Matawa Training and Wellness Centre Retrofit

Sector

Clean Energy, Indigenous Infrastructure

Region

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Investment

$15 million
(Project complete)

Partner(s)

Royal Bank of Canada, Matawa First Nations Management

Public impact(s)

↓380t CO2e annually
Indigenous community outcomes

Sector

Clean Energy, Indigenous Infrastructure

Region

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Investment

$15 million
(Project complete)

Partner(s)

Royal Bank of Canada, Matawa First Nations Management

Public impact(s)

↓380t CO2e annually
Indigenous community outcomes

Energy-efficient retrofit of First Nations community hub in Thunder Bay

Energy efficient upgrades to the facility help the centre reduce energy consumption

A diverse group of people from the CIB team alongside Minister Hajdu and project partners stands indoors holding a white sign featuring the Matawa First Nations and CIB-BICs logos in front of a large blue and yellow Matawa banner at the announcement of the project.

Outdoor sign for the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre at 523 Algoma St N, featuring multiple service logos against a bright blue, snowy backdrop.

Bright, modern daycare playroom featuring wooden furniture, a Batman rug and a geometric accent wall with a small sofa in the education centre at Matawa Training and Wellness Centre

Yellow and blue playground equipment stands in front of a light brown brick building with a partially excavated dirt foreground at the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre

Modern waiting area featuring wood slat ceiling accents, a blue wall mural with Indigenous-inspired artwork, a light blue accent chair and a round wooden side table at the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre

Interior view of a room under construction with large windows overlooking a bright blue sky, water, distant land and surrounding neighbourhood at the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre

Long interior hallway with wood-look flooring, glass-front offices decorated with frosted flower patterns and a water fountain in the foreground in the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre

Modern conference room featuring a large dark wood table, black ergonomic chairs, a wall-mounted television and circular modern light fixtures under a wood-paneled ceiling above colorful patterned carpet in the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre

Empty modern classroom with sage green walls and large windows overlooking a body of water with trees and distant ships at the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre

A modern waiting area featuring a beige loveseat centered before a textured white wave-patterned accent wall with recessed lighting at the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre

Government of Canada

This partnership with Matawa First Nations Management (Matawa) reflects the power of collaboration in supporting the needs of the Matawa First Nations community. Together, we are modernizing the Training and Wellness Centre to ensure that accessible, high-quality health care and social services are available to everyone. As the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s first retrofit project in an Indigenous community, this initiative highlights the importance of working together to advance the health, well-being, and resilience of First Nations communities across Canada.

Hon. Patty Hajdu

RBC Origins

RBC is pleased to work with the CIB and Matawa Training and Wellness Centre to finance the revitalization of an important community hub that enables the education and wellbeing of generations of Indigenous community members. Supporting the resilience, environmentally sustainable development and advancement of Indigenous communities in this way is important in order for Canada to achieve a successful transition to net zero.

Chinyere Eni, Head

Matawa First Nations Management Board of Directors

We are grateful that, after purchasing this unused property in Thunder Bay 4 short years ago, we now have the finish line within sight. Having reached financial close on loan financing with the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the Royal Bank of Canada, we are looking forward to the spring 2025 completion of the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre. It will be place where Indigenous people and communities can heal and grow within a wrap-around and culturally-sensitive approach.

Rosemary Moonias, President

Fast facts

Facility is supporting training, education, health, social services and community programming

Advancing private capital with RBC’s participation in the project

The CIB loaned $15 million towards the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre energy retrofit project in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The vibrant community hub addresses a critical infrastructure gap for the nine First Nation member communities and their families, who benefit from education, health, social services and related programming.

The centre is expected to provide social, health, and holistic care services, significantly improving current standards.

Benefits of the CIB’s involvement

This project is financed through the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative (ICII), whereby the CIB is investing in infrastructure projects providing a direct benefit to Indigenous communities.

The CIB’s loan closed a gap in the project financing structure and represents the CIB’s first investment in a First Nation retrofit project. Energy efficient upgrades are expected to help the facility reduce energy consumption by approximately 70%.

Learn more

Disclaimer: The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) in its sole and absolute discretion may choose to make available amendments, revisions, modifications, or replacements to this website. This page will remain open for further revision, modification, replacement or cancellation by the CIB at any time and in no event shall the CIB be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the content of this website. Images courtesy of Matawa First Nations Management.

This project originated in 2024 under the CIB's Green Infrastructure sector.