Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to respond to the hon. member for Churchill on behalf of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development concerning the social problem at the Shamattawa First Nation.
The Government of Canada is concerned about the living conditions facing the residents of Shamattawa. We are working in partnership with the first nation to take action in addressing the social conditions.
Numerous meetings have occurred among regional officials and the chief and council over the past few months. On November 20 officials from Health Canada and the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development met with Chief Massan of the Shamattawa First Nation and Chief Francis Flett of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. They discussed the first nation's desire to build a multipurpose complex which would contain an arena. On December 24, 1998 a letter committing $400,000 toward the cost of this multipurpose complex was provided to the first nation. These funds include $200,000 in advance to the first nation's base capital allocation and another $200,000 provided through social and educational reform components of the gathering strength initiative.
In addition, $150,000 was made available to enhance education facilities. The first nation anticipates the construction of two portable classrooms to begin in the spring.
Construction of a water treatment plant is also under way at a cost of $4,736,000. A further $33,000 has been identified to assist the first nation in the development of a human resource strategy that will target education and employment opportunities for youth.
Finally, I understand that the community is working on a proposal to access dollars from the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, to which the member referred, to address its needs for a healing centre on the reserve.