Close to 600 students will be welcomed through the doors of Saskatoon’s new Awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik St. Francis Cree School for the upcoming school year.

In consultation with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, in line with the Catholic church’s reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples, the architectural design was carefully planned for every aspect of the school, from its northern lights inspired design to its construction.

The design intentionally moved away from box-style brick structures that resembled residential schools and could trigger painful memories. The school will also include Indigenous rituals such as smudging, as well as a teepee in an open indoor space for cultural ceremonies and celebrations.

Kelley Cardinal is the Superintendent for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and says everything planned for this school has meaning including the name of the school. “The name itself is an homage to the northern lights and represented in that is our ancestors of those who have passed and gone before us, but also, it’s a forward approach to knowing that they are guiding the children moving forward.”

The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ (GSCS) language and cultural program began at St. Francis School on McPherson Avenue in 2007, adding one grade per year, with enrolment growing from 40 to more than 600 students from over 50 neighbourhoods in the city in the following 12 years. GSCS planned for a replacement school due to the rapid growth.

In 2020, the provincial government announced funding for the plans and design of the new school. In 2021, the former Sion Middle School was demolished to make way for construction. The new school was renamed awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik St. Francis School, honouring St. Francis for his connection with nature and God’s creatures.