About us

Alvin A. McKay Elementary School is a K-7 school located in the Nass Valley in Northwestern British Columbia, in the traditional treaty territory of the Nisga'a Nation. We are embedded within a rich indigenous culture that celebrates Nisga’a language and traditional practice. Alvin A. McKay Elementary School learners are from Laxgalts’ap which is in the Nass Valley. With an enrollment of 73 students and 12 staff members, we are small enough to call ourselves a family and large enough to claim diversity. All students are enrolled in Nisga’a Language classes, and Nisga’a Culture is embedded in what we do and how we do it. AAMES students are creative, active and interested in the outdoors as well as learning through hands-on activities. The students enjoy science, numeracy, art, crafts, Physical Education and oral language activities including Nisga’a Language class. The community’s strong cultural identity and intergenerational knowledge provide an opportunity to develop learning pathways that nurture the mind, heart, body, and spirit of every learner. According to the Student Learning Survey, most students are happy at school and feel good about themselves.