Ontario has allocated $540,000 to aid Eabametoong First Nation (EFN) in establishing a temporary school by the fall. The community’s lone school was destroyed by arson in January, displacing around 300 pupils. The funding will be used to address immediate needs such as emergency supplies and mental health assistance, as well as provide support for children and young people impacted by the school loss. This investment is part of the provincial government’s collaboration with EFN to assess and meet the community’s needs in the aftermath of this devastating event.
The funding breakdown includes $250,000 for community needs, $150,000 for children and youth support, $120,000 for mental health and land-based programming, and $20,000 for emergency food security. The money comes from the Ministries of Indigenous Affairs, Children, Community and Social Services, and Tourism, Culture and Sport.
Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford emphasized the government’s commitment to assisting Indigenous communities during times of crisis. The province has already provided over $13 million for modular buildings and educational resources in EFN. Chief Solomon Atlookan expressed gratitude for the support and acknowledged the need to address the underlying mental and social health issues that contribute to such incidents.
The temporary school is expected to be operational by September, allowing students to resume their education. In the meantime, the Keewatin Patricia District School Board’s Rapid Response Northern Schools Team has received an additional $240,000 from the Ministry of Education to provide crisis and educational support. Students from EFN typically transition to high school in Thunder Bay in Grade 10, but the fire forced some Grade 9 students to relocate early.
Minister of Education Stephen Lecce stressed the importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy for students during this difficult time. The government is committed to ensuring that students have the necessary resources for uninterrupted learning and that school staff can continue to provide education, mental health support, and well-being services.
