USask ITEP celebrates 50th anniversary milestone

The University of Saskatchewan’s Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) has reached its 50th anniversary, reportedly making it the longest standing Indigenous education program in North America. “ITEP was built because it was what our Elders wanted: to strengthen identity and culture and provide opportunities to build strong Indigenous people and communities through education,” explained ITEP director Yvette Arcand, who graduated from the program in 1997. “Today, Indigenous teachings and ways of knowing are embedded not only in our schools and provincial curriculum, but that desire to engage with and learn about Indigenous culture is throughout larger society as well. ITEP was a part of that.” The program has graduated over 3,000 alumni since its doors opened in the 1970s.