Ontario Enhancing Community Life in Kenora

KENORA – The Ontario government is providing more than $1.4 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to three projects in Kenora. These community investments will help boost economic growth, improve quality of life and build strong, healthy communities in Northwestern Ontario.

“Our government is improving community infrastructure and strengthening cultural ties to promote a high quality of life in Indigenous and northern communities,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “This investment supports economic development and provides tailored supports that encourage growth and prosperity.”

Projects receiving NOHFC funding include:

• $495,000 to Grand Treaty Council #3 to construct an all-season roundhouse lodge that will serve as a healing, training, ceremonial and event space to support the Gamikaan Bimaadiziwin healing centre located at Bug Lake.
• $490,000 to the Kenora Nordic and Biathlon Club to build three kilometres of permanently lit trail to allow for safe night skiing.
• $476,833 to Kenora Chiefs Advisory Inc. (KCA) to build a commercial kitchen, dining area, laundry room, bathrooms and showers for future youth camp, recreation programs and special events held at the KCA Youth and Family Wellness Camp.

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $559 million in 4,748 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $1.82 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 7,500 jobs.

Quick Facts

Quotes

“Gamikaan Bimaadiziwin honours and preserves healing processes rooted in our Anishinaabe way of life. The Roundhouse is the first phase of this development and it provides an alternative healing opportunity to what we know is not currently working for our people. For those who struggle with finding their way we will offer teachings for renewed self-determination and alternative healing that can help those who were previously were unable to move beyond their trauma and mental health challenges within the current western justice system and treatment options. We are working to bring together all partners through healing and collaboration to provide individuals a renewed chance at Bimaadiziwin – living the good life.”

– Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh
Grand Chief, Grand Council Treaty # 3

“With the help from the Ontario Government and NOHFC funding, we continue to improve our trail system, which is already known as the best cross country ski system between Thunder Bay and Canmore. Adding permanent lighting doubles the lit operating hours from eight hours of sunlight at winter solstice, to 16 hours of ski time. This improves safety and enjoyment for our skiers ranging from youth, para-nordic, recreational and international racers who all ski and train here in northwestern Ontario and promotes our community to visitors as a ski destination with ripple effects to our local hotels, stores and restaurants.”

– Tim Wehner
Volunteer and Trail Designer, Kenora Nordic and Biathlon Club

“We are very grateful for the chance to continue the work we are doing out at the Ogimaawabiitong Youth and Family Wellness Camp and continue to grow the partnerships that have helped us get to this point. The progress we have been able to make to date, with the support of our partners and both levels of government has been incredible. This property has already made an impact within its first few years of operation, in terms of accessibility to programs and service delivery and now, with the new commercial kitchen, we will be able to take this phase of our project to the next level.”

– Joe Barnes
Executive Director, Kenora Chiefs Advisory

SOURCE Province of Ontario