19°c Clear
18°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Feds to find classrooms for students
THE federal government is taking the decision about education away from Lake St. Martin out of concern for the First Nation's children.
On Tuesday, a day after reports a Winnipeg building used as a school for displaced flood victims was shut for fire code violations, Ottawa made it clear the students will be enrolled in the public school system.
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development said in a statement Ottawa acted as a final resort through sheer necessity.
"Our priority is ensuring that the First Nations students are able to continue with their education," the statement said. "Given the exceptional circumstances, the Minister has directed the department to offer whatever assistance is required by the province and the First Nation in order to minimize any disruption to the students' schooling."
Families for an estimated 85 students from kindergarten to Grade 9 were told classes were suspended this week because of the problems with the building. The First Nation hopes it can convince the federal government to change its mind and reopen the school next week, after repairs are done.
Education since the 2011 flood evacuation has been a problem for the First Nation. The chief and council have insisted on setting up their own school in Winnipeg as a way of maintaining community, cultural and language ties but have had problems finding classrooms.
Ottawa told the community's leaders the problems were interrupting the students' schooling. They plan to enrol the students in schools across Winnipeg.
Other First Nations with school-aged evacuees in Winnipeg reported Tuesday they haven't had problems getting their kids into schools, and certainly nothing like the problems experienced by Lake St. Martin students.
alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 7, 2012 A8
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
More Local
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
Forest fire situation unpredictable, premier says
06/18/2013 7:04 PM 0Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger insists it’s too early and unpredictable to be optimistic about forest fire season in the province ...
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- MP Glover files new version of disputed 2011 election expenses
- Committee wants report on free replacement for garbage, recycling carts
- Pallister continues PST fight
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Game-day planning a must
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- No mad dash for concessions
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Kenyan wins Manitoba Marathon
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- UPDATE: Now with FAQ: Keeping the e-party going without the party-crashers
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Daycare provider charged with abandonment
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Bible Belt's bogeyman still haunts town
- Strong may they run: Manitobans reflect on that fateful day in Boston
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Province's new approach to teaching math long overdue: readers
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Doctors blamed for death
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Teachers support adding sexual-orientation themes to all curricula
- The crime fighter's revolution
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- Fishing for fashion
- City's first urban reserve born
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.