LLRIB Acting Chief Sam Roberts in a dental health office. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Early Education

Mikisiw Awasis Early Learning Centre becomes reality in Bells Point

Sep 11, 2019 | 11:39 AM

The sounds of children are starting to fill the halls of the new $4 million Mikisiw Awasis Early Learning Centre in Bells Point.

“We’re really excited and happy to see this building finally finished,” Lac La Ronge Indian Band Acting Chief Sam Roberts said. “It’s really been exciting for us, especially now that school has started and we’re seeing the kids in the classrooms. It really brings everything into perspective and makes it feel worthwhile.”

The 15,000-square-foot building will serve a number of purposes like taking some pressure away from the overcrowded Bells Point Elementary School across the street. It will also increase the number of head start and day care spots on the reserve and house the band’s dental program currently operated out of the Jeannie Bird Clinic. Roberts stated the name, Mikisiw Awasis, is Cree for ‘young eagle.’

Construction on the facility began in May 2018 and it was made possible almost entirely by band generated revenue. Roberts noted council secured a loan through a bank after realizing the federal government would not be funding an expansion to Bells Point School for many years. At the end of the last school year, the school was overpopulated by 141 students.

“We noticed we weren’t going to be eligible for five years when it comes to capital plans for the school,” he said. “We said ‘We just can’t sit around and wait’ we had to take matters into our own hands. As chief and council, we decided we were going to fund this building ourselves if we want to accommodate our band members and youth in our communities.”

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Large windows bring a considerable amount of light into classrooms. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

There is plenty of space for the band’s youngest members. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

An exterior view of the early learning centre. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Roberts also mentioned the new facility will serve more than just young people. With approximately 100 head start and day care spots, he said it will create opportunities for parents find employment or further their education as well.

Planning for the facility began back in 2016 with a feasibility study, while planning and designing occurred in 2017 and construction started in 2018.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno