Pikangikum First Nation leader applauds school funding

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Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

August 13th, 2012

Funding was announced for a new school at Pikangikum First Nation.

"We are so happy that Prime Minister Harper, Minister Duncan and our MP Greg Rickford recognize the importance of having a new school in Pikangikum that for the first time since 1950 we will be drumming in our community again. Thank you and we welcome Minister Duncan and MP Rickford to our First Nation," said Chief Peter Quill.

The Pikangikum First Nation is responsible for managing all aspects of this project, including tendering and selecting contractors. The project’s costs will be finalized following the competitive tendering process.

During construction of the school, wherever possible, the contractor and subcontractors will seek to create employment and training opportunities for local community members. It is anticipated that the construction of the school will take up to five years to complete. Pikangikum First Nation is located 90 kilometres north of Red Lake, Ontario, and is 80 kilometres east of the Ontario–Manitoba border. The First Nation has 2,433 members, including 2,343 people living on reserve.