'Giving them self identity': James Smith Cree Nation partners with school divisions
After a difficult year, the community of James Smith Cree Nation is building some new bonds by partnering with two nearby school divisions.
A tuition agreement between the East Central First Nations partnership program (ECFNPP), the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division (SRSD), and the North East School Division (NESD) was signed on Thursday.
"Bringing that interest in regards to teaching our children our ways, our First Nations ways, and developing our inherent rights of treaty and also education,” Chief Wally Burns said.
The agreement aims to enhance the quality of education for students attending school, either on or off the First Nation. The school divisions will be responsible for forming a First Nation and Metis advisory council for James Smith Cree Nation Students.
"Mutually beneficial for all parties, so that we can address student outcomes, student activates, as well as, success rates for all involved in the three systems,” Randy Constant, ECFNPP Director of Education, said.
Vice-chair of the NESD Marla Walton said the partnership will help other students learn more about Indigenous culture.
The James Smith Cree Nation celebrated an agreement with school divisions by holding their first powwow of the year. (Stacey Hein/CTV News)
"It’s just to develop a really great partnership so that we can share some of our ideas, we can share some of our resources, and of course in the end, it’s all for the benefit of the students,” Walton said.
The community celebrated the agreement with their first powwow of the year. Burns said ever since the mass stabbings, the community has been focusing on helping the youth.
"We all come together and nurture our kids, and look at them now, they just can't wait for the powwow season to begin," Burns said.
He said the number of powwow dancers has significantly increased over the past year, and he hopes this new partnership will help more students reconnect with their culture.
"Giving them a self-identity in regards to who they are as First Nations people, and that’s one of the things we have to learn and teach them,” Burns said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.