A new Cree language school in Saskatoon now has a new name.
The St. Frances Cree bilingual school and program has been operating in the city since 2007, but never had a home school.
An official school for the program is currently under construction and on Wednesday night the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division unveiled the new school’s name.
It will be known as awâsisak kânîmîhtocik, which means “children who dance” in Cree.
“The new school represents a new beginning in so many ways,” said Diane Boyko, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ Board of Education Chair. “The new building will be a very real representation of our commitment to helping Indigenous students and staff reclaim and rebuild their language, culture and heritage.”
According to the school division, the name was subject to a nearly year long consultation process where 135 names were initially proposed.
“The name is not only about those current students, but for us to think about those who came before us, and especially about those who went to residential schools and never came home,” said Elder Mary Lee. “It’s through the spirit of dancing that current and future students will be able to honour them.”
Since its inception in 2007, the Cree language and cultural program has grown into the largest language program in the country.
Funding for the replacement school was announced in 2018 with construction beginning in 2023.
It’s expected the awâsisak kânîmîhtocik school will officially open it’s doors in the fall of 2025.
A full interview with GSCS Superintender Kelley Cardinal can be found here.
TOP PHOTO – Construction on the school as of September 2024. Photo by Joel Willick