Food distribution centre in Sioux Lookout discussed
By: N/A
Date: May 1, 2015
Source: CBC News
Planned distribution centre in Sioux Lookout to serve northern communities
Representatives from 17 First Nation communities say a regional food distribution centre may help ease the North’s food-cost crisis.
First Nation officials and their municipal counterparts are meeting to discuss bringing a northern food distribution centre to Sioux Lookout.
“The federal government, the provincial government will not do it,” said Donny Morris, the chief of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug.
“It has to be the First Nation leadership and the mayors to start practicing that treaty-based concept to live together and to share together.”
Many First Nation communities see increased levels of diabetes and heart-related diseases among their populations. The main cause is the availability and affordability of fresh food.
Chief Clifford Bull of Lac Seul First Nation said in a news release that his brother, who is a former chief of that First Nation, needed to have his leg amputated due to complications from diabetes. When they spoke about it, they decided to act to improve the health of First Nations people.
Officials from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Lac Seul and Sioux Lookout have been meeting for the last year planning out the proposal for the food distribution centre. It will be based at the Sioux Lookout airport, so food can easily reach remote northern communities.
“My basic philosophy is what’s good for the North is good for Sioux Lookout,” said Doug Lawrence, the municipality’s mayor.
“The more prosperous the northern communities are, the more prosperous Sioux Lookout will be.”
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