Trishell Provost is a 2019 kinesiology grad from the University of Lethbridge. (Photo: University of Lethbridge)

By Justin Goulet

U of L reports record number of Indigenous graduates in Spring 2022

May 31, 2022 | 2:29 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A record number of Indigenous students are graduating from the University of Lethbridge (U of L) this spring.

The U of L said a record 99 graduates will be crossing the stage at the 2021/2022 convocation ceremonies. Dr. Mike Mahon, president and vice-chancellor at the U of L said, “when you see the number of Indigenous students who are finding success and completing their academic careers consistently increase, there is intentionality behind it.”

Over the last 10 years, the U of L has seen, on average, 50 to 75 self-declared Indigenous students graduate between the spring and fall convocation ceremonies. In the last three academic years, those numbers have shot up to 87, 84 and 99 students respectively. The post-secondary said the roots of that growth can be traced.

In 2011, Mahon asked Roy Weasel Fat, then vice-president (academic) at Red Crow Community College, and U of L faculty members Drs. Leroy Little Bear and Jane O’Dea to create a strategy to support Indigenous students, faculty, staff and community members.

The seven recommendations they submitted set a course of action and elicited a pledge from Mahon.

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At the time, Mahon said, “we will place greater focus on recruiting and retaining Blackfoot and other First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students, the fastest growing young adult population in Canada.”

“However, enrolment is not the only reason to focus on this population. Creating opportunity and an inclusive campus environment for all students is simply the right thing to do.”

In 2013, the Iniskim Education Committee was established and in 2014, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Red Crow Community College and the Iikaisskini Student Gathering Place opened. In 2019, the U of L appointed Charles Weaselhead as its 14^th chancellor and first of Indigenous descent. Later that year, a partnership between the Blackfoot Confederacy, the U of L and the Mastercard Foundation, known as EleV, was created.

Charles Weaselhead said, “I’ve always had a passion for our young people to grow and find success.”

“I never considered myself a formal role model, but I think being named chancellor, it probably opened some eyes and opened up minds for our young people and our community that there is a place for them here and these positions are possible.”

Lindi Shade, manager of Iikaisskini Indigenous Services said, “it is inspiring to see our Indigenous students attend the U of L, complete degrees and go forward to serve all communities.”

“At Iikaisskini Indigenous Services we are so proud of all the Indigenous graduates at this year’s convocation, and we wish them the very best in their future careers.”

More on the Spring 2022 Convocation is available at the University of Lethbridge website.