Ontario invests millions in programming for Ring of Fire communities

Ontario has invested $3.1 million in skills training and community governance and capacity building in six Ring of Fire communities.
“The projects and partnerships announced today are part of the initial stages of building capacity in the First Nations that are situated in the Ring of Fire,” said Grand Chief Harvey Yesno. “As development occurs across the Nishnawbe Aski Nation territory we will need continued investment and support from government as our treaty partners to grow the First Nation economy in the remote north and benefits that will be shared across the entire region.”
The projects are focused on community development, economic investments and training initiatives.
Money will flow to Aroland for a Women and Youth Business and Career Development Workshop, a Community Development Plan and an Aftercare and Skills Development Plan.
In Webequie, funding will be used for Equipment Training, Mining for Non-Miners Training, Remote Cook Training, Corporate Restructure and Governance Training, Media Relations and Presentation Training, a Ring of Fire Choices and Options Program, a Public Private Partnership Orientation Workshop and a Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement Workshop.
A Training to Employment Program Development Workshop will be held in Neskantaga, along with an Environment Monitoring Training Workshop and a Wildlife Monitoring Training Workshop.
In Nibinamik, a Community Training and Capacity Building Program will take place.
The funding will also support a Multi-Sector Skills Training Project in Eabametoong; a General Educational Development preparation course in Marten Falls and a Mobile Mining Essentials and Pre-Trades Program delivered by Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute.
“I am pleased to visit Eabametoong First Nation today to highlight our government’s investments in training and skill development opportunities for First Nation communities in the Ring of Fire,” said Chris Bentley, minister of Aboriginal Affairs, during a Jan. 15 visit. “We are working with First Nations to ensure that benefits from the development of the Ring of Fire improve their quality of life in Ontario.”
The projects will focus on providing social, community and economic development supports to First Nations to help them participate in potential Ring of Fire developments.
“Our government is continuing to invest in Ring of Fire communities to ensure they benefit fully from proposed mineral developments,” said Rick Bartolucci, minister of Northern Development and Mines. “Investments like this one help Ontario deliver on its commitment to develop meaningful social and economic supports for Ring of Fire communities which will help drive growth, promote job and skills training opportunities and improve quality of life now and in the future.”
The investments are part of the provincial government’s plan to create jobs, grow the economy and help every Ontarian succeed.
“Demand has exploded in the north for people ready to fill jobs,” said John Milloy, minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. “Ontario’s young and fast growing Aboriginal population can play a key role in meeting the increasing demand for skilled labour in the Ring of Fire area.”