Wasauksing First Nation and Lakeland Holdings make history with the signing of a Mutual Benefits Agreement.
Lakeland Holding CEO Chris Litschko says initial consultations with the First Nation community began during the planning stages of the $17 million Cascade Generation station upgrade on the Seguin River in Parry Sound.
The unique agreement signed in December recognizes the First Nation’s historical and spiritual connections to the area and ensures values and benefits such as mutual respect, improving economic and environmental protection, and creating jobs.
Litschko says sharing common values made the reaching the agreement easier.
Lakeland Holdings owns Lakeland Power, Bracebridge Generation, and Lakeland Energy/Networks, a fibre optics and information technology provider.
Lakeland Holdings itself is 100 percent owned by area municipalities including Parry Sound, Huntsville, and Bracebridge.
As part of the agreement, Lakeland agrees to donate $5000 annually to Wasauksing First Nation and provide internet and phone fibre service to the WFN.
Litschko says he hopes to train and contract out the job of installing the fibre network to the residents of the reserve, creating jobs for the community.
