SIOUX LOOKOUT – Building partnerships is important in Sioux Lookout. Mayor Leney of Sioux Lookout states, “Sioux Lookout can be proud to have been chosen to take part in this important project; our community is one of only fourteen from across Canada to be asked to participate.”
Building on Friendship Accord
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout continues to strengthen partnerships with neighbouring First Nations communities. Building on the success of the 2012 Friendship Accord, which is an expanding and evolving agreement with Lac Seul First Nation, Slate Falls First Nation and Cat Lake First Nation, to foster sustainable economic, social and political growth and opportunities, the Municipality has taken another step forward in its relationship building efforts by accepting an initiation to participate in the First Nations-Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI).
Working Together Toward Success
CEDI is a unique collaborative, community-based exercise, being facilitated by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO), and funded by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, CEDI gives local governments and neighbouring First Nations communities the opportunity to work together to improve regional economic development prospects – including employment opportunities, external investment and long-term sustainability
In November 2013, Sioux Lookout joined Lac Seul First Nation and Kitchenuhmaykoosib lnninuwug First Nation (Big Trout Lake/KI) in meetings and workshops facilitated by representatives of FCM and CANDO.
Those meetings laid the groundwork to build relationships and to help the group develop a joint, strategic economic development plan or project.
According to the FCM, Participating communities will also benefit from peer mentorship, communities of practice, study tours and small capacity building grants to help them achieve their community economic development goals. The initiative will be completed in 2016,but the benefits are expected to last well into the future.
