Our History

The Indian Teacher Education Program, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan will celebrates over 50 years of success in Indigenous education.  The program was established in 1972-73 as a two and a half-year program leading to a two-year Standard “A” certificate. The program has evolved to a four-year Elementary and Secondary Program leading to a Bachelor of Education degree and a Professional "A" certificate. ITEP continues to meet the mandate of post-secondary education in Saskatchewan for First Nations educators.  

ITEP is committed to delivering a high-caliber program to First Nations students and is funded entirely through the University of Saskatchewan 

The success of ITEP is reflected in the number and quality of its graduates over the past 40+ years. The graduates of ITEP have taken on leadership roles in teaching, administration, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous governance. Our Alumni have also been instrumental in providing culturally appropriate educational opportunities for their children, fulfilling the dream of “Indian Control of Indian Education”.

Our Mission

To build a community of teachers who expect excellence, understand and value the Culture, Languages, Identity and Traditions of our students.

Guided by the principles of Indian Control of Education, our aim is to continue to build relationships, understand First Nations worldview and values and to make education relevant to the philosophy and needs of First Nations people.  ITEP will serve as a vehicle for building successful schools, communities and nations.

Our Program

  • Provide an opportunity for First Nations people to become classroom teachers and provide an educational experience which will give individuals more freedom to specialize in specific areas.
  • Increase the number of First Nations teachers in Saskatchewan and other parts of Canada who will meet the social and cultural needs of the Indigenous  community, as well as contribute to school systems where Indigenous and non-Indigenous children make up the student population.
  • Give First Nations adult students the opportunity to develop the necessary academic skills to be successful in completing all requirements for the Bachelor of Education degree and a Professional "A" certificate.
  • Prepare students to function effectively in a cross-cultural setting and overcome any barriers that might hinder this process.
  • Reinforce cultural awareness and identity so the teacher will encourage students to appreciate their heritage.
  • Provide ITEP interns with the opportunity to complete their extended practicum in First Nations schools.
  • Inspire students to be role models so that other First Nations students will realize their potential and recognize the contributions they can make to their community and society at large.
  • Develop and implement relevant materials and techniques in the classroom that will better serve the needs of First Nations children.
  • Give students an opportunity to broaden their educational horizons and provide avenues for them to specialize in areas that are becoming new focuses in education.
  • Provide students with the opportunity to obtain an area of specialization in an Indigenous language that will allow them to instruct and communicate in this area, and consequently, be instrumental in the preservation and revitalization of the language.
  • Maintain and continue ITEP’s 90% success rate for First Nation students in University education.
  • Cross-cultural education is incorporated into the course work through the utilization of Elders and resource people of Indigenous ancestry.
  • Indigenous language Certificate.
  • On-going tutorial, academic counselling services are provided by the ITEP team.
  • ITEP attributes its success to the strong network of students who are experts in the delivery of cross-cultural education.
  • Partnership opportunities to pursue Graduate degrees in education.