GET YOUR TEAM AND FANS TO THE LITTLE BANDS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT Visit www.wasaya.com for details or call toll free: 1.866.982.4787 Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974 February 17, 2011 9,300 copies distributed $1.50 Vol. 38 #04 www.wawataynews.ca www.wawataynews.ca Eagles soar James Thom Wawatay News On the heels of what he called a “very successful and informative” con- ference about Treaty 9, Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Stan Louttit said mining development may be temporar- ily stopped in the territory. “We are preparing a legal strategy,” Louttit said after the conference ended Feb. 3. “We may move to a formal court injunction or a court challenge. We are examining all our options at this time.” The James Bay Treaty – Treaty No. 9 Conference was in Fort Albany Feb. 1-3. It discussed legal and historical aspects of the treaty as well as what action should be taken to have Treaty 9 recognized by the crown. The decision to examine a legal strategy is based on new information which recently came to light in a new book, Treaty No. 9: Making the Agree- ment to Share the Land in Far North- ern Ontario in 1905. In the book, reve- lations are made by a third treaty com- missioner in a diary. “We are currently in the process of engaging our member First Nations regarding this issue and having discus- sions and presentations with govern- ment officials as well,” Louttit said. The book, by John C. Long, includes the neglected account of a third com- missioner – Daniel (George) MacMar- tin – and traces the treaty’s origins to the present day. Louttit said this issue was discussed at length during the conference, which included about 300 delegates – youth, Elders and political officials including National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. “It was very important to us to have the youth involved because this issue will affect them significantly,” Lout- tit said. “They need to know the truth about the treaty. Not what was written down but what was orally discussed. “The presence of the youth and chil- dren at our conference signifies the extreme importance of our treaty and brings significant meaning, inspiration and empowerment to the chiefs, Elders and all present.” Fort Albany youth Tina Williams found it helpful to attend. “We don’t know anything about Treaty 9,” she said. “We want some- thing better for the future and we need to make things happen. Enough talk- ing.” Louttit is not suggesting renegotiat- ing the treaty. He simply wants it to be honoured. “Our Elders have said this all along and yet it remains a constant battle for our people today to exert their rights to hunt, trap and fish on the land in order to feed their families and com- munities. Our inherent rights must be respected.” see YOUTH page 16 Joy Fox/Wawatay News Kasabonika Eagles were victorious against the Weagamow Knights 10-0 in Bantam-A action at the Little Bands Native Youth Hockey Tournament in Sioux Look- out Feb. 14. For complete coverage of the tournament see the March 3 issue of Wawatay News. Live streaming is also available at wawataynews.ca Feb. 18-20. ᑲᓇᐧᐊᐸᑕ ᐸᐢᑫᑭᓂᑲᐣ 16 TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Send your comments to: [email protected] or send to: Wawatay News P.O. Box 1180 Sioux Lookout ON P8T 1B7 Louttit ponders mining halt ᓛᑎᐟ ᐊᐧᐊᐧᓀᐣᑕᑦ ᑫᑭᐱᒋᐢᑕᐊᐧᓄᑫᐧ ᑲᐃᐧᒧᓇᐦᐃᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ Meet the Mamow graduates PAGES 9 to 11 Fort Albany gets into the green PAGE 12 Seven Sacred Teachings PAGES B1 to B5
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GET YOUR TEAM AND FANS TO THE
L I T T L E B A N D SH O C K E Y T O U R N A M E N TVisit www.wasaya.com for details or call toll free:
1 .866 .982 .4787
Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974
February 17, 2011 9,300 copies distributed $1.50 Vol. 38 #04
www.wawataynews.cawww.wawataynews.ca
Eagles soar
James ThomWawatay News
On the heels of what he called a “very successful and informative” con-ference about Treaty 9, Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Stan Louttit said mining development may be temporar-ily stopped in the territory.
“We are preparing a legal strategy,” Louttit said after the conference ended Feb. 3. “We may move to a formal court injunction or a court challenge. We are examining all our options at this time.”
The James Bay Treaty – Treaty No. 9 Conference was in Fort Albany Feb. 1-3. It discussed legal and historical aspects of the treaty as well as what action should be taken to have Treaty 9 recognized by the crown.
The decision to examine a legal strategy is based on new information which recently came to light in a new book, Treaty No. 9: Making the Agree-ment to Share the Land in Far North-ern Ontario in 1905. In the book, reve-lations are made by a third treaty com-missioner in a diary.
“We are currently in the process of engaging our member First Nations regarding this issue and having discus-sions and presentations with govern-ment officials as well,” Louttit said.
The book, by John C. Long, includes the neglected account of a third com-missioner – Daniel (George) MacMar-tin – and traces the treaty’s origins to the present day.
Louttit said this issue was discussed at length during the conference, which included about 300 delegates – youth, Elders and political officials including National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo.
“It was very important to us to have the youth involved because this issue will affect them significantly,” Lout-tit said. “They need to know the truth about the treaty. Not what was written down but what was orally discussed.
“The presence of the youth and chil-dren at our conference signifies the extreme importance of our treaty and brings significant meaning, inspiration and empowerment to the chiefs, Elders and all present.”
Fort Albany youth Tina Williams found it helpful to attend.
“We don’t know anything about Treaty 9,” she said. “We want some-thing better for the future and we need to make things happen. Enough talk-ing.”
Louttit is not suggesting renegotiat-ing the treaty. He simply wants it to be honoured.
“Our Elders have said this all along and yet it remains a constant battle for our people today to exert their rights to hunt, trap and fish on the land in order to feed their families and com-munities. Our inherent rights must be respected.”
see YOUTH page 16
Joy Fox/Wawatay NewsKasabonika Eagles were victorious against the Weagamow Knights 10-0 in Bantam-A action at the Little Bands Native Youth Hockey Tournament in Sioux Look-out Feb. 14. For complete coverage of the tournament see the March 3 issue of Wawatay News. Live streaming is also available at wawataynews.ca Feb. 18-20.
ᑲᓇᐧᐊᐸᑕ ᐸᐢᑫᑭᓂᑲᐣ 16
TELL US WHAT YOU THINKSend your comments to:[email protected] or send to:Wawatay NewsP.O. Box 1180Sioux Lookout ON P8T 1B7
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Peter MoonSpecial to Wawatay News
Thirty Canadian Rangers won praise for their ability to pass on many of their winter survival skills to regular troops during a training exercise in Moose Factory.
“The Rangers provided us with a skill set that we would not normally receive through our regular military training,” said Maj. David Fearon, officer commanding the Duke of Edinburgh’s Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.
“It was bitterly cold and we saw the Rangers driving (their snowmobiles) around with open faces and bare hands while we had to be bundled up. We were impressed by their ability to live in the open and cope with the cold.”
Temperatures dropped as low as -35 C and wind gusts reached as high as 48 kilometres an hour during the
exercise, providing daunting wind chills for the regular troops.
“The Rangers taught us simple things that we would never have thought of,” Fearon said, “such as carrying some spruce boughs to put on the ground when you stop moving to provide insulation. Very simple but very good advice. Also to keep your feet moving when it’s cold.
“They were able to teach the guys how to live in the environment, especially with regard to things like shelters, dealing with cold weather injuries and learning how to survive up there.”
The Rangers came from Moose Factory, Fort Albany and Kashechewan. They taught more than 100 soldiers a range of cold weather skills over several days, including fire starting, ice rescue, wood cutting, ice fishing, snowmobile maintenance, cooking and setting snares.
“Each Ranger worked at
a training stand teaching soldiers,” said Master Warrant Officer Robert Patterson, Canadian Ranger sergeant major for 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group. “There was great local interest in what they were doing, with lots of people watching and asking questions about it all.”
Many of the Rangers, he said, have become proficient in being able to pass on their traditional skills to regular troops.
“The Rangers didn’t use to think they brought that much of value to soldiers’ training,” he said. “They have quickly found out that they are very valuable to the Canadian Forces, in the sense that if soldiers are going out on the land they need these skills to stay alive, especially in these harsh, northern conditions.”
Sgt. Peter Moon is the public affairs ranger for 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group at Cana-dian Forces Base Borden. See www.canadianrangers.ca.
Rangers win praise for their training skills
Department of National Defence/Special to Wawatay NewsMaster Cpl. Redfern Wesley, left, of Moose Factory, lectures troops from southern Ontario in northern sur-vival techniques as part of their military training.
James ThomWawatay News
Cornelius Wabasse received 58 per cent of the votes in being re-elected chief of Webequie First Nation.
The election was held Jan. 28. Wabasse will serve a term of
two years.Former chief Scott Jacob
received 26 per cent of the votes while Elsie MacDonald, 11 per cent, and Fred Jacob, four per cent.
Sixty-nine per cent of the 498 eligible voters cast their ballots, according to electoral officer
Levi Sofea.The nomination meeting for
councillors was Jan. 31 and the election was Feb. 4.
Randy Jacob was re-elected councilor along with Tommy Shewaybick and Donald She-waybick. Elsie MacDonald was elected head band councillor.
Wabasse re-elected chief in Webequie
Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 3
James ThomWawatay News
If resources are going to leave the Ring of Fire, First Nations are going to benefit from it, said David Paul Achneepineskum, CEO of Matawa First Nations Management.
Achneepineskum said if the chromite is to be mined and processed, it should be done so within the territory of the Matawa people, since the minerals fall within the traditional lands of Webequie and Marten Falls First Nations.
“We are not going to allow anyone to take these minerals and process them somewhere where our people will not benefit,” Achneepineskum said, speaking following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Lake Nipigon First Nations and Matawa First Nations Feb. 11.
He specifically supported the bid of Aroland First Nation and the Municipality of Greenstone to have the 300 megawatt processing facility built in their region to allow maximum benefit to the First Nation.
Construction elsewhere in northwestern Ontaio would be OK but is not the preferred choice, he said.
“The chromite will be taken from the traditional territories of the First Nations people; it only makes sense that we, the First Nations people, must have direct benefit from the construction and operation of the chromite processing facility.”
The location of the processing plant for the Ring of Fire minerals – believed to be one the richest untapped deposits in the world – is one of three key aspects of the agreement between the Lake Nipigon and Matawa chiefs.
Another part of the agreement includes a possible hydro transmission line from the town of Nipigon to the Little Jackfish project, a proposed hydroelectric project near Lake Nipigon. The groups have also agreed to explore economic and infrastructure opportunities.
While Aroland and Greenstone continue to lobby
for the processing plant, Cliffs Natural Resources, an international mining company and supplier of natural resources to the steelmaking industry, released a project description Feb. 4 of its Cliffs Chromite project in the McFaulds Lake area near Marten Falls and Webequie.
