We are so proud of our graduates present and past because of “Their Achievements”, our people and our community have benefited from their endeavours.
Ever since the making of Treaty #6 in 1876, at Fort Carlton and Fort Pitt between Her Majesty the Queen and the Plains and Wood Cree Indians, our people have the opportunity to continue their education as we all shall so desire. Even though our people came from a strong & proud Indigenous history, our formal educational path within our nation since treaty making in 1876 began with the Canadian Governments implication of agricultural education, then brought us through a dark period of the residential school system. However, in the 1980s Saddle Lake First Nations leadership made “Education” a priority to guarantee our peoples’ future and success while encouraging us to strengthen & maintain our connections to our culture, traditions, & language. As a result of this initiative, we have hundreds of graduates with various credentials from certificates to doctoral degrees. This is a great achievement of community pride.
In addition, this report will attest to and recognize our Nation’s successful pursuit in exercising our Treaty # 6 right to education, an agreement between Her Majesty the Queen and the Plains and Wood Cree Indians of Fort Carlton and Fort Pitt 1876 as follows: “And further, Her Majesty agrees to maintain schools for instruction in such reserves hereby made as to Her Government of Dominion of Canada may seem advisable, whenever the Indians of the reserve shall desire it.” Saddle Lake Cree Nation maintains that Post Secondary Education is included as a Treaty Right.
Some of our people returned to our community to share their knowledge and assist our people to ensure a brighter future for today and our future generations. For those who chose not to return, we are comforted in knowing they are out their in the world sharing their gifts and representing our nation and being productive members of society.
In the early years of our Treaty the department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) facilitated our education; however, today Saddle Lake Education Authority (SLEA) conducts this facilitation. As a result, the Saddle Lake Post Secondary (SLPS) department was created and made official on April 1, 1986 to implement the post secondary section of our educational treaty right.

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We have kept a record of all our educational post secondary graduates sponsored financially by SLPS as mandated under the SLPS Student Policy and report these successes to the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada AANDC (formally known as Indian and Northern Affairs Canada) on an annual basis. Unfortunately, AANDC’s published demographic education census statistics are misleading and inaccurate and do not give a true representation of our successful graduates financially sponsored by our department. Our SLCN leadership has addressed this issue with AANDC.
As a result, we are proud to publish these statistics in hopes our people will be encouraged to make a conscious choice to continue their education through the post secondary path and foster further community pride within our nation.
Please note, our records do not currently reflect graduates before 1974 and/or band membership graduates sponsored by other departments or organizations (ie. Bill C-31, non post-secondary programming, and/or members declining representation). Furthermore, we are not authorized, at this time due to AANDC band post secondary allocated financial regulations , to report on band members classified under AANDC Bill C-31. However, our Graduation Project representatives are currently working to acquire prior graduation statistics directly from our band members. Therefore, we are encouraging band members to contact SLPS to be added to these statistics and share in Community Pride! Please see the Graduation Project Page for more information.
DISCLAIMER*** The published statistics are periodically updated to reflect current data from band members. We currently have over 1250 (and the numbers are growing) SLPS potential qualifying credentials from upgrading to doctoral; however the currently published statistics reflect only complete audited data/files. As qualifying applicants present requested documentation, these statistics are updated.
Saddle Lake Post Secondary
Education Statistics From 1974-2012
Academic Upgrading: 109 Certificates: 178 Diploma: 181
Undergraduate Degree: 189 Professional Degree: 2
Masters Degree: 39 Medical Doctoral Degree: 1 Doctoral Degree: 7
TOTAL GRADUATES TO DATE: 706
(with documentation)
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*****
Academic Year: 2012
Academic Upgrading: 5 Certificates: 6 Diploma: 4
Undergraduate Degree: 4 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 5 Medical Doctoral Degree: 0 Doctoral Degree: 0
TOTAL GRADUATES: 19
****
Academic Year: 2011
Academic Upgrading: 5 Certificates: 5 Diploma: 8
Undergraduate Degree: 3 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 2 Medical Doctoral Degree: 0 Doctoral Degree: 2
TOTAL GRADUATES: 25
****
Academic Year: 2010
Academic Upgrading: 1 Certificates: 13 Diploma: 10
Undergraduate Degree: 10 Professional Bachelors Degree: 1
Masters Degree: 6 Medical Doctoral Degree: 1 Doctoral Degree: 0
TOTAL GRADUATES: 42
****
Academic Year: 2009
Academic Upgrading: 4 Certificates: 5 Diploma: 3
Undergraduate Degree: 10 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 2 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 24
****
Academic Year: 2008
Academic Upgrading: 6 Certificates: 8 Diploma: 12
Undergraduate Degree: 7 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: 2
TOTAL GRADUATES: 35
****
Academic Year: 2007
Academic Upgrading: 2 Certificates: 13 Diploma: 4
