"I could see myself here."
Those were the words spoken by Grade 9 student Ethan Prosper as he walked into Merlis Belsher Place for the first time last January along with his classmates.
This year he, and 16 other Bedford Road Collegiate students, returned on Tuesday January 13th, to once again spend the day with Huskie athletes, touring campus to foster a sense of belonging in academics and athletics.
The group of students was accompanied by trusted mentor and Bedford Road Collegiate's Indigenous Student Advocate Shalen Fox, who knows the impact of youth being exposed to possibilities in a safe and welcoming space.
"I always tell these kids, even though no one in your family went to university, you can be the first. You can break the cycle," Fox said.
Now in its fourth year, A Day in The Life is the result of a strong and ongoing partnership built between Bedford Road Collegiate and the USask Huskies.
The program, led by Indigenous student-athletes, aims to help youth gain a deeper understanding of the positive impact athletics and education can have on the trajectory of their lives.
A total of nine athletes joined the high school students this year, including Huskie Women's Hockey players Jacquelyne Chief, Paris Oleksyn and Hallie Franklin; Huskie Track and Field throwers Paige Rolles, Camryn Nelson and Breanne Schultz; Huskie Men's Hockey players Conner Roulette and Chase Bertholet; Huskie Women's Soccer player Isabelle Lachance; and Huskie Track and Field alumna Brett Lachance.
The group included several Cree, Ojibwe and Métis student-athletes including Chief (Cree), Roulette (Cree and Ojibwe), Bertholet (Cree), Oleksyn (Métis), Rolles (Métis) and alumna Brett Lachance (Cree).
Their leadership, dedication to sport and school, accomplishments and connection to home and culture serve as a representation of Indigenous belonging on-campus and in athletics.
This sense of safe spaces and belonging was further fostered through coordination and support from Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre, Office of the Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement (OVPIE) and Elder Roland Duquette who opened the day in a good way, leading a sharing circle and imparting wisdom, care and humour on the group.
The sharing circle was joined by leaders from Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre, including Director Dallas Pelly and Indigenous Student Services Manager Lori Ann Delorme, along with several members of the OVPIE team including Senior Strategic Officer of Indigenous Engagement Carson Maguson, Director of Indigenous Engagement Dr. Amaranta Sokol, BIRM (Building Intercultural Resilience Mentorship) Director Nahanni Olson, Strategic Officer of Indigenous Engagement Trenna Vanghel, and Project Coordinator Shawn Whitford.
After spending the morning at Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre, students headed out with athletes to explore campus and the different colleges, before heading to Merlis Belsher Place for lunch.
After refueling, they spent the afternoon at the rink and basketball courts, playing hockey and shooting hoops with Huskie student-athletes.
Jacquelyne Chief, who has been a consistent leader for Indigenous youth on and off campus, spoke about the importance of representation and what drives her to be a role model.
"Growing up I didn't have somebody that I knew personally or could look up to in terms of hockey, being Indigenous and female. I didn't have anybody nearby or close that played at a university level. In that sense for me, it's important that I do this because I know there's not a lot of Indigenous athletes that play at this level. I think it's important for Indigenous youth to see that they can be here too. That's why I do it and that's why it's important to me," Chief said.
Huskie Men's Hockey alumnus, 2025 Canada West Goaltender of the Year and Indigenous Achievement Award winner Roddy Ross echoed these sentiments last year, when he helped lead the group, citing the impact of his mentor and fellow Huskie Men's Hockey alumnus FSIN Vice-Chief Craig McCallum.
"Growing up I always knew who he was. He always had a braid going down his back. Having pride about where you come from is very important to me. It's something that I always want to promote as best I can. That the kids know I am proud of where I come from and proud of who I am," Ross said. "I think that's always the goal - to be able to pass your learnings and your teachings down to the next generation."
Fox says just having the students on campus and in the dressing rooms, listening to the student-athletes share what it takes, makes a lasting impact.
"At the end there are some already asking how to apply and how to go to school here," he said. "To me, that's truth and reconciliation right there – you can be here, and you will be here."
