Indigenous youth from the far north attending school in Sioux Lookout will soon have a place they can call home.
Construction of a new housing complex is set to begin next week.
The two buildings will contain 20 units, 16 for students, and four units for guardians.
The Kenora District Services Board and Windigo First Nations Council are leading the development.
KDSB Chief Administrative Officer Henry Wall says for so many young Indigenous students, getting an education away from home is a lonely and long journey.
“We wanted to make sure that the students, their families and the community are all part of that journey. We believe through projects like this we’re going to let the students know that we’re behind them. The community is here to support them. The community is also with them.”
Wall believes we will see improved graduation rates as a result.
The project was boosted this week by a federal/provincial funding announcement of some $2.7 million.
Wall says projects and partnerships like this are long overdue.
“As part of our collective commitment to make sure that our young people have access to the education they need and to the opportunities and the tools that they need to be successful and to be able to do it in a way that they feel supported in.”
Wall stresses we must do better to support First Nations students in attaining academic achievement levels compared to the general population.
Wall says the dream started four years ago when Chief Wesley of Cat Lake First Nation approached him about such a project for Indigenous youth attending school in Sioux Lookout.
“Here we are. Three different ministers of education later. It is finally a reality. For us to be able to begin construction next week, it is just tremendous. It goes to show hard work and a strong, clear vision, with that things are possible, things will happen.”
Frank McKay is Council Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Windigo First Nations Council and says, “We continue to be proud of the courage of our young students and their families possess to complete their secondary education away from home. We feel blessed to have this opportunity and appreciate the hard work of KDSB has made to keep this project moving in a positive direction. Windigo is excited to provide a comfortable and safe environment to help our students succeed.”