Pictured left to right: Wabaseemoong Chief Eric Fisher, Kenora Mayor Len Compton, MP Greg Rickford, Wabaseemoong Community Youth, Regional Chief Angus Toulouse of the Chiefs of Ontario, and Joe Young of INAC

WHITEDOG, ON – The construction of a new school at the Wabaseemoong First Nation has begun thanks to funding provided through Canada's Economic Action Plan.

Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, celebrated the start of construction with the First Nation at a sod turning ceremony in the community today.

“This sod turning ceremony is an important step forward in providing the youth of Wabaseemoong with a facility in which to learn and further develop their skills,” said MP Rickford. “This Government is committed to providing First Nations youth with the best possible learning environments and stimulating economic growth through targeted infrastructure investments like this school.”

The Government of Canada has allocated approximately $25 million to build the new Kindergarten to Grade 12 facility that will accommodate 460 students. Construction of the school is expected to be complete in 2010-2011. The Wabaseemoong First Nation is located approximately 95 kilometres northwest of Kenora, Ontario.

This project is part of the $200 million for new schools and major renovations included in the $1.4 billion investment for Aboriginal peoples under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The Government of Canada is taking action to improve the lives of First Nations by investing in educational facilities that will provide lasting, sustainable benefits to First Nations communities.