Iinii Insights |

The Essence of Mother Cedar 

"The one known in the Salish languages as Mother Cedar. No matter what the people needed, the cedar was ready to give, from cradleboard to coffin, holding the people." - Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass. 

Cedar is revered as one of the four sacred medicines. It plays a vital role in smudge ceremonies and is burned to purify homes. The crackling sound of cedar signifies to the spirits that an offering is being made, while laying its branches around a lodge provides a protective barrier. 

Coastal Nations utilize Mother Cedar to craft canoes and carve totem poles and masks. The fibres of cedar are woven into ceremonial headdresses, and its medicinal properties can be found in her foliage, branches, and roots. 

Nutrition Plan

Week at a Glance

Classroom Connection|

Indigenous Language | Winter

• Blackfoot (Ipkssaisstoyiu)
• Tsuut'ina (Zask'a)
• Stoney Nakoda (Wanidu)
• Métis (L'ivayr)

Lockdown Practice

All CBE schools are required to practice lockdown procedures in the same way we practice fire drills. These procedures are developed in collaboration with the Calgary Police Service and are outlined in each school’s Emergency Response Plan. Our school recently completed a lockdown drill on Friday, and students were supported throughout the process in an age-appropriate and calm manner. Staff took care to ensure students felt safe and understood what to do. During the drill, students responded exactly as they had been taught. We received follow-up feedback from the Calgary Police Service officers who facilitated the lockdown, confirming that students remained calm, quiet, and safe throughout the process. We are proud of our students and staff for keeping our community safe through this practice drill.

As per CBE Administration Regulation 3021: School Emergency Practices and Procedures, schools regularly conduct these drills to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

If you have any questions about lockdown drills or procedures, please contact the main office.

Report Cards|

Kindergarten to Grade 9 report cards will be available starting Feb. 24, 2026. 

After May 29, 2026, all Semester 1 report c​ards will no longer be available for viewing, downloading and/or printing. 

Parents and Guardians can sign in to MyCBE to view student information, including report cards, comments from your child’s teacher, assignments and grades, and attendance information. For the best access to information, log in through the MyCBE​ portal instead of using the PowerSchool App.   

Need Help? Check out this video for more information on how to log in and navigate the portal when you have more than one child attending CBE schools.     

• • Kindergarten to Grade 9​    

2026-2027 Kindergarten Registration Opens January 12!

The Niitsitapi Learning Centre (NLC) welcomes preschool to Grade 2 students from across Calgary, with a focus on early intervention for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit children. Programming at NLC provides early intervention through a holistic, strength-based learning environment, where students build a strong academic foundation in a setting that reflects and nurtures their Indigenous identity.

Kindergarten registration for 2026–27 begins Monday, January 12, 2026. Children are eligible if they turn five on or before December 31, 2026.

Visit niitsitapi.cbe.ab.ca/register to learn more and register. Questions? Call or email our main office—we’re happy to help!

Share this with family and friends who have children ready for kindergarten. We can’t wait to welcome our newest learners to NLC!

 Community Connection|

Help Our Students Fall in Love with Reading! Join Our Volunteer Reading Program!

We are excited to introduce our Volunteer Reading Program to help nurture a love of reading in our early learners.

Program Details

• Approved community volunteers will be invited to read with students or listen to students' reading.
• Teachers will select books that meet each child’s reading level and learning needs.
• Reading time will take place in our Central Gathering Space or Learning Commons.
• Ms. Nora, our Learning Commons Library Assistant, will welcome volunteers, help them get settled, and offer support throughout the session as needed.

Weekly Volunteer Reading Schedule

Reading sessions will be held every Wednesday morning from 9:15 to 11:30, starting January 12.

Volunteers are welcome to join for part or all of the session.

 Why It Matters

Sharing stories with caring adults builds confidence, strengthens early literacy skills, and helps our students feel proud of their growth.

How to Join

If you’d like to participate, please contact the school office.

Thank you for helping make reading a fun and meaningful experience for our students!

Wellness Clinic at NLC – ERHL Doctors On-Site Wednesdays. Book Your Appointment!

Niitsitapi Learning Centre, in partnership with Elbow River Healing Lodge (ERHL), offers an on-site Wellness Clinic for NLC students, their siblings, parents, and caregivers every Wednesday during school hours.

The clinic provides culturally sensitive primary healthcare, bringing family doctors and pediatric support directly to our school. It is a great option for families who may not yet have a family doctor.

Booking an appointment: Call ERHL at (403) 955-6600.

Families who already have a family doctor but are waiting for their child to see a pediatrician may also be able to access the ERHL pediatrician through a family doctor referral. Please contact ERHL for more information.