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"We have a vision of a Secwépemc speaking community living in balance with nature"
Chief Atahm School is grounded on the belief that knowledge of the language, traditional practices and beliefs of the Secwepemc will establish and maintain a healthy and balanced living environment. Individuals will be prepared for today’s world and help to protect the earth for Tellqelmúcw, the people to come, and for all living beings.
Foundational Beliefs
In the spirit of etsxe (vision quest), we believe that:
- Everyone has a gift
- The family, school, and community all have a responsibility to foster and develop each child’s gift
- An individual must train to develop their potential. It is an individual responsibility to maintain the hard work and discipline necessary for growth
Our School History
In 1987, a small group of parents from the surrounding bands, Adams Lake Band, Neskonlith and Little Shuswap, worked together to start a Secwepemc immersion program for children from birth to five years old. This language nest was the first to start up in the province of B.C. and was inspired by the Maori Te Kohanga Reo initiative. The Secwepemc Ka Language Nest led to the development of Chief Atahm School in 1991.
Today, hundreds of children have been immersed in the Secwepemc language and culture and have contributed to the revival of the Secwepemc language. Chief Atahm School seeks to continually improve their program with the development of and educational framework that privileges Secwepemc knowledge, language, and culture. To honour the Secwepemc value of k̕wseltktnéws, or “we are all related”, Chief Atahm School has reached out to support other First Nations group in their quest for language survival. The school host’s an annual conference, offers language teacher training institutes, and shares teaching resources and strategies with other communities.
Our History of Commitment to Children and Language
1987
Secwepemc-Ke Language Nest opened
1991
Chief Atahm School began
1997
New School building built
2015
R Stselxméms r Secwépemc Knowledge Institute first cohort
2020
New high school building opened
2024
500+ students have attended our schools
Our curriculum based on Secwépemc values aims to
Develop skills relevant to our culture and to the 21st century:
Ts̓elcéwtqen News
Testimonials
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