Kapawe’no First Nation – Kapawe’no Nêhiyawak School continues to be more than a space for textbooks and equations; it’s a forum for transformative dialogue and actionable change. Recognizing the urgent need to move away from Canada’s colonial past, characterized by the Indian Act, residential schools, and exclusionary policies, the school earnestly integrates the Calls to Action from the Truth and Canada’s Reconciliation Commission into its daily curriculum. This is further strengthened by the powerful message that “Every Child Matters,” positioning the school as a place of hope and change in the educational landscape.
Central to the school’s mission is the unwavering belief that education must be a tool for justice, embodying the Nêhiyawak way of learning. By educating students about the history of Indian Residential Schools, Kapawe’no First Nation aims, through its school, to nurture a generation that understands not just the truths of the past but is also committed to rectifying them. The school adopts a solution-based approach, equipping students with the knowledge and resources needed to challenge systemic inequalities and contribute to the collective journey toward reconciliation.
Aware of the topic’s weightiness, educators focus on both inspiration and empowerment. Alongside hard truths, students encounter stories of resilience, survival, and triumph from within their own communities and histories. This multifaceted approach ensures that while students learn about past wounds, they also grasp the limitless possibilities for the future.
As Kapawe’no Nêhiyawak School continues its transformative educational mission, it sets an example not just for our Nations within the territory but for all of Turtle Island. It showcases what education can look like when it rises to meet the challenges of Canada’s dark history and the demands of justice. For those who enter our domain, the message is resounding: the path to a Canada that acknowledges, respects, and celebrates its rich Indigenous Nations lies here. And Canada must understand that prosperity is unattainable without true partnership with us; apologies are insufficient. Actions forming true partnerships will be the first step toward real reconciliation.
Beautiful design and skirt by our very own;
Last modified: October 2, 2023
