N'Swakamok
The N'Swakamok Native Alternative School operates as a satellite of Sudbury Secondary School in partnership with the N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre. The Friendship Centre provides the facility and two staff members - a Native Education Support Worker and a Clerical Support Worker. Rainbow District School Board provides the teaching staff.
To attend the school First Nations, Métis and Inuit students must be a minimum of 16 years old and out of school for a period of time. Students work at their own pace on independent learning courses modified to include Native content. Students receive one-on-one assistance from teachers.
The N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre provides a warm and friendly environment where students have access to all other programs and services offered within the Centre. The N'Swakamok Native Alternative School also offers an adult literacy program providing Native adults with an opportunity to upgrade their literacy and numeracy skills so they can one day successfully complete credit courses towards their secondary school diploma.
The N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre and Rainbow District School Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding January 30, 2008 for the N'Swakamok Native Alternative School, renewing a long-time partnership.
Rainbow District School Board and the N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre recognize the need to provide culturally relevant services and options to Native students who wish to obtain a high school diploma. The Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms this collective commitment to Native youth.
The Ministry of Education has identified Native education as a key priority in Ontario, aimed at improving student achievement for all Native students, including status and non-status First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children and youth. The vision is to create a better future for Native children and youth in Ontario.
The Memorandum of Understanding will have a direct impact on students by strengthening educational opportunities and increasing the pathways available to Native students to complete their secondary school diploma or successfully connect with postsecondary education, apprenticeships and/or the workplace. The agreement also provides for support services to address the concerns of Native students to ensure educational success for all.
For more information, please call 705.674.2128.