Bill Boor, Cliffs president of ferroalloys, said his company continues to conduct pre-feasibility studies on the project. If it’s achievable, chromite ore would be mined from the Ring of Fire and then transported to a processing facility. To determine if the project is economically viable, Cliffs is using Sudbury, Ont., as a ‘base case’ scenario for the processing plant.
Boor said his company still plans to meet with officials in Sudbury, Timmins, Greenstone and Thunder Bay to look at options in different locations. But the price of power in Ontario remains a major barrier to construction.
“At current provincial power
rates, there isn’t a location in Ontario that is economically viable for Cliffs to build the (ferrochrome production facility),” he said. “The viability of an Ontario-based (processing plant) and final selection of the location are still being evaluated.”
The lack of available low-cost energy in northwestern Ontario has prompted Harvey Yesno, president and CEO of Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund to join discussion. He is calling on the province to reduce power rates to keep the processing plant in northern Ontario. Yesno believes several Aboriginal businesses will benefit from the development of a processing plant.
“The province of Ontario needs to be more visible and aggressive in tackling the power rate issue that is threatening the viability of a production facility in northern Ontario,” Yesno said, “because any final decision to locate the ferrochrome production facility outside of the province
negatively impacts Aboriginal business in the region.”
However, he said issues of hydro and hydro rates goes well beyond the business world.
“Many people now understand what our remote communities are facing on a
regular basis when we can’t develop economically because of the chronic lack of electr icity,” he said. “For example, we don’t have
sufficient power to expand a motel, never mind a 300 megawatt processing facility.”
Yesno said NADF has conducted several studies to try and move forward with electricity transmission and the development of renewable energy projects in the north. He said the province can’t afford to sit idly by.
“We welcome a more proactive role by the provincial
government on this issue now, because there is too much at stake,” he said.
While the cost of hydro has been making headlines in recent weeks because of Cliffs’ announcement, a Thunder Bay group has been loybbying for hydro improvements in northwestern Ontario for several years.
Ron Nelson, president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, said energy issues are relevant to the entire northwest region, including municipalities, businesses and First Nations. He said speaking with a common voice is better than speaking alone on the energy issue.
He said changes are needed in the power system to attract “new mines, forestry operations and manufacturing facilities, as well as improve our residential communities, both municipal and First Nation.”
“The common theme from all of us is that the northwest region of Ontario needs its own plan for electrical generation,
transmission and distribution,” Nelson said. “It also needs its own plan for energy pricing.”
One major area of concern is that the Ontario Power Authority is responsible for planning transmission lines that move large amounts of power from one region to another while Hydro One is responsible for the lower voltage distribution lines which are used to supply electricity directly to the local distribution companies that deliver power to customers.
“In southern Ontario, the distribution lines are relatively short, serving relatively smaller but very densely populated areas,” Nelson said. “Here in the northwest region, however, our distribution lines are hundreds and hundreds of kilometres long, crossing vast stretches on sparse, if any, population, and constitute, in effect, our entire transmission grid.”
He cited several hydro issues which require attention.
These include instability, unreliability and lack of capacity in the service to both Red Lake and Greenstone; the lack of capacity in the transmission station serving the City of Thunder limiting economic growth in the city; the lack of a transmission line to connect the Nipigon area with the proposed Little Jackfish generation project and a proposed 100 megawatt wind farm on the eastern side of Lake Nipigon; and the lack of capacity to provide electrical power to remote First Nation communities from access points including Red Lake, Pickle Lake and Longlac.
A more extensive transmission network would help reduce high hydro costs in First Nations, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy said. It would also ease reliance on burning diesel fuel for electricity.
At current rates, Beardy said it costs three times as much for hydro in remote First Nations as it does in Thunder Bay.
“It is important to reduce the number of communities dependent on diesel generation for electricity as the growth in housing and other services is often restricted by the absence of an adequate energy supply,” Beardy said.
Rick GarrickWawatay News
Despite a change in leader-ship, Eabametoong is carrying on with its battle against pre-scription drug abuse.
Coun. Harry Papah recently stepped in as acting chief of the Matawa community of about 1,200 on-reserve band mem-bers after former chief Lewis Nate resigned in late January.
“We’re trying to get back on our feet again,” Papah said. “Right now the band council-lors and I are working together to carry out our five-month term.”
Eabametoong’s next band election is scheduled for June 2011.
“We hired an emergency coordinator who is trying to pull all our resources together,” said Saul Atlookan, Eabam-etoong’s health manager. “At the same time we are trying to revive some of the activities that we had initially, such as recreation.”
The community has also been working on providing
more outings for youth on to traditional lands.
“We are planning one now for early March,” Atlookan said. “In that, they have to learn how to survive in the bush.”
Another initiative involves educating people about pre-scription drugs, what they are and what they do to people who are abusing them.
“What we’re saying is OK, we’re going to learn about this and we’re going to learn how to combat it,” Atlookan said. “We’re in it and we see the light at the end of the tunnel as long as everybody gets together and wants a healthy community.”
But for those who want to deal with their prescription drug addictions, finding suit-able treatment facilities is a problem.
“The biggest problem is find-ing facilities that are open and readily available within the immediate area,” Atlookan said, noting there is currently a wait-ing list for people who want to go for treatment. “And that is the most difficult thing to do – the wait list.”
Eabametoong has circulated an anonymous community survey asking people for their input on the prescription drug abuse issue.
“The vast majority of the people responded saying we need to do something, despite the fact they are right in it (pre-scription drug abuse)” Atloo-kan said. “They are trying to find ways and means so they can come out of it. But coming out of it is something differ-ent again if they don’t have the supporting services and profes-sional people to help.”
While the community is cur-rently working to establish a detox treatment facility in the
community, Atlookan said they also need to have a treat-ment program with a holistic approach in place to allow peo-ple to deal with their personal issues after the initial 10-day detox treatment is completed.
“If one spouse is going into the program, you need to look after the rest of the family, pre-paring them for that one per-son’s return,” Atlookan said. “The most dangerous thing for that one person is to come back into the same environment. So you need to have a holistic approach where everybody gets involved and the support mech-anisms are in place.”
Atlookan said the community also requires resources to con-tinue their battle against pre-scription drug abuse, such as financial resources, professional resources, human resources or facilities.
“When we initiated the detox facility, nothing came from the government for that,” Atlookan said. “We had to assign one house to use (for the detox cen-tre). There has been no money from the government for that –
it’s basically our own financial resourcing.”
A Health Canada spokes-woman said Health Canada has not received a proposal to fund a detox centre in Eabametoong.
“Health Canada and its fed-eral and provincial partners continue to work with the com-munity to identify short and long-term actions that could support the Eabametoong First Nation in addressing critical health and safety issues,” said Olivia Caron, media relations officer with Health Canada, in an e-mail message.
Caron added Health Can-ada has committed to provid-ing professional counselling services through the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority NODIN Program; supporting the Community Wellness Development Team in the development and imple-mentation of the First Nation’s prescription drug abuse strat-egy; providing about $10,000 to facilitate the training for community members in Critical Incident Stress Management, with a focus on acquiring the
skill set for Crisis Intervention and Emotional and Spiritual Care in a Disaster Situation; and providing $30,000 towards the emergency coordinator position requested in the com-munity’s Nov. 3 proposal.
Eabametoong declared a state of emergency in October 2010 following a series of vio-lent crimes that had residents fearing for their safety, includ-ing three murders, numerous cases of arson and a number of animal mutilations.
The community has since indicated it is following a seven-point action plan, including the declaration of the state of emergency, creation of an emer-gency response plan, political advocacy and lobbying from chiefs, tribal organizations and other leaders, development of a long-term plan for the commu-nity, improving communication among community members and leadership, ongoing moni-toring and evaluation of suc-cesses and community devel-opment of strategies to build a brighter future for the commu-nity.
Eabametoong continues prescription drug abuse battle
Power issues barrier to processing plant
James Thom/Wawatay NewsRon Nelson, left, president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, joined Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy and NAN Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit at a press conference at Thunder Bay’s City Hall Feb. 11 regarding hydro issues in the northwest region of the province.
“We see the light at the end of the tunnel as long as everybody gets together and wants a healthy community.”
–Saul Atlookan
Yesno
4 Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
‘Book of life becoming an incredible tale’
Rabbit fur
(Archives of Ontario C 330-13-0-0-67)A boy from Moose Factory with snowshoe hare pelts in 1963.
CommentaryDiary sheds new light on Treaty 9
I work with words. As a writer and a storyteller words are my basic equip-
ment. Since I got my first paid job as a writer back in 1979 I have been engaged in the pro-cess of learning how to use my tools. The learning never stops. For me that’s a special blessing because I love what I do and to be constantly in the process of being given more tools to work with is amazing.
Words are all around us. It follows that stories are all around us too. Because I have ears I hear them. When my eyes are open I can see them. With my heart receptive I can feel them. Staying conscious and connected to the world means that stories come to me by taste and smell and wonder-fully, magically sometimes, on the pure wings of my imagina-tion when I keep all my other senses open.
What it asks of me is to con-tinue harvesting words. I need to do that so I can describe
what I encounter and imagine. I need to do that so other peo-ple can inhabit the same space that I do, feel the magic of my stories. So I need the flexibility of an elastic and spontane-ous facility with words and language in order to make that possible.
It means that I read books. A lot of them. I can’t remem-ber a time in my life when a book was not a companion. When I open a new one I am flooded with the presence of more and more tools. Essen-tially the words in books have been my education. When I left school at sixteen it marked the end of my formal education. Everything I have accomplished in this life I taught myself from the pages of books. I’ve been a lifelong student in the University of Books.
There is a lot to be gained from this. For one, you get so you’re really comfortable with expression. Years ago if you’d have told me I would stand in front of thousands of people and speak for an hour without the benefit of notes I would have said you were crazy. Now, I’m teaching writing at the University of Victoria. Words empower you. Words make magic possible when you let
them.That’s what I’ve discovered
after all these years. You can have all the tools in the world but they only work for you if you allow them to. Allowing is the key to everything. As a writer words just sometimes fall out of the sky – the right ones, the perfect ones. If I allow them to fall. But I have to be active in the process of gathering them, of reading, of harnessing the horses of words to the wagon of my dreams.
My people say that allow-ing is the power that follows choice in Creator’s plan. Two great gifts we are given to empower us in this life. You choose and then you allow. Walking the Red Road, or liv-ing a principled, spiritually centered life, is the ongoing process of that. The choice puts you on the path and the allow-ing keeps that path rolling for-ward in front of you. Your duty is to continue walking it.
So I choose words to be the pathway of my life and then I allow them to guide me in the work that I do. So far so good.
