New building an investment in the future

Page 14

On Oct. 12, the doors to the Gabriel Dumont Institute's new building in Saskatoon were opened wide, and dozens of visitors and distinguished guests were invited inside to tour the facility and join in the celebration.

The smiles on the faces of the Dumont staff were broad and proud, for after a year and a half of planning, scrambling, renovating and organizing, they at long last have a building to call their own; a building from which to better serve the educational needs of Metis people throughout Saskatchewan.

"It's a proud day for us. Today we officially open our new building to the community and the public," explained Geordy McCaffrey, principal of the Dumont Technical Institute and master of ceremonies for the day's festivities. "I know these premises will serve our community well. It is a very special place. It's much more than the bricks and mortar that you see. It's a place where transformations will occur, where students will come through the door and be presented with opportunities."

The Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) is the educational arm of the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan. It, along with its technical and vocational branch the Dumont Technical Institute, is responsible for the design, development and delivery of Metis-specific education and cultural programs and services in the province. From its beginning in 1980, GDI has consistently promoted the renewal and the development of Metis culture though adult education courses and an impressive publishing house that produces Metis-specific literature for educators, the Aboriginal community and the general public. Surprisingly, though, for an institution so obviously beneficial and necessary, GDI was until this year an organization without a home.

"We previously had four rented locations in the city, and the locations were spread out all over town," said McCaffrey. "It was very cumbersome and inefficient."

That all began to change in the spring of 2000, when a proposal for a building purchase was submitted to and approved by the GDI board of governors. After a thorough evaluation of potential sites, a building at 917- 22nd St. in Saskatoon was chosen, and the sale was finalized in August of 2000. The required renovations were completed in February of this year, and in the time since all of GDI's educational, administrative and publishing offices have happily made the move to their new home.

The total cost of acquiring the building and undertaking the necessary renovations was $620,000, but with careful fiscal planning and a grant from the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan-affiliated Clarence Campeau Development Fund, GDI was able to undertake the project with only a minimal reliance on costly financing.

"We amalgamated all of these locations into one building, we didn't see any increase in rent, and we're able to achieve a lot of savings in administration and human resources. Over time we will build equity. We expect to have the project paid for in five years," said McCaffrey.

"Cost is a big factor-it just makes economic sense to bring it all under one roof," agreed Dale McAuley, chairman of GDI and Minister of Education for the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan.

All involved parties anticipate significant benefits from the move, not only for the institute itself but also for all Metis people in the province.

"The education that we provide is going to enhance our people's ability to move on to higher paying jobs," pointed out McCaffrey. "As our Elders have indicated, education will be our buffalo of the future, and we feel we have built a strong foundation for that right here."

"Metis people have struggled for many years, and I think the time for change is overdue," McAuley agreed. "This will not only be beneficial for the Metis people, it will be beneficial for the province and the nation as a whole. This building is not just a building- it will lead to economic development."

Though all in attendance shared in the upbeat atmosphere, it was the words of Cem Chartier, president of the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, that put the true meaning of the event in perspective.

"It's a wonderful feeling to be able to stand here, to participate in the opening of the Gabriel Dumont Institute. I think as Metis people we have to continue pushing for the things we want to achieve. Sometimes it's not easy. It's not that often we have positive things we can show to the rest of the world. I think it's a good news day for all of us. The Gabriel Dumont Institute has come a long way, and I believe it will go a lot further."