"INAC funding pressures" results in Attawapiskat First Nation students going without new school
School funds axed; Students in Attawapiskat use portables for elementary classes
Posted By Ron Grech - January 19, 2008
Parents in Attawapiskat feel they've been betrayed and let down.
A public meeting was held this week advising the community the federal government will not be funding the construction of a new school to replace the one that closed eight years ago.
The community has designs for a 5,000-square-foot elementary school, but those blueprints are simply gathering dust.
The old elementary school was closed in May 2000 because it had been constructed on a diesel fuel dump and children attending school were getting sick.
"Ever since then we've been using portables and without a gym," said Steve Hookimaw, chairman of the Attawapiskat education authority.
For physical education classes, the children have been using the gymnasium in the community's sportsplex.
"Imagine having to send children to walk 700 feet in -40 C temperatures so they can go to gym class," said Hookimaw.
He said community residents who attended the information meeting were "disappointed and discouraged" by the government's decision.
It so happens Paul Fontaine, the national chief for the Assembly of First Nations, is scheduled to be Attawapiskat on Tuesday to tour the Victor Mine Project and meet with band leaders.
Hookimaw said, "We want to address him on the important need for a new school."
MP Charlie Angus (NDP - Timmins-James Bay) said "Indian Affairs has stuck a knife into the community and hopes no one notices.
"What people need to recognize and remember is that this community has fought for 10 years for a simple school.
"We've had three ministers sign off on this. We've done countless studies. We have had this government sign off on building this school. And now they're going to pull the rug out because they don't think education for First Nations is a priority for this government."
Angus said the message the federal government is sending through this decision is loud and clear: "Education is a right for every student in Ontario, unless they're Native."
Angus plans to fly up to Attawapiskat on Thursday and speak with community members about this issue.
"The message we got from the community is that they are ready to make a concerted campaign," he said.
"We're not going to let this disregard for children go unanswered."
Tony Prudori, the Ontario regional spokesman for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, said there is "no moratorium" on building new schools on First Nations.
He said the government's decision in Attawapiskat is due to "funding pressures" and as a result "some capital projects are being deferred but not being cancelled."
Contrary to claims by the local MP, Prudori said Indian Affairs hasn't ignored the community's education needs.
In Attawapiskat "we've invested more than $3 million for temporary school accommodations there as well as more than $250,000 to modify space in the high school to allow elementary school students to also use the space.
"Also, a Health Canada inspection determined the current facilities have no immediate health or safety concerns present."
Prudori said for the time being, due to funding pressures, the project is "not being included in our capital plan."