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 William Kaysaywaysemat 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.

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

Welcome Back to the 2024-2025 School Year at Chief Kahkewistahaw Community School!

Tansi, CKCS Families,

I am thrilled to welcome you all back for what promises to be an exciting and enriching school year! As we embark on this journey together, I want to highlight some important aspects of our school culture and policies that are designed to create the best possible environment for learning and growth.

At CKCS, we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of our students. This year, we are reinforcing our No Junk Food Policy, encouraging healthy choices that fuel learning and promote a strong, active lifestyle. We would like to ask for your cooperation in making sure that all snacks and meals brought to school are nutritious.

In addition, our No Cell Phone Policy will continue throughout the day. Students will be expected to keep their phones out of sight and out of mind to help maintain focus in the classroom and throughout the school day. Staff will also adhere to this policy, limiting cell phone use to the staffroom. Together, we can foster a productive and distraction-free learning environment.

We are excited to have full-time Land-Based and Cree language teachers on staff this year! These dedicated educators will ensure our students have the opportunity to connect deeply with our traditional knowledge, culture, and language. This focus will allow our students to gain hands-on experience in the land and community while enhancing their understanding and fluency in Cree.

As we begin this new school year, let us continue to work together to create a positive, inclusive, and inspiring learning community for our children. Your involvement and support are critical to our success, and I look forward to working closely with all of you throughout the year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Together, let’s make 2024-2025 an incredible year for our students and community.

Warm regards,

Michelle Kennedy B.Ed., E.C.E.

Principal

Chief Kahkewistahaw Community School

(306) 696 -3304

CKCS Staff

Michelle Kennedy – Principal
Amanda Bobb – Kindergarten
Blanche Nickel – Grade 1
Darci Pamler – Grade 2
Brittany Bobb– Grade 3
Alana Taypotat – Grade 4
Trina Kada – Grade 5
Tyler Stewart – Grade 6
Emma Hayden – Grade 7
Melanie Louison – Grade 8
Martina Taypotat – Grade 9/ HS PE
Ramona Alexson – HS
Danika Nickel –– HS
Ryan Hall – Elementary PE /Athletic Director
Irene Isaac – Land Base Teacher
Colleen Bob – HS math
Tashena Kennedy – Education Assistant
Joshua Decelles – Education Assistant
Kalton Delorme – Educational Assistant
Travis Kennedy – Educational Assistant
Carolyn Isaac – Educational Assistant
Jacqueline Alexson – Educational Assistant
Maddison Kaysaywaysemat – Educational Assistant
Jordyn Jones – Educational Assistant
Lylah Redwood – Educational Assistant
Courtney D Sparvier – Educational Assistant

Tanya Watson – Daycare Coordinator
Brittany Warner– Daycare
Shaeleah Isaac – Daycare
Jaslyn Kaysaywaysemat – Daycare
Melody Isaac – Daycare
Anika Alexson – Daycare Casual
Sydney Delorme – Daycare Casual
Elvira Alexson – Daycare Casual
Elisha Bobb – Day Care Cook
Shelby Shingoose – CKCS Cook
Tim Taylor – Cook Assistant
Tomee Cope – Cook Assistant
CKCS Guidance Counsellor –Cassidy Robidoux
CKCS Receptionist –Vacant
Nicole Lerat/Bear – Literacy Consultant
Vacant – Office Manager
Jennifer Alexson – Custodian
Kolten Raven – Custodian
Ronald J. McKay – Maintenance
Kenzie Bob – Maintenance Assistant
Ron McKay – Bus Driver
James Fitzgerald – Bus Driver
Derek Shingoose – Bus Driver
Mitch Redwood – Bus Driver
Jean (Bear) Taypotat – Inclusive Education
Irvin Montana – Cree Teacher
Jessica Criddle – Literacy
Rebecca Wiens – Literacy
Vacant – Security

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

March 1 – Spring/Summer
June 1 – Fall Semester
October 1 – 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

CKCS School Calendar

Wilfred Whitehawk

Education &
Post-Secondary Coordinator

Greetings

My name is Wilfred Whitehawk JR from Cote First Nation, parents are Wilfred Whitehawk SR (Blueman) and the late Mary Stevenson (Chippy). Proud father of 7 children ranging from 2 years old to 21 years old. I am proud to be apart of the Kahkewistahaw First Nation with my partner Shae-Lynn Kaysaywaysemat. Feels great joining a great team at the Governance Center. Very forward moving and progressing First Nation, in my eyes I see it as a growing company on its way to success for many years to come!

My previous work history was in the Gaming Industry for 18 years in total. I was in various positions within Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) including Security Supervisor, Marketing Coordinator, Casino Shift Manager, Customer Experience Manager and also position at SIGA Corporate Office as Integrity Officer. In between all of the Gaming Industry positions I worked for the Yorkton Tribal Council Labor Force Development for 5 years. This position with YTC brought me back in the education field and subsequently wanting to join the KFN team as Education Program Manager.

Best part of this position and it sound cliché is “I get to watch the community members have an idea of where they want to go to educate themselves and then they make it a reality” It’s a proud feeling to share with the Community members when they succeed in their dreams. I get to join the family of that student and feel the emotions they have for their family member, Pride! I hope to be here long enough to watch my baby girl Gianna Marie aka Gigi find her dream and make it a reality.

My current role as Education Program Manager 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 i.e.. Resumes/cover letters

My role for the Kahkewistahaw First Nation is Education Program Manager; my main goal is to be here to assist the Community Members, and I’ll use one of the quotes I’ve heard and held to my mentality towards the role “my job is here to make it easier for the community members to succeed in their dreams, not make it harder” and that’s what I’ll do. If I can help you in any way to succeed in your education goals…….I will!

Mikwec,

Wilfred Whitehawk JR