Lake Superior First Nations Development Trust

INAC is providing $85,000, through its Resource Partnerships Program, to the Trust to develop an Aboriginal Socio-Economic Land Use Strategy for Wabakimi Provincial Park. The park is located approximately 270 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, and was expanded to its current size of approximately 892,061 hectares in 1997. Development of the strategy will provide training and employment opportunities and will help integrate cultural, social, environmental, and economic values into the management of the park.

The Trust is a non-profit organization which has delivered economic, educational, and resource development services since 1992. The intent and mandate of the Trust is to provide services which pro-actively build the capacity of First Nations, increase employment opportunities for Aboriginal people, and promote economic and educational opportunities for Aboriginal communities and people. The Trust is working with the Eabametoong, Whitesand and Mishkeegogaming First Nations, all located north of Thunder Bay, as well as Aboriginal people living in Namaygoosisagagun (Collins) and Whitewater Lake.

Kasabonika Lake First Nation

INAC is providing $76,100, through its Resource Access Negotiations Program, to the First Nation to help in negotiating an agreement with DeBeers Canada to pursue a drilling exploration program over the next three years. Previous negotiations resulted in annual Letters of Intent, which allowed negotiations to progress based on the results of exploration and sample work. The First Nation is also seeking to negotiate a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with the Government of Ontario's Ministry of Northern Development and Mines to establish a minerals office within the community and to develop the First Nation as a staging area for exploration. The project is expected to create seven new full-time positions for First Nations citizens.

The Kasabonika Lake First Nation is located approximately 570 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ontario, with a total membership of approximately 860 and an on-reserve population of approximately 810.

Lac Seul First Nation

INAC is providing $19,500, through its Resource Acquisition Initiative, to the Lac Seul Forestry Company to purchase a slasher, which will allow the company to harvest trees off-reserve. The purchase will also allow for future expansion of slashing, loading and hauling of timber. The initiative is expected to create two new full-time positions for First Nation citizens.

The Lac Seul First Nation is located approximately 40 kilometres northwest of Sioux Lookout, Ontario, with a total membership of approximately 2,500 and an on-reserve population of approximately 790.

Resource Partnerships Program

The Resource Partnerships Program co-funds strategic planning and negotiations activities leading to the creation and early implementation of a joint working agreement. The goal is to obtain economic benefits, from major resource development projects, for First Nation and Inuit communities.

Resource Access Negotiations Program

The Resource Access Negotiations Program helps First Nations and Inuit communities with developing feasibility studies; planning for and undertaking negotiations to access business and employment opportunities in major resource projects; attracting investment in on-reserve natural resources; and accessing and managing off-reserve natural resources. Activities are expected to lead to agreements which will enhance employment and business benefits from resource-based opportunities.

Resource Acquisition Initiative

The Resource Acquisition Initiative helps communities fund resource-sector and related business opportunities which may include natural resource permits and licences. Eligible project proponents receive funding through their respective Community Economic Development Organization.

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