Student

Success Guide that contains the most up-to-date information, guidelines,

and policies.

The Saskatoon and Regina campuses hosted a half-day orientation for

students that included Elder teachings and a tipi raising, as well as an

introduction to the Learning Services team and the roles they play.

“We thought an orientation that familiarized students with both the

academic and cultural climate of SIIT would bring us together in a good

way,” said Cherylee Truitt, Director of Learning Services. “It was an

opportunity to provide them with helpful information on the student

experience inside and outside of the classroom.”

“It was also an occasion to learn more about the various campus

resources available to promote academic success and to meet new

friends or socialize with others from their home community.”

A return to First Nations culture and culture-based activities was

requested in the 2015-2016 academic year by both the Joint Leadership

Council and the SIIT Elders’ Committee.

Elders Connie Wajunta, Harold Lavallee, and Harry Francis conducted

the orientation in Regina. Elder Francis joined Elders Howard Walker

and Frank Badger for the Saskatoon event.

Each Elder provided words of guidance and support to the students,

reminding them that SIIT’s role is to help them succeed and that

everyone will grow together holistically throughout the year.

Elder Francis presented the Tipi Teachings to students and staff,

explaining that the tipi is a metaphor for being a grandmother and that

the women of the family construct, maintain, and transport the tipi. The

parts of the tipi are representative of the grandmother—the poles are her

ribs, the canvas is her skirt, the control flaps are her hands uplifted in

prayer, and the pins are her blouse buttons.

He encouraged all in attendance to treat the SIIT campus as a tipi by

respecting and honouring it as they go about their learning experience.

Dion Tootoosis, a Cultural Advisor with the Saskatchewan Indigenous

Cultural Centre (SICC), was emcee of the orientation at the Saskatoon

campus. His cultural expertise, engaging communication style, and

experience as a former SIIT instructor inspired a strong connection

between students and staff. SIIT Learning Services looks forward to

working on more cultural activities with the SICC throughout 2016-

2017.

As a traditional way of welcoming people, lunch was provided to all in

attendance. Dion ended the Saskatoon orientation with a beautiful song

and a round dance that brought students and staff together.

The orientations took place at the Regina Campus on September 6,

welcoming some 160 students. The orientation at Saskatoon’s Campus

followed on September 7 with 125 students in attendance.

Elder Francis led the Tipi teachings in Saskatoon and was assisted by the

Executive members of the Saskatoon Student Leadership Council in the

raising of the tipi in the foyer of the Saskatoon main campus. (L-R) Harry

Francis, SLC President Morgan Kalk, Vice-President Amber Bellegarde,

and Treasurer Janelle Pewapsconias.

Students and staff watch as Elder Francis and helpers raise the tipi at

the SIIT Regina campus.

>>> www.siit.ca

2 July—September 2016 SIIT Skyscape

Skyscape July—September 2016

SIIT Skyscape is published quarterly by the

Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies.

It features news |and stories of interest to SIIT

students, faculty, staff, Governance members, as well

as industry, business, community, and government

partners.

SIIT is an educational institution of the Federation

of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. It serves First

Nations learners by providing technical and

vocational employment programming, plus

educational services for continued career growth.

T he Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

Canada, met with SIIT representatives on September 8 at the Saskatchewan

Aviation Learning Centre to discuss issues around First Nations education and

federal government priorities. Thanks to Minister Bennett for taking the time to meet

between flights from La Loche to Toronto.

F irst Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) has moved its

Saskatoon operations into SIIT’s facilities on 4th Avenue. While

FNUniv has rented space from SIIT for classes for the past two

years, the remaining personnel moved from the English River Dene

Nation property in southeast Saskatoon in time for the 2016-2017

term. FNUniv’s four faculty members, two staff, and numerous

sessional instructors are overseeing classes to First Nations learners

in Indigenous Social Work and Arts & Science.

“I am pleased to welcome First Nations University of Canada to

SIIT’s main campus,” said Riel Bellegarde, SIIT’s President/CEO.

