8 First Nations across Canada getting funding to build new schools or renovate

SASKATOON – Eight First Nations across the country have received federal funding for schools.

Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt announced the projects Thursday at the Whitecap Dakota First Nation elementary school in Saskatchewan.

Valcourt said the projects — five new schools and six renovations — were chosen through a national system.

The aboriginal communities receiving funding for schools are Miawpukek in Newfoundland and Labrador; Long Point in Quebec; Little Red River Cree Nation in Alberta; Prophet River, Eske’etemc, and Gwa’sala-Nakawaxda’xw in British Columbia, and Whitecap Dakota and Flying Dust in Saskatchewan.

Valcourt said he couldn’t say how much all the projects would cost.

He said the funds are part the federal budget’s commitment of $500 million over seven years for a new Education Infrastructure Fund.

“This is important because we all talk about reforming our education system to ensure our kids, First Nation children, get a good education. Part of the mix is adding good school facilities,” Valcourt said.

The factors used to choose which communities got funding were “security of children, the health of the children, mostly these are the principal criteria that are being evaluated along also with the number of people that attend those schools,” he said.

(CKOM)