Parkland College’s commitment to partnering with First Nations in East Central Saskatchewan continues to expand.  The college has forged an official partnership with Peepeekisis Cree Nation near Balcarres through the signing of a memorandum of understanding.

Parkland College is committed to partnering with First Nations in East Central Saskatchewan to improve their skills training and labour market participation. The affiliation with Peepeekisis Cree Nation will involve tailored Essential Skills programs, Adult Basic Education, and specific skills training designed to link members of the First Nation with industry and jobs.

“We are dedicated to strengthening the programs and courses offered to our partners,” said Michael Cameron, director of Training and Business Development at Parkland College. “This agreement will help us improve the way of life of more people across the region.”

The MOU will be in effect for five years. The agreement lays out terms and directives by which both parties will work to secure training allowances for students learning on reserve. Officials from Peepeekisis Cree Nation and Parkland College will meet at least twice a year to assess the progress made during the collaboration.

About Us:
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province’s most diverse off-campus university offerings.

-30-

For more information contact:
Michael Cameron
Director, Training & Business Development
Parkland College
Phone: 306.786.2590
Email: m.cameron@parklandcollege.sk.ca

(Left to right): William Litchfield, Director of Advancement at Parkland College, accepts the scholarship donation from Lyle Chutskoff, District Vice President, Great Plains, TD Canada Trust, and Les Arnelien, TD Yorkton Branch Manager.

Yorkton, SK – TD announced on Friday its support of Parkland College students with a donation of $25,000 to the college’s scholarship initiative.

The contribution from TD will be provided in $5,000 installments over five years. These funds will be matched by the Government of Saskatchewan’s Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship program, effectively doubling the contribution to a total of $50,000.

“At TD, we believe that a good education opens doors and contributes greatly to the long-term well-being of individuals, families and communities. It’s one of the best investments an individual can make,” said Lyle Chutskoff, District Vice President, Great Plains, TD Canada Trust. “We’re proud to help students and future leaders achieve their goals at Parkland College through this contribution to the scholarship fund.”

These new scholarships will be earmarked for Parkland College students in areas related to business, entrepreneurship, and agriculture. Half of the scholarships will support First Nations learners.

“We are extremely grateful for TD’s very generous scholarship donation,” said William Litchfield, Director of Advancement at Parkland College. “TD continues to make a positive impact in several East Central Saskatchewan communities. We are proud they’ve chosen to support education and opportunities for Parkland College students.”

TD’s contribution augments Parkland College’s scholarship initiative, which has provided over $100,000 in scholarships to students in the past two academic years. Students interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities at Parkland College are encouraged to stop by one of the five campuses in Canora, Esterhazy, Fort Qu’Appelle, Melville or Yorkton, or visit the scholarship section of this website.

About Parkland College
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province’s most diverse off-campus university offerings.

TD Community Giving
TD invests in communities to make a positive impact where it does business and where our customers, clients and employees live and work. In 2012, TD donated over $65 million to support community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, we focus on Education and Financial Literacy, Creating Opportunities for Young People, and the Environment. For more information, visit www.td.com/corporateresponsibility.

-30-

For more information contact:
Brendan Wagner
Communications Officer
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6595
Email: b.wagner@parklandcollege.sk.ca

Yorkton, SK – Parkland College’s newest scholarship fundraiser, An Evening in Africa, is being lauded as a great success. Preliminary estimates indicate the Saturday night event at the Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton netted approximately $6,000 for post-secondary student scholarships at Parkland College. Once matched by the Government of Saskatchewan’s Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship program, An Evening in Africa will fund about $12,000 in new scholarships.

“We are so thrilled that the community put its support behind this brand new fundraiser,” said Carol Wiens, chair of the organizing committee. “The turnout was fantastic, and dozens of local businesses really stepped up as sponsors. It’s remarkable to see the community give back in this way.”

An Evening in Africa was created as a fun night out after several community members noted Yorkton needed such a social function. Demand was very healthy, said Wiens, with about 95 per cent of the tickets sold. Attendees were treated to a live drumming and dancing performance from ONYXSTASIA African Princess Dance Troupe, two New York-style fashion shows featuring the latest spring looks for men and women, and numerous African-inspired appetizers and beverages.

The ONYXSTASIA African Princess Dance Troupe entertains the crowd.

“When you’re hosting an inaugural event, you never know how it’s going to go,” Wiens admitted, “but we’re so happy with the way it turned out. We raised a lot of money for our students, everyone had a great time, and we learned a few things to make our next night out an even bigger success.”

The night allowed Parkland College to highlight its long-standing connection to Africa. In the last decade, the college has invested in educational partnerships with institutions in Africa, several staff members have travelled to Kenya to share expertise and exchange ideas, and college staff have sponsored a young man in his quest to receive an education.

Parkland College is planning a similar fundraising event for 2014 titled Hooray for Bollywood. It will be a celebration of Indian culture and cuisine, as well as the college’s connection to India through its international student program.

An Evening in Africa was presented by Days Inn & Suites Yorkton, Painted Hand Casino, Yorkton This Week, The Rock 98.5, Melville Advance, The Plum Tree and Royal Drug Mart. Fashion show sponsors included K W Men’s Wear, LoSa Chic Boutique, Safire Clothing & Accessories, Pulse Apparel, Uptown Casuals, PF Studio & BBG Cosmetics, Cutters, Regis Salon, Top Image, and Up Top Hair Designs.

Models strutted down the runway in the latest spring fashions.

Door prizes and silent auction items were contributed by: Carmen’s Elegance in Flowers, Epicure, Frozen Cactus, LoSa Chic Boutique, Parkland College, PF Studio & BBG Cosmetics, Real Canadian Superstore, Source Embroidery, York House, Cab Clothing, Figures, Grower Direct Fresh Cut Flowers, Harmony Massage Therapy, Horizon Credit Union, K W Men’s Wear, LR Future Insurance & Investments, MR MIKES Steakhouse Casual, Pulse Apparel, Ruff’s Furniture, Safire Clothing & Accessories, Silver Energies, Step by Step Shoes, The Plum Tree, Tracy’s on Broadway, Uptown Casuals, Wagner’s Flooring, Welcome Home Crafts, Yorkton Co-op, and Young’s Plant World.

Contributions to the Parkland College Scholarship Initiative have helped the College maintain the ability to invest in the education and training of residents in the Parkland area. The fund itself has grown from $500 in its first year to over $100,000 in each of the last two academic years.

About Us:
Since its inception in 1973, Parkland College has worked to expand the philosophy of life-long learning in East Central Saskatchewan. Among the seven basic principles upon which the community college system was founded is the idea that programs are to be developed in response to the needs of the community. Today, Parkland College offers a broad spectrum of educational services from trades training and high school upgrading to the province’s most diverse off-campus university offerings.

-30-

For more information contact:
Carol Wiens
An Evening in Africa Organizing Committee Chair
Parkland College
Phone: 306.728.6597
Email: c.wiens@parklandcollege.sk.ca