Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte speaks at the convocation ceremony for SaskPolytech - Prince Albert. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Polytechnic)

By Derek Craddock

HONORARY DEGREE

‘It was a great honour’: PAGC Grand Chief receives Honorary Degree from SaskPoly

Jun 3, 2022 | 8:00 AM

The Grand Chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) was recently recognized by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, during its graduation ceremony this week.

Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte became the first-ever recipient of an Honorary Degree in Applied Studies from SaskPoly.

In describing the experience, Hardlotte said was truly an honour to be recognized.

“It was an event for the graduates. I recognized the graduates first and foremost; it was their day.”

“On stage with all the faculty, and also, the graduates of this year in all areas, whichever course they were taking, it was a great honour to be recognized from SaskPolytech. Kind of overwhelming too, I guess.”

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(Prince Albert Grand Council/Facebook)

Hardlotte’s family was in attendance for the ceremony at the EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts along with staff members from the Prince Albert Grand Council.

He acknowledged the honour was not only for him but for the First Nations he represents in the PAGC.

“I accepted it on behalf of the 12 Chiefs I work with in the Prince Albert Grand Council territory and also the senators and all our staff at the Prince Albert Grand Council.”

He hopes receiving the honorary degree will inspire Indigenous students to take their talents to SaskPoly.

“In this time of reconciliation, I’m making sure that the Indigenous students have that opportunity, the same as anybody else out there to be able to attend SaskPolytech and have good education there and be respected there. I would say one of the greatest institutions in Canada.”

Wednesday was the first convocation ceremony for SaskPoly, with ceremonies planned for the Moose Jaw Campus on Friday, Saskatoon on June 20 and Regina on June 23.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock