The critical mandate for the Gitksan Wet'suwet'en Education
Society was to reduce the demand on the Tribal Council for
community services, so that the Tribal Council could
concentrate on the constitutional talks, comprehensive claims
and litigating the title action.
The Education Society is committed to working towards the
Vision Statement by promoting, facilitating and organizing
education, training, self-reliance and meaningful employment.
As well the Society is committed to participate in the design
and development of universal programs such as Education,
Social Services, Health and Child Welfare to reflect the
Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en principles expressed in the vision
statement.
The Education Society also took over a number of programs
from the Tribal Council such as the Alternate School, Hazelton
Youth Centre, Child Care Services, Traditional Medicine,
Medical and Mental Health Services, Community Awareness and
Preventions Services (CAPS) and the Employment Services
Office. Over the years the Education Society has sponsored
innovative programs such as the Fisheries Technician Training
Program, Carpentry Apprenticeship Training, Addictions
Resource Worker Training, Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en School of
Journalism, NITEP, Territory Management Training Program, Life
Skills Training, Classroom Aide Training, Native Adult
Instructor Diploma, Unlocking Aboriginal Justice (UAJ), Tribal
Police, Reconnections, Gisegaas Youth Survival Cultural Camp,
SMILES Summer Decamps, SMILES HeadStart, Community Operations
& Maintenance Training, Associates Art Degree Program.
From its first success, the Education Society broadened its
interests and mandate to address a variety of projects
and programs to meet the needs within the area including
those of non-Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en people.
