THUNDER BAY - After just one year in its new location, the Matawa Education and Care Centre is growing fast and the future looks bright.
On Wednesday, the Matawa First Nation Education Authority was launched as a new charity which distributes funding strictly for education.
The announcement was made at a press conference at the Matawa Education and Care Centre.
“When we came into this partnership into the city two years ago, it kind of gave us an opportunity to entirely look at Matawa education as a separate organization. This rebranding will be totally standalone,” said Matawa CEO David Paul Achneepineskum.
The Matawa Education and Care Centre was established to address recommendations of the Seven Youth Inquest by providing adequate education facilities to ensure student safety.
Matawa had its first official school year in 2018-19 at its new location at the former Grandview Lodge long-term care building on Lillie Street.
The care centre has already committed to expanding the building by August 2020 after the centre received $16 million in federal investments earlier this year. The funding will expand enrolment from its current total of 140 to 200.
On Wednesday, six donors contributed $35,000 to the brand new education fund.
Michael Larizza, CEO of RFL Holdings, contributed to Wednesday’s donation by sponsoring Matawa’s ice hockey rink.
“Growing up playing sports, staying in shape, being a part of that is a great thing, and sports is a great thing to be apart,” Larizza said.
“It’s definitely a start. I hope other organizations see this and support.”
Achneepineskum said Matawa has grown fast enough to start thinking about long-term plans for the facility.
“We’d like to see Matawa take on more extensive roles in the community. We’re looking towards making this a post-secondary facility in the future.”
Matawa also rebranded its official logo and launched its new website.