Without education beyond Grade 9 I will publish my eighth, ninth, tenth and elev-enth books this year. I will pub-lish four titles in four separate genres in the same publishing
year – all because I allowed it to happen.
But when I say the learning never stops I mean that. Sure, I’ve done some great things with the power of words but there is always something more; something unrelated to the worlds that words can offer you. For instance, it’s taken me this long to learn the rules of grammar. Like, when you say ‘I love you’, there’s a full colon stop. Then a dash and then the other person says ‘I love you too.” Period.
The punctuation of our lives happens in the heart not on paper. I’m learning that these days. The words I use with the people in my life are the tools I use to build that life. So I choose wisely and allow them to work – and the book of my life is becoming an incredible tale, well told and punctu-ated by feeling and the images of belonging, community and empowerment.
When we speak of literacy these days, it’s important to recognize that we speak beyond the ability to under-stand words. We speak of the ability to comprehend feeling. A true and vibrant literacy of the soul and spirit. That, in the end, is the biggest gift that words can bring us.
Recently, I have heard news that greatly affects the First Nations of Nish-
nawbe Aski Nation territory in northern Ontario. This news involves the discovery of a 100 plus year old diary by Daniel MacMartin, a treaty commis-sioner who represented the government of Ontario.
His diary provides a new perspective on the signing of Treaty 9.
Up to now, the only recorded and written account of the treaty signing was the treaty document itself. Since Aborigi-nal culture is based on oral tradition, the only record of the treaty for my people has been in the stories and recollections of those who were present at the time of the treaty signings.
These recollections are still remembered by our living Elders today who inherited these memories from their par-ents and grandparents.
What was promised at the signing of the treaty and what actually was put down in writ-ing has always been a matter for debate. Remember, First Nation people back then did not speak the English language.
Treaty 9, or the James Bay Treaty, was signed in 1905 and 1906 between the govern-ment of Canada, the province of Ontario and the Ojibway, Cree and Oji-Cree of northern Ontario. Additions to the treaty were made in 1929 and 1930 to encompass a land area between the Quebec and Manitoba bor-ders from Timmins in the south to Hudson Bay in the north.
Because very few Aboriginal people at the time spoke or read English the treaty document had to be translated. Many of the chief’s signatures were signed with a simple ‘X’ beside their name or by using syllabics.
The discovery of MacMar-tin’s diary by historians in the archives of Queen’s University is shining new light on what took place and what was said during the signing of the treaty.
Up to now, the government of Ontario and Canada has followed the treaty document which includes a clause to allow the Crown to take away lands for mining, forestry or other purposes.
First Nations people have argued for years that the writ-ten document is much different than the spoken promises made during the signing. According to Murray Klippenstein, legal representative for Mushkeg-owuk Council, MacMartin’s diary has recorded oral prom-
ises made to Native representa-tives that Native lands would be preserved and that First Nation people would be able to continue to hunt where they pleased.
Even though the diary pro-vided plenty of details on regu-lar meetings and conversations during the treaty signings, there is no mention made to Native representatives of the all impor-tant clause to take away lands by the government for resource development. Somehow that just turned up in the written document but was forgotten in his diary.
There have always been questions about what First Nations people understood and what was promised in the treaty. The government’s treaty representatives were ill suited for the negotiations.
Duncan Campbell Scott and Samuel Stewart were the two treaty commissioners for the government of Canada. Scott, at the time, believed that Aboriginal people should be assimilated into Canadian society without special rights or recognition.
Scott later became the head of Indian Affairs from 1913 to 1932. In 1920, he is noted in Canadian Aboriginal history for making it mandatory for all Native children between the ages of seven to 15 to attend residential school. The plan, in Scott’s own words in 1920, was to “get rid of the Indian prob-lem” and “continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian department.”
MacMartin’s diary reaffirms the belief of First Nations lead-ers since the signing of Treaty 9 that the process was not clear. Many people still believe today that Aboriginal people should be assimilated into society and with the discovery of many rich new natural resources on First Nations lands that view is being promoted by the powers that be.
Make no mistake, First Nation people are not standing in the way of careful resource development on Native lands as long as there is proper con-sultation, negotiation and a fair sharing of the wealth.
First Nation people have a tradition as stewards of the land and with the right idea in devel-opment we can all benefit while making sure our mother planet is protected.
This was the spirit of negotia-tions my ancestors brought to the table when Treaty 9 was signed. Thanks to MacMartin’s obsession with keeping a very detailed diary, the truth has finally emerged after more than 100 years.
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How You Can Help:Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Treaty #3 First Nation communities are members of Wawatay Native Communications Society and are urged to send in their Annual Membership Fees of $500.00 to our Sioux Lookout Bureau to the attention of Grant Chisel and note the payment is for “Membership Fee”. We are looking for volunteers for our radio-a-thon which we are hoping will garner support in the following ways:
a) membership drive (member First Nations to pay their annual membership fee) b) generate donations from individuals, businesses and organizations c) create awareness of our products and services and generate support.
Contact Evange Kanakakeesic at our Sioux Lookout Bureau or e-mail her at [email protected]. We are seeking volunteer hosts, musical talent, storytellers, comedians, etc.
If you would like to make a donation, please send it to our Sioux Lookout Bureau to the attention of
Grant Chisel or check out our “Donate” button on www.wawataynews.caPlease make any cheque or money orders payable to “Wawatay” and note it is a donation for the
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Wawatay Native Communications Society is a self-governing, independent community-driven entrepreneurial Native organization dedicated to using appropriate technologies to meet the communication needs of people of Aboriginal ancestry in Northern Ontario, wherever they live. In doing so, its founders intended that Wawatay would serve their communities by preserving, maintaining and enhancing Indigenous languages and culture.
“Save Our Languages” Fundraising Campaign
THE CAMPAIGN:The Campaign helps support the
continued delivery of the many valuable Aboriginal language services and programs that
Wawatay continues to provide including bi-weekly newspaper
production and distribution, daily radio programming, television production services, regularly
updated website, print services, translation services, and SEVEN
Meet five women from Kitchenuhmaykoosib who are struggling to end their addiction to oxycodone.
wawataynews.ca/node/21009
Native Language Teacher Certifi cation (NLTC)
July 4th – July 29th, 2011
The Native Language Teacher Certifi cation is designed to prepare candidates to Teach Native Languages. It is the only Algonquian program in Ontario, which is Ministry of Education and Training approved for Certifi cation. Certifi cation qualifi es candidates to teach Native Languages in Ontario Schools.
To enter the program you must be fl uent in a Native Language and meet Lakehead University’s Mature Student Admission requirements.
2011 Summer Credit Courses in Native Languages
Ojibwe 1013 Introduction to Ojibwe I (Severn Dialect)Introduction to basic Severn Ojibwe phonetics, grammar and conversation.5 – 7:30 pm Monday thru ThursdayJuly 4 – July 21, 2011
Ojibwe 1015 Introduction to Ojibwe II (Severn Dialect)Development of conversational skills and practice in writing.5 – 7:30 pm Monday thru ThursdayJuly 25 - August 11, 2011
Cree 1010 Introduction to Cree IIntroduction to basic Cree phonetics, grammar and conversation.5 – 7:30 pm Monday thru ThursdayJuly 4 – July 21, 2011
Cree 1012 Introduction to Cree IIDevelopment of conversational skills and practice in writing.5 – 7:30 pm Monday thru ThursdayJuly 25 - August 11, 2011
For further information and an application package, contact:NATIVE LANGUAGE INSTRUCTORS’ PROGRAM
LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
The government of Ontario recently announced it is seek-ing public input on how to best protect the woodland caribou in northern Ontario while protect-ing economic development in the region.
This has been a contentious issue and it is understandable that passions would run high on both sides of the debate, but we think there is a better, more constructive path forward through creativity and coopera-tion.
In 2010, we came together as a group of forest companies and conservation organiza-tions under the banner of an unexpected agreement to work together to find solutions to problems such as this one.
Forest companies such as Abitibi-Bowater, Tembec and Weyerhaeuser have joined with environmental groups such as the Canadian Parks and Wil-derness Society, Greenpeace, Ivey Foundation, and the David Suzuki Foundation in signing the landmark Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement (CBFA).
It commits our group to work with each other, governments, First Nations and others to find a constructive way to ensure the survival of species at risk like
caribou while also providing for a stronger and more competi-tive forestry industry.
We have developed recom-mendations that protect threat-ened caribou while safeguard-ing jobs in northern Ontario. Our plan proposes to minimize the expansion of the industrial footprint within caribou ranges and ensures that all non-closed mills have long term, economic and secure supplies of wood.
The recommendations pro-pose to offset the increased costs industry may face in deac-tivating old roads and increased silviculture.
We also ask that government monitor populations of wood-land caribou to better under-stand whether they successfully reoccupy previously disturbed areas.
There would be no disruption to any existing forestry opera-tions by our proposed measures to protect this species.
There is no doubt the global economy is in the midst of the next industrial revolution – this time a green one.
Who prospers and who doesn’t will be determined by who embraces this revolution, who learns to produce more with less and who most quickly realizes that making and selling products with a strong envi-
ronmental pedigree is critical to maintaining and expanding your market share.
We believe there can be a bright future for both forest industry jobs and caribou in the north. Getting us there, how-ever, will require discarding the jobs versus environment mind-set and recognizing that envi-ronmental sustainability is the basis for industry prosperity.
Making smart policy choices will enable Ontario’s forest industry to truly compete in a worldwide ‘green’ market place.
Successful forest conserva-tion and business competitive-ness require effective involve-ment of Aboriginal peoples and their governments. We are committed to involving Aboriginal peoples in a manner that is respectful of and engages Aboriginal rights, title, interests and aspirations.
The CBFA proposals set the stage for a transformation of the forest industry and offer a “win-win” for jobs and the envi-ronment.
The government has an exciting opportunity to take advantage this opportunity. We strongly urge them to do so.
Ontario Members of the Canadian Boreal Forest
Agreement
Global economy in ‘midst of green revolution’
Have something to say?Submit your letter to the editor by sending it to
Re: NDP launch national suicide prevention strategy campaignI come from a community that has been hit hard by suicide and I know that this bill will address the need to do something more on the topic of suicide. I’d say this to MP Megan Leslie, get the fly in reserves and small communities involved in this and you’ll have a big list of supporters. From the eastern seaboard to the western, you’ll be supported because we need the word to get out there about suicide intervention strategies and initiatives. I support Bill C-593 that was introduced by Halifax NDP MP Megan Leslie. If you do support her efforts, please reply. We should get our own petition going here, what do you think?
