LITTLE BLACK RIVER, MANITOBA (October 21, 2009) - Little Black River First Nation, in partnership with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), today celebrated the grand opening of the Little Black River School.
"The opening of a new school for the children of the Little Black River First Nation gives the youth of this community the setting and the tools they need to reach their potential," said the Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. "The Government of Canada is proud to have partnered in this important investment," added Minister Toews.
"Little Black River First Nation is proud to announce the grand opening of our new school facility which will accommodate all of our students from kindergarten to grade 12. The kids are already in the new school and are happy," said Chief Sheldon Kent. "The new gymnasium is something that we're quite proud of because the band contributed $300,000 towards a bigger gym for all different types of community uses like Christmas concerts and community dinners."
Construction of the new 2,900-square-foot facility began in October 2007 and was completed in time for the current school year. Little Black River's school has the capacity for up to 242 kindergarten to grade 12 students and includes a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, science room, a computer room and a guidance/health room.
Total cost for constructing the new school was over $15.7 million. INAC contributed about $14.5 million with the remaining cost covered by Little Black River First Nation and its insurance provider.
The project also injected approximately $931,000 into the local economy through job creation, equipment rental, and the purchase of local raw materials.
Little Black River is located approximately 150 kilometres north of Winnipeg and has an on reserve population of 743.
For more information, please contact:
Minister's Office
Michelle Yao
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
(819) 997-0002
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(819) 953-1160
Chief Sheldon Kent
Little Black River First Nation
(204) 367-4411
