Quw’utsun Smun’een Elementary School’s expansion will allow Cowichan Tribes to offer expanded services and increased education potential.
A ground blessing ceremony was held to celebrate the long-awaited expansion of the school, which aims to offer “an education system that fully reflects and integrates Quw’utsun culture, values, and teachings.”
Chief Cindy Daniels said the school is a testament to dedication to students and an essential part of community’s culture.
“Our Nation is committed to building a future where our students and culture thrive,” she says. “Having a sufficient education infrastructure, facilities, and classrooms are an essential part of exercising our inherent right to teach our children, and speak our language.”
According to Cowichan Tribes, it has worked with Indigenous Services Canada for close to a decade on the project, and chief administrative officer Alistair MacGregor said it’s an honour to see the project come to life.
“Our chief, council and staff have continued to champion this project on behalf of Quw’utsun children,” he said. “We are all very pleased to see the start of the construction after all these years,”
Growth for the school has been in the works since 2003, since the facility began serving children from kindergarten to grade three, and now Cowichan Tribes said the expansion will include students up to grade seven.
In a media release, Cowichan Tribes said the additional will be built as a second storey and include eight new classrooms, a full-sized gym, a staff room, and space for students who need a safe and calming environment to focus and process information.
The expansion will cost over $15 million and is funded through Indigenous Services Canada.
