东京热app

Dr. Jobin has strong ties to Saskatchewan, excited to work at an Indigenous university  

The 东京热app (FNUniv) has announced its new Vice President, Academic. As of June 1^st, 2023, Dr. Shalene Wuttunee Jobin will begin the transition into the role replacing the interim VP, Academic, Dr. Jesse Archibald-Barber.  

Jobin comes to FNUniv from the University of Alberta, Faculty of Native Studies.  

鈥淚鈥檓 really excited to work for a university that belongs to First Nations (peoples),鈥� she said.聽聽

Jobin grew up in the Edmonton area, Treaty 6 territory, but on the Alberta side. She is a proud member of Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. Her mother is Cree, from the Wuttunee family, and her father is M茅tis, (Jobin).  

Jobin鈥檚 research focuses on Indigenous governance and Indigenous economic systems. She holds the prestigious Canada Research Chair鈥�(in鈥疘ndigenous governance at the Faculty of Native Studies), and was the founding director of the Indigenous governance鈥痯rogram at the University of Alberta.鈥� She recently published a book titled, Upholding Indigenous Economic Relationships:鈥疦ehiyawak Narratives – published by UBC Press. 

“She has moved up the academic ladder from undergraduate, to master’s, to doctorate, so she understands the university systems and the academic world”, said the President of FNUniv, Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann. Ottmann says Jobin brings a Cree perspective, and she understands Indigenous knowledge systems.  

鈥淚t is important to recognize Dr. Jobin鈥檚 roots in Saskatchewan,鈥� said Ottmann, 鈥淪he participates in ceremonies, and works with Indigenous communities, and prioritizes community-based research.鈥�  

Jobin says that one of the teachings she carries with her in her new role is that of Indigenous mentorship.  

鈥淚n our Indigenous societies, the Older ones would observe the gifts in the younger ones and help nurture those gifts for their future roles.鈥�   

鈥淚t has been such a privilege to be a teacher and an educator, and to have been able to see my students, see their gifts, and then see the lightbulb moment when they discover what they are passionate about, and then help support them in nurturing their gifts.鈥� 

Having women in senior leadership at FNUniv is important said Ottmann, because it mirrors the prominent role that Indigenous women have had in education.  

鈥淚t sends a strong message about the capabilities and limitlessness of women,鈥� says Ottmann, 鈥淚t provides hope and inspiration.鈥�  

The VP, Academic at FNUniv is responsible for academic programming and research areas. Jobin will work with faculty, help strengthen academic and research programming, while also working with the University of Regina. She will also continue to meet the responsibilities that FNUniv has to the province of Saskatchewan, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), and Indigenous Services Canada.  

鈥淔or us, our foundation is our Indigenous knowledge systems,鈥� says Ottmann.  

鈥淪o, that positions us in a very unique way, within the Canadian post-secondary landscape. We are already an Indigenous university, so our path forward looks different than most universities.鈥�   

Jobin has won many accolades and awards in her career including the 2020 Community Scholar Award from the University of Alberta, and the 2022 Distinguished Indigenous Alumni Award from the University of Victoria.  

She holds a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies – in political science and Indigenous studies, from the University of Alberta, a master鈥檚 degree in Indigenous governance, from the University of Victoria, and an undergraduate degree in commerce.

Ottmann says the future goals of the position will focus on strengthening and expanding programming and options for all students to ensure that it supports the development of Indigenous communities. In addition, it will keep inspiring faculty to motivate students through  their teaching while encouraging meaningful research projects, and to have members of the university community share the good work that happens at 东京热app through publishing.  

鈥淚ndigenous voices really need to be heard throughout Canada, in all areas,鈥� says Dr. Ottmann. 

鈥淥ur stories need to be centred and uplifted – and I know this is something that Dr. Jobin can help us do.鈥