Cat Lake First Nation, Ontario - The Honourable Robert D. Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND), announced today $95,000 in economic development funding for the Windigo Tribal Council to support the development of a sustainable forestry license within the traditional areas around Cat Lake and Slate Falls First Nations in northwestern Ontario.

Minister Nault made today’s announcement during a visit to Cat Lake First Nation as part of a three day northern First Nations tour that includes visits to North Caribou Lake, Kasabonika Lake, Wunnumin Lake and Webequie.

The Cat Lake project involves a statement of intent signed among Cat Lake First Nation, Slate Falls, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to develop a sustainable forestry license. DIAND is funding one of the initial steps of this project — the creation of a strategic plan, which will outline the goals for the pace and the extent to which the natural resources will be developed. The process of developing the forestry license will be lengthy, and is expected to create short term jobs for contractors in planning and data collection, as well as long term jobs in equipment operations, data collection, planning and administration, and management.

The Cat Lake project is being administered through the Windigo Tribal Council, which represents the interests of seven northwestern Ontario First Nations through its headquarters in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. "This is a very important undertaking," said Minister Nault. "We are opening the way to create business infrastructure that will support the economic development needs of the First Nations and the Windigo Tribal Council for a very long time to come." Besides providing long term employment, this project will offer training programs for First Nation citizens to take advantage of the local forestry activities. There will be significant business opportunities for First Nation contractors. The service sectors and tourism operators are also expected to benefit, as are related businesses located outside of the First Nation communities.

Cat Lake is an Ojibway First Nation located about 180 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. It has an on reserve population of 444. Slate Falls is an Ojibway First Nation located south and east of Cat Lake. It has an on reserve population of 200. Both communities are accessible by air flight only.

Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore built into the existing framework.