The northwestern Ontario community is abuzz with news that The Thunder Bay International Airport is getting a hotel, marking the first Cambria Hotel to be built in Canada.
The four-storey, 107-room building will feature a full-service restaurant and bar, fitness facilities, and meeting and conference spaces. The campaign is being led by Rideout Bay Developments and will be 90 per cent First Nations-owned, with Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation as the majority shareholder alongside partner Boundary Waters Anishinaabeg Evolution LP. “I think that's a sign of the times.
First Nations are starting to get directly involved in economic progress in the region and the territories,” Wabigoon Lake’s Chief Clayton Wetelainen told CBC News. Construction is expected to start this September or October and be completed by next fall. Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation is about 325 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay. The local residents already owns a hotel in Dryden, Wetelainen noted.
“It's convenient.
“There's so much economic impact from the First Nations that use Thunder Bay as a hub,” Wetelainen stated. “We're not going to be on the sidelines; we're going to be involved in projects in Thunder Bay and in the region.” Boundary Waters Anishinaabeg Evolution LP is owned by four Treaty Three First Nations: Couchiching First Nation, Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation and Seine River First Nation. “By collaborating on this first-class facility, we are not only expanding regional infrastructure but ensuring our First Nations are central drivers of northern Ontario's economic future,” chief executive officer Peter Moen saidin a news release on Tuesday. Northern Ontario air carriers, First Nation leaders call for upgrades at remote airports Scheduled flights between Fort Frances, Ont., and Thunder Bay to return this summer The hotel will take up about 50,000 square feet at the airport’s former parking lot exits, which have recently been relocated to accommodate the build. “It's convenient. Hotel rooms are tough to come by here in Thunder Bay and there's a lot going on in the region — the airport is extremely busy,” Graham Ingham, president and chief executive officer of the city International Airports Authority, told CBC News. Collaborating with Indigenous communities is part of the airport authority’s three-year strategic business plan that took effect last year, noted Ingham. This has been reflected in the airport’s new logo and the Indigenous artwork at its new terminal check-in counters, declared Ingham, with Indigenous culture also integrated in the hotel’s design. Closure of Porter Airlines crew bases to affect 60 pilots in Thunder Bay, Ont., and Halifax, N.S. Members of dozens of surrounding First Nations travel to Thunder Bay to access health and social services, education and employment. Wetelainen confirmed it’s substantial for Indigenous people to have access to culturally-appropriate accommodations in the Lakehead. “Make sure our people that stay there feel safe — and they're proud when they stay at a First Nation-owned hotel,” he declared. Sarah Law is a CBC News reporter based in Thunder Bay, Ont., and has also worked for newspapers and online publications elsewhere in the province. Have a story tip? You can reach her at sarah.law@cbc.ca. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem..
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: CBC News Staff · 🗓️ July 30, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
