New school won’t be ‘another broken promise’

Funding in place for Attawapiskat to get new school by 2013
Failure is not an option for the new elementary school in Attawapiskat.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy won’t allow it to turn into another broken promise.
“I promise I will do my best as grand chief to continue the political pressure so that the promise is fulfilled by the government,” Beardy said.
John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (AAND), announced his ministry had set aside funding over the next three years to speed up progress on the design and construction of a new elementary school for the community. The announcement was made May 19.
“Investing in education is key to preparing youth to make a successful contribution to their community, and more importantly, to ensuring they have a future full of opportunities,” Duncan said in a press release. “Our government is taking action and is working with all parties to accelerate efforts to build a new school in the Attawapiskat First Nation.”
The announcement comes after previous Indian Affairs minister Chuck Strahl said in December 2009 that construction for a new school would be added to the departments budget.
The recent announcement confirms funding has been set aside to accelerate the process. In the Nov. 25 edition of Wawatay News, Duncan made a similar comment.
“We actually made an announcement just more than a year ago that we would be replacing the school in Attawapiskat,” Duncan was quoted in the story. “We’ve allocated money this year in the capital plan. It’s anticipated the assessment, design and construction phases will all be complete by the end of 2013.”
Getting a new school for Attawapiskat has been a difficult task for the community.
The community was promised a new school in 2005, but it was told in December 2007 the project would be shelved for at least five years.
While the 2009 announcement brought hope, little progress has been made since then on design and construction. But with funding now in place, the school is expected to be open by 2013.
Attawapiskat has been without an elementary school since 2000 when it closed due to diesel fuel contamination. Since then, students have been taught in portables.
“I’m very excited there has been a commitment, a promise made to Attawapiskat to build a new school,” Beardy said. “We’ve been pushing and demanding equal opportunity for education.”
That’s what the new school will give the students, he said.