New personal protection equipment production facility opens its doors in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory
By Rick Garrick
WIIKWEMKOONG UNCEDED TERRITORY— Wiikwemkoong celebrated the grand opening of a Dent-X Canada-FNProcurement Inc. personal protection equipment (PPE) production facility on Nov. 26 at the newly established Wiikwemkoong Light Industrial Park.
“Dent-X and FNProcurement have been setting up their operations here to meet the increasing demand for personal protective equipment due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Wiikwemkoong Ogimaa Duke Peltier. “But it’s not only that, it’s definitely longer term. These jobs are sustainable; these are careers for many of our citizens that chose to be employed here under this partnership.”
The PPE facility, which is the first tenant in the industrial park, will employ about 50 staff in the production of primarily FN95 masks.
“We are very proud of the fact that the protective equipment that is being created here is Canada and Ontario made,” Ogimaa Peltier says. “But it’s also Wiikwemkoong Unceded Anishinabek Territory made, something we can all be proud of as we move forward together towards economic recovery and prosperity.”
Ogimaa Peltier says First Nations people were once the economy of the area but were excluded from economic activity due to government policies, interventions and enforcement.
“So this is a great day — our people can work,” Ogimaa Peltier says. “So we are going to continue to support Canadian-Indigenous business partnerships here and from this we are going to continue supporting reconciliation and the Indigenous right to self-determination.”
Jimmy Emms, president of Dent-X Canada, says the Wiikwemkoong staff passed their training “with flying colours” at Dent-X Canada’s facility in Vaughan, Ont.
“They are set to make masks here and have done so now,” Emms says, noting the company is looking forward to a new partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society to provide them with masks. “First Nations people have capacities and dreams of working and providing for their families and more companies can partner with First Nations to drive home Made in Canada solutions.”
Matthew Owl, president of FNProcurement Inc., says it was an “absolute honour and a privilege” as a First Nation entrepreneur to bring opportunity to the north.
“I think it is long overdue,” Owl says. “The guidance that we’ve received in the community has been instrumental in bringing every opportunity here. I look forward to what the future is bringing to the north and the made in Canada solution, may it be as fruitful a relationship out there as with all Canadians in bringing protection to them.”
National Chief Perry Bellegarde congratulated Emms and Owl for setting up the PPE facility in Wiikwemkoong.
“What you’re doing is you’re creating opportunity and you’re creating jobs and you’re creating employment even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bellegarde says. “I’ve always said in business, you find a need and fill it — so obviously masks are needed and this is a business that is going to create employment and profit but meet the need throughout this COVID-19 that all of our people need.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was “proud to support great First Nation-industry” partnerships such as the Dent-X Canada/FNProcurement Inc. partnership.
“You’re providing a great made in Ontario solution to meet the growing demand for PPE and create new jobs in the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory,” Ford says. “You’re a true example of what we can achieve when we come together in the fight against COVID-19.”
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare was also proud to witness the opening of the PPE facility.
“It makes me proud as the Grand Chief because when I was Chief at home, these were my proudest days and there weren’t very many of them,” Hare says. “But when they did, we made them count. There is good leadership here so again I want to congratulate all of you.”