Remote northern Ont. First Nation students receive support after only school burned down
Nearly three months after a fire destroyed the only school in a remote northern Ontario First Nation, the Ontario government is stepping in with money to support the students affected.
Four teens have been charged with arson in connection to the fire at the John C. Yesno Education Centre in Eabametoong First Nation – also known as Fort Hope or Eabamet Lake -- on Jan. 25.
The fly-in community, located about 300 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, has a population of 1,600.
The fire left around 300 students from kindergarten to Grade 9 without a school and the rest of the residents without a community hub.
On Wednesday, the Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs announced $540,000 in one-time funding to help those affected.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
The community is receiving $250,000 to respond to community needs and support students, "including transition supports for Grade 9 students, emergency supplies, food and mental health and well-being."
MPP Greg Rickford, the Indigenous affairs minister, said in a news release his team "mobilized quickly" and continues to work closely with the First Nation "to identify the community’s needs and help rebuild crucial infrastructure to sustain the community's strength and vitality."
Funding is also being provided to the community by the ministries of children, community and social services as well as tourism, culture and sport for things such as land-based programming and emergency food security needs exacerbated by the fire.
"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," the news release said.
"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."
The ministry is also providing resources to help affected students finish the school year.
"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," said Stephen Lecce, the Ontario minister of education.
"The importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy as the community — specifically students — recover from the loss of their school is first and foremost."
January's fire was the second blaze to devastate the community in less than a year.
A fire at the community's water treatment plant in July of 2023 prompted evacuations and a declaration of a state of emergency.
"What has happened in our community over the past year with both of the major fires we have experienced has been quite devastating," Chief of Eabametoong First Nation Solomon Atlookan is quoted as saying in the news release.
"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."
Atlookan said the underlying mental and social health issues that cause this type of destruction need to be addressed and they won't be solved by just putting up a new building.
"We are working together to support the healing and recovery of our people so that Eabametoong can thrive again," the chief said.
"EFN's Chief and Council are appreciative of the rapid and sincere actions taken by Ontario to work with us through this trying time."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.