The Government of Canada Joins the Winneway Community in Celebrating the Opening of the New Amo

The Government of Canada Joins the Winneway Community in Celebrating the Opening of the New Amo Ososwan School

WINNEWAY, QC, Jan. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - The academic achievement of First Nations children, as well as their health and well-being, depends in large part on the quality of the schools they attend. The Government of Canada is committed to investing in the building and renovating of First Nations schools, because safe and healthy learning spaces foster student success.

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, was in Winneway, Quebec, today to announce an investment of close to $9.2 million for the community. She also took advantage of her visit to celebrate the opening of Amo Ososwan School. The new facilities will provide approximately 130 students from pre-kindergarten to Secondary V with a new learning environment that comprises 14 classrooms, a library, a cafeteria, a home economics room, science and computer labs, as well as a gym with bleachers that could potentially have a retractable stage.

The Minister announced several other infrastructure projects from Budget 2016, including the construction of an Elders' cultural area and a community radio station (see backgrounder for project details).

Quotes

"I am honoured to be here today with the Winneway community and their guests to celebrate the opening of their new school. Over 130 students will now have a place to learn that will strengthen their Anishnaabe culture and educational outcomes. I look forward to continuing to work with the community of Winneway in supporting further infrastructure projects that will improve the quality of life and the pride of its residents."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

"This investment addresses a priority of the Government of Quebec, namely education. I am pleased to see that this tangible action will promote the success of Winneway's children in school and contribute to the community's vitality."

Geoffrey Kelley
Provincial Minister responsible for Native Affairs

"Today is a proud day for my community's children, parents, and our community. During my first term as Chief, it was the wishes of our members to continue with the ongoing school project, to finally get it started and also completed. This was always our priority, our children. I am more than satisfied with the outcome of our new school and thank our contributors at the department of INAC and all the professionals and construction collaboration and relationships that resulted from this project."

Derek Mathias
Chief, Long Point First Nation

Quick Facts

Budget 2016 proposes historic investments of $4.6 billion over five years to support infrastructure projects in First Nation and Inuit communities.
The Winneway community is located in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec, approximately 100 km southwest of Val-d'Or. It has 850 members, 449 of whom reside in the community.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada provided $9.8 million, including $6.7 million from Budget 2016, for the design and construction of Amo Ososwan School.
The school is called Amo Ososwan (an Algonquin word meaning "hive") because of its distinctive beehive-shaped architecture, which gives it a unique style. The school's design is adapted to student needs and also integrates elements of Algonquin culture.

Related Product

Backgrounder: Winneway Infrastructure Projects 2016–17

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Backgrounder

Date: January 13, 2017

Winneway Infrastructure Projects 2016–17

The Government of Canada announced an investment of approximately $9.2 million in infrastructure projects in Winneway under Budget 2016. The projects, described below, will have a direct impact on the community's well-being and will improve the quality of life of its residents. This investment is a testament to the Government of Canada's commitment to supporting community infrastructure development and to working together with First Nations in a spirit of reconciliation.


Project Name	Total Project Cost
Renovation of eight housing units	$124,530
Construction of three semi-detached houses (six units)	$1,304,370
Construction of a community radio station	$409,142
Construction of an Elders' cultural area	$84,694
Renovation of the community centre	$164,878
Renovation of the water treatment plant	$412,684
Construction of Amo Ososwan School	$6,662,082

	Total: $9,162,380

SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

For further information: the media may contact: Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 613-697-8316; INAC Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160

Organization Profile

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

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