Anonymous
Re: Marten Falls planning Ring of Fire blockadeThe government is always siding with the taxpayers and not the First Nations wants and needs. Taxpayers include the big business people and their employees, so this is why the government pays close attention to them. First Nations do not garner so much attention because they are seen as liability, expense, burden, etc.
Anonymous
Re: Matawa communities feeling left out of Ring of Fire If the chiefs wants to make deal, they should include an Environmental Clean up Fund to be set up along with whatever benefits they get if any. I’ve already seen Forestry industries come and go and leave messes all over our traditional territories and NOBODY is cleaning that up. WHO is responsible for that? NOBODY, especially when the industry is BANKRUPT. How come the GOV-ERNMENT is NOT stepping in and CLEANING that up? This is our traditional territory’s where we live off. We eat wildlife such as moose, fish and other wildlife and also plants. I’ve also seen when money does get thrown around it’s never to Natives but surrounding towns. It is true Natives always get left out. Surrounding town and cities getting monies donated for whatever reason in the companies names just for advertisement and hush money.
Anonymous
Re: Lake Nipigon, Matawa First Nations working cooperatively on mining, infrastructureThis is what I like to see. Cooperation. That’s how we will benefit.
Arolander
Your views from wawataynews.ca
Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 7
See where your love of musiccan take you.
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With a range of grants, scholarships and loans, starting college or university may be easier than you think.
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Marriage and Divorce
What if the terms of release confl ict with an order
from family court?
A family court order may say that your abuser h
as the right to
spend time with his c
hildren, but if he is c
harged with assaultin
g
you, his terms of release could say that h
e must stay away fro
m
you and the children. When this happens, it
can be very hard
to know what to do. Get legal advice as soon as possible. Tell
the judge and Crown Attorney dealing with
the assault charge
about the orders fro
m family court.
Who will watch the abuser?
Th e court may also decide that someone must w
atch what the
abuser is doing. Th is person is called a surety. Th e surety may
have to pay a cash deposit before the abuser is released. Th e
surety must tell th
e police if the abuser violates his terms of
release. If your abuser violates the terms of his release, you
should report this to the police, not th
e surety.
What happens if your abuser does not obey?
If an accused person does not fo
llow any of his terms of release,
he may be charged with a new criminal off ence. Th e new
charge will be added to the charges fro
m the original crime.
If the accused person keeps breaking the terms of re
lease the
court can decide that his bail should be taken away. In this case
he will be kept in
jail until t
he trial. Th e court could also keep
him in jail if he does something that shows he may be planning
to hurt you, like buying a gun.
3. Get a Peace Bond
If you have been threatened or assaulted, you may be able to
get a peace bond. You can also apply for a peace bond if your
abuser threatens or attacks anything that belongs to you. A
peace bond will say th
at your abuser must s
tay away from you,
your family and your p
roperty for up to a year. A
peace bond is
not a criminal charge, but disobeying a peace bond is a crim
e.
When to use a peace bond
A peace bond is a good idea if you do not w
ant to involve the
police, or if you have told the police about th
e abuse and they
did not lay a charge.
How to get a peace bond
To get a peace bond, you have to talk to a Justice of the Peace
(JP). You will have to swear to
tell the truth, and then tell th
e
JP why you are afraid of your abuser. Th e JP will t
ell your abuser
that you have asked for a hearing to get a peace bond. Your
abuser can go to the hearing and give evidence. Th e JP will
listen to both of you and then decide what to do. H
ere is what
can happen.
• If t
he JP believes that you have good reason to be afraid,
she will order your abuser to
sign a peace bond. Th e peace
bond will say that your abuser m
ust stay away from you,
your family and your p
roperty for up to a year.
• If t
he JP cannot tell w
ho to believe, or if she believes that
both of you are responsible for the situ
ation, she may
dismiss your application. O
r, she can order a mutual
peace bond. Th is means that both of you must stay away
from each other. Y
ou must sign the bond saying that you
promise to follow what it says.
You can ask the JP to add conditions to the peace bond. For
example, you can ask for the peace bond to say that your abuser
must not go near your w
orkplace.
Once you have a peace bond,
Police Information Centre
). Th
CPIC every time they respond to a domestic call.
What happens if your abuser does not obey?
If your abuser d
isobeys the peace bond, call the police. Tell
them you are calling to report a breach of a peace bond. Th
will not charge him with
they have a record of it. Th
peace bond with CPIC.
Be careful.
Talk to a lawyer b
efore you agree to a m
utual
peace bond. Some abusive m
en use mutual
peace bonds as a
way to keep contro
lling and
harassing a woman. For e
xample, he may try
to
trick you in
to getting to
o close to him
, so th
at
he can call the police and have you charged
with diso
beying the order.
Th is project was made possible by:
Th is brochure is made possible by Family Law Education for W
omen (FLEW
), a public legal educatio
n project funded by the governme
information to women about th
eir family law rights in Ontario. FLEW has also produced materials on the following topics: Family
To all members of the Northern First Nations Communities who will be travelling so far by Ice Road to visit us, we encourage you to take part in all that Dryden has to off er in the way of shopping, dining and leisure. Enjoy your stay and come oft en! Sincerely, Mayor Nuttall and CouncilCity of Dryden
James ThomWawatay News
A Topix.com forum debate on Aboriginals in Thunder Bay has raised the ire of a woman in the city.
Frances Wesley, a Constance Lake band member living in Thunder Bay, felt angry reading comments posted online.
The forum was first posted March 30.
“Feel like your city is becom-ing one huge reservation? You are not alone. Sad times, really,” wrote user Robbed_and_Stabbed.
Added user sick-tired-SCARED: “Yes. Thunder Bay’s crime rate is rising everyday. Our elderly can’t even go out in broad daylight without the fear of being jumped and robbed. Our kids can’t walk through a park without a bunch of Native kids beating them. The police know who are committing these crimes but they can’t come out and say it because they will be called racists!
“They keep coming in from the reservations and as our Native population increases so does our crime rates! Figure it out.”
Added user lazyshit: “Ya know, I constantly hear that there (are) no jobs left here, but i don’t know one person, not a single one that is out of work except some redskins. I have three family members who moved here recently and all found work.”
Comments have continued to the present day.
To sign up for an account on the site, a user must only pro-vide a username, email address and password.
On the registration page, it says the email address will never be shown to other users, thus maintaining anonymity. The people who are writing on the forum need-not self-identity themselves.
“I think (the commenter’s) are ignorant about Aboriginal people,” Wesley said. “We make significant contributions to the local economy. It makes me wonder how much more can we do with the community to reach out and educate the public.”
Wesley, who is the urban Aboriginal planner for the Thunder Bay Urban Aborigi-nal Strategy, works to bring the community together. She
helped establish the Neighbour-hood Building Capacity Project in the city, an in- and after-school program for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children and youth between 7 and 13 years of age.
Wesley is disappointed such content can be found on the Internet.
“People are always going to try and bring you down,” she said. “I feel like this is a hate crime. I feel like we (Aborigi-nals) are being targeted as bad people,” Wesley said.
But establishing what makes a hate crime isn’t always easy.
According to the Criminal Code of Canada, a hate crime is a “criminal violation motivated by hate, based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, men-tal or physical disability, sexual orientation or any other similar factor.”
Because of the freedom of expression issues at stake in hate speech, each offence requires evidence establishing intent, according to the Ontario Provincial Police.
“The threshold for qualify-ing an action as a hate crime is not easily met, even where race appears to have been an issue, unless it can be proven that the accused intentionally acted out of hatred,” according to OPP lit-erature on hate crimes.
For a criminal charge to pro-ceed, the attorney general of Ontario must sign off on the matter, according to the OPP.
Thunder Bay Police Ser-vice spokesman Chris Adams summed up the issue.
“People can be prejudiced and make a racial statement,” he said. “But that is not always a hate crime. For a hate crime to take place, there needs to be deliberate intent … and the per-son must be trying to provoke action.”
Margaret Leighton, of the Ontario Human Rights Tribu-nal, said it would not be appro-priate for her agency to discuss hate crimes in a general sense because it makes rulings about the matter.
“Hate crimes are a com-plex area of the law,” she said, because people’s rights inter-sect, such as an individual’s right to free speech over some-one’s right to not be discrimi-nated against. “It is always evolving.”
Request for QuotationOperation and Maintenance of theSavant Lake Waste Disposal Site
Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Sioux Lookout District invites quotations from contractors for the Operation and Maintenance of the Savant Lake Waste Disposal Site. The site is located in Sioux Lookout District, 1.5 kilometres north of the Savant Lake town site (west of Highway 599) and is approximately 2.0 hectares in size.
The site must be operated in accordance with all laws of the Province of Ontario, in particular with all MNR and Ministry of the Environment (MOE) regulations.
Quotation packages (containing submission documents) may be obtained by calling (807) 737-5050 or by e-mailing [email protected]
Quotation Submission Deadline:Date: March 4, 2011
Time: 16:30:00 Central Time
The lowest, highest or any bid will not necessarily be accepted
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During his recent trip to New Zealand, Stan Beardy was able to share the Nishnawbe Aski Nation perspective on resources and development.
Beardy, grand chief of NAN, was in New Zealand for the International Union for Conser-vation of Nature (IUCN) confer-ence Jan. 11-15.
The conference was about finding a new vision for con-servation and development and to ensure Indigenous people are included in the policy, gov-ernance and management of resources.
“I wanted to give the direct input of the Indigenous people (of Ontario),” Beardy said. “I presented our situation (water,
health and environmental issues).
“I also spoke about Indige-nous practices and the land, the historical perspective of how things were done for centuries.
“We were very lucky the conference was hosted by the Maori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand.
“They treated me with great respect, like a head of state would be afforded.”
Beardy found other delegates were supportive of the idea of Indigenous people being part of the solution because they have some of the answers on making the planet a more sustainable place.
Beardy said there is a need to balance conservation with development.
He sees a great role for First
Nations in the conservation of nature because they were the original stewards of the land. But that role must be balanced with meaningful implementa-tion of inherent, Aboriginal and treaty rights.
During the conference, Beardy was able to participate in a panel, which shared NAN’s views on the Boreal Conserva-tion Campaign in Canada and NAN’s experience with conser-vation groups in the imposition of the Far North Act on the NAN people.
His presentation also spoke about the history of the treaty making process in Canada, including First Nations interpre-tation of the treaty, First Nation views on customary laws, the responsibility given by the Cre-ator to First Nations, and the
need for recognition/imple-mentation of this in lands and resources.
He also made a recommen-dation to the IUCN to consider developing a monitoring system for conservation organizations to ensure they are not trampling on the human rights of Indig-enous peoples.
