Proposed Gichi Kendaasiwin Centre at Lakehead University receives provincial funding

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation has announced that Lakehead University has received a $1 million grant for the proposed Gichi Kendaasiwin Centre, a facility devoted to increasing academic opportunities for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, the centre will include classroom and meeting spaces, a gathering and performance space, as well as support services for Indigenous students and community members.

Province plans to invest heavily in post-secondary education

The facility will also house academic departments devoted to delivering Indigenous programming.

In the release, Minister Michael Gravelle was quoted as saying that the "Gichi Kendaasiwin Centre is a strong example of the relationship-building between Northern Ontario academic institutions and Indigenous peoples.

We are pleased to play a positive and supportive role in building those relationships."

The NOHFC grant allows the project to proceed into the design and engineering phase.