Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE)

SAGE Banner - picture of bridge

About

Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE) is an Indigenous-led peer and faculty mentoring program headed by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) and the Vice-Provost Office (Indigenous Programming and Research).

SAGE offers the opportunity for Indigenous graduate students to engage with their peers, faculty and researchers, and facilitated their development both on- and off-campus. This initiative is dedicated to supporting Indigenous scholarship and academic excellence through community-oriented approaches, research, and Indigenous knowledge, with the goal of inciting social and educational change. SAGE operates on the principles of respect, reciprocity, relationships, and responsibility.

SAGE Goals

  • Initiate learning opportunities and develop scholarship and academic success for Indigenous students;
  • Foster cultural, community consciousness, and affirmation among graduate students to affect change within Indigenous communities;
  • Increase numbers of Indigenous graduate students at the University of Alberta, bridge Master's students into PhD programs;
  • Build working relationships with SAGE Pods across Canada; and
  • Create community and network building for graduate students within and among SAGE Pods.

SAGE Offerings

SAGE is aimed at supporting Indigenous graduate students who identify as First Nations, Métis, and Inuit and students doing research with and for Indigenous people and communities. Connecting graduate students across diverse academic programs, SAGE initiates learning opportunities that are valuable to Indigenous students while promoting academic work and achievements. 

SAGE facilitates guidance and networking, enhancing access to appropriate support, services and culturally-informed mentors, including faculty, knowledge keepers, and alumni, to build a lasting network of scholars.

SAGE provides safe, culturally relevant spaces for Indigenous students to discuss ideas, challenges, experiences, and share resources:

  • Student Hour
  • Circle Talks
  • Circle Series
  • Pod Gatherings
  • SAGE Talks: Speaker Series
  • Academic Workshops

Is there a topic you would like to discuss? Do you have ideas for events? Are you interested in sharing your research? Please email the SAGE Coordinator at sagepod@ualberta.ca.

Previous Offerings

  • Dr. Gwen Healey Akearok: Quajigiartiit Health Research Centre
    March 10, 2021 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. MST
  • IGSA/SAGE Craft Night 
    February 28, 2021 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. MST
  • Keeoukaywin on the Internet: Indigenous Canada MOOC and Visiting with Dan Levy
    November 16, 2020 | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. MST

Contact Information

Email the Coordinator for questions regarding SAGE and if you want to be enrolled in Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE) on eClass.

Amber Smith
Coordinator
Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE)
1-22 Triffo Hall, University of Alberta
Email: sagepod@ualberta.ca

Dr. Paul L. Gareau, Métis
SAGE Faculty Mentor
Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (SAGE)
2-58 Pembina Hall, University of Alberta
Email: pgareau@ualberta.ca