Media Release from Seven Generations Education Institute, 2018
The Honourable Nadeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced funding for infrastructure projects at universities, colleges and other post-secondary institutions throughout the province. The funding will support enhancements to infrastructure at Ontario post-secondary institutions, while also supporting long-term innovation and sustainability objectives. Federal funding is being provided through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, designed to enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities. Investments under Canada’s Strategic Investment Fund are supporting infrastructure projects at Post Secondary institutions across the province.
Seven Generations Education Institute will build a new Centre for Advanced Technology and Skills (CATS), which will replace our current facilities at the Nanicost campus. The project will be energy efficient, as it will utilize the latest in environmental friendly energy solutions, passive solar wall and LED lighting, as well as utilizing locally available materials. The financial support for this project from the Federal government is $7.7 million dollars, with construction to begin in the Spring of 2017.
The project allows Seven Generations Education Institute to integrate its Apprenticeship, Essential Skills, Trades Training, Secondary School, First Nation Student Success and Post-Secondary programs under one roof and will support a broader range of learning and incorporation of language and cultural practices. The addition of a new centre will also allow for the expansion of the Experiential Learning Programs, which include job shadowing, job twinning, work experience, virtual work experience, and cooperative education. These programs provide students with first-hand experience and supplement their school programs.
This new state of the art facility will provide tremendous opportunities for the people of the Treaty #3 area. Seven Generations Education Institute has been committed to life-long learning for over 30 years and with this new facility it will allow to further expand the opportunities for our students and communities through language, culture, technology, and pathways.
Being able to move past the residential school legacy is very important for our people. It is not easy. This facility is a new beginning for our people so they can embrace the language and culture in order to make it part of their educational journey. Seven Generations Education Institute is for all people and it will represent the rich histories and traditions of our area.