History
In the mid 1970s, the Association of Métis and Non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan (AMNSIS) leadership lobbied to hold a Métis and Non-Status Indian cultural conference in Saskatchewan. After a couple of years of lobbying and with funds from the federal Department of Secretary of State, AMNSIS held a province-wide cultural conference in Saskatoon in April, 1976 with the express aim of providing an opportunity for grassroots Métis and Non-Status Indian people to have input into programming to help retain and promote Aboriginal culture.
At the conference, twelve breakout groups were organized around issues pressing to the Métis and Non-Status Indian people, including economic development and education. The breakout groups came up with recommendations, which were brought forward and shared. From the work that was done at the 1976 culture conference, a list of eight prevailing goals was drafted. At the top of the list was the imperative goal to develop an Aboriginal-controlled education and cultural institute for Métis and Non-Status Indians. Most people in the Métis community today point to the 1976 conference as the catalyst for the development of the Institute, the first Métis-owned and controlled post-secondary institution in Canada.
Following the 1976 cultural conference, AMNSIS lobbied the government until, in January 1978, formal discussions with the province began. A proposal, supported by all the parties, including the provincial Minister of Education, along with staff from the Social Planning Directorate, and AMNSIS representatives, was developed and submitted to the Treasury Board and to cabinet in 1979.
In 1979, an agreement was struck between AMNSIS and the Minister of Education to provide funding for GDI’s initial development. The Institute’s Constitution was formally proclaimed on September 20, 1980.
“Dumont College” Announcement in New Breed Magazine, August-September 1979.
“Everything in those days was done through confrontation politics.”
—Jim Sinclair, President of the Métis Society of Saskatchewan and the Association of Métis and Non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan, 1971-1988
“All those organizations [like GDI] were not set up by one person. Don’t ever get the idea that one person did it. It was done through the blood and sweat of all the people who came to those demonstrations and occupations.”
—Jim Sinclair, President of the Métis Society of Saskatchewan and the Association of Métis and Non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan, 1971-1988
1976 Métis Cultural Conference initiated planning for a Métis Educational Institute.
1980 The Gabriel Dumont Institute is formed and SUNTEP began operations. The Institute hosts first Annual Cultural Conference.
1983 Initiation of federally sponsored preparatory, credit skills training, and university programs.
1985 The Napoleon LaFontaine Scholarship Foundation is established.
1989 The Institute begins publication of the Journal of Indigenous Studies.
Saskatchewan Justice and the Institute establish the first residential Community Training Residence (CTR) for female offenders in Saskatchewan.
1991 Dumont Technical Institute was established as a federated institute of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology.
1992 Master Agreement between the Institute and Saskatchewan Education providing for the operation of DTI. DTI delivers technical and Adult Basic Education (ABE) programming within all provincial community colleges and SIAST institutions.
1993 The Institute signs an Affiliation Agreement with the University of Saskatchewan creating the GDC.
1995 A two-year Métis Teacher Associate Certificate Program was developed by the Institute and the University of Saskatchewan.
1996 GDC began offering Arts and Science classes.
2001 DTI purchases a central administration building in Saskatoon.
2002 GDI receives a Saskatchewan Book Award for Ken Carriere's The Bulrush Helps the Pond and Métis Legacy.
2003 GDI receives two Saskatchewan Book Awards for Cheryl Troupe's Expressing Our Heritage: Métis Artistic Designs.
2003 GDI moves into new centres in Saskatoon and Regina.
2003 GDI launches The Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture
2004 GDI Publishing moves into a new centre in Saskatoon.
2005 GDI celebrates 25 years of excellence and achievement.