FedNor investments support jobs, growth and opportunities in Indigenous Communities across Northern Ontario

As we walk the road of reconciliation together, the Government of Canada remains strongly committed to creating economic opportunities for Indigenous businesses and communities. This is especially true in Northern Ontario, where the proportion of Indigenous-owned small and medium-sized is over double that of the rest of the province.

Today, Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced a FedNor investment of more than $13 million for 22 projects that support jobs, growth and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities, businesses and organizations across Northern Ontario.

Indigenous-focused initiatives supported by FedNor

Algoma–Manitoulin–Kapuskasing

Pic Mobert First Nation
$90,000

Engineering and planning to support commercial and industrial development in the community.   

Wahkohtowin Development GP Inc.
$270,000

Hire a regional economic development officer to implement strategic planning priorities on behalf of three Indigenous groups in the Superior East region for a three-year period.        

Waubetek Business Development Corporation
$1,500,000

Five-year operational funding to support strategic community planning, business counselling and information services, as well as access to capital, community-based projects and special initiatives.

Weengushk Film Institute
$84,000

Business planning and preliminary design for "Turtle Island" facility expansion to help attract additional training opportunities to grow the film industry in Northern Ontario.         

Kenora

Nibinamik First Nation
$44,325

Develop a comprehensive community economic development strategy. 

Ojibway Nation of Saugeen
$1,000,000

Support the development of a central multiplex that will be used for community cultural events and training space, as well as essential services and economic development.                                

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation
$214,000

Feasibility study to determine the viability of converting band-owned buildings, operations and businesses with bio-mass thermal heat, using existing resources. 

Webequie First Nation
$546,000

Support the construction of a Community Readiness and Wellness Centre.

Wunnumin Lake First Nation
$83,644

Complete a feasibility study related to food and economic security.                    

Parry Sound–Muskoka

Shwe Miikaan Corp
$75,000

Hire a training coordinator to help identify and capitalize on First Nation construction opportunities.          

Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations
$250,000

Support the First Nation Tribal Council in its efforts to develop asset mapping and other GPS technologies for six member First Nations.            

Thunder Bay–Rainy River

Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation
$297,000

Hire an economic development officer to develop an opportunity and asset map that will identify and inventory potential mining, forestry, energy, and infrastructure projects.

Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)

Comprehensive Community Planning (CCP)
$4,910,020

Provide technical and capacity development, and planning support for up to 20 First Nation communities within NADF's service area to undertake a CCP process. This will help communities to realize the full economic benefits from resource development opportunities such as the Ring of Fire.

Operational Funding
$320,000

One-year operational funding to support the NADF’s business counselling and information services, strategic community planning, access to capital, and community-based projects and special initiatives.

Rainy River First Nations
$45,900

Feasibility study to examine land use and economic opportunities at the highway junction.

Seven Generations Education Institute
$1,000,000

Support the installation of equipment for the technology centre, makerspace, trades lab, and virtual classroom at the Education Institute's main campus and telepresence units at its four satellite campuses.                         

Thunder Bay–Superior North

Nokiiwin Tribal Council Inc.
$497,550

Support member First Nation communities within Treaty 1850 territory as each undertakes and completes an in-community comprehensive community planning process. Nokiiwin Tribal Council will also provide support to non-member First Nations communities who are part of the Robinson-Superior Treaty 1850 territory.

Red Rock First Nation
$26,241

Support this Indigenous community in its efforts to develop of a five-year community economic development and strategic plan.               

(Sand Point First Nation) Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek
$58,808

Complete Class 20 and Class 10 engineering plans for a wood pellet production facility. 

Timmins–James Bay

Corporation of the Town of Moosonee
$300,000

Hire an economic development officer for a three-year period to implement strategic priorities including opportunities related to construction of the community’s new hospital.            

Matachewan First Nation Limited Partnership
$1,325,000

FedNor funding will help provide training opportunities and allow the organization to purchase up to five new surface drills to expand its operations.

Mushkegowuk Council
$125,000

Build management capacity and increase business sustainability for a First Nations-owned business.                               

Related Products

• News release: Government of Canada Invests in Northern Ontario’s Indigenous Businesses and Communities

Associated Links

• To find out more about our programs and services, please visit: fednor.gc.ca
• Follow us on Twitter @FedNor
• Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
• Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)