Indigenous college to be rebuilt after fire

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Published: October 8, 2020

The previous building in Standoff, Alta., burned down in 2015 but on Oct. 8 the provincial and federal governments announced construction of a new 9,888 sq. metre campus in southern Alberta that will be designed to primarily meet the needs of the Kainai people of the Blackfoot Confederacy. | Screencap via redcrowcollege.com

Red Crow Community College will rise again in coming years through $48 million in funds contributed by the federal government, Kainai and the college itself.

The previous building in Standoff, Alta., burned down in 2015 but on Oct. 8 the provincial and federal governments announced construction of a new 9,888 sq. metre campus in southern Alberta that will be designed to primarily meet the needs of the Kainai people of the Blackfoot Confederacy.

Of the total cost, $20 million will come through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The project is expected to provide student opportunities for Indigenous students in the long term, and in the short term provide construction jobs.

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“Education is the way forward for our people,” said Kainai Chief Roy Fox, in a news release.

“Through our $20-million contribution to Red Crow Community College’s new campus facility, we are contributing to the positive future of our youth. On-reserve educational opportunities for students is an important factor in the economic, social and cultural well-being of our community. We are proud to play such an integral role in educating and training our people and we look forward to sharing our new facility with you once open.”

Roy Weasel Fat, president of Red Crow College, said the new facility will allow people to gather and learn from peers, teachers and Native elders, grounding students to nature, language and Blackfoot culture.

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