Neqweyqwelsten Background

Neqweyqwelsten School has operated in Simpcw First Nation since 1983, when the Nursery/Kindergarten opened in a portable near the band office.

In 1987, the school expanded, with grades one to four being offered in the old band office, based on parents’ wishes that the community have a school. Since that time, the school has been overseen by parents/guardians, with all students’ families making up the School Authority.

Five members of the Authority make up the Management Team that makes decisions on behalf of the school between general parent/guardian meetings.

In 1993, the new building opened and the school, now with students up to grade five enrolled, also included an adult program. The school currently offers a program for Nursery to grade seven, and works closely with the Head Start to bring the youngest students into the school as they reach their fourth birthday.