Maskwacis Cree High School – Maskwacis, Alberta

“I particularly remember visiting our local schools. A great deal of thought went into the design and a good quality team helped develop them. There are five schools operating as well as a head start program. It is on the Samson Cree Nation Indian Reserve 137 in Alberta, Canada and is part of the Treaty 6 nations. The high school in particular I do believe had local community input, when it opened it was called Nipisihkopahk Secondary School (NSS) then when Maskwacis Education Schools Commission (MESC) took over it became Maskwacis Cree High School (MCHS) where all the students from the four nations of Maskwacis attend high school. From their webpage they quote, “Through education today we empower our youth for success tomorrow.”

I had the opportunity to be a part of the staff when the high school first opened and it was exciting being the pioneers rather than just teachers of this wonderful setting of a school. The students and staff were very proud once it opened and were able to be host to other schools with the sports and activities. One of the great features was incorporating a theatre at the front of the school and is capable of being a location that could feature great acts such as the “Bear Grease” troop and many others invited to the four nations of Maskwacis. It is called the Jonas Applegarth theatre, it is a 300-seat multi-purpose performing arts centre, used not only for school assemblies, but also for concerts, special presentations, workshops and community events. Two other valuable parts of the school are the Nancy Louis-Yellowbird Wing and the Sister Nancy LeClair (Lightning) Library.

Walking through the school it is hugely impacting, it is open as soon as you walk in and the outdoors is brought in with the huge windows looking at the back of the school. That is important being able to stay connected to the land and it is good for the students to see that every time they walk through to their next class. It is also the lunch room and sitting area where most of the students and staff gather at their breaks. The classrooms extend on both sides of this open area and you see at either end of these hallways open windows to the outside again. Some of the classrooms wished to close off the windows due to the students special needs abilities, due to over stimulation but most of the classrooms have windows that bring in the natural light. They really enjoy their school and the community as well is proud of it.” (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.59).

Google map link: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Maskwacis+Cree+High+School/@52.8196632,-113.445068,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x537547168c7f1247:0x93fd301a6059c691!8m2!3d52.8196632!4d-113.4424931!16s%2Fg%2F12m9hfjnk?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkxOC4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D