Grandview Lodge to become Indigenous education centre and residence

A former nursing home in Thunder Bay, Ont. is getting anew life as an education centre and residence for Indigenous students.

On behalf of Thunder Bay City Council,Acting Mayor Linda Rydholmsigned a letter of intent on Tuesday, granting GrandviewLodge to Matawa First Nations Management.

• Thunder Bay city council to consider grantingGrandviewLodge building toMatawa

Matawais a tribal council which provides services for nine First Nations. The organization plans to transform Grandview Lodge into a school that can also house up to 100 students.

There will also be space for parents and grandparents to stay if they come to Thunder Bay to visit the students, saidMatawa CEO David Paul Achneepineskum.

Rydholmsaidthe letter of intent is a "step forward" in ensuringthe safety of First Nations students that come to Thunder Bay to get theirhigh school education.

The plan for the new learning centre cameas welcome news to Danielle Yellowhead.

Yellowhead, who isfrom Eabametoong First Nation, is a graduate ofMatawa Learning Centre.During her time in Thunder Bay as a student, Yellowhead stayed at several boarding homes. She says that she felt like a "stranger" in someone else's home.

"It was hard. It was lonely," said Yellowhead.

But she's excited for futurestudents who will be able to live at the new school.

The education centre will provide structure and support forstudents, and as a result, the students will feel more at home, she said.