Vision
To cultivate a daily, dynamic learning environment where students develop a deep understanding and appreciation for the Iethka language and culture to create an economically and socially thriving community.
Purpose
To foster the academic, social and spiritual growth of each individual student through personalized daily culturally centered project-based and land based learning.
We will provide a strong academic foundation to promote knowledge, skills and practices, through engaging individuals in career pathways including STEAM related careers.
Mission
The purpose of the Tata’ga Skade Academy project is to reconnect our young people with our own values of spiritual, cultural, and social community. To educate, empower and build capacity of Nakoda Nation members by developing an educational community with a strong, vibrant cultural and language component. Our focus is to utilize career pathways to create socioeconomic interdependence with integrity, unity and a solid spiritual foundation. Our students will be successful spiritually, culturally, and economically and have the expectation that they will have a successful life including a rewarding and meaningful career.
The students of Tata’ga Skade Academy will experience a unique educational environment that:
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Fosters a joy of learning through project and land based experiential learning
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Develop a strong spiritual foundation that will strengthen their self worth, their kinship, and community ties.
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Promotes and prepares students for success in a wide range of careers including Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM)
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Creates seamless transitions from secondary to post-secondary education and training
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Students will become self-motivated and own the meaning of their life-long learning journey
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Give students life-long skills such as co-operation, leadership, interpersonal relations, critical thinking, decision making, organization, public speaking and community service.
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Implement programs focusing on developing self-confidence, teamwork, interpersonal and leadership skills.
Guiding Principles
Tata’ga Skade Academy will revolve around the following key guiding principles:
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To decolonize by walking the Iethka way.
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The Nakoda language is central to our traditional way of life and our future thriving
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We serve one another
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We live in harmony with all creation because we all share collective responsibility
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Respect for our Elders and kinship lies at the heart of the school
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Recognise and teach that there are spiritual values in everything we do
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Have reverence for the creator and all creation and the spiritual life
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We use our traditional ways of learning which include role modelling, storytelling, land based learning, guidance and respect.
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Experiential Learning (learn to do by doing): Provide daily hands-on learning experiences, practical training, and real-world application of concepts to enhance student understanding and skill development.
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We embrace technological advancements and innovative approaches to enhance the linguistic and cultural learning experience.
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We foster community engagement, including partnerships with local community members and leaders, businesses, organizations, stakeholders, and government agencies to promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, and community development.
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We foster an interactive and supportive engagement with parents to help them be in a position to support the students in their learning.
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We take an interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of our culture, social, economic, and spiritual lives.
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We are an inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity, promotes fairness, and values individual students’ strengths and talents to help each student find their path.
School Philosophy
By serving one another we discover our gifts, talents, and our role in the world and learn to appreciate others and our related responsibilities. Living the law of oneness enables us to live in harmony with all creation. Through living by our traditional ways, we will be independent and experience completeness of life.
The Nakoda language is central to our traditional way of life and fundamental to the development of self-confidence and assertiveness which is necessary for integration with the global society.
Respect for our Elders and kinship also lies at the heart of the Nakoda way. We have inherited our language, culture, and identity from our ancestors. The teachings of our Elders provide the basis for continuity in the Nakoda way. Understanding one’s kinship leads to respect of our Elders and the ancestral ways. This knowledge also establishes identity and helps young people take their place in the family and community.
Our traditional ways of learning include role modelling, storytelling, guidance and discipline. Elders and the extended family pass on cultural values. These teachings help young people understand the balance of life and also how the social, political, economic and ritual aspects of the community complement each other. However, we cannot achieve this balance and harmony without the teaching of spiritual values. Reverence for the Creator results in respect for Elders, family, community and self. An appreciation of the beauty of the world, of which the Creator has made us a part, helps us value others and ourselves.
Elimination of Barriers
The academy recognises that there are many barriers that limit the ability of First Nation students from reaching their full potential. Ongoing colonization impacts us all in so many ways on a daily basis. The Tata’ga Skade Academy recognises the reality of these barriers and will work tirelessly to support each student to overcome their barriers and find their path of success.
The ethos of the school includes fairness and collaboration, and everybody will treat each other with kindness, respect, and integrity; there will be no room for bullying.