March 01, 2001

THOMPSON, Man.--Conservation Minister Oscar Lathlin has announced funding of $125,000 for a Northern Forest Diversification Centre pilot project to be located at Keewatin Community College (KCC) in The Pas. Lathlin made the announcement at the Non-timber Forest Products Conference being held here until tomorrow.

During the pilot project, KCC will design a course for interested residents of Moose Lake and Nelson House that would form the prototype for product and service delivery in other northern communities. The pilot project will include community consultations and needs assessment, development of community-specific solutions, an inventory of eco-tourism and non-timber forest products as well as product development and support services.

"Many non-timber forest products have a long history of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal use," said Lathlin. "A Northern Forest Diversification Centre could provide many services ranging from product identification to market development, leading to sustainable economic activity and jobs for Manitoba’s north."

The centre would act as a Northern Manitoba research and service centre for non-timber forest products and eco-tourism. Non-timber forest products are foods, medicines and materials of plant and animal origin. The product list varies but generally includes mushrooms, berries, floral greens, medicinal herbs, craft materials and landscaping products among others. Items are harvested for use in essential oils, for cosmetic and medicinal purposes, and decorative items.

The centre would provide consulting services, community-based training, business development, entrepreneurial support, and product research and development. By developing the centre, KCC plans to provide the means to diversify the forest and wilderness activities available for economic development and job creation in predominantly remote Aboriginal communities.

"We are pleased to support this pilot project which has great potential for the people of Northern Manitoba, including our many remote Aboriginal communities," said Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson. "The program is an important step in realizing new options for northern communities as they work to ensure long-term economic development opportunities."

"We are encouraged by the government's commitment to the northern forest diversification demonstration project," said Tony Bos, KCC president. "The vision for this endeavour is to empower communities to build viable income streams using local resources for the benefit of local residents. This project will be built around the conceptual framework that economic development must fit the culture, aspirations, history and geographical location of the people of Northern Manitoba. And it must sustain local culture, enhance self-determination and reinvest in the local community."

The pilot project is supported by the departments of Intergovernmental Affairs, Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, Conservation, Advanced Education, Education, Training and Youth, Agriculture and Food, and Industry, Trade and Mines.

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