Elders gather with SAIT to create collaborative
training strategy for Indigenous communities and
post-secondary institutions

MEDIA RELEASE

Calgary, AB (Jan. 11, 2023) — In the spirit of strengthening meaningful Indigenous relations, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is hosting a two-day Elders Gathering on campus this week in Heritage Hall.

Working with Indigenous communities from Treaty 6, 7 and 8 territories, SAIT’s Corporate Development, Applied Research and International (CDARI) department is developing a training strategy to guide collaboration between Indigenous communities and post-secondary institutions.

CDARI is convening with the Elders to seek guidance and approval on the strategy, which aims to support socio-economic development through training and applied research. SAIT’s collaborative approach to the strategy, along with other initiatives involving Indigenous stakeholders, is vital to building a strategic framework which aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action, and meets the needs of Indigenous adult learners.

“At SAIT, we know the importance of Reconciliation and the 94 Calls to Action. We cannot do this without walking the Red Path with our Elders and leaders of the Indigenous communities. By inviting the Elders and leaders to SAIT on Treaty 7 land, it will allow us to hear the stories and their ways of teaching the Indigenous youth and peoples. We strongly believe that nothing should be done for Indigenous people without Indigenous people,” says Vis Naidoo, Associate Vice President, Continuing Education and Professional Studies, SAIT.

SAIT is committed to working with the three treaties in Alberta, guided by the TRC Calls to Action, to create systems which honour the culture and traditions of the Indigenous peoples — recognizing that this work must be done in consultation with Indigenous peoples.

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About SAIT

Established in 1916, SAIT was the first of its kind, publicly funded technical school in North America. As a global leader in applied education and research — serving nearly 40,000 students annually — SAIT offers certificate, diploma, post diploma, apprenticeship and applied degree programs, baccalaureate degrees, corporate training and more than 1,000 continuing education courses, along with six dedicated, award-winning areas of research and capacity for new and emerging research. Curriculum and research priorities are developed through industry partnerships to ensure graduates have the skills and knowledge required to fulfill the demand for talent. SAIT is honoured to be recognized by Mediacorp Canada Inc. as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2024, and to be ranked sixth by Research Infosource Inc. in the Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada for 2023. CEOWORLD Magazine ranked the SAIT School of Business #49 on the list of Best Business Schools in the World for 2024, and the School of Hospitality and Tourism placed #14 on their list of Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the World for 2024.  

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