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North-western Ontario First Nation initiative - Two Feathers Forest Products receives attention in Federal Budget - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

North-western Ontario First Nation initiative - Two Feathers Forest Products receives attention in Federal Budget

Jan 28th, 2009 8:42 AM

Two Feathers Forest Products initiative involving Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Pikangikum First Nation, and Eagle Lake First Nation in North-western Ontario receives attention in Federal Budget (Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Ontario, January 28, 2009) “Momentum is growing – and we are well on our way,” are the words used by Terry Favelle (President, Two Feather Forest Products and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway First Nation - Councillor). This is how she described the benefits of the attention both the federal and provincial governments are paying to the Two Feather Forest Products (TFFP) project. “A mention in yesterday’s federal budget and a funding announcement two weeks ago by the Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines has come at the right time.” Ms. Favelle went on, “The TFFP is a value-added forest products initiative advanced by Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Pikangikum First Nation, and Eagle Lake First Nation and our Finnish partner group, who are supplying additional technical expertise and investments.” The TFFP will consist of two plants; one in Red Lake and the other on the Eagle Lake First Nation. The core products will be specialty sawn wood components and high quality pre-manufactured timber buildings for export to overseas markets. The Red Lake site will have a sophisticated sawmilling operation, kiln drying capacity and a biomass fuelled Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generation plant. The CHP will produce 9.9 Mw of electricity to be sold into the power grid through an Ontario Power Authority Standard Offer contract. Eagle Lake will be the site for final processing, finishing of the wood and the assembly and staging area for the completed buildings. Federal Budget text January 27, 2009 Budget 2009 provides $1 billion over two years for a Community Adjustment Fund that will help mitigate the short-term impacts of restructuring in communities. A base amount of $10 million will be provided to each province,…... The fund will support ……. community transition plans that foster economic development, science and technology initiatives, and other measures to promote economic diversification. An example of the type of project that could be supported by the fund is the Two Feathers Forest Products initiative that promotes economic development in the communities of Red Lake and Eagle Lake.” Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines media release, January 14, 2009 Two Feathers Forest Products Limited Partnership, based in Dryden, will receive $1 million to buy the equipment necessary to develop their value-added wood manufacturing project in Red Lake and Eagle Lake First Nation. The Whitefeather Forest Management Corporation, based in Pikangikum First Nation, will receive $524,600 to complete the planning needed to secure commercial forestry tenure for the Whitefeather Forest. Ms. Favelle concluded by saying how impressed and grateful the communities are by the genuine interest, cooperation and attention that both local MP Greg Rickford and Provincial Minister Gravelle (MNDM) and their respective staff have shown towards advancing this First Nations value- added economic development initiative. -30- To schedule an interview with Terry Favelle, please contact Don Huff (ECO) at 416-972-7404.