Going forward, Beardy will address the NAN chiefs at the March assembly to discuss the role of conservation organiza-tions’ work with communi-ties and to determine a future approach.
Beardy was pleased with the contacts he made during the conference, especially those within the IUCN, an organiza-tion that brings together gov-ernments and conservation groups from all over the world.
Aboriginal youth to get international experienceRick GarrickWawatay News
Aboriginal youth now have an opportunity to work in developing countries on Cana-dian-supported development projects through a new Interna-tional Aboriginal Youth Intern-ships initiative.
“The new International Aboriginal Youth Internships initiative is an exciting, new initiative that will bring a new
experience to Canada’s Aborigi-nal youth,” said Beverley J. Oda, minister of International Cooperation. “Their unique perspective and heritage will enhance our work in develop-ing countries and enrich their opportunities to contribute to Canada’s efforts to bring a bet-ter life to those living in pov-erty around the world. I firmly believe that our government’s outreach to the Aboriginal youth in Canada in this way
will open new doors in their futures.”
The $10.5 million five-year initiative will provide 140 Cana-dian Aboriginal youth each year with an opportunity to work in developing countries on Cana-dian-supported development projects with recognized orga-nizations.
The Canadian International Development Agency consulted with national Aboriginal orga-nizations to develop the initia-
tive, including the Assembly of First Nations, the Native Wom-en’s Association of Canada, and the Métis National Council, as well as with Indian and North-ern Affairs Canada and Cana-dian Heritage.
The internships will be used by qualified Canadian organiza-tions selected under CIDA’s new Global Citizens Program. Cana-dian organizations are invited to apply by submitting a pro-posal before April 7.
submitted photoFrom left, New Zealand Minister of Maori Affairs Dr. Pita R Sharples and Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy.
Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 9
Reclaiming life – Part IIThe Mamow Against Drugs Healing Program in
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) is a 25-day plan that helps participants combat addiction to oxycodone. The program is voluntary and alter-nates intakes between men and women. In part
two of this three-part series, Wawatay Media Director Adrienne Fox returns to KI to cover the
graduation of the treatment centre’s fifth intake.
To advertise in Sagatay contact:Advertising DepartmentToll: 1-800-243-9059Fax: 1-807-737-3224Email: [email protected] 1180, 16 Fifth AvenueSioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B7
Complimentary
Wasaya Airways LP Inflight Magazine I June/July 2007
‘This is fun’
First Goose Hunt
Page 10
Complimentary
Wasaya Airways LP Inflight Magazine I February/March 2008
Photographic Art
through the lens of Nadya Kwandibens
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Special Deliveri
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Traditional m
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The distribution date for the next magazine is scheduled for April 1, 2011. To meet this deadline, our ad booking and material deadline is March 3, 2011.
Sagatay subscriptions are now available, if you would like a copy of this magazine, please contact us and we will send
one to you for your enjoyment. If you have any questions, or would like to book an ad, please feel free to contact us.
Why advertise in Sagatay?• 85% of passengers polled read Sagatay on their fl ight
• 82% of passengers polled noticed and read the advertising in Sagatay
• Over 330 departures every week to 25 destinations across Northwestern Ontario
• Magazines are also placed in all destination’s airports, band offi ces and local businesses
• Published 6 times per year, Sagatay reaches up to 20,000 Wasaya passengers with every issue
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Wasaya In-Flight Magazine
10 Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
RECLAIMING LIFE
Photos by Brent Wesley/Wawatay News
ABOVE: From right, Melanie Beardy, Candice Crowe and Rayanne Tait of Kitchenu-hmaykoosib graduate from the Mamow Against Drugs Healing Program. Health Director Joey McKay, congratulates the women at a community feast Jan. 28.
LEFT: Kitchenuhmaykoosib Deputy Chief Cecilia Begg, centre, gets a helping of food during the treatment centre graduation feast.
Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 11
And then there were three Adrienne FoxWawatay News
She glances furtively at the four cameras in the room. Three of them are recording each word being spoken and all are cap-
turing every flicker of visible emotion. Rose-mary McKay, 23, is getting ready to gradu-ate from the Mamow Against Drugs Healing Progam – a community project driven by the will of a small group of Kitchenuhmaykoosib members to confront oxycodone addiction.
McKay has made it through the 25-day treatment program. She spent the first week going through detox. She has faced intense counselling sessions and contributed to numerous sharing circles.
It’s been hard work for all the women. And today it’s time to celebrate their successes.
McKay is still cautious. She says she didn’t want to get up this morning. She wanted to stay in bed because the treatment centre has become her safe haven. She doesn’t want to leave. Going back home means facing every-thing that brought her here in the first place.
McKay discovered that during a recent home visit.
“It feels different at home but it’s the same. It’s the way it was before I came in here. I’m thinking the same thing over there … the way I did before I got in here. When I’m here, I don’t think about anything.”
McKay never made it to graduation. She failed the final drug screening.
Each participant of the treatment program undergoes drug testing before being allowed
to graduate. Last week, Hazel Chapman left the pro-
gram. No one is kept prisoner here. Everyone enters freely and leaves the same way.
For three others, it’s graduation day, Jan. 28.
Now it’s just past 7 p.m. and there are more than 100 people gathered in the community hall. They are here to cel-
ebrate the women who have made it through the program.
Melanie Beardy, Candice Crowe and Ray-anne Tait are seated at the head table. It’s adorned with purple and white flowers and rolled tulle. All the women are dressed for-mally. Beardy’s hair is pulled up, highlight-ing her high cheekbones and exotic eyes. Tait, the youngest of the group, is fresh-faced and smiling. Crowe continues to carry herself demurely, a characteristic only emphasized by her ever-present smile.
Each woman gets up to speak.“I always looked down on this program,”
Beardy confesses. “I judged those that worked at the program.” But her judgments are gone. Tonight she’s grateful for their efforts.
Beardy wants community members to give the graduates a chance.
“We have hopes and dreams like everyone else,” she says. “We need community support. We don’t want to be put down. All we need is your support if we fall. We can do it.”
Earlier that day, Beardy describes feeling alive and confident.
“I see things more clearly. I can think more clearly. I never thought I would get to this point again.”
She thinks back to re-integration week, when participants in the healing program were slowly re-introduced to the community and she clearly saw something for the first time.
“I see my kids and I see their faces – their smiley faces. I’ve never seen that before. I’ve never wanted to see that.”
Beardy’s voice wavers. She’s trying not to cry, so she looks up at the ceiling.
She visited other family members too, including her niece and nephews.
“They were so beautiful,” she recalls. “And I thought to myself, ‘Why did I push this away?’
“My sister’s baby is about four months (old) and when I went to go visit him yester-day … I don’t know how to explain this but he was just amazing.”
Beardy is remorseful. She feels like she’s been blind until now.
“Why didn’t I see this when he was born? Why didn’t I see him when he was a baby? I missed all that.”
But she also knows she has been given another chance.
“I get to see him now. I realize the drug disorients everything. This week was really beautiful. It really opened my eyes.”
Tait is also experiencing new-found awareness but it’s tempered by old fears. She is torn between wanting to be
with her children and the fear her addiction won’t let her go.
“I don’t want to go,” she says about her last day in the program. “I don’t want to go back to drugs.”
Her fear loomed large and heavy during re-integration week.
“People were already asking me and offer-ing me a line (of oxycodone).”
And she got little reassurance when she visited the clinic for her final drug test.
“There was this girl (at the clinic) who asked me: ‘Are you going to stay sober?’ And I said I’m going to try. I’m going to do it. And she said: ‘You’re not going to do it. You’re going to fall just like everyone else.’ ”
Tait responded by telling the girl not to be jealous just because she couldn’t quit.
Despite her bravado, Tait was hurt by the comment.
“It puts me down.”Crowe isn’t sure how she’ll stay off oxyco-
done once she leaves but she says she’ll try.“I don’t want to go back to the old ways –
the way I was.”For today, she’s happy to be returning
home. And life without oxycodone is invigo-rating her.
“It feels good. You can just get up and do whatever you want.”
Editor’s note:Missed Part I? Go online at wawataynews.caPart III will be published in the March 3 edi-tion of Wawatay News.
LEFT: Rosemary McKay of Kitchenuhmaykoosib.
BOTTOM LEFT: Melanie Beardy, left, and Candice Crowe share a moment during their graduation feast.
BOTTOM MIDDLE: Candice Crowe
BOTTOM RIGHT: Rayanne Tait takes time with one of her two daughters.
12 Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
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Community gardens, cooking classes, bulk ordering, farmer’s markets, good food boxes, com-posting and vegetable garden-ing have brought greater food security to Fort Albany.
At a workshop in January led by Gigi Veeraraghavan, Healthy Babies Healthy Chil-dren coordinator, a group of community members drew out a pathway for a healthier com-munity through healthier food. They are planting the seeds of change.
Food security – the assurance that all people at all times have adequate amounts of healthy, safe, and culturally appropriate food – is difficult to achieve in remote, northern communities.
About 75 per cent of the households in Fort Albany are not food secure.
Many people worry about being able to afford food for their families. Flying food in from the south is very expen-sive.
A local food system could make food more affordable and accessible, Veeraraghavan said.
When it comes to food, Fort Albany members have already shown they are a forward think-ing community.
While the provincial govern-ment has only recently begun to start nutrition programs in schools, Fort Albany was well ahead of their time as it started a school nutrition program nearly two decades ago.
Today the program is thriv-ing – a full breakfast for ele-mentary and high school stu-dents and healthy snacks are offered twice a day to all stu-dents at Peetabeck Academy.
The success of the original
program received attention from the ONEXONE Foundation and ONEXONE has provided additional funding and support since 2008 for the breakfast program.
This past summer, former chief and historian, Ed Meta-tawabin and other community volunteers worked hard to put up a greenhouse that was provided by the University of Waterloo through a research grant from the Canadian Insti-tutes of Health Research.
The greenhouse is next to the school and the plan is to incor-porate gardening into the class-room curriculum. Vegetables grown can be used in the snack
program.“Our community has wanted
a greenhouse for a very long time,” said Joan Metatawabin, school nutrition and green-house coordinator. “While we were building the greenhouse, students were asking ‘Who is the greenhouse for?’ and we said ‘The greenhouse is for you!’ Everyone is excited to start planting seeds.”
Many people in Fort Albany remember there used to be a potato farm in their community. They know gardening can work here.
Upcoming plans for the spring include starting plants in the greenhouse and building
raised garden beds.Other innovative food secu-
rity activities are the occasional farmer’s market that are held in Fort Albany.
The farmer’s market involves chartering a plane full of fresh food and then selling the food to community members at low prices to cover the cost of the food and the freight.
