In order to aid in the preservation and restoration of the Great Lakes, the government of Ontario is contributing nearly one million dollars to projects led by Indigenous people and expanding its collaboration with Indigenous youth and organizations.
At the seventh annual meeting of the Great Lakes Guardians’ Council, which Ontario co-chairs with the Anishinabek Nation, Minister of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks David Piccini made the announcement today.
Minister Piccini stated, “Our government is proud to support Indigenous-led projects that are engaging First Nations youth to help protect the Thames River and make it safer for local First Nations and Métis communities to eat fish along the northern shores of Lake Superior.” We will continue to support the well-being of communities that rely on the Great Lakes now and in the future by working together to preserve, restore, and protect their health.
Six First Countries people group are getting a consolidated $150,000 in subsidizing to lead tasks to connect with youth in figuring out how to secure, ration and reestablish the wellbeing of the Thames Stream.
In the Lake Superior Basin, one Métis community and four First Nations community projects will receive a total of $66,500 to lead projects that will provide crucial data for assessing concerns about fish consumption in Lake Superior’s Areas of Concern.
To enable First Nations and Métis communities to take a more active and collaborative role in the design, development, and implementation of Great Lakes protection and restoration efforts, the Métis Nation of Ontario, Chiefs of Ontario, and Anishinabek Nation will receive $780,400 in funding. In addition, these 14 projects will help fulfill obligations outlined in Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy and the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes.
Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs, stated, “We value the opinions and expertise of Indigenous organizations, and we are taking action so that youth involvement will lead to better and safer lakes.” Our government is ensuring the integrity of the Great Lakes and increasing Indigenous economic participation by investing in Indigenous-led projects aimed at protecting them.
The financing is important for the Ontario government’s $14 million in speculations every year to additionally secure, preserve and reestablish the strength of the Incomparable Lakes and backing the prosperity of networks that depend on them.
