UNews - Jennifer Campeau

Dhillon School of Business celebrating 40 years of Indigenous business management education

trevor.kenney — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:35:31 +0000

The Dhillon School of Business at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will mark a historic milestone — 40 years of Indigenous business management education — at a full-day event on Friday, March 21, in the ULethbridge Students’ Union Ballrooms (SU300B).

Since launching Canada’s first university program focused on Indigenous economic development, governance and business management in 1985, the school has been a leader in advancing Indigenous business education in Canada.

The school continues to be a leader in advancing Indigenous business education in Canada.

“I am extremely proud of our school’s legacy as we continue to walk the path of reconciliation through education,” says Dr. Kerry Godfrey, dean of the Dhillon School of Business.

In celebration of this significant milestone, of “Mokakit” (practice wisdom, apply your knowledge), alumni, students, community members and business leaders are invited to participate in the celebration.

The day begins with a traditional teepee raising ceremony (7:30 to 8:30 a.m.), followed by a welcome and Elder’s blessing (9 a.m.) and the keynote address from Jennifer Campeau (BMgt ’08), VP of Indigenous Relations at Aecon Group Inc. She will present, Take the Risk: Realize Your Potential, at 10 a.m.

The event will also feature insightful panel discussions with Indigenous alumni, leaders and entrepreneurs, including trailblazing Indigenous women in business and those working at the intersection of education, governance and economic development.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from respected speakers such as Dr. Leroy Little Bear, whose wisdom and leadership continue to inspire Indigenous education across Canada. A special scholarship announcement will also take place during a lunch featuring hearty beef stew and frybread.

This event is a unique opportunity to connect with alumni, business leaders, gain valuable insights and celebrate the incredible contributions of Indigenous professionals in shaping industries and communities.

For a full schedule of events and to register, visit: ulethbridge.ca/dhillon/40-years-indigenous-business-education

Getting political

caroline.zentner — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 17:17:51 +0000

Life has taken some interesting turns for Hon. Jennifer Campeau (BMgt '08), MLA for Saskatoon Fairview, since she obtained a Bachelor of Management in First Nations Governance at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2008.

She was elected to the Saskatchewan legislature in 2011 and was later appointed Minister of Central Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Transportation Company. In 2013, she was named one of CBC Saskatchewan’s Future 40, a list of under-40 leaders making a difference in the province.

Campeau came back to the U of L in January to share her experiences with students as the first executive in residence through the Scotiabank First Nations, Métis and Inuit Mentorship Program. The program pairs U of L FNMI students from the Faculty of Management with FNMI high school students.

U of L students learned about life as a provincial politician when Hon. Jennifer Campeau (BMgt '08), MLA for Saskatoon Fairview, spent a week on campus as executive in residence.

“If youth see someone who looks like them in a leadership position then it’s easier to see themselves in such positions,” she says, noting that mentors played important roles in her life.

Campeau, originally from the Yellow Quill First Nation east of Saskatoon, was part of the last generation to attend residential school. While her mother was her first mentor, she also recalls a mentor she had at residential school whose favourite saying was ‘Aptitude and attitude determine altitude.’

Those words stuck with her. After a couple of failed attempts at post-secondary education, Campeau was determined to try again. She attended the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies and after two years of study, transferred to the U of L to complete a bachelor’s degree.

“I wanted to bring my daughter, then 12, and my niece, then 10, whom I was raising, to a smaller community where I could have more of a handle on their schedules and mine,” says Campeau. “I’m quite glad my path brought me here. The relationship the U of L has with the indigenous community is quite phenomenal and much indigenous knowledge is incorporated across the fields and departments here at the U of L.”

Envisioning a career working with First Nations communities in business development, Campeau returned to her home province to pursue a master’s degree at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan. She had already started work on a doctorate when she decided to enter politics. The wheels had been set in motion earlier when the initiatives she’d been working on, such as bringing Junior Achievement to reserve schools, had caught the eye of a government minister. That began a dialogue and one day the minister suggested she consider entering politics.

