Eight Students & Alumni Invested Into the Order of Gabriel Dumont

The last bronze medal investiture was held at GDI’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in February 2020, where 20 bronze medals were awarded.

For more information about the Order of Gabriel Dumont bronze Medal Awards, please visit our website. Due to the pandemic, awards ceremonies will be held virtually. Each recipient will be presented a bronze medal at their designated program’s awards ceremony.

A list of recipients with citations is included below.

GDI is a Métis-owned post-secondary and cultural institution in Saskatchewan which includes the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP), Dumont Technical Institute, Gabriel Dumont College, GDI Training and Employment, Gabriel Dumont Scholarship Foundation, the Métis Culture and Heritage Department, and Gabriel Dumont Institute Press. GDI is affiliated with the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan (MN–S) and is governed by a 12-member Board of Governors, comprising one representative from each of the 12 MN–S Regions, plus a Chairperson who is also the MN–S Minister of Education.

THE ORDER OF GABRIEL DUMONT—Bronze

Tiffany Newby Dumont Technical Institute Alumni Regina, Saskatchewan

Tiffany graduated from the Dumont Technical Institute (DTI) Practical Nursing Regina program in December 2020. She was also a Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) Training & Employment client. Tiffany has inspired everyone around her through her perseverance and story of resilience, which included the loss of her mother and close family members at an early age.

Tiffany overcame the cycle of addiction and incarceration and is dedicated to being a role model, mentor, and teacher to support those recovering from addictions in her personal and professional life.

Tiffany is a leader in many facets of her life. She volunteered as a speaker for addictions education in many Indigenous communities and high schools. She was the founder and organizer for the First Annual Crystal Meth Awareness Walk in 2019 and has been very involved with the Crystal Clear support group.

Caring for family and others is important to Tiffany. She was the primary caregiver for her grandfather while attending school. Tiffany has been learning and teaching others about cultural knowledge and traditions including, smudging ceremonies, harvesting Indigenous herbs for medicines, and connecting these to the Medicine Wheel. She encompasses holistic approaches to her cultural identity, creating a sense of belonging to those around her.

Kayla Pelletier Dumont Technical Institute Student Regina, Saskatchewan

Kayla graduated from the Dumont Technical Institute (DTI) Adult Basic Education Level Four Regina program in 2018 and is a current student in the Office Administration program. Kayla has demonstrated perseverance with perfect attendance and top standing in her class, all while raising four beautiful children on her own.

Kayla is a quick learner with strong organizational skills, which she used to adapt to the technology needed for successful online learning.

Kayla exemplifies the matriarchal values reflected throughout her Métis culture. Kayla missed out on learning about her Métis heritage while growing up and credits DTI in her journey to discovering and learning more about her cultural roots. She continues to learn about Indigenous traditions by participating in many events and ceremonies including, Louis Riel Day, powows, round dances, and sweat lodges. Kayla identifies as a strong Métis woman who is empowering her children to be proud of who they are.

Kayla has overcome many obstacles in her life to achieve academic success. She knows that everyone needs to “never give up and always strive for what they want in life. There will always be something to stop you from achieving your dreams, but, still, fight for it.”

Erin Dyck Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program Student Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

Erin Dyck is currently a second-year student in the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) in Prince Albert.

Erin is a strong Métis woman whose exuberant personality brings joy to everyone around her.

Erin joined the program later in life after raising a family and working full-time for many years as a Daycare Director. Erin has embraced SUNTEP and immersed herself in the school community. She participates in every school activity and spirit day and encourages fellow students to get involved.

Life is not always easy for Erin as a full-time student, wife, and mother to two beautiful daughters. She has persevered through her daughter’s health issues and worked hard to create a balance between home life and school life, all while continuing to make time to support her fellow students.

Erin organizes and participates in study groups and peer editing exchanges not only for her academic success, but also for the success of her classmates. She exudes a contagious community spirit and leads with kindness and humility.

Alyssa Prudat Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program Student Regina, Saskatchewan

Alyssa Prudat is a Métis fourth-year Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) Regina Student.

Alyssa prefers they/them pronouns and hopes to pursue a Masters of Education to teach queer Indigenous studies. With humble confidence, Alyssa remains top of the class by communicating thoroughly, requesting feedback, and articulating complex ideas through her writing.

