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Friday, September 24, 2010

Mosakahiken Cree Nation Opens New On-Reserve School

September 23, 2010

MOSAKAHIKEN CREE NATION CONGRATULATED ON OPENING OF FRONTIER MOSAKAHIKEN SCHOOL

Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson and Education Minister Nancy Allan today congratulated the Mosakahiken Cree Nation on the official opening of the community’s new on‑reserve school.
 
“This capital project is an example of working in partnership to improve educational opportunities for First Nations students no matter where they live in Manitoba,” Robinson said.  “The new school will serve as a focal point for the community and ensure students are learning in a comfortable, modern environment that meets their needs.”
 
The Manitoba government contributed $4.6 million of the $30 million in overall project costs.  In addition, the project received $8 million from the Manitoba School Board Association’s Manitoba Schools Insurance Program.
 
The kindergarten to Grade 12 school replaces the previous kindergarten to Grade 9 Frontier School Division school that was destroyed by fire in 2005.  The 55,000-square-foot school can accommodate up to 650, which is double the capacity of the previous school.
 
The new facility includes space for two kindergarten classes, 22 regular classrooms, a science room, two multi-purpose rooms, a library, a gym/auditorium and weight room, two computer labs, home‑economics and industrial labs, a resource office, a special-education room a health room and other amenities.  The teachers’ residences were also replaced.
 
“I want to congratulate Chief Philip Buck and the Mosakahiken Cree Nation on the opening of this new school which fulfills a long-time goal of community elders and leaders,” said Allan.  “This expanded facility will quickly become a major asset for the growing community of Mosakahiken Cree Nation by reflecting the Cree culture and language of the community while providing students with the tools they need to pursue post-secondary education and employment.”
 
The province, through the Frontier School Division, partnered with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Mosakahiken Cree Nation on the project.
 
“This project collaboration reflects the spirit of the October 2009 letter of understanding between the governments of Canada and Manitoba, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) and the Southern Chiefs Organization to work together to help First Nation students in Manitoba fulfil their learning potential,” said MLA for The Pas Frank Whitehead, who attended the opening event on behalf of the government.
 

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