Located on the beautiful North Coast of British Columbia, Prince Rupert
(pop. 15,000) is situated 920km north of Vancouver and 65km south of
southeast Alaska . The area is one of the oldest continuously occupied
regions of the world with a vast Tsimshian Nation
and First Nations history. The long history and recent strength of the
First Nations education system in Prince Rupert makes this site an
excellent choice, allowing teachers from many schools in School
District 52 a chance to learn more about and use culturally inclusive
imaginative education in their classrooms.
The History of Prince Rupert
The City was incorporated in March 10, 1910 . Born from the vision of
Charles Hays, president of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, Prince
Rupert was chosen as the western terminus of Canada ’s second
transcontinental railroad. During WWII the city served both Canada and
the United States as a strategic military post. An estimated 150,000
Canadian and US troops passed through the city.
The Tsimshian Nation is the indigenous First Nation in the Prince Rupert area. The people of the Northwest Coast have developed their own unique artistic style, and you will find many fine works on display in area museums, galleries and shops. As you will see when you visit, First Nations have a proud history on the northwest coast and have retained and reclaimed their living culture.
The Port of Prince Rupert 's strategic location on international trade corridors makes it an essential link in the global transportation and international trade network. Modern terminals, fast turnaround, on-time delivery capabilities, and vast industrial development properties on tidewater open new opportunities for shippers and producers. Superior road and rail connections provide easy access to the entire North American continent. With the deepest harbour in North America and year-round ice-free facilities, the Port of Prince Rupert offers safe harbour and cost-effective advantages to shippers across the globe. In an increasingly competitive new world economy, the Port of Prince Rupert advantage will prove integral to global competitiveness. The new world port: opening a new world of opportunity as an essential link to the new world economy.
Ts'msyen
The Ts'msyen People are of the largest First Nations groups in British Columbia . There are 7
First Nation communities including
Kitkatla, Metlakatla, Hartley Bay , Kitasoo, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum and Lax Kw'alaams.
The current population of the Ts'msyen People is aproximately 7000 people residing on and off reserve.
School District No. 52: Prince Rupert
School District No. 52
is centered on the northern B.C. coast. The Prince Rupert school
district has nearly 2,000 students, more than half of whom are
Aboriginal, drawn principally from the Tsimshian Nation but including
children from the neighbouring Nisga’a, Gitksan, Haida and Haisla First
Nations. The district is made up of 12 schools; 9 in Prince Rupert ,
and 1 in each of Port Edward, Kitkatla and Hartley Bay .
First Nations Education Services LUCID Webpage
Susan Crowley and Debbie Leighton-Stephens, the project leaders for the Prince Rupert site help coordinate teachers from participating schools in the district.
