Sioux Valley to move 90 students out of Brandon
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The Sioux Valley Dakota Nation is investing more than $2 million in portable classrooms and will transfer about 90 students from Sioux Valley High School in Brandon to the community this September.
The move was prompted by serious concerns about the safety and suitability of the current building at 2320 Louise Ave., Chief Vincent Tacan told the Sun.
Tacan said council made the decision due to the building’s aging infrastructure, potential asbestos contamination and an outdated boiler-based heating system in the basement.
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Vincent Tacan says about 90 students will be moved from the former Fleming building to the community this fall. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files)
“Would you put your child in a school that has asbestos?” he asked. “We won’t gamble with the health of our students or staff anymore. That building was supposed to be temporary, now we’re nearly 10 years in.”
Originally built in 1914, the former Fleming school was purchased by the community in partnership with the Brandon School Division as an interim measure while awaiting a new facility, Tacan said.
“It was originally designed for younger students, not high schoolers, and has fallen into further disrepair over the years.”
Sioux Valley had hoped to be on track for a new, permanent school, but a recent letter from Indigenous Services Canada dashed those expectations.
In the letter addressed to chief and council and shared with the Sun, Kandice Léonard, ISC’s regional director general for Manitoba, stated: “Indigenous Services Canada has not committed funding for the design and construction of a new school … Sioux Valley Dakota Nation remains included in the Department’s prioritization process for future investment consideration.”
The news left the community disheartened.
“There was a perception in the community that a new school was coming. That was not true,” Tacan said.
With no confirmed government funding, Sioux Valley is moving ahead with its own funds to secure the portable classrooms.
“We’re funding this ourselves because we have to,” Tacan said. “It’s what our children deserve.”
The new portable setup will return about 90 students to their home community, sparing them from about three-hour-long daily commutes to Brandon-area schools such as Crocus Plains, Vincent Massey and Neelin High.
The portable classrooms will be delivered and installed ahead of the 2025–26 academic year, Tacan said.
The community is also seeking support from other organizations and is open to partnerships to expand or enhance the temporary facilities, particularly to secure a gymnasium, he added.
“We need a school that is purpose-built for our youth to thrive. If ISC can’t build it now, they should at least help us provide a gym,” he said.
When the Sun visited the current high school building, access to photograph or tour the interior was denied. Principal Deborah Asidao, through the front desk official, also declined to speak with a reporter.
Tacan said Sioux Valley’s struggle is not unique.
The front entrance of Sioux Valley High School at 2320 Louise Ave. in Brandon. Chief Vincent Tacan says council made the decision to transfer students to portables on the First Nation due to the building’s aging infrastructure, potential asbestos contamination and an outdated boiler-based heating system in the basement. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
“There are 63 First Nations in Manitoba, and many of their schools are in rough shape,” he said. “Now we have wildfires in the north, and the resources are being stretched even thinner.”
Despite the challenges, Tacan remains hopeful.
“We are taking control of our future. Our kids will have classrooms in their community this fall, and that’s a step forward.”
The portables may be intended as a stopgap, but he worries they could become the norm for years to come.
“My fear is these will be our ‘temporary’ solution for another five to 10 years. That’s not acceptable. Our students deserve better, and we’ll keep fighting to give it to them.”
BSD Supt. Mathew Gustafson did not respond to the Sun’s emailed questions on the state of the building before it was sold.
BSD closed the elementary school in 2005 as it was unable to get $2 million to $3 million in funding from the Public Schools Finance Board, which was required to keep the facility operating over the long term.
In 2006, Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation began renting the facility for use as its high school when severe mould contamination forced the closure of its on-site high school. Sioux Valley purchased the school for $300,000 from the school division in 2010 and has been using it as its private school ever since.
Sioux Valley upgraded a few classrooms in the old Fleming building over the years, adding a student lounge and new boiler system, and conducted minor repairs.
» aodutola@brandonsun.com
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