Cultural Day was open to both students and community members. (Submitted photo/NLC Marketing Dept)

By Derek Cornet

northern education

Northlands hosts Cultural Day, welcomes new vice-presidents

Sep 19, 2025 | 3:48 PM

With students back in classrooms, Northlands College hosted Cultural Day on Thursday at the Canoe Campus in La Ronge.

“Culture Day is always a vibrant celebration of heritage, stories, [and] the spirit of the North,” said Northlands CEO Michael McCormick.

“I always like to try to express it’s a time in education when we step outside the classroom and we get to learn a little bit about northern traditions and experience those traditions and community outside, so I find the rich cultures that we have in the North, it is a time when we get to express them, so that’s through dance, through meal, through stories and definitely hands on.”

The event began with a traditional lunch, followed by a cultural showcase, entertainment and a round dance. Activities included jigging and fiddle playing, storytelling, traditional demonstrations, a performance by the Northern Prairie Dancers and more.

A highlight of the event was an address by Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre.

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“She is a wonderful lady. She got to spend some time with the students, she got to see our classrooms, our labs and learn a little bit about Northlands. I feel very honoured,” McCormick remarked.

Northern Prairie Dancers were in attendance to do a performance. (Submitted photo/NLC Marketing Dept.)

Traditional teachings were part of the activities being offered. (Submitted photo/NLC Marketing Dept.)

While enrollment numbers won’t be available until October, McCormick is expecting that number to be a little lower than usual at campuses across Northern Saskatchewan. He noted, however, application numbers have been consistent.

Northlands College also recently hired three new vice-presidents for the new academic year. They are Jocelyn Vandall (Academics), Banjo Olaleye (Student Services) and Catherine Koch (Finance, Administration and Sustainability). McCormick noted all three come to the college with high skills sets.

“Part of the realignment and the changes with Northlands was to set us up for a sustainable practice. We really wanted a flexible and scalable model, so that we can grow the college in many regions. Part of our culture is all about student first, accountability, a sense of belonging that plays a critical role in our development,” he said.

“By having the three VPs, we’re actually trying to create that framework where we excel going forward and we grow on a sustainable basis for today, tomorrow and the long-range outlook.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com