A heartwarming celebration filled with joy, cultural enrichment, and community spirit for Indigenous students

December 2023

Tis the season of joy as Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s wītōkamāhtōtān Indigenous Student Success team put on their festive hats to spread holiday cheer among Indigenous students.

The holiday season can create financial hardship for many families. With the warmth of generosity from Farm Credit Canada and AMI Supply, our team embarked on a program designed to brighten the spirits of students, creating lasting memories for them and their families during this time of year.

The Indigenous Students’ Season of Sharing is an incredible series of events! First, the Holiday Hamper program, introduced in 2011, plays a vital role in supporting the well-being of Indigenous students on their educational journey. This year 156 deserving students received support to make their holiday season a little easier.

The festivities didn't stop there! Enter the Five Days of Celebration and Learning where students in each campus city marked the season through five days of activities coordinated by the Indigenous Student Centres. The daily events included craft making, ugly Christmas sweater contests, movies, holiday-themed bingo and more.

Next, a Holiday Feast was featured where Indigenous students and team members gathered in the Indigenous Student Centres at all four campuses. With plates laden with holiday delights, students feasted on delicious food and strengthened bonds of community and togetherness.

Deanna Kematch, director, wītōkamāhtōtān Indigenous Student Success, couldn't contain her enthusiasm for this festive endeavor. "The holidays can be a stressful time of year," she shared. "But through food, financial and cultural supports, we aim to ensure Indigenous students fully embrace the holiday spirit, create cherished memories, and alleviate the burden of financial constraints."

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, the Indigenous Students’ Season of Sharing once again unfolded as a welcoming and heartfelt success. The spirit of the season, with its warmth and compassion, echoed through the halls, leaving behind a trail of joy and gratitude.