Bigstone Cree Nation Education Authority (BCNEA) is pleased to announce that a contract to commence construction on the new High School was signed at a joint meeting between Bigstone Cree Nation Chief and Council, Bigstone Cree Nation Education Authority, Indigenous Services Canada, Chandos Construction Ltd. and Stantec Architecture Ltd. on Friday, February 18, 2022. Commencement of construction will begin within the next few months, with an official start date to be released shortly. At this signing ceremony BCNEA formally recognized and welcomed key leaders from Bigstone Cree Nation, ISC, Stantec and Chandos Construction Ltd. in a blanket ceremony officiated by Mike Beaver, Elder in Residence - BCNEA.

In 1996 led by a team of Elders,  Bigstone Cree Nation Education Authority began plans to build  its first school with a priority on Sakaw Cree language and culture embedded throughout the design.  A community lead initiative resulted in the design and subsequent construction of a local community school.  Oski Pasikoniwew Kamik (also built by Chandos) opened in 1998 and began as a K- Gr.6 school. In 2018 as a result of the community's desire to have their children continue their education in a local context, Oski Pasikoniwew Kamik added several portable classrooms and expanded instruction up to Grade 9. In the Fall of 2021 BCNEA opened a new Early Learning Center located near Oski Pasikoniwew Kamik’s original building and the K3 (Headstart), K4 and K5 programs relocated to this new facility. Oski Pasikoniwew Kamik now serves over 450 students K3 to Grade 9. 

In 2017 the Bigstone Cree Nation Chief & Council tasked the BCNEA to begin the process of planning a new school building that would remove the need for portable classrooms and extend the learning to grade 12. In the Fall of 2017 Stantec Architecture Ltd. was awarded the feasibility study and the design contract in November 2019.  After several iterations, the winning design was completed on November 30, 2021 and went to tender on December 21st, 2021. Chandos Construction Ltd. submitted a strong construction proposal which fulfilled all of the criteria Bigstone Cree Nation deemed important to the project.

For the first time in BCN history, BCNEA will be able to fulfill its  inherent right to education. Bigstone Cree Nation will now have the ability to exercise its Treaty Right to Education regarding Indian control of Indian education. The new school will be built adjacent to Oski Pasikoniwew Kamik School which incorporates a unique  design including a community sports facility. 

The Bigstone Cree Nation looks forward to the completion of the new high school scheduled to open in 2024 Bigstone Education Authority and the staff and students at Oski Pasikoniwew Kamik School look forward to celebrating with the community at an official groundbreaking ceremony to be announced soon. BCNEA would like to extend a thank you to BCN Chief & Council previous and current for making this project a reality. Milestone construction progress and program updates can be found on our BCNEA website (www.bigstoneeducation.ca).