In an unexpected turn of events, Wauzhushk Onigum Chief Ken Skead said Thursday they are losing support for the new family services headquarters, due opposition from Kenora.

In the press release, he said he had “received information that Wauzhushk Onigum has been losing support on obtaining approval for their application of funding from local funding bodies.”

He continued by saying, “I have been told that our initiative is hurting the local businesses in Kenora.”

When reached Friday morning, he said he was frustrated because he was having trouble getting funding for the project. He had tried to get financing for the project from FedNor, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and the Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs, and the responses to his requests led him to believe there were “certain individuals with strong voices” within Kenora, who are opposed to the idea, because it would take business away from the community.

Skead said he’d expressed his frustrations with the mayor two weeks ago, and he was going to speak with MPP Howard Hampton Saturday.

When reached Friday morning, Mayor Len Compton had “No comment,” when asked about his conversation with the chief.

Thursday’s press release came as a total surprise to both city councillor Dave McCann, who also attends local business committee meetings, and Coun. Wendy Cuthbert, the chairman of the city’s planning committee.

Harbourtown Centre chairman Bill Richards was equally surprised and unimpressed. “It certainly didn’t come from us,” he said.

The subject hasn’t been on any public agenda within the last year for city council, its committees or the Harbourtown Centre advisory committee. Nor has it been the subject of debate at the Business Improvement Zone meetings.

The city has been enjoying a period of unprecedented bridge-building in recent months, including a historic partnership agreement for the development of Tunnel Island, and an unprecedented visit by the grand chief to city hall last spring. On the National Day of Action in June, Mayor Len Compton joined with the grand chief as they marched to the Harbourfront.

Following the official designation ceremonies for the new aboriginal child and family services agency, the minister responsible for children and youth, Mary Anne Chambers, turned the sod on the site for the new headquarters in 2006.

The three-storey, 37,000 sq. ft. building would be located near the Golden Eagle charitable casino, and it would be home to 130 staff caring for 300 children from five communities for prevention and protection services as well as prevention services for another 14 First Nations.

There are also plans for retail spaces in an effort to provide additional revenues.

The press release was issued from the offices of Treaty 3, with Grand Chief Arnold Gardner lending his support to his chief.

“This is for the benefit of our children and should not be considered as a source of economy by business people. There are always spin-offs to local businesses by every initiative of the First Nations. We require their support just as much as our First Nation communities support their businesses,” said the grand chief in support of his community leader.

Gardner also noted, “Anishinaabe Abinoojii have served notice to WOFN (Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation) of their concerns.”

Skead said he was working on back-up plans for the offices, but wouldn’t go into detail.