With Christmas just around the corner, the University of Saskatchewan Indigenous Students’ Council is helping fellow students who may require a little more than comfort and joy to get them through the holiday season by bringing Christmas to their doors.

The U of S ISC is an assembly of students whose aim and purpose is to unify the Aboriginal students on campus through cultural, recreational and academic activities. During the month of December, the ISC is giving out Christmas hampers to self-declared Aboriginal students at the U of S who demonstrate financial need.

Breanna Doucette-Garr, second-year arts and science student and the ISC vice-president finance, is an active contributor to the Christmas hamper initiative and speaks to how the program got its start.

“We see that there is food insecurity on campus, especially for Aboriginal students, and it makes sense because being a student doesn’t really guarantee having a large salary to be able to have a good nutritious diet, especially around Christmas time — you’re worried about finals, trying to feed your family and trying to study,” Doucette-Garr said.

Based on a 2013 study that was conducted at the university, it was estimated that approximately eight per cent of U of S students, undergraduate and graduate, are parenting. Moreover, this fall, official enrolment numbers confirm that 2,236 students at the U of S self-declare as Aboriginal, the highest yet for the university.

The ISC’s Christmas hampers will not only benefit Aboriginal students, but the initiative also provides an opportunity for all students to give back to the campus community and extend their helping hands with the joy of giving this holiday season.

“Food insecurity basically means that you aren’t able to have an adequate diet or even think that you can have an adequate diet. It’s a problem that really needs to be addressed — not being able to even afford a good meal. It shouldn’t be a problem, especially in such a rich country as Canada,” she said.

Donations may come in many forms, including non-perishable food items such as canned soups, hygiene products such as new toothbrushes or soaps, various household items and toys for children.

The majority of students who receive the hampers have children, and Doucette-Garr speaks to how rewarding it is to be able to help these families during the holidays.

“My experience has been really good. The students that do receive the hampers are so thankful for the hampers, cause not only do we put food that can go towards their Christmas dinners, we put gift cards in there, we put toys, we put anything, any donation that we can get to help us students to basically live,” she said.

Additionally, Doucette-Garr explains that several other Indigenous student-led initiatives allow the council to fill the hampers with more than just the basics.

“We do donate $50 gift cards to each hamper. We do a lot of fundraising throughout the year just to be able to do these kinds of projects to give back to students.”

This year’s application deadline to acquire a Christmas hamper is Dec. 4. Students can apply by filling out an application form online or by visiting the Aboriginal Students’ Centre. Since there is a limited number of hampers, the ISC prioritizes the students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.

Students and faculty alike are encouraged to drop off donations for the Christmas hampers in the donation box located at the Aboriginal Students’ Centre in Marquis Hall.

“We are still looking for donations and it is going to a great cause because Aboriginal students, we do need that support and this is a great way to give your support to your community and to Indigenous people on campus,” Doucette-Garr said.

The ISC is collecting donations until Dec. 13 and Doucette-Garr encourages students to get involved while they still can and start off the holiday season by helping out their peers.

“Because a lot of students don’t get to spend a lot of time with their family during the term, never mind trying to make extra money for Christmas — although, I know there are students who do both — these hampers are likely to help incredibly hard-working students that are not able to have a side job during the school year and are seeking support this holiday.”

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Jaline Broqueza

Photo: Caitlin Taylor / Photo Editor