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
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!