Ten member schools within the Matawa First Nations in line for federal and provincial school infrastructure investments.

“It’s over $30 million for over 30 community infrastructure projects across Northern Ontario, and these are really important projects like the Matawa Education and Care Centre upgrades right here in Thunder Bay,” explains Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Hajdu. “This for example would build a new gymnasium at the facility, and it’s a great place for young people, well maybe not just young people, anyone who wants to stay fit and healthy will be able to use the gymnasium.”

Other aspects of the investments focus on preventing the spread of COVID-19 and improve student health as the return to school nears.

This is being done through upgrades to heating and ventilation certain Northern Ontario schools.

General infrastructure improvements are also coming through this funding such as plumbing and roof repairs.

President of the Aroland First Nation Robinson Meshake notes that the infrastructure funding will greatly benefit Matawa students, concluding by mentioning the strides forward being made for Indigenous students across Northern Ontario.

“Over the past 11 years, we have been making a lot of strides in the areas of education,” indicates Meshake. “As part of the work in decolonizing education, we have taken the time to understand what works best for our Indigenous students as an alternative to the regular education model. Through the input from the students, community, parents, education authorities, and Matawa leadership, we believe we have found a model that works best. We have adapted to the need of our individual students which incorporates mental health services, recreation, landbased learning, distance and cooperative investigation, and cultural and spiritual programming.”

Matawa Education Care Centres enrollment this part year was around 150 students. It is anticipated roughly 200 will be enrolled in the upcoming school year.

Total investments of $5,616,336 for Matawa students were announced as follows:

$161,000 in federal and $40,250 in provincial investments for a new portable classroom in Eabametoong First Nation
$161,000 in federal and $40,250 in provincial investments for a new portable classroom in Webequie First Nation
$161,000 in federal and $40,250 in provincial investments for a new portable classroom in Marten Falls First Nation
$161,000 in federal and $40,250 in provincial investments for a new portable classroom in Long Lake #58 First Nation
$161,000 in federal and $40,250 in provincial investments for a new portable classroom in Neskantaga First Nation
$161,000 in federal and $40,250 in provincial investments for a new portable classroom in Nibinamik First Nation
$161,000 in federal and $40,250 in provincial investments for a new portable classroom in Aroland First Nation
$161,000 in federal and $40,250 in provincial investments for retrofits to the school in Constance Lake First Nation
$160,294 in federal and $40,074 in provincial investments for retrofits and upgrades for the school in Ginoogaming
First Nation
$3,044,775 in federal and $761,193 in provincial investments for the MECC gymnasium upgrade project