Lennox Island First Nation of Prince Edward Island, Canada, on Wednesday announced the formation of Minigoo Fisheries.
The company is the first lobster processing facility in Atlantic Canada wholly owned by a First Nation. The company was launched without government financial assistance, instead obtaining funding from Bank of Montreal.
“Doing this without any government assistance not only speaks to the sound business case we have developed, but also sends the message that Lennox Island First Nation is committed to investing in opportunities and partnerships that will have a positive impact on our future,” said Darlene Bernard, chief of the Lennox Island First Nation. “We have talked for years about taking control of our own destiny and I believe today is a huge step toward that goal.”
The Minigoo Fisheries processing facility is under construction on Lennox Island First Nation and lands under the jurisdiction of the federal government. The company plans to begin processing lobster for export to the United States and worldwide in May 2010.
The company will be supplied by vessels owned and operated by the Mi’maq band on Lennox Island. Additional lobster will be purchased from non-First Nation fishermen.
Bernard also said the company will help lift PEI’s economy, creating jobs for Lennox Island First Nation members as well as the province’s residents.
