The Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund Society Board of Directors has approved $140,374 in grant funding for eight projects to start off the new funding cycle. A total of $385,000 is available for grants between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
The Village of Fraser Lake received $50,000 to assist with constructing a new water reservoir.
In addition to construction of a new water storage reservoir, the project will improve the mixing system, valves and pipe connections, and upgrade the control building and electrical components to provide clean, reliable drinking water to the community.
Haisla Nation Council was granted $47,274 to purchase bunker gear and hoses for the Volunteer Fire Department to enhance protection and safety. The mission of the Fire Department is to provide fire and medical services to the Haisla Nation supported by proper training, safety and culture, and to protect all life and assets for the Nation and its members.
Cheslatta Carrier Nation received $10,000 to go toward the purchase of a drone and drone pilot training and certification. The drone will be used by the Cheslatta Carrier Nation fire protection team to check lightning strikes, fireguards and hold over fires for hot spots to allow for an early response to mitigate the escalation of fires.
Burns Lake Native Development Corporation received $10,000 to go towards hosting the 25th Annual National Indigenous Peoples Day. The celebration will be a week-long event from June 18-June 22. The event will kickoff with a barbeque at Spirit Square in Burns Lake on June 18 and culminate with a parade the morning of June 22 and a gala dinner and dance in the evening at The Gathering Place.
The Gospel Evangelical Free Church Society was granted $8,400 for exterior upgrades of the Gospel Chapel Evangelical Free Church. The Church has been in operation for over 50 years. The building is used for regular church operations as well as by community and school groups.
The following projects were also approved by the Board Directors in the Under $5,000 category:
Vanderhoof International Airshow Society was granted $5,000 to go toward hosting “The Masters of the Air” Exhibition in Vanderhoof on August 3, 2024. Flights in the B17 Flying Fortress, the P-51D Mustang, Harvard Mk4 and P-40E Kitty Hawk will be available.
Burns Lake Youth Soccer Association received $5,000 to purchase new nets. The Association has been working to upgrade all the nets, not only so that they are a better quality, but also so they can host more tournaments and have more players on the field during the regular season practice. With the purchase of this set of nets, the organizations upgrade goals will be complete.
Nechako View Senior Citizens Home Society received $4,700. The Society provides affordable senior housing in Vanderhoof and currently operates 36 independent rental units. With this grant, two greenhouses will be built to complement the raised beds at the Nechako View Seniors complex for the residents to utilize.
Quotes
Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
“Supporting vital improvements in infrastructure, like improving access to reliable, clean drinking water and important preparations for wildfire season are a big part of the Province’s work to make life better for British Columbians. We’ll continue working alongside the Nechako-Kitamaat Development Fund to build a stronger, more resilient future for everyone in the region.”
Devrie Sanghera, Business Partners, Communities and Social Performance Rio Tinto BC Works
“Supporting economic opportunities within communities, is what this fund is about. Projects to enhance community infrastructures in areas such as clean drinking water and proactive safety measures against wild fires, will help to promote and enhance communities opportunities to attract and grow new business and people to their communities. Rio Tinto is proud to be part of a fund that supports the enrichment and sustainability of communities within our footprint.”
NKDF Chair Cindy Shelford
“We are pleased to start this funding cycle with grants for an incredible variety of projects that support healthy communities and fire suppression efforts and provide important recreational opportunities for residents to come together and celebrate. The NKDF Board of Directors is proud to call this region home.”
The next application deadline is July 31, 2024. For more information, please visit http://www.nkdf.org/ For requests under $5,000 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.
The Nechako Kitamaat Development Fund Society came to our aid and assisted us with the cost of installing a fire suppression sprinkler system in one of our seniors’ housing complexes in Burns Lake. The funds...