Infrastructure at the Heart of the Community: Language
Victor Houle talks about a kindergarten to grade 12 school project in Enoch Cree Nation #440.
Infrastructure at the Heart of the Community: Language
Transcript
(Image of Investing in First Nations community infrastructure interactive map)
(Alberta is highlighted on the map and a marker appears on the community)
(A white rectangle with text appears above the map)
Text on screen:
Project: Kindergarten to Grande 12 School
Community: Enoch Cree Nation #440, Alberta
(Text fades away, new text appears)
Infrastructure at the Heart of the community: Language
Victor Houle speaking: I think the importance of this facility was incorporating the culture and language through our Nation.
(Photo of Victor Houle in front of a school building, with text below)
Text on screen:
Victor Houle, Executive Director – Infrastructure, Enoch Cree Nation #440, AB
Victor Houle: My name is Victor Houle, the Executive Director of Infrastructure for Enoch Cree Nation.
(Victor Houle speaking inside the school gymnasium)
(Maskēkosak Kiskinomatowikamik is written on the wall behind him and each word is highlighted as he explains its meaning)
Victor Houle: "Maskēkosak", the word "Maskēkosak", means "people from the land of medicine". "Kiskinomatowikamik", [the] translation means, "a place of learning and teaching."
(Outside wall with the school’s name and a tipi-shaped structure by the building entrance)
Victor Houle: So "Maskēkosak kiskinomatowikamik" came from a cultural ceremony that the Chief and Council attended.
(Victor Houle speaking inside the school gymnasium)
Victor Houle: It wasn't a word that was just hand-picked by an individual to say "This is the word for your school." It came through ceremony.
(School cafeteria with Cree language words on the wall)
(Close-up on the name of the school in the gymnasium)
Victor Houle: I think the importance of this facility, it was incorporating the culture and language through our Nation.
(Victor Houle speaking inside the school gymnasium)
Text on screen:
Mamāwohkamātowin
Victor Houle: We'll use words like "mamāwohkamātowin", "Everyone working together".
(Inside the school gymnasium, the cafeteria can be seen through a window on the wall)
Victor Houle: I think this project is a true testament of that word.
(Victor Houle speaking inside the school gymnasium)
Victor Houle: Not only just the membership, but the openness that they had with our prime consultant, our general contractors, and all the sub-trades that came along with it.
(A students crossing sign in Cree in front of the school) with the school in background)
Victor Houle: And it's right in the center of our... of the hub of our community.
(Victor Houle speaking inside the school gymnasium)
Victor Houle: What you see in the hallways here are the history of Enoch Cree Nation:
(Historic photo of community members hanging by the school entrance)
(Large historic photo showing a gathering on a wall)
(Display case containing sports memorabilia and cultural objects)
Victor Houle: The pow wow days, or the Treaty celebration in the past; you’ll see the history of, and they all have a story to tell.
(Map of Canada with Alberta highlighted)
(A marker shows the community on the map, text appears on screen)
Text on screen:
School Facilities
New School
Project: Kindergarten to Grande 12 School
Community: Enoch Cree Nation #440, Alberta
Visit www.canada.ca/infrastructure-on-reserve to see all projects supported by the Government of Canada’s First Nations targeted infrastructure investments.