Siksika Nation takes control of education

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A sense of celebration, pageantry and pride filled the ceremony that marked the official transfer of control of the education program in Siksika Nation Indian Reserve from the Department of Indian Affairs.

The ceremony also highlighted the re-opening of Crowfoot School after a recent $2.5 million of renovations.

Over 150 people arrived in the newly-renovated gymnasium to participate in the ceremony on Feb. 1.

Parents, children, the chief and council, government representatives and invited guests from the neighboring County of Wheatland School Division were there to celebrate the event.

The agenda was filled with traditional and contemporary ceremonies, speeches, song, dance, tours and refreshments.

Following a prayer and blessing from elder Jim Many Heads and translated in English by Russell Wright, a grand entry and flag-bearers, the Crowfoot School Dance Troop gave a regal touch to the procession.

While Council members acted as flag-bearers, the Crowfoot School Dance Troop gave a regal touch to the procession.

Two elementary students, nine-year-old Matthew Henry and ten-year-old Ranell Lagralle proudly took the lead role in the ribbon-cutting ceremony that followed.

Fred Jobin, director of Indian Services, read the band council resolution that served as a public declaration of the transfer of the education program.

The document was signed by Chief Crowfoot and council members in a historic moment.

The occasion was also used to induct seven people into the Siksika Board of Education.

Sworn-in were Harvina Red Crow as chairperson of the school board and Theresa Bear Chief, Maureena Pretty Youngman, Raymond Crow Chief, Morris Running Rabbit and Melvina McMaster as trustee.

In their speeches, Chief Crowfoot directed his comments to the students in the audience and displayed his graduation certificate as a means of encouraging students to work hard towards achieving their grade 12 diploma.

Ann McMaster, past portfolio holder of education, issued a challenge to students, parents and teachers alike to make Crowfoot School, "one of the best schools in the country."

Angeline Ayoungman emphasized the importance of parent support to children attending school.

Sheila Carr-Stewart, representing the provincial government's department of education, made an important announcement during her greetings to the audience.

She said a grade three class in the Siksika school has achieved the highest classroom marks in language arts of all reserve schools in Alberta.

It's a distinction, said Carr-Stewart, of the good things to come from Siksika schools.

The program drew to a close with a plaque presented to the Blackfoot Building Committee in recognition for their work on the school project.

The Crowfoot School Dance Troop entertained the audience with a demonstration of their dancing skills and the Eagle Society Drummers' demonstrated their proficiency at singing.

In an interview after the ceremonies, Robert Breaker Jr., education Director of Siksika Nations, said the transfer of the program will mean the band will administer a $1.5 million budget and be responsible for 440 students in two schools on the reserve.

He added that bands in the Treaty 7 area all have gained control of their education programs with the exception of Eden Valley, which is the only reserve with a federally-run school remaining.