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For Immediate Release
May 11, 2001

News Release

Ontario Funds New Northwestern Business Centre

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TORONTO – Ontario's Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, David Young, announced today that funding of $500,000 has been awarded to the Poplar Hill First Nation under the Native Small Business Centres component of Ontario's Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program.

"Ontario's $500,000 investment toward building the new Native Business Centre expands Poplar Hill's capacity to deliver business and community services," said Young. "Our goal is to create jobs and strengthen Aboriginal communities."

Ontario's Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program is part of a coordinated framework of more than 35 government programs and services developed under the Building Aboriginal Economies Strategy. The strategy was announced by the Harris government in 1998 to promote job-creation and economic opportunities for Aboriginal people in Ontario.

Poplar Hill First Nation is a remote fly-in community, 120 kilometres north of Red Lake. The new business centre, located on reserve will initially house the Northern Store, a four-suite motel, the Kuh-ke-nah Smart Project Initiative (technology centre), and Canada Post. It is anticipated that six full-time and six part-time jobs will be created.

The construction of the business centre will build on recent improvements at the Poplar Hill First Nation that include a new housing development and community centre, airstrip, and ongoing retrofit projects. "Ontario's investment will help the community to be open for business," added Young.

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Merike Nurming
Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat
416-326-4079