Education Department

It takes a village to raise our children, and we are grateful that our entire community understands the importance of a solid education from an early age. In fact, education is one of the key components to a successful, happy life, and we are happy to provide support for our adult Members as well.

Councillor Cory Alexson holds the Education Portfolio and acts as the Chairperson of the Education Committee.

The Education Department oversees all education available to KFN Members, from day care to trades training and post-secondary study. This includes:

Resource centre
Hot-lunch program
Student counselling
Incentive programs
Post-secondary support
School bus & Class 1A driver training
Adult basic education (ABE program)
Adult training & skills development

“We want Education to give our children the knowledge to be proud of themselves and the knowledge to understand the world around them”

~ Adopted from the document Indian Control of Indian Education, 1972

Chief Kahkewistahaw Community School (CKCS)

CKCS serves our community for grades K-12. We also house the Head Start and Daycare programs for our youngest Members. Our building was built in phases, beginning in 2004 and completed in 2019.

Our enthusiastic staff offer many extracurricular activities, such as track and field, soccer, basketball, crafts, music, fiddle, drama, and dance. Our parent mentors join us in the classroom and provide reading, math and supervision support. Elders visit from time to time to share traditional knowledge, stories and language opportunities.

Older students visit Ochapowace Sports Academy once a week for extensive sports and fitness training. A partnership with Yorkton Tribal Council provides additional support such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, educational psychologist, cultural adviser, sports coordinator, and balanced literacy support.

Message from the Principal

My name is Wanda Clare and I feel very blessed to be the principal at Chief Kahkewistahaw Community School. I live in Regina and will be commuting everyday. I do love the drive so far. (I used to be a truck driver!!!)

I am a member of Montreal Lake Cree Nation and grew up at a little hamlet called Tweedsmuir. I am a mother of two adult children and proud Granny of six granddaughters.

I love education and working with education staff. I can’t wait to meet our students’ families and look forward to this amazing school year.

I am here for our students and for their success stories. Please feel free to call me at the school if you have any questions.

Tiniki

Wanda

CKCS Staff

Wanda Clare – Principal
Vanessa Brass – Kindergarten
Michelle Kennedy – Grade 1
Mavis Bear – Grade 2
Rebecca Wiens– Grade 3
Alana Taypotat – Grade 4
Ramona Alexson – Grade 5
Megan Strong – Grade 6
Colleen Bobb – Numeracy Consultant
Irene Isaac – Grade 7
Martina Taypotat – Grade 8
Kanchan Mankotia – Grade 9
Aleah Willner – High School Teacher
Duncan Holness – High School Teacher
Ryan Hall – High School Teacher
Billy-Jo Laswisse – Athletics Director
Jacob Louison – Education Assistant
Taylor Desnomie – Education Assistant
Cory Fitzgerald – Educational Assistant
Myron Bob – Educational Assistant
Terrance Bob – Land Base Coordinator
Carolyn Isaac – Educational Assistant
Jacqueline Alexson – Educational Assistant
Brody Gamble – Educational Assistant

Tina Alexson – Daycare Coordinator
Charmaine Grey – Pre-School Educator
Tawnie Alexson – Head Start
Julie Hotomanie – Head Start
Sylvia Crowe – Nursery Teacher
Anika Alexson – Toddler
Nadine Isaac – Day Care Chef
Shelby Shingoose – Head Chef
Vacant – Assistant Cook/ Chef
Mrs Nicole Bear – Literacy Consultant
Wynter Taypotat – Student Liaison
Jennifer Alexson – Custodian
Lorraine Blackbird – Custodian
Ronald J. McKay – Maintenance
Jory Crowe – Maintenance Assistant
Joni McKay – Bus Driver
Louis Constant – Bus Driver
Derek Shingoose – Bus Driver
Stan Bobb – Bus Driver
Krista-Ann Spencer – CKCS Receptionist
Faith Bob – Cultural & Language

All items in Navy Blue or Grey
(*except leggings)
Adult Sweats – $35.00
Youth Sweats – $30.00
Adult Bunny-hugs – $45.00
Youth Bunny-hugs – $30.00
Adult T-Shirts – $20.00
Youth T-Shirts – $20.00
Youth Leggings (*black only) – $35.00

Contact the School
at (306) 696-3304 to order.

