TRURO – First Nations communities in the Maritimes and Gaspé region of Quebec will have access to nearly $8 million in federal funding to diversify and strengthen their fishing enterprises.
Indian Affairs Minister John Duncan made the $7.7-million announcement Tuesday at the Best Western Glengarry. The money, which will be spread over three years, will enable Mi'kmaq and Maliseet communities to pursue economic opportunities in new areas, including aquaculture, seafood processing and marketing.
The Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs will help administer the program. Executive director John Paul explained that $6 million would go directly to communities for initiatives they apply for pertaining to diversification and aquaculture.
"There's going to be an application process where (bands will) submit a business plan for a project," said Paul. "It will be assessed by a board, made up of primarily First Nations people, that will decide on the investments to each community."
The remaining funds will go towards expanding the business development teams to support communities in developing business opportunities as well as business training for fisheries co-ordinators.
Paul said there has been a decline the last two years in the lobster and snow crab fisheries in some communities. In some of the larger communities it has meant a drop of $1.2 million in revenue for a year.
"It's been quite significant - the impact," he said. "People have really had to hunker down and focus. Now we're saying ... start thinking into the future of what you're going to do to diversify."
Millbrook Chief Lawrence Paul said the Millbrook band fishes snow crab, lobster, tuna and ground fish. Its' snow crab catch was not impacted like other bands. He was looking forward to reviewing the program's details to determine what the band might apply for.
The Millbrook fishery employs about 65 band members and brings in about $800,000 annually to the band. The majority of that money is from snow crab.
Paul said fishing revenues help build homes and roads, fund university education, health and other services in First Nations communities across the Maritimes.
APC co-chairman Chief Jesse Simon said the success of its' fisheries enterprise impacts the surrounding communities.
"I think 80 per cent of our dollar that goes out supports the non-native communities," he said. "We affect other communities that surround First Nations communities."
jmalloy@trurodaily.com
