The City of Colwood and the Piikani Nation communities are each celebrating new educational facilities this month. In Colwood, the Hulitan Early Years Centre has officially opened. The space provides trauma-informed, Indigenous-specific child care and wraparound services for Indigenous children. “We have cultural programming, we have therapists available, we have higher staff-to-child ratios,” said Hulitan Family and Community Services Society Executive Director Kendra Gage. In Alberta, Piikani Nation has received federal funding to construct a school with space for 600 students from K-12. Students who currently attend school off reserve will be able to access culturally appropriate education and Blackfoot programs. The school will also provide the community with a gathering place for community events and cultural activities. “This school will also create great learning opportunities for our students in a modern facility with all the amenities for a bright future ahead,” said Piikani Nation Chief Troy Knowlton.
