Wiky golf course set to fulfill an economic dream

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Member of Parliament for Algoma/Manitoulin Brent St. Denis announced on May 16 that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is funneling $333,900 to Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve to develop a recently purchased golf course. The same day, the community hosted a celebration where they officially announced the purchase and plans for the golf course.

Located a 15-minute drive from the village, the former Mnidoo Valley Golf Course has been renamed Rainbow Ridge Golf Course. The business is expected to create 20 jobs annually, 18 of which will be part time. The golf course will also offer employees training in the hospitality industry. A property management committee in the community takes care of the upkeep of 18-hole championship golf course, which was purchased by the First Nation in March 2002. Wikwemikong began operating the golf course in May 2002.

Leslie Manitowabi, Rainbow Ridge's manager, hopes that the business will be a source of tourism. If people come to the area for golf, they are likely to take advantage of other attractions and services the community has to offer. She said the golf course would definitely help other First Nation businesses.

"There will be a rippling effect and a spin-off for First Nations people in the community to start up their own businesses. This a great opportunity. We are working as a group with local tour operators, and we have our own local entrepreneurs who are doing their bed and breakfast. We are starting to work with them to do our stay and play packages.

The money from the golf course is definitely going to be utilized in the community," Leslie Manitowabi said.

People in Wikwemikong would also have an opportunity to develop other employment opportunities, such as taxi services, tour excursions, restaurants, arts and crafts, and hotel and accommodation services.

Manitowabi added that the community is focusing on marketing strategies this year, such as radio advertising, developing a new Web site, and print advertising.

"The whole island is a tourist destination, and we as a tourist destination depend on the tourists for our economy."

The majority of the Indian Affairs funding is expected to go to renovations of the clubhouse and for new equipment.

"We are pretty busy right now. We are getting people from the Sudbury area who are coming down to use the golf course.

"This (July 1) is one of our busiest weekends, and we have a tournament scheduled every weekend for the whole summer."

Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve's membership is 6,409 and about 3,500 of the people live on reserve.