Details released for new First Nations student centre

Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School in Thunder Bay has unveiled more details of its plans for a Student Living Centre to house youth coming from remote First Nation communities.

The gymnasium in the school was packed on Wednesday as a couple of hundred students, along with invited dignitaries such asMayorKeith Hobbs and Confederation College officials, celebrated the unveiling of the centre's design and location.

The building will be constructed on the grounds of the college, at a six-acre siteat the corner of Edward and William Streets,not far from DFC high school.

"I think having this residence will help us provide that home away from home," said Norma Kejick, executive director of the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council.

The Education Council and the Wasaya Groupsaid they've beenworking very closely with Southeast Collegiate in Winnipeg, because ithas a successful model similar to what's planned in Thunder Bay.

The centre will include accommodation for 150 students, as well as space for 50 families sotheycanvisit and support students whenneeded.Transportation to the school will be provided. Officials said there will also be curfews andsecurity features.

Currently, students from remote First Nations are billeted with host families across Thunder Bay while they attendDFC.

"I think that the residence will be a lot ... safer," said Dakota Achneepineskum, a student atthe school.

The 17-year-old from Marten Falls First Nation lives with his grandparents while he isin Thunder Bay, but he has friends wholive with "strangers."

Achneepineskum saidtheStudent Living Centre would be better. "It'll be more students together so people won't be alone all the time."

Fundraising for the approximately $15 million project is expected to start immediately,with hopes the centre will be completedin 2015.

Confederation College isproviding thesix-acre site for theresidence, through a 21-year lease at a cost of$1 a year.

Jim Madder, president of the college, said it's important to support high school students coming from northern First Nations.

"All of those students are our future students as well," he said. "Anything that increases the success rate of DFC in regards to aboriginal students is great[for] the college."