Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek and Greenstone Join National Economic Development Initiative

Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek and the Municipality of Greenstone are proud to announce their participation in the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI), a national program delivered jointly by Cando (the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek and the Municipality of Greenstone are one of six partnerships in this Accelerated Phase IV Cohort to participate in the First Nation-municipal CEDI program. CEDI seeks to support First Nations and neighbouring municipalities to build respectful and equitable partnerships, and to develop capacity for long-term planning for joint community economic development and land use.

“I am pleased to participate in this important initiative with Mayor McPherson and the Municipality of Greenstone,” said Chief Gladu. “Our community values the relationships that we build with our neighbours. We recognize the importance of working together to address our economic challenges, strengthen the regional economy, and move our communities forward. Growing up in this region, I know the potential that Beardmore has and the importance of rebuilding it. I look forward to working with the Municipality of Greenstone to grow this region together.”

Both Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek and the Municipality of Greenstone have fully endorsed the partnership through council resolutions and have been attending monthly working group meetings since February 2026, with an initial workshop held in May 2026.

“I am confident that our common goals for local economic development will foster benefits that extend to many other aspects of community building, and CEDI is giving us the framework to work together to achieve strong local results”, said Mayor McPherson.

Communities participating in the CEDI program benefit from facilitated monthly working group meetings, bi-annual workshops, and wise practice activities and tools for relationship and capacity building. This support helps the participating communities to develop community capacity for joint community economic development planning, build and strengthen the government-to-government partnerships and inter-community relationships, and improve the quality of life for all in the region. By working together, CEDI partnerships are better able to address local challenges, with local solutions.

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About CEDI

The First Nation-Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) aims to improve the economic prosperity of participating First Nations and municipalities through collaborative community economic development and land use planning. CEDI is a joint initiative of Cando and FCM and this cohort is funded by Indigenous Services Canada.