A commitment to culturally grounded learning

ʔaq̓am and ʔaq̓amnik̓ School are proud to announce the formal enactment of the ʔaq̓am Education Law, 2025, approved by ʔiⱡwat̓naʔis ʔaq̓am (Council) on October 21.

This historic milestone affirms ʔaq̓am’s inherent right to self-governance in education and reflects the Nation’s ongoing commitment to Ka kniⱡwi·tiyaⱡa (Our Thinking) — the community’s guiding strategic plan for learning, language, and leadership.

This achievement follows years of collaboration, engagement, and community participation guided by the ʔaq̓am Education Law-Making Protocol.

Starting in 2006, Bonnie Harvey, ʔaq̓am Governance Manager, led and supported the jurisdiction framework to prepare ʔaq̓am for this new phase and reconfirmation of self-governance.

Drafting sessions, members’ meetings, and feedback gatherings ensured that Elders, youth, k̓iʔtik ka·kin (Tipi Pole Holders), ʔiⱡwat̓naʔis ʔaq̓am, kitk̓i·kȼamnam (ʔaq̓am Education Committee), and community members directly shaped the jurisdiction pathway and supported the creation of the law, reflecting the Nation’s vision for a strong, self-determined education system grounded in Ktunaxa values and cultural knowledge.

The ʔaq̓am Education Law, 2025, was developed and enacted in alignment with national and international frameworks recognizing Indigenous rights and self-determination:

• Under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, ʔaq̓amnik̓, as Ktunaxa people, have the right to autonomy and self-government in matters relating to internal affairs, including establishing and controlling their own education systems and institutions.
• In 2022, ʔaq̓am and the Government of Canada signed the ʔaq̓am Education Jurisdiction Agreement, recognizing ʔaq̓am’s right to establish and control education on its lands.
• In 2023, ʔaq̓am entered into an Education Co-Management Agreement with the First Nations Education Authority, supporting teacher certification, school standards, graduation requirements, and course evaluations.

Together, these agreements strengthen ʔaq̓am’s capacity to govern its education system, affirming the Nation’s right to design and deliver learning that honours Ktunaxa language, land, and culture, and supports the success of its members. A powerful reflection of this success is seeing ʔaq̓amnik̓ graduates returning as teachers and educators — a living expression of community leadership and the enduring impact of Indigenous education and self-determination.

The enactment of the ʔaq̓am Education Law, 2025, marks a major step forward in the Nation’s goals of k̓itki·ȼamnam (Education and Learning), ʔa·knumuȼtiⱡit ʔakikⱡuʔnam (Community Government), and ʔa·kⱡuqakwum ȼ ʔakikiⱡ haqwum (Language and Culture). With the continued support of leadership, educators, and the community, ʔaq̓amnik̓ School will continue to nurture generations of learners grounded in Ktunaxa ways.

Lead image: ʔaq̓am community members, Nasuʔkin, councillors and administration staff were present at the final engagement session (October 15, 2025) prior to going to the council table for the signing of the ʔaq̓am Education Law. Back row: Nicole Kapell, Sunshine Capilo-Joseph, Councillor Sancira Steelgun, Rachelle Sebastian, Faye O’Neil, Nasuʔkin Cheryl Casimer, Sherry Sebastian, Marisa Phillips. Front: Denise Birdstone, Doreen Alexander, Harvey Thomas, Andrea Alexander and Pearci Walkley.
Not pictured but present at the final engagement: Juanita Eugene and Robert (Stubby) Williams. ʔaq̓am photo

ʔaq̓am

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