Eabametoong First Nation is working hard to set up a temporary school in time for the Fall after its only school was destroyed by arson. The John C Yesno Education Centre was destroyed by a fire on January 25, displacing 300 K-9 students. “There’s a real positive feeling that we are going to open a school for our children to go this fall,” said Eabametoong First Nation Chief Solomon Atlookan. Government of Canada Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu announced that the federal government is investing over $13M to help the community bring in and furnish five modular buildings to support learning in the community. In the meantime, CBC reports that about a dozen grade 9 students have been sent to Thunder Bay—where youth typically go to complete their high school education—to complete their semester at the Matawa Education and Care Centre. After the temporary school has been established, Eabametoong will return to its planning for a new school for the community.
