Wap Sigatgyet

For many years the Indigenous Education Department was situated in the basement of one of our elementary schools.  We were one of the corner offices in the District Resource Center. In 2004 the Indigenous Education Council started discussions with SD Board of Education and the Management team about the importance of having our Indigenous programs and services housed in a place that would honour and reflect the sense of pride in our quality Indigenous Education programs, services and resources.  Council also wanted a place to heighten how important Indigenous Education is in the district, a district with over 64% Indigenous student population. 

After many meetings a separate building was identified and renovated for the Indigenous Education Department.  Our Indigenous Education Council in partnership with our Ts’msyen Language Authority named the building Wa̱p Sig̱atgyet, which means House of Building Strength in Sm’algya̱x. It is a place that is welcoming and has a strong sense of belonging for the community and all partner groups. 

Over the past almost 13 years Wa̱p Sig̱atgyet has welcomed and hosted a wide range of district and community meetings on a daily basis. The Sm’algya̱x Committee, Ts’msyen Sm’algya̱x Language Authority and the Sm’algya̱x teachers meet at Wa̱p Sig̱atgyet on a regular basis. Wa̱p Sig̱atgyet houses a large Indigenous content library and teacher and student resources for use in the classroom. Since Wa̱p Sig̱atgyet opened, the importance of Indigenous Education and Indigenous history, language and culture has very much increased in the community and in the district.