In the past the Xeni Gwet'in members received their education at Residential Schools, as there were no schools on the reserve. The community members back then did not graduate. They usually went as far as grade four as they had to leave their homes to attend school and were badly mistreated there by the missionaries. The culture shock was the greatest problem. Because of this members lost there cultural language, stories, legends and way of life.
The next generations went through just as many problems as there was a lot of racism and discrimination towards native people. It is still there today. Over the years the first nation culture has been introduced to non-natives and this has reduced racism towards first nations.
As of today the Xeni Gwet'in Community members are taking their education very seriously with more graduates heading on to College then continuing to Universities. Some Xeni Gwet'in members are educated and certified in the fields of: Teaching, Business Administration, Bookkeeping, Social Work, Accounting, Forestry, Science, Arts, Carpentry, Computers and Early Childhood. To date we have students studying in the fields of: Lawyer, Political Science, Management, Chartered Accountants, Legal Secretary and Economic Development Programs, etc...
The Xeni Gwet'in 1st Nations Gov't put a Tsilhqot'in Immersion Program in the Community for pre-school to grade one. All subjects are in Tsilhqot'in Language. This program was set in place so that the Tsilhqot'in Language, Traditional & Culture ways would not be lost through the younger generation.
The Xeni Gwet'in Naghataneqed School which is administrated by the School District #27 is from Kindergarten to Grade Nine. There are three grades in each classroom. The senior class students are gaining alot of knowledge about Band Government structures and the operation of the Band Office. Naghataneqed students attend general assemblies annually to understand what's going on in the community so that they can plan for their future.
The school also has a Tsilhqot'in class which teaches the students their traditional & cultural ways; to learn, speak and write the Chilcotin language. They also learn about their tsilhqot'in history and the legends.?
Maintained by the People of Nemiah