Suzanne Brant, President of First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI), would like to thank and acknowledge the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), for supporting and advancing FNTI’s vision of a sustainable and resilient campus for Indigenous learners.
“With the support of the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, FNTI is moving toward a sustainable future, where its new solar energy project will power its buildings and offset greenhouse gases, which will mitigate climate change.
In February 2022, FNTI’s aviation program suffered a tragic fire, resulting in the loss of a hangar and an entire fleet of planes. With an investment of over $3.5 million through the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI), FedDev Ontario is supporting FNTI’s aviation recovery plan with resources to rebuild and to green its operations and install a solar panel array, including an equipment hub and battery storage.
FTNI is grateful that the Government of Canada is investing in Indigenous initiatives in our region, providing benefits to Indigenous learners and communities across Ontario and Canada” said FNTI President Brant.
Additionally, FNTI applauds Minister Tassi’s recent announcement of the creation of a new landing page on FedDev Ontario’s website, offering a dedicated team with resources available to help guide Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations in southern Ontario. This new team is connecting with Indigenous-led businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs and invites all Indigenous stakeholders to visit the new webpage or contact the Agency directly to learn more about the available government funding and support for Indigenous stakeholders.
“The work that FNTI is doing will ensure that Indigenous people across Ontario are supported with resources and expertise to reach their potential,” said the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “With support from the Government of Canada, I know that they will continue providing excellent education services through environmentally friendly practices.”
About FNTI
FNTI is an Indigenous-owned and governed Indigenous post-secondary institute with 38 years of rich history delivering programming rooted in culture and Indigenous ways of knowing. A community-driven approach coupled with intense program delivery provides for Indigenous learners to maintain connections to family and community while they study. FNTI has increased enrollment by 203% since 2015 and is delivering post-secondary programming to 110 Indigenous communities in Ontario and 196 communities across Canada. FNTI is a not-for-profit, registered charitable organization, accredited by the Ontario Indigenous Advanced Education and Skills Council (IAESC). The Institute is developing standalone programs in accordance with the Ontario Indigenous Institutes Act, 2017.
About FedDev Ontario
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Contacts:
FNTI
Cathie Stewart Findlay
Director, Government Relations & Communication
cathief@fnti.net
www.fnti.net
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
