More funding is helping Antoine Nation build a 5000-square-foot multi-use facility.
Vic Fedeli, Nipissing MPP, announced $1 million for the Community Capacity Building Centre project is coming from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHFC).
He says the money demonstrates the province’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and economic development opportunities for the Antoine Nation.
“We continue to make investments through the NOHFC that contribute to stronger, healthier, and resilient Indigenous communities, and we look forward to seeing the space at the Capacity Building Centre once fully operational,” says Fedeli.”
Officials say the building will provide a new space to honour and celebrate Indigenous culture, language, values, and traditions.
“This new multi-use, culturally sensitive facility will provide a home and a gathering place for our members to express and strengthen our Algonquin identity, collaborate with many other northern groups, and to foster an enterprising culture that will inevitably yield local and regional economic development initiatives for many years ahead,” says Chief Davie Joanisse, Antoine Nation.
The province says once completed, the year-round permanent facility will enable Antoine Nation to host gatherings and offer various programs and services, including job training and culturally relevant programming.
In late September, Fedeli also announced $600,000 for the project through the Indigenous Community Capital Grant Program.
A further $200,000 in FedNor funding was announced by MP Anthony Rota in the spring.
