AANDC Provides Investment for Elementary School Construction

By Joel ScanlonFeb 21 2012

The Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) has provided investments amounting to $14 million for the construction of an elementary school at the Cree community of Chisasibi.

The school was inaugurated by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of AANDC, Greg Rickford, Mathew Coon Come, who is the Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees, Geoffrey Kelley who is the Minister for Native Affairs and Daisy House-Lameboy who is the Acting Chief of the Chisasibi Community.

The new school is being built since the old premises of the school were not enough for the children in terms of space. The investment provided by AANDC covers 75% of the total construction costs. The remaining 25% of the costs was covered by the Government of Quebec in the form of $4.65 million. The investment from the government is part of the five year capital plan of the Ministere de l’Education, du Loisir et du Sport. The school, which has student strength of 750 from kindergarten to grade 6 is expected to open by January next year. According to Greg Rickford the Government will continue to work with the partners of First Nations throughout Canada by providing education to individual who are qualified and independent in order to ensure that the First Nations are fully equipped to participate in the growth of the economy of Canada.

Source: AANDC