With the help of a ground-breaking ceremony, construction began Friday on housing for first-year Indigenous students at the College of New Caledonia.
The provincial government is sinking $2.6 million into the project, which will provide 12 furnished student rooms, a suite for an Elder who will provide student support, a shared kitchen, living area, washrooms and laundry facilities, as well as a designated area for cultural practices, teachings and activities.
"A safe, welcoming and supportive home gives Indigenous students the foundation for continued success," said Lheidli T'enneh Chief Clayton Pountney. "We've worked closely with our Elders and community members to get to the start of construction and look forward to the completion of the new building."
Measuring 440 square metres (4,735 square- feet), it is being built next to existing student housing.
CNC servces 21 First Nations communities and about 20 per cent of the student population at CNC is Indigenous and the school, many from remote parts of northern B.C.
Occupancy is expected by spring 2020.
