The Cat Lake Band Education Program
History of Cat Lake
The original name of the community was “Where the Water Ends” as all major rivers - the Albany , Severn, Pipestone all originate from the Cat River . It is also the name of the local hockey team. Local legend states that Cat Lake got its name because someone saw a Lynx jumping over the narrows to the island. This area was then called Lynx Narrows , when translated into English they didn't know the name for Lynx so called it Cat.
The community has been established for over 7,000 years. There are many archaeological sites that have never been excavated. The first known trade relations occurred in 1783. It received its reserve status in 1973.
Teacher Handbook
Welcome! We are excited you have shown interest in joing our educational team. This handbook is intended to help orient you to our school and our community. It is important that you have knowledge of where you will be living for the next year or maybe years. Adaptation and adjustment are key factors to becoming part of our community. This is an introduction to your new home and teaching place.
We want to help you prepare for an interesting and new life in a unique community and for teaching in a new cross-cultural and English as a Second Language teaching environment.
I want to acknowledge the school administration, teachers, leadership and the Board of Education who participated in compiling this Handbook. We have seen so many of our colleagues struggle to adjust to our culture that we felt a handbook such as this would be very helpful and necessary. We would like to provide more detailed information and all about our community but that would be short of writing a book. This Handbook is an introduction to our school and to what life is like in Cat Lake, Ontario. It is intended to orient teachers to our community by:
- providing teachers with information about the language and culture of the Ojibway people and some background on the community
- providing information on our school system
- providing information about teaching materials in our schools
- providing information about the English as a Second Language (ESL) environment in our school
- familiarizing new teachers with community leaders and elders
- outlining seervices available in the community
With the help of teachers, support staff, and Education Members this Handbook is designed to assist teachers in the orientation process.
Have a GREAT teaching year and remember: If you have any questions, concerns, doubts, just ask and do not assume!
Table of Contents :
The Community and the People | Community Services | Titotay Memorial School
Culturally Relevant Education | Learning Styles for Native Children |
Ways to Inspire Student Achievement
Social Life |
Important Things & Things to Bring
The Community Of Cat Lake
On Reserve Population: IN 2002 : 571
Off Reserve Population: IN 2002 : 50
Languages Spoken: English and Ojibway
Land Base:
Means of Access: The only means of access are by air or winter road . The winter road comes in from Pickle Lake and is open for 3 or 4 months out of the year . Wasaya Airlines and Slate Falls Airways fly in on a daily basis . The community also has it's own airline service which is called Cat Air.
The current Chief and Council consist of; Chief Wifred Wesley, Council members: Russell Wesley, Gordon Wesley, Elsie Gray and Allan Ombash
The Cat Lake First Nation has several departments such as; Economic Development Corporation, Public Works, Education Authority, Health Authority, APW Healing Center, Recreation, Welfare and Power Utility that are responsible for providing programs and services to the community membership.
Transportation services to the community are mainly provided by the following airlines; Cat Air , Slate Falls Airways, and Wasaya Airlines for passengers. The community also relies on other airlines such as; Wasaya Airlines, Bamaji Airlines and Slate Falls Airlines for freight services and passenger services.
POPULATION
The Cat Lake community has a population of 535 people. In 1990, according to statistics provided by Band administrators, 50% of the population is comprised of individuals less than 15 years old.
In 1988, the three First Nations of Bearskin Lake, Cat Lake and Sachigo Lake took over control of education programs from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. At that time, Windigo Education Authority was formed to provide the opportunity for collaborative decision-making. Local education authorities were established and have developed over the past 12 years. Slate Falls First Nation joined the W.E.A. in 1997.
LOCATION
Cat Lake First Nation is an isolated native community accessible by aircraft only. It is situated approximately 179 kilometres due north of Sioux Lookout in Northwestern Ontario. The nearest urban centre is Pickle Lake, approximately 115 air kilometres northeast of Cat Lake. The Cat Lake Reserve is approximately 538 acres in size and situated on the north shores of the Cat Lake river system. The community is located on the southeast corner of the Reserve.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Cat Lake First Nation
P.O. Box 81
Cat Lake, Ontario
P0V 1J0
Tel. (807) 347-2100
Fax (807) 347-2116
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Community Services
- Margaret Gray Nursing Station
- NAPS (Nishawbe-Aski Police Service)
Margaret Gray Nursing Station
The Health Care Centre provides health services to the community. Primary care nurses provide 24 hour emergency care. Clinic hours are Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. Services include health programs and treatments as well. The health care team consists Community Health Nurses and Practitioners and one Homecare Nurse, and two community health representatives (CHR's). The nearest medical facility with doctor services is Sioux Lookout District Health Centre which has a 32 bed occupancy and facilities to deliver low-risk pregnancies.
