INDIGENOUS INITIATIVES
Learn about Northlands College’s commitment to supporting Indigenous learners and communities through culturally relevant programs and services.
LIFE IN THE NORTH
Northlands College continues its commitment to understanding the historical, social, and economical conditions of Indigenous populations in Saskatchewan, that fosters respect of the cultures, traditions, languages, and protocols of Indigenous people into the work and learning environment of Northlands College. Indigenous Education will strengthen our college by contributing to improving the lives of learners and communities.
Our hope for the Elie Fleury and Louise Pederson Cultural Centres is to become vibrant hubs of our college communities through cultural gatherings, teachings and other outside events that we deem appropriate.
Northlands College emphasizes the importance of community engagement, unique blended educational opportunities and experiences to enhance cultural pride, support and partnerships to ensure success. It is not just about the “building” but rather about relationships and giving people the ability to sustain their goals and aspirations while attaining a balance with their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being, as per the four directions of the medicine wheel. We strive for the end result of becoming a successful college community which in turn promotes success in northern Saskatchewan.
The following is a list of topics, events and activities that can be carried out in the Cultural Centres are:
• Knowledge of Aboriginal world views
• Sharing circles
• Traditional medicines
• Traditional foods
• Traditional travel (pre-European)
• Importance of the four teachings
• Survival tips in the forests.
• Making moccasins, mukluks, slippers, mitts etc.
• Trapping, fishing, snaring and hunting
• Tracks and habitat of animals
• Traditional ceremonies and their meaning (Cree, Dene, Metis)
• History of Indigenous cultures
• The medicine wheel (variations to different teachings and cultures)
Resident Elders & Knowledge Keepers
Resident Elders and Knowledge Keepers offer teachings, traditional knowledge, ceremony, storytelling, sharing circles, classroom visits, land-based learning, and one-to-one support.
Knowledge Keeper Dr. Marlene Nicholls — Buffalo Narrows. Red Sun Eagle Woman is Cree/Dene, a Matriarch, Knowledge Keeper, Leader, Indigenous Peoples Advocate, Instructor, and Curriculum Developer who lives on Treaty 10 Territory.
Elder Alex Halkett — Resident Elder, Canoe Campus
Elder Alex Halkett’s spirit name is SpottedWolf Man. Born and raised in La Ronge, he spent much of his childhood on the land learning about the Creator’s many blessings. He continues to seek healing and beauty in Mother Nature, harvests medicines from the land, and shares traditional arts including woodworking, carving, painting, and storytelling. As a residential school survivor, cancer survivor, and someone who has dealt with alcohol and drug addictions, his goal is to help others, offer guidance, and share and promote Mithoo Pimatisawin — A Good Lifestyle.
Elder Abby Margaret McIntyre — Elder-in-Residence, River Campus
Elder Margaret Rose McIntyre, also known as Abby, hails from the northern settlement of Dipper Lake, nestled along the Churchill River. A proud Treaty Indian of the English River First Nation at Patuanak, Saskatchewan, Margaret was raised with deep Denesuline’ values and a strong connection to her language, land, and culture. Her life’s mission is to protect the Gift of Language bestowed by the Creator and to help revitalize the traditions, ceremonies, and languages impacted by colonization and the intergenerational trauma of residential schools.
Margaret’s personal journey is one of resilience. Taken from her family at the age of seven, she spent 11 years at the Beauval Residential School, where she was separated from her culture, language, and the beautiful lands she called home. Despite this painful chapter, Margaret has found healing. She celebrates the strength of those reclaiming and revitalizing traditional ways of life, and she remains committed to the cultural restoration of her people.
Today, Margaret lives with grace and forgiveness, having transformed her past into a powerful message of love, kindness, and victory. She has moved from bitterness to a place of peace, no longer a victim but a testament to resilience and strength.
