Government of Canada supporting the modernization of Batchewana First Nation's Information Technology Infrastructure

BATCHEWANA FIRST NATION, ON, Feb. 9, 2018 /CNW/ - Our government is committed to a renewed relationship with First Nations, and supporting First Nations communities' economic development opportunities.

Today, together with Batchewana First Nation Chief Dean Sayers, Terry Sheehan, MP for Sault Ste. Marie, announced – on behalf of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services – funding for Batchewana First Nation to modernize its information technology system.

Batchewana First Nation is located near Sault Ste. Marie and has four settlements: Goulais Bay, Rankin, Obadjiwan and Whitefish Island.

Indigenous Services Canada is providing $134,400 to support this IT modernization through its Community Opportunity Readiness Program. This program addresses the financial needs of First Nation communities in their pursuit of, and participation in, economic opportunities.

The funding will be used to update the First Nation's existing system and will include integrated servers, an automated accounting system and debit/credit transaction capabilities for use at all of the community's businesses.

Quotes

Today's investment will bring much needed automation to current and future businesses operated by Batchewana First Nation, and I am very pleased our government can support this initiative.

The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

Batchewana First Nation will greatly benefit from the modernization of internal technology systems. Our leadership continuously work to seek out new ways to better serve our membership and improve the operations of our administration. The investment made in part by Indigenous Services demonstrates their firm support for our First Nation and we greatly appreciate it.

Chief Dean Sayers
Batchewana First Nation

Quick Facts

• Batchewana First Nation is located near Sault Ste. Marie and has four settlements: Goulais Bay, Rankin, Obadjiwan and Whitefish Island.
• Batchewana First Nation operates two canteens, the Goulais Complex, Obadjiwan Conference Centre and the Thunderbird Room, a multi-use facility. At this time, these facilities do not have automated transaction or accounting processes.
• The Department provided $134,400 to support this project through its Community Opportunity Readiness Program. This program addresses the financial needs of First Nation communities in their pursuit of, and participation in, economic opportunities.

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SOURCE Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Media may contact: Andrew MacKendrick, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, 819-956-5372; Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, 819-953-1160