Government of Canada investing $1,041,192 to support economic development in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek

FedNor funding will support jobs, business growth and a stronger, more diverse local economy

February 12, 2025 – Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, ON – Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – FedNor

Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Energy and Natural Resources and Official Languages, today announced a FedNor investment of $1,041,192 to support three strategic initiatives that will benefit businesses, families and

individuals in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek (AA). MP Serré was joined by Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, for the announcement, which was made on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor.

First, a targeted investment of $575,199 helped Giyak Mashkawzid Shkagmikwe (GMS), AA’s economic development corporation, purchase a new diamond drill. The drill will be owned by GMS and leased to GMS' joint venture, Bagone'an JS Drilling Inc., for use in resource exploration and mine development. This priority project reflects economic reconciliation in action by supporting the community in self-determined economic development. In addition to business expansion, this funding is helping the AA form new strategic alliances while positioning community to better respond to opportunities in the mining sector.

As part of the announcement, FedNor funding of $465,993 is helping GMS complete phase two ($238,297) and phase three ($227,696) of the community’s Chi-Zhiingwaak business park development. The funding will be used to prepare the business lots for occupancy. This includes supporting design, engineering and marketing costs, lot grading and the extension of road, water, wastewater, electrical, natural gas and telecommunications services to the 15 unoccupied lots. Once fully occupied, the designated 26-hectare business park is expected to create more than 170 jobs for First Nation community members and close to 200 more across the region.

The Indigenous economy in Canada is estimated at more than $30 billion, with growth projections outpacing the overall national economy. The federal government remains strongly committed to supporting its continued growth by investing in Indigenous-led initiatives that help communities, businesses and organizations innovate, scale up and build for the future. This is especially true in Northern Ontario, which is home to a large proportion of Indigenous-owned small and medium-sized businesses.

Quotes

“Our commitment to reconciliation means empowering First Nations partners, which creates real opportunities that strengthen communities. These collaborative projects help build diverse, sustainable economies across Northern Ontario, creating good jobs and supporting families right here at home. When First Nations communities thrive economically, all of Northern Ontario benefits."

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister Responsible for FedNor

“Our support for the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek is helping them build on the success of their mining operations and business park to accelerate their economy and pave the way for sustainable growth. Northern Ontario has a great combination of hard-working Canadians and the potential to create new businesses, new developments, and more jobs. This investment of more than $1 million will help achieve exactly that by turning opportunities in Nickel Belt into successes that benefit everyone.”

Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Energy and Natural Resources and Official Languages

“The Sudbury area has benefitted from a history of diverse economic drivers that create and protect jobs, fuel growth and support economic reconciliation in our region. Thanks to investments like this from FedNor, we are well positioned to build on our history of success, while creating new opportunities for families, individuals, municipalities and First Nation communities. Our support for Atikameksheng Anishnawbek will help them capitalize on local knowledge, create more jobs and strengthen the regional economy.”

Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury

“This FedNor support will help us expand our role in the mining sector and complete the Chi-Zhiingwaak business park. I am pleased that the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of these projects and is supporting our efforts to create more jobs, become more competitive and position Atikameksheng Anishnawbek for long-term success.”

Gimaa Craig Nootchtai, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek 

Quick facts

• The community of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek is located approximately 19 km west of the Greater City of Sudbury. The community has a total population of 1398 members as of the 2021 census, including descendants of the Ojibway, Algonquin and Odawa Nations.

• The funds announced today are provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), through which FedNor invests in projects led by municipalities, First Nations, and other organizations and institutions that support community economic development, diversification, job creation and self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.