Programs
Skidegate Inlet Adult Day Program
The Adult Day Program provides a pleasant and safe environment that assists individuals to live independently within the communities of Sandspit, Queen Charlotte, Skidegate and Tlell area. The program is jointly funded by the Ministry of Health and the Skidegate Band Council and maintains strong links with the Skidegate Health Centre. Our staff members include a Registered Nurse, Cook, Driver, and Activity Workers.
Economic Development
Gwaalagaa Naay Corporation
Mandate: To guide the development of Skidegate towards achieving and maintaining economic self-sufficiency with a focus on generating revenue for community development and employment for the people of Skidegate.
News
The Gwaalagaa Naay Corporation office now offers an Aboriginal Business Service Network-BC REACH site. ABSN BC REACH sites are public access locations where Aboriginal entrepreneurs have access to and use of Aboriginal specific business resource materials, support and Internet access in order to undertake business research planning and development.
Gwaalagaa Naay Corporation
Box 1297 Skidegate
V0T 1S1 Haida Gwaii
p.
250.559.8149
f. 250.559.8693
e. gncorp@haidagwaii.net
Health
The Health Director and staff work hard to evaluate existing programs and develop new ones to meet the changing needs of our community, taking into account all finances and recommendations from Health Canada. Administration ensures the smooth operation of all services and programs that fall under Xaaynangaa Naay, networks with other Health Directors, and works with staff to improve the services for our community.
Health Centre
Box 1348 Skidegate
V0T 1S1 Haida Gwaii
p. 250.559.4610
f. 250.559.4619
hours: Monday- Friday 8:30am-12pm & 1:00pm-4:30pm
Lauren Brown, Director of Health
lauren@skidegate.ca
Skidegate Education Department
The Skidegate Education Committee consists of members from the Band Council and volunteer members of our community. There are 10 active members on the Education Committee. Most committee meetings are held in the evenings or weekends. The committee meets on a “as needed” basis, which could be anywhere from once every two months to two times a month.
A majority of the community members have been on the Education Committee for ten or more years, the Skidegate Band Council greatly values it’s committee’s and all the hard work they do on behalf of our Council and Community.
This is an open committee, and the Skidegate Band Council welcomes all interested individuals. If you are interested in volunteering for this committee, please contact Lisa Shoop, the Education Coordinator for more information.
For more education information please visit the Education page.
Education Department
p. 250.559.4496
f. 250.559.8247
hours: Tuesday- Friday 9:30am-12pm & 1:00pm-4:30pm
Skidegate Toy Lending Library
Skidegate’s Toy Lending Library offers fun and educational toys for different age groups and is open to all families in Skidegate. The library is located in Apt #2 in the complex that houses Skidegate Daycare and Head Start.
The hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 am- 3 pm.
Sk' aadgaa Naay Elementary School
Sk’aadgaa Naay Elementary School is a provincial-run school (School District #50) for children from Kindergarten through Grade Seven.
Goals
1. To reduce the academic disparity between Haida and non-Haida students.
2. To improve Literacy achievement levels for all students.
3. To increase student social responsibility
Our academic calendar is available through School District #50’s website. http://www.sd50.bc.ca/
Skidegate Out of School Program
Skidegate Out of School is an after school program for children ages 6-12. Our hours are Monday- Friday 3 pm- 5 pm and we are located at the George Brown Recreation Centre. Transportation is provided between the school and Centre.
We also offer summer day programs.
Skidegate Nursery School
The Skidegate Nursery School provides a program for 4 year olds to help prepare them academically, emotionally and socially for a successful start to Kindergarten. The school year runs from September through June and offers two class sessions Monday-Friday 10am-12 noon & Monday-Friday 1pm- 3pm. We are proud to note that our nursery school teacher has been an important part of our children’s lives for more than 30 year.
Skidegate Head Start
Children, through being loved, valued and encouraged will gain the courage, the strength and the wisdom to use the power of a good mind and spirit in all that they do. - Head Start Statement of Beliefs and Values About Children
Head Start is a national program that is designed by each participating community to enhance early child development and school readiness. Each Head Start project
reflects the uniqueness of its First Nations community and culture and is built around the following six components: Culture and Language, Education, Health promotion, Nutrition, Parent and Family Involvement, and Social Support.
