Harper Government Congratulates Nak'azdli Band on Opening of New School

News Release

June 13, 2014 - Fort St. James, BC - Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today congratulates the Nak’azdli Band and celebrates their success on the completion of the Nak’al Bun (K-7) Elementary School.

Thanks to the hard work and partnership between the First Nation and the Government of Canada, 158 students from kindergarten to grade seven will have access to a brand new school. The school features a dedicated cultural room, an industrial kitchen and educational garden filled with traditional medicinal plants. Investments also modernize the facility through sustainable technology such as geothermal heating and a natural air exchange to ventilate the school.

Quick facts

The Nak’azdli Band has 720 on-reserve members and is situated next to the town of Fort St. James in north central British Columbia.
In 1994, the Nak’azdli Band purchased a nearby school from the Catholic Diocese of Prince George and established the Nak’al Bun Elementary School. The surrounding land was added to the Nak’azdli Band’s reserves through AANDC’s Additions to Reserve process in 2010.
Canada invested $10.7 million into the new school with the Nak’azdli Band contributing an additional $5.4 million.
To see photos and for more information about the Nak’al Bun Elementary School, please visit the school’s website.

Quotes

“First Nations students deserve access to quality education and today’s announcement is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved by working together. This new, modern facility will play an important role in this community while helping students reach their full potential. I would also like to congratulate the Nak’azdli Band who have made this project a reality and are providing their children with a safe and inspiring learning environment.”
- Honourable Bernard Valcourt ,
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

“The new school has finally become a reality for our community. I really would like to thank all the people that were involved for investing their valuable time to make this possible. Thank you to the Government for their contribution and the staff that were involved in this project. We are so grateful. Nak’al Bun Elementary School will be a legacy of our past as this area used to be a gathering place for many First Nations people. The future of our Nation lies with the education of our children; it is important that we have the modern facilities to last for generations to follow.”
- Chief Fred Sam,
Nak’azdli Band Council

Contacts

Erica Meekes
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160

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Date modified:: 2014-06-13

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Harper Government Congratulates Nak'azdli Band on Opening of New School

News Release

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