Treaty Ten News - February 8, 2023 - La Loche School Sod Turning Ceremony for New School Construction

New School in La Loche to be completed in 2025 

“..An occasion worth celebrating,” …Richard Petit Chairperson NLSD #113 

Northern Lights School Division had a sod-turning ceremony on February 3, 2023 to begin construction of a new elementary school in the Northern Village of La Loche. The $30 million project replaces the 49 year old Ducharme Elementary building with a two-story architectural design that includes 26 classrooms, cultural spaces, offices, kitchen and gymnasium for school and community activities. 

The Government of Saskatchewan was represented by our local Member of the Legislature, Mr. Jim Lemaigre, and Northern Lights School Division was represented by Chairperson Richard Petit, and local Trustee Bernice Park-Campbell. The Mayor Georgina Jolibois thanked everyone in attendance and congratulated the students in their new school and keeping education a priority. 

The construction of the new school starts in the spring of 2023 and expected to be completed in 2025 by the Wright Construction contractors from Saskatoon. The construction site will include a temporary camp for workers. 

The prayers and blessings were shared in the Dene language by our Elder and long-time employee Shirley Janvier who has been employed at ‘Ducharme Elementary’ since it opened 49 years ago. The Dene community is proud to see a new school for their growing families, and the academic challenges in seeking a ‘good life’. The students were excited with the new school plans, and the land acknowledgement to Treaty Eight territory was done by their student representative Kyrain Herman. 

The host was Leanne Gailey, Principal and Village Councellor who helped in accommodating the community input for the design team at AODBT architecture and interior design, which incorporated local Indigenous Dene and Metis cultural and natural elements such as the land, waters and sky.