Nisto Awasisak Memorial School

About NAMS

Cumberland House Cree Nation is located in Cumberland House Saskatchewan - there are two schools on on the First Nations side which is NAMS and the other on the town side. Fishing is a very common industry and past time. Cumberland House was one of the first major inland trading posts of the Hudson's Bay Company and the focus of the first European settlement in Saskatchewan. There is still a heavy settler presence here and many traditional Indigenous ceremonies such as PowWow are not celebrated to this day. There is a great deal of land based learning as well as a strong focus on language revitalization with the Swampy Cree n dialect being taught in classrooms.

Mission Statement

"We are building a healthy, unified Cree Nation by preserving our language, culture, and traditions. We are strengthening our Cree Nation by becoming financially, economically, socially, and politically independent."

This is being accomplished through the following vision elements:

Band Owned Infrastructure

Independent and Band Owned Businesses

More Economic Growth and Development

Paved roads to the Pas and Nipawin

Environmental and Safety for the Community

Preservation of Language and Culture

Community College-University Facility

Pikiskwestamihnam – Ayameestamiyan (speak for us)

Wichitowin – Wichikekamik (helping each other)

Social Intervention and Expanded Educational Services

Expanded Health Services

Active Living Center

Veterinary Health Services

Keeping our Elders comfortable on Reserve

New Day Care Center

Basic Phrases in Swampy Cree :

Hello!     Tansi  (tan-i-si)

Thank you!   Kinanaskimotin (kin-an-as-ko-mi-tin))

Good bye!    Kitom Kawapamitin (Ke-tom Ki-ka-wa-pa-mi-tin)