“We believe the relationship between us is one of importance that

will work to strengthen the learning experience of all students.”

“We are glad to have all our operations under one roof,” noted Louise McCallum,

FNUniv’s Administrative Assistant.

Congratulations to First Nations University of Canada on its relocation and the

celebration of its 40th anniversary!

SIIT welcomes First Nations

University of Canada

Name change for SICC

T he Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre has changed its

name to the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre to

better reflect terminology that is historically correct and more

appropriate for the current social environment. It also is in

keeping with the recent renaming of FSIN to the Federation of

Sovereign Indigenous Nations.

According to the SICC interim-president Belinda Daniels, abandoning the word

Indian is an important symbolic step away from the colonial legacy. The new name is

also consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous

Peoples that supports the inherent, Treaty and Indigenous people’s rights at the

international level. The Declaration includes a number of clauses that address

Indigenous language, culture, and education.

The SICC is mandated as the central institution for preserving, promoting, and

protecting Indigenous cultures in province.

SIIT BOARD OF GOVERNORS

CHAIRPERSON

Chief Darcy Bear

VICE CHAIRPERSON &

AGENCY CHIEFS TRIBAL COUNCIL

Steven Jim

BATTLEFORDS AGENCY TRIBAL CHIEFS

Chief Bradley Swiftwolfe, Moosomin First Nation

BATTLEFORDS TRIBAL COUNCIL

vacant

FEDERATION OF SOVEREIGN

INDIGENOUS NATIONS

Chief Bobby Cameron

FSIN SENATE

Senator Ted Quewezance

Senator George PeeAce

FILE HILLS QU’APPELLE TRIBAL COUNCIL

Chief Rodger Redman, Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation

Chief Michael Starr, Star Blanket Cree Nation

INDEPENDENT

Chief Delbert Wapass, Thunderchild First Nation

vacant

MEADOW LAKE TRIBAL COUNCIL

Chief Carol Bernard, Waterhen Lake First Nation

PRINCE ALBERT GRAND COUNCIL

Chief Peter A. Beatty, Peter Ballantyne First Nation

Chief Carlton Bear, Shoal Lake Cree Nation

Chief Greg Ermine, Sturgeon Lake First Nation

SASKATOON TRIBAL COUNCIL

Chief Darcy Bear, Whitecap Dakota First Nation

SOUTHEAST TREATY 4 TRIBAL COUNCIL

Petra Belanger, Ochapowace First Nation

TOUCHWOOD AGENCY TRIBAL COUNCIL

Chief Reginald Bellerose, Muskowekwan First Nation

YORKTON TRIBAL COUNCIL

Chief Lyndon Musqua, Keeseekoose First Nation

(L-R) The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Lisa Shingoose, VP of Employment

Development and Career Services, SIIT Vice Chairperson Steven Jim, and SIIT

President/CEO Riel Bellegarde.

INAC Minister visits SIIT

SIIT Skyscape July—September 2016 3

B ased on SIIT’s strategy to support staff and faculty

through training and professional development, SIIT

organized two full days of professional development

training prior to the new school year in September.

Facilitated by Dion Tootoosis of the Saskatchewan

Indigenous Cultural Centre, the first day brought together all

staff and faculty to learn about themes and concepts relevant

to working with SIIT students. It also focused on student

success with the theme of “The 3 Rs of Student Success:

Roles, Reconciliation, and Retention.” On Day Two, the

activities were broken down by department for specialty-

specific training.

Elder Howard Walker spoke first, addressing the traditional

role of the teacher in First Nations culture and what types of

techniques and attitudes are useful. A respected Cree Elder,

Howard is involved in many SIIT events and is always happy

to speak to students and staff.

Charlotte Ross, a consultant with the Office of the Treaty

Commissioner, tackled the history of reconciliation in Canada

and how answering the Calls to Action can assist in the

reconciliation process.

