The Yukon government won’t build a school in Burwash Landing, says Premier Dennis Fentie.
Students from the small community, which has a population of 77 according to the 2003 census, must attend class in Destruction Bay, population 52, which is 19 kilometres to the southeast.
It’s an unpopular arrangement with the Kluane First Nation, which counts three-quarters of Burwash’s residents as members.
It wants to see a Burwash community centre being built by the Yukon government converted into a school, said Kluane’s Liberal MLA, Gary McRobb.
“The community wants to change the planned community building project to a school, but the government so far isn’t willing to accommodate that request. Why not?” McRobb asked in the legislature April 7.
“This project is being built on First Nation land, number one,” replied Fentie. “Secondly, we already have a public school in the area—it is in Destruction Bay.”
“We’ve provided the equipment to have children travel to that public school. The public school has a Department of Education teacher in it.
“We’re not going to build a school in Burwash at this time. The only school we’re building next is a replacement for FH Collins.”