Ben Calf Robe stresses Native schooling

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The Ben Calf Robe School program assures that students acquire a knowledge of Native culture while gaining the skills necessary to become fully participating members in Canadian society.

Operating out of the St. Pius Catholic School for the past seven years, the program now functions as a junior high school within the Catholic school system at 11833-64 Street (St. Clare Catholic School).

"We intend to give a different face on what's school is all about," said Robert Steele, who is concentrating on creating a different school.

"The program offered at Ben Calf Robe is unique in that it not only offers a Native cultural component, but in that it strives to make the student feel good about being Native - and in turn makes the student want to come to school," he said.

The problem of attendance has always plagued the school. With students wanting an alternate program, or students having attendance problems from different schools referred to Ben Calf Robe, the problem of attendance follows them.

"At Ben Calf Robe we are dedicated in providing a positive learning environment for the students."

Steele, who has been principal for two years, says his students feel more at ease in their new surroundings.

"With our own building, we have more flexibility to do things on our own. We will be able to work on our own identity," he said.

Students are registered by the years they have been involved with the program allowing them to work at their own pace.

A second-year student working on a Grade 8 level could also be working on Grade 7 subjects.

The Native language is a very important part of the program and it is compulsory for students to take Cree classes.

The cultural component of the program accesses the skills and knowledge of Native leaders and role models from the Native community.

The students have their choice of the mini-options that include bead work, Native singing, drumming and dancing, computers, home economics, arts and photography. The six-week mini-courses are designed to keep the students interested.

A bonding support between the student and home room teacher is encouraged with the student having the same home room teacher for the entire time the student is with the program.

The unique program is the only one of its kind, offering regular and modified Jr. High School programs. Classes are kept at a maximum of 18 students allowing the teachers to give individual help to students.

Students completing the program could easily assimilate into a regular high school program or take advantage of the Native program that is offered at St. Joseph's High School, which is supported by the Ben Calf Robe Society.

"Ben Calf Robe provides a nice link into the high school system," Steele said.

One of the changes created by the relocation process is that classes start at 9:30 p.m. allowing students time to get to school. The lunch period was shortened to accommodate the change.

A scheduled bus service picks up west-end students at three locations to assist students, who might otherwise have to transfer onto several buses in order to get to school.

Because it's not unusual for today's teenagers to skip their daily meals, a breakfast and lunch program was established. This program also encourages good nutritional planning.

There are 90 students registered with Ben Calf Robe program. Fifty are newly enrolled.

The program keeps in touch with previous students by their yearly spring powwow, which serves as a reunion. Steele indicated the powwow gets larger and better every year.

With the Native upgrading program being housed in the Ben Calf Robe School, it's the first step in becoming a Native Community Centre program.

It's common to see an entire family coming to school together, says cultural co-ordinator Margaret Koski.

The public is invited to attend the grand opening Round Dance Celebrations on Oct. 27. A feast will follow the ribbon cutting ceremony, which will take place at 4 p.m.

The grand entry will be nitiated by the White Braid Society at 6:15 followed by the round dance and give away.