Fort William FN Economic Development Update Presentation
The Fort William FN Economic Development team faced operational challenges due to the Covid-19 crisis, resulting in work-load increases, staffing changes, and health-day usage spikes. The team managed key areas like energy projects, forestry, mining development, highway construction, and community engagement. Waste Management Coordinator Michelle Galoni led initiatives pre and post Covid-19, including contamination testing, recycling programs, and habitat restoration efforts. Ongoing projects focus on small business support and community initiatives to address environmental concerns.
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A Community Engagement Update Presentation Work Done at Fort William FN - Economic Development (ED), from March 1 to Nov 15, 2020. This past nine months has been extraordinary, operationally speaking, for everyone here. Pre-Covid19 Crises, the ED Team had been developing, with new staff completing Orientation and moving to Developmental, internally speaking; Work plan and strategies for each portfolio had been assigned. Post- Covid19 Crises: ED went through work-load increases, changes in work-load conditions; which changed weekly/daily. Also, staffing changes and health-day uses increased. Working from home is not as easy as it might first appear, and what is up with Zoom Fatigue . Covid19 Essential Services: Energy Projects, Forestry Planning & Operations, Mining Development, Highway Construction Projects, ED Manager: Internal office operations, Portfolio Management & Reporting, Consultation/Liaison, Community Engagement Energy, Joint Ventures & Partnerships, Grants and Funds, Forestry, Cultural Resource Management, Community Inventories; Waasigan CEC, Long Term Care Facility, Proponent and Ministry engagement, Value Mapping and Traditional Knowledge sharing. EDOfficer: Mining, Road and Values, Properties and Assessments, Cannabis, Toll Booth, GTP Lands, Small Business Support, Tourism EA and IBA Negotiations in Mining, Property Evaluations & Purchases, Cannabis Phase 2 Development, Toll Booth Management; Consortium Coordination and Development, Nokiiwin Working Groups (Properties and Mining), GTPL + CEDC Liaison and PM WM Coordinator: Contaminant Program, Riparian/Habitat Restoration, Recycling Project Development, Dump Closure Plan TBNHWGLiaison, Tourism, Contaminants Testing, Recycling Tech Evaluation, Community Energy Program, CCHAP Liaison In Office and Additional Tasks: Communications Management, Supplies, Permit Responses, Site Evaluation Visits.
Economic Development Waste Management Coordinator (WMC) Michelle Galoni started in August 2019 and has an environmental education, a background teaching outdoor education and a strong passion for the environment. Pre-Covid19: Contamination Testing program in the community, Community Recycling Program development, TB North Harbor WG Liaison and Dump Closure Plan development, CCHAP Liaison. Post-Covid19: ISC Liaison (status updates on funded and new projects), Nokiiwin Liaison (community PPE/Health Supplies and Community Clean-Up Day), community Garbage Bins, Elders Food Distribution. Ongoing Projects: Developmental and as needed included Riparian/Habitat Restoration, CDO site assessment, Dump Closure Plan, MENDM & CERB Small Business Support Contaminant Program: Funding for testing is secured, test sites have been identified. Covid19 delayed; testing scheduled for Spring of 2021. Lakehead University, in partnership with Fort William FN, will conduct the tests, data analysis + reporting. The Goal: to gather base line to utilize for potential remediation efforts if able, and/or understand better these contaminants to lessen impact on community. Riparian/Habitat Restoration: Areas of Concern are identified and reported to MECP-ECCC, in October 2020. Field sampling is complete or nearly so; report in Spring 2021. FWFN is not guaranteed to have these locations chosen by ECCC; funded. The report could potentially help provide things like tree plantings to stabilize shorelines, provide fish spawning zones, food sources for migratory birds, Rip/Rap placements, soil loss mitigation, etc. Dump Closure Plan (DCP): A request for proposals has been sent out to 3 of our JV partners to bid on the work. A decision will be made on who gets the contract by January 8th, 2021 and a DCP will be completed by the proponent by March 19th, 2021. The Goal: Identify best practice to close and remediate the dump, follow through with a FWFN-Joint Venture Partner to complete the actual closure and remediation.
