June 1, 2026
—- A groundbreaking partnership empowered more than 16,000 Indigenous youth across Saskatchewan, creating a lasting and positive impact.
The first year
Above: Kendal Netmaker speaks to youth from Saskatchewan schools on reaching goals at the launch event
Left, top to bottom: Partnership leaders gather for planning; the first cohort of miyoskamin grads from The Innovation Collective celebrate; Elders discuss concepts at a focus group; Mastercard Foundation CEO Reeta Roy visits with Elders and youth; students at Gordon Oaks Red Bear Centre during photoshoot.
On August 3, 2021, a new collaboration was launched between the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI), the Mastercard Foundation, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT), and the University of Saskatchewan (USask). This five-year partnership was established to support Indigenous youth on their paths to post-secondary education and meaningful employment.
Named the oẏateki Partnership, the initiative represented a unique, collaborative effort to transform Saskatchewan’s education and employment systems to better serve Indigenous young people. The partnership aimed to strengthen self-determination by increasing engagement in post-secondary education, improving educational attainment, and enhancing labour market outcomes.\
The goal of these outcomes was to contribute not only to individual success, but also to the holistic health, well-being, and socio-economic prosperity of Indigenous individuals, families, and communities.
Through its work, the Partnership has supported Indigenous youth in building strong foundations for the future, to pursue further education and employment opportunities and confidently navigate challenges and opportunities.
Over
16,183
Youth Impacted
to date
Across 11 projects, the oẏateki Partnership has reached more than 16,000 Indigenous youth in over 40 communities throughout Saskatchewan, exceeding the original goal of 12,000.
The work of the projects built on the success of the three institutions while staying true to their shared values. These projects supported youth at multiple stages of their journeys, from preparing for post-secondary education and training, to providing in-school support, fostering community at the graduate level, and assisting with transitions into meaningful careers.
The oẏateki Partnership would not have been possible without the support of the Mastercard Foundation through its EleV Initiative. The EleV Program partners with Indigenous organizations, youth, and communities to transform education and employment systems in ways that align with Indigenous rights and self-determination. By uplifting Indigenous-led solutions and innovations, EleV supports pathways for Indigenous youth toward meaningful livelihoods.
As the five-year initiative draws to a close, the oẏateki Partnership extends its sincere thanks to all who supported the projects and initiatives of the institutes. Oẏateki wishes the best to all the Indigenous youth we’ve had the privilege to support on their journeys toward miyo pimâtisiwin.
Clockwise from top left: Indigenous grads and business community members converge at Indigenous Futures Event, oẏateki teams and leads gather to share and collaborate, a BIRM classroom is filmed for an oẏateki video, partner teams gather to learn and share, oẏateki team members group photo at Wanuskewin.
