Nihkanis Centre
Aboriginal Head Start
PO Box 960
Fort Smith NT X0E 0P0
Tel: (867) 872-5051
Fax: (867) 872-3012
email

Welcome to the Nihkanis Aboriginal Headstart Centre. The term Nihkanis is Cree meaning "Leader of Children".

Our center opened its doors December 1998 and is administered by the Salt River First Nations.

The Aboriginal Head Start program provides an opportunity for 32 children to participate in one of two half-day preschool programs. Dene and Metis children from the community of Fort Smith attend the center and are taught the Cree language and culture in the classroom setting. Cree is the primary Aboriginal language spoken, in addition to English.

We employ two full-time staff members to deliver and administer the Aboriginal Head Start program: Ed Hunter, Teacher/Coordinator and Mary Ann Beaulieu, Teacher Assistant. Mary Cardinal is the Cree language instructor, Diana Tuckey & Elizabeth Catholique are the Teacher's Assistant trainees funded partly by the AkaitchoFirst Nations and Salt River First Nations.

Throughout the year, the children are engaged in a number of traditional activities The Cree language is taught on a daily basis. Culture camps are set up for the students where they will attend for one week. The children learn how to make dryfish, drymeat, set snares, how to drum and drum dance, make bannock, take nature walks and listen to stories from our local elders.

The preschool program is having a positive impact on the children and is making a tremendous difference in their lives.

BACK TO TOP
BACK TO MAIN
BACK TO AHS CONTACT LIST