Economic Development Waste Management Coordinator (WMC) Contaminant Program: Funding for testing is secured and Test Sites have been identified. Covid19 caused a delay in the testing schedule, now planned for the Spring of 2021. Lakehead University, in partnership with Fort William FN, will conduct the actual testing and data analysis + reporting. The Goal: to gather base line to data that can be utilized for potential remediation efforts if necessary and understand how these contaminants could impact our community.
Economic Development Waste Management Coordinator (WMC) Riparian/Habitat Restoration: Locations of Areas of Concern are now identified and were reported to our contract partner (ECCC) in October 2020. Field sampling will be completed in the near future and lab work, data analysis and a report will also be provided. The Goal: Though we are not guaranteed to have these locations chosen by ECCC to be funded, this report could potentially help provide things like tree plantings to stabilize shorelines, provide fish spawning zones, food sources for migratory birds, Rip/Rap placements, soil loss mitigation, etc.
Economic Development Waste Management Coordinator (WMC) Dump Closure Plan (DCP):A request for proposals has been sent out to 3 of our JV partners to bid on the work. A decision will be made on who gets the contract by January 8th, 2021 and a DCP will be completed by the proponent by March 19th, 2021. The Goal: Identify best practice to close and remediate the dump, follow through with a Joint Venture Partner to complete the actual closure and remediation.
Economic Development Waste Management Coordinator (WMC) Recycling/Waste Management: A LEDSP application is in development, with completion by December 31st to be submitted to ISC for consideration of funding to implement curb-side pickup on reserve with Fort William. Mining: The WMC was on site while environmental sampling was done at LDI to ensure the one day exceedance did not contaminate soil and water downstream. Test results came back at regular levels. Site visits are also conducted for any new exploration sites to assess cultural resource values and to there is accommodation of community environmental & cultural values concerns; RE: loss of access, habitats for harvesting plants and animal/fish. Community Clean Up: A community clean up was done in August of this year and saw over 70 bags of garbage picked up from the reserve. We intend to have another clean up in the spring. Large Garbage were placed in the community during the Covid19 initial three months. CEC: We received funding from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to work with the community and to focus on the community energy plan. We have to hire for this position, in the near future and oversight falls to the WMC and/or CLO. CCHAP: In partnership with LU, FWFN has completed the first Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program. Found on the Economic Development website. Approval to submit an application for a 2nd round of funding to build on the existing work that was done. The application will be going again in partnership with LU. TBNHWG: FWFN and working group members put in recommendations to the Senior Management Committee comprised of ECCC, Transport Canada and MECP. All but 1 working group member recommended the contaminants stay in the North Harbor. We are waiting on their final decision; the community updated as we are made aware. Fogdog/Neebing: Fogdog has been delayed due to Covid19. FWFN and the town of Neebing intend to meet with MECP to discuss the opportunity of pilot/research project using Fogdog in our communities. Please contact Michelle Galoni by email at MichelleGaloni@fwfn.com for any additional updates. .
Economic Development Economic Development Officer (EDO) Cheryl St. James started in October 2019 and has education and practical work experience in Property Sales & Acquisitions (Realtor), Mining Operations and Project Management. Pre-Covid19: MTO Maintenance Contract acquisitions, Community Small Business supports (grants/funds), Miller Consortium Grp., PM, Properties (GTPL + R & V), Cannabis & Mining and JV s. Post-Covid19: JV & Partnership Donations into the community & CERB Small Business Supports, Elder Food Distribution Program, Full Mining Portfolio Management, Nokiiwin Working Groups (Properties and Mining), GTPL + CEDC Liaison and PM Mining: Impala at Lac Des Ille Mine and Sunday Lake continue forward with Exploration Agreement(s) in negotiation phase. Covid19 response by Impala allowed for 15K+ in direct donations of masks, sanitizers, Food. Indirect Benefits from Mining Portfolio Joint Venture Partnerships totalled 5+K. Clean Air Metal (Thunder Bay North/Current Lake); negotiation on EA continue +MOU with RRIB / RBFN. Cannabis: Start of Phase II (Medicinal Grow) dedicated community engagement/update + Site Development are the Next Step(s) . Action Item(s) are varied (site evaluations continue + proposal requires addition of detailed projection(s) regarding expenditure (phase 3 power at locale) and/or Optional Site Considerations & Risk Mitigation. GTP Lands: Traffic study complete; waiting for final report (DST/Englobe). Next Step(s) are to develop project proposal for identified infrastructure needs (seek grants and funds) + Evaluate Proponent List, for additional engagement. Small Business Support (CERB ++): Ongoing we attempt to reach out to small businesses when work load conditions allow. We have been supporting Benefit application process for Covid19 using newsletter notices, Facebook and Ec Dev web site updates. We continue to support small business in seeking grant and funds for small business. MTO Maintenance Contracts: Ongoing, with RFP s being sent out for Maintenance contracts and Price Quote being considered for the purchase of Regulation Snow Plow + FWFN/Kamlander will spend winter prepping for aggregate needs of the contracts.
