Minister Duncan Announces a Financial Contribution to the Odanak Student Residence Construction Project

ODANAK, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - May 4, 2012) - On a visit to the region, the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, announced a financial contribution of $307,500 to the Odanak community in support of its project to build student and teacher residences at Kiuna Institution, the First Nations Postsecondary Institution (FNPI).

"Our government is committed to investing in education infrastructure, such as student residences, that will help to enhance Kiuna Institution's accessibility," said Minister Duncan. "We are proud to be contributing to this project as the construction of these facilities will have positive economic benefits for the community."

"The Abenakis Band Council of Odanak is proud to be contributing to the FNPI project and is a firm believer in the importance of education to our communities' youth. These residences provide students with an environment that fosters their success. The Abenaki Band Council of Odanak would like to thank AANDC for its support of this project to develop residences for Kiuna students and teachers, at a cost of over $1,500,000."

A portion of AANDC's contribution comes from the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program, which has enabled the community to build public infrastructure that, in addition to promoting community development, has also made it possible to build student residences. The contribution from the Community Economic Opportunities Program was used to carry out landscaping work related to the construction of two residences.

The Government of Canada, in collaboration with First Nations, continues to respond to infrastructure needs and to ensure that sustainable infrastructure is in place to meet current needs, as well as to support development.

This release is also available on the Internet at www.aandc.gc.ca.

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