2-02516 STANDOFF, ALBERTA (OCTOBER 21, 2004) - The Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today announced the opening of a new elementary school on the Blood Reserve in Southern Alberta. Students started this school year by attending classes in their brand new school. The official opening of the Saipoyi Elementary School was held today. Blood Tribe elders, Chief Chris Shade and council, representatives from the Kainai Board of Education, and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada were in attendance. Saipoyi Elementary School has been designed to accommodate 424 students from kindergarten to grade four. The new school forms part of the on-reserve education system which includes over 1,900 students. The school has multiple gathering and common areas with classrooms grouped into four pods. The gymnasium can be sectioned off from the main part of the school to become a community multipurpose facility. The Blood Tribe contributed $541,611 towards the furnishing of the school. INAC contributed $7 million in federal funding for the Blood Tribe in southern Alberta to design, build and furnish this new elementary school. Health Canada also contributed resources to deliver a Head Start program, an on-reserve program designed to prepare young First Nations children for their school years, by meeting their emotional, social, health, nutritional and psychological needs. "Saipoyi Elementary School has already become an important part of our community in a very short time," said Chief Chris Shade."It will be a community gathering place, a place of cultural education and a place where our children can realize their unlimited potential." Speaking directly to the students in attendance at the opening ceremony, Acting Regional Director General for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Alberta Region, Roy Bird said: "Stay in school and work hard, achieve the highest level of education you can. Maintain your cultural identity, respect and honour your heritage. Take pride in your school and take every opportunity to learn as much as you can and you will succeed in your life." The Blood Tribe is the largest First Nation in land mass ( 136,264.6 hectares) in Canada and has the second largest on-reserve population (7,384) in Canada. - 30 - For more information contact: Chris Konski Communications Officer Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Alberta Region (780) 495-8708
