FedNor supports budding fisheries industry

Staff

Grand Council Treaty #3 will receive $214,197 in FedNor funding to undertake a feasibility study to determine the state of the commercial fishery in the Treaty 3 territory.

The study would examine the potential resources available for harvest and the commercial fishery’s potential for future development as well as opportunities available to commercial fishers, in addition to identifying and supporting value-added products and enhancing access to local markets. The project is expected to create or maintain 30 commercial fishers, as well as create 10 fish-processing and value-added positions, and five marketing, delivery, and retail sales jobs.

On June 27, as part of FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, and Jobs and Growth Fund, Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor announced various investments totalling $4,893,475.

Among these funds, $163,250 is headed to Naicatchewenin First Nation to develop detailed architectural designs and construction documents to build the Naicatchewenin First Nation Culture and Learning Centre. The new centre will be used for community training sessions in partnership with the Seven Generations Education Institute, Ontario Works training initiatives, as well as vocational and other training programs.

The Government of Canada says the fund will support 16 strategic initiatives led by Indigenous communities, businesses and organizations in Northern Ontario, creating or maintaining up to 76 local jobs. The Government says it is stepping up its efforts to help Northern Ontario First Nation communities and organizations not only survive, but strengthen and build for a sustainable future.