Samson school state-of-the-art superstructure

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How appropriate it seemed that one of Canada's finest state-of-the-art Aboriginal schools was officially opened on the warmest and sunniest day of the fall.

Just as warm were the greetings and congratulations from adults and children alike as the Samson Cree Nation at Hobbema cut the ribbon to officially open the Nipisihkopahk Secondary School on Oct. 22.

Built at a cost of $11.2 million with more than 4,400 sq. m of space, the facility is believed to be the largest on-reserve high school in Canada

Although many individuals contributed to the development of the structure, Chief Florence Buffalo especially thanked former chief Victor Buffalo, as did school board chairman Vern Saddleback.

"When Victor got on council two-and-a-half years ago, he put together a building committee to start negotiations with Indian Affairs to fast-track the project," Saddleback said.

"I feel so great that our children are now able to stay in our own homeland to go to school . . . learn our language, our culture," said Chief Buffalo. In the past, high school students from the area had to bus to the nearby towns of Ponoka and Wetaskiwin.

A longtime proponent of education, Elder Johnny Samson, flanked by the chief and chairman, performed the ribbon cutting stating, "Education is our hope for the future," he said.

In attendance was last year's National Hockey League 'Coach of the Year' Ted Nolan.

A couple of unique things about the building, according to Saddleback, is the east face of the building to which the band will be able to attach a junior high level school. The Samson population is on the up-swing. As well, the ampitheatre has the best sound available, and was installed by the same person responsible for the system in Edmonton's highly touted Winspear Centre. There is an Olympic size gym, and carpentry, mechanics, and home economics classrooms.

Student Donny Mackinaw said he is especially impressed with the weight-lifting room and the gym court, while Corrine Thom, 13, likes the art room.

As for Vanessa Potts, 12, she likes "everything," except Social Studies, but admits, "it's the nicest school I ever went to."

Saddleback said the reserve will have their "middle school" completed by next fall and then the junior high school will likely be shifted from its present location into the new high school. That, too, he added, is largely thanks to Victor Buffalo.

Three particular rooms in the school are dedicated to the memory of specific band members. The library was named after the late Sister Nancy Leclair (nee Lightning), the Careers and Technology Wing to the late Nancy Louis-Yellowbird who worked in health and operated her own business, and the ampitheatre was named after the late John Applegarth who starred in a number of movies along with such Hollywood greats as Allan Ladd, Jayne Mansfield, and Charles Bronson.

The afternoon opening ceremonies were capped off by a full evening of entertainment featuring musicians, vocalists, dancers and fireworks.