A new high school serving three Gitxsan West communities will celebrate its official grand opening tomorrow in Gitwangak.
Gitksen West Secondary School will serve students from Gitwangak, Gitsegukla and Gitanyow. While the grand opening is September 3rd, the first day of classes is September 8th.
The $36-million school was funded through Indigenous Services Canada. Construction began in 2022 after years of planning and community work.
Edith Loring-Kuhanga, the leadership and governance consultant helping establish the school, says the vision for a high school in the Gitxsan West communities goes back decades.
“I think our people have been dreaming about it for decades to try to establish a school in the West because of the transportation issues with our kids missing the bus and not being able to get to school. And so, like for our kids in Gitanyow, for instance, they’re on the bus for over an hour there and over an hour back.”
The school’s design and curriculum incorporate Gitxsan culture, Sim’algyax, traditional teachings and land-based learning.
Loring-Kuhanga says community members wanted that culture reflected throughout the school, including its curriculum.
The grand opening runs Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. at 12 Cedarville Road in Gitwangak. Dinner will be provided, with tours, staff introductions and a screening of Rising in Truth, a short film about residential schools and a new beginning.
