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To provide an educational environment for all who wish to study and interpret histories and heritage of Enoch Cree Nation. To find out where we came from, where we are, and where we are going.

The E.A.I.C. is centrally located in the Enoch Cree Nation admin building. Our staff is dedicated in providing services to the membership, in regards to collecting, preserving, promoting, and cataloguing of ECN history. The collection and preservation of this information will result in

• Books
• Website designated portals and links
• Memorial sites
• Documentaries
• School based curriculum
• Networking with various departments on any and all historical documents within Enoch Cree Nation

Current Staff Members

Terry.v.Morin – Manager

• 780.884.3442
• 780.470.6921
• terry.v.morin@enochnation.ca

Jared Morin – Coordinator

• 780.224.7556
• 780.470.4505 ext. 2255
• jared.r.morin@enochnation.ca

Maskekosak Cultural Program

The Maskekosak Cultural Program is a department working within the Enoch Cree Nation for its members. According to our Elders, “Maskekosak” is the Cree name that Enoch has traditionally been known as and it can be translated to ‘people of the land of medicines’.

In 2014, Enoch’s cultural program had met with the kihtehayak (Elders) of Enoch. It was at this meeting that the kihtehayak had sanctioned the name for Maskekosak Cultural Program and more importantly, provided their guidance and input as to what direction the program should go.

Our Values

Demonstrate leadership and offer programming that will serve to reclaim, preserve, and protect traditional and cultural practices for the benefit of all Enoch Cree Nation members, present and future.

Services Provided

The preservation and reclamation of our culture and heritage is a big part of who we are as a Nation. Taking part of the services we provide, will bring a sense of belonging and community to everyone.

• Traditional Fine Arts
• Language
• Protocol Teachings and Storytelling
• Community Graveyard Feast(s)
• Gathering and Food Preparation Harvesting
• Cultural Awareness Workshops
• Elder Wisdom Committee
• Cultural Events
• Cultural Ceremonies
• Kitaskinaw School Initiatives: Morning Song; Smudging; KEA Water Walk; Aid in the planning and preparation of cultural events.
• Cultural Assistance & Traditional Teachings: Ceremonies; Fasts; Healing.
• Evening Programming: Cree Language Classes; Traditional Protocol Teachings; Traditional Arts & Crafts; Hand Drum & Back up Singing Instruction; Pow wow Singing Instruction; Pow wow dance classes.

Our Staff

Ralph Jesse Morin – Manager
Rocky Morin – Assistant Manager
Sandra Alexander – Office and Clerical Support
Dennis Arcand – Cultural Coordinator

Contact Information

• rcsingers1@hotmail.com

Ralph Jesse Morin – Manager

• ralph.j.morin@enochnation.ca
• 780.470.0359
• 780.470.0639

Location

Box 506
Enoch, AB
T7X 3Y3

Mission:

The Maskēkosihk Language Revitalization Initiative aim is to revitalize and restore Maskēkosak Language in Maskēkosihk Nēhiyaw Nation. Along with this initiative is the development of a long term strategy of the language processes, programs, and initiatives which will be used to achieve target goals to restore language and culture within families in the community. Through teacher training and gathering best practices and local resources development the initiative shall develop a solid long term foundation for language learning and system development for the nation to be successful in their effort to restore four main foundations the community Elders want for future generations in Maskēkosihk.

Language Specialist Team:

Ralph Morin- supervisor and advisor for Curriculum development, ECE Language Program Development, Planning and Assessment of programming for early years’ language education, Manage Curriculum development along with all externals partners, Project manager for 2018-2019 grants for language and cultural development.

Elizabeth Lachance – Language Specialist with assignments of a Curriculum Developer and Teacher/Mentor.

Beatrice Morin– local Culture and Language Consultant representing local teachings and local language surface variations and regional differences.

Maskēkosak Elders– Validation of language terminology, variations of language and support to Early years’ programs.

