Fisher River Cree Nation received $11 million from the innovative Surplus Food Rescue Program to rescue up to 2.9 million pounds of freshwater fish (walleye) caught from inland lakes of Canada. Working with the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, the surplus product will be distributed to more than 75 Indigenous communities throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the North.
“The fish will be distributed free to over 75 indigenous communities to provide healthy food to families.
Clearing out the backlog means that fishers can get back to work for the fall season.
This announcement means that more than 1500 indigenous fishers in Manitoba alone will be able to get back to work, and so will more than a thousand more people who work in the rest of processing and packing.” – Dougald Lamont, Leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party & MLA for St. Boniface.
“Fisher River Cree Nation (FRCN) would like to thank Minister Bibeau and her Ministry’s support for providing the funding to distribute fish to First Nation communities. The funding received from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will allow FRCN to provide healthy food to First Nation communities during this challenging time. In partnership with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation and industry partners, FRCN will help restoring economic growth in First Nation communities and improving the economic impact to fishers that have been affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic” – Chief David Crate, Councillors Darrell Thaddeus, Vince Crate, Carl Cochrane, Josh Sinclair
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Backgrounder – Surplus Food Rescue Program
The Surplus Food Rescue Program is a $50 million initiative which will help to support Canada’s food system, food processors, and food producers, and distributors to help ensure food availability for all Canadians.
Funding will be used to help manage and redirect existing surpluses to organizations addressing food insecurity and ensure that these surplus products are not wasted.
Backgrounder – Fisher River Cree Nation
Fisher River Cree Nation is a community in which our history, language, traditions, and culture are paramount to who we are as a people. We will protect and maintain the spirit and intent of the treaties and our inherent rights. Fisher River will be a self-sustaining progressive community with a strong and accountable government. We will provide an environment where all people are healthy, safe, and respected.