The last speaker of the day was Terry Johanson, Director of

Professional Development at the Saskatchewan Teachers’

Federation. She brought some wonderful tools for use to

enhance Aboriginal student retention, including some new

group working techniques and community-building ideas for

the classroom.

Some 100 staff and faculty were in attendance for the event.

Held at the Western Development Museum, it provided a

great opportunity for networking and team building amongst

the SIIT team in time for the new term.

Professional development days for staff and faculty

SIIT staff and faculty take part in a team-building building exercise designed to

build trusting relationships.

Dion Tootoosis of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre facilitated the two

-day professional development program for staff and faculty.

A big welcome to new V-P Academics & Learning

Services, Dean of Trades & Industrial, and Registrar

G ord Graham

joined SIIT as

Vice President,

Academics and

Learning Services, in

August. Gord worked

in the mining and

minerals industry for

more than 25 years,

splitting time between

operations management and major capital

development projects, both domestically and

internationally. A mining engineer by

education, he has had the opportunity to work

in a very diverse suite of geographical

locations, from the Chilean Andes to the

Canadian Arctic.

“Joining SIIT is a real opportunity to have the

chance to become involved with an

outstanding institution serving the people of

Saskatchewan and to have some additional

time at home in Saskatoon to expand the reach

of my volunteer passions," Gord related.

M ark Pollard,

Dean of Trades

& Industrial, is from

the Comox Valley on

Vancouver Island

where he was

introduced to

carpentry at a young

age, spending his

summers building

homes with his grandfather and father. After

graduation, Mark earned his Red Seal in

carpentry and then headed for Vancouver

where he worked for an architectural

millwork company and earned his Red Seal in

joinery/cabinetry. He worked in commercial

construction for several years but then

returned to the better work/life balance of

Vancouver Island. After running his own

contracting and millwork company, Mark

worked for Discovery College as Dean of

Trades and Technical Training. In 2012, he

and his family moved to Saskatoon where he

was employed by Strata Development. Mark

is excited to be back full circle working in the

education sector.

D oreen Day-

Wapass is

excited to be SIIT’s

new Registrar and is

looking forward to

learning more about

the various aspects of

her new position.

Doreen worked as a

Post-Secondary and

Labour Force Development Coordinator for

many years and, most recently, as the Director

of Health for Thunderchild First Nation. She

is Nakota/Anishnabe and the mother of four.

Her eldest daughter is a teacher, eldest son is

an apprenticing electrician, and her two

youngest children are in the midst of

completing their post-secondary education.

Doreen values education and sees the

importance of it at every level, from literacy

onwards. She is currently working on her

Master of Business Administration degree

with Cape Breton University.

4 July—September 2016 SIIT Skyscape

S IIT’s Myrna LaPlante, Janelle Pewapsconias, and Kellie Wuttunee

were nominees for the second annual Strength of Our Women

Awards organized by the Saskatchewan First Nations Women’s

Commission. The awards recognize the strength, resilience, and

accomplishments of women in First Nations and the Treaty territories.

Myrna, who comes from Day Star First Nation, won the award in the

Leadership and Advocacy category for her work with Darlene

Okemaysim-Sicotte. Their grassroots network of activists, Iskwewuk E

-wichiwitochik (Women Walking Together), was established in 2005 to

raise awareness about the human rights crisis of missing and murdered

Indigenous women. Myrna is SIIT’s JobSeries Manager.

Janelle, from Little Pine First Nation, is in her second year of Business

Administration at SIIT and acts as Treasurer to the Student Leadership

Council. She was nominated in the Environment category for her

activist work around Indigenous water rights. She studied Renewable

Resources and Indigenous Lands Management at the University of

Saskatchewan and has been active organizing rallies, teach-ins, and

education events around issues of water and protecting the spirit of

water. Janelle is now in her second year of the SIIT Business program.

