Building Intercultural Resilience Mentorship (BIRM) is a University of Saskatchewan program that connects post-secondary student volunteers with Indigenous high school students in Saskatoon through weekly group mentorship. The program creates a wraparound network of support designed to foster a sense of belonging while helping students strengthen their cultural identity, academic skills, and confidence.

Through regular sessions supported by a program coordinator, students participate in goal setting, leadership development, career and post-secondary exploration, and cultural learning, including Indigenous languages and land-based experiences. By building relationships through shared interests, experiences, and goals, participants engage in intercultural learning across differences in age, education, culture, and lived experience.

The program concludes with a year-end trip that celebrates students’ growth, commitment, and learning alongside their mentors.

Currently, BIRM operates in Bedford Road, Mount Royal, Nutana, and Tommy Douglas collegiates.

To learn more about BIRM, click here or contact:

• Nahanni Olson (Bedford Road)
• Jody Lerat (Mount Royal)
• Kourtnay Bear (Nutana)
• Lisa Langan (Tommy Douglas)