Latest news with #Sherri-LynHill
Hamilton Spectator
04-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
With Six Nations languages at risk of extinction, school gets funding boost
Tired of waiting for Ottawa to cough up the money to build a permanent home for the only school in Canada offering Cayuga and Mohawk language immersion to students from kindergarten to Grade 12, Six Nations of the Grand River is going it alone — for now. On May 30, Six Nations elected council announced construction will begin on a new building for Kawenní:io/Gawení:yo Elementary and Secondary School. Council has allocated $27 million in community funds for construction, as well as water and sewer servicing for the site of the future school on Tuscarora Road. Lanca Contracting won the tender to build the school, with administrative oversight by Ohsweken-based consulting firm KL Martin and Associates and a building committee whose members will 'support decision-making' throughout the anticipated two-year construction period, Six Nations elected council said in a media release. The private Kawenní:io/Gawení:yo school was founded in 1985, but has never had a permanent home. For the last 15 years, classes have been taught on the second floor of the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Ohsweken. Limited space has meant capping enrolment at 125 students, despite growing demand from band members interested in learning the traditional Haudenosaunee languages, which are considered at risk of extinction due to a decline in the number of native speakers. 'I am beyond thrilled. Words cannot describe what this means for our community,' Kawenní:io/Gawení:yo board chair Ruby Jacobs said in the media release. 'Our children can finally enjoy a full school environment to pursue a culturally appropriate education in their first language.' Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill praised supporters of the school 'for your perseverance and commitment to our languages and to our children.' Community donors have contributed more than $3 million for the new school building, but federal funding has proven elusive, despite numerous applications to Ottawa and support from Conservative MP Larry Brock, whose riding includes Six Nations. At a meeting with elected council in April, Indigenous Services Canada said future funding is on hold until the newly-elected Liberals table a budget, which is not expected until the fall. That prompted Six Nations council to commit the money up front while continuing to push Ottawa 'to uphold their fiduciary duty to provide for the education of our children and youth, and to fully fund construction' of the school, the media release said. Last August, then-CEO of Six Nations Nathan Wright told councillors the band would seek a $23-million loan to finance construction. A spokesperson for Six Nations did not return a request for comment for this story, leaving it unclear if the $27 million announced last week represents a successful loan application or if Six Nations allocated the money from other sources. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GO bus to stop in Six Nations, Mississaugas of the Credit, 1st Metrolinx route to reach First Nations
Members of Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation are welcoming news that a GO bus route will soon make stops in both First Nations for the first time. "I am beyond thrilled to know that for the very first time in the history of our community, we have access to public transportation," elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill of Six Nations of the Grand River said in a news release Monday. "Our First Nation members will be able to attend more of the community events we offer and more importantly, to visit and remain connected to the First Nation," said Claire Sault, elected Chief of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN). Ontario's transportation agency, Metrolinx, said in a news release that starting Saturday, April 5, GO Bus Route 15 — which runs between Brantford and Burlington in southwestern Ontario — will be extended to serve stops in Six Nations and MCFN. "This extension will mark the first time Metrolinx expands GO bus service to First Nations and is part of the transit agency's dedication to collaboration and partnership with First Nations on improving transportation connections," the release reads. The agency said the expanded GO bus service will run three trips a day in each direction, seven days a week, connecting to Brantford Bus Terminal, McMaster University in Hamilton and to Lakeshore West GO Train service at Aldershot GO Station in Burlington. A GO bus stop sign could already be seen Monday at Sour Springs Road and Mohawk Road in Six Nations of the Grand River. (Harv Powless/Facebook) "This service extension will provide community members with access to key local and regional services like health-care appointments, schools, and jobs," Metrolinx said in the release. "Route 15 connects customers to a more integrated transit network and addresses an important transportation gap with safe and reliable service." 'Positive impact' expected on community The Six Nations and MCFN stops include: Sour Springs Road at Mohawk Road. Sour Springs Road at Chiefswood Road. Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Centre. 50 Generations Drive (Oneida Business Park). New Credit Variety & Gas Bar. In a joint news release, elected councils of the two First Nations said the expansion represents a significant opportunity for community members to connect with family, access essential services, and travel to job opportunities across the region. In Six Nations, Hill said the GO bus will provide new opportunities for our members to visit families and friends within the two communities, and access the City of Brantford and beyond. Meanwhile, Sault of MCFN said she's "so happy" community members will finally have access to public transit. "We look forward to the positive impact this service will have on our community members' ability to connect with opportunities and essential services throughout the region," she said.
CBC
18-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
GO bus to stop in Six Nations, Mississaugas of the Credit, 1st Metrolinx route to reach First Nations
Members of Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation are welcoming news that a GO bus route will soon make stops in both First Nations for the first time. "I am beyond thrilled to know that for the very first time in the history of our community, we have access to public transportation," elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill of Six Nations of the Grand River said in a news release Monday. "Our First Nation members will be able to attend more of the community events we offer and more importantly, to visit and remain connected to the First Nation," said Claire Sault, elected Chief of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN). Ontario's transportation agency, Metrolinx, said in a news release that starting Saturday, April 5, GO Bus Route 15 — which runs between Brantford and Burlington in southwestern Ontario — will be extended to serve stops in Six Nations and MCFN. "This extension will mark the first time Metrolinx expands GO bus service to First Nations and is part of the transit agency's dedication to collaboration and partnership with First Nations on improving transportation connections," the release reads. The agency said the expanded GO bus service will run three trips a day in each direction, seven days a week, connecting to Brantford Bus Terminal, McMaster University in Hamilton and to Lakeshore West GO Train service at Aldershot GO Station in Burlington. "This service extension will provide community members with access to key local and regional services like health-care appointments, schools, and jobs," Metrolinx said in the release. "Route 15 connects customers to a more integrated transit network and addresses an important transportation gap with safe and reliable service." 'Positive impact' expected on community The Six Nations and MCFN stops include: Sour Springs Road at Mohawk Road. Sour Springs Road at Chiefswood Road. Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Centre. 50 Generations Drive (Oneida Business Park). New Credit Variety & Gas Bar. In a joint news release, elected councils of the two First Nations said the expansion represents a significant opportunity for community members to connect with family, access essential services, and travel to job opportunities across the region. In Six Nations, Hill said the GO bus will provide new opportunities for our members to visit families and friends within the two communities, and access the City of Brantford and beyond. Meanwhile, Sault of MCFN said she's "so happy" community members will finally have access to public transit. "We look forward to the positive impact this service will have on our community members' ability to connect with opportunities and essential services throughout the region," she said.
