July 03, 2009

Kenora's Moncrief Construction and the Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) Independent First Nations have joined together to create Wincrief Forest Products.  Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield attended the official opening of Wincrief Forest Products on July 3, 2009, in Kenora.

(L-R) George Land, Wincrief Renewables, Bill Taylor, MNR Aboriginal Relations, Hon. Minister Donna Cansfield.

Before the opening ceremony, George Land of Wincrief Renewables smudges the plant--a traditional ritual.

The corporation provides quality, “ready to move” houses to First Nations communities and nearby cottagers at competitive rates, by allowing for quick delivery to customers. Wincrief is busy filling orders for pre-sold homes and plans to produce at least 25 homes in its first year.

Chief Eric Fisher of Wabaseemoong Independent First Nation, presents Minister Cansfield with a gift of a limited edition print of traditional Aboriginal themes.

Sweet grass filled the air and was burned during the opening ceremony.

Area forestry mills, such as Domtar’s Ear Falls sawmill, Weyerhaeuser and Kenora Forest Products, will provide building materials for the homes. The homes have a modular construction, with three or four bedroom design options and two-by-six walls.  This means they can be transported in two halves to a site to be set on a foundation.

Aydin Muckle checks out the wood at the new plant.

The new Wincrief Forest Products plant is over 15,000 square feet in size.

Located in a 15,000-square-foot shop in Kenora, the corporation is 51 per cent owned by Wabaseemoong Independent First Nations and has 20 employees, but is hiring more. Many of the employees are from Wabaseemoong Independent First Nations who commute over two hours a day to and from work.

The ready to move homes are assembled on site with two-by-six walls. The homes are transported in two halves to a site and then set on a foundation.