Economic Development Economic Development Officer (EDO) Update As noted, the EDO was focused on MTO Maintenance Contract acquisitions, Community Small Business supports (grants/funds), Miller Consortium Group project management, Properties (GTPL + Roads & Values), Cannabis & Mining. Work Load Conditions after the Covid19 crises required radical change in EDO work plan, and the Ec. Dev. Office Work Plan for all staff. Also, we had one staff transfer to another role entirely in late August of 2020 and once again, the Ec Dev work plan had to change. And so, Cheryl took on additional tasks; other minor tasks were re-assigned, or eliminated entirely so that the EDO could with help on-reserve businesses with CERB applications, when requests were received, and updating the community notices for same on a regular basis. Medicinal Cannabis Grow Location, Building & Grow Site Option 2. Development Grants and Funds Search Grand Truck Property Lands Traffic Study Complete Infrastructure Proposal TBNHWG Liaison, Recycling Tech. Evaluations, Community Energy Champion program, CCHAP Liaison, Forestry: The work and tasks noted here are those items currently active within each staffs portfolio. There are additional work load assignments which require critical oversight on an ongoing basis, i.e.
Economic Development Economic Development Officer (EDO) Mining: Impala at Lac Des Ille and Sunday Lake; in EA negotiation. Site visit(s) to LDI after an exceedance was reported. Tailings failing for 1 day as the reporting for the day before and after were within normal limits. Clean Air Metals: exploration agreement on hold/ meet with Red Rock Indian Band and BZA to discuss amending MOA signed in 2011; site visits to exploration sites. All mining activity is subject to Value Mapping and Traditional Knowledge sharing. Grants and Funds plus Proponent contributions to the EA s, pay for these ongoing studies and do employ band members, when able. Cannabis: Phase II Business Plan complete and will be presented at next council meeting; Darrel Avenue building identified as site for medical cannabis growth; renovate building; purchase pods; hire staff. Assess Option 2 site(s) and additional Risk Mitigation. GTP Lands: Land Use and Traffic Study Completed. DST is creating a plan for the future use of GTP lands for commercial/light industrial use; will include a road so City Road will be safe for community members. MTO Maintenance Contracts: Getting a Plow + Finalizing Aggregates Partnership; 2 contracts this year and planning going on for 2021 season. We are working with Emcon and Miller contracting to prepare for 2021. Properties & Lands: Currently looking at 33 Court Street South and Arthur Street Motel 6 project with 5 NAN communities. Active member of the Nokiwin ED Working Group Toll Booth: seeking grants and funds for upgrades. Small Business Support: Web site is updated regularly with new Grant and Fund Options for small businesses. Ongoing, on an as needed basis Please contact Cheryl St. James by email at CherylStJames@fwfn.com for any additional updates.
