Federal Government Touts Local First Nations' Forest Industry Participation

Minister Amarjeet Sohi was in the Chapleau area Monday, promoting indigenous participation in Ontario's forest sector.

The federal Natural Resources Minister - and his parliamentary secretary, Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre - officially highlighted a $743,000 multi-year investment in the Northeast Superior Regional Chiefs Forum, intended to promote Indigenous-led economic development in the sector.

That funding comes from NRCan's Indigenous Forestry Initiative and Indigenous Services Canada's Strategic Partnerships Initiative.

A government release says the investment's helped Indigenous-owned businesses deliver "real results for their communities", with the development of a "Conservation Economy Strategy" for the Northeast Superior Regional Chiefs Forum, which includes not just the Brunswick House and Chapleau Cree First Nations, but also Michipicoten, Missanabie Cree, and Pic Mobert.