Designing Framework for a Maskēkosak early childhood education (ECE) curriculum for language and cultural learning

In invitation of Local Maskēkosak Elders through a community visitation program, Nēhiyaw knowledge keepers and indigenous and non-indigenous educators think tank conference, discussions and considerations of Nēhiyaw cultural language learning, within the Languages and Cultural curriculum area in particular, and across the curriculum as a whole is as follows:

• understanding of Nēhiyaw language and cultural language learning as key concepts
• a set of ECE principles, which integrate the key concepts, and which are used as the basis for making choices in the development and operation of the curriculum
• a conceptualization of cultural language learning and curriculum design
• a set of processes for designing, operationalizing, evaluating and renewing the ECE curriculum

This framework is developed primarily for teachers and mentors of Maskēkosihk Nēhiyaw language and Culture as an overarching plan to inform them of choices they make in teaching. It is also intended to guide, stimulate thought, and discussion among all other teacher mentors to teaching and learning: students, principals, curriculum developers, policy-makers, teacher educators, materials developers, publishers, and researchers.

The framework is a resource for encouraging self-knowledge or self-awareness in developing Nēhiyaw cultural sensitivity. Understanding one’s own mīkosōwin and values and their Wāhkōtowin to one’s own language and culture is the starting-point and ongoing project of Maskēkosak Nēhiyaw language learning, and indeed learning across the curriculum. This is intended to be used by Maskēkosihk individual teachers or groups of teachers in thinking about their own perspectives on these concepts, principles, and processes, as a basis for designing their own programs of work for students, in their particular contexts, towards the creation Nēhiyaw cultural/immersion language classroom.

The concepts of language, culture, relationship and support and guidance will be central to the design of the Maskēkosihk Nēhiyaw ECE Languages curriculum. Given that these key concepts are often understood in different ways by educators, it will important to present, from the outset, the meaning we attach to them based on a short Maskēkosak Nēhiyaw language literature review of what the Maskēkosak Elders understand and agree to the importance of these concepts.

A Maskēkosak Whole System Approach to Designing and Development Nēhiyaw Culture-Based Language Curriculum

Maskēkosihk Foundations/Concepts

Maskēkosak Whole System Nēhiyaw cultural language learning involves the fusing of language, culture, relationship and support/guidance into a single educative approach. It begins with the idea that Nēhiyaw pimatsowin language, culture, relationship and learning are fundamentally interrelated processes and places this interrelationship at the center of the learning process. This not only reforms how we have been teaching Nēhiyawēwin but what it means to teach a language, and provides new and richer ways of linking language teaching to other learning areas. The concepts of ‘language’, ‘culture’ ‘relationship’ and ‘support and guidance’ are therefore central to the design of the Maskēkosihk ECE languages curriculum, and importantly.

Maskēkosak ECE Curriculum Foundations:

1. A)    Language (nehiyaw-itowin)
2. B)     Culture (Kiskēmisowin)
3. C)     Relationship (Wāhkōtowin)
4. D)  Support and Guidance (Kayās Nēhiyawēwin)

 

Language – Nēhiyaw itōwin: Students and non-speaking teachers need the skills of analysis, hypothesis formation, and tolerance of ambiguity. How words are said and what they mean.

• “language is not a self-sustaining entity;” it can only exist when there is a community willing to utilize it and it is good that Maskēkosak (ENOCH) is willing to revitalize and sustain it.

Identity- Kiskēyimisowin: Students and non- speaking teachers need to recognize and understand how people in a Nēhiyaw culture typically behave in common, everyday situations.

• is fundamentally and profoundly different from all who those who have subsequently come to settle here. From a spiritual perspective Nēhiyawak see things differently. There is spiritual divergence between Indigenous and Western cultural views and relationships to the universe and Mother Earth.
• the process of the development of the distinct Nēhiyaw identity/ personality is important to Maskēkosak Nēhiyaw society.
• Nēhiyawak are a product of the stories and ātayohkana we create to sustain ourselves. This process needs to be reconnected with the young people today.

Relationships-Wāhkōtowin: Students need to know that people act in a manner consistent with their cultural frame of kinship reference, and that all people respond in culturally conditioned ways to basic human needs.

