Thunderchild First Nation has entered into a collaborative agreement with the University of Saskatchewan.

The two groups came together to sign an official Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday morning.

According to officials, the purpose of the agreement will be to enhance the relationship between the University and First Nation, and to better collaborate on common interests.

“This collaboration with Thunderchild First Nation is an opportunity to sharpen the focus of our work with Indigenous communities and to highlight the positive impact we can have on each other'” said USask President Peter Stoicheff.

The University says colleges across it’s campus will come together to serve the needs of Thunderchild.

The colleges named included the kihci-okawimaw askiy Knowledge Centre, the College of Agriculture, the College of Education, and the School of Environment and Sustainability.

“This MOU offers us the opportunity to work together with Thunderchild First Nation to determine what they need from us and then to provide opportunities to meet those needs so that their students and their community can build infrastructure and provide for their people,” added Dr. Angela Jaime, vice-provost of Indigenous engagement for the University.

Thunderchild chief says agreement will benefit its ag industry

As for leadership from Thunderchild First Nation, Chief Delbert Wapass says he believes the MOU will have a benefit to growing the First Nation’s agricultural endeavors.

(Thunderchild First Nation Chief Delbert Wapass speaks at an MOU signing at the U of S.  Photo by Joel Willick)

While speaking at the ceremony Wapass spoke on the First Nations pursuit of agricultural wealth; a journey they began in 2016. The chief spoke on some of the ups and downs of that pursuit over the past 8 years.

“We have proven to ourselves that we can do it,” he said. “Now how can we enhance that and how can we make it better.”

While Wapass believes the agreement will benefit Thunderchild First Nation he is also confident the university will benefit as well.

“We are very excited for this opportunity but we have to make it meaningful,” he said. “Thunderchild is here and we are all in and we hope the University is all in as well… I feel comfortable we are going to go places here.”

(TOP PHOTO: University of Saskatchewan President Peter Stoichef and Thunderchild First Nation Chief Delbert Wapass sign and MOU.  Photo by Joel Willick.)