Ontario supporting Eabametoong First Nation

Tim Brody - Editor

The Ontario government is working with Eabametoong First Nation to provide support, including up to $540,000 total one-time funding, after a fire devastated the John C. Yesno Education Centre in the community on the morning of Jan. 25, leaving the remote fly-in First Nation without a school and community hub. The fire left 300 students from kindergarten to Grade 9 without a school. Eabametoong First Nation is a remote fly-in community of 1,600 people.
In an April 24 media release the Ontario government announced that, “In collaboration with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs is providing $250,000 for Eabametoong First Nation to respond to community needs and support students, including transition supports for Grade 9 students, emergency supplies, food, and mental health and well-being.”
“What has happened in our community over the past year with both of the major fires we have experienced has been quite devastating. Our local infrastructure has been severely impacted, our students no longer have a school, our families no longer have a recreation and gathering place and it will be years until a new one is built. That is hard for most people in Ontario to comprehend. However, it has been very positive working with Minister Rickford and Ontario’s team to help everyone understand that the deeper mental and social health issues that cause this destruction need to be addressed — not just putting up a building. We are working together to support the healing and recovery of our people so that Eabametoong can thrive again. EFN’s Chief and Council are appreciative of the rapid and sincere actions taken by Ontario to work with us through this trying time,” shared Eabametoong First Nation Chief Solomon Atlookan.
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of Indigenous communities, particularly during times of crisis, is a top priority for our government,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “Our team mobilized quickly and continues to work closely with Eabametoong First Nation to identify the community’s needs and help rebuild crucial infrastructure to sustain the community’s strength and vitality.”
The Ontario government outlined that, “The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is providing $120,000 through the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy to support the community’s pressing needs related to mental health, land-based programming, and health and safety, and up to $20,000 to Eabametoong First Nation to address emergency food security needs exacerbated by the fire.
“In addition, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport is providing $150,000 in one-time funding to support children and youth in the community who have been affected by the loss of their school. This support is in addition to $71,500 in annual funding for Eabametoong First Nation through Ontario’s After School Program, which provides safe and supervised sport and recreation activities for children and youth in more than 80 communities in Ontario, including 10 First Nations.
“The Ministry of Education is also providing an additional $240,000 to further support the Keewatin Patricia District School Board’s Rapid Response Northern Schools Team. This team provides highly trained and experienced staff to mobilize and deploy in local First Nation communities in response to requests made by communities during times of crisis and urgent need. In addition, the ministry is providing curriculum resources to Matawa Education to help students from kindergarten to Grade 9 complete the school year.”
“Our government is supporting the Eabametoong First Nation community with funding to help meet students’ day-to-day needs whether they be land-based activities, mental health services, recreation, nutrition programs, or e-learning tools. We will continue to work closely with the community after this devastating fire to ensure they have the support and resources needed to overcome these challenges, and help the next generation succeed,” stated Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.
“Our Rapid Response Northern Schools Team is working to support Eabametoong First Nation during this time of crisis. Our priority is to help ensure students have the resources they need for uninterrupted learning during this very difficult time, along with assisting school staff to continue to deliver education, mental health resources and well-being supports. The importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy as the community — specifically students — recover from the loss of their school is first and foremost,” stated Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education.
“Our government recognizes the vital role that the John C. Yesno Education Centre played in providing the children and youth of Eabametoong First Nation with resources and programming to support their intellectual and social development. This funding will provide critical support that responds to their needs during this challenging time, while also encouraging strength and resiliency throughout the broader community,” stated Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.