Canada: making significant investments to improve learning environments for First Nation students

[Harold Schiffman]

Canada's New Government making significant investments to improve learning
environments for First Nation students  CONNE RIVER, NL, July 5 /CNW Telbec/
- The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf
of The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern
Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, was
joined today by Saqamaw (Chief) Misel Joe of the Miawpukek First Nation, to
announce federal funding of $275,748 toward the construction of an addition
to the St. Anne's School of the Miawpukek First Nation, Newfoundland and
Labrador.

 "Investment in this school expansion will make a measurable difference in
the quality of education of Miawpukek students and will help them reach
their full academic potential." Minister Hearn stated, "Canada's New
Government is committed to improving on-reserve student retention and
graduation rates. Ensuring facilities meet existing and future educational
requirements will assist in achieving this important goal."

"Our school is the focal point of our community. It signifies connection,
connection to our past and how our community came together to take control
of our education system. Each year, our school averages about 10 graduates,
which is a major accomplishment for a small community such as Conne River,"
said Saqamaw Joe. "The school represents hope for our young people as they
will one day be our leaders. As with many other smaller communities, the
school is used for various community activities such as sporting events,
public meetings, graduations and the after-school program. The Mi'kmaq
Language and Culture Center is greatly needed as it helps teach our kids
about who they are. It serves as the link between our past, present and
future." The new addition to the school will house a Mi'kmaq Language and
Cultural Center, including a classroom and a library to house important
cultural resources such as books, videos, files, maps and charts. It will be
used for cultural and language presentations and classes and will provide
office space for the Mi'kmaq Language and Cultural Center staff.

Canada's New Government continues to make investments for education
facilities across Canada to support projects such as construction,
expansion, renovation, repair, and design and planning projects, including
operation and maintenance, to improve learning environments.

For further information: Debra Ackles Adams, Manager, Communications
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - Atlantic, (902) 661-6372; Saqamaw
Misel Joe, Miawpukek First Nation, (709) 882-2470; This release is
also available on the Internet at http:www.ainc-inac.gc.ca


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Harold F. Schiffman

Professor Emeritus of
Dravidian Linguistics and Culture
Dept. of South Asia Studies
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305

Phone:  (215) 898-7475
Fax:  (215) 573-2138

Email:  haroldfs at gmail.com
                        http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/

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