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Waterhen Lake First Nation and Canada celebrate opening of new temporary school

Indigenous Services Canada
Thursday at 6:40pm ADT · October 22, 2026 3 min read

WATERHEN LAKE FIRST NATION, TREATY 6 TERRITORY, SK, Oct. 22, 2026 /CNW/ — Today, Chief Blaine Fiddler of Waterhen Lake First Nation, together with the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, Council members, Elders, staff, students and partners, celebrated the opening of the community’s new temporary school.

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provided $15 million for the temporary school project, covering site preparation, connections to essential services, 17 ready-to-move (RTM) units, and fencing and deck construction. Planning and schematic design are now underway for a new permanent school at Waterhen Lake First Nation.

The temporary facility will serve students from kindergarten to grade 12 and will consist of the RTM units, which provide space for classrooms, the Head Start program, and daycare. In May 2024, the community’s school was destroyed by fire. The temporary school will be used until a new permanent school is built in the community.

Waterhen Lake First Nation worked with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and ISC to establish a temporary school so students could continue their education in their home community while a permanent replacement is developed.

Safe schools do more than educate. They create the conditions for First Nations students living on reserve to learn with confidence, pursue their goals, and build strong futures. Indigenous Services Canada recognizes the importance of ensuring access to these quality learning environments.

Quotes

“Today, we are not simply opening the doors to a temporary school–we are opening the doors to opportunity, hope, and a brighter future for our children. From Kindergarten to Grade 12, this school represents a place where our children will learn, grow, build confidence, and prepare themselves to become the leaders of tomorrow. This facility may be temporary, but our commitment to education is permanent. Our children deserve every opportunity to succeed, and it is our responsibility, as leaders, parents, educators, and community members, to stand behind them and give them the support they need. Let this school be a place filled with learning, respect, culture, laughter, and dreams. May every student who walks through these doors know that their community believes in them and believes in what they can achieve. The building may be temporary, but the future we are building together is not. Today, we open these doors with pride–and we open them for the generations yet to come.”

Chief Blaine Fiddler

Waterhen Lake First Nation

“Losing a school is devastating for any community. For Waterhen Lake First Nation, this opening means students can continue learning close to home, surrounded by their families, culture and community. I want to recognize Chief Blaine Fiddler, Council and everyone who worked to make this possible. This is an important milestone, but our work is not finished. We will continue working with Waterhen Lake First Nation towards a permanent replacement.”

The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty

Minister of Indigenous Services

Quick facts

  • The new temporary school will serve approximately 237 students.
  • Waterhen Lake First Nation is located approximately 39 kilometres north of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, with its primary reserve alongside Waterhen Lake.
  • Waterhen Lake First Nation is a member of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council.

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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada

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