Elder Roland Duquette
Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation and Eagle Staff Bearer for USask Convocation
A ceremonial elder from Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation, Elder Roland Duquette is a member of the “Wise Ones Circle,” the group of highly respected elders who gifted to Sask the ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan Let’s fly up together Indigenous strategy in 2020. Roland, who attended a residential school in Duck Lake at the age of six in the early ‘60s, embodies many of the principles and commitments of the USask Indigenous strategy, particularly with respect to promoting reconciliation and mutual respect, and strengthening pathways of success for Indigenous youth.
His path to healing from the abuse and hardship he endured at the school includes spirituality, language, and ceremony. A fluent Cree speaker, Roland is a cultural knowledge keeper and land-based/language teacher who works with many USask units, promoting understanding of the history and culture of Indigenous Peoples. His teachings include traditional medicines, ceremonies, and Indigenous protocols, including smudging. He believes the “grounding circles” he leads at Gordon Oakes Red Bear Centre make a significant difference in student lives through the sharing stories in compassionate and understanding ways.
Roland holds the revered position of Eagle Staff Bearer for USask convocation ceremonies and leads the Grand Entry procession. He has taken his place on the platform at more than 90 convocation ceremonies. He has provided opening prayers and remarks at a wide variety of conferences and events such as the USask “People Around the World” international conference, the White Coat ceremony for the Pharmacy and Nutrition College, the annual USask Remembrance Day services, the Indigenous Student Achievement Awards Ceremony, and the Global Institute for Water Security national meeting. At the opening of the USask Prince Albert campus, he emphasized the shared purpose of the new campus community. “Nobody is targeted in any way because we are all created equal,” he said.
It is an honour to recognize Elder Duquette!
His path to healing from the abuse and hardship he endured at the school includes spirituality, language, and ceremony. A fluent Cree speaker, Roland is a cultural knowledge keeper and land-based/language teacher who works with many USask units, promoting understanding of the history and culture of Indigenous Peoples. His teachings include traditional medicines, ceremonies, and Indigenous protocols, including smudging. He believes the “grounding circles” he leads at Gordon Oakes Red Bear Centre make a significant difference in student lives through the sharing stories in compassionate and understanding ways.
Roland holds the revered position of Eagle Staff Bearer for USask convocation ceremonies and leads the Grand Entry procession. He has taken his place on the platform at more than 90 convocation ceremonies. He has provided opening prayers and remarks at a wide variety of conferences and events such as the USask “People Around the World” international conference, the White Coat ceremony for the Pharmacy and Nutrition College, the annual USask Remembrance Day services, the Indigenous Student Achievement Awards Ceremony, and the Global Institute for Water Security national meeting. At the opening of the USask Prince Albert campus, he emphasized the shared purpose of the new campus community. “Nobody is targeted in any way because we are all created equal,” he said.
It is an honour to recognize Elder Duquette!