Strong Partnership Recognized with Premier’s Board of Education Award

What does nursing have in common with the College of Education, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, the Saskatoon Tribal Council and Sask Sport Inc.? A passion for an innovative learning program that supports Indigenous student belonging and success. Together, these partners bring to life the St. Frances Cree Bilingual Program, offered for students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 at St. Frances School in Saskatoon.

“The goal of the Nêhiyawêtân Cree Bilingual program is to bring nêhiyaw ways and history into a faith-based Catholic education program,” said College of Nursing’s Dr. Marcella Ogenchuk, who has been a partner on the project for ten years. “The program allows educators to deliver a standard curriculum, while providing opportunity for students to connect to their roots and speak their own language, ultimately improving First Nations and Métis student learning outcomes.” You might be asking yourself, so what part does nursing play? Students and faculty from the College of Nursing have been working with students at St. Frances on preventative healthcare for nearly a decade. “This collaboration ensures that health and education work together to make sure students are ready to learn,” said Ogenchuk. “During their community practicums, our nursing students work at St. Frances to teach the students about health related topics, ranging from proper oral hygiene to the importance of drinking water. The nursing students work with the teachers at the school, as well as an Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) teacher candidate to ensure students are getting daily physical education. The partnership is a win-win, where not only are the students at St. Frances learning about healthy lifestyles, the nursing students are learning invaluable skills as well.”  

At the Saskatchewan School Boards Association 2017 Fall General Assembly held November 12^th, the ni ahkwatonâmonân: An Indigenous Language Pathway to Improved Student Learning Outcomes at St. Frances Cree Bilingual School partnership project was recognized with a very prestigious award. The Premier’s Board of Education Award for Innovation and Excellence in Education recognizes educational innovations and improvements focused on student achievement, which have been advanced or directed by boards of education.

Congratulations to Dr. Ogenchuk for being part of this great program that is making a difference for First Nations and Métis children and youth.