Handmade Quilt Auction to Support the Bear Train

We at the Missanabie Cree First Nation have been hard at work to get the Mask-Wa Oo-Ta-Ban (Bear Train), previously the Algoma Passenger Train, up and running again. While the Missanabie Cree is requesting government funding for the operation of this train, we are also looking for community support for this urgently needed social enterprise.

All funds raised through this auction will go directly to supporting the Missanabie Cree First Nation in their mission to renew passenger rail service. While we have limited funding coming from the federal and provincial governments, majority of the costs are falling shoulders of stakeholders, so we need your help. Primarily, these funds will go towards purchasing four GP38-2 locomotives, which provide the train with motive power.

These motors cost a total of $1.8 million dollars.

While we are ready and able to make regular payments and investments in to the train, our fundraising goal of $200,000 will give help us to cover the 10% down payment needed to purchase the locomotives, ensuring that we can provide safe, reliable, and accessible transportation across the North.

We have forthcoming negotiations with Transport Canada in order to get our Railway Operating Certificate (ROC), which is a multi-month process. We are also currently negotiating with Canadian National Railway (CN) in regards to access fees. Our relationship with CN has taken huge strides forward, and we are close to having a fully functional operational plan. Updates will be posted on our progress!

We at the Missanabie Cree First Nation have been hard at work to get the Mask-Wa Oo-Ta-Ban (Bear Train), previously the Algoma Passenger Train, up and running again. While Mask-Wa Oo-Ta-Ban is requesting government funding for the operation of this train, we are also looking for community support for this urgently needed social enterprise.

The operation of this train is expected to bring in approximately 38 million dollars to the Northern economy, according to a 2017 report by BDO. In addition to financial benefits, social benefits include supporting eco-tourism, Indigenous tourism, Group of Seven Tourism, and Francophone/French Immersion tourism. Moreover, the renewal of rail service will help to connect remote and isolated communities, thus supporting First Nations development, eliminating the use of dangerous roads, and generating the employment that the Northern economy desperately needs.

All funds raised through this silent auction will go directly to supporting the Missanabie Cree First Nation in their mission to renew passenger rail service. Specifically, money raised is being dedicated to funding the purchase of the four GP38-2 locomotives that will provide the train with motive power.