An Indigenous camp at Hannin Creek Education and Applied Research Centre is the first project for a partnership between Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Prince Albert Grand Council. A memorandum of understanding was signed in early December for this camp on the north end of Candle Lake, and for future collaborations.

Jamie Hiltz, Dean of the School of Natural Resources and Built Environment for Sask Polytech, says representatives of the Grand Council and Sask Polytech met at Hannin Creek and have identified where the camp will be. Hiltz describes it as a traditional First Nations camp with four traditional teepees and outdoor learning environments. He expects some of the education will be around traditional foods, healing medicines and cultural practices, and hopes to also see things like cultural awareness retreats and writer retreats.

Hannin Creek in the boreal forest has been an outdoor education facility for many years, used by both Sask Polytech and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, providing hands-on learning and research opportunities in areas like forestry, fisheries, wildlife, and conservation law. Grand Chief of the PAGC, Brian Hardlotte, says signing the MOU with Sask Polytech is also a key component of their plan down the line to establish an alternative energy program with the goal of developing food production and security in northern Saskatchewan.