Economic Development Economic Development Manager (EDM) Update Robert started in January 2019 and has education and practical work experience in Civil Engineering Tech., MIS Administration, and was also a small business owner. Pre-Covid19: the EDM had been focused on Energy Sector Agreement negotiations, Community Engagement & Small Business supports (grants/funds), Forestry Liaison, Mining sector projects Consultation, Cannabis, Roads & Values, Climate and Environmental, Joint Venture & Partnership Development, In-Office operations. Post-Covid19: The EDM had to off load portfolio items to staff in order to accommodate the increased workload posed by the crises, and the fact that the GLP was moving forward (Essential Service considerations). Enbridge was forced to lay off all First Nation workers and as of this date has created new positions to meet the terms of the ToR and CFA s. These are primarily field technicians and there are two band members who have been called back to work bring the total number up to eight (8) ED Manager: Internal office operations, Portfolio Management & Reporting, Consultation/Liaison, Community Engagement Energy (GLP-Waasigan): The GLP is completing the Environmental Assessment ToR and final review of the project ToR; Stage 1 archaeo. to be conducted over the next couple of months. Overall, Hydro One is negotiating terms like it did fifty years ago; misinformation and misdirection. OKT Law and North Vista oversee the high level negotiations taking place at this time, with Board and Protection meetings occurring on a bi-weekly basis. Job Creation and Contract bidding will start in early 2021. Enbridge/EWT: Is starting to hire back some of the people laid off when the crises hit. Those employment numbers are greatly reduced and hiring will focus on people with Drivers Licenses and Grade 12 only. The project foot print is now approaching Thunder Bay and is on schedule, despite the affects of the mass layoffs and Covid19 crises affects on daily operations EISO/CEC: Funding has been secured to hire a Band members to develop a Energy Conservation Plan; this involves data gathering and we will be updating the community when the person is hired.
Economic Development Economic Development Manager (EDM) Update Robert started in January 2019 and has education and practical work experience in Civil Engineering Tech., MIS Administration, and was also a small business owner. Pre-Covic19: the EDM had been focused on pivoting the Joint Venture Agreements toward economic development and industry partnerships in Mining, Road & Values, Logistical Supplies (Fuel, Mats, etc.) and Environmental. Post Covid19: The Grants and Funds Program was expanded to begin development of proposal applications in CERB, Infrastructure and Tourism, Technology (Drones, FogDog Recycling, etc.), Value Mapping and Traditional Knowledge application to Cultural Resource Management. All staff now conduct their own searches and proposal development for projects within their assigned portfolios. Joint Ventures & Partnerships: New JV s include CSL Labs and ALS Global Testing (mining environmental) + TBT Eng. and DST/Englobe continue as Partners with 4 jobs created and 20K in annual payments directly to the community. Resolute FP has a new Partnership Agreement with FWFN and is focusing on Job creation and Contracts Bidding. The Goal with the combined Joint Venture payments, is to reach 250K in annual payments in 2 years, from 2021. We continue to seek out new and viable partnerships (Envava Fuels, Dingwell and Northern Matt) Grants and Funds: Each staff has oversight of their portfolio proposal application currently, the focus has been on Climate Change and Environmental because these were two areas identified by the community members in 2019 that they felt more work was needed. Going forward, we are looking to submit application for funding to upgrade the Toll Booth and Lookout. The Goal is to increase the number of funded projects occurring at any one time; increase the direct benefits to the community The work and tasks noted above are those items currently active within each staffs portfolio. There are additional work load assignments which require critical oversight on an ongoing basis, i.e. all of the above.
Economic Development Economic Development Manager (EDM) Update Pre-Covic19: the EDM had been focused on its duty to consult with the MNRF on three Forest Plans on the Traditional Territory. It was determined that the MNRF was with holding information relevant to this communities economic development (Road & Values). They had been handing off Quarries and Roads to industry proponents and disregarding the obligation to consult with FWFN on these dispositions, first. Post Covid19: Economic Development came to this understanding only after we had put the MNRF on notice that they were failing in their legal obligation to consult and accommodate on the Forest Management Plans, and after we stared engaging our Joint Venture Partners at Resolute FP. To that end, Resolute has instituted a Job Creation Program, Contract Bidding program & and delivering the FMP themselves Forestry: Resolute now delivers the FMP s, for the DRM / BS Forests directly; intentionally foregoing interaction on FMP, with the MNRF. The Dog River/Mattawa (DRM) Forest Plan is currently in review with the Ontario Gov. A community engagement was conducted and the FMP has been uploaded to a dedicated web site for Band Members to look at the plan, ask questions and submit comments. Black Spruce (BS) Forest Plan is currently is Phase II of III, developmental. The MNRF is trying to rush to get this plan out, due to proposed changes (Bill197) to environmental laws and the provinces/proponents legal obligation to consult and accommodate. Lakehead (LH)Forest Plan is currently in review but has, in reference, been accepted by the Ontario Gov.. Meaning on the review process is ongoing, this plan does not deviate from the initial plan submitted as part of the process. Community engagement with this proponent is none existent at this point, with the company failing to respond to any correspondence sent. They are a job creator in the community and their we are currently in discussions with the Hauler, about creating driving jobs, over and above the sawmill job. The work and tasks noted above are those items currently active within each staffs portfolio. There are additional work load assignments which require critical oversight on an ongoing basis, i.e. all of the above.
