Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, Saskatchewan (October 13, 2011) – Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, on behalf of the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today congratulated the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation on the opening of a new elementary school at Deschambault Lake.
"Our Government is committed to working with First Nations to ensure First Nation children have strong educational outcomes," said MP Rob Clarke. "This new facility creates access to a modern, safe and healthy learning environment. Within these walls, students will acquire the knowledge necessary to strengthen their community and to participate in Canada’s economy."
The new school replaces the previous one destroyed by fire in 2005. The $20 million project included design and construction of the new school, roadways, parking lots, playing fields and landscaping. It accommodates 80 nursery/kindergarten students and 170 grade one to grade five students.
"We are proud of our new school and the hard work that went into its construction," said Darrell McCallum, Chief of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. "This new elementary school provides a much-needed and improved learning environment for our children."
The Government of Canada is taking action to improve the lives of First Nations, stimulate economic growth and create jobs in First Nation communities through targeted infrastructure investments. Investments in school infrastructure projects help ensure First Nation students have access to the same quality learning environments as other Canadian students.
In the last two years, the Government of Canada has provided over $173 million across the country to build new and renovate existing First Nation schools under Canada's Economic Action Plan . This is in addition to the Government of Canada’s annual investments of approximately $200 million to support school infrastructure projects and the operation and maintenance of existing facilities in First Nation communities.
Deschambault Lake, a community of about 900 residents and located about 275 kilometres northeast of Prince Albert, is one of six communities that make up the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has 4,712 members residing on reserve and 3,196 members living off reserve.
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