Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNOR) has announced $4.7 million in funding for ten Indigenous economic development projects across northern Ontario.

Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (formerly Sand Point First Nation) will be receiving almost $460,000 to build a biomass heating system for the surrounding community.

The project will be powered using wood residue from the Papasay Sawmill, enabling a more circular economy.

Nearby, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (formerly Rocky Bay First Nation) will receive $135,000 to help plan and design an ice packing facility to support the community’s fishing operations.

To the West, the Shibogama First Nations Council is receiving $400,000 to analyze the possibility of purchasing Musselwhite Mine.

The Wabigoon Lake First Nation has been granted more than $183,000 for a pre-feasibility study considering the construction of a data centre.

Wabigoon Lake Chief Clayton Wetelainen says the community has been working towards building a data centre for more than a decade.

He says the motivating question was “how can we get youth involved in the IT economy?”

Wetelainen also announced that Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation has purchased a ten percent stake in the First Nations Bank of Canada, making the nation the sixth-largest shareholder of the bank.

“We see the bank as an investment opportunity that will provide us with financing for infrastructure projects,” the Chief explained.

At the announcement, Minister for FedNOR Patty Hajdu remarked that strengthening the Canadian economy requires everyone to have an “opportunity to thrive.”

“When people put up their hand with good ideas and with opportunities for economic development and self-determination… It actually makes our whole region more resilient,” she said.

The FedNor grants also included:

• $300,000 for Mishkeegogamang for an Economic Development Officer.
• $500,000 to finance the construction of a new facility for the Indigenous-owned Beam Paints.
• $500,000 for Pemiijiwan Support Services Inc. to finance personnel for developing partnerships involving the Ring of Fire.
• $512,000 for Indigenous Tourism Ontario for a new drone storytelling display that can be used at events such as powwows and cultural festivals.
• Almost $785,000 to help the Indigenous-owned Gord’s Rentals renovate its main warehouse.
• $1,000,000 for Enaadmaagehjik (People Helping People) to construct an Indigenous eco-tourism experience at Point Grondine Park.