An historic moment in Canadian history was unveiled recently at a Catholic school in rural, northwestern Ontario.
Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, chose St. Louis School in Kenora, Ont. at which to reveal the newest edition of the map of Canada.
For this small, Catholic elementary school, located in an area referred to as Keewatin in Kenora, hosting national news was a special event.
Acting principal of St. Louis School, Jackie Robinson, said the school’s students and staff felt honoured to be among the first people to see the new map. The school accommodates 177 students from junior kindergarten to Grade 6 and is part of the Kenora Catholic District School Board.
On April 15, Minister Rickford stopped by the school to give students the first look at the new, updated version of the map, which includes Canada’s newly created national parks, winter roads in Northern Canada and official Inuit place names.
“Maps have played an important role in building our country, from being used to identify the location of natural resources to urban planning and economic development,” said Minister Rickford, in a statement. “This updated map will help Canadians better understand our evolving country.”
During his address to students prior to unveiling the new map, Minister Rickford earned applause for stating that he resides in close proximity to the school – and makes an effort to stay in touch with the St. Louis School community.
Not only did the announcement catapult the new map into the public eye, but it also gained national attention for the rural Catholic school, boosting its profile. Situated in a quiet residential area, close to St. Louis parish church, St. Louis School draws its population from rural areas north and west of Kenora. The KCDSB states that the school is well-founded in the history of the town, dating back to when it was administered by nuns.
Minister Rickford gifted the school with a framed edition of the map and provided each student with their own copy of the updated map of Canada.
The bilingual map of Canada is accessible in downloadable form and a variety of other formats through Canada’s Open Data Portal by clicking here.
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