INDIGENOUS INITIATIVES COORDINATOR
Jacqueline Ballantyne
Jacqueline Ballantyne currently serves as the Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator for Northlands College. Support is provided to students and staff through the coordination of initiatives and the work of the College’s Resident Elders and Knowledge Keepers. In addition to being a College staff member, Jacqueline is recognized as a Knowledge Keeper.
A background of 36 years in human services has been developed, during which time service has also been provided as a helper to Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers.
The opportunity to work within the field of education has been viewed as a valuable growth experience. Through this role, learning opportunities in relationship-building and educational culture have been gained, and the importance of partnerships and collaboration across departments has been observed.
Northlands College has been experienced as an exceptional environment for professional growth, where the skills needed to be a supportive colleague and to excel in one’s field can be developed. Personal and professional experiences have been brought together in a setting that supports teaching, learning, and knowledge sharing for both students and staff. This role continues to provide an exciting opportunity for knowledge and experience to be shared while ongoing learning is fostered through engagement with the College community.
Looking for additional resources, forms, services, events, supports, opportunities, connecting with Elders or Knowledge Keepers, or planning cultural activities? Visit Indigenous Initiatives in the Student Hub.
Elders Advisory Council
Northlands College is proud of the role our Elders Advisory Council plays at our institution. The primary purpose of the Elders Advisory Council is to provide invaluable guidance and share their extensive knowledge in the areas of Indigenous language and culture. Their wisdom, experience, and deep-rooted connection to the community will play a vital role in shaping our institution’s strategic direction. The council will work closely with our esteemed Board of Directors and the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, ensuring that our college’s Vision, Mission, and Outcomes are aligned with the aspirations and needs of our Indigenous Learners and communities.
The Elders Advisory Council serves as a bridge between our institution and the rich cultural heritage of the Indigenous peoples in northern Saskatchewan. Their insights and perspectives will inform and enrich our educational programs, policies, and practices, ensuring that they are respectful, inclusive, and relevant to the Indigenous communities we serve. By honoring and integrating Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and languages into our curriculum and campus life, we aim to create an environment where all learners feel empowered, respected, and valued
Northlands College expresses deep gratitude to the Elders Advisory Council for their willingness to share their wisdom and support our institution’s mission. Together, we will continue our journey towards reconciliation, fostering understanding, and nurturing a culturally diverse and inclusive college community.
ELDERS ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS
The Elder Advisory Council — Kehte-ayak Othasowīwak — provides guidance and shares knowledge in Indigenous language and culture. Their wisdom, experience, and deep-rooted community connections help shape the College’s strategic direction.
The Council works with the Board of Directors and Indigenous Initiatives to ensure the College’s Vision, Mission, and Outcomes align with the aspirations and needs of Indigenous learners and communities.
Ann Lafleur
Ann is considered an excellent spiritual advisor for her community of Beauval, SK. She continues to be a strong Elder presence and spiritual guide for a number of events including weddings, funerals, and blessings. Ann was one of few selected to attend a delegation of spiritual advisors at the Vatican City, where Pope Francis issued an apology regarding Canadian Residential Schools. Ann brings an abundance of knowledge from the Metis and Cree cultures from the North West communities.
Freddie Throassie
Freddie is of Dene ancestry and grew up living on the land and practicing traditional ways in Black Lake, SK. Freddie has years of experience in the exploration and mining industry previously working in the field and now working in remediation of old mine sites with the Saskatchewan Research Council. Freddie has worn many hats and has gained wisdom is areas such as teaching, leadership, and aviation.
John Henry Charles
John grew up in Montreal Lake, SK, living on the land and waters. Today, he enjoys hunting as a hobby and passing down this knowledge to his grandchildren. John’s journey with Northlands College comes full-circle, beginning as a learner, returning as a Literacy Instructor, and now joining us as an advisory member. Accompanying John, is his wealth of knowledge and compassion, as he has obtained his Bachelor of Indian Social Work (BISW) and works as a Registered Social Worker and an approved Mental Health Therapist.
