Four First Nations communities in northern B.C. including Lheidli T’enneh are getting a grant to complete well being and poverty-reduction plans and projects in their communities, thanks to the First Nations Well Being Fund.
More than $2 million in grants has been provided to 62 First Nations communities throughout the province.
Lheidli T'enneh First Nation is getting $34,850 to deliver training on traditional fishery techniques and a week-long cultural event focused on food preservation methods.
Other northern B.C. projects are also focused on local food security with $35,000 for Cheslatta Carrier Nation to build a community fish camp and smokehouse and teach traditional food canning methods.
Dease River First Nation will get $35,000 to building raised garden beds and providing plants and seeds for 30 community households and Takla Lake First Nation will get $35,000 for food security, and cultural and wellness initiatives, including healing techniques, a smokehouse, and garden and gazebo for the community.
"All orders of government are finding ways of reducing poverty," said minister of social development and poverty reduction, Nicholas Simons.
"I'm excited that through this funding, First Nations communities are able to develop projects that will improve individual well-being and benefit communities."
The First Nations Well Being Fund is administered by the First Nations Public Service Secretariat, in partnership with the First Nations Leadership Council.
It supports First Nations and Tribal Councils in their efforts to promote well-being, improve quality of life for community members on and off reserve, and reduce poverty at the community or Nation level.
"Numerous studies have shown that Indigenous peoples experience the highest levels of poverty, with a shocking 25 per cent of Indigenous people in Canada living in poverty," said Cheryl Casimer, political executive, First Nations Summit.
"This poverty reduction initiative was created to assist B.C. First Nations to increase well-being within their communities and membership. This welcome program is a modest step toward addressing the disproportionally high rates of poverty for First Nations' citizens in B.C. The program was very oversubscribed, which clearly shows there is a high demand for much-needed funding for these types of important community projects. We hope that the success of this initiative will lead to greater poverty reduction funding opportunities for our communities in the future."
The B.C. government provided funding as part of TogetherBC, the province's poverty-reduction strategy.
