Education

Educating the future of our Nations.

Grace Smith

Education Program Coordinator

The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations have a young population, with the majority of Band members under the age of 25. This means that, while school enrolment is declining in many other rural areas and small communities, the number of Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw students just keeps growing. In order for our young people to become happy, healthy individuals, it is important that they are well educated.

Education

DEPARTMENT Services

For public school students:

Preparing purchase orders for school supplies for students (living on reserve) attending Eagle View, Avalon, Eke Me-Xi, and Port Hardy Secondary school at the beginning of the year.
Second semester purchase orders for students attending Port Hardy Secondary and Eke Me-Xi are done near the end of January.
Providing attendance allowances for Grade 8-12 students (living on reserve) every two months.
Coordinating financial aid for students (living on reserve) as needed (school field trips, graduation assistance).
Preparing Nominal Roll for students attending schools off reserve.
Attending monthly meetings at Port Hardy Secondary school in regards to student progress.

For adult students financially sponsored by the Band:

Gathering and processing student applications for Post-Secondary Funding.
Coordinating payment of tuition, books & supplies, and living allowances for sponsored students.
Preparing the Post Secondary Student Registry – this is a report to INAC on all sponsored students.

In addition to these services provided by the Band, the Tsulquate Reserve also has:

The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw School (Pre-school to Grade 7)
The Eke Me-Xi program (a.k.a. Young Adult Secondary Program, Grades 8-10) – see below
The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw College

Grace Smith

Phone: (250)-949-8343
Fax: (250) 949-7402

E-mail: gsmith@gwanaknations.ca

About DEPARTMENT GOALS

Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw SChool

In order for our young people to become happy, healthy individuals, it is important that they are well educated.

OUR SCHOOL GOALS

Culture: To incorporate more Bak̕wa̱mk̕ala language into all aspects of the school. This includes both for our students and staff members.
Parental and Community Engagement: To encourage and empower elders, parents, and other community members to become involved in school activities and their children’s learning.
Trauma Informed Practice: To understand how brain develops in sequence and how trauma can impact learning, behaviour and relationships remains a central focus of our staff development and best practice.

The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw School has been a fixture of the community for many years. We have been in our current location since 1997. The school is owned and operated by the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw First Nations. The school also maintains Independent School status in the province of British Columbia and follows the prescribed curriculum of the Ministry of Education. We also work closely with FNSA (First Nations School Association) and FNESC (First Nations Education Steering Committee).

The school enrols roughly 135 students from preschool to grade seven. Most of our students are Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw band members. About 1/3 of our students live off-reserve. The school offers our students small class sizes (usually 18 or less) with instruction that focuses on students academic, social/emotional and behavioural needs.

First Nations culture is an important aspect of our school. Students receive a minimum of two hours of specific cultural instruction per week that is guided by deep rooted, historical research of the Gwa’sala and the Nakwaxda’xw Nations. Our goal is to incorporate as much Bak̕wa̱mk̕ala language into all aspects of school life and the curriculum. A huge focus of our school is developing self-identity and self-confidence in our students. The principles embedded in Maya’xala (Respect) guide us in how we all strive to conduct ourselves as educators and learners throughout all aspects of the school.”

Eke Me-Xi offers individualized programs covering BC Secondary School core curriculum. At Eke Me-Xi, students work to achieve their specific educational goals and create a program that suits individual learning needs. The welcoming and family atmosphere at Eke Me-Xi encourages personal growth and responsibility for all students we serve.

The Eke Me-Xi Program

DREAM BIG

What is the Eke Me-Xi Program

Since September 1997, Eke Me-Xi School has provided educational programs in the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw community for secondary students from the Port Hardy area.
We serve students from grade 8 to Adult learners, towards achieving a Dogwood Diploma, Adult Dogwood Diploma or Evergreen Certificate (School Leaving Certificate).

Registration

Eke Me-Xi Registration Package

Contact

146 Ba’as Road, Port Hardy B.C. V0N 2P0

Phone: 250-949-8332

Fax: 250-949-8349

Email: lhubbard@sd85.bc.ca