Government of Canada Congratulates O'Chiese First Nation on New School

September 19, 2016 – O’Chiese First Nation, AB – Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Canada is working with First Nation communities to create quality learning environments that are safe and healthy, thereby promoting better educational outcomes for First Nation students living on reserves.

Today, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, congratulated O'Chiese First Nation in Alberta on the completion and official opening of its new Ne Sah Soh Is Koh Dahn School.

This joint initiative between the Government of Canada and the First Nation will accommodate up to 375 students from K4 to Grade 12 and will feature a library, cafeteria, gymnasium and administrative spaces.

This year, as many as 1,970 students are starting the school year in one of the six new schools in First Nations communities, including O'Chiese, Pikangikum (ON), Fort Severn (ON), Poplar Hill (ON), Siksika (AB), and Kwakiutl (BC).

Quotes

Quick facts

• Canada invested $10 million to support the construction of the new Ne Sah Soh Is Koh Dahn School, and an additional $8.8 million to bring utilities to the school site.
• Budget 2016 will invest $969.4 million over five years for the construction, repair and maintenance of First Nations school facilities, as part of a long-term strategy to improve First Nations education infrastructure.

Additional links

• O'Chiese First Nation
• O'Chiese Education
• Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education
• Budget 2016

Contacts

Sabrina Williams
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160

Follow us on Twitter: @GCIndigenous