Thompson Mckenzie
Thompson is a proud member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, residing in the community of Grandmother’s Bay. Thompson considers himself a life long learner and sees serving on the council as an opportunity to share his experiences with others. He has worked and lived in Northern Saskatchewan all his life and taken a significant number of leadership and management roles. Education, training, and culture have always played a vital role in his experiences.
Elder In Residence
Elie Fleury, who is of Métis heritage, received his education at the University of Manitoba and commenced his teaching career in the same province in 1960. He worked as an educator in various northern communities before assuming the role of superintendent of education for the Northern School Board (Northern Lights School Division), headquartered in Prince Albert, in 1976. His career has also included leadership in higher education with his service as Director of the Northern Teacher Education Program.
His extensive experience and connection to culture and communities is an asset to Northlands College Learners, Faculty and Staff.
ELIE FLEURY CULTURAL CENTRE
Elie Fleury, born in Binscarth, MB in 1939, dedicated his life to the advancement of Indigenous education and northern communities. After earning degrees in Arts, Education, and a Master’s from the University of Saskatchewan, he held key roles as a Superintendent and Director of Education with the Northern Lights School Division, and later with the Northern Teacher Education Program (NORTEP) in La Ronge. His work was marked by a profound passion for Indigenous culture, northern self-determination, and the education of First Nations, Métis, and Dene peoples. Elie’s contributions were recognized with two Governor General of Saskatchewan Medals. Even in retirement, his commitment continued as a Resident Elder at Northlands College.
Northlands College is proud to have named the cultural centre after Elie Fleury, honoring his unwavering dedication to education and the northern way of life. The Elie Fleury Cultural Centre, opened in 2020, serves as a welcoming space for learners and staff to connect with Indigenous traditions, engage in reflection, and find solace, embodying the spirit of Elie’s lifelong passion for fostering growth and understanding in the North.
LOUISE PEDERSON CULTURAL CENTRE
The Louise Pedersen Cultural Centre, located at Northlands College’s Buffalo Narrows campus, was dedicated in May 2022 to honor Louise Pedersen, a respected Elder and longtime advocate for northern education. Pedersen’s remarkable 36-year career at Northlands College, where she served as a teacher, certified native counsellor, and Knowledge Keeper, left an enduring legacy of support for learners and the community. Her commitment to nurturing the educational journeys of northern learners and her role in preserving Indigenous traditions made her a beloved figure across Saskatchewan’s northwest.
Northlands College is proud to have named the cultural centre after Louise Pedersen, recognizing her significant contributions to Indigenous education and cultural preservation. The centre provides a culturally safe and welcoming space where learners, staff, and the community can gather, reflect, and engage in traditional ceremonies. As part of the college’s ongoing Indigenization Strategy, the Louise Pedersen Cultural Centre represents a vital step in fostering inclusion and celebrating Indigenous culture at Northlands College.
Tomson Highway Cultural Centre
The Tomson Highway Cultural Centre at Northlands College’s Creighton Campus was officially named on September 27, 2024, in honor of Tomson Highway, the renowned Cree author, playwright, and advocate for Indigenous storytelling. A member of the Barren Lands First Nation, with ancestral ties to both northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Highway’s works have profoundly influenced Indigenous literature and culture in Canada and beyond. His contributions to the arts, particularly through works like Kiss of the Fur Queen and The Rez Sisters, have inspired generations of writers, artists, and thinkers.
Northlands College is proud to name its cultural centre after Tomson Highway, recognizing his enduring legacy in Indigenous storytelling and cultural advocacy. Situated near the convergence of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the Tomson Highway Cultural Centre reflects both Highway’s heritage and the region’s rich cultural landscape. It serves as a hub for Indigenous learners, community members, and visitors, providing a space where cultural heritage and modern education intersect. The centre reflection, learning, and celebration of the rich traditions of Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. As an institution committed to empowering Indigenous learners, Northlands College is honored to continue Tomson Highway’s legacy, offering a space where tradition, education, and opportunity unite.
