The Guardian (Charlottetown)

‘Our footprint’

Chief Matilda Ramjattan raves over Urban Indigenous Centre’s potential

- BY JIM DAY

It is a mere hole in the ground now, but Lennox Island First Nation Chief Matilda Ramjattan is bubbling with enthusiasm over what is to come.

Ramjattan is thrilled with the potential of an Urban Indigenous Centre that will be built in Charlottet­own along the waterfront next to Founder’s Hall.

“This is our footprint,’’ she says.

“We’ve been here for 12,000 years and why not have a building. I think it’s high time. It’s a place to call home for everyone and I’m really happy.’’

A ground-breaking ceremony took place Friday with Charlottet­own MP Sean Casey announcing $750,000 in federal funding through ACOA for the project. Last year, the province committed $2.2 million.

Don MacKenzie, executive director of the Mi’kmaq Confederac­y of P.E.I., says the funding from the two levels of government should come close to covering the cost of building the 18,000-square-foot, three-storey building.

He estimates the building should be ready to move into in about one year.

The Urban Indigenous Centre will provide a venue for business skills developmen­t and employment services, Indigenous programs and service delivery, cultural tourism and several social enterprise­s, as well as leasable tenant space.

Ramjattan believes the centre will be alive with diverse activity.

“We want to be able to provide cultural teachings, to be able to do workshops, healing events, and also it will be a really good way to promote our communitie­s,’’ she says.

“I think that in terms of economic developmen­t, I really want people to flourish.’’

P.E.I. Senator Brian Francis, former chief of the Abegweit Mi’kmaw Nation, says he is filled with pride over the long-sought multidimen­sional facility set to become a reality.

“The contributi­on by ACOA and the willingnes­s to work with the First Nation government­s illustrate­s the positive results that can be accomplish­ed when various levels of government work together with a cooperativ­e spirit,’’ he says.

“This building will serve as a hub for economic, cultural and social programmin­g activity to benefit the entire Indigenous community.’’

Casey describes the project as a significan­t step in creating a more diverse, inclusive and stronger economy for P.E.I.

“The Urban Indigenous Centre will recognize the rich cultural traditions that connect the Mi’kmaq First Nations communitie­s of P.E.I. and will build on the innovative and sustainabl­e economic plan they have been collaborat­ively developing with federal and provincial partners.’’

“We want to be able to provide cultural teachings, to be able to do workshops, healing events, and also it will be a really good way to promote our communitie­s. I think that in terms of economic developmen­t, I really want people to flourish.’’ Chief Matilda Ramjattan

 ?? JIM DAY/THE GUARDIAN ?? Charlottet­own MP Sean Casey, middle, poses with Lennox Island First Nation Chief Matilda Ramjattan and P.E.I. Senator Brian Francis in front of an artist’s conceptual drawing of the Urban Indigenous Centre. Casey announced $750,000 in funding for the facility, which will open along the waterfront in Charlottet­own in about one year.
JIM DAY/THE GUARDIAN Charlottet­own MP Sean Casey, middle, poses with Lennox Island First Nation Chief Matilda Ramjattan and P.E.I. Senator Brian Francis in front of an artist’s conceptual drawing of the Urban Indigenous Centre. Casey announced $750,000 in funding for the facility, which will open along the waterfront in Charlottet­own in about one year.

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