The federal government announced $20 million in new funding to support education infrastructure and management under the Anishinabek Education System (AES). $20 million annually will be provided and distributed among the 23 First Nation communities served by the Anishinabek Education System.

“All children deserve a world-class education, and Indigenous communities know best how to deliver this to their students,” said Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree. “This federal funding will support and enhance self-directed education.”

The announcement was made Friday afternoon at the Kinoomaadziwin Educational Institution’s office located at 132 Osprey Miikan in the North Bay. The wind was high and the light rain was cold, but spirits were high during the open house announcement as the new funding is “a fantastic step forward in supporting communities to take control of their own education,” Director of Education Lise Kwekkeboom said. , Rama First Nation and Secretary Chippewas, Kinoomaadziwin Educational Institution.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Canada,” Kwekkeboom continued, particularly on “how we will continue to support our First Nations in language, culture and academic learning to improve and promote student achievement and health, whether they attend First Nation schools or in-province.” about “education systems.”

AES said in a statement that there are approximately 2,000 students who will benefit from these funds, which will ensure they “have the resources they need to succeed while remaining connected to the Anishinabek culture and language.”

“Anishinabek Education System First Nations largely operate and support education systems through programs and service funding,” said Nancy O’Donnell, Director of Education at Kinoomaadziwin Educational Corporation.

“The increased allocation of executive funding creates more opportunities for First Nations to recruit key education positions and leverage full program and service funding for initiatives that directly benefit Anishinabek students,” O’Donnell continued.

Given Canada’s history of forcing Indigenous children into residential schools, Minister Anandasangaree acknowledged that “education is often used as a tool of oppression, not empowerment.”

“We are beginning a very important journey toward educational self-determination for Anishinaabe people,” the minister said.

David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter for BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.