“I laughed. I thought it was the funniest thing ever,” she says. “I already had a five-year plan and it wasn’t in my plan to go into politics. I had my eye on the prize in terms of getting my PhD and then working on some initiatives within the community, as well as teaching and research, and one day getting tenure.”

She decided to run as a candidate, figuring the experience of managing a mainstream campaign would help her be a more effective political science teacher in her academic career. After a campaign that involved knocking on doors every evening, voters gave her the mandate on election night. She says her reaction to winning was a mixture of surprise and fear.

“My whole life path changed. After having a specific, concrete, five-year plan in place and wanting to follow it, all of a sudden I was in the role of MLA where I was responsible for being the voice of 14,500 people,” says Campeau.

Last June, Campeau was appointed Minister of Central Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Transportation Company. The posts come with additional responsibilities and a seat at the table for discussions at the senior levels of government.

“It’s a little surreal at times. Sometimes when people say ‘minister’ I start looking around the room for the minister,” she says with a laugh.

During her week on campus, Campeau spoke to students in political science, management and Native American Studies classes. They asked about her everyday work life, the current oil crisis, her experience with media and her life as an MLA and Cabinet Minister.

“It was amazing. I learned as much from the students as they learned from me,” she says. “I hope it gave them a sense of what really happens and what’s going on, as opposed to the theory-based learning in the classroom.”

Saskatchewan MLA to share her wisdom with U of L students

caroline.zentner — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 17:32:05 +0000

Saskatoon Fairview MLA Jennifer Campeau, who completed a bachelor’s degree in the First Nations Governance program in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Faculty of Management, will be back in Lethbridge Jan. 26 to 30, 2015 to share her expertise with students and youth.

"We are delighted and honoured that one of our graduates, the Honourable Minister Jennifer Campeau, is returning to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to serve as the inaugural Executive In Residence for our Scotiabank First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Mentors Program,” says Faculty of Management Dean Dr. Bob Ellis. “Her leadership and dedication to public service make her an inspiration for our students and the entire community. We wish to express our deep appreciation to Scotiabank for supporting this wonderful initiative.”

“We are proud to host the Honourable Minister Campeau and welcome her back to southern Alberta. She was one of the first graduates of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s First Nations Governance Program in 2008 and three short years later she was elected to the Saskatchewan legislature,” says Andrea Amelinckx, Chair of the First Nations Governance Area in the Faculty of Management. "She was recently appointed Minister of Central Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Transportation Company. She is an engaging speaker and an outstanding role model for our students and Aboriginal youth in general. We know they will benefit from her experiences."

Campeau was first elected to the Saskatchewan legislature in 2011. In 2013, she was appointed legislative secretary to Saskatchewan’s education minister. She also chaired a Premier’s Aboriginal Youth Task Force at the request of Premier Brad Wall. In 2014, she became Minister of Central Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Transportation Company.

Before she entered politics, Campeau was an instructor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan and a doctoral student in the Department of Native Studies. After she graduated from the U of L, she obtained a Masters of Business Administration degree at the U of S.

The purpose of the Scotiabank First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Mentors Program is to engage Aboriginal youth in a culturally sensitive, safe and welcoming environment. Mentors are U of L Aboriginal students who provide support to Aboriginal youth aged 12 to 17 enrolled in school in Lethbridge or on the Blood and Piikani reserves. Youth and their mentors meet twice a month to share common interests and participate in activities.

As Executive In Residence, Campeau will speak to several U of L classes, talk to graduate students and students in the First Nations Transition Program, and meet with area high school students. At a dinner Thursday evening, she will speak to the importance of role modeling and mentorship for Aboriginal youth. She will be available to speak to media on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. in the Markin Hall atrium.

UNews - Jennifer Campeau

Dhillon School of Business celebrating 40 years of Indigenous business management education

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Getting political

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Saskatchewan MLA to share her wisdom with U of L students

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