THUNDER BAY — TKG Group president Jonathon Mamakwa says the company decided to hold a showcase event because people were asking for more information.
“Yeah, this TKG showcase was intended to show the public and our communities what our capacity is and what we’re able to do, because we get numerous inquiries on what it is we do and what we can do,” Mamakwa said Thursday at the Valhalla Hotel and Conference Centre, where some 20 businesses and organizations participated with information tables.
“We haven’t actively, promoted ourselves (before) because we’re already kept busy with propositions and requests from various parties, various groups, so we’re quite busy,” he continued.
“We wanted to have this event just so that the public can come in and see what we can do.”
TKG (ThawiKayhiGan), which Mamakwa describes as “solutions-based,” is a partnership of six remote First Nations in Northwestern Ontario: Kingfisher Lake, Kasabonika Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Wapekeka, Wawakapewin and Wunnumin Lake.
It was created in 2018 to support construction of the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project connecting the TKG partners and 10 other First Nations to the Ontario power grid.
A celebration of Muskrat Dam First Nation’s connection, the final piece in the power line’s assembly, was held last month.
Mamakwa, who is from Kingfisher Lake, said the group has grown to greatly expand its offerings in its first eight years.
“We’re mostly focused on the top spend areas in our communities — let’s say groceries and fuel, and other areas.
“But I’m pretty excited about (addressing) housing needs. That’s something I’m quite excited about because I think we now have found solutions that can work for the communities.
“Right now, it’s too expensive. It’s expensive to build, and it’s not necessarily good quality, but now I think we’ve found a solution.”
TKG shelter projects aren’t only in First Nations, as Mamakwa said the partnership has purchased property on Thunder Bay’s south side and plans to build a 36-unit apartment building there, Mamakwa said.
And the TKG Group is hiring as it grows, he said.
“As a matter of fact, I think there might be two positions currently out there. And then, at some point in the next few months we’re going to be hiring more people within the TKG head office (in Fort William First Nation). That’ll be finance and business development and sales, that sort of thing.”
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on Jul 12, 2026 at 18:55
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