A $66,000 provincial investment will help First Nations and aboriginal associations across the north share knowledge and expertise to provide better local services to their communities, Northern Development and Mines minister Jim Wilson announced Friday.
Wilson, who also chairs the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp., was in Thunder Bay for the annual meeting of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, where he announced a total NOHFC investment of more than $2.7 million for projects throughout Northwestern Ontario.
“Providing better, more cost-effective delivery of training for First Nations technical staff will lead to improvements in a range of community services,” Wilson said.
“This application of leading-edge technologies to community development is indicative of the exciting projects being kick-started by the Heritage Fund’s telecommunications program,” he added.
The province’s $66,000 will help the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corp. (OFNTSC) in Thunder Bay develop a videoconferencing network for Northern Tribal Council offices throughout Northern Ontario.
“Fort Frances is included in the overall project. Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing is one of the tribal councils involved,” said Paul Seguin, branch manager of the OFNTSC.
He added further funding will come through the other contributing partners—Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and FedNor.
“We initiated the project, and met with the Northern Tribal Councils who are our clients,” Seguin said. “They said this technology would be beneficial to them in helping to reduce their high travel costs.
“It’s already underway,” he added. “Our consultants have made initial contact with the tribal council representatives and we anticipate that the project will be completed by June of this year.”
Eleven tribal council members are participating in the project, from locations that also include Thunder Bay, Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Blind River, Britt, Moose Factory, Timmins, and West Bay.
The system will be used to enhance training delivery for community services such as solid waste disposal, water plant operation, mould remediation, and contract management of capital projects.
The total cost of the project is $366,410.
“[Friday’s] announcements demonstrate our government’s continued commitment to building strong northern communities,” said Wilson.
“Northern Ontario Heritage Fund investments translate into new jobs and long-term economic benefit across the entire north,” he added.
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