We're working to transform the unused bay in the fire hall into a learning center

LEARNING CENTER PROJECT

NIISAACHEWAN NATION LEARNING CENTER

This tight knit community wants to provide culturally appropriate learning conditions for their children. Help us 'anishinaabe- gikinoo'amaadiwin' and make education possible in the north!

SCHOOLBOX NORTH /schoolboxhelps NIISAACHEWAN LEARNING CENTER

The Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation is located in the Treaty 3 territory on the border between Manitoba and , north of . The community is filled with amazing young people with a passion for topics as diverse as our country. And yet, the children of P r o j e c t C o s t : Niisaachewan face systemic barriers unprecedented to the population at large. There is no school or high school in their community. $ 4 2 , 5 0 0 C A D

According to StatsCan, only 47% of the Niisaachewan community have Space Remodelling $25,000 a high school diploma, compared to 91% of the national population Furniture $5000 aged 24-64. This inequality is rooted in the Indian Act, the residential Books $5000 school system and the lack of funding for on-reserve schooling. Technology $5000 Niisaachewan families were sent to residential schools in Kenora, many Coordination $2500 to Cecilia Jeffery Indian Residential school, the notorious institution from which Chanie ran for, and lost, his life in 1966.

E d u c a t i o n S t a t i s t i c s C o m m u n i t y S t a t i s t i c s No school on reserve 50%+ kids on reserve live in poverty Kids travel 20 km to Kenora K-12 70 Houses, Avg 2+ Families/ house Only 1 in 4 kids on reserve 468 Total Band Membership complete high school in 4 yrs Youth suicide rate 3x non-Indigenous

Niisaachewan, like many , is young, with an average age of 30. Indigenous youth are the fastest growing demographic in the country which means they have a uniquely passionate and energetic community stepping up to make change for their children. The band council, education and family wellbeing workers are using the Fire Hall to create learning spaces for their youngest learners and an upstairs room is used for continuing education teachers to help young people and adults finish their high school diplomas.

Unfortunately they have no books, library furniture or computer technology to support them in their mission. Together we will help remodel the building to create a beautiful learning center for all kids K-12, their families and elders, to come to learn, teach and share in the space. We will replace the garage door with an open picture window to allow for natural light, install a children’s library collection downstairs and a youth library upstairs!

Together we can empower the next For more info: www.schoolbox.ca/north or generation of children in Niisaachewan email Sarah: [email protected] Anishinaabe Nation to break the cycle of poverty by 'aniishinaabe-gikinoo' Donate! Online: schoolbox.ca/north or amaadiwim', making education possible! By mail: SchoolBOX Inc. PO Box 201, Mill St. Almonte, ON, K0A 1A0