Teacher program helps create generations of educators

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

The longest-running Indigenous teacher education program in North America is located right here in Saskatchewan, and this year marks its monumental 50th anniversary.

The Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) began in 1973 with a mission to build a community of teachers who understand the Indigenous culture, values, identity, and traditions of their Indigenous students. It began first as a two-and-a-half-year certificate program, but has evolved into a four-year Bachelor of Education degree.

The program’s impact on our province can’t be overstated, said ITEP Director Yvette Arcand.

“We have 3,000 graduates who work in First Nations communities across the province, (they) work in rural and urban centres,” said Arcand. “Our graduates are able to find out who they are, they are able to share that culture and those traditions and language practices that our ancestors instilled in us.”

These life-changing impacts can now be seen through multiple generations who have attended ITEP, said Arcand.

Jeff and Tiana Cappo, father and daughter, respectively, have both graduated the program seven years apart.

Both from the Muscowpetung First Nation, Jeff graduated from the ITEP program in 2016 and is now the Indigenous Education Coordinator at Regina Public Schools. He credits ITEP with giving them the academic and cultural tools needed to be successful.

“It was the best experience I ever had,” he said. “I really enjoyed the community of it. It felt like I belonged there.”

Jeff is both proud and honoured his daughter, followed in his footsteps.

For Tiana the feeling is mutual.

“It’s so special to me because I’m so proud of him, that he went back to school to obtain his degree,” she said. “He didn’t push me; he just spoke from the heart (about ITEP) and I could see the passion behind it.  So, following in his footsteps makes me proud of both of us.”

Tiana said being part of the 50th Anniversary graduating class makes her feel an even greater sense of pride.

ITEP helped her find her identity as an Indigenous woman and she’s now eager to share her knowledge and hopefully inspire others she meets.

“At the beginning, I didn’t know how to incorporate Indigenous teachings or ways of knowing in the classroom,” said Tiana. “I have learned a lot, especially with being placed in a Cree cultural program in Saskatoon.”

She says ITEP helped prepare her for her new role in the world.

“Learning from instructors, listening to Elders, and seeing other teachers bring culture into the classroom, it has given me so many ideas of how to incorporate culture into regular classes,” said Tiana.

Arcand, not only attended the program in 1991, but has been working at ITEP for the past 25 years, says students leave with is accurate cultural knowledge, which sets the program apart from other educational programs.

Current student, Shaina Manning, shared how ITEP has changed her.

“My heart has transformed, and I’ve come to appreciate so much about the world around me,” she said. “I’ve realized as change within myself in the last two to four years. A change in the way I think, talk, and the way I respond to the world around me. I know it’s because of the community at ITEP.”

To celebrate the 50th anniversary, ITEP has a series of plans to commemorate the half-century. Notably, they’re naming their student lounge after the late Cecil King, the first ITEP director.

The plan is to put out a third anthology of ITEP students’ poetry which will feature 104 contributors. The school is also hosting a round dance, golf tournament, beading and storytelling sessions.