Partnership Background
Fort William First Nation (FWFN) is an Anishinaabe community located within the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850 on the northwestern shore of Lake Superior in northwestern Ontario. The City of Thunder Bay lies immediately adjacent to Fort William First Nation, with the communities sharing a border along the Kaministiquia River area. Fort William First Nation and Thunder Bay are connected by shared infrastructure and economic corridors, fostering opportunities for regional collaboration.
The partnership participated in the CEDI program during Phase II as part of Cycle I two-year accelerated model from 2016-2019.
Key Milestones and Collaborative Community Economic Development Initiatives
Fort William First Nation and City of Thunder Bay has a Declaration of Commitment that was signed in 2011, prior to joining CEDI
Over the course of their CEDI participation, Fort William First Nation and the City of Thunder Bay identified and advanced several collaborative initiatives that reflected their shared vision for sustainable regional development. These projects were designed to create long-term economic benefits, attract investment, and strengthen relationships between community members, leadership, and technical staff.
Through this work, the partnership demonstrated that collaboration between a First Nation and a neighbouring municipality can produce meaningful, measurable results, balancing economic opportunity with mutual respect and cultural understanding.
1. Fort William Industrial Lands Development
A cornerstone initiative of the partnership was the design and development of FWFN’s industrial lands. The communities co-presented their proposal to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), FedNor, and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) in 2018.
Funders commended the partnership’s collaboration through CEDI, which increased investor confidence and resulted in approximately $260,000 in approved funding (shared between ISC and NOHFC). The funding supported hiring a design consultant to produce three layout options focused on maximizing investment potential and creating long-term employment opportunities for community members.
2. Joint Cannabis Sector Exploration
Recognizing opportunities within the newly legalized cannabis industry, the partnership initiated a joint sector exploration process in 2018. It began with community consultation in Fort William First Nation to ensure local input shaped the vision and outcomes.
Together, the partners explored joint business development opportunities, identified potential property acquisitions in Thunder Bay, and connected with local educational institutions to discuss workforce training and skills development in the emerging sector.
3. Joint Business and Workforce Development
The partners collaborated on identifying joint business opportunities aligned with Fort William First Nation’s Comprehensive Community Plan. This work included exploring export-based, agri-food, and tourism ventures while developing a Skills Inventory to match community members with emerging regional employment needs.
This initiative positioned both communities to advance inclusive workforce development and strengthen regional economic resilience.
4. Mining and Resource Collaboration
Following their time in the CEDI program, Fort William First Nation and the City of Thunder Bay continued to expand their collaboration beyond the program cycle. Together, they co-developed a Mining Readiness Strategy (2020) and have since worked jointly on opportunities in mining, biomass, aquaculture, and lithium processing.
These projects demonstrate the lasting legacy of the CEDI partnership and the continued alignment of priorities between the two governments.
In January 2018, Fort William First Nation and the City of Thunder Bay co-hosted a community feast in the city under the theme “Together We Are Stronger.” The event brought together community members, leadership, and local partners to strengthen relationships and promote unity between neighbours. Held in the historic Fort William area, the feast featured traditional foods such as stew and bannock and created space for cross-cultural exchange and celebration. This gathering reflected the partnership’s commitment to reconciliation in action and reinforced the spirit of collaboration established through the CEDI program.
In the Media
- February 1, 2017: Partnership strives to bring back industry
- February 9, 2017: City building bridges with First Nation over burned bridge
- January 27, 2018: City strengthening ties with feast
- April 13, 2018: Smart Cities Challenge – Thunder Bay Application
- November 22, 2019: CEDI Workshops Further Community Economic Development
- November 27, 2019: First Nation sees value-added opportunities with industrial park
Photo Gallery
Quotes
“We are confident that our common goals for local economic development will foster benefits that extend to many other aspects of community building, and will help us explore ways to strengthen our communities even more.”
"We are thrilled to participate in this important initiative with Fort William First Nation, we have recognized for years that working together to address our economic challenges will strengthen our relationship and the regional economy, and move our communities forward."
“We signed our Declaration of Commitment in 2011. I feel that, through our collaboration in the CEDI program and the relationships we’ve built, this is the first time we have truly lived up to those commitments.”
“The CEDI process has been positive for my community. This collaboration between Municipal and First Nation communities is something I have pushed for many years. The facilitation your organization provides is a large part of its success in our partnership with the City. Having a facilitator enables the parties to work together better; neither party is ‘lead’ and both have equal input this way.”