Kellie Wuttunee, from Red Pheasant Cree First Nation, was nominated

in the Law & Justice category. Her educational background and work

experience in law and justice has helped empower First Nations youth

and women. In addition to her Social Work degrees, Kellie is now

completing a law degree at the University of Saskatchewan. As an

engaged community capacity-builder and positive role model for First

Nations, she believes that empowering youth and women will lead to

healthy communities. Kellie is an instructor in SIIT’s Health and

Community Studies department.

SIIT celebrates Strength of

Our Women Awards

Staff, instructors, and students

attend Saskatchewan AFOA

conference

S IIT was well represented at the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Financial

Officers Association (AFOA) conference in Saskatoon on

September 21 and 22 at the Saskatoon Inn. AFOA is the centre of

excellence and innovation in Aboriginal finance and management.

SIIT’s FOA members, instructors, and Business Administration

students attended the conference.

AFOA focuses on the capacity development and day-to-day needs of

Aboriginal professionals working in all areas of finance and

management, today and into the future.

SIIT business students attend

MLT’s Aboriginal Employment

Law Conference

S tudents and staff of SIIT’s Business Administration Program from

Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert attended the Aboriginal

Employment Law Conference presented by MacPherson Leslie &

Tyerman LLP (MLT) on September 27 at TCU Place. The event

focused on issues faced by Aboriginal employers and provided advice

for managers, human resource professionals, and leadership of

Aboriginal organizations and communities. Some of MLT’s most

experienced labour and employment lawyers were on hand to speak to

subjects including accommodation and human rights, term

employment contracts and the use of independent contractors, off-

duty misconduct including social media conduct, union organizing

and employer communications, and absenteeism in the workplace.

SIIT attendees included: Back Row L-R): Cristian Figueroa, Keegan

Ledoux, Larissa Marie Jordan, Carey Millar (Instructor), Eldon Preston

(Instructor), front row (L-R): Tamara Nawakayas, Samantha Jobb,

Sheri-Lynn Kadachuk, Angelique Chenard (Instructor), Alaina

McArthur, Laura Negraeff (Instructor), Jennifer Van Der Velden.

Several Business Program students and instructors from Prince Albert,

Saskatoon and Regina attended the Aboriginal Financial Officers

Association of the Saskatchewan 18th Annual Fall Conference and

Tradeshow at the Saskatoon Inn.

New Business program for

Cowessess First Nation

(L-R) Myrna LaPlante, Janelle Pewapsconias, Kellie Wuttunee.

O rientation for the Year One Business program at Cowessess First

Nation took place on August 30. The lack of business training

opportunities in the region prompted the First Nation to engage SIIT to

provide it with programming. This arrangement also accommodated

many of the learners who are parents and can take advantage of the

daycare which is located in the building where the training is being

undertaken.

SIIT Skyscape July—September 2016 5

D alyn Bear, a 2010 SIIT Business Administration graduate, played a key

role in organizing the youth events for the World Indigenous Business

Forum in August in Saskatoon. The Forum brought together Indigenous

business leaders from around the world for the three-day event. Looking to ensure

that a youth perspective was part of the Forum, Bear took it upon himself to reach

out into the community to create a subcommittee of young leaders who organized

some exciting events featuring young Saskatchewan innovators.

Kara Squirrel who is now in her second year

of studies in the Business Administration

program attended the Forum with the

sponsorship of SIIT.

To provide opportunities for young

Indigenous business owners to meet one

another and engage with visiting business

leaders, a networking mixer and “The

Indigenous Fashion Show” were held at the

Terrace Lounge of the Delta Bessborough

Hotel with the support of PotashCorp.

The fashion show was hosted by Mariah

Watchman, a participant in the 2012 cycle of

America’s Next Top Model, who grew up on

the Umatilla Indian Reservation in the state

of Oregon. The event featured fashions by

Indigenous designers, a growing niche

market that is finding its audience with consumers across the nation.

