SASKATOON — The new location of the city’s first bilingual school, awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik St. Francis School, is set to open for the coming school year, welcoming about 600 students from across Saskatoon. Teachers and staff are busy preparing classrooms and finishing decorations before Sept. 2.
The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ (GSCS) language and cultural program began at St. Frances School on McPherson Avenue in 2007, adding one grade per year, with enrolment growing from 40 to more than 600 students from over 50 neighbourhoods in the city in the following 12 years. GSCS planned for a replacement school due to the rapid growth.
In 2020, the provincial government announced funding for the plans and design of the new school. In 2021, the former Sion Middle School was demolished to make way for construction. The new school was renamed awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik St. Francis School, honouring St. Francis for his connection with nature and God’s creatures.
The Cree name awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik (pronounced a-wah-sih-suk gha-knee-meet-oh-chik) means “children who dance.” GSCS superintendent of education Kelly Cardinal said the name reflects the many aspects of Indigenous culture that have been incorporated into activities, including learning about traditional medicine.
Cardinal said every aspect of the school, from its Northern Lights–inspired design to its construction, was created in consultation with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, in line with the Catholic church’s reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples.
The design intentionally moved away from box-style brick structures that resembled residential schools and could trigger painful memories. The school will also include Indigenous rituals such as smudging, as well as a teepee in an open indoor space for cultural ceremonies and celebrations.
“When we talk about reconciliation, relationship is an integral part of that, as is healing and that dialogue between groups,” Cardinal said during a tour on Wednesday.
“Part of this school is to come together, to learn, to provide and make space where there wasn't before. So, really, the ability to come together with a shared mindset that is in support of the children's future and the children's education and knowing that we need to do that work together, and what does that look like.”
Cardinal added that, while awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik St. Francis School is part of the Catholic school division, students will still attend Mass, take part in daily prayers and participate in catechesis and Catholic religious education — alongside Indigenous ceremonies, feasts, smudging, and, if they choose, attending a sweat lodge.
“It's about creating the opportunity for culture and identity and worldviews. To feel valued and understood and acknowledged, but also not shying away from that history and actually being able to talk about it together and from those conversations move forward, be it with students or with staff or with the board and with the public and the elders and the parents,” Cardinal said.
