A new era in relations between the town of Fort Frances and four First Nation communities linked to the Agency One lands.
Area leaders plan to gather next week at Point Park to sign a new Declaration of Intent of Friendship.
Mayor June Caul says they looking to partner on development of Point Park.
“And hopefully we will be able to get some kind of a partnership formed legally so that we can deal with all of that together and try to get some stuff put up around there,” says Caul.
Issues related to the ownership of the Park remain unsettled. Caul says they’ve haven’t talked much about that yet in this agreement, but everyone is willing to work together.
Caul says they could also work jointly on other projects such as landing an MRI machine for the local hospital or developing student housing for Seven Generations Education Institute.
“By working together, we can get a lot more than working separately.”
Improving relations with area First Nations was one of issues Caul mentioned frequently during last year’s municipal election campaign.
She sees it important for the entire area.
“The relationships between the Agency One Bands and Fort Frances have been co-mingled for many, many years and I think we really need to realize that we need to do things together.”
A signing ceremony is scheduled to take place at Point Park next Wednesday at noon.
