Metlakatla ready to bring in the crops with new greenhouse initiative

The Metlakatla Community Green house is Now open, offering residents of
the community the opportunity to harvest locally grown produce in the future
(Photo from PRPA twitter feed)

A North Coast project found across the harbour at Metlakatla was celebrated today as the Metlakatla First Nation hosted the official opening of their new community Greenhouse, funded in part though a a partnership with the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

The Greenhouse initiative is part of the community's health plan, with future projects to include training in agricultural and growing practices for residents of the community.

As well, workshops are on the way to explore food preservation and preparation to make best use of the new greenhouse opportunities.

The first crops to come in from the facility will be root vegetables and above ground plants.

In a statement to herald the opening, Harold Leighton, the Chief Councillor for Metlakatla made note of the opportunities that will be available to the community with access to locally grown, healthy produce.

“This project not only enables residents of Metlakatla to produce their own healthy food supply, but it provides a means of allowing access to fresh, healthy produce for our youth, elders and community celebrations for generations to come,”  ... "We recognize and greatly appreciate the financial contribution of the Port of Prince Rupert to make the goal of a fully functioning greenhouse in Metlakatla a reality.”

The total capital cost of the project was $93,246 with the Prince Rupert Port Authority's Community Investment Fund providing for half of that amount.

Ready to cut the ribbon is Councillor Robert Nelson taking part in
the Grand Opening of the Metlaktatla Greenhouse earlier today
(photo courtesy Metlakatla First Nation)

Metlakatla Elder Betty Comeau, Councillor Robert Nelson
and the Port's Maynard Angus handled the ribbon cutting on the day
(photo courtesy of Metlakatla First Nation)

Representing the Port at the event today was Maynard Angus, the Aboriginal Affairs Manager for the Prince Rupert Port Authority who highlighted how the investment will benefit those that live in Metlakatla.

“We’re fortunate to be surrounded by a pristine environment that provides an abundance of natural, renewable food sources,”  ... “However, our geography limits the ability to source fresh, affordable produce, and we’re pleased to assist the people of Metlakatla Nation with this community investment to continue improving their collective quality of life.”

You can learn more about the Port's involvement in the project from this information statement.

More background on the Port's community investment fund and how it has been used across the Northwest is available here.

A wider overview of the Greenhouse initiative can be found from the Metlakatla Facebook page

For more items of interest from Metlakatla see our archive page here