• The traditional Nēhiyaw beliefs teach about the relationship between Nēhiyaw ancestors and Mother Earth
• the Nēhiyawak understand that the Mother Earth is the physical manifestation and embodiment of creation that is connected to the sustenance of life.
• spirituality is being inextricably bound to our connection with Mother Earth.
• Identifies all beings – humans, animals, trees, plants, rocks, water, along with other co-habitants of the earth as spiritual beings.
• Connects the people to the earth/land; they can no more separate themselves from the land than can the waterfowl, the cedar trees and the sage. The land connects, born with relationship, nourishes and sustains Nēhiyaw spirituality.
• by extension, we are also connected to all that exist upon it – to the bees which pollinate our flowers, to the animals and plants who give their lives so that we may live, to the waters, the trees, clouds, rock formations and sunsets
• reciprocity is an important part of spirituality and relationship to the land.
• Teaches that we have a responsibility to care for the land in return for what the land provides for us.

 

Support and Guidance-Kayās Nēhiyawēwin: Students need to know through guidance and support the significant meanings that are associated with words and ways of knowing are:

• Askiy Iyinōwak pīkiskwēwin of our mother earth infused with its attributes, its history, its dominant beliefs, including ceremony and rituals
• is inextricably fused to spiritual beliefs about mother earth and creation.
• Life stages of a Nēhiyaw, right of passage.

Ralph  Morin – Manager

• ralph.d.morin@enochnation.ca
• 780.470.0359
• 780.470.0639

Enoch Youth Department

The Enoch Youth Department (EYD) is committed in providing healthy alternatives and positive lifestyle choices for our youth which will help the continuation of building strong, healthy and proud individuals. By engaging the Enoch Community, we ensure that EYD’s activities and programs will meet the growing and diverse needs of both today’s youth and the future’s.

Creating Support

The EYD is an Enoch Cree Nation funded department within the Enoch Cree Nation First Nation. We work in partnership with Mechet Charities Limited to create a safe, supportive environment for the children and youth of Enoch Cree Nation.

The EYD provides funding to youth to participate in a wide variety of sports, activities and programs. For a child or youth to be considered for funding of any sports/activities or programs, they must fall under the guidelines and meet all criteria of the Mechet Charities Limited and the EYD policy.

Guideline Policies

• Child is an Enoch Band Member.
• Child must be between the ages of 3-21 years old. The child must be a minimum of 3 years old before April 1st to be funded for that current fiscal year, and a maximum age of 21 years old before April 1st of that current fiscal year.
• Funding Application form must be completed and signed by the parent or guardian. All necessary information and documentation must be submitted along with the completed application form. The information gathered will determine the child or youth’s eligibility to be funded by the EYD.
• Child is enrolled in an Organization or Association prior to receiving funding for participation.
• Equipment is funded once the child is enrolled in a sport/activity with an Organization or Association.
• The sport/activity or programs that qualify under our guidelines are as follows. This list will be reviewed and updated periodically to accommodate other interests, activities or sports: Arts, Drama, Modelling, Volleyball, Basketball, Lacrosse, Horseback riding, Camping, Music, Dance, Gymnastics, Golf, Soccer, Baseball, Archery, Hockey, Football, Swimming, Skiing, Boxing and MMA.

Recreation Facility

The EYD Youth Centre is located upstairs, gym side, at the Enoch Recreation Centre. It is also accessible to the Arena and the Gym. The Youth Centre is open to children and youth ages 6-17 years of age. Exceptions to this age group will be made at the discretion of Senior Management or the Supervisor.

Before a child/youth can participate in any programs, activities or field trips, the parent or guardian must complete the Enoch Youth Department Youth Centre Participation Form.

Upstairs facilities include: Couch and lounge area, books, 2 pool tables inclusive of pool balls and cues, foosball table, 3 TV’s, gaming consoles (Xbox 360 and PS4), Rock band drums and guitars, microphone, and a ping pong table with accessories.

Youth Centre Hours of Operation

Winter hours (September –June)

Mon, Tues, Wed, & Fri 1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Summer hours (July-August)

Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Jordan Courtepatte – Director

• jordan.courtepatte@enochnation.ca

Enoch Day Care Centre

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4:45pm

About Us

Enoch Day Care provides child care services in a safe, secure, and sanitary environment. We strive to provide child friendly stimulation in a healthy and nurturing manner. Our method of care is a Play to Learn approach which is agreed to be the best way of care by early learning experts.

