BATC is planning a brighter future for the Battlefords with more educational programs for aboriginal people.
At the grand opening of the ITEP (Indian Teacher Education Program) - the BATC partnered program with the University of Saskatchewan - held at the Don Ross Centre Oct. 26, it was announced that the next step is to develop further partnerships that will bring in more programs. Potential programs mentioned by Orest Merowsky of the University of Saskatchewan were agriculture, nursing, commerce and kinesiology.
The BATC - ITEP program in the Battlefords is in its first year. Classes are held at the Don Ross Centre with up to 50 students enrolled this year.
"With 50 students enrolled, there is utilization of cross-cultural education with elders as resource people, also provides students opportunity to maintain close contact with family " said BATC representative Sarah Gopher.
Gopher says there are further partnerships being planned and she expressed her gratitude on behalf of the tribal council to their partners, also welcoming them to the Battlefords.
Another recent BATC partnership, now in its second year of operation, is with the North West Regional College here in the Battlefords. An employment and training initiative, the Active Measures Program offers workplace essential skills programming.
Director of this program, Melanie Kahpeaysewat said she is pleased to be a part of the development of education and training leading to employment of aboriginal people in the Battlefords.
"I'm really honoured to be part of this initiative BATC has developed for First Nations. It's hard on family members when a student has to go away, which is sometimes detrimental to them in their success to completing their programs/education," Kahpeaysewat said.
She says that one of the greatest benefits will be that First Nations schools will be benefiting from the graduates from the program, as well as providing a career in education for all graduates of the ITEP program.
City councillor Ray Fox also spoke to those gathered for the grand opening, expressing his gratitude for BATC offering programs for benefit and development in the Battlefords.
Also in attendance was newly elected FSIN fourth vice-chief Simon Bird who spoke in both Cree and English to those gathered for the grand opening.
"I thank everyone, elders, Don I'm very proud to be here Every day and every meeting we're faced with obstacles our students face, like high rent, high cost of living. Students, you have an advantage here in North Battleford of having your family members beside you while going to school right next door," Bird said.
Bird is also a teacher trained in the ITEP program. He thanked BATC for the invite to the grand opening.
ITEP student council representative Quinton Swiftwolfe addressed those gathered, thanking everyone and presenting gifts to Ray Fox and Simon Bird on behalf of the student council. A traditional feast wrapped up the day's event.
