Chief Bradley Swiftwolfe and Marc Miller, federal minister of Indigenous Services Canada, and community members gather for the ground-breaking ceremony Thursday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Support for education

Moosomin First Nation receives federal funding support for new K to Grade 12 school

Aug 5, 2021 | 4:09 PM

It was a proud day for Moosomin First Nation Thursday when it was announced they would be receiving $38 million in federal funding to build a new kindergarten to Grade 12 school.

Marc Miller, federal Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, visited the community to make the announcement Thursday, saying “it is a bright moment for this territory.”

“This is something you have been fighting for for so long,” he said. “In a context, probably you were having quite heavy hearts with what you have known for sometime about residential schools, and the rest of Canada is waking up to. But we can talk about the pain and suffering as well as the ongoing silence…, and acknowledge that and the role Canada has played in that as well as churches.”

Miller said Thursday’s announcement is part of that discussion and acknowledged how the community fought a long time to get this new school.

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“I know it has been far too long, and this is about the future today, about how we move forward, hand in hand, respecting your rights to self-determination. And I think what better way to do it than the promise of a new school, to be built here by you, for you and for the future for some of [whom] are here today that can really enjoy this, close to home.”

Miller said the funding announcement is part of a greater announcement by the federal government to support over 50 schools across Canada.

He said with the new school on Moosomin First Nation, “the children will be able to be raised close to their parents, and taught along your cultures and traditions, and respecting that.

“I’m proud to be a small part of it,” he said.

Chief Bradley Swiftwolfe said it is a great occasion for the First Nation.

“For Moosomin it’s always been a priority for a new school,” he said. “My former chiefs it was on their agenda. And that’s what they pushed me to push for too as well… I’m really happy that our kids will be able to go to school in a state-of-the-art facility. It’s going to be great for them. It’s big, big news for us and a great day to celebrate.”

Saskatchewan’s Treaty Commissioner Mary Culbertson was also among those who spoke during the event.

“Getting schools in our nations has been a long treaty promise,” she said. “We had a treaty right promise to our ancestors.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow