On Wednesday, May 26th, my friend Sheryl and I drove to Gull Bay First Nation, some 2 hours north of Thunder Bay. Sheryl being an avid photographer, we stopped several times to take photos, and to simply enjoy the view.
Gull Bay 1st Nation is located on the west shore of Lake Nipigon. As we drove up toward the community, it was a study in contrasts. Several homes were modest to the point of wondering how the families survived the long cold winters in them. Upon reaching the heart of the community of about 350 to 400 people, we saw the new modern health centre nearing completion. Also the new "Band Office", now more specifically referred to as the "Government Agency Building", which was well appointed with inspiring woodland native art prominent on the walls of the boardroom and elsewhere. Again the contrast of young teen-age girls clutching babies, the more than usual dogs and abandoned vehicles in a spectacular setting overlooking Lake Nipigon.
We met with Jordan Hatton (Resource Development Advisor) and Tausha Esquega (Economic Development Officer) who had visited my GH365 Greenhouse several weeks prior to that and quite liked what they saw. They had maintained their interest in having one built at their Gull Bay community.
Tausha took us around for a tour of the local sites including the new recreation centre and hockey rink under construction as well as the tiny store that contained little more than potato chips, chocolate bars, soft drinks, freezies and cigarettes. We now understood the serious need for locally grown nutritious food.
