b'COVER STORYJeannette Corbiere Lavell, Citizenship Commissioner, Anishinabek Nation, speaking in Sault Ste. Marie at a presentation on citizenship.languages, the true meaning of thoseIn August 2019, the Chief Atahm Schoolstrong cultural identity and strength, teachings can only be taught usingadded to its programs with the openingsays Matthew. Indigenous languages.of a high school and language centre.The school is small, with 50 students in Advocating for and investing inBefore adding the new building, the highKindergarten to Grade 10. They expect language programs for Indigenousschool students attended class in a roommore high school students when the new children and youth are importantin the schools gym and then in a smallschool is fully functional. The school also ways for First Nations to moveportable building.has a smokehouse for preserving deer toward nationhood. By moving awayRobert Matthew, Director of Educationmeat and fish. from having outside states dictatingfor Adams Lake, says the school hasOne of the updates with the opening of how to educate their children, Firstthree programs: primary immersion,the new building is high-speed Internet. Nations are acting like sovereignintermediate and high school/adultThis allows the school to effectively Nations. Offering full immersionlearning. The primary immersioncommunicate with parents by updating and language programs is an actincludes a language nest for babies up toinformation on their websites, sending of sovereignty.three years old and an elementary school.e-newsletters and using social media. It In 1987, parents from Little Shuswap,A language nest program allows youngalso allows the school to work with Neskolith and Adams Lake startedchildren to be immersed in the language,outside agencies, including distance a language immersion program towith parents helping participate andlearning and language specialists. speak Secwepemctsin. This led tolearn the language as well. This program the development of Chief Atahmhelps create new language speakers toWe believe that children should learn School, which is parent-operated andrevitalize the language. Full immersionabout the land under their feet as well as administered by Adams Lake, in 1991. is offered in the elementary school fromother nations, says Matthew. Nursery Kindergarten to Grade 4. Defining CitizenshipAt Chief Atahm School on AdamsFor the intermediate program, GradeThe ability to determine its citizens is Lake Indian Band in British5 to 7 students receive instruction inanother important aspect of Nation Columbia, students understand theboth English and Secwepemctsin. InBuilding. Since the Indian Act was importance of using their language asthe high school program, one course ispassed in 1876, First Nations had an a way to live in balance with nature.dedicated to Secwepemc traditions. Anoutside state dictating who their citizens The school is grounded on the beliefadult immersion university program iswere. This resulted in citizens being that knowledge of the language,offered through an affiliation with Simondisplaced or disconnected from their traditional practices and beliefs ofFraser University. First Nation through loss of status or the Secwepemc will establish andenfranchisement. In moving toward maintain a healthy and balancedOur goal is to increase the number ofnationhood, First Nations need to be able living environment. IndividualsSecwepemctsin speakers. In the wholeto determine for themselves who their will be prepared for todays worldSecwepemc Nation there are few speakerscitizens are. and help to protect the earth forleft. At the school we believe that we tellqelmucw, the people to come andare defined by our language and ourThe Anishinabek Nation has passed a for all living beings.land. This knowledge is the basis for acitizenship law that gives communities 76 The Circle Winter Issue 1 2019'