Munsee Delaware Nation secures funding for accredited forestry program

The Munsee Delaware Nation is pleased to announce a major step forward in its bid to establish an accredited First Nations Forestry Training Program after receiving start-up funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation‘s (OTF) Future Fund. The First Nation community southwest of London, Ontario will receive a four-year, $531,000 grant from OTF to help cover the costs of developing and delivering the forestry program.

The Future Fund supports projects that create significant and sustainable change by using distinct and innovative approaches. In Munsee Delaware, this grant will help create sustainable jobs.

“This funding is going to help us give our young people the foothold they need to take advantage of today’s emerging green economy,” said Munsee Delaware Chief, Patrick Waddilove. “Without OTF, we could not have raised the kind of seed capital needed to get this project off the ground,” he added.

Credit is also given to the Munsee Delaware Nation’s strategic partnership with the Southern First Nations Secretariat (SFNS). Chief Waddilove indicated key alliances with organizations like SFNS are vital if the vision of creating green jobs for First Nations is to be realized. SFNS is providing advisory services and partnership development.

The two-year forestry program will help 25 First Nations students from across Ontario become accredited forester technicians, enabling them to secure highly skilled jobs in the bio-mass, carbon credit and sustainable forestry industries. It will be delivered from two locations: the Anishinabek Educational Institute at Munsee Delaware and the Seven Generations Education Institute at Couchiching First Nation, near Fort Frances. Classes are expected to begin this fall.

“The Ontario government, through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is pleased to support this initiative by the Munsee Delaware Nation,” said Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Maria Van Bommel. “In partnership with a number of businesses, educational institutions and government ministries, the Nation has developed a much needed program and will deliver this accredited training course to its youth.”

The First Nations Forestry Training Program is just the latest green initiative being pursued by the Munsee Delaware Nation. Earlier this year, it launched the Munsee Tree Corporation, which will supply the emerging bio-mass industry as well as off-set carbon emissions through the sale of carbon credits.

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The Munsee Delaware Nation is a progressive First Nation, located approximately 25 kilometres southwest of London, Ontario. It has a registered population of 547 people, with 170 people living on reserve. The Nation is finding ways to create sustainable jobs for its citizens by capitalizing on the emerging green economy.

A leading grantmaker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities. www.trilliumfoundation.org

The Southern First Nations Secretariat is a regional organization which provides a broad range of administrative and advisory services to its member Nations in southwestern Ontario. It is committed to developing, supporting and facilitating innovative approaches to self-determination.

Source: Munsee Delaware Nation