A new townhouse complex is among the projects expected to come to fruition after the Six Nations Economic Development Trust approved almost $2 million in grants for 2022.
The Trust received 10 applications asking for around $4 million.
They agreed to disperse $1,936,738.20 in community investment funds that flowed from the Six Nations of the Grand River Economic Development Corporation.
Following individual and group scoring, as well as shortlist presentations, the Board of Trustees approved two grassroots and five general applications for community investment.
These seven organizations will receive $1,936,738.20 to invest in the collective benefit of the Six Nations of the Grand River.
EDT funds are made available through annual distributions of surplus profits by the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC). These profits are a result of SNGRDC’s operations both on and off reserve, including but not limited to, Six Nations Bingo, A6N Utilities, Six Nations Tourism, along with various investments in the renewable energy industry.
All approved EDT applications must benefit the Six Nations collectively and align with the Trust Indenture, Community Plan, Community Needs and Priorities and the EDT Investment Guidelines. The following seven projects have been approved for 2022 Community Investment:
-Two Row on the Grand will receive $2,500 to assist with Cultural Teachings and Social Dancers for Two Row on the Grand 2022
-Jamieson Home and School will receive $15,000 to replace the old unsafe basketball court with a new basketball court for school physical activities and for community use.
-Six Nations Housing will receive $1,066,304.60 to assist in building a 5-unit townhouse
– Six Nations Language Commission will receive $300,000 to assist with their critical mass of bilingual speakers for the language programs they currently offer
– Woodland Cultural Centre will receive $68,683.60 to assist with a seasonal series of cultural workshops centered around the Cycle of Ceremonies translated in the language that will be a video resource for the community
– Kayanase will receive $203,900 to assist in building the capacity of Kayanase’s seed bank for the conservation and preservation of Carolinian Species and by extension the local ecosystems
– Ganohkwasra FASS will receive $280,350 to build an administration wing to house current admin staff which will free up office space for much needed counsellors.
Since the formation of the EDT in 2016, over $12.6 million has been invested to date. The 2022 allocation raises the grand total to just over $14.6 million. A complete list of all current and past recipients is available at www.sixnationsedt.ca/recipients/
The Economic Development Trust (EDT) is the mechanism in which surplus profits generated by Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) are invested into the Six Nations Community for the collective benefit of its members. This model of distribution was a direct result of the 2011 community engagement study “We Gather Our Voices”. The EDT will continue to invest in the Six Nations Community in future years through yearly distributions made possible by SNGRDC. The SNGRDC manages the Six Nations’ economic interests in 20 renewable energy projects and numerous economic development opportunities, in and around the Six Nations territory.
SNGRDC’s current green energy portfolio is capable of producing over 1300 MW of renewable energy through its direct or indirect involvement in seven solar, 13 wind project(s).
SNGRDC is located on the Six Nations Reserve and employs an average of 140 employees through Nation Enterprise or the administration of Economic Interests projects.
