Curve Lake First Nation celebrates opening of groundbreaking aquaponics facility
CURVE LAKE FIRST NATION — Curve Lake First Nation (CLFN) celebrated the opening of Shki Maajitaawin Gitigaanan (New Beginnings Farm), a 42,840 square foot aquaponics facility that will produce tilapia and produce, which will create food security for citizens, and a reliable income for the First Nation.
The facility is owned and operated within CLFN and provides ethically raised fish and high-quality produce.
CLFN Deputy Chief Jeff Jacobs opened the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was held on July 9, by explaining that previous CLFN Council minutes described fish hatcheries, fish farming, and community gardens in the past. Deputy Chief Jacobs spoke about the history of the people as guides in these lands and waters, and of sharing with community and visitors, noting that these ways of sharing by bringing fish and vegetables to the community and beyond can continue with the new aquaponics facility. He also said that it has always been in the minds of the community and leadership to strive to have something that works towards the goal of food sovereignty and security.
Seven delegates were invited to speak at the ceremony, including a welcome and opening from CLFN Ogimaakwe Laurie Hockaday.
Ogimaakwe Hockaday says this facility reflects CLFN’s commitment to the environment, stewardship, innovation, and food sovereignty.
Through an environmentally sustainable aquaponics operation, Shki Maajitaawin Gitigaanan brings together aquaculture and hydroponics within a single greenhouse. By using a recirculating aquaculture system, the facility is designed to minimize water consumption, reduce waste, and eliminate environmental discharge, while producing healthy food in a responsible and forward way. At full operation, this greenhouse aims to produce approximately 250,000 lbs. of tilapia fish annually, along with approximately 100,000 lbs. annually of a variety of leafy greens and vine crops, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.
A few of the invited delegates included local Member of Parliament (MP) Emma Harrison; Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Dave Smith; Peterborough & Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Brenda Whitehead; Waubetek Business Development Corporation; Senior Aquaculture Development Officer Nick Huber; and CLFN Council Member & Board Chair of Shki Maajitaawin Gitigaanan Mindy Knott.
Ogimaakwe Hockaday extended gratitude to the federal and provincial funding partners for their support and belief in this vision.
“We acknowledge the dedication of our staff, our contractors, advisors, and technical teams who helped bring this facility from concept to reality. We also honour the previous and present leadership, whose planning, advocacy, and commitment help lay the foundation for this important milestone”.
The Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), contributed $2.95 million, the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative contributed $1.45 million, and the Local Food Infrastructure Fund contributed $430,000.
Both MP Harrison and MPP Smith congratulated CLFN on the opening of the aquaponics facility and look forward to seeing the future growth for the community.
“Curve Lake is the first organically grown commercial facility that the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative Program, which Waubetek facilitates, has started from start to finish,” Huber said. “This facility is a game-changer not only locally [and] provincially, but also nationally as well. The fact that this facility was developed from the ground up based on CLFN’s own goals and objectives is very impressive. So many other communities look towards what you’ve done—you are trail blazers, you’re inspiring every other nation that is either in the development stage or just thinking about it.”
Whitehead presented Knott with a certificate of recognition from the Chamber of Commerce congratulating CLFN on the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of the Shki Maajitaawin Gitigaanan facility.
“It’s been a long fulfilling journey to get to where we are right now,” Knott said. “This facility is about much more than growing fish and produce, it’s about growing opportunity. It’s about creating jobs, building skills, strengthening food security, and inspiring future generations to see agriculture, innovation, and sustainability as possibilities right here in our First Nation. Most importantly, it’s about building something that belongs to our community, something that we can be proud of and to continue to grow together.”
The project was managed by Rational Aquaculture and supported by Paul Boers Greenhouse, and built by local tradespersons such as Williams Contracting, Taylor Construction, D&D Plumbing, Brad Coppaway Concrete, and Garbutt Construction. Local CLFN artist, David Beaucage Johnson, designed the logo for the Shki Maajitaawan Gitigaanaan. CLFN can take pride in the aquaponics facility being built for community and in large part, by the community.
Shki Maajitaawin Gitigaanan will serve as a model for other First Nations, demonstrating how traditional knowledge, respect for natural resources, and modern technology can work together to support food sovereignty, economic growth, and long-term sustainability.
“The true success of this facility will be measured by not only what it produces but by the opportunities it creates, the knowledge it shares, and the connection it strengthens among our people,” Ogimaakwe Hockaday said. “It is another step forward to a stronger, healthier, and more self-sufficient future for our community.”
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the invited guests, community members, and media were offered the opportunity to tour inside of the state-of-the-art aquaponics facility.
CLFN is planning to have a larger celebration of the Shki Maajitaawin Gitigaanan for the community and public in the fall 2026.