A group photo of the Indigenous Student Achievement Award winners with Elder Roland Duquestte, Elder Linda Sanderson, Angela Jaime Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement and Lori Delorme Acting Director of the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre. (Photo: Nicole Denbow)
A group photo of the Indigenous Student Achievement Award winners with Elder Roland Duquestte, Elder Linda Sanderson, Angela Jaime Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement and Lori Delorme Acting Director of the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre. (Photo: Nicole Denbow)

Students honoured with Indigenous Student Achievement Awards

Three learners from the College of Medicine and the School of Rehabilitation Science were recognized at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Indigenous Student Achievement Awards Ceremony on March 6.

Congratulations to Indiana Best, Reed Delainey and Nathan Oakes who each received a leadership award! Learn more about them and their achievements below. 

The students were among more than 40 students across USask to be recognized at the event. The awards ceremony is part of the university’s annual Indigenous Achievement Week, which celebrates Métis, First Nations and Inuit students, staff, faculty and alumni’s successes and contributions. 

Indiana Best

Métis Nation Alberta
Doctor of Medicine, College of Medicine

Indiana is a second-year Métis medical student who has completed a Bachelor of Health Studies with honours, and completed her Master’s in Public Health studies in 2021. Chosen for this award by her Indigenous peers in Medicine, Indiana is an exemplary candidate for the Leadership Award. She holds several leadership positions including as the leader of the Advocacy division within the Student Medical Society of Saskatchewan (SMSS).

As vice-president advocacy, she is an integral voice for Indigenous students, fighting for cultural and safe spaces for us. She sits on committees such as the Indigenous admissions process and the Indigenous Health Working Group. Her leadership style includes empathy and compassion and is rooted in her Métis culture. Indiana has passion, dedication and has participated at the national level with mentorship and creates opportunities for youth in Saskatoon to be mentored by Indigenous medical students.

Reed Delainey

Aquadeo, Saskatchewan
Master of Physical Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Science

Reed is a Métis student who has led the development of the Circles of Reconciliation initiative for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in the School of Rehabilitation Science. This group brings awareness to the issue of Truth and Reconciliation, and invites everyone in the school to be an active participant. The Circles of Reconciliation group strives to bring the same awareness of Truth and Reconciliation to the profession of physical therapy.

Nathan Oakes

Piapot First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory, Saskatchewan
Doctor of Philosophy, College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Community Health and Epidemiology

tānisi kīya ēkwa tāwaw nīwāhkōmākanak, Nathan Oakes nihtihsīkāson. Nēhiyāwpwātihk nēwo tipāhatahmin āskīy sāwanohk Saskatchewan (Sask) ōhci nīya. Hello and welcome my relatives, I am Nathan Oakes. I am from Piapot First Nation Treaty 4 Territory south Saskatchewan. With humility by introducing myself in the nēhiyāw language, I intend to represent my growing passion and responsibility for one day fully learning it, in the spirit of revitalizing Indigenous knowledge and identity for our future generations.

Among my siblings, I am the eldest of 4, so I come from a background where growing in leadership was expected of me at an early age. Today I owe credit to my wonderful family, especially my mother and loving partner and children who support me at home through my endeavors both in and out of academia. I would not be here today if it weren’t for the collective support that has been gifted to me through the wonderful people who’ve provided me with support in many areas of my life along my journey both in and outside of academia. I walk this path to honour those who have offered me help and guidance when I’ve needed it. To honour those who have come before me, those who will come after me, and make use of the gifts the Creator has offered me along this journey. ekōsi, ayahay!