SIIT’s second-year Business Administration student Janelle Pewapsconias was

one of the entrepreneurs on hand at the Forum. She was selling her product,

“Neeched Up Games,” a board game that teaches Indigenous history and culture.

“The game incorporates Indigenous teachings and tools with a sense of humour to

guide people through the different stages of life," said Pewapsconias.

The Sub-Committee also organized the Young Indigenous Innovators Panel

featured at lunch on Day Three of the Forum. The panel brought together four

dynamic leaders who spoke of the challenges they faced along the way, as well

as the role that mentorship played in their success. The panel members

included: photographer/poet Tenille Campbell of Sweetmoon Photography;

Chantel Hounget, co-founder of the Princess Shop and CEO of “Fresh Living,”

an innovative company, specializing in home staging, natural, non-toxic cleaning,

and interior decorating/design; Jack Saddleback, the first transgender President

of the University of Saskatchewan’s Student Union; and, Dr. Jaris Swidrovich,

the first self-identified First Nations doctor of pharmacy in Canada who teaches

at the U. of S. The panel was moderated by Chief Cadmus Delorme, 34, who

recently won the Cowessess First Nation election.

The next World Indigenous Business Forum is set for Santiago de Chile, Chile,

in October 2017.

SIIT alumnus spearheads youth participation in the

World Indigenous Business Forum

Kara Squirrel, second-year SIIT

student and Marketing &

Communications summer

assistant, attended the WIBM.

WIBF rewrites definition of Indigenous Development for

Wikipedia

SIIT’s Janelle Pewapsconias with her board game “Neeched

Up Games” that teaches Indigenous history and culture.

(photo courtesy of Janelle Pewapsconias)

The Young Indigenous Innovators Panel brought together

four dynamic young leaders who spoke of the challenges

they faced along the way, as well as the role that

mentorship played in their success.

D uring the World Indigenous Business Forum, a number of

participants took it upon themselves to redefine Indigenous

Development to better reflect its meaning from an Indigenous

perspective. The undertaking was spearheaded by Dr. Ernesto Sirolli,

founder and CEO of Sirolli Institute, who worked with a delegation to

rewrite the entry found in Wikipedia. The statement, accepted

unanimously late in the last day of the Forum, is as follows:

Change of the Definition of Indigenous Development

In consideration of the cosmology of indigenous populations as

exemplified by the common knowledge of its people, and the

application to every aspect of life from politics to economics to science,

spirituality, morality and philosophy, our definition of Indigenous

Development is:

"“Indigenous development is the organized effort by Indigenous Peoples

to honor, enhance, and restore their well-being while retaining a

distinctiveness that is consistent with their ancestral values, aspirations,

ways of working, and priorities on behalf of all Future Generations.

Their efforts also strive to share a holistic model of livelihood that

respects the Creator, the Earth and promotes sustainability now and for

the generations to come.”

The amendment was sent to Wikipedia which then updated the

definition on line.

6 July—September 2016 SIIT Skyscape

R amada Hotels featured SIIT as its Company of the Month in

September! Thanks to the initiative, Ramada clients learned

more about the Institute thanks to displays in the lobbies of the

Regina and Saskatoon locations, as well as on Ramada’s Facebook

page.

SIIT staff and students who mention they are affiliated with SIIT

receive excellent rates all year round.

The members of the SIIT Marketing and Communications team were

excited to shoot the photos for a success stories ad, featuring SIIT

Business student Kara Squirrel, in Butler’s Restaurant at the Saskatoon

Ramada.

Ramada also provided tickets to their Laugh Shops in Saskatoon and

Regina that were given away weekly via Facebook, giving staff and

students an opportunity to enjoy comedians from around the world.

The great schedule of comedy on Friday nights at its Saskatoon

location can be viewed at: www.ramadasaskatoon.ca/the-laugh-shop/.

The Laugh Shop in Regina is Saturday night. To view their comedy

schedule, go to: ramadaregina.ca/the-laugh-shop/.

