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A new owner for the International Bridge linking Fort Frances and International Falls.
Aazhogan Limited Partnership is a joint venture between Rainy River First Nations and the BMI Group.
A ceremony was held Friday to mark the occasion.
Rainy River Chief Robin McGinnis noted the significance of the acquisition.
“We’re reconnecting our people on both sides of the river to our community as the US crossing of the International bridge has been returned to the First Nation people. For generations, our people have lived here beside the water, beside the river, as we are known as the river people,” says Chief McGinnis.
“At one point in the past and in the present, we have community members that live on both sides of the river as there never was that imaginary line between the two countries. But I just wanted to say how proud I am of our group, Aazhogan, our partnership and our friends, our partners, the BMI Group, for this acquisition. There are only two privately-owned bridges in Canada, international bridges, that is, and we own one of them. And we are the only First Nation that owns one in Canada.”
The BMI Group’s Justus Veldman calls it a momentous occasion.
“We, at the BMI Group, are honoured to be partners with the Rainy River First Nation,” says Veldman. “This is a momentous occasion. This bridge represents many more opportunities to come, and we look forward to having more celebrations like this one.”
The transaction secures full ownership of the toll bridge and international border crossing between Fort Frances and International Falls.
The Aazhogan partners previously purchased the US side in May 2021.
The International Bridge is the busiest border crossing in northwestern Ontario.
