MISSION
Achieving the Dream Through Education is devoted to supporting and improving the lives of Indigenous youth through education, holistic student-centred programs, spiritual values and embracing connections to community, language and land in the Matawa Communities of Aroland, Eabametoong, Ginoogaming, Marten Falls, Neskantaga, Nibinamik and Webequie First Nations.
Goals
- Supporting the development of language and culturally affirming curriculum
- Supporting traditional languages as language instruction
- Relying on Elder guidance and knowledge keepers to help ensure traditional and culturally significant educational programs are supported.
- Supporting the Matawa Student Care Centre, an accommodation centre for youth moving to Thunder Bay to attend high school.
- Create opportunities for training, skills development, and access to post-secondary education, college education, or workforce opportunities.
Accessible Education
Five of the First Nations are remote and accessible by air or seasonal winter road, while the others are accessible by road throughout the year. Although each community is autonomous, they collectively support common issues and goals, including education and the importance of advocating for First Nation youth in the pursuit of lifelong learning.
Matawa Education & Care Centre
Achieving the Dream Through Education also supports the Matawa Education & Care Centre, a First Nation Private School located in Thunder Bay. In the spring of 2022, the live-in, newly developed Matawa Student Care Centre (MSCC) opened its doors, housing Matawa youth who have transitioned to Thunder Bay from their remote First Nations to attend high school. Both the MECC and MSCC are located in the same building allowing for a seamless transition for youth to access research-supported, culturally based, holistic programs, providing them with an individualized approach to education with the support necessary to ensure success.
When you donate, you are giving more than money. You are providing Matawa youth with the means to realize their full potential and empower them to make life-changing choices that impact them and their community. By creating a bursary, you are offering them access to post-secondary education; when you support a fund, these dollars enhance their learning opportunities. When you provide resources for clothing, computers, sports equipment and art supplies, you are making a difference one student at a time!