SIIT featured as Ramada’s

Company of the Month

SIIT hosts Knowledge

Exchange for Addictions and

Mental Health workers

S IIT’s Workforce Development Unit hosted the Mental Wellness

Knowledge Exchange on September 27. The event brought

together Addictions and Mental Health workers from across the

province for an information exchange with the theme of “Mixed

Medicines: Traditional and Western Harm Reduction.”

Four speakers presented sessions that focused on community

methadone programming, take-home Naloxone kits, medical

marijuana, and traditional Aboriginal medicines. About 100 people

were in attendance, including doctors, addictions professionals, and

frontline workers from community organizations.

G ary McDermott, manager of the

JobConnections program, attended

the second Aboriginal Business

Forum to network with members of the green

energy, agricultural, and infrastructure

industries. The one-day event was presented

by Whitecap Industrial Services at the Dakota

Dunes Casino.

Gary travels to First Nations communities in

the JobConnections bus connecting potential

employees with career options and potential

employers.

“It was a great opportunity to network with a number of key industry

representatives in the region and to learn more about the growing

green energy sector,” Gary explained.

A major theme of the day was innovation, with speakers providing

information and success stories about the inspiring levels of innovation

being used in industry today.

Reconciliation was an underlying theme of the forum, with emcee John

Lagamodiere calling for those in attendance to provide ideas for calls

to action. He concluded the day by sharing the many thoughtful ideas

contributed over the day.

The proceeds from last year’s event provided scholarships for five

second-year SIIT students. The 2016-2017 SIIT scholarship fund will

again benefit from the Aboriginal Business Forum.

SIIT students benefit from

proceeds of the Aboriginal

Business Forum

Addictions and Mental Health workers from across the province

attended the Knowledge Exchange at the Saskatoon Inn.

Harmonization aligns Red

Seal apprenticeship systems

A t the request of industry, the

Red Seal Harmonization

Initiative was launched in 2013

to substantively align apprenticeship

systems across Canada by making

training requirements more consistent in

the Red Seal trades. Harmonization aims

to improve the mobility of apprentices,

support an increase in their completion

rates, and enable employers to access a

larger pool of apprentices.

As a part of this work, the Canadian Council of the Directors of

Apprenticeship (CCDA) identified four main harmonization priorities in

consultation with industry and training stakeholders:

Use of Red Seal trade name;

Consistent total training hours (in-school and on-the-job);

Same number of training levels;

More consistent sequencing of training content (at each training

level) using the most recent National Occupational Analyses.

The first ten Red Seal Trades to be harmonized include SIIT’s

Carpenter and Welder programs.

SIIT Skyscape July—September 2016 7

Member of Parliament Sheri Benson with SIIT summer students, l-r, Kara

Squirrel, Laimen Michel, Justin Fox, Ms. Benson, Lisa Iron, Pam Albert, Sheri

Kadachuk, and Alana OKanee. Insert: Regina summer student Daniel

Quewezance.

SIIT welcomes eight summer students

S IIT welcomed a group of summer students during the first

week of June who were given the opportunity to enhance

their skills on the job in their particular area of interest.

Each student received training and meaningful work that is geared

to supporting their career goals. By the time they completed their

work term, they had a better understanding of what it takes to be an

integral member of a professional organization.

The summer student experience at SIIT typically runs for 12 weeks,

from June to August. This year, opportunities were held in

Employment Development & Career Services, Marketing, Trades &

Industrial, Finance, Human Resources, Academics, Facilities, and

Construction Careers Regina.

Member of Parliament for Saskatoon West, Sheri Benson, dropped

by SIIT’s Fourth Avenue Campus to meet with the Saskatoon

summer students. Ms. Benson sat down with the students for a

round of question and answer that focused on the role of MP, the

kinds of issues she deals with on a day-to-day basis, and what it’s

like to be part of the debate in the House of Commons. She closed

the session with an invitation for the students to contact her should

they be visiting the Nation’s Capital.

