High school opens in capital

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The new Aboriginal high school is finally here. The Amiskwaciy Academy, which focuses on core subjects, Native culture and Aboriginal languages had its first class Sept. 5. Students filed in and out of the office looking for their classrooms while adminstrators opened filing cabinets, answered phones and directed students.

The brown and red brick building at 105 St. and 103 Ave. is not hard to miss as two huge green and white banners spell out the school name.

Getting the school off the ground was not easy. Principal Phyllis Cardinal and her administration had to deal with comments that were made in the community on segregation.

"We went through people saying that we were segregating the Aboriginal students in this school but we are not. Anyone is allowed to attend our school but they have to want to learn the Aboriginal culture because that is what this school is about," said Cardinal. "Our Native people have been segregated enough. We are teaching the students here their culture, languages, etc. so that they could have a sense of who they are," she said.

Along with the Aboriginal culture component, the students will be taught biology, chemistry, physics, shop, computers, mathematics, English, cosmetology, home economics, and other courses.

Approximately 250 students are expected to attend this year.