Pikangikum First Nation – “Our Government is proud to support this initiative which will provide vital information required to maximize economic opportunities in the forestry sector. Today’s investment will lay the groundwork for employment in value-added manufacturing, as well as jobs in woodlands and sawmilling using northern boreal wood, delivering benefits to the Pikangikum people,” stated Greg Rickford Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
“We are pleased to partner with FedNor and the Government of Canada on this important initiative. Combining the stewardship approach of the Whitefeather Forest Initiative with the creation of value-added forestry opportunities holds much potential for us. FedNor support will assist us in developing an implementation strategy that will ultimately enable us to create jobs and secure a brighter future for our members,” commented Alex Peters, Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority.
Minister Rickford was in Pikangikum First Nation today to announce an investment to help the community achieve greater economic sustainability.
FedNor funding of $278,320 will enable Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority to identify the most viable products and niche markets for a proposed sawmill to be operated by the Pikangikum First Nation. Specifically, the funding will support the hiring of qualified experts to complete a value chain optimization assessment.
Quick Facts
- Pikangikum First Nation is an Ojibwe First Nation with an on-reserve population of more than 2,300 that is located 100 kilometres north of the Town of Red
- Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority is a non-profit organization which was established to undertake resource management planning responsibilities associated with the Whitefeather Forest
- Since 2006, through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, the Harper Government has invested $329 million in support of more than 1,600 These investments have supported more than 21,500 jobs throughout Northern Ontario.
