Kipohtakaw Education Centre

Tânisi, Alexander First Nation Community, I introduce myself as the new Principal of Kipohtakaw Education Centre. My name is Rajnish Vig (Raj). I am honored to start this journey with you in the circle of teaching, learning, and growing together. This year is my 28th in education. I hold a Master of Science in Physics, a Master of Education, a Project Management Professional certification, Indigenous Education credentials, and several other professional qualifications. More than any degree or title, the relationships, stories, and shared moments with students, staff, and families have shaped who I am today as an educator. For over two decades, I have taught high school physics and mathematics, as well as junior high science and mathematics. I also served as Vice Principal for 10 years and Principal for 3 years in another First Nation community in Alberta. These roles taught me that every child has gifts, strengths, and dreams. Every child can learn when nurtured in a safe, caring, and culturally grounded environment. I come to Alexander First Nation not just to lead, but to listen. I am here to learn from your wisdom, honor your nehiyaw wayasowewina, and walk alongside you in creating an educational experience rooted in language, culture, identity, and land. My focus will be clear: – To strengthen Cree language, culture, and land-based education – To ensure every child is seen, heard, and celebrated – To connect learning to culture in every classroom – To build strong students academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually […]
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October 2025
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Events List

The Alexander First Nation Education (AFNE) is guided by our Elders, Chief & Council and supported by our members of the Alexander First Nation. We continue to advocate the Treaty Right to Education in pursuing quality academic education programming for our members, while enriching our traditional values.

Education Goals
  1. To provide academic success in a caring and safe environment.
  2. To maintain the continuation of our traditions and culture.
  3. To promote lifelong learning and experiences that will have a positive impact on our community.
  4. To identify strengths in our community which promote our values and attitudes.
  5. To develop and provide programs that will offer opportunities to community members to empower their personal goals and skills.
  6. To provide a fair and equitable program for our community.
Culture and language programming

AFNE is a First Nation Student Success Program ( FNSSP) school. This means we are committed to the following:

  1. Student Retention
  2. Student Literacy
  3. Student Numeracy

The Alberta Education Academic Curriculum is followed and taught in Kindergarten to grade Twelve Each year KEC follows the exam schedule of Alberta Learning, for the Provincial Achievement and Diploma exams.

Alexander Achievement Certificates
& Awards Presentation

Monthly white feather award

White feathers are awarded to students who display respect, courtesy and good citizenship.

Every first Wednesday of the month during the General Assembly these names from each class go into a draw for Student of the Month. Gift certificates are awarded to two students, 1 from elementary and 1 from junior / senior high. At the end of the year all the names go into a big draw for Student of the Year.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS PRESENTATION

Three times a year, at each reporting period, we have academic achievement awards for students receiving Merit, Honor and Distinction in each grade level. This is presented at the General Assembly. Every June we honor our students at K.E.C. and students of Alexander attending the Provincial schools with achievement awards for Best Attendance, Academic Improvement and Academic Achievement for the school year.

GENERAL ASSEMBLIES, AWARDS PRESENTATIONS AND CLASS PERFORMANCES, K5, GRADE 1 – GRADE 12

We have an all school General Assembly on the first Wednesday of each month. We come together as a whole school to present perfect attendance awards to students in each grade. Every month we have one grade do a performance of a song in Cree, dance, or present poetry. Announcements of upcoming activities or other recognitions. Elders and parents are invited.

MEET The KEC staff!

K.E.C. Programs

Click on each tab below to read more information.

Lifeskills

Culture is an important part of teaching. The Cree language is taught from K5-Grade12, with the goal to move towards immersion, while still following Alberta Education guidelines. Aboriginal Studies is taught form Grade10-12. We participate in cultural activities on a daily basis, making culture a foundation of our programming and giving the students greater opportunities to understand their history, identity and pride in being a Cree student. We have Cree words posted around the school for students to read. Staff are also committed to learning Cree. They take Cree classes with their students every day. We have a full time Elder who works with various Elder’s that rotate into the school on a daily basis. The Elder’s assist us with program delivery, immersion and Cree development, history development, cultural programming, as well as positive student interactions.

Landbased education lead


Sports Programs (include swimming)

KEC has maintained strong rooted in physical activity involving sports programming. We have various sports teams such as; Volleyball, Basketball, Floor Hockey, badminton and Track and Field Teams. Our teams travel to other First Nations’ schools to play in tournaments and have been successful in competitions bringing back many awards.

A few of the competitions KEC has participated in;

  • Battle of the bands
  • Alberta treaty Hockey Association & Native Hockey Alberta Provincials
  • Alberta Indigenous Games

Aside from the competitive sports, our students also participate in the following;

  • swimming lessons
  • gymnastic lessons
  • sports academy for HS

Hot Lunch and a Breakfast Program for K4, K5, Grade 1- Grade 12

This program is free for all students at KEC. There is a breakfast snack in the morning and lunch in the afternoon. Monthly menus are posting in monthly calendar and will now be posted on the website. Our school cook continues to work with a dietician to ensure nutritious meals are provided. 

Some of the KEC partnerships listed are; 

  • Apple Schools partnership, 
  • work with dietician from YTC partnership
  • breakfast and lunch program


Outreach

This program is for students in grade 7-12. It is based on a referral process from the school and provides online, in-person or hybrid form of education. There is a certified teacher who assists with planning and ensuring to meet the academic needs of the individual student. If you are interested in accessing this program, you will need to first complete a registration form for KEC.

Adult Education

There is an even Adult Education program that is available for anyone over the age of 19. This program is also individualized to ensure that each student gets the courses and instruction needed for their academic or career goal. We offer core subject high school courses and also CAEC instruction. If you are interested please contact KEC school to fill out an application form.

Individual and small group counselling

Elementary & Jr/Sr High Girls/Boys groups

Behaviour coach

Strategies classroom 

At KEC we provide:

  • Personal/social counselling
  • Educational and career counselling
  • Support to all the students.


To the left is what we were able to offer this past year.


APPLE Schools

We partner with APPLE Schools to create a sustainable healthy school community. APPLE Schools is an innovative school-focused health promotion initiative proven to make a difference in schools. It impacts the lives of more than 20,000 students annually in schools across Western Canada by improving their healthy eating, physical activity, and mental health habits. Visit appleschools.ca to learn more.

K.E.C. Newsletter

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