Economic Development Economic Development Manager (EDM) Update Pre-Covid19: The EDM had been focused on its duty to consult with the Ministries and Industry Proponents, with Cultural Resource Management (CRM) given highest priority; because it is these identified values which allow for a strong negotiating position, no matter which table we sit at. Community Inventories (Businesses, Human Assets, Equipment Assets) were updated in April 2020. Post-Covid19: All CRM activities were discontinued to due travel and community restrictions, affecting essential (and none) services. Site visits have restarted, at reduced numbers, in terms of people and places, in September; We conduct values assessments and resource management only at early and full exploration activities, occurring on the Traditional Territory. Cultural Resource Management (Value Mapping + Traditional Knowledge): We continually seek funds to continue these efforts. After the crises hit these activities were completely stopped and only just re-started and are prioritized according to time on the Temporary Hold Lists (MENDM). To date (from September), this office has conducted eight (8) sight visits combined. Hydro One/Enbridge Corridors + Ministries + Mining and Construction Sectors continually need feedback from FWFN, to account for their EA legal requirements. Community Inventories: Industry and Government need to know what is available in the community, in terms of Businesses, Equipment and Human Assets needed to meet the terms of any agreement which they may sign with FWFN. WE continue to update these lists on an ongoing basis, with updates being emailed out every six (6) months. NOTE: If community based business want to be considered for the ever increasing opportunities being made available through FWFNED Agreements, they need to be on these lists. Community outreach is ongoing. Hydro One (GPL + A7L ), Enbridge (EWT), Impala (LDI + SL) and Multiple Joint Venture Partners, use these lists to fulfill the terms of any agreement they have with FWFN. Notable are the Boulevard Lake Stone Ring, New Education Centre at Lakehead University, Expansion of the Corrections Facility, Wild Goose and Bare Point digs are also notable.
Economic Development Economic Development In Conclusion ED Manager: Internal office operations continue to adjust because of the ever changing Covid19 crises, but also because of staffing transitions which occurred in August 2020. In fact, the ED work plan has seen constant change in both planning and implementation, since new staff hires in August of 2019 > October 2019. With orientations completed by December 2019, it was expected that the implementation of the work plans would occur January 2020. Then the Covid19 Crises hit in early March of 2020. The increased work loads and changes in work conditions deeply impacted our ability to stick to the original timelines outlined in the Work plan dated December 2019, and set back our goal of three (3) years to have 250K in Partnership and JV agreements direct benefit payments, coming into the community in the past 8 months we have been able to bring in approximate 60K+ in direct and in-direct payments. Our plan for the reminder of this fiscal year is to focus our efforts on those Partnerships and Joint Ventures which have a track record of bring tangible benefits to the community members in terms jobs, direct and indirect payments (money & donations, yearly stipends). Also, there is potential long term benefits to be had in EA s & IBA s in the mining sector we will continue to negotiate hard for those revenues tied to losses we incur when a mine opens up. Job creation and Training Deliverables will continue to be a large focus for this office. We have been focused on bringing those opportunities to the community members, and will continue to do so; realizing tangible benefits for the community members. If you have questions arising from this General Update, or would like to suggest topics for discussion on the next community engagement update. Miigwetch.
