Fill A Seat, Plant A Seed

Every weekday morning at 7:10, a little girl named Daenerys stood at the end of a long country road with her mom and her younger brother, Kostyn.

She was in Grade 2.

Kostyn had just started Kindergarten.

Together, they climbed onto a yellow school bus and began the nearly hour-and-a-half ride to Mamawi Atosketan Native School.

At the end of the day, they climbed back onto that same bus, often not arriving home until after 5:00 in the evening.

For children so young, those were long days.

But Daenerys knew what was waiting for her at school.

Friends.

Teachers who cared.

A place where she could learn about her Cree culture, grow in her faith, and be surrounded by people who believed in her.

Today, Daenerys is preparing to enter Grade 5. She is quiet and a little shy, but also funny, creative, and full of talent. She loves to draw and dance, and in 2024 she proudly represented her community as the Samson First Nation Powwow Princess.

Her favourite class is Native Culture Studies because she loves learning more about who she is and where she comes from.

When she grows up, Daenerys wants to be a teacher so she can help other children learn too.

Her story is beautiful.

But it is not the only one.

Every day, hundreds of students at Mamawi Atosketan Native School climb onto buses from across Maskwacis and surrounding communities. Some live nearby. Others, like Daenerys, travel a long way just to get to school.

For many families, the bus is not a convenience.

It is the only way their children can come.

At Mamawi, students receive more than an education.

They are welcomed into a safe and caring school community where they are known by name, encouraged by their teachers, and reminded that they have purpose.

They learn about Indigenous culture.

They build friendships.

They grow in confidence.

They hear about the love of Jesus.

They begin to imagine who they can become.

But before any of that can happen, they have to get here.

That is why transportation matters.

Every bus seat represents a child with a story still being written.

A future teacher.

A future artist.

A future tradesperson.

A future nurse.

A future parent.

A future leader.

It costs approximately $1,000 each year to provide transportation for one student.

Our goal is to find 200 people willing to sponsor one child’s journey to school.

When you give, you are not simply helping pay for a bus ride.

You are helping a child arrive safely at school.

You are giving them another day to learn.

Another day to belong.

Another day to be encouraged.

Another day to grow into the person God created them to be.

You may never know the full impact of your gift.

But years from now, the child you helped may be standing in front of a classroom, creating art, serving their community, caring for a family, or leading others with confidence.

And it may have started with one simple gift.

One seat.

One child.

One year of opportunity.

Daenerys’ story began with a bus ride.

So do the stories of many Mamawi students.

Your gift can help make sure the bus keeps coming.

Will you help us Fill a Seat and Plant a Seed?

One of the biggest barriers for many of our students is simply getting to school. Many rely on busing, and transportation costs continue to be a significant need.

We are working toward a clear and meaningful goal: 200 people giving $1,000 each to raise $200,000.

A gift of $1,000 helps cover transportation costs for one student for the entire school year.

Reaching this goal will allow us to bring the majority of our students to school consistently, giving them access to learning, relationships, and opportunities that can help shape their future.

When students are able to attend school consistently, they build relationships, grow in confidence, and experience success. Supporting transportation is one practical way to remove barriers and help students fully participate in school life.

At Mamawi Atosketan Native School, we believe in working together. This Open House is another opportunity for our school, families, and community to come together in support of our students.