Former residential school sees $9M in renovation funding
The federal and provincial governments have committed more than $9 million in funding toward renovations of a former Indian Residential School site in Brantford.
Work at the Woodland Cultural Centre involves restoring the building’s masonry, replacing more than 100 windows, upgrading the HVAC system, and finishing interior restorations including door frames, flooring, baseboards, and fireplaces. Improvements also include accessibility upgrades such as the addition of a barrier-free main entrance, an elevator, and accessible pathways around the building.
The work will allow the Woodland Cultural Centre to restore the Mohawk Institute Residential School site, allowing it to open as a national historical cultural site for public education and healing.
"Today’s announcement for the third phase of the Save the Evidence project at the Woodland Cultural Centre, will help rehabilitate the Mohawk Institute Residential School site in Six Nations of the Grand River, and allow for healing and the preservation of a past that should not be forgotten,” said federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna. “In partnership with Indigenous peoples, provinces and territories, we continue our work to advance reconciliation and ensure Indigenous communities have the tools needed to succeed and ensure the well-being of their people."
The centre's work includes teaching about the history of the Mohawk Institute Residential School. Its Save the Evidence campaign aims to raise awareness and support for the restoration of the former school building, and to develop the building into an interpreted historic site and educational resource. The building is in the process of being designated as a national historic site.
"With this funding we are that much closer to realizing our dream of opening up the former Mohawk Institute Residential School as an important interpretive heritage site to educate Canada and to uncover the truth," said Janis Monture, executive director of the Woodland Cultural Centre.
The Government of Canada is investing over $7.6 million in this project through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing more than $1.8 million, while the Woodland Cultural Centre is contributing $378,437.
Featured image: Woodland Cultural Centre. (Woodland Cultural Centre)