Partnership Background
Lac Seul First Nation (LSFN), Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation (KIFN), and the Municipality of Sioux Lookout are located in northwestern Ontario within the Traditional Territory of the Anishinaabe and Oji-Cree peoples and are signatories to Treaty 3 (LSFN) and Treaty 9 (KIFN). Sioux Lookout, the nearest urban center, located in Treaty 3, serves as a regional hub for many remote northern communities. Lac Seul First Nation shares a direct border with the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, while Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, also known as Big Trout Lake, is a remote fly-in community located approximately 400 km north of Sioux Lookout, accessible primarily by air or winter road.
These three communities participated in CEDI Phase I from 2013-2016.
Key Milestones and Collaborative Community Economic Development Initiatives
Regional Food Distribution Centre (RDC) Project
The Regional Food Distribution Centre (RDC) is a major community economic development initiative between Lac Seul First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, and the Municipality of Sioux Lookout. The RDC is an Indigenous-owned and operated social enterprise designed to provide affordable and reliable food distribution to northern and remote First Nations communities via the Sioux Lookout airport.
The concept was developed through a comprehensive CEDI-supported feasibility study supported by a newly hired project coordinator and consulting firm, along with extensive stakeholder engagement and an overnight study tour to Sysco Canada’s facilities in Winnipeg. The initiative was supported by the CEDI grant, a grant from INAC, with Phase 2 funding applications submitted to FedNor and NOHFC for additional funds. The RDC was also backed by the Agri-Food Institute and private sector partners, including Walmart, Sysco, Loudon Brothers, Peters Trucking, and Manitoulin Transport.
The project aligned with the communities’ shared vision to “break down barriers and build new economies,” addressing food insecurity, high transportation costs, and the need for regional economic infrastructure. It was prioritized as a high-impact project that could generate employment, attract investment, and increase access to essential goods for northern communities.
The RDC project received strong support from Working Group Champions, Chiefs and Councils, Mayor and Council, workshop participants, external organizations and funders.
Significant progress was made, including the completion of the feasibility study, engagement with funders and the establishment of a business hub in Sioux Lookout to support broader regional development. In addition, a Labour Market Development Group was formed by the three communities to implement a coordinated process for developing a human resource plan focused on key sectors like health, mining, and construction.
The partners also collaborated on hiring a First Nations-municipal regional economic development officer and extended the invitation to smaller communities to use the business hub to support them in enhancing their economic development capacity. The business hub enabled those from the northern or regional communities to develop their capacity.
Northwestern Ontario Regional Chiefs and Mayors Summit
In April 2015, Lac Seul First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation and the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, co-hosted the first-ever Northwestern Ontario Regional Chiefs and Mayors Summit. Held in Sioux Lookout, the summit brought together 16 First Nation Chiefs and 8 regional Mayors to discuss shared challenges and opportunities for economic development, regional collaboration, and infrastructure planning. The event provided a platform for open dialogue, relationship building, and joint strategic thinking among Indigenous and municipal leaders. The CEDI Program Manager and representatives from AANDC were present to support the initiative and better understand its regional significance.
In the Media
- February 13, 2015: An Innovative Plan to Bring Affordable Fresh Food and Consumer Goods to Remote Northern Communitie
- Apr 17, 2015: First Nation food distribution network being studied
- May 1, 2015: Food distribution centre in Sioux Lookout discussed
- March 3, 2017: Sioux Lookout reconciliation partnership growing
Photo Gallery
Vicki Blanchard, Manager of Economic Development for Sioux Lookout presented the partner’s dynamic story of friendship, collaboration, support and communication at the Indigenous – Local Government Partnership Forum. The story of their journey was very inspirational and a model for others to learn from.