Kwanlin Dün First Nation Citizens to benefit from new community space
WHITEHORSE, July 3, 2019 /CNW/ - Investing in social infrastructure where Yukoners can come together, share ideas and access vital resources helps build dynamic and inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; The Honourable Jeanie Dendys, Yukon Minister of Tourism and Culture on behalf of the Honourable John Streicker, Yukon Minister of Community Services; and Chief Doris Bill of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation, today announced funding for the construction of a new community hub on Kwanlin Dün First Nation settlement land in the McIntyre subdivision of Whitehorse.
The brand new energy efficient building will serve as a gathering space for the community to reflect on the culture and history of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. It will include an elder's lounge where residents can gather to share traditional stories and seek advice, as well as a healing room, restorative justice space, and specialized facilities for archival storage. It will also increase display space for historical artifacts and art work.
Once complete, the community hub will provide Kwanlin Dün First Nation Citizens with greater access to community and cultural programming, creating an inclusive community space where people can meet, grow, and celebrate their heritage.
The Government of Canada is investing over $19.3 million in the project through the Rural and Northern Infrastructure Stream (RNIS) and the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Yukon Government will contribute over $6.4 million and the Kwanlin Dün First Nation will contribute $3.2 million to this project.
Quotes
"The new community hub will be an exciting space where residents of all ages can access cultural and educational programming and essential community resources in Kwanlin Dün. Projects like these help build modern, inclusive communities, and ensure a high quality of life for Yukoners for years to come."
The Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
"The Kwanlin Dün First Nation's Community Hub will provide its elders, youth and other citizens with a place for cultural, social and other programs for many years to come. We are pleased to partner with the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Canada in funding this inclusive building that will be shared with all Yukoners in the spirit of reconciliation."
The Honourable Jeanie Dendys, Minister of Tourism and Culture on behalf of the Honourable John Streicker, Yukon Minister of Community Services
"We are very excited about this new building. From the very beginning of the design phase, citizens have been sharing a vision of what they'd like to see. The community hub will reflect the land, culture and people of Kwanlin Dün First Nation, and soon, this vision will become a reality."
Chief Doris Bill, Kwanlin Dün First Nation
Quick facts
- Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
- $25.3 billion of this funding is supporting social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
- $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity. In addition, $400 million is being delivered through the Arctic Energy Fund to advance energy security in the territories.
- $4 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities.
- On June 27, 2019, the Government of Canada launched two new strategies: Canada's Connectivity Strategy, which commits to connect all Canadians to high-speed internet, and Canada's first Rural Economic Development Strategy, which will spur economic growth and create good, middle class jobs for rural Canadians across the country.
- The Rural Economic Development Strategy leverages ongoing federal investments and provides a vision for the future, identifying practical steps to take in the short term, and serving as a foundation to guide further work.
- Central to Canada's Connectivity Strategy are historic new investments that are mobilizing up to $6 billion toward universal connectivity. They include a top-up to the Connect to Innovate Program, a new Universal Broadband Fund, and investments from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Associated links
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map
Federal infrastructure investments in Yukon:
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/yt-eng.html
Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
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