New educational centre officially opens

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May 16 was a day to celebrate on Cowessess First Nation, as the community officially opened its new school.

While the opening gave community members a chance to celebrate, students and staff from kindergarten through to Grade 12 had already been enjoying the new Cowessess Community Educational Centre They moved into the 4,220 square metre, $11,387,800 building at the end of January.

Construction of the centre began in May 2001 and was completed in December 2002. More than 30,500 hours of work was created for First Nations people through the construction project.

"It is a very proud day for staff and students," school principal Cliff Prokopchuk said at the official opening.

The new educational centre offers a number of advantages over the school it replaces Prokopchuk explained. The old school was smaller, and not all grades could be accommodated in one location. The new school boasts 14 classrooms, two special education rooms, a state of the art computer lab, home economics and industrial arts labs, a science lab, a gymnasium, a culture room for holding meetings and cultural activities, and a large student area.

In addition to being larger, the new educational centre also provides teachers and students with a more modern setting in which to teach and learn. All the school's systems, including heating and ventilation, are computerized, and a computer network has been set up, allowing teachers and administration to communicate with each other and share information via their in-class computers.

That modernization is evident, too, in the school's labs, which are stocked with up-to-date equipment.

And what do the students think of their new school?

"They really like it. It's a real plus. Because the environment, it's so bright and cheery as compared to the old school," Prokopchuk said. "The old school, part of it was built in the 30s, and the other part was added on in the early 60s, and it just wasn't a very well laid out building. There was no student area, and it was crowded. So it makes a difference when you're in a new facility."

Many dignitaries were on hand for the grand opening of the educational centre, including Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde, and Vice Chief Greg Ahenakew, who made a presentation to Cowessess First Nation to commemorate the school opening. Members of neighbouring Ochapowace, Kahkewistahaw, and Sakimay First Nations were also present to offer both congratulations and gifts.

After the blessing of the building by an Elder, Cowessess Chief Patricia Sparvier said she was "extremely happy today. Our school is finally ready."

Roy Bird, regional director general of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) also attended the official opening, and congratulated Cowessess on their achievement.

Bird told the gathering that, of the 19,200 school-aged children living on reserve in Saskatchewan approximately 16,000 attend school on reserve. The challenge, he maintained, was to provide quality education for the children and grandchildren of tomorrow. Bird and others thanked INAC Minister Robert Nault for helping to make the educational centre a reality.

Bellegarde also addressed those present at the opening, reiterating his belief that Saskatchewan needs two school systems, including one that incorporates First Nations languages, customs and ceremonies. Bellegarde said he thought it would be a good idea for integration to go the other way as well, with non-First Nations people attending First Nations schools.