Many items end up costing only half of the price charged by the local grocery store.
Fresh meat, vegetables and fruit are the common items brought in.
At the most recent farmer’s market, organizers ordered in fresh milk – which can cost
about $14 for four litres at the store – and they were able to sell it for $8 a bag. Events like the farmer’s market rely on dedicated volunteers to be suc-cessful.
The food security working group in Fort Albany believes that knowledge is power.
They are learning about suc-cessful local food programs from northern Manitoba and will be attending upcoming food security conferences.
And the excitement about growing local food sparks talks of other projects like compost-ing and teaching community members how to can and pre-serve the food they grow.
The dirt produced from composting can be used in the greenhouse and garden beds. Along with growing produce, the Fort Albany food security group has another goal. They want to make sure that genera-tional traditions – like hunting, berry picking, food preparation and cooking – are passed on to the children and youth in the community.
If the new greenhouse and gardening projects have the same success as the school nutrition program, then Fort Albany will be harvesting pro-duce within the next few years.
The fight for food security in Fort Albany is on.
Fort Albany fights for increased food security
submitted photosA newly constructed greenhouse, left, sits next to the Peetabeck Academy in Fort Albany First Nation. Built last summer with the help of Ed Metatawabin, right, the school will incorporate gardening into the classroom curriculum.
Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 13
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Twenty-five students are get-ting another chance to complete their high school educations thanks to a new learning cen-tre at Matawa First Nations in Thunder Bay.
The centre was officially opened Feb. 10 though stu-dents have been attending since first semester in September, explained principal Denise Bax-ter, a Marten Falls band mem-ber.
Baxter said a variety of fac-tors – including lack of suc-cess, being intimidated by the class sizes and school – lead to students dropping out of high school. But the Matawa Learn-ing Centre – with its Learn to Dream motto – aims to change that.
“The statistics show that the traditional high school learning environment is failing our First Nation students,” Baxter said.
“High schools are too large and very intimidating for First Nations students, many of whom come from small, remote communities.
She said the Learning cen-tre will offer a holistic educa-tion that considers the learning needs of students and takes into account the personal and social issues they may face.
“We ensure that our students don’t fall through the cracks and we are all accountable to each other to ensure that our students succeed,” Baxter said.
The 3,000-square foot centre features classrooms, a computer lab, boardroom, and office space for staff.
During the opening cer-emony for the centre, it’s first graduate was also celebrated.
Curtis Sugarhead, 18, of Eabametoong First Nation received a plaque honouring his efforts.
Several students spoke dur-ing the opening ceremony, including Danielle Yellowhead who shared her story about losing her best friend, drop-ping out of school and battling
depression.“My siblings motivated me to
come back to school,” she said. “I want to be a better role model for them. I want them to look up to me and be proud.
“At the Matawa Learning Centre I get a lot of support from the teachers and principal and it is a very friendly environ-ment. Now when I look back it just makes me a stronger per-son.”
She would encourage others to follow her path.
“It’s never too late to come back, there is always something out there. For me it was the Matawa Learning Centre,” Yel-lowhead said.
Yellowhead is expected to graduate by September.
She dreams of becoming a social worker and living in her home community of Eabam-etoong First Nation.
Drug testing started in NeskantagaRick GarrickWawatay News
Neskantaga First Nation has implemented a drug testing pol-icy for all band staff members in response to the prescription drug abuse issue.
“This was done through a First Nation initiative,” said Neskantaga Chief Roy Moo-nias. “There was a high demand from the community that they wanted a safe and healthy workplace environment.”
The drug testing policy was officially established Nov. 18 and the community has since brought in a drug compli-ance officer from another First Nation community to conduct the drug testing.
“It’s a small community so people said it would be better to get somebody from outside
so they don’t disclose any confi-dentialities,” Moonias said.
While the drug testing policy has been working well so far, Moonias said the community has encountered a lack of ser-vices for those people who want to quit prescription drugs.
“The closest detox we have is in Thunder Bay,” Moonias said, noting three people have been sent out to treatment so far. “It gets really cumbersome when we have to fly our people out to the detoxification program.”
Moonias said his community took the initiative to move for-ward because they knew it was a priority.
The community has com-pleted an 18-month consulta-tion process, which included legal advice.
“It’s a start for us, as a small community,” Moonias said. “It
gets really costly when you go through that process, the con-sultation process.”
Strategies to combat pre-scription drug abuse were dis-cussed last October during a Matawa First Nations confer-ence.
“Those strategies are still in the works and a report will be presented to our chiefs later on in this new year for their review and approval,” said Matawa First Nations CEO David Paul Achneepineskum.
In addition to Neskantaga’s drug testing policy, several of the Matawa communities have been providing back-to-the-land programs for community mem-bers.
“They take kids out and have Elders and even parents come out there and meet as a family unit,” Achneepineskum said.
Prescription drug abuse pre-vention programs are also being implemented in some of the communities to inform commu-nity members about the impacts of prescription drug abuse.
“The withdrawal is really very hard,” Achneepineskum said.
“It takes about three weeks for some people to completely withdraw from the drug and there is pain associated with that.”
Achneepineskum said the different measures to deal with prescription drug abuse are slowly making an impact.
“It’s really a struggle,” Ach-neepineskum. “I think it’s a matter of trying to work with these young people in the schools and have more preven-tion and education awareness programs.”
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The New Democratic Party critic for health is seeking support for her private mem-ber’s bill: An Act Respecting a National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
Introduced by Halifax MP Megan Leslie in November in the House of Commons, Bill C-593 directs the federal gov-ernment to establish a national suicide prevention strategy.
The plan would be carried out in consultation with the provincial, territorial and First Nations governments.
“Since introducing the bill, I have received calls and emails of support from individuals, organizations, and politicians across the country,” said Leslie.
“The enormous impact sui-cide has on families, friends and communities is clear from the stories I’ve been hearing.
“There are many people out there working to prevent sui-cide and we know from other countries that a coordinated national strategy would expand and strengthen their efforts.”
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the 10-24 age group and third in the 25-49 age group, with about 10 peo-ple committing suicide each day in Canada.
Each day, 10 people commit suicide in Canada.
More than 3,500 Canadians die each year from suicide.
The suicide rate for Aborigi-nal Canadians is four to six times higher than non-Aborigi-nal Canadians.
Other vulnerable groups include seniors.
Leslie’s campaign includes a letter, petition, postcard, an article by Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley and ways to participate through social media.
Information and requests for endorsements will be sent to health care organizations, gov-ernments, community groups and individuals throughout the country.
“I want to let people know there is a way to communicate with the federal government,” Leslie said.
“The need for suicide preven-tion efforts at a national level is a message that must be heard and acted upon.”
NAPS officers appointed as RCMP special constablesRick GarrickWawatay News
Twelve Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service officers have been appointed as special con-stables of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for a number of outlying islands in James Bay.
While the officers are not directly working for the RCMP, they will represent Canada’s national police force in investi-gations, when necessary.
The NAPS officers, eight officers and one sergeant from Attawapiskat and three relief officers from the northeast region, were appointed Jan. 27 in Attawapiskat by RCMP Superintendent Howard Eaton, with NAPS Insp. Roland Mor-
rison in attendance. Eaton and Morrison also reviewed a mem-orandum of understanding on the issue of policing the islands with Attawapiskat band coun-cil.
The appointment solidifies an arrangement for NAPS offi-cers to respond to investiga-tions on Akimiski Island, which is located about 19 kilometres from Attawapiskat First Nation in the Mushkegowuk Cree com-munity’s traditional territory but falls under the territorial jurisdiction of the RCMP.
The distinction was neces-sary to cover jurisdiction issues over the islands, which are not part of Ontario but in fact Nun-avut.
NAPS Sgt. Jackie George
explained the decision to have officers appointed to the RCMP was done to prevent delays in policing to the traditional lands of the Attawapiskat people. It was prompted by a sudden death investigation a few years ago.
That investigation was tangled by jurisdiction where NAPS was called, then its crime unit.
That unit would notify the OPP of an incident. And in the case of the island, the RCMP had to be called because it is their jurisdiction, George said.
“We don’t want the people of Attawapiskat to have to wait for a police response while using their traditional territory,” George said.
Jackie George/Special to Wawatay NewsTwelve Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service officers were appointed as supernumerary special constables of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Jan. 27 in Attawapiskat by RCMP Superintendent Howard Eaton, with NAPS Inspector Roland Morrison in attendance.
Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 15
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Water bill fails First NationsOntario Regional Chief
Angus Toulouse said he does not support Bill S-11, Safe Drinking Water Act for First Nations.
During his Feb. 8 presenta-tion to the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, Tou-louse expressed his displeasure with the bill.
“Our opposition to this bill is a clear indication that we will not accept legislation that dis-respects our constitutional and treaty rights and is unilaterally imposed on us,” Toulouse said.
Explaining water is of para-mount concern to First Nation
leaders, Toulouse said too many First Nation communities lack safe drinking water and proper infrastructure.
“These circumstances are not acceptable and this bill does not address the situation and is not the way forward,” he said.
“First Nations are entitled to enjoy safe drinking water from the sacred water sources entrusted to us and to our care and stewardship by the Creator.
“This right cannot be sepa-rated from our right to manage and apply our laws and values to water management.”
Toulouse would like to
see the 2006 recommenda-tions made by Expert Panel on Safe Drinking Water for First Nations fully explored.
The panel, which included Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Stan Louttit, proposed options for regulating drinking water for First Nations.
The panel analyzed the advantages and challenges of each option and presented a report to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
These included the options of having new water legislation created at both the provincial and federal levels. –JT
Understanding treaties essential: BeardyStudents, youth and the
general public will have an opportunity to discuss Treaty No. 5 and Treaty No. 9 during a treaty symposium Feb. 23-24 at Lakehead University.
Hosted by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation/Canada Treaty Discussion Forum in partner-ship with Lakehead University’s
Aboriginal Initiatives unit, the treaty symposium will feature First Nations, Elders and lead-ing academics. Presentations will be delivered on the treaty relationship between NAN and the British Crown as repre-sented by Canada and Ontario.