Despite learning obstacles, Alyssa often sets the bar for others in the class to follow their example. They offer many class discussions centered on education and experiences with marginalization as a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community. Alyssa has also been involved in a range of volunteer opportunities during their time at SUNTEP Regina. Most notably, Alyssa contributed to The Carillon, the University of Regina newspaper, for op-ed pieces regarding Indigenous issues such as cultural appropriation.

Recently, Alyssa has become a leading member of “Pride & Buffalo Hide,” a student-led initiative in the University of Regina to address the specific experience of students who are both Indigenous and gender or sexually diverse.

Community involvement has posed some challenges for everyone since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic but, Alyssa maintains a connection with the Indigenous community by taking part in Regina Public Library online learning events including, those led by Kohkom Brenda Dubois.

Julia Jendruck Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program Student Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Julia Jendruck is a fourth-year Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) Saskatoon student. She is a committed educator destined to do great things on behalf of the Métis community and within education. She is dedicated, hardworking, and consistently demonstrates respect and professionalism.

Julia is passionate about social justice, anti-racist/oppressive, and Métis education and is involved in student clubs that lead this work. She is a critical thinker and offers great suggestions and support to others within the SUNTEP professional learning community.

Julia perseveres through some of the tough barriers a single 4 mother withstands while trying hard to pursue higher educational goals. She is a devoted and loving mother to her son, Michael, with whom she spends all her time. Julia has strong academic skills and completed her internship with great distinction. She ensured her students learned about Indigenous outcomes, particularly Métis cultural outcomes. She creates avenues of learning that are inclusive of anti-racist and anti-oppressive understandings. Julia participates with great enthusiasm in a number of activities within the centre and the greater community.

She volunteers with the SUNTEP Anti-Racism Education Forum and organized professional development for her peers. Julia is a strong role model who understands the importance of transformative approaches to learning, especially in regards to decolonization in education and social justice work.

Devynn Boyer GDI Training and Employment & Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program Student Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Devynn Boyer is a proud Métis man currently attending the Saskatoon Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP) at the University of Saskatchewan.

Devynn is also a Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) Training and Employment client and received support through the Métis Nation University Sponsorship Program for 2019 and 2020. He stands out in the Métis community for his dedication to incorporating his culture into his work and studies. He has strong beliefs and hopes to bring awareness to Indigenous culture and issues. Most recently, Devynn developed his own clothing brand called Ahkikiw Clothing.

Ahkikiw Clothing provides access to authentic handmade clothing and accessories that are created by himself and local Métis artisans. Ahkikiw comes from the Métis language Michif and means grow and was chosen by Devynn to bring awareness to the Michif language and represent Métis beliefs. Along with running his own business, he also attends University full-time while raising a family.

Devyn has made it a priority to incorporate his culture and knowledge into his teaching pedagogy. He strives to provide relatable and relevant content to his future students and peers.

Raymond Regnier GDI Training and Employment Indigenous Apprenticeship Project Client Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Raymond Regnier has been a successful participant of the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) Indigenous Apprenticeship Project since 2017. Through GDI’s partnership with Tolko Industries, Raymond was able to secure valuable employment and experience as a Construction Electrician.

He continued to successfully transition through his apprenticeship levels despite the interruption in technical training due to the pandemic. Raymond is now an accredited Red Seal Journeyperson, and he continues to be a valued employee of Tolko Industries.

Raymond’s dedication to his career is inspirational and can be shared with others throughout their apprenticeship journeys.

Jolene Couillonneur Gabriel Dumont College Student La Ronge, Saskatchewan

Jolene Couillonneur is a second-year student in the Northern Saskatchewan Indigenous Teachers Education Program (NSITEP) in La Ronge. Jolene is very proud of her Métis roots. Her focus and determination help her excel in her studies. She never hesitates to ask for help when the course material isn’t clear and stays after school for additional assistance. Jolene gets along well with everyone. She is both caring, respectful, and patient. She often sits with other students who need extra help and explains the concepts they don’t understand. She shows great interest in the program and her passion for the field of education is evident. Jolene’s attention to detail in her studies highlights her ability to think in-depth about the quality of education she will commit herself to once she earns her teaching degree. It is her hope and dream to teach at one of the Lac LaRonge Indian Band schools upon completion of her degree

by Gabriel Dumont Institute

Eight Students & Alumni Invested Into the Order of Gabriel Dumont

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