Sweetgrass First Nation’s $40M School Project Nears Completion

The Sweetgrass First Nation is progressing on its long-anticipated educational facility, with its new school now more than halfway completed. The project, which carries a budget of nearly $40 million ($39,497,000), aims to create a nurturing environment where culture, language, and generations can unite under one roof.

Construction began in February 2023, following a lengthy planning and approval process involving Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). Currently, the school is 56 percent complete, with a final inspection anticipated around September 2026. However, the official opening date may vary depending on weather conditions and inspection outcomes.

Funding and Capacity Expansion

The financing for the school primarily comes from ISC, supplemented by contributions from the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, which supports daycare and early childhood facilities, as well as financial input from the First Nation itself. Once operational, the new school will accommodate 190 students, significantly increasing the current capacity of approximately 100.

The original school, constructed in the late 1970s, had not received replacement funding until 2022. Chief Lorie Whitecalf emphasized the importance of the new facility, describing it as a “life cycle school.” The design includes classrooms for students up to Grade 12, alongside dedicated spaces for daycare and early learning. Notably, an Elders’ area will serve as a focal point, reflecting the demand from youth eager to connect with their cultures and languages.

Integrating Language and Culture

Language inclusion is a core aspect of the school’s design. Chief Whitecalf highlighted the intention to integrate the Cree language throughout the educational experience, moving beyond traditional classroom settings. “We aim to incorporate the Cree language in all of [the] classrooms,” she stated. Plans are in place to employ more fluent speakers in various areas, including the cafeteria, to ensure that students hear and utilize Cree in their daily activities.

The influence of Elders in the design process has been pivotal. Many of them are survivors of residential schools and expressed a desire for open spaces that do not resemble the institutions they attended. “Their insight was crucial to shaping this environment,” Whitecalf remarked. Furthermore, the school will include a space dedicated to land-based learning, allowing Elders and hunters to engage students in practical skills, such as processing animals on site.

The project is positioned as more than an educational facility; it serves as a critical element of identity for the community. Chief Whitecalf articulated this sentiment, stating, “A basic human need is the need to belong. Learning about our culture and our language is going to provide them that sense of belonging, like, ‘I belong to Sweetgrass.’”

Cultural camps hosted by the community have already attracted hundreds of young participants, demonstrating a strong local interest in cultural connection. As construction progresses, Chief Whitecalf has expressed gratitude for the project, saying, “In this day and age, it feels good to have something to celebrate and be excited about.”

The Sweetgrass First Nation leadership, including Whitecalf and the council, acknowledges the efforts of former chiefs who laid the groundwork for this significant initiative. The school is set to become a cornerstone of community identity and educational advancement, fulfilling a dream that has been decades in the making.