Skidegate Daycare
The Skidegate Daycare provides quality licensed childcare for children ages 3-5. Our staff members are licensed ECE workers who deliver a program that enriches and stimulates in a safe and supportive environment. The daycare centre is an inclusive childcare setting with a supported child development worker on site.
Housing Department
The Housing Department is located within the Skidegate Band Council’s Administrative Offices and assists community members on all types of housing issues including obtaining social housing, rentals, mould problems, renovations, building new houses and financing. A copy of the current Skidegate Band Council’s Housing Policy is available from the Housing Coordinator.
Housing Program Services
• New construction
• Ministerial Guarantees/Section 10 Loans
• Rent-to-Own Units
• Band Housing Rentals
• Elders Unit Rentals
• Mould Remediation/Renovations
• General Renovations
• CMHC
• RRAP/HASI Renovations
Homeowner RRAP (Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program)
Homeowner RRAP offers financial assistance to low income homeowners to repair their homes. If your home requires major repairs, you may be eligible for RRAP assistance to bring it up to minimum health and safety standards and extend its useful life. Eligibility is based on income (plus household size), if your house is valued below a certain amount, and if your house is substandard or overcrowded. Eligible major repairs include structural, heating, electrical, fire safety or plumbing. The assistance is in the form of a loan which may be largely forgivable depending on your income.
Financing A Home On-Reserve
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) can help provide access to financing for housing through its Loan Insurance Program On-Reserve with Ministerial Loan Guarantee. This is a financing option for potential homebuyers who have the financial ability to repay a housing loan. Eligible housing units include existing homes, new construction and manufactured/modular homes.
The minimum down payment required is 5%.
Housing Department
Box 1301 Skidegate
V0T 1S1 Haida Gwaii
p. 250.559.4496
f. 250.559.8247
e. housing@skidegate.ca
Social Development
The Social Development Program provides financial assistance to families who are unable to find employment. We also offer family support and counselling services and provide referrals to other agencies. Our program communicates with other social and health agencies particularly in cases of family violence and child abuse where we work in conjunction with the Ministry of Children and Families.
Social Development
p. 250.559.2317
f. 250.559.2319
e. sda@skidegate.ca
Haksda Cetre - Teen Drop-In
This youth drop-in Internet centre is currently located on 3rd avenue sharing a building with the Skidegate Nursery School. Currently run by the recreation coordinator or alternately, parent volunteers, it provides a safe place for youth to socialize, use computers, watch movies or do homework. Hours and days open vary.
p. 250.559.8174
Skidegate - Hlgaagilda Children's Haida Dance Group
The Children’s Haida dance group includes dancers from toddlers to teens. Dance practice each week is an important venue for the passing down of Haida culture, stories, song & dance from teachers to children. Practices include Haida story time, songs, the dance program, and the Spirit Song. Parents are heavily involved in the group and help children with regalia and masks, discipline, fundraising and working bees to make new regalia. Many of the teachers are youth and this provides a positive leadership opportunity for teens.
As one of the teachers for the Children’s dance group,
" I believe strongly that the Children are our future and would like to see them guided through their younger years, with the knowledge of their Culture. For Culture is the most important part of “Who we are” and “where we come from”. With Haida dancing, we see absolute pride in the children’s eyes as they dance the songs of their ancestors. We would like to see the children get the necessary teachings of the Haida Way, so they can pass on their knowledge of Song and Dance to the next generation, and so on….As it is so important for any child to receive the knowledge of their culture..” Jenny Cross
Skidegate Saints Basketball Teams
Skidegate’s basketball teams rank among the best in British Columbia and are a great source of pride for the community. Over the past six years, the Intermediates have won 4 championships, the Juniors have won 4 championships, and the Masters have placed in the top 3 and won 1 championship. Hopefully this year, we will get a Girls’ team together again too. The All-Native Basketball Tournament in Prince Rupert is a major highlight of each year.
George Brown Rec. Centre
p. 250.559.4719
hours: Monday-Friday 4pm - 11pm