Grand opening of Sagamok Anishnawbek’s new Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik – Anishinabek News
September 24, 2024
SAGAMOK ANISHNAWBEK FIRST NATION – A community grand opening ceremony was held in Sagamok Anishnawbek to celebrate the opening of the newly constructed elementary school, Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik. Students starting Early Learning 1-8 were welcomed into the building on September 3 for their first day back of the 2024-2025 school year.
Sagamok Councilor Michael Abitong welcomed Elders, Gimaa Angus Toulouse, invited guests, teachers, education department staff, and community members to Biidaaban’s grand opening ceremony on Sept. 12. Students were part of the ceremony as well, dressed in ribbon skirts and ribbon shirts hand-sewn with care by Sagamok’s Grandmas and Aunties Group over the last year. An Opening Prayer from Patricia Trudeau and Honour Song by the Young Warriors preceded remarks from invited guests, which included Maria Kamin (Indigenous Services Canada), Stephanie Campbell (Architect at J.L. Richards), and Andrea Franceschini (Project Lead at Colliers).
Gimaa Angus Toulouse offered thanks for the warm, sunny day, as well as a reminder that this Biidaaban project is in some ways, a continuation of the original Biidaaban school that opened in 1985 but was “never finished”. Now, the children will have access to everything they need – from classrooms to a gymnasium and close proximity to the outdoors for land-based learning, all in one building. Gimaa also stressed the importance of bringing Sagamok’s rich history, language, and culture, as well as ongoing Treaty relationship into the classroom.
