June is Indigenous History Month
* An Ermineskin Cree Nation FIRST *
🍎Theresa Cecilia Wildcat (née Minde)
The first teacher from Hobbema (now Maskwacis) and the Ermineskin Cree Nation
was Theresa Cecilia Wildcat (née Minde):
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📚 Early Education & Teaching Career
• Born on December 9, 1927 in Hobbema, Alberta.
• Graduated as the first high‑school graduate from Ermineskin in 1951, then received her teaching certificate from the University of Alberta in 1952 .
• She holds the distinction of being the first teacher from Hobbema, beginning her career in 1952–53 at St. Mary’s Residential School, Kainai, later teaching at Crowfoot Indian School and then back home at Ermineskin Residential School .
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🎖️ Community Leadership & Legacy
Theresa Wildcat’s influence extended far beyond the classroom:
• In 1966, she became the first female band councillor for Ermineskin Cree Nation.
• Played a pivotal role in founding both the Alberta Native Teachers Society (1974) and the Maskwacîs Cultural College (1976).
• Actively supported Cree language preservation, cultural education, and post-secondary initiatives, including serving on the University of Alberta Senate and establishing the Ermineskin Education Trust Fund .
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• Born: Dec 9, 1927 – Dec 28, 2011
• Education: University of Alberta – Teacher Certificate (1952)
• Teaching First Role: St. Mary’s Residential School, 1952–53
• First in Community: First teacher from Hobbema (1952)
• Community Leadership: First female councillor (1966
• Founding member of ANTS & Maskwacîs Cultural College
• Advocacy: Cree language, cultural programming
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Theresa Cecilia Wildcat is celebrated as the very first teacher from Hobbema (Ermineskin Cree Nation), starting her meaningful teaching journey in 1952, and went on to become a trailblazing educator and leader in Maskwacis.
Her legacy lives on through the Theresa C. Wildcat Early Learning Centre on the reserve and the many cultural, educational, and community initiatives she helped establish.