Undergraduate Degree: 4 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: 1
TOTAL GRADUATES: 24
****
Academic Year: 2006
Academic Upgrading: 3 Certificates: 9 Diploma: 0
Undergraduate Degree: 11 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 2 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 25
****
Academic Year: 2005
Academic Upgrading: 6 Certificates: 7 Diploma: 13
Undergraduate Degree: 4 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 2 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 32
Academic Year: 2004
Academic Upgrading: 6 Certificates: 5 Diploma: 5
Undergraduate Degree: 5 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 21
****
Academic Year: 2003
Academic Upgrading: 6 Certificates: 4 Diploma: 1
Undergraduate Degree: 9 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 1 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 21
****
Academic Year: 2002
Academic Upgrading: 1 Certificates: 3 Diploma: 9
Undergraduate Degree: 8 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 3 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 24
****
Academic Year: 2001
Academic Upgrading: 4 Certificates: 9 Diploma: 7
Undergraduate Degree: 11 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 1 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 32
****
Academic Year: 2000
Academic Upgrading: 4 Certificates: 6 Diploma: 4
Undergraduate Degree: 6 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 1 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 21
****
Academic Year: 1999
Academic Upgrading: 7 Certificates: 6 Diploma: 4
Undergraduate Degree: 9 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 3 Medical Doctoral Degree: 1 Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 30
****
Academic Year: 1998
Academic Upgrading: 8 Certificates: 10 Diploma: 6
Undergraduate Degree: 13 Professional Degree: 1
Masters Degree: 1 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: 1
TOTAL GRADUATES: 40
****
Academic Year: 1997
Academic Upgrading: 3 Certificates: 5 Diploma: 7
Undergraduate Degree: 11 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 3 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 29
****
Academic Year: 1996
Academic Upgrading: 6 Certificates: 4 Diploma: 11
Undergraduate Degree: 6 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 2 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 29
****
Academic Year: 1995
Academic Upgrading: 7 Certificates: 3 Diploma: 5
Undergraduate Degree: 6 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 1 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 22
****
Academic Year: 1994
Academic Upgrading: 7 Certificates: 3 Diploma: 10
Undergraduate Degree: 5 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 2 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 27
****
Academic Year: 1993
Academic Upgrading: 3 Certificates: 3 Diploma: 5
Undergraduate Degree: 4 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 15
****
Academic Year: 1992
Academic Upgrading: 4 Certificates: 6 Diploma: 5
Undergraduate Degree: 3 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 18
Academic Year: 1991
Academic Upgrading: 1 Certificates: 3 Diploma: 5
Undergraduate Degree: 5 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 14
****
Academic Year: 1990
Academic Upgrading: 1 Certificates: 3 Diploma: 11
Undergraduate Degree: 3 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 1 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 19
****
Academic Year: 1989
Academic Upgrading: 1 Certificates: 8 Diploma: 9
Undergraduate Degree: 5 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 23
****
Academic Year: 1988
Academic Upgrading: 4 Certificates: 6 Diploma: 5
Undergraduate Degree: 3 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 18
****
Academic Year: 1987
Academic Upgrading: 1 Certificates: 6 Diploma: 4
Undergraduate Degree: 1 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 12
****
Academic Year: 1986
Academic Upgrading: 2 Certificates: 1 Diploma: 4
Undergraduate Degree: 2 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 9
****
Academic Year: 1985
Academic Upgrading: 2 Certificates: 1 Diploma: 4
Undergraduate Degree: 2 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 9
****
Academic Year: 1984
Academic Upgrading: 1 Certificates: 0 Diploma: 1
Undergraduate Degree: 2 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 1 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 5
****
Academic Year: 1983
Academic Upgrading: 1 Certificates: 3 Diploma: 0
Undergraduate Degree: 5 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 9
****
Academic Year: 1982
Academic Upgrading: 0 Certificates: 3 Diploma: 1
Undergraduate Degree: 4 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 8
****
Academic Year: 1981
Academic Upgrading: 0 Certificates: 0 Diploma: 0
Undergraduate Degree: 2 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 2
****
Academic Year: 1980
Academic Upgrading: 0 Certificates: 0 Diploma: 1
Undergraduate Degree: 3 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 4
****
Academic Year: 1979
Academic Upgrading: 1 Certificates: 3 Diploma: 0
Undergraduate Degree: 1 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 5
****
Academic Year: 1978
Academic Upgrading: 0 Certificates: 5 Diploma: 1
Undergraduate Degree: 2 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 8
****
Academic Year: 1977
Academic Upgrading: 0 Certificates: 2 Diploma: 0
Undergraduate Degree: 0 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 2
****
Academic Year: 1976
Academic Upgrading: 1 Certificates: 1 Diploma: 1
Undergraduate Degree: 0 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: o Doctoral Degree: o
TOTAL GRADUATES: 3
****
Academic Year: 1974
Academic Upgrading: 0 Certificates: 0 Diploma: 1
Undergraduate Degree: 0 Professional Degree: 0
Masters Degree: 0 Medical Doctoral Degree: 0 Doctoral Degree: 0