A recent donation from Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation will allow for several cultural aspects to be built at the new St. Francis Cree Bilingual School in Saskatoon.

Kelley Cardinal, Superintendent of Education with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, says the $250,000 donation will allow for construction of an outdoor powwow harbour, which will double as a land-based learning site, something no other Saskatoon school has.

“It will serve as an excellent gathering place for Indigenous nations to come together and take part in ceremonies such as pow wow,” she explains.

She adds that powwows aren’t the only type of cultural programming the school has to offer.

“You’ll see students tanning a hide. You’ll see them processing game You’ll see them learning about traditional plant medicine that they can locate in the city. All of these opportunities are intended to bridge the curriculum with the student’s identity and who they are.”

Originally, the Cree immersion school was located on McPherson Avenue, but following a steady increase in enrollment, a second location on Bateman Crescent had to be established. Cardinal says construction is well underway on the new campus which will bring all students together in one building.

“The school is scheduled to be open in the fall of 2025. Assuming we have a wonderful winter, weather permitting, construction will stay on target, and we will see happy children step into the building next year.”

Cardinal says St. Frances is the largest Indigenous language school within Canada, with unique programming that is accessible for students up until Grade 9.