New on-reserve school in the works for Muskoday

Page 9

When students from Muskoday First Nation head back to school this time next year, they won't have nearly as far to go. On June 14, a sod-turning ceremony was held at the future site of the Muskoday school and youth centre.

Not since the day school era of the 1960s have the community's children been educated on the reserve. A kindergarten program already exists, but under a tuition fee arrangement with the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division, approximately 91 students from grades one through 12 are bused to Riverside community school and Carlton Comprehensive high school in Prince Albert. Another 60 students are enrolled at Birch Hills school. Muskoday First Nation, with 450 on-reserve members, is located 20 km from both Prince Albert and Birch Hills. That distance was only one factor in the First Nation's decision to build a school of its own.

"I've had comments, especially from older people who lived through day schools and residential schools.They think it's about time. It's time to bring the education home and teach our children in ways that are appropriate to how our children learn," said Chief Austin Bear, who did the honours at the groundbreaking in June. "I'm not suggesting that we want to be segregated, but there are ways and means that our people teach our children that are foreign to the school system. Teaching is not only in school. Teaching is in the community. I think that's what the school means to us."

The challenges of continuing with off-reserve schooling included a high dropout rate among Grade 10 students, a lack of parental and community involvement in the education process and an insufficient amount of First Nations-based learning in the classroom. Community support was critical to the project's success and input was received through a home survey, youth forums and a referendum where an 88 per cent vote in favour of building a school was taken by chief and council as clear direction to proceed with the school.

Alfred Crain, a Muskoday councillor who holds the education, governance, labour and training portfolio, is enthusiastic about the $5.3 million facility, which will include an Elder's teaching lodge, youth drop-in centre, weight room, cafeteria, computer lab and library. He explained that before the September 2005 enrollment, a local school board will be elected. That governing body will have full responsibility for managing the affairs of the school and ensuring that standards are maintained in the areas of hiring practices, curriculum development and overall operations.

"I'm very excited about this opportunity for our community. It'll bring a sense of ownership, and with ownership comes responsibility. With responsibility comes a change of attitude," Crain said. He believes that running community programs at the school will result in "cradle to grave education" that will be available for all Muskoday residents. "You never stop learning," he said.

Grade 10 student Syd Bear thinks that going to school in his own community would have made a big difference in his education. He said he does well in the classroom of a First Nations teacher at Carlton Comprehensive, mainly because he feels understood. Other students report that it's "easy to skip out" while attending school in other communities.

Leaving friends at their present schools will be hard for many of the youth, but they look forward to being able to participate in more extra-curricular activities. Travelling back and forth to practices made sports teams inaccessible for many of the children. The First Nation has added money from its own revenues to upgrade to a full size gymnasium for the new school, with room to accommodate tournaments and community events.

Chief Bear is confident that the new school and youth centre, which will be visible from busy Highway 3, will be a source of pride and accomplishment for Muskoday First Nation. "People are excited that it's going to be a hub where we can gather, where ur children are educated in appropriate ways, and that can become the heartthrob of our community. That's what excites our people."