THUNDER BAY — More than $2.5 million in federal funding was announced Tuesday for seven Indigenous-led economic development projects across Northwestern Ontario.
“Indigenous economic development is really critically important to the economy of Northern Ontario and in fact, when Indigenous communities and organizations have an opportunity to prosper, whether it's through skills training for people, whether it's through supporting small and medium sized business, that's when they contribute to the growth of our local and regional economy,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services.
Hajdu was at the Neeganii-Iishawin economic development gathering, where she made the announcement, to “talk about the importance of economic reconciliation especially when we see Canada's sovereignty and economic independence under threat.”
Hajdu is also the Minister responsible for FedNor, and explained that FedNor can respond to applicants of all different sizes.
“Communities might have a specific project. They may, well often, want to develop economic development within their own region. That takes a dedicated person, so even in non-Indigenous communities, FedNor will fund economic development officers . . . and then the larger organizations often have that capacity, but they're actually pulling together projects,” Hajdu said.
Northern Ontario has an opportunity to grow and thrive if people are included in the growth, Hajdu said, adding that Indigenous people have been kept out of an economic growth plan for the region.
“That's all changing, and FedNor has responded rapidly to make sure that Indigenous businesses, First Nations businesses, Indigenous communities are poised to be able to grab the opportunities that are presented in Northern Ontario,” she said.
Hajdu said we can’t grow our economy in Northern Ontario unless we include Indigenous people and business in that growth.
“This is such an opportunity for our region to actually pull together, especially as we see a changing economic landscape here in North America, a changing economic landscape globally. It's really exciting to see the partnerships that are growing between First Nations people and global partners . . . we have a lot to show the world if we do this right, and Indigenous economic reconciliation is actually going to make Canada's economy strong and prosperous,” Hajdu said.
Mishkeegogamang First Nation is receiving an investment of $912,165 to support the construction of a business development and training centre.
Nokiiwin Tribal Council Inc. (NTC) is receiving an investment of $583,854 to support the development, updating, and implementation of comprehensive community plans for NTC’s member communities.
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation is receiving an investment of $326,846 to support capital upgrades and the acquisition of new equipment for their sawmill and bio-energy site.
Grand Council Treaty #3 Representative Services is receiving an investment of $310,000 to enable the completion of a food sovereignty prefeasibility study for four the 28 Grand Council Treaty #3 (GCT3) nations.
Kenora Chiefs Advisory Inc. is receiving an investment of $300,000 to support the hiring of an economic development officer for a three-year period.
Chi Mino Ozhitoowin General Partner Inc. (CMO) is receiving an investment of $165,200 to support the hiring of a business manager who will work to identify and develop economic opportunities in the region including those associated with the Waasigan transmission line project.
Hajdu also highlighted a previous investment of $67,500 to support the development of an impact analysis which demonstrated that the Indigenous economic impact in Thunder Bay is $1.55 billion, about 7 per cent of the overall economy.
