“When I was young, a teacher told me I couldn’t read. I wanted to contribute to the class and I had my hand raised, but she was convinced I couldn’t read. I kept telling her I could and she sent me out into the hall. I could have protested or marched, but there’s always a positive way. Me? I built a school. There’s always a positive way to resist.”
– Delbert Horton, Gichi-Aanakwat, Big Cloud
History of Seven Generations Education Institute
Delbert Horton had visions of promoting further education for Anishinaabe and to bring education into their communities. He found his passion when he began the Rainy Lake Ojibway Education Authority (RLOEA) in 1985.
Ten First Nations communities in the Rainy Lake Tribal area came together to form the RLOEA to assist local First Nations communities with issues related to education including tuition agreements, curriculum and special services for Indian children in band-controlled and publicly funded schools. Each of the 10 First Nations communities appointed one member to the organization’s board of directors, a system that is still upheld to this day.
RLOEA expanded to deliver trade programs and post-secondary curriculum in partnership with affiliate institutions throughout Ontario and employed elementary and secondary public-school counsellors. RLOEA also provided extensive Ojibway language curriculum materials to educators in Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan and went on to co-found the Aboriginal Institutes Consortium.
In 1991, RLOEA began providing secondary programming for Indigenous students at risk of ending their formal education in the public school system. Educators made special effort to deliver high-quality, culturally sensitive programming.
Upon examining the organization’s current roles in Treaty 3 communities, local governing First Nations suggested that a name change be in order. On July 1st, 1999, Rainy Lake Ojibway Education Authority officially changed its name to Seven Generations Education Institute (SGEI) to reflect the educational programming the organization offered.
Fort Frances Campus Name Change
On November 14th, 2024, SGEI changed the name of its Fort Frances Campus to Rainy Lake Campus. The decision came after much discussion about the importance of Indigenous self-determination during SGEI board meetings. “By referring to our building as the Rainy Lake Campus, we’re not only paying homage to the beautiful Rainy Lake, we’re also honouring the fact that we are sitting on Agency One lands,” says SGEI CEO Brent Tookenay.
Agency One Lands refers to the Agency One First Nations of Couchiching, Mitaanjigamiing, Naicatchewenin, and Nigigoonsiminikaaning. This reserve was set aside to be held in common and shared by the Agency One First Nations and reflects their collective stewardship and shared heritage, emphasizing their unity and commitment to preserving and utilizing the land for the benefit of future generations.
For more information regarding the Rainy Lake Campus name change check out the official press release or video address.
Culturally Enriched Quality Education
SGEI is dedicated to excellence in lifelong learning and empowerment through language and culture, by providing community-based and student-centered learning opportunities for everyone. Check out our website so you can stay up to date on all things SGEI!
