The Ontario government has disclosed that it is investing nearly $1 million to support Indigenous-led projects and increased collaboration with Indigenous organizations and youth to help protect and restore the Great Lakes.
David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, disclosed the development at the seventh annual meeting of the Great Lakes Guardians’ Council, which Ontario co-chaired with Anishinabek Nation.
He said “Our government is proud to support Indigenous-led projects that are engaging First Nations youth to help protect the Thames River and make eating fish along the northern shores of Lake Superior safer for local First Nations and Métis communities”
“Working together, we will continue to protect, conserve and restore the health of the Great Lakes and support the well-being of communities that rely on them now and for generations to come.”
It was stated that six First Nations communities are receiving a combined $150,000 in funding to lead projects to engage youth in learning how to protect, conserve and restore the health of the Thames River.
According to the government, one Métis community and four First Nations community projects in the Lake Superior Basin are receiving a combined $66,500 in funding to lead projects that will provide important information for assessing fish consumption concerns in Areas of Concern in Lake Superior.
Métis Nation of Ontario, Chiefs of Ontario and Anishinabek Nation will receive $780,400 in funding 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 government said.
It clarified that these 14 projects will also support the delivery of commitments in the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes and Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy.
“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,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs.
“By making investments in Indigenous-led projects that are geared towards protecting the Great Lakes, our government is ensuring their integrity while increasing Indigenous economic participation.”
The Minister said the funding is part of the Ontario government’s $14 million in investments annually to further protect, conserve and restore the health of the Great Lakes and support the well-being of communities that rely on them.
