First Nations students push for new high school in Thunder Bay

A group of northern Ontario First Nations youth is pushing for a new high school and a residence to end billeting. Youth from remote First Nations in northern Ontario currently must attend high school in urban centres, and the students say that the current billeting systems create too many problems related to racism and crime. Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, which is run by the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council, has seen declining enrolment as parents are increasingly hesitant to send their children to Thunder Bay. “I told them I was a big champion of their dreams to see that new, or improved school built as soon as possible,” said Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott. “We know how important this initiative is.” Philpott stated that she is waiting for the completion of a feasibility study on a new school project before determining the federal government’s next steps. While the federal government has not historically funded off-reserve schools, CBC notes that Indigenous Services’ recently provided of $10M to Southeast Collegiate. CBC (ON)