Message from the Interim Executive Director of Education

“It takes a village to raise a child!” And there has never been a time when the wisdom of elders and adults of a community are as needed as they are today in guiding our youth to make wise choices.

Thanks to the Internet, satellite television, satellite telephones, and other technological changes, the “village” has become the whole world. Our children are no longer isolated and growing up in naïve innocence being guided by the protection of extended family and an ever watchful community.

They are being influenced by a collection of sources that too often focus on the most negative aspects of life.

What is the answer to these negative influences?

Education, Education, Education!

Education to prepare our children for a career in a highly technological universe.

Education to enable them to make positive choices when being bombarded with enticements and political spin of all sorts.

And finally, Education to guide them in making moral and spiritual choices that will enable them to find standards of right and wrong and a quality way of life based on the principles espoused by their traditional ancestors.

Pooling Community Resources

The school, parents and the community have to pool their resources and continue to improve their communication links. We must work collaboratively for the benefit of our youth, if we are to see our way successfully through these challenges.

We, as parents, need to begin with the simple things such as getting children to bed on time, seeing that they attend school regularly, monitoring their academic progress, and taking responsibility for their behaviour both in school and in the community.

As educators, we will see to it that children are exposed to the best current educational practices that will enable them to live effectively in the modern world.

Language and Culture

Community involvement is an important element to NHEA’s continued focus on strategies to ensure the language and culture of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation is respected and taught to children in our schools.

This process involves the teaching of traditions and the sharing of traditional knowledge by elders. Today's students learn the basic survival skills of their ancestors as well as their songs, dances and oral traditions.

Community Partnerships
NHEA works closely with other community organizations in keeping NCN’s holistic approach to education and wellness.

NHEA works closely with the NCN Family and Community Wellness Centre and Atoskiwin Training and Employment Centre in developing programs and initiatives to assist students and young people to reach their full potential.

Efforts to involve the community in the education process are key to improving the overall quality of our educational opportunities.

Ernesta Rivais
Interim Director of Education

Nelson House Education Authority