Communities use national CEDI program to huddle on economic development priorities, land-use plans
Mississauga First Nation and the Town of Blind River are forming a government-to-government partnership to embark on shared regional development and land use planning.
The two neighbouring northeastern Ontario local governments are participating in a national reconciliation program called the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI). It provides a starting point for collaboration between First Nations and municipalities to meet, listen and learn on the path toward building respectful relationships and work on common priorities through joint community economic development planning and initiatives.
This program is delivered jointly by Cando (the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
First started in 2013, CEDI is funded by Indigenous Services Canada, PrairiesCan and the McConnell Foundation.
A Town of Blind River news release said this collaboration will take shape through facilitated monthly working group meetings, bi-annual workshops, practice activities, and using tools for relationship and capacity building.
The release said the two communities are one of six such partnerships in the latest cohort of the program.
“Blind River is eager to partner and learn with Mississauga First Nation,” said Mayor Sally Hagman in a statement. “We recognize that working together to address our economic challenges will strengthen our relationship and the regional economy and move our communities forward.”
The release said the program will open the way for the the two communities to “create economic and social advantages for all citizens.”
“I am confident that Mississauga First Nation and The Town of Blind River’s common goals for economic development will foster benefits that extend to many other aspects of community building,” said Mississauga Chief Brent Niganobe, “and CEDI is giving us the framework to work together to achieve strong local results.”