THUNDER BAY – At the tail end of Indigenous History Month, a quick look back at FedNor’s investments into Indigenous lead businesses and community organizations shows that the Federal Government has invested 4.8 million dollars in supporting 16 initiatives.
“First Nation businesses and organizations are exceptional drivers of growth, job creation and prosperity,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor. “They are critical to the success of the economy in Northern Ontario and the Government of Canada is investing to make sure they have the supports they need to thrive. Today’s announcement from FedNor commits almost $5 million to 16 indigenous-led initiatives in Northern Ontario, and will help deliver local projects, jobs and economic development opportunities to the region”
The 16 initiatives are led by Indigenous communities, businesses and organizations in Northern Ontario.
Provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, and Jobs and Growth Fund, the strategic initiatives are expected to create and maintain up to 76 local jobs.
Some of the notable projects to receive funding are:
- Naicatchewenin First Nation received $163,250 in funding from FedNor to develop detailed architectural designs and construction documents to build the Naicatchewnin First Nation Culture and Learning Centre. The Naicatchewnin First Nation Culture and Learning Centre is in partnership with the Seven Generations Institute and Ontario Works where community members will access vocational training programs.
- Lac Seul First Nation received $342,000 to support the planning, logistics and capacity-building phase of its Bioenergy Pilot Project. This project will support the purchase of biomass boilers funded through NRCan's Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program, which is designed to reduce the reliance of rural and remote communities on diesel for heat and power.
- Keewaytinook Okimakanak which serves the Deer Lake, Fort Severn, Keewaywin, McDowell Lake, North Spirit Lake, and Poplar Hill First Nations, will receive more than $3.7 million in Northern Ontario Development Program funding to build new multi-purpose training, art, cultural and entrepreneurial centres for each of its member-First Nation communities.
“The construction of these new multi-purpose community centres in our member-First Nation communities will ensure our citizens have access to a variety of community programs and services that promote well-being, training opportunities and a variety of community celebrations,” said Cory J Meekis, Chief Executive Director, Keewaytinook Okimakanak.“We are proud to partner with the Government of Canada through FedNor on this important project and look forward to the economic opportunities today’s announcement will bring to our region.”
For the full list of projects, please see the backgrounder.
