 Library  Education  Culture

A Campaign for a new Learner’s Resource Centre Home of the Kainai Studies Program

Mikai’sto Foundation is a federal not-for-profit corporation incorporated pursuant to the Canada Corporations Act - P.O. Box 1258 , Canada T0K-0K0 Registered 2007 in township of Cardston, Alberta Canada

Library Education Culture

“Mikai’sto” is the Blackfoot word for Red Crow Our Mission

The mission of Mikai’sto - Red Crow Community College is to meet the Cultural, Educational and Training needs for Kainai and beyond. The college will provide leadership through its programs and Services to achieve Self-Realization and Self-Determination based on Kainayssinni.

Board of Directors

Dr. Marie Smallface-Marule Andy Black Water Dr. Frits Pannekoek

Mike Bruised Head Dr. Gerald T. Conaty Billy Wadsworth

Roy Fox Lionel Weasel Head Dexter Bruised Head

Acting-CEO of Mikiai’sto Foundation

Ruth Provost

2 | P a g e

Library Education Culture

A Campaign for a new Learning Resource Centre Phase Phase I Learners Resource Ctr., Student Residence I (49 units) and Fourplex (x4 or 16 units) Phase II Recreation Ctr., Trades Building, Student Residence II (49units) and Fourplex (x4 or 16 units)

Learner’s Resource Centre Master Plan

The Learner’s Resource Centre is designed as an innovative resource facility based on sustainable building principles. It is a convergence of the following: a keeping house for artifacts, archives, a library, classrooms, administrative space and a 50-seat theatre. Beyond the on-line and print collection, the library will offer collaborative workrooms, film and audio labs, multimedia labs and a children’s area. A state of the art science lab will provide the opportunity for a high-level research to take place on-site, while classrooms, designed specifically for cultural activities will address the growing demand for Blackfoot studies.

3 | P a g e

Library Education Culture

 Building Features 

 The facility, aiming for LEED Gold designation, will start with low-cost passive energy solutions, including operable windows for natural ventilation, thermal mass walls to store head, and exterior sunshades to block high summer sun.

 Energy will be harvested from a combination of sun, geothermal and wind.

 Sustainable water treatment, and on-site stormwater management.

 Materials made from sustainable harvested, local and recycled-content will be used throughout the facility.

 For the health and well being of the occupants, the design will maximize natural daylight, ventilation and views.

 The facility will become a model, for users and visitors, on the process and benefits of energy conservation.

4 | P a g e

Library Education Culture

Building Concept: Golden Eagle

The design process involved extensive consultation with the community, staff and Elders. Design influences include the Eagle and the Stand Up Head Dress. The facility will be open to the community, researchers and students.

 Library  Education  Culture

5 | P a g e

Library Education Culture

Building Layout

Second Floor Second

6 | P a g e

Library Education Culture

Kainai Studies Program

 Since 2003 Red Crow Community College through the implementation of Kainai Studies, the Blackfoot knowledge system began serving the Alberta education system.

 Kainai Studies is a national leader through the innovative community/applied research initiatives including the Itsinikssiistsi Research Projects, Learning From Place Project, Ethnobotany Curriculum Development, Niitsi'powahsin Language Initiatives and Blackfoot Digital Library (The Lois Hole Project).

 Through the Kainai Studies program, Kainai Studies delegates can continue to foster educational and community bases initiatives, so as to build on its quality assurance, mobility, and information technology, and so that Albertans receive an accessible, affordable and quality advanced education.

 Kainai Studies through its Cultural Eminent Scholarship brings culturally qualified Blackfoot elders into its classroom lectures and field studies throughout the duration of the course.

 The nature of Kainai Studies began on the human need to address the impact of Canada’s history with people, culture and land base.

 Through Kainai Studies curriculum, students with First Nations’ ancestry, mainstream society (students and career professions), and international interested learners can potentially benefits from Kainai Studies Blackfoot knowledge paradigm, the Blackfoot perspective on history and learn through the proactive efforts of protecting and preserving Mother Earth’s natural resources during this global crisis of the planet.

7 | P a g e

Library Education Culture

History of Mikai’sto - Red Crow Community College

 In 2012, marked the 25th Anniversary for Red Crow Community College.  A university preparation program started in 1986  Marie Smallface-Marule assumed the role as President of the College on January 6, 1992.  In March 1995, Red Crow Community College became the first Tribal College in Canada.  Education sectors include; the Blood Tribe Post Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) and the Kainai Community Cooperative Learning Partnership Program (KCCLP and Alternate School) and expanded into many other areas.  Red Crow Community College is also affiliated with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), an organization that involves 24 tribally control colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.  Within a twenty-five (25) year span, RCCC has evolved into a complete post- secondary institution, offering Diploma, Degree and Masters Programs in partnership with Mount Royal, Lethbridge College, SAIT, The , , and University of Athabasca.  Red Crow Community College was founding member of the First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium (FNAHEC) in 1996.  Red Crow Community College employees more than 50 staff, faculty and administrative.  The post secondary programs serve more than 500 students off and on reserve.  From its humble beginnings, Red Crow Community College has grown from a single classroom to begin the first tribally controlled community college in Canada.

8 | P a g e

Library Education Culture

Case Statement

In a span of over 25-years, RCCC has evolved into a complete post secondary institution, offering diploma and degree programs in partnerships with other main stream post secondary institutions.

Student numbers are on the increase yearly and limited space has been an on-going problem.

