Pikangikum First Nation is leading the development of enterprise opportunities associated with the Whitefeather Forest Initiative. We want to create enterprises that maintain our cultural and tribal enterprise values.
We are also want to build tribal enterprise partnerships that can market products and services to the wider world. We intend to function successfully in the larger business world.
We are developing business partnerships that enable us to do this while respecting our culture and tribal enterprise values, and that provide win-win opportunities for our community and the regional economy.
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) already has a track record for successful enterprise development in the forestry sector including a successful robust aboriginal logging enterprise in Northwestern Ontario (Noopimiing Anokeewin) and a highly successful wild rice processing enterprise "Kagiwiosa Manomin".
Pikangikum is pleased to have entered into a value-added business partnership strategy and agreement with WLON that will result in the development of best end and highest use value-added wood manufacturing opportunities in Northwestern Ontario. Our group, led by Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, is completing advanced stage planning to bring a post and beam plant to Northwestern Ontario.
Dynamotive
Pikangikum has developed a Memorandum of Understanding with DynaMotive to pursue mutually beneficial opportunities related to its BioOil fuel technology in the context of the Whitefeather Forest Initiative and beyond - a technology that creates BioOil for use in energy production from wood residues. DynaMotive is a world leader in this technology. It is our intention to be a leader in achieving green house gas reductions in every enterprise that we develop.
Wasaya
In 2004, Pikangikum became one of ten First Nations owning Wasaya Airways. Wasaya, a 100% First Nation owned company, provides air transportation for passenger, charter, and freighting in Northwestern Ontario. In July of 2006 Pikangikum will become a full member of the Wasaya Group. This transportation partnership is very important for us given that we depend on extensive air service for passengers and freight. We were very proud when Wasaya was profiled in the medium business section of the Globe and Mail on November 2, 2005. Wasaya demonstrates what First Nations can do in Northwestern Ontario in tribal enterprise.
Pikangikum has continued to deepen our business partnership with Wasaya through the Whitefeather Forest Initiative. We are now working with Wasaya LP to investigate and develop innovative transportation technology enterprise solutions in relation to forestry and tourism in the context of the Whitefeather Forest Initiative. Already this effort has progressed to the point where we are now designing a joint research project with the Transport Institute at the University of Manitoba. This proposed research project involves the Whitefeather Forest Research Cooperative.
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