Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (AZA) took its first step towards the creation of its community on its new Lake Nipigon reserve when it celebrated the construction of the first building to appear on the reserve.
AZA opened a new picnic shelter on the reserve with a celebration on July 12.
“This is a monumental step forward for my First Nation,” said AZA Chief Theresa Nelson. “Our first building will be the heart of our community; we will gather here for generations to come.”
The picnic shelter was built thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
In a press release, the First Nation said that the building will instill a great sense of pride in community members as they begin to establish a presence on their land.
“It is the first of many buildings to come and will serve as a focal point for members to gather together to revive their culture and traditions,” the press release stated.
AZA celebrated the creation of their new reserve in May 2008. Since then the community has been working on a strategic plan to develop the reserve.
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