We serve children aged 12 months to 6 years of age.

We provide well-balanced breakfasts, snacks and lunch.

All rooms have planned art/crafts, gross motor, sand/water, circle time, outside play, reading activities, multicultural/diversity awareness and dramatic play.

We also proved parties for special occasions, such as; holidays, birthdays, year-end
celebrations, etc.

Family Involvement

We maintain an open door policy and happily invite parents to visit during operational hours to observe both the Program and your child(ren)’s interaction with others. Management and staff encourage your involvement in our program and are open to positive feedback to enhance our services. In working together, we believe that a child’s time at the centre will be much more rewarding.

Learning Through Play

What it is

It is recognizing that children learn more when they are engaged in play and that play develops a child’s creativity and problem-solving skills. Play is a healthy part of childhood and not only does it prepare children for learning in school, it promotes strength, coordination and brain development. With this, self-esteem and social skills are built and this aids in the development of friendships. Because of the importance of play for children, it is recognized as a Right of Children by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Play is how children experience their world and bring meaning to it. It models the social framework that builds relationships for life and kindles imagination. Play gives children the chance, in a world where so many carry heavy burdens, to simply be children. It is through play that children learn best.

How we Encourage Play

We provide children with the support, space and time to develop and create their play. The Canadian Child Care Federation suggests that as adults, we must take the time to observe, consult, plan and participate in play, as well as be aware of the potential for learning that play offers.

Types of Play

Enoch Day Care Centre recognizes the different types of play suggested by the Canadian Child Care Federation and incorporates it into our program. The following is only a few types of play you’ll find at our centre:

• Creative: to explore and use their bodies and materials to make and do things.
• Language: by involving children to play with sounds and words.
• Physical: to develop, practise and refine bodily movements.
• Exploratory: practice their physical skills and senses to experience the world around them
• Constructive: the use of materials to build and create anything with the use of natural or manufactured materials.

Our Team

Charlene Morin – Director

• charlene.morin@enochnation.ca

Brittney Bruno – Program Manager

• brittney.bruno@enochnation.ca

Contact Information

• 780.470.5688
• 780.470.4978

Location

P.O. Box 59
Enoch, AB
T7X 3Y3

Enoch Elder Centre

The Enoch Elder centre promotes a healthy and stable environment from which Elders can stop in to visit, socialize and connect with each other. Community is an important part of all people, and we believe that being connected to each other, through friendships and experiences, we create a healthy person and community.

Activities

Staff at the Enoch Elder centre plan daily and monthly activities for Elders to come out and enjoy. There are:

• Arts ‘n’ Crafts
• Sewing Club – Elders are able to come and make regalia and other items
• Monthly Bingo – held so our Elders can gather together to visit and have some relaxing fun
• Presentations – presenters are brought in for cultural teachings, workshops and ceremony.
• Kiyohkatowin – watch for our new The Cree Initiative that helps and promotes the bringing back of our language.

Services Provided

During tax season, we have a staff member on hand to help Elders fill out their forms if they need assistance. Any enquiries needed, we will happily go and search for the information needed.

There are people who need transportation to go for errands, partake in daily life and to just get from one place to the other. We provide transportation so Elders are able to go into the community to make their appointments, get groceries, go to the salon, etc.

There is no question that food brings people together and because of this we provide meals for all events when required.

Elder staff also keeps Elders updated on what is going on by providing a monthly calendar that highlights the days and times of different activities, outings and such for the following month. This is available at the center for pick up.

Annual Trip

Yearly, we organize an annual trip that consists of cultural teachings and historical sites. It is important to the Nation and the Elders in it to stay connected to the First Nation’s heritage and history. These trips are planned to be both fun and educational.

There are also day trips planned as well.

Community Involvement

Being an important part of the community, Elders are often requested by other departments for their insight, opinions and thoughts for matters pertaining to the community and their department. Staff supports this by working with the departments to have the Elders attend when needed.

Contact Information

Walter Callingbull – Program Manager

• 780.470.4515
• walter.callingbull@enochnation.ca

Location

We are located beside the Band Office.

