NORTEP, NORPAC celebrate 40 years of education in the North
- Linda Mikolayenko | June 11, 2016
NORTEP is celebrating its ruby birthday.
The Northern Teacher Education Program (NORTEP) and the Northern Professional Access College (NORPAC) held 40th anniversary celebrations in La Ronge on the weekend of June 10-11, 2016.
Since NORTEP was first established as a program in 1976, there has been an evolution in the programming, and there have been changes in funding, governance, facilities, and even the logo. However, the goal of providing accessible post-secondary education for Northerners, in the North, has been constant.
When it began, there were fewer than five teachers of Aboriginal ancestry teaching in Northern Saskatchewan, says Dr. Michael Tymchak, who served as the first director.
To date, there have been 472 NORTEP graduates, the majority of whom are Aboriginal and work in the North.
“It’s the graduates who made the program a success,” says Tymchak. “They had to perform well for the program to gain credibility.”
Related:
- Government signs 5-year agreement for NORTEP, NORPAC students
- Construction underway for affordable housing for NORTEP students
- Aboriginal educators from across the province share ideas at U of S conference
The Northern School Board (which became the Northern Lights School Division) began the program with the help of both federal and provincial funding, and in co-operation with both the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan.
Initially, it was a school-based model. Students would alternate between several weeks of classes in La Ronge, and a practicum experience in the schools in their home communities. To counter the critics who were skeptical that they wouldn’t measure up, says Tymchak, NORTEP students were required then to spend the final six months on campus.
Bev Cheechoo was in the first NORTEP graduating class in 1979.
“The expectations were very high,” she says. “The instructors gave us a lot of work, but they still were very, very supportive. Even the students - we all helped each other.”
Cheechoo spent most of her teaching career at Charlebois School in Cumberland House, and was recognized by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation as the 2010 Outstanding Aboriginal Teacher. After retiring and working for several years at other jobs, she is back in the classroom at Nisto Awasisik Memorial School. She believes that the first graduates became important role models and opened many doors for education in the North.
Tymchak says the NORTEP experience convinced them that if students had the right start, they could go on to further their education and be successful in other careers. NORPAC was established in 1989 and now offers Arts and Science courses that can be used as transfer credits into programs such as Social Work, Commerce, Law and Journalism. There is also a one-year Pre-Nursing program, and students can take courses leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies without leaving the North, as well.
As of this year, 239 students have been recognized for completing NORPAC programs, including 73 who have earned a Bachelor of Arts.
In addition, over the past several years, NORTEP-NORPAC has successfully delivered Masters in Education programs, with over 60 graduates.
Earl Cook was NORTEP’s director from 1985-88, and is currently a faculty member. He says NORTEP-NORPAC is unique in that it requires students to take a course in an Aboriginal language, either Cree or Dené. He also notes it is completely governed by Northerners. The current Board of Governors consists of representatives from the Northern Lights, Île-à-la-Crosse and Creighton School Divisions, as well as the Prince Albert Grand Council and Meadow Lake Tribal Council.
As one of the organizers for the anniversary celebrations, Cook takes pleasure in reflecting on the many accomplishments of alumni.
There are teachers, principals, Directors of Education, a lawyer, an engineer and a judge, he says, providing just a small sample – “Home-grown people, contributing to the development of the North.”
Despite the important role it plays, funding for NORTEP-NORPAC is a continuing challenge, says current President and CEO, Dr. Herman Michell. Federal funding has been completely cut, and although a recently-signed five-year agreement with the province will provide some stability, he says there is an opportunity to do much more if there was sufficient support, particularly in light of the recommendations for education made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“Our work in the North is really critical,” says Michell. “We’ve been doing reconciliation work for 40 years.”
The loon, a powerful northern symbol, is part of the NORTEP-NORPAC logo. Previously, the loon appeared swimming in the water, but the logo has recently been updated to show the loon flying.
“It sends a message that our graduates are doing really wonderful things within the province,” says Michell. “They fly off into the horizon.”