COMMUNITY PROFILE the fall hunt. The hunting group brings together community members from different families and is also a great way for the community to exercise their treaty right to hunt. Chief Richer said this group is amazing and is very welcoming, and has recently opened the group so anyone can join. The women’s hunting group demonstrates one way the community is self-sufficient. Through comprehensive community planning that was updated in 2013, community members gave the direc- tion of wanting to be a self-sufficient and more sustainable community. This has led to several economic develop- ment ventures in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, including solar and business parks. Nothing shows how progressive Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First will build their own building for the second lot. Phases two and three, which will be completed in the near future, will be the completion of the other lots. At the end of the three phases there will be 18 business lots varying in size from one to four acres available to lease. The community hopes to attract local First Nation businesses as well as businesses from the local urban areas. The busi- ness park is funded through a mixture of government funding and a loan. When asked what stands out the most about her community, Chief Richer didn’t talk about gender equality or business development, but about how welcoming, friendly and close-knit the community is. She also said that her community takes a lot of pride in protecting their land, resources and treaty rights. Nation is more than the newly built solar park the community has been working toward since 2010. The 250-kw photo- voltaic ground mount solar park became operational in November of 2017. The energy that is produced is sold to Hydro One with the funds generated coming back to Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. The biggest benefit for the community is reaching the goal of being self-sufficient. The Chi-Zhiingwaak Business Park has been a goal for the community since the early 2000s, and will be developed in three phases. The first phase started in July of 2017 and is set to be completed in November of 2019. The first phase includes the development of two lots and access to the business park. One lot will be a multi-use office building that will be leased to a First Nation organization. Additionally, the First Nation is currently in preliminary talks with a company that Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation’s 250-kw photovoltaic ground mount solar park SUMMER/WINTER 2018/19 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazine   64  l