Sagamok Anishnawbek recently celebrated the grand opening of a new elementary school called Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik, which will serve children in grades 1-8. The school has everything students will need in one building, including a gymnasium and cafeteria, with access to a nearby natural outdoor space for land-based learning. As a First Nations School, students will learn about their traditions and history as part of their education. The building was designed with colours inspired by nature. The grand opening festivities included a prayer, an honour song, a dedication, and commemorative photos; students attended dressed in ribbon skirts and ribbon shirts sewn by Sagamok’s Grandmas and Aunties Group. “Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik represents a bright future for the youth of Sagamok Anishnawbek,” commented Terry Sheehan, MP for Sault Ste Marie. “This new school is a foundation for both education and self-determination within the community, where children can build a future rooted in cultural knowledge and strength.”
