Crees sign education agreement

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Chief Johnsen Sewepagaham of Little Red River Cree Nation took all but one year of his education at schools outside his remote community. A graduate in agriculture management, he knows how hard it is for single parents and young couples to earn credentials that will result in progress for the community if they have to leave home to study.

He's nevertheless pleased at the progress already made in partnering with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) on delivering training programs that meet the needs of the nation, thanks partly to technology that delivers distance education via satellite. On Feb. 20 the First Nation, with a population of "at least 1,400" according to the chief, and Kayas Cultural College set out the working relationship they already had with NAIT in a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

"One of the main reasons we are looking for an agreement, not only with NAIT but other colleges as well, is to enhance the educational opportunities for the local people in our communities. Because especially Fox Lake is isolated, and we need to bring programs . . . so that people don't have to leave their communities" to study, he said.

There is a winter road, but in the summer Fox Lake is "a fly-in community, except there are times when it is dry and you can drive to the north side and then barge across (on a one-vehicle barge)," said Sewepagaham. The other reserves that make up their community are at John D'or Prairie and Garden River. From Fox Lake to High Level (the nearest town) it is "about 180 kilometres" by road.

Steve Crocker at NAIT said the MOU was partly a practical move, to preserve the planning and effort made by both partners and to ensure continuity of programs in case of staff changes at the college or the First Nation.

Another benefit of formalizing the agreement, the chief said, is his people become involved in planning and developing the programs they want.

It is all aimed at capacity building for the Little Red River Cree Nation. The MOU means they will be delivering more NAIT programs at Fox Lake, John D'or Prairie and Garden River including basic computer training, two levels of carpentry and plumbing, adult upgrading, forest management and other technology based programs. Right now there are about 100 enrolled.

Crocker said they are also looking at bringing in a level-2 firefighter course, increasing apprenticeships to level 4 and increasing the computer training.

Another thing they are considering offering is adult special interest courses on weekends. For instance, classes on home maintenance, basic home repairs, maintaining a furnace, woodworking, auto mechanics for women and cooking.

In addition to the chief, some Elders, and Dennis Laboucan, who holds the education portfolio, Allen Laboucan, Bryant Johnsen, the Red River Drummers and representatives of the regional board of education attended the signing. The president of NAIT, Dr. Sam Shaw, signed the MOU with the chief. In addition to Crocker, Dan Maloney, dean of continuing education and business development, and Edward Kuefler, dean of applied building sciences who looks after trades, were other attendees from NAIT. A gift exchange included a plaque to Kayas, a pen set to each signer and Bryant Johnsen gave Dr. Shaw a painting symbolizing partnerships and helping the community.