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Several educational institutions in the Thunder Bay area are on the receiving end of $2.1 million from the federal government for training, skills development and innovation.
A million of that money is going to the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre to increase its ability to provide apprenticeships, trades training and cultural supports.
Minister Responsible for FedNor, Patty Hajdu, says providing these supports to Matawa’s Thunder Bay facility will set more than just the region up for success.
“People can become the teachers, engineers, skilled trades workers that our economy needs. These are wise investments because they poise us for growth for now and into the future.”
The money is coming from the federal agencies Jobs and Growth Fund and will go towards supporting the MTWC’s Increase Skills Development Project, which will support the construction and upgrading of five classrooms with smart technology, a computer lab, multi-use training rooms, a resource centre, and a client program area, as well will convert the garage on the main floor to an apprenticeship training workshop.
Matawa First Nation’s Management President Rosemary Moonias says she is impressed with how the facility has grown and evolved and looks forward to see what this latest development will bring.
“When I started with Matawa Board of Directors it was an idea, and its been very exciting to see the growth over the years and each visit when I come into the city to see the development its very exciting.”
Also among the funding recipients is Confederation College and Lakehead University, who are receiving $889,975 and $233,700 respectively for their organizations.
Confederation College is developing an Evergreen Outdoor Classroom, an on campus project which includes a fully accessible site with an indoor elder’s area, medicine gardens, a permanent tipi location, a pathway to the riverbank, and integrated technology to enable remote learning in First Nations communities.
Funding for the EOC is also coming through the Jobs and Growth Fund.
President Kathleen Lynch says this project will have benefits for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
“Its going to create a more of a welcoming environment for Indigenous students, as well as other students who want to learn about Indigenous culture and become more knowledgeable about where we live in Northwestern Ontario.”
The project will allow Confederation College to host seven Indigenous-focused programs, including Embark – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), a new program for Indigenous women and youth.
According to Lynch Confederation College’s Indigenous student population dropped as a result of the pandemic, going from 20% to 17%, however with things stabilizing she is hopeful the numbers will not only rebound but increase with the new EOC.
Meanwhile Lakehead University has tapped into the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program which will support the university to establish the Centre for Healthy Ecosystems and Environmentally Conscious Economic Development or CHEECED, which Vice President of Research and Innovation Dr. Andrew Dean says after some consideration has been renamed.
“We have decided to change the name, and its going to become the Centre for Environmental Stewardship or CES going forward, but we’re going to stay with CHEECED today.”
The research laboratory will be a partnership from multiple departments within Lakehead University as well as industrial partners in key sectors in the region’s economy.
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