Press Release

Val-d’Or, October 26, 2006 — The announcement today from Mr. Pierre Corbeil, Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife, makes the project for a new First Nations Pavilion at the Val-d’Or campus of the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), a concrete reality. This support is in addition to the funding revealed yesterday by Mr. Jean-Pierre Blackburn, federal Minister of Labour. The construction and entry into service of this new building at the Centre d`études supérieures Lucien-Cliché will, in part, solve the problem of a chronic lack of space, while permitting UQAT to improve its services to First Nations clientele.

UQAT President Mrs. Johanne Jean expressed her deepest thanks to all who believed in the project, particularly to those who gave to the community fundraising campaign. She also emphasized the leadership of Messrs. Ted Moses and Fernand Trahan, co-presidents of the fundraising campaign. Mrs. Jean recalled the considerable work accomplished towards this goal by the former campus director, Mr. Robert Paquin, and by his successor, Mr. André Bellavance.

Mrs. Jean also extended her gratitude to the Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife, “I would like to draw your attention,” she said “to someone who has always been close to UQAT, whether as President of the Corporation de l’enseignement supérieur de la Vallée-de-l’Or, or in his role as a minister in the Québec government: Mr. Pierre Corbeil, Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife.”

Finally, she emphasized the exceptional work done by the team led by Leo Couture, Regional Director of Canada Economic Development in this regard. “The efforts of Mr. Couture and his organization certainly had a big influence on Minister Blackburn’s decision,” she declared.

The President of the UQAT Board of Directors Mrs. Edith Cloutier brought out the key role that education and research for First Nations people plays, when carried out in a way that is respectful of their fundamental values. “The construction of a pavilion at Val-d’Or, and therefore access to university education is greatly desired by the communities,” she stated. “The Université is also conscious of engaging in a process whereby Aboriginal people can take charge of the tools for their own development. As of 2008, UQAT will welcome almost 450 full-time and part-time First Nations students.

According to Luc Bergeron, the Université’s Vice-President (Resources) the first calls for tender could happen within one month, and construction would begin in the Fall of 2007.

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Source : Bernard Pelletier
Senior Advisor
Information and Public Affairs
819-762-0971 ext. 2222

Photos at http://www.uqat.ca/repertoire/photopresse/pavillon/