The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society Board of Directors has approved $53,500 for two new projects.
Haisla Nation was granted $34,500 to purchase advanced life-saving equipment, including automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and automatic CPR machines, to enhance the Haisla Nation Fire Department medical first responder program.
The Southside Volunteer Fire Department received $19,000 to Upgrade the Fire Hall to enhance the operational readiness by improving the safety and functionality of the fire hall for volunteer firefighters.
Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth
"These investments build safety and resilience. New equipment for the Haisla Nation and upgrades to the Southside Volunteer Fire Department strengthen local capacity to respond to challenges, essential for economic growth and stability in our communities."
Tayna Thorpe, Manager, Communities and Social Performance, Rio Tinto
“Volunteer first responders play a key role in keeping Northern and First Nation communities safe. Through the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Rio Tinto is very proud to help provide the equipment and resources required to assist people in need.”
Cindy Shelford, NKDF Chair
“We are pleased to invest in these two projects that strengthen community resilience by supporting the hard work of our volunteer emergency response teams.”
The next grant application deadlines is January 31, 2026. For more information, please visit http://www.nkdf.org/ For requests under $7,500 applications are accepted on a continuous basis.
For more information on past projects funded throughout the NKDF investment area please visit http://www.nkdf.org/projects or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NKDFS
The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society was jointly established in 1997 with a combined contribution of $15 million by the government of British Columbia and the former Alcan Inc., now Rio Tinto. The Fund’s investment area includes lands impacted by the original Kemano project and focuses on the communities in the Ootsa, Lakes, Nechako and Haisla regions of the north.
The Society encourages applications from local governments, local First Nations governments and legally incorporated non-profit organizations. NKDF invests in projects that create sustainable employment, diversify the economy, and improve the basic infrastructure needed for community stability, quality of life and growth.
More information on the NKDF Society is available by visiting http://www.nkdf.org/
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