Governmental Investments to Build an Elementary School and 20 Housing Units in Northern Quebec

News Release

Improvement of Educational Infrastructure for Youth from the Cree Nation of Wemindji

October 15, 2014 - Wemindji, Quebec - Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Bernard Valcourt, and the Quebec Minister of Education, Recreation and Sport, Yves Bolduc, today announced the construction of an elementary school in the Cree community of Wemindji and 20 housing units in five Cree communities in the region. This announcement in Wemindji was made in the presence of Quebec’s Minister responsible for Native Affairs, Geoffrey Kelley; the Chief of the Cree Nation of Wemindji, Dennis Georgekish; and the Quebec National Assembly Member for Ungava, Jean Boucher.

Quick facts

There is only one elementary–high school in Wemindji, the Maquata Eeyou school. The construction of a second building to house the preschool and elementary school will increase the space available for secondary and adult education.
The 20 housing units will be built in the Cree communities of Mistissini (9), Waskaganish (5), Chisasibi (2), Waswanipi (2) and Wemindji (2). They will allow the Cree School Board to provide the teaching, professional and administrative staff members from outside these villages with quality housing, an important asset for retaining employees in the region.
The Government of Canada will contribute a total amount of $22.08 million ($16.11 million for the construction of the elementary school in Wemindji and 5,97 millions for the construction of 20 housing units in the five Cree communities in the region) while the Government of Quebec will contribute $7.38 million for these projects.
The Wemindji community is located on the eastern shore of James Bay, 50 kilometres south of Chisasibi.

Quotes

"Canada recognizes the importance of creating safe learning environments that encourage students from First Nations. I would like to congratulate the Wemindji band from making this project a reality and for providing their children with a safe and inspiring learning environment. We will continue to collaborate with our First Nations partners across Canada to generate concrete results and to ensure that the First Nations are able to participate fully in a dynamic Canadian economy."
- Bernard Valcourt,
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

“I take this opportunity to congratulate everyone who works with young people here. Your work is admirable. Every young person who you help to stay in school until he or she receives a diploma or certification is a victory for Northern communities and for Quebec as a whole. I would like to wish you much success in the coming months and years.”
- Yves Bolduc,
Minister of Education, Recreation and Sport

“The Wemindji community is witnessing a significant increase in the number of preschool, elementary and high school students. Local needs are important, especially since the Cree School Board intends to make every effort to prevent students from dropping out and improve the adult education training that is available.”
- Geoffrey Kelley,
Quebec Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs

“On behalf of the Cree Nation of Wemindji, we are very pleased to share in the auspicious announcement of a new elementary school to be built in our community. The future of our children lies in the education they receive; and this new school will be able to provide new resources and support the children of Wemindji need to help them excel in their educational endeavours.”
- Chief Dennis Georgekish,
Cree Nation of Wemindji

Contacts

Erica Meekes
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002

Yasmine Abdelfadel
Press Secretary
Minister of Education, Recreation and Sport
418-644-0664

Kimberly Labar
Minister’s Press Secretary
Minister responsible for Native Affairs
418-646-9131

Shannon Atsynia
Communications Officer
Cree Nation of Wemindji
819-978-0264, ext 254

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Governmental Investments to Build an Elementary School and 20 Housing Units in Northern Quebec

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