For emergency medical evacuations, there is an air ambulance from Sioux Lookout to transport patients via air to Sioux Lookout District Health Centre.
Mental Health Services are provided on a daily basis in the community.
Dentists and optometrists come in one or two times a year.
Other specialized services are available in Sioux Lookout and Winnipeg.
For more information, contact Matthew Keewaykapow, Health Director (807-347-2553) or the Nurse in Charge at 807-347-2110.
Local Businesses/Services
1) Wally's Gas Bar - smaller establishment mainly sells pop and chips.
2) Charles' Place - they sell Chester Fried Chicken.
3) Northern Store
The Northern Store is more accessible for teachers since the teacherages are close to the store. The prices are quite comparable in the community but tend to be more expensive if you are used to shopping at Safeway or the Super Store in larger centers.
FOR STORE HOURS AND OTHER INFORMATION, the contact person is Pyerr Gatz, Store Manager at 807-347-2111.
4) Nishnawbe-Aski Police Services
They currently have 3 constables on staff. The detachment supervisor is Cst. Lianne Shakakeesic.
NAPS in Cat Lake are committed to community-based policing which is a partnership between the police and the community, sharing the delivery of police services. Members of the Cat Lake detachment pledge to treat all people equally and with respect, to uphold the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to serve and protect the community, and to work with the community and other agencies to prevent or resolve problems that affect the community's safety and quality of life.
Members of the Cat Lake Detachment are involved in Restorative Justice Initiatives as well as other community events.
All members of the detachment frequent the school giving lectures and also participate in judging contests and assist in mediation when necessary. The detachment has excellent working relationships and active participation with the Chief and Council. Their goal is not only to be peacekeepers but to also be part of, and work with, the community to provide a quality service.
The community and the detachment have been working towards developing a positive working relationship with the community.
Meridian Air International (Cat Air)
Cat Air was first purchased in the summer of 2002. They now have 3 airplanes providing flight service mainly between 3 communities, Slate Falls, Cat Lake and Sioux Lookout. Besides providing a passenger service they also provide a freight service.
The six seat Beaver is stationed in Cat Lake to provide charter services to surrounding communities. Besides the Beaver they also own a Cherokee 6 and a 206.
FOR MORE INFORMATION on flights and charters, call Charlie Wesley at 347-2396.
Our School:Titotay Memorial School
Titotay Memorial School was opened in 1978. At present there are eight classrooms serving approximately 140 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 including a Special Education Program.
The school also has a fully functioning computer lab. The school has its own outdoor hockey rink. baseball diamonds and playing field.
The Philosophy and Goals of Education in Cat Lake
The people of Cat Lake believe that education must provide our children with the knowledge they need to become contributing members of their community and wherever they choose to live.
Education must enable our children:
a) to be proud of their cultural background
b) to retain their native language
c) to have respect for themselves and others
Our school strongly believes in meeting student's academic needs and providing an atmosphere conducive to the development of positive attitudes and skills with respect to learning, social interaction, mutual respect for self and others. We believe in and promote the Ojibwe culture, language and values of our students.
