Kebaowek First Nation, Val-d’Or receive funding for new centres

Two Quebec communities have received federal funding through the Government of Canada’s Green and Inclusive Building program to support the construction and renovation of dedicated cultural centres. Canada has announced $8.9M in funding to support the construction of the Kebaowek First Nation Cultural Centre. The centre will provide the community with a place to teach history; develop language skills; and offer the community’s youth recreational, extra-curricular, and employment-related activities. “The Green and Inclusive Building program will help to give the citizens and community an opportunity to build a solid base from which to continue the vital work needed to reinvigorate and revitalize our language, cultural practices, teachings and ceremonies, said Chief Lance Haymond. The federal government has also announced $25M to support infrastructure improvements to the Val-d’Or Native Friendship Centre. The funding will support the expansion of the building and a retrofit of the Indigenous daycare centre. All of the renovated and expanded spaces will be carbon neutral.