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(August 26, 2026 - Dryden, Ontario) Cat Lake First Nation (CLFN) Bizhiw-zaaga'iganiing Nitam Anishinaabeg has achieved a major milestone in economic self-determination. The official opening of the Economic Development Department’s new Far North Natural Resources (FNNR) office at 14378 Highway 17 East, Dryden was marked by an Open House and ribbon cutting ceremony.
The expansion is paired with the appointment of a highly skilled leadership, energy, and forestry team tasked with managing the Nation's traditional lands, driving sustainable resource partnerships, and building local and regional capacity through the Cat Lake Bio-Economy Project. FNNR is enhanced by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pikangikum First Nation - Whitefeather Forest initiative.
Strengthening Leadership & Operational Capacity: Executive Director John Beardy leads the new office, bringing extensive experience in Northern Ontario Indigenous economic development. Previously the Director of Business Development for Windigo Community Development Corporation, Beardy is guiding the office's strategic vision to capture and manage economic opportunities within Cat Lake First Nation's traditional territory for the benefit of the community and broader area. Tracy Cote brings over 20 years of HR and finance expertise, along with deep local economic knowledge, to the Finance Procurement Manager role.
To anchor its forestry, bio-economy, and stewardship initiatives, the Economic Development Department has secured a specialized technical forestry team:
Driving Local Energy Solutions: Ay'Den D. Abraham joins as Community Energy Champion, leading renewable energy and efficiency projects to advance Cat Lake First Nation’s energy independence
NWO Presence & Strategic Growth: Siting the Economic Development Department’s new Natural Resource office closer to regional economic hubs, as well as federal and provincial partners, signals a proactive stance on territorial ownership, sustainable development and regional benefits. The office is actively advancing the implementation of the Cat Lake Bio-Economy Master Plan (https://www.farnorthnr.ca/clbioeconomy), community consultation processes, and regional resource partnership frameworks.
"Managing poverty is not the goal — the way forward for our people is through wealth generation, ownership of projects, and training our youth," said Clean50 recipient and CLFN Chief Russell Wesley.
"This new office and our superior forestry team give us the capacity to deliver projects on time, on budget, and in complete alignment with our community's and regional values," stated Executive Director John Beardy.
Chief Wesley extended thanks to the Mayor and senior municipal staff in Dryden for their support and assistance in securing the office lease.
Photo caption: Chief Russell Wesley cutting ribbon (left) with Jack Harrison Mayor of the City of Dryden (right)
Media Contacts & Interview Requests
For additional information or to schedule interviews with Chief Wesley – contact Vicki Blanchard at 807-220-3585 or blanchardvicki21@gmail.com
High-Resolution Photos Available Upon Request:
About Chief Russell Wesley: Throughout his extensive career, Chief Wesley has bridged the gap between ancestral teachings and modern advocacy. Milestone achievements include authoring Ontario's first Shared Territory Protocol. Under his leadership, Cat Lake First Nation has successfully defended its territory through landmark court battles over mining permits while concurrently establishing forward-looking green initiatives. In recognition of his holistic approach to environmental governance and public service, Recently, Chief Wesley was inducted into Canada’s Clean50 as an honouree, for demonstrating how Indigenous self-governance is essential to shaping a sustainable and just future.
About Cat Lake First Nation: Cat Lake First Nation (Bizhiw-zaaga'iganiing Nitam Anishinaabeg) meaning "The First Nation at Wild-Cat Lake," referring to the Canada lynx) is an Ojibwe-speaking community of 800 people located 220 km north of Dryden, Ontario. CLFN is a member of the Windigo First Nations Council and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), representing 49 Treaty 9 communities.-
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