The school at Yellow Quill school has an estimated 190 students. Photo: Facebook
With the start of the school year just days away, Yellow Quill First Nation, in east central Saskatchewan is trying to fill a number of vacant teaching positions.
According to educational assistant, Tisa Kayseas, several teachers and educational assistants (EA) won’t be returning to Nawigizigweyas Education Centre because she and others didn’t receive full compensation in their last paycheque of the year.
“There’s seven of us who had went to a meeting and said we weren’t coming back. We were already short staffed five teachers on top of the seven,” Kayseas said.
APTN News reached out to Chief John Machiskinik and the director of operations, Shelley Pinacie but they declined to comment.
Kayseas said she spoke to the chief Thursday night and he indicated their pay would be in the mail.
Since APTN spoke to Pinacie, a message has been sent to staff from the director of education, Melanie Beatty.
“Any matters concerning Yellow Quill First Nation are internal to the First Nation and are subject to privacy,” said the message obtained by APTN. “As a result, there is no comment. Your cooperation in this regard is greatly appreciated.”
Kayseas said the staff who left the school loved their jobs. Kayseas said she doesn’t know what will happen with the students who will be wondering what happened to their teachers.
“We weren’t there for an income we were there for an impact,” Kayseas said.
One of those educators making an impact was Donna Kayseas-Brown, Tisa’s mother. The special education teacher told APTN those who left felt disillusioned.
“We had a truly amazing, goal orientated team with so many common visions in mind for the future of our students, the school and community,” she said. “Now these visions and goals are lost.”
According to Yellow Quill’s website, there are 2,800 registered band members with 800 living on-reserve. The Nursery to Grade 12 school in the Saulteaux community has enrolment of 180 to 190 students on average.
Messages from Beatty, posted to Pinacie’s Facebook page showthe positions needing to be filled. The deadline to apply was Aug. 25.
The vacant positions include principal, teachers for Grades 1, 5, 7, High School English Language Arts, and two high school positions, and a special education teacher.
Kayseas said it may be too late to find staff.
“School started already. A lot of teachers are at retreats or doing permanent jobs already” Kayseas said.
