About

Introduction

Our school is named after the Late Theresa C. Wildcat who was a member of the Ermineskin Cree Nation. She was the eldest daughter to Joe and Emma Minde. Her grandfather was Chief Dan Minde. Theresa attended the Ermineskin Residential School and the St. Joseph’s Convent in Red Deer and was the first Ermineskin Nation member to graduate from high school. When she received her teaching certificate from the University of Alberta in 1952, she became the first teacher from Maskwacis. Theresa taught at St. Mary’s Residential School from 1955 into the 1960’s. In 1957 she married Sam Wildcat and together they raised a family of five children.

Theresa has been described as a visionary, dedicated educator, a pioneer in the field of education, a great inspiration and role model, and an advocate for both education and her community. She set an example for sixty years of dedicated service with a sincere and deep interest for the betterment of her people, the advancement of First Nations education and the preservation of Cree language and history. Theresa was a tireless advocate for all levels of education in her community and province. She was also the first female elected to the Ermineskin Cree Nation council in 1966.

We honour Theresa's love of learning and dedication to nehiyaw education every day we walk through the doors and we look forward to sharing her joy with every awasis that comes through our doors.