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.
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
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.
Read more about how the program came to be offered on Reserve Land.
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.
Education Committee
- Councillor William Kaysaywaysemat – Portfolio Holder
- Vacant – Committee Elder
- Nina Wilson – Committee Member
- Vacant – Committee Member
- Leila Bob – Committee Member
- Vacant – Committee Member
Contact Information

Wanda Clare
CKCS Principal
Phone: (306) 696-3305
Email: wanda.clare@kahkewistahaw.com

Ryan Hall
Vice Principal
ryan.hall@kahkewistahaw.com

VACANT
Education Coordinator
(306)696-3291 ext.228
postsec@kahkewistahaw.com

Stephanie Bobb
CKCS Receptionist & Administrative Assistant
Phone: (306) 696-3304

Lacey Kaysaywaysemat
Early Years Coordinator
Phone: (306) 696-2644
Headstart
Phone: (306) 696-3291

Ron McKay
Maintenance Supervisor