October 24, 2016
Province Announces Funding Agreement with Frontier College to Support Summer Learning Opportunities for Indigenous Students
A new multi-year funding agreement between Manitoba’s new government and Frontier College will ensure Indigenous students have access to summer learning opportunities, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart and Indigenous and Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke announced today.
“Indigenous students face a number of unique challenges that contribute to achievement gaps in literacy, such as geographic and socio-economic barriers and lack of access to summer learning opportunities,” said Wishart. “Frontier College’s summer literacy camps help to level the playing field by bringing high-quality educational opportunities to Indigenous communities during the summer months that lead to better educational outcomes overall.”
Under the agreement, Frontier College will receive a total of over $160,000 in funding over the next two years from Manitoba Education and Training and Manitoba Indigenous and Municipal Relations to operate summer literacy camps for students in Indigenous communities throughout the province.
These include Hollow Water First Nation, Misipawistik Cree Nation, Mystery Lake School District, Fisher River Cree Nation, Waywayseecappo First Nation, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Ebb and Flow First Nation and Sayisi Dene First Nation. Funding will also support Teen Literacy and Career Camps in Sapotaweyak Cree Nation and Waywayseecappo First Nation.
“The Manitoba government is pleased to once again partner with Frontier College to offer summer learning enrichment programming in 10 First Nations communities in Manitoba,” said Clarke. “By engaging children and youth in stimulating hands-on educational activities, the Frontier College Indigenous Summer Literacy Camps and Teen Literacy and Career Camps have been shown to reduce summer-learning loss and ease the transition for children and youth back to school in the fall.”
Founded in 1899, Frontier College is Canada’s original non-profit literacy organization. Through a network of volunteers, Frontier College offers a variety of literacy programs across Canada. The Winnipeg office of Frontier College works with a number community partners in Manitoba to offer a range of literacy programs including family literacy programs and summer literacy camps.
“Working in partnership with Indigenous communities, Frontier College is proud to play a part in building literacy and numeracy skills among children and youth across Canada. We heard from the kids that they loved the summer camps and most importantly, learned to love to read,” said Stephen Faul, president and CEO, Frontier College. “We are grateful for the commitment and support of the government in sharing a vision for bright futures in these communities.”
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