Shining a spotlight on the University of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous Students’ Union.

Indigenous peoples have faced institutional racism, systemic oppression, and inequality in academic and non-academic spaces across Canada for generations. Despite improvements over the last century, remnants of systematic marginalization dating back to colonial times still persist, both on and off campus. 

Indigenous students often deal with unique challenges such as social and cultural disconnection while living in the city, lack of representation, and limited support services tailored to their needs. To advocate for themselves, student activists worked diligently to create safe spaces and resources for all Indigenous students across campus. In an institution not designed to accommodate Indigenous presence and relations, they continue the fight for equality that had long been started by activists before them. To meet the needs of Indigenous students attending USask and provide the support that they weren’t getting elsewhere, they established the Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU). 

Originally the Indigenous Students’ Council (ISC), the group was formed with the aim of creating inclusive spaces, fostering long-lasting relationships, and advocating for all Indigenous students at USask. In 2018, student leaders began calling for union status, to establish a body that would allow Indigenous students much-needed representation and autonomy within the university’s system of governance. 

In 2019, the ISC continued pushing for union status, prioritizing the ISU’s creation and addressing critical issues like housing and food security for Indigenous students at USask, while also opposing university-led reconciliation efforts. At the time, they boycotted Indigenization talks due to a lack of genuine Indigenous representation in decision-making and student governance. The 2020 name change from ISC to ISU was a significant move, symbolizing an assertion of inherent rights to self-governance. It marked the establishment of a fully independent Indigenous student governance body dedicated to challenging systemic barriers and advocating for Indigenous students on their own terms.

Since then, the ISU has grown into a structured organization guided by its initial aims of creating inclusive spaces, building relationships, and empowering Indigenous students. It is a volunteer-based student group, led by students from different academic backgrounds, programs, and colleges. Membership in the ISU is open to all University students who self-identify as Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. Operating independently from the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU), they continue to push for systemic change by way of student-led activism and engagement with university policy. 

The ISU operates with five key portfolios in mind: community engagement, economic empowerment, logistics and sustainability, public relations, and student support and advocacy. These portfolios allow them to foster belonging on campus, create opportunities for Indigenous students, provide direct support, and address institutional barriers—all while staying true to the core message: building community for Indigenous people on campus and creating a place where students feel safe, connected with each other, and connected to themselves. 

“We need to build that community, where there’s strength in numbers, and as a group and a collective, we could do so much more together and share our ideas, our values and our experiences. Our stories are so important, and to be able to share those things as a community, that’s the first step,” says Kal Ledoux, Director of Culture for the ISU. 

Currently, the ISU is working to secure independent funding sources to maintain their autonomy, while also navigating administrative and systemic hurdles that challenge their ability to achieve full self-governance within the institution. While significant progress has been made in the establishment of the organization, they are still striving for full independence, and continue to work diligently toward that goal. 

Over the past five years, there has been increasing  progress towards the ISU’s goals of addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous students at USask. The ISU has created more resources for students around campus, regularly scheduled cultural events and ceremonies, and continued advocacy for Indigenous autonomy, dignity, and representation at the University.

One of the most striking changes made recently to the ISU’s internal structure was the abolition of the hierarchy of power, as proposed by their most previous president Justice Noon. Noon suggested a more holistic approach to running the ISU, geared more towards running the ISU as a collective that amplifies all Indigenous voices. 

“One of her [Noon’s] initial ideas was to dismantle the presidency, the hierarchy structure, that colonial thinking of ‘We need a president to advocate and be that one person that leads us.’ So we dismantled that. All of us have a say in what we do as a group. And that was a really powerful thing for us. Now everybody can bring forth what they would like to do, what they would like to see, because that’s important, right?” said Ledoux, reflecting on the impact that decision has had on the group. 

The ISU holds introductory powwow dancing classes, drum groups, beading circles, ceremonies, study nights, workshops, guest lectures, and various other events throughout the year, all with the intention of ensuring Indigenous students feel welcomed and represented on campus. While their resources and programs are designed with Indigenous engagement at the forefront, they also hope to create connections between Indigenous practices and ways of knowing, and the rest of the student body. 

“We want to develop protocols where students can come and learn about it, and I think this is more so important for research and just building connections, building community, building relationships with Indigenous people,” explained  Ledoux. 

At the heart of it all, the ISU’s mission is one of community building. It is a testament to the spirit and passion of all the activists involved, past and present, that the organization has come to be what it is today. Born out of the need to address the unique challenges Indigenous students face on campus, the ISU stands as a reminder of the resilience, leadership, and determination of Indigenous students at the University of Saskatchewan, and it is something to be celebrated. With an inclusive model of governance and a clear commitment to making lasting change they remain a driving force for institutional accountability and Indigenous student empowerment at USask. 

Despite the many challenges the organization has faced, as well as the barriers still in place for Indigenous students in academia, the ISU continues to thrive. Dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for connection, cultural revitalization, and the overall health and wellness of Indigenous students, the ISU intends to keep pushing for advocacy within the University of Saskatchewan and continue fulfilling its vision of a strong and interconnected Indigenous community on campus. 

If you’re interested in getting involved or checking out some of the ISU’s upcoming events, make sure to check out their Instagram page, @isu.usask for more information!