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A Culturally Relevant Education
The following are recommendations for teachers who teach second-language speakers:
- provide a multicultural education for all children
- become familiar with, and appreciate the ways of our community
- identify and emphasize positive Ojibwe values
- develop the child's self concept
- adapt instruction to the child's learning style
- inspire high but fair expectations
- involve the parents, elders and community people
- promote cooperation, self-reliance and group decision making
- instill pride and respect for self, others and school property
- show respect for elders and our leadership
Listed below are 11 Learning Styles that take into account ways that Native Canadians learn:
- recognize, encourage and use alternate ways of learning
- learn about the child's early training
- use family techniques of teaching such as modeling
- let children learn from their peers
- lower the stress of oververbalization by slowing down speech when necessary
- teach listening skills
- emphasize applying things learned in school to their daily lives
- teach through the arts, dance, music and local art
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Student Achievement
To inspire higher achievement by students:
- let students help each other succeed; never stop them form conversing in Ojibwe
- be an enthusiastic motivator
- accept humour and make school fun
- learn to use effective positive reinforcement
- provide a challenging curriculum
- ask high level questions, develop their thinking skills
- use evaluation to improve learning
- emphasize strengths, not weaknesses to avoid creating animosity with the students
- teach self-motivation
- help students to establish goals and to follow through with a plan
- challenge the students
- reinforce effort by honoring achievement
- teach through stories and legends
Social Life/Recreational Activities
So you have had a typically easy day of teaching and now you're ready for a night out on the town. What does one do to occupy their time?
Staff usually get together and socialize over potlucks and movies. Cat Lake is a dry reserve and Band Employees (which we are) can be suspended for drinking. Possessing alcohol is a chargeable offence.
Radio bingo can be an experience of a lifetime for some. There are also community bingos, cribbage tournaments, rummage sales, Moose derbies and dances. Staff usually have gym nights for semiorganized sports like volleyball, badminton, basketball, depending on interests but these haven't happened due to the structural damage to the gym complex that was the result of a fire.
If you like the outdoors you can go canoeing, play broomball or hockey, fishing, hunting, camping, walking/hiking, biking, etc.
If you enjoy reading bring a good selection of books and magazines with you.
The Northern Store has a good selection of videos and DVD's for rent if you like watching movies.
Music is a great stress reliever so be sure to bring your favourite cassettes and CD's.
If you would like to upgrade your teaching qualifications, there are a number of Universities (ie Lakehead, Queens University, etc) that provide additional teaching qualification courses via Distance Education. Other schools offer courses via the internet.
The school has several after-school activities considered to be extra-curricular such as the Yearbook, and after school sports programs. Staff are expected to be involved in extra-curricular and after school programs with students. This also brings you closer to the community members and students.
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The following are words of advice from seasoned teachers:
- buy lots of food and toiletries
- bring a suitcase; sometimes your luggage does not arrive with you
- bring bed sheets and blankets; sometimes the luggage arrives before you
- bring adequate food, a sleeping bag, and cooking utensils to survive the first week
- send packages ahead - postal information - Express Post, courier, etc
- dogs are not pets; don't be offended they are strays
- garbage is common
- dress code is casual
- buy lots of stamps
- limited fresh fruit
- entertainment bring satellite dish
- banking (get internet banking) Windigo also provides Direct Deposit for teachers
- some teachers order groceries from Sioux Lookout, Ontario
- Winter starts early so be prepared for it!! Buy a good jacket, boots, gloves, mitts, scarf ... etc.
- bring a pair of rubber boots, raincoat and umbrella
- and don't forget your long underwear and heavy socks
- towels, battery operated clocks (power goes out often), iron, laundry detergent, candles, bug spray, and prescription to last until your first visit home
What to Bring
The following are some suggested supplies you may want to bring with you.
- pictures any other things from home so as to make the teacherage feel more like your place and not just a temporary apartment
- bread maker if you are making bread
- sports equipment (fishing rod, hockey, baseball glove, skiis
- additional teaching resources
- camera (standard or digital)
- credit card: A credit card is a necessity in Cat Lake. Ordering airplane tickets, groceries, etc can quickly run into several hundred dollars therefore the use of a major credit card to pay for these purchases is the easiest and most convenient way.
- telephone: Contact Bell Canada @ 1-807-310-2355. Their office is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5 pm Eastern time. They will require the last registed phone number of the apartment that you will be residing in. To obtain the information call the Education Authority Office @ 807-347-2522 and speak to the Education Coordinator, Mr. Wally Baskatawang. Please call in advance to get your phone connected because it does take one or two weeks to get the phone line activated.
In Closing,
Hopefully, we have answered some of your questions you may have but if you still have questions or require clarification, please feel free to contact the Cat Lake First Nation Education Authority @ 1-807-347-2522. Meegwetch!
