Wiseman Mathematics Contest Announces Winners for 2024

Press Release

Regina, Saskatchewan – The Wiseman Mathematics Contest has announced the winners for 2024. The Contest aims to motivate young students in First Nations schools to learn Mathematics in a competitive environment. The Wiseman Mathematics Contest meets the needs of Mathematics teachers in First Nations Schools who want to assess their students’ problem-solving skills in a competitive environment.

Along with the contests, the First Nations University of Canada also develops and delivers preparatory materials. Mathematics teachers prepare their students for the Contest using these materials but can also use them to immerse them in alternative problem-solving, expanding the curriculum. Other teachers use these materials for extracurricular activities. Students participate in the project voluntarily. The Contest allows one to work on non-traditional problems in a non-mandatory but competitive environment, which is atypical for Western schools.

In 2016, the Regional Centre of Expertise (Saskatchewan) on Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Program acknowledged the Wiseman Mathematics Contest as an innovative project. It noted that the project has helped increase the capacity for sustainable development in the Saskatchewan region and contributed to advancing the UNESCO Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development.

The 1st Place winners of the 2024 Contest also receives educational gifts. The following schools receive late Elder Ken Goodwill Memorial Certificates for the best performance:

Grade 4: Chief Taylor School, Lake Cree Nation
Grade 4: Muskowekwan School, Muskowekwan First Nation
Grade 5: Chief Taylor School, Onion Lake Cree Nation
Grade 6: Oliver M. Smith Kawenni:io Elementary School, Six Nations

First Nations University of Canada faculty member Dr. Arzu Sardarli initiated the Contest in 2008. PromoScience, a program within the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), has supported its start-up. Since then, thousands of First Nations students across Canada in grades 4 to 6 have participated in the Contest.

Congratulations to all contestants, and appreciation to their teachers! Schools or teachers interested in receiving more information on the Wiseman Mathematics Contest may contact Dr. Arzu Sardarli at asardarli@firstnationsuniversity.ca.

About First Nations University of Canada

The First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) was founded in 1976 and is a First Nations-owned post-secondary institution that bridges our ceremonies, knowledge keepers, languages, and traditions to deliver high-quality post-secondary education. This transformative impact will lead to the pride and success of all students, First Nations communities and Canada. For more information about FNUniv, please visit http://fnuniv.ca.

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For media inquiries only, please contact:

Bonnie Rockthunder
Senior Communications Officer
P: 790.5950 ext. 2510
Email: comm@firstnationsuniversity.ca

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