Released on May 5, 2015
Today, Premier Brad Wall and Education Minister Don Morgan joined Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear and Member of Parliament - Regina, Lumsden, Lake Centre, Tom Lukiwski and members of the First Nation to announce that the Government of Saskatchewan will provide $500,000 to help fund the construction of a 56 space early learning centre at Whitecap Elementary School.“Part of the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth is to ensure that Saskatchewan is the best place in Canada to live, work, and raise a family,” Wall said. “This investment will give young families the opportunity to expand their horizons and prepare their children for future success.”
The total cost of construction for the project is estimated at just more than $2 million. In addition to the funding committed by the province, the Government of Canada will be providing $1 million, BMO Financial Group is contributing $250,000 and $260,000 will come from Whitecap Dakota First Nation.
“Whitecap Dakota First Nation consistently demonstrates a strong capacity to deliver programs that contribute to its robust community,” said Lukiwski. “We are proud to contribute to the building of this Early Learning Centre, which will support Aboriginal families by providing access to community health programs such as, the Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve Program.”
The province has also committed to annual operating funding for 45 of the 56 spaces when the centre opens. The remaining 11 spaces will continue to be federally funded.
“Our workforce continues to grow across the province,” Morgan said. “These new child care spaces will help ensure parents and caregivers living and working on Whitecap Dakota First Nation have every opportunity to participate fully in our growing economy.”
Over the past several years, Whitecap has created more than 680 jobs through their Economic Development Plan. This growing workforce, including employees that reside both on- and off-reserve, has significantly increased demand for child care.
“Our new early learning center is another example of our efforts with other governments to break down the walls of segregation and sets the children of Whitecap up for a future of opportunities.” Bear said. “The center also highlights the strong educational partnerships we have with both governments and the Saskatoon Public Schools, a relationship we look forward to building.”
In addition to aligning with the Joint Task Force recommendation to remove barriers to child care access, this partnership also meets the targets set out in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, specifically to partner with First Nations communities to increase employment and engagement in the economy.
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For more information, contact:
Kelly Johnston
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6304
Email: kelly.johnston@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506