Post-Secondary Education & Adult Training

We promote and facilitate education and training for KFN Members on- and off-reserve. We aim to support Members in achieving their goals, through help with transcripts and applications, funding support, and even determining what career options could be suitable for your skills and strengths.

Our clients have studied with the Yorkton Tribal Council Labour Force Development and Pre-Employment Support, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT), Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and the Universities of Regina and Saskatchewan.

If you are ready to start down your career path, or if you’re looking for a change, contact us by phone: 306-696-3291 or email:

Bachelor of Education on Kahkewistahaw

The University of Saskatchewan and the Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) offers a four-year teaching degree program on our Nation, providing post-secondary training for our Members and for those from surrounding communities. This innovative program benefits our students, as they are learning with current teaching pedagogy, and benefits our Members who want to obtain an education without having to leave the reserve.

Post-Secondary Funding Program

We are pleased to provide tuition support and living allowance to eligible members while they pursue their academic education. Qualifying programs must be 32 weeks in duration or more, and must lead to a certificate, diploma, or degree which will provide a viable career opportunity. There is also a limited budget for shorter courses through Adult Training. Contact us for more information.

All Kahkewistahaw Members are eligible for post-secondary funding, but we do not necessarily have enough funding to fully provide for everyone. In 2020, about 42 KFN Members received financial support. Priority goes to students who:

Have recently graduated grade 12
Have graduated grade 12 with honours
Are applying for funding for the first time

Applications

New and continuing students are urged to submit their complete funding application (with all paperwork and documentation) with plenty of time before the deadline dates below, in case of errors or problems.

If you are a Grade 12 graduate and member of the Kahkewistahaw First Nation and wish to apply for funding through this program, you are advised to contact our Education Coordinator for consultation including the documentation required for you to complete your application.

Funding Application Deadline Dates

February 28 – Spring/Summer
April 30 – Fall Semester
September 30 – Winter Semester

* Please note: These deadline dates are final, with no exceptions. Continuing students who do not submit their applications to continue funding by the deadline date are in danger of losing funding.

For questions about post-secondary funding or your application, please contact our Post-Secondary Coordinator Shae-Lynn Kaysaywaysemat.

Post-Secondary Funding Application Form

Continuing Funding Application Form

Shae-Lynn Kaysaywaysemat

Education &
Post-Secondary Coordinator

Hello My name is Shae-Lynn, I am the eldest daughter of Josephine Kaysaywaysemant and Dallas Kay. I graduated high school in 2012 from the Chief Kahkewistahaw Community School. I then took a 1 year course on Office Education that was offered on our First Nation. immediately applied to the Bear Claw Casino and Hotel at the age of 19. I started out as a Live Games Dealer which I quickly fell in love with. I ended my career at the Casino at the Live Games Supervisor. I was missing my homelands and my family so I applied for the Legacy Technical Specialist in the Lands Department here on Kahkewistahaw First Nation.

It is a great feeling to be home around my peers, family and friends. My family has always told me Education is key into providing the life we want for ourselves. We all walk a different path when if comes to our Educational journey. I am forever grateful for our community to give me this opportuity to grow as an individual as I want to give back to our beautiful First Nation.

My current role as Education Coordinator includes but is not limited to the following areas:

Post Secondary
Adult Education and/or Training
Resource Services
CKCS programming assistance
Daycare/Headstart
Employment information ie. Resumes/cover letters

My role in Education is important to me and I ask that anyone seeking information or assistance to please contact me. If I don’t have an immediate answer, I will definitely work on finding the answer.

Respectfully yours,

Shae-Lynn