Pikangikum leaders confident school stoppage shortlived

Disruptions that saw 25 of 30 teachers leave Pikangikum First Nation because of mould concerns in their housing units should be shortlived, says Chief Jonah Strang.

Strang said his community appears to have come to an agreement with the federal government to resolve the problem, though did not say what it entailed.

In a release issued on Thursday, band officials confirmed chief and council are meeting with the feds in Winnipeg this week to overcome the problem, discovered last week through the results of an independent air quality test of the teachers' housing units.

"This toxic substance poses a health and safety concern at any level and it is necessary to address this immediately since it impacts the community as a whole," Strang said. "There are no alternative accommodations in our community for the teachers and this has resulted in some teachers having to leave the community, leading to the cancellation of classes at this time."

Negotiations are going well, with the basis of a deal on the horizon, he said.

"We are encouraged by the commitment of the federal government and remain optimistic these negotiations will result in a return of full operations of the school and teacher's early return. Our primary objective is to ensure there is continuity in the school programming year, to having all students back to classes and accommodation in place for the teachers," Strang said.