Head Start Program

Our vision is to build positive relationships with children and families; to guide and educate our children to be kindergarten ready.

Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve

The Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve philosophy is to give children an opportunity to learn through play. Enhancing learning through social, physical, intellectual, cognitive and emotional skills, through hands-on experiences. A.H.S.O.R. is committed to reflecting Aboriginal Culture and traditions by ensuring that all children, are nurtured in learning and developing essential skills, with opportunities to stimulate their natural curiosity and eagerness to learn. Culture and Language component will provide children with a positive sense of themselves as Aboriginal children and to build on the children’s knowledge of their Aboriginal languages and experiences of culture in their communities.

Focus on six core components:

• Culture and Language
• Education/School Readiness
• Health Promotion
• Nutrition
• Social Supports
• Parent Involvement

How do I participate in the program?

Priority for eligibility will be given to those children who are:

• First Nation. When program reaches full to capacity children will be put on a wait list until there is space.
• From low-income families.
• 3- 4 years of age by September of starting school year.
• Parents must be willing to commit to volunteer 2 hours each month.
• Children must be fully potty trained.

Regular Classes run from September to June, 4 days a week
Monday-Thursday
A.M Class 9:30-11:30am

Head Start Staff

Charity Redstar – Coordinator
Kriston Alexander – Ward-Coordinator
Cheyenne McGillis – Early Childhood Educator
Roberta Steinhaur – Early Childhood Educator
Dennis Littlechild – Cook
Jerry Stawnichy – Bus Driver

Contact Us

• 780.470.4900

Charity Redstar – Coordinator

• charity.redstar@enochnation.ca

Kriston Alexandar – Ward-Coordinator

• kriston.alexandar@enochnation.ca

Location

Enoch Head Start
Box 60
Enoch, AB
T7X 3Y3

KEA Transportation

We provide support to families to ensure the safe travel of their children so they can complete their studies whether it is on the reserve or off. We are available to transport for Enoch Cree Nation’s field trips and for band companies. For the safety of those traveling, our bus drivers have a class 2 license, criminal record checks and have their First Aid Certificate.

Services Provided

• Bus schedules: each bus schedule, with pick up and drop off times are provided. Schedules are between 6:30am-4:00pm for drop off.

• We provide bus services for students attending;

  • Kitaskinaw School
  • St. Thomas Moore
  • St. Benedict
  • St. Francis Xavier
  • Jasper Place Composite High School
  • Westlawn Jr. High
  • Annunciation Elementary School
  • Oscar Romero High School

Contact Information

Howard (Smokey) McDonald – Manager/Transportation Manager

• howard.mcdonald@enochnation.ca
• 780.470.3623
• 780.221.4510

Address

Box 60
Enoch, AB
T7X 3Y3

Student Services

The Enoch Student Services department provides a variety of services primarily to Off-Reserve Enoch Cree Nation band members to enhance and support their educational needs. It is our goals that students are able to achieve their greatest potential in an educational setting. Success is important for the positive growth of our community members and give them the ability for a good future.

ESS has the following services available:

• Off-Reserve School Fees & Supplies – financial assistance for school fees, school supplies, field trips, transportation, tutoring services and sports academies
• Support Services – Coordinators monitor, support, and encourage students to participate and achieve success in their educational journeys.
• Educational Travel Enhancement – financial assistance for an approved school field trip to travel abroad to other countries.
• Honoring Ceremony – organize, plan and coordinate a ceremony to recognize student success and achievement for all Enoch Cree Nation Grade 12 and Post-Secondary Graduates.

We also administer the Post-Secondary Student Program which provides financial assistance to our students to cover the costs of tuition, textbooks, tutoring services, and living allowance:

• Top Up Program – a monthly financial supplement provided to Post-Secondary students during the academic school year.

Enoch Student Services also organizes and coordinates the Summer Student Internship/Placement Program for Enoch Cree Nation in Junior High, High School and Post-Secondary. This occurs during the summer months for students.

Contact Information

Michelle M. Morin – Manager

• michelle.m.morin@enochnation.ca
• 780.470.0359