“The treaties that make up NAN territory (Treaty No. 9
and Treaty No. 5) are inter-national covenants and form integral parts of the history of Ontario and Canada,” said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. “It is essential for the good of all Canadians to have an accurate understanding of what these treaties mean and how they are relevant today.” –RG
16 Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
AFN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/BAND MANAGER
SUMMARY OF POSITION:Under the supervision, and direction of the Chief and Council of the Attawapiskat First Nation, the Executive Director/Band Manager is the senior administrative offi cial of the Attawapiskat First Nation. The incumbent will have the post-secondary education in business or commerce, or equivalent experience in the senior administrative position; a good working knowledge pertaining to administration, programs, regulations and procedures including fi nancial accounting principle; skills and abilities in dealing with native political organizations/governments and will be responsible for:
Administer First Nation Administration Programs Supervise of staff and programs to ensure daily operation of all First Nation programs and services Managing all band operated programs, including fi nancial, capital and other programs To develop proposals for funding, and facilitate in developing a strategic plan relating to capital, economic and other relating to First Nation Oversee all aspects of tenders, and contracts issued by the First Nation to ensure compliance with First Nation policies, procedures and specifi cations Working with and provide background information to the Chief and Council to ensure informed sound decisions Ensure that all contracts/funding arrangements entered into on behalf of the First Nation are achieved
COMPENSATION: Will be determined upon qualifi cations and experience
DURATION: Permanent
LOCATION: Attawapiskat, Ontario
DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2011 AT 4:00 P.M.
HOW TO APPLY:Please submit a resume with three (3) references to:
Margaret Okimaw-LaValley, Director, Human ResourcesAttawapiskat First NationP. O. Box 248Attawapiskat, Ontario P0L 1A0
AFN FINANCE DIRECTORSUMMARY OF POSITION:Under the direction of the AFN Band Manager, the Finance Director will possess CA, RIA or CGA preferred; excellent understanding and work experience in all modules of the Saga ACC Pac ERP accounting programs; knowledgeable in the daily fi nancial and accounting functions, implementation and maintenance of effective and effi cient fi nancial and material management control systems including ensuring effective administration of contracts and funding agreements. The incumbent will be responsible for:
Provides assistance and ensuring preparation of all data pertaining to annual fi nancial audit Responsible for the implementation and adherence of accounting procedures of the AFN Band Council; assists in the development and revision of applicable policies for recommendation to the Executive/Finance Committee. Act as administrator with AFN’s existing network Ability to communicate in the Cree language would be an asset.
COMPENSATION: Will be determined upon qualifi cations and experience
DURATION: Permanent
LOCATION: Attawapiskat, Ontario
DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2011 AT 4:00 P.M.
HOW TO APPLY:Please submit a resume with three (3) references to:
Margaret Okimaw-LaValleyHuman Resources DirectorAttawapiskat First NationP. O. Box 248Attawapiskat, Ontario P0L 1A0
Envelope marked “FINANCE DIRECTOR”
*Job Description is available upon request*
FIVE NATIONS ENERGY INC.Job Posting - Chief Executive Offi cer (CEO)
Five Nations Energy Inc. (FNEI) is seeking to hire a CEO, which will be located in Timmins.The CEO must relocate to Timmins if hired or when hired. The CEO will be responsible for the overall supervision, management and control, of the business and affairs of FNEI under the general direction of the Board of Directors. The CEO will be accountable for all on the “day to day” decisions regarding the Corporation’s fi nancial, human resources, regulatory, resourcing, safety and environmental, obligations.
The CEO will also be responsible for the establishment and achievement of current and longterm objectives of the FNEI organization including developing and implementing the strategic goals and objectives of the organization. With the President, will enable the Board to fulfi ll its governance function, and to provide direction and leadership toward the achievement of the organization’s philosophy, mission, strategy, and its annual goals and objectives. The CEO will oversee company operations to ensure internal effi ciencies, outstanding quality of service to FNEI’s customers, and cost-effective management of resources.
QUALIFICATIONS• The candidate must have grade 12/Post- Secondary education in Business Administration
OR a minimum of 10 years of supervisory/managerial in progressively more responsible positions including a demonstrated ability to achieve goals and objectives and manage key customer/constituent relationships.
• A clear demonstrated understanding of Ontario’s electricity sector including knowledge of the issues facing electricity transmission companies in Ontario.
• Knowledge of the economic, social and political environment of the Western James Bay Region and/or experience with First Nations and/or knowledge of remote community realities.
• Knowledge of fi nancial management, business fi nance, contracts and partnership, including a history of for organization profi t and loss.
• Knowledge of public relations principle and practices, communication and public relation techniques, human resources principles, personnel policies & risk management.
• The candidate must have profi cient verbal and written English Communication skills.• Fluency in Cree language is an asset.• The candidate must be familiar with the Northern Communities and Cultural and lifestyle of
Native People.• He/she must be willing to work and maintain positive working relationship with the leaders
and people of the communities.
If you are interested in this position, further information on FNEI can be found at www.fi venations.ca or by contacting FNEI’s offi ce at (705) 268-0056.
Closing Date: April 15, 2011 at 4:30 pm Eastern Time.
Please forward your application/resume with a current CPIC, and you must submit at least three references to the attention of Mr. James A Wesley, Vice-President, Five Nations Energy Inc.
You may send your application by any of the following modes:
By Mail: Five Nation Energy Inc., 70-C Mountjoy St. North., Suite 421, Timmins, Ontario P4N 4V7By Fax: (705) 268 0071By E-Mail: adminassistant@fi venations.ca
For SaleTHE CEDAR CANOE; what
happened to Ryan? By Kathy Tetlock. $20.00 Each. A mother searches for answers to her son’s death by suicide/cocaine overdose in Red Lake, Ontario. Order by sending an email to [email protected] or on facebook._
USED VEHICLES: 2004 Skidoo 800 rev, reverse, cover $5,250. 1997 440z Arctic Cat, cover, $2,995. 1991 Chev half ton 2 x 4, $2,995. 2005 Ford Focus 5 door Hatchback, winter tires, traction control $9,995. Contact 807-223-5858
Fur Trading
ATTENTION TRAPPERS there is a new drop of depot for Fur Harvesters Auction in Sioux Lookout. It is at Victor Ciurko residence 22-7th Ave Sioux Lookout tele. # 737-7504,please leave message. The next pick up will be Monday April 2, 2011. Fur may be dropped off ahead of time and advances are available. You may wish to send/bring your fur to town at the time of the upcoming native hockey tournament.
Pets
FREE TO GOOD HOMETeacup Yorkie puppies. Current shots up to date. Both playfull with kids and other animals contact: [email protected] for info
From page 1
During the conference, Cree lawyer and treaty expert Sha-ron Venne spoke about oral and written treaties and how the United Nations and interna-tional law recognize them.
“These treaties are recog-nized internationally and need to be implemented,” she said.
Kashechewan Chief Johna-thon Solomon wants to see movement on this issue.
“We are tired of talking; it is time to take action on our treaty rights now,” he said.
Louttit said there is progress.“We have many challenges
before us,” he said. “But with the unity I have felt during the last three days and with the commitment of the conference delegates, especially the youth, I feel very strongly that we can make a difference in moving the treaty agenda forward. There will be challenges, yes, but we can make a difference.”
ᐊᐣᑕ ᐅᒋ ᐸᐢᑫᑭᓂᑲᐣ 1
‘Youth will help move agenda’
ᐅᐢᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᐃᐧᑭᐢᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑯᓯᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᓱᑕᒪᑫᐧᐃ ᓇᐢᑯᒥᑎᐃᐧᐣ
Listen Live!Listen Live!89.9FM Sioux Lookout89.9FM Sioux LookoutBell TV Channel 962Bell TV Channel 962
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action to your home.action to your home.
Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Center in Sioux Lookout, Ontario is seeking an
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORThe Executive Director is the senior employee and chief administrative offi cer of the Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Center (KERC). The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of its staff and programs. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors.
RESPONSIBILITIESThe Key responsibilities include managing the programs and staff of KERC, ensuring proper planning for the programs and services provided by KERC, implementing the policies of KERC and decisions of the Board, maintaining proper communication with the staff, Board and other key partners and managing the resources of KERC.
QUALIFICATIONS • The position requires an experienced manager with an expert knowledge of First Nation education systems. • Administration experience is required including planning of programs and services, coordination of implementation activities, and supervision of staff. • Experience in preparing reports and making presentations. • An understanding of planning, monitoring and evaluation practices and processes. • Knowledge of First Nations education needs and systems • Strong planning, organizational and coordination skills and ability to manage complex projects. • A demonstrated ability to work with First Nations and culturally sensitive to First Nation issues and the district it serves. • Self-motivated, organized, able to lead a team of professional staff. • Excellent interpersonal, communications and computer skills. • Bachelor of Arts degree preferred • Fluency in Ojibway, Oji-Cree or Cree is a defi nite asset
SALARYTo commensurate with education & experience. KERC offers a comprehensive group insurance & pension plan.
To apply: Please submit a resume, three most recent employment references with written permission to contact, and a covering letter via email to:
Eugene Southwind, Finance & Human Resources Offi cerKwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre
A detailed job description may be obtained by calling Eugene Southwind at (807) 737-7373 ext 19.
An up to date Criminal Reference and Child Abuse Registry check required at time of hiring.
*KERC thanks all those who apply, only those selected for an interview will be contacted*
The Northwest CatholicDistrict School Board
Native Language Teaching PositionA qualified part-time (.81 FTE) Native Language teacher is required for the Primary and Junior divisions: Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 at Sacred Heart School in Sioux Lookout, Ontario commencing as soon as possible and terminating on June 24, 2011, with the possibility of an extension.
Requirements: Current proof of registration and Certifi cate of Qualifi cation from the Ontario College of Teachers and Native Language Qualifi cations or a willingness to acquire same. Professional references and a Criminal Background check must be provided.A demonstrated faith life and a strong commitment to Catholic education is an asset.
Application Procedures: Candidates must complete the Board’s employment application package. This may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Dept. at 807-274-2931, ext. 1221, Toll Free 888-311-2931, ext. 1221 or email [email protected] . Interested applicants are encouraged to visit our web site at www.tncdsb.on.ca for further information on our Board and schools. Completed applications must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 to:
Margot Saari, Principal Sacred Heart School P.O. Box 1059 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B7 Phone: 807-737-1121 Fax: 807-737-4146
“Equal Opportunity Employer”
Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Bookkeeper / Administrative Assistant Nitawin Community Development Corporationis accepting applications for the position ofBookkeeper / Administrative Assistant This position is in Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Nitawin Community Development Corporation is a not-for-profi t social housing agency that has been providing rent geared to income housing for aboriginal families and elders since 1986.
Position SummaryThe Bookkeeper /Administrative Assistant will ensure the effi cient day-to-day operations of the Nitawin Community Development Corporation offi ce, and support the work of Management, Maintenance and the Board of Directors.
Requirements• Graduation from a post secondary institution (University
or College) in Business Administration, Accounting or Bookkeeping with minimum of 3 years related experience is preferred. Grade 12 education with equivalent combination of work and experience may be considered.
