At the December 5th, 2017 meeting of the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society Board, Directors approved $283,975.00 in funding for four new projects.
The grant recipients are as follows:
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Haisla Nation Council was granted $90,000.00 toward the film project that will turn the internationally-acclaimed novel Monkey Beach, by award-winning Haisla writer Eden Robinson, into a film. Monkey Beach will be the first major Indigenous feature film shot on location in Canada that celebrates a renowned novel and showcases Haisla culture.
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The Fraser Lake Fire Rescue Training Society was approved funding in the amount of $93,975.00 to assist with the purchase of a Wildfire Sprinkler Protection Unit (SPU). The unit will be used to train emergency services personal, industry first responders, and Wildland Firefighters from the entire Northwest and Northeast areas of BC. This SPU will be available for use in the event of a Wildfire in Northern BC.
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An amount of $40,000.00 was awarded to Nechako View Seniors Citizens Housing Society for costs including architect, Mechanical (plumbing and electrical), Surveyor and a Geotechnical study for Phase 1 of the development of a 35-unit Seniors Complex.
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The District of Vanderhoof was granted $60,000.00 for the construction of a Visitor Information Centre at the Vanderhoof Historical Park.
Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology says, “These four NKDF investments enhance Haisla culture, tourism infrastructure, seniors housing and wildfire protection, each contributing to the region’s economic stability and quality of life. Kitamaat author Eden Robinson’s acclaimed novel Monkey Beach introduced Haisla culture to a wide audience. And now, thanks in part to NKDF, this important story will be turned into a feature film that people all over the world can enjoy.”
“Reaching from the east end of our operational footprint through to the west end, funds from the Nechako Kitamaat Development Fund offer opportunities that impact our communities in a positive way. Rio Tinto is pleased to be part of the economic development these project have to offer. We look forward to seeing the benefits offered by each of these initiatives,” explained Patrice Bergeron, Director of Operations Rio Tinto BC Works.
Wayne Salewski, Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society Chair says, “The Directors are pleased with the quality and diversity of applications. From the film project in Kitaamat Village to the seniors housing project in Vanderhoof, these demonstrate well how the NKDF funds support the needs of each community. We are pleased to support the Wildfire Sprinkler Protection Unit project and look forward to the value this project will generate in the region."
These new approvals bring the total Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society grants awarded for the 2017-2018 funding cycle to $497,063.00. NKDF grants $500,000.00 each funding cycle. Due to some project slippage, NKDF has $16,000.00 remaining for this fiscal, to grant at the March Board meeting. The Board of Directors welcomes applications for small requests. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2018. 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 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.
