'Na Aksa Gila Kyew Adult Learning Centre

Heading west from the City of Terrace, British Columbia, the majestic Skeena River across the small First Nations community of Kitsumkalum (pronounced Kits-um-kay-lum.) Known as the People of the Robin, the Kitsumkalum peoples follow the time-honoured tradition of passing cultural traditions, property and status to their children through the mother's side of the family. There's no question women play a central role in Kitsumkalum society, linking each generation to the past.

For some women, like Charlotte Guno Principal of the 'Na Aksa Gila Kyew Learning Center and Education Coordinator for the Kitsumkalum First Nation, keeping her culture and her community connected is more than a personal priority – it's one of the main reasons she started the 'Na Aksa Gila Kyew Learning centre (pronounced "Ena-axa-Gila-Keeo"), Kitsumkalum's adult education program. On the surface, the learning centre is like any other adult education program, offering courses in English, Science and Math so that students can build a foundation for their future studies. What sets it apart is its emphasis on teaching in a culturally relevant way.

A Culturally Respectful Learning Environment

Here at the 'Na Aksa Gila Kyew Learning Centre, students study their local language, Sm'algyax, (pronounced "Sim-al-gee-uk") and learn about traditional foods in a nutrition class. Teacher in charge Colleen Austin is the driving force behind many of the school's unique programs and teaching methods. With a background in Aboriginal & Special education, Austin knows that students learn best when they feel supported. So she pays attention to the needs of each and every student.

"All of our students have a bad story to tell about their high school experiance."explained Austin. My job is to change the perception they have about their own education." Working closely with a small group of students means Austin can go beyond the conventional role of teacher. Whether that means lending an ear or hand-stitching a family's crest onto a graduation gown, Austin will go beyond the call of duty to help her students succeed.

Physical Education at 'Na Aksa Gila Kyew The PE 11/12 program at NAGK addresses several important components of the Ministry of Education curriculum, two of which are group fitness and healthy lifestyles. Group fitness, thus far, has included playing basketball in the Kitsumkalum Hall and participating in a weekly walk with community members and Band staff. The healthy lifestyles component promotes nutrition with a healthy daily lunch and having guest speakers present topics such as the process of tobacco cessation.

ICT at 'Na Aksa Gila Kyew Students at NAGK use the computer lab for their ICT(Information Computer Technology) courses. This lab is complete with 12 fully networked stations all loaded with the latest and greatest software. ICT instructor Tod Strachan teaches students how to use programs like Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and many more. "A really good course (ICT 11) because I was basically computer illiterate until I started. If it wasn't for this course I still would not be using computers." - Mike Watson ICT is an important course which gives students an edge when entering post secondary education or the workforce.

"I really enjoy it. It is very helpful. Right now I am working with Tod to create a manual for Corel Draw which is not available. This will help people use the program that have never used one like this before." - Robert McLeod "I think the course is very useful. It is teaching me how to take my pictures, transfer them to a computer and edit them. Fix mistakes and crop them and if they are blurry to make them sharper." - Patricia Bolton Tod and students Robert McLeod and Patricia Bolton are also writing the curriculum for an ICT 12 program. The course will include Web pages, photography, video production and graphic arts.