The future of Sākewew High School, an Indigenous high school in North Battleford, is facing uncertainty as the public and separate school boards have announced their decision to withdraw from their partnership role with the Battlefords First Nations Joint Board of Education in managing the school. Since 2016, Living Sky School Division and Light of Christ Catholic Schools have been providing guidance to the high school, but their partnership is scheduled to conclude on June 30, 2027.
In a joint statement released on March 30, the two divisions stated that the school was initially established to offer culturally responsive academic programming, but this objective is no longer being met. Both provincial school divisions have developed significant internal capacity in Indigenous education over time, leading to enhanced Indigenous student support, programming, and community relationships within their own schools.
Despite the withdrawal of support from the school boards, the Battlefords First Nations Joint Board of Education will retain authority over the operations of Sākewew High School and may choose to continue its independent operation. The emphasis at Sākewew High School is on reflecting the culture of its students, particularly Indigenous heritage, with offerings such as Cree language classes and Indigenous cultural activities.
Randy Fox, the CEO and director of education for the joint board, expressed the board’s intention to engage with the provincial education ministry to explore future steps. One of the challenges ahead involves establishing a mechanism for per-capita student funding to reach the school, especially for provincial students attending. Currently, students living on-reserve and studying at the school are funded through a separate joint tuition agreement.
Yarrow Harlingten, a Grade 12 student at Sākewew High School, highlighted the positive impact of the school, noting that it provides a safe environment for Indigenous youth who may not thrive in traditional public or Catholic high schools due to issues like racism. Harlingten mentioned the supportive and caring nature of the Indigenous teachers and staff at the school, which has contributed to her academic improvement and future aspirations to pursue post-secondary education in environmental sciences.
The school’s unique features include a daycare facility for the children of teen parents, cultural knowledge sharing sessions with elders, and a focus on academic success and cultural preservation. The Battlefords First Nations Joint Board of Education acknowledged that the current school building requires repairs, and discussions with students and families are encouraged by all involved parties, including Living Sky School Division, Light of Christ Catholic Schools, and the Battlefords First Nations Joint Board of Education.