The Cree word “Ehpewapahk” according to our Cree elder, Marvin Littlechild, means that the sun is just peeping over the horizon and promises a sunny day with a bright blue sky. The word further implies that one’s future is filled with newness and hope. We tell our Cree students that our program promises them a bright future. Our little blue schoolhouse is located in Hobbema, Alberta. We are within walking distance of the two larger schools: Ermineskin Primary School and Ermineskin Junior/Senior High School. Our school offers four type of programs: a Grade 10 vocational type program based on the Alberta Education curriculum standards; a behaviour modification program called the Sohki Program that services the Primary and the Junior High Schools; a High School Outreach program that services students who require an alternative way of getting their high school; and, finally an attendance referral program that provides one-on-one help for those students who experience difficulty in attending school on a regular basis.
We have two Cree advisors who provide Cree cultural education to our students in the Ehpewapahk program and the Sohki program. We also have a Cree elder who provides counselling to all of our students once a week.
Our vision at Ehpewapahk is to foster students’ awareness of their Cree identity. We do this through our various courses such as the Aboriginal Perspectives course which gives them knowledge of their past history and at the same time encourages them to examine current issues and perspectives. In addition we offer Outdoor Education that embraces land-based learning. And finally we offer the Special Projects that allows students to explore their talents as well as integrate Cree history and culture. We also offer CTS modules and academic courses.