Friday, Patty Hajdu, the minister of Indigenous Services and minister responsible for FedNor announced more than $1.35 million in funding for five Indigenous projects located in northeastern Ontario.
“When you look at it – these five projects cover the past, the present and the future,” said Nipissing–Timiskaming MP, Anthony Rota.
“It allows the First Nations people not only to develop themselves and understand where they come from, but it allows them to share their history and everything they have with others who are living on this land.”
Almost $500,000 in funding is headed to the Temiskaming Native Women’s Support Group to transform the public grounds at the Keepers of the Cirlce Centre in Kirkland Lake into an outdoor space where people can gather for ceremonies and Indigenous agricultural practices can be demonstrated.
The $487,500 will create six new jobs in the community.
The remaining funding will be shared between the Nipissing First Nation for a cold-climate production greenhouse project, Temagami First Nation to hire an economic development officer to develop an economic strategy for the area, Union of Ontario Indians to revitalize the Anishinabek Nation Economic Blueprint to foster development within the union’s 39 member First Nations and the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre to create a petroform, sometimes known as boulder outlines or boulder mosaics, along with an amphitheater near the Chippewa Creek EcoPath.
Hajdu said the projects and investments announced are essential to building a healthy and inclusive region.
“I like to think that people should understand that Canada wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the fact when were invaded in 1812 by our neighbours to the south that Canada’s defence force consisted of 10,000 indigenous warriors,” said Maurice Switzer, president of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. “The reason they were there was 48 years later – they agreed to this treaty.”
Rota added this investment in Indigenous initiatives will support the vibrant local culture and strong communities in the Nipissing–Timiskaming area while creating close to 50 full-time jobs.
“FedNor’s support will help us protect our community by becoming more self-reliant on locally-produced food,” said Nippissing First Nation Chief, Scott McLeod in a news release Friday.
More information on this funding announcement and other initiatives in the north, visit the Government of Canada’s website.
