At the December 3rd, 2019 Board meeting of the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society, Directors approved $52,300 in funding for two new projects.
The following grants were awarded to new projects:
$37,500 was granted to Cheslatta Carrier Nation to assist with the research and writing of a history book of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation. This book will serve as an educational tool for use by libraries, archives, academic institutions and social agencies.
The Village of Burns Lake was awarded $14,800 to go toward developing a tourism plan and establishing tourism framework with the goal of growing the tourism sector in Burns Lake and the surrounding Lakes District.
Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology says, “These two projects are prime examples of how the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund is strengthening the region. Preserving and sharing the history of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation and expanding tourism opportunities around Burns Lake will benefit local people for generations to come.”
“Rio Tinto wishes to congratulate the recipients on their successful applications. The proposed projects support community stability and economic growth and look to be a future asset to both their communities and their regions,” says Affonso Bizon, General Manager Rio Tinto BC Works.
NKDF Chair Cindy Shelford says, “We are pleased to support these two different projects in the Lakes District. The Village of Burns Lake Tourism Plan is a key piece of foundation work that will contribute to economic diversity and community stability. The Cheslatta Carrier Nation story is a powerful example of how a small community can overcome historical challenges and play an integral role in the economic success of the area.”
Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society has awarded $320,881 in grants for the 2018-2019 funding cycle to date. The Board has committed $500,000 of funds for the current funding cycle that runs April 1st, 2019 – March 31st, 2020.
The next application deadline is February 3, 2020. For more information please visit http://www.nkdf.org/
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.
Well, this success story throws back a little bit. We started planning for the expansion at the Burns Lake Public Library in the early 2000's. It was an ambitious project - double the size of the library!! The board...