Riel Bellegarde has been named President of the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies.
The announcement was made Wednesday by Chief Darcy Bear, chair of the SIIT Board of Governors.
Bellegarde takes on the role after a 21-year career in public service, including stints with Statistics Canada and with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. He was appointed to the executive group in 1999 and has held various senior positions in Saskatchewan including director North Central District, director Economic Development, acting associate regional director general and acting regional director general. He was appointed regional director general, Sask. Region, in 2003.
He is a member of Treaty Four and the Peepeekissis First Nation.
SIIT, established in 1976, offers training and education programs to youth and adults in Saskatchewan including in North Battleford. Their Battlefords Industrial Career Centre office opened in the city in 2008, focusing on employment and training in the industrial sector.
Provincial legislation recognized SIIT as a post-secondary institution in 2000.
In a statement Bellegarde said he was "honoured and excited" about working with students, faculty and staff as well as the Board of Governors to help SIIT fulfill its mandate.
"I believe that SIIT has a critical role to play in ensuring that our young people have the skills to realize their true potential and participate fully in Saskatchewan's dynamic, growing economy," said Bellegarde.