• Must have proven skills in areas of Financial and Offi ce Management.
• Must be Bondable• Must live within commuting distance of Sioux Lookout• The ability to maintain confi dentiality is essential
Responsibilities• Maintains all fi nancial records using Simply Accounting
software.• Prepare statistical, fi nancial and accounting reports as
required• Assist in the co-ordination of administrative procedures
such as budget submissions and contract administration • Data input and maintenance of the Tenant and Housing
Unit database• Provide administrative, reception and clerical duties such
as greeting visitors, answering phones, sort incoming mail, typing, fi ling, faxing and photocopying, etc.
• Prepare meeting agendas and record meeting minutes• Other duties as assigned by the Housing Manager
Please send a resume with 3 employment references in confi dence by email to: [email protected] , Attn: Manager
Closing Date: Friday February 18, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 17
Town of Sioux LookoutNon-Profi t Housing Corporation
Candidate for Board of DirectorsThe Town of Sioux Lookout Non-Profi t Housing Corporation provides both market value rental and low cost rental housing in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout.
The Housing Corporation is dedicated to the provision of safe, affordable, quality housing to people of all ages.The corporation has 44 housing units dedicated to senior citizens, 8 units dedicated to low-income singles, and the remaining 102 units provided for family housing.
We are seeking volunteers who would like to submit their names for consideration for appointment to the Board of Directors.The Town of Sioux Lookout Non-Profi t Housing Corporation is a not-for-profi t corporation.
The board manages and governs the affairs of the corporation including:
• Pass By-laws• Monitor use of funds and assets• Ensure compliance with legislation, regulation an directives
• Ensure the Housing Corporation is managed in an effi cient and effective manner
• Establishing goals and objectives for the Housing Corporation consistent with it’s mandate and responsibilities
For further information please call 737-1043.
If you would like to be considered for an appointment to the Town of Sioux Lookout Non-Profi t Housing Corporation Board of Directors, please submit a letter of interest by March 8, 2011 to:
Town of Sioux LookoutNon-Profi t Housing CorporationP.O. Box 1805Sioux Lookout, Ontario, P8T 1C5Attention: Board of Directors
Sorting out the issues
Rick Garrick/Wawatay NewsJean Crowder, New Democratic Party Aboriginal affairs critic and Nanaimo-Cowichan MP, spoke about a number of concerns brought up by First Nations representatives at a Feb. 12 meeting at Lakehead University. Those concerns include safe water, Sisters in Spirit campaign, issues affecting First Nation’s women, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada spending, implementation of Jordan’s Principle in cases of child welfare and the post-secondary student support program for First Nation’s students.
18 Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
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Tomahawks overwhelm Hawks
Joy Fox/Wawatay NewsLac Seul Tomahawks beat the Pikangikum Hawks 10-0 in the Bantam-A division at the Little Bands Native Youth Hockey Tournament in Sioux Lookout Feb. 14.
SPORTS
Sabrina Angeconeb placed fourth in her age group at the army cadets provincial biath-lon championship Feb. 4-6 at Falcon Lake on the Manitoba/Ontario border.
She was also eighth out of 18 female skiers.
“I was pretty happy. I just missed a medal,” Angeconeb, a Bearskin Lake band member and Thunder Bay resident, said.
Despite training since Sep-tember, when race time came, it was a challenge, she said.
“We never really trained on icy, hard trails,” she said. “It was much harder to ski than I thought it would be.”
Biathlon combines cross-country skiing and shooting, altnernating between both for the race.
At the qualifying race in November, the biathlete ran and shot because there was no snow.
“It was a pretty awesome experience to get to have a real race,” she said, admitting she battled a small bit of per-formance anxiety when she arrived in Falcon Lake.
“When we got there, I didn’t really want to ski. I looked around at everyone else and they seemed so big and strong and scary.”
But she overcame her fears.And now she is looking forward to resuming her training in Sep-tember for next year. - JT
Angeconeb places fourth
Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 19
NOTICE OF COMPLETION
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) STUDY
GOLDCORP RED LAKE GOLD MINE 115 KV POWER SUPPLY TRANSMISSION LINE
HARRY’S CORNER TO BALMER COMPLEX
Goldcorp Inc. (Goldcorp) has completed a draft Environmental Study Report for the construction of a new 115 kV electric power transmission line (10.7 km in length – see key map). The design uses H-frame poles. The proposed Project includes two other components: line tap/ disconnect switch at Harry's Corner and 115/44 kV transformer sub-station/control building at Goldcorp’s Balmer complex. Clearing for construction is planned to be initiated late winter 2011. Following construction/commissioning, Goldcorp will transfer ownership of the line to Hydro One Networks Inc. (HONI) to maintain and operate. Goldcorp owns and operates Red Lake Gold Mines. Current operational power demand on the existing 43 megavolt ampere (MVA) supply system is reaching capacity, causing fluctuations and outages. Capacity will likely be exceeded at end of 2011/early 2012. Goldcorp plans to improve efficiency/safety, and access other ore. The line will provide for required capacity for the improvements. The study followed the “Class Environmental Assessment for Minor Transmission Facilities” (Hydro One, 1992), as approved under Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act (URL:http://www.hydroone.com/Projects/Documents/class_ea.pdf). In accordance with the Class EA, a draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) has been completed and is being made available for public review and comment for a 30-day review period (Wednesday, February 9, 2011 to Thursday, March 10, 2011). This draft ESR is available at the following locations:
Municipality of Red Lake Tel.: (807) 735-2096 Fax: (807) 735-2286
2 Fifth Street, Balmertown, ON
Ministry of the Environment, Northern Region TechnicaJames Street, Suite 331 Thunder Bay, ON
Tel: (807) 475-1205 Toll Free: 1-800-875-7772
Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre (IFC) 807-727-2847
#1 Legion Road, Red Lake, ON, P0V 2M0
Red Lake Public Library 117 Howey St., Red Lake, ON P0V 2M0
Tel/Fax: (807)727-2230 If, following a review of the ESR, a party has outstanding concerns about the Project, these should be raised with Goldcorp (see contact below). If Goldcorp cannot satisfy expressed opposition to the project, then a written objection and “bump-up” (elevate) request could be forwarded to the Director of the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch, Ministry of the Environment (MOE) (see contact below) for decision as to whether the project should proceed as a Class EA or require an individual EA. A copy of the request must also be sent to Goldcorp. Written requests must be received by the Director no later than Thursday, March 10, 2011. Mr. David Gelderland Goldcorp-Red Lake Gold Mines Environment Manager
Director Environmental Assessment & Approvals Branch Ministry of the Environment 2 St. Clair Ave W, Floor 12A Toronto, ON M4V 1L5 Toll Free: 800-461-6290 Fax: 416-314-8452
Information will be collected and used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, solely for the purposes of assisting Goldcorp in meeting the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. This material will be maintained on file for use during the study and may be included in project documentation. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the Public Record.
James Thom/Wawatay NewsJaxon Calder, a Couchiching band member, won his first bout at the Hammarskjold High School Valentines Wrestling Tournament Feb. 9. He defeated fellow Hammaskjold wrestler Daniel Hobley-Hay in the 83-kilogram weight class.
James Thom/Wawatay NewsWeagamow Lake’s Jonathan Crane competes in the72 kilo-gram weight class at the Ham-marskjold High School Valen-tines Wrestling Tournament Feb. 9. Crane represented Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School at the tournament. Results from the tournament weren’t avail-able as of press time.
Valentine wrestling
20 Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
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Seven Sacred Teachings a successRick GarrickWawatay News
Shannen Koostachin’s battle for a better school for her community was highlighted during a leadership work-shop at this year’s Seven Sacred Teach-ings conference.
“She started the largest child right’s movement in the country of Canada,” said Joyce Hunter, director of SEVEN Youth Media Network and one of the Director’s of Change leadership work-shop presenters. “She was nominated for the Nobel Peace prize for taking an idea and making it a reality.”
Sachigo Lake’s Pelican Munroe enjoyed learning more about leader-ship during the Director’s of Change workshop, which was also presented by Jessica Edwards.
“The workshop was about ideas and things for our communities, things we can take back and use,” said the first-time participant at the annual confer-ence. “The weekend was pretty inter-esting – I learned a lot from the sacred teachings and the workshops.”
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit said the annual conference provides youth from across NAN territory with an opportunity to discuss the issues affecting their lives.
“They come here and they realize they are not alone – it’s the same issues in all the communities,” Louttit said. “So it’s having a unifying effect with the result ... they are now involved in actually organizing the conference, they’re involved in setting up work-shops and facilitating.”
More than 100 youth aged 12-29 from all across NAN territory attended the Seven Sacred Teachings confer-ence, which was held Feb. 12-14 at the Best Western Nor’Wester Hotel and Conference Centre with an opening prayer by NAN Elder Bob Sutherland and opening comments from Grand Chief Stan Beardy, Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose, Louttit and Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs.
“It was really good,” said Jason Smallboy, NAN’s Oski-Machiitawin assistant and a conference organizers. “Everybody enjoyed themselves.”
see UNIVERSAL page B3
Rick Garrick/Wawatay NewsMarissa Meekis and Leanne Meekis, two youth from Deer Lake, and Photo Voice presenter Alice Sabourin, back, put the finishing touches on the Photo Voice murals during this year’s Seven Sacred Teachings conference Feb. 12-14 in Thunder Bay.
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Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ B 3
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“Sharing the History -What is the Future?”
Lakehead University - University Centre, Room 2011 Thunder Bay, OntarioFebruary 23-24, 2011
Treaty No. 5 and Treaty No. 9 SymposiumNISHNAWBE ASKI NATION/CANADA TREATY DISCUSSION FORUM
JOINT PARTNERSHIP WITH ABORIGINAL INITIATIVES, LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY
For more information on this event please contact Lawrence P. Jeffries: [email protected] or (807) 708-1068
Vendors Welcome
from B1
In addition to the regu-lar conference activities and workshops, the youth also attended a Feb. 12 concert featuring Shy-Anne Hovorka, Joey Stylez, Feenix and five Aboriginal Youth Tour 2010 winners, a Feb. 13 night out at the Famous Players Silver City movie theatre and a night lodge ceremony.
Conference workshops included Directors of Change, Photo Voice by Alice Sabourin, Respecting Each Other by Esther McKay, Seven Grandfa-ther Teachings by Ronnie Bea-ver, Oral History/Teachings/Culture in Motion by Suther-land, Women Empowerment by Donna Orr, Healthy Lifestyles by Phyllis Shaugabay, Sweat Lodge Teachings by Conrad Iahtail, Drumming and Singing by Shaugabay, Climate Change and the Boreal North by Denise Golden, Tobacco