22 First Nations from across northwestern Ontario invest in Landmark Inn in Thunder Bay
Landmark Inn ownership group expands
Web Posted: 7/11/2008 8:12:46 PM
Nine more First Nation groups signed onto a real estate partnership Friday for the Landmark Hotel in Thunder Bay opening the door for economic benefits in the hospitality industry for a total of 22 First Nation communities and 3 Treaty Territories.
A special luncheon held at the Jack Peppers restaurant celebrated the inclusion of the nine additional investors in the hotel.
Last October, Aroland, Kingfisher and Wunnumin Lake First Nations signed a purchase agreement for the hotel located on Dawson Road.
The new investing communities are Animibiigoo Zaagi'gan Anishinabek, Constance Lake. Kasabonika Lake, Lac Seul, Long Lake #58, Wapekeka, Whitesand along with Rainy Lake Tribal Development Corp, ( Rainy River, Naicatchewenin, Stanjikoming, Couchiching Seine River, and Nicickousemenecaning First Nation) Wasaya Group Inc.(Bearskin Lake, Big Trout, Kasibonika Lake, Keewaywin, Kingfisher Lake, Muskrat Dam, Nibinamik, Pikangikum, Wapekeka and Wunnumin Lake First Nations.
The partnership will provide economic benefits for the communities along with employment opportunities and Chief Norman Brown, Wapekeka First Nation, says it will also provide a place for his people to stay when travelling to Thunder Bay for medical treatment or a medical crisis.
''We've been talking about this for a long time to try to work together as a whole and we finally did join other communities on different tribal councils,'' Chief Brown, said.
Landmark Hotel board president Jonathon Mamakwa says he doesn't think this many communities have done anything together like this before as they work together on the same goal in the hospitality industry.
''All our communities from the different regions have pretty much kept to within their own regions, like a group of communities. But with this one, we've managed to put together 22 communities from right across the region. It's great to see that they want to work together on a common goal,'' Mamakwa said.
Mamakwa says the profits generated can also be reinvested into other ventures in the future.