The Sheshatshiu Innu School expansion includes a new Innu culture and language classroom
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation Chief Eugene Hart says community is growing
Students, staff, elders and community members lined the halls of Sheshatshiu Innu School this week for the grand opening of two new wings.
"This is a huge, huge help for our students and our community," said Kanani Davis, the CEO of Mamu Tshishkutamashutau Innu Education, also known as the Innu Education School Board.
"We've been really overcrowded. Our teachers and our students had basically taken up any of the spaces that were available."
Davis says the cafeteria, the music room, and even storage spaces had been repurposed as classrooms before.
With the new expansion, 10 extra classrooms have been added to the school, serving both primary and high school students.
Davis says students are already benefiting from smaller class sizes, though more teachers are still needed.
"For example if we can find a music teacher now, we can have a music teacher in our music room," she said.
New space devoted to Innu culture and language
For now, Davis remains focused on the possibilities of the school's expansion, such as a space for a pre-kindergarten program, an upgraded computer room and a room for students with sensory needs. And, for the first time, Sheshatshiu Innu School is also housing an Innu culture and language classroom.
Vice-principal Kenny Rich coordinates the school's cultural program. In this room, he says students will learn traditional, hands-on activities with Innu teachers.
Furs hang on the wall, Innu-Aimun books are on display and a film loops on a large TV screen, showcasing Innu out on the land. A large map of Nitassinan, meaning "our land" in Innu-aimun, stretches out on the floor. The map is marked densely with place names, showing "all the Innu words used [for] travelling on foot," Rich said.
The new room is a big hit with Grade 12 student Marie Pier Madeline Malleck.
"I love it," she said. "It has more of my culture."
Sheshatshiu growing
For his part, Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation Chief Eugene Hart said the school's expansion is an exciting moment that was long overdue.
"Our graduating rates are gone up really high," said Hart.
WATCH | This school expansion in Sheshatshiu comes just in time:
With the new expansion — especially the new Innu culture and language room — he believes the school's graduation rate will go up even higher.
Just like the school itself, Hart says the community of Sheshatshiu is growing.
Last month, Indigenous Services Canada counted 2,014 total registered members of the band.
With over 500 students attending Sheshatshiu Innu School, Hart says the population skews younger and estimates about 50 children are born in Sheshatshiu every year.
Down the road, he'd like to see another school in the community.
"We definitely need a primary school in Sheshatshiu," Hart said.
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