Orange Shirt Day recognized at SIIT campuses

O range Shirt Day was recognized at all of SIIT’s campuses on

Friday, September 30, as a Call to Action for Reconciliation.

The annual event, which began in 2013, acknowledges the

harm done to the self-esteem and well being of First Nations children by

the residential school system and is an affirmation of the commitment to

ensure that “every child matters.” The Orange Shirt movement is based

on Phyllis Webstad's story:

“I went to the [St. Joseph} Mission for one school year in 1973/1974.

I had just turned six years old. I lived with my grandmother on the Dog

Creek reserve. We never had very much money, and there was no

welfare, but somehow my granny managed to buy me a new outfit to go

to the Mission school. I remember going to Robinson’s store and picking

out a shiny orange shirt. It had string laced up in front, and was so

bright and exciting – just like I felt to be going to school!

When I got to the Mission, they stripped me, and took away my clothes,

including the orange shirt! I never saw it again. I didn’t understand why

they wouldn’t give it back to me, it was mine! The color orange has

always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no

one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little

children were crying and no one cared.”

Learn more about Phyllis’ story at: http://www.orangeshirtday.org/

phyllis-story.html.

Earlier in the week, SIIT invited Elder and residential school survivor

Eugene Arcand to speak about his residential school experience at a

Lunch’n’Learn event as another SIIT Call to Action for Reconciliation.

SIIT students and staff at all three campuses showed their support for Orange Shirt Day on September 30: Left—Regina campus; Above-Head Office,

Saskatoon, Below: Prince Albert campus.

S tudents of the SIIT Prince Albert Campus connected positively with

their community and eventually helped the Prince Albert Food Bank

through teamwork and fun by playing the Bigger and Better Game.

The game is modelled after the red paper clip story from 2005 in which

Canadian blogger Kyle MacDonald bartered his way from a single red

paperclip to a house in a series of fourteen online trades over the course of a

year.

Instead of a red paper clip, students started with a green SIIT pencil and an

optimistic attitude. In teams of four, they enthusiastically went into the

community in hope of becoming the campus winners. Although it started as

a class project for the Business Competencies class in the first year of the

Business Administration program, it soon involved students from across the

campus. It turned out to be a great opportunity for the students to interact

and get to know each other better. It was also a good opportunity for them

to familiarize themselves with Prince Albert.

As a project, the Bigger and Better Game was designed to introduce the

students to three class learning outcomes: demonstrating community

stewardship and volunteerism; developing and delivering effective oral

presentations; and the fundamentals of group work.

Eighteen groups of students left the school at 10:30 a.m. to go into the

community to trade with individuals and local businesses. Each trade

resulted in a bigger and better item for the team. An hour and a half later,

the teams returned to the school with their final trades, including numerous

gift certificates and clothing accessories. Tickets were then sold at SIIT

Prince Albert for the final trade items with 100% of the money being

donated to the Prince Albert Food Bank. Wes Clark, Executive Director of

the Prince Albert Food Bank was present for the draws and the recipient of

the $517.20 raised by the students who took part in the event.

The winning team was determined by the number of tickets purchased for

their final trade item. The team that won the Bigger and Better Game was

Heather Ray, Julia Benoanie, and Justine Natomagan from the first year

Business program. They were able to trade/barter a green SIIT pencil up to

a diamond necklace from Bocian Jewellers, as well as a jacket vest and

thank you cards. The winning team members each received an SIIT water

bottle and a green SIIT pencil and pen for their efforts.

Prince Albert campus gives back to the community

Heather Ray and Julia Benoanie from the first year Business program, along with Wes Clark, proudly show off their prizes after winning the Bigger and

Better Game at the SIIT Prince Albert campus.

8 July—September 2016 SIIT Skyscape

Academic Counsellor Barb Nilghe presents Wes Clarke, Executive

Director of the Prince Albert Food Bank, with an envelope

containing the $517.20 raised by students through their

participation in the Bigger and Better Game.