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FEDERAL FUNDING ENABLES LENNOX ISLAND FIRST NATION TO ENTER INTO NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VENTURE

LENNOX ISLAND, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND (August 18, 2005) - The Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians and Chief Darlene Bernard, Lennox Island First Nation, are pleased to announce $360,000 in federal funding to assist the First Nation with the purchase of the assets of Fisherman’s Pride Inc.

The funding enables the Lennox Island First Nation to acquire a fish purchasing, packaging and shipping enterprise which is intended to primarily handle mackerel and may handle other species of seafood. It is anticipated that the acquisition will create one full-time and eight part-time jobs.

“The Lennox Island First Nation continues to show success in the area of economic development. The Government of Canada is working in partnership with First Nations to help bring about a stronger economic base on a wide range of initiatives,” said Minister Scott. “This initiative will benefit the First Nation as well as the surrounding areas.”

“The Fisherman's Pride initiative represents an important step in Lennox Island's plan to develop a strong and diverse economy,” said Chief Bernard. “Investments such as this are contributing to some positive economic momentum through which Lennox Island will become a leader in the PEI economy. We thank Minister Scott and look forward to future partnerships that help realize the success that we envision ”.

Funding for this project was provided as part of the long-term federal strategy on Marshall designed to build a more diversified Aboriginal economy on the east coast.

Lennox Island First Nation is located 24 kilometres north of Summerside and has an on-reserve population of 363.

For further information, contact:

Patricia Ellis
Communications Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Atlantic Region
(902) 661-6232

Chief Darlene Bernard
Lennox Island First Nation
(902) 831-2779

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