SCO Supports Lake Manitoba First Nation’s Urgent Call to Improve School Safety

Press Release

May 15, 2026

“Leadership in Lake Manitoba just wants to ensure that the school is safe for the children in Lake Manitoba First Nation. Right now, it’s not up to par. I remind the Government of Canada that education is a Treaty right. It is essential that the children and teens of Lake Manitoba have a safe school in their Nation.” – Grand Chief Jerry Daniels

ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is supporting calls from leadership in Lake Manitoba First Nation for immediate improvements to its 50-year-old school.

“Our school in Lake Manitoba is 50 years old. It’s one of the oldest schools amongst all Manitoba First Nations,” shared Chief Cornell McLean of Lake Manitoba First Nation. “The internal doors have not been replaced during the lifespan of the school and they aren’t up to fire code. The internal doors don’t lock, and many have broken hinges. If there was a threat, we won’t be able to protect our kids because the doors don’t lock.”

Although Lake Manitoba recently received $5 million from Indigenous Services Canada for renovations to the Lake Manitoba School, the architect tasked with planning the upgrades failed to examine the internal doors—thus, the funds for fixing the doors was not included within the $5 million renovation budget. Windows and exterior doors of the school were replaced using the $5 million in funding for major projects.

Lake Manitoba has since engaged contractors to develop quotes to replace all the interior doors—there are around 100 doors. The most competitive quote is for $432,000.

“Last summer, there was a threat of a shooting in the school in Lake Manitoba. Canadians remember the devastating shooting that resulted in the loss of innocent lives in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia earlier this year,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “The Southern Chiefs’ Organization is calling for Indigenous Services Canada to immediately provide funds to ensure necessary upgrades can be made to internal doors within the Lake Manitoba School.”

The normal life span for schools is 40 years.

“We don’t want a new school; we need a new school. A senior official from Indigenous Services Canada made a comment about whether we really need fire-rated doors—that’s unacceptable,” asserted Chief McLean. “Our children are sacred. The school in our Nation should reflect that, and yet our children are also required to go outside into portable classrooms—there are four portables. Our older students, as well as nursery and kindergarten kids, are attending school in portables. This is 20 years in the making, these temporary classrooms.”

“Chief McLean has been advocating for a new school for 14 years,” concluded Grand Chief Daniels. “Leadership in Lake Manitoba just wants to ensure that the school is safe for the children in Lake Manitoba First Nation. Right now, it’s not up to par. I remind the Government of Canada that education is a Treaty right. It is essential that the children and teens of Lake Manitoba have a safe school in their Nation.”

Chief and Council passed a Band Council Resolution on May 14, 2026. The Council has adamantly voiced concerns about the conditions of the Lake Manitoba School. The Nation is urging Indigenous Services Canada to reconsider their decisions and commit to ensuring the school is safe for the 321 children who currently attend the school. If the school does not receive safety upgrades, Chief and Council plan to shut down school operations on June 30, 2026. They plan to close the school to help protect the safety of the children and teens in Lake Manitoba First Nation.

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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 33 First Nations and more than 92,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

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Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca

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