The Kenora District Services Board is working with several first nations in the far north to help improve education opportunities for youth.
The board has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Windigo First Nations Council.
KDSB Chief Administrative Officer Henry Wall says the goal is to develop supportive housing options for students coming from the seven member communities.
Wall says they will be working with both levels of senior government to establish as many as 40 housing units in areas like Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Kenora.
He hopes to complete the first phase of the project in the next couple of years.
Wall says housing is a significant barrier right now.
He says there are so many students in northern communities who should be in high school but they aren’t because they have no where to stay.
Wall stresses all community leaders agree that whatever they do, can not ,in any shape or form, resemble the legacy that resulted from the Residential School system.
He says they need housing that supports both the student and their families.
Wall notes student safety will be the priority when developing the housing units.
Windigo First Nations Council represents Bearskin Lake, Sachigo Lake, Cat Lake, Koocheching, North Caribou Lake, Slate Falls Nation and Whitewater Lake First Nation.
