Carcross/Tagish residents now have access to a new language hub and meeting spaces for youth and elders, as well as for their heritage and archives materials and document management systems.

The second phase of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation (CTFN) Learning Centre is now complete. It provides additional space for the community to expand its traditional and modern learning facilities.

Area residents celebrated the completion of the second phase Friday afternoon with the raisings of seven totem poles outside the building.

Those on hand included Yukon MP Larry Bagnell, who represented François-Philippe Champagne, the federal minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Yukon Community Services Minister John Streicker; and Khà Shâde Hení Andy Carvill of the CTFN.

The learning centre is a central gathering place that will continue to contribute to the economic growth of the community and create local jobs. Throughout the project, citizens developed a variety of construction skills and abilities.

The federal government provided $3.975 million for the second phase of the centre’s construction through the Small Communities Fund.

The Yukon government contributed $1.325 million to build the learning wing.

“From start to finish, learning has been the central purpose of this building, from the youth who helped build it while learning construction skills, to its purpose as the Learning Centre for Carcross/Tagish First Nation and residents of Carcross,” said Streicker.

“Our government is pleased to have partnered with the Government of Canada and Carcross/Tagish First Nation in building this beautiful new learning wing that will serve Carcross residents and Yukoners for years to come.”

Both the first and second phases were built with the help of local citizens. Students learned building skills in the process, and some have gone on to apprenticeships.

“Infrastructure is about connecting people and communities and providing places to share our heritage and culture,” said Bagnell.

“This beautiful learning centre provides a gathering place that supports the needs of the community and delivers programs and activities for Carcross/Tagish First Nation residents and visitors.

“It is thanks to projects like this that we will build 21st-century communities and ensure a high quality of life for northern Canadians.”

The main hall and central building were opened on June 21, 2017, and are also available to rent for functions.

“We are thrilled that phase two is finally completed and that the entire facility is now open to the community,” said Carvill.

“After years of hard work and an extraordinary amount of effort, we are excited to share this beautiful space and encourage learning, reconciliation, healing and host community gatherings.

“It was extraordinary to watch our citizens come together to produce something that is so important for our community, as well as for non-Indigenous people to have an opportunity to learn about our culture, languages and traditions.”