More problematic, was the fire in 2001, the problems were compounded when the library, then housed in the former chapel area of the residential school, was destroyed by fire. What holdings remained were relocated to the basement of the central building. Two years later, this area and its contents were badly damaged by floodwaters resulting from a large-scale flooding episode which struck southern Alberta.

In response, recognizing the continuing deterioration of the existing facilities, highlighted by the two disasters involving the library, a study was initiated to look at the problem. It was soon determined the lack of a watertight foundation, local seasonal flooding and close proximity to the irrigation water division canal would continue to cause repeated flooding and water damage to the existing structure. As well, pool lighting, inappropriate climate control and the need for an insect free environment for storage made use of the current building problematic. Furthermore, before any renovations could be completed the extensive asbestos presence in the building would need to be mitigated at significant cost. It was soon determined that any monies would be best spent on a new building.

9 | P a g e

Library Education Culture

Donation

Mikai’sto Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization relies on the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations and all levels of government to make First Nation’s education and culture possible. Financial support can be provided to any of the three major projects or Mikai’sto Foundation projects in general;

Student Scholarship Program Advance education by providing scholarships to deserving Blood Tribe Members to allow them to pursue post secondary education and training, including the trades. Donations of $24,000.00 will address one (1) year full-time scholarship. Scholarship includes; tuition, books and living allowance.

Kainai Studies Program Advance education by funding academic and educational chairs at the Red Crow Community College focused on the investigation, dissemination and understanding of the Blood Tribe’s cultural heritage, and on the continuing education needs within the Blood Tribe. Donations of $200,000.00 will address four (4) full time Kainai Studies positions.

Learner’s Resource Centre Establish, operate and maintain a library and other physical infrastructure necessary to support the educational objectives of the Blood Tribe and house books, periodicals and other spiritual, ceremonial or culturally significant artifacts of the Blood Tribe to allow Blood tribe members, students, researchers, and other scholars a place to study and preserve these historical artifacts in furtherance of their educational goals. Donation of $25 million will begin construction on the new building. Additional phases include Recreation Centre, Trades Building and Student Residence.

All donations $25 or more will receive a tax creditable receipt. The Mikai’sto Foundation is a charitable organization that relies on your donations. Charitable Registration #82275 1756 RR0001. For more information on how you can donate, contact Mikai’sto Foundation @ 403-737-2400.

10 | P a g e

Library Education Culture

Donation Form

I would like to support the Maikai’sto Foundation fundraising campaign;

 Capital Campaign – Learner’s Resource Center  Kainai Studies Program  Student Scholarship Program  Mikai’sto Foundation Projects

Donated By ______First name, Initial, Last Name

Address ______

Date Donation Received ______

Donation Amount ______

Donation Conditions ______Donate By Mail In Person By Phone Mikai’sto Foundation Mikai’sto Foundation Mikai’sto Foundation P.O. Box 1258 Blood Reserve (403) 737-2400 Cardston, Alberta Alberta, Canada Contact person: Canada Ruth Provost and/or T0K-0K0 Tracy Eagle Bear

Mikai’sto Foundation estimates solicitation cost to be under $3000 as Costs are directly related to print material of the campaign booklet. Fundraising outcomes will be directed to project initiatives.

11 | P a g e

Library Education Culture

Mikai’sto Foundation Board of Director’s Contact List

Roy Fox, Dr. Marie Smallface-Marule 5 Manyhorses PI, 237 Laval Blvd. West Redwood Meadows,AB T3Z-1A1 Lethbridge, AB T1K 4E2 Office: 403-949-8457 Home: 403-381-7623 Cell: 403-918-8457 CL: 403-894-1944 Email: [email protected] Email Address: [email protected] Contact for Marie: Tammy Heavy Shields 403-737- 2400, email: [email protected] Dr. Frits Pannekoek, President Mike Bruised Head P.O. Box 116 Standoff, AB TOL-1Y0 1 University Drive CL: 403-360-1002, Home: 403-737-2194 Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3 Fax: 403-737-3132 Phone #: 780-675-6108 Fax#: 780-675-6732 Dexter Bruised Head CL#: 780-675-0565 P.O. Box 747 Standoff, AB T0L 1Y0 Email Address: [email protected] CL: 403-3821981 Contact person for Frits: [email protected] - Email: [email protected] direct # is 780-675-6104 Lionel Weasel Head Billy Wadsworth Box 1207 P.O. Box 757 , AB T0L 0Z0 Coalhurst, AB T0L 0V0 Business: 403-737-2400 CL: 587-220-0949 Home: 403-737-3445 Email: [email protected] CL: 403-593-4116 Email: [email protected] Andy Black Water Gerald Conaty, PhD LLD (Honourary) P.O. Box 95 1940 Grand Oaks Drive SW Standoff, AB T0L 1Y0 Calgary, AB T3E 4A6 Home: 403-737-2254 Home: 403-249-1810 CL: 403-892-0447 CL: 403-200-0216 Email: [email protected]

Mikai’sto Foundation Staff Contact List Ruth Provost Tracy Eagle Bear Rose Sweet Grass Acting - CEO Senior Finance Officer Administrative Assistant P.O. Box 1258 P.O. Box 1258 P.O. Box 1258 Cardston, Alberta Canada Cardston, Alberta Canada Cardston, Alberta Canada T0K-0K0 T0K-0K0 T0K-0K0 CL: (403) 308-6129 Business: (403) 737-2400 Business: (403) 737-2400 Business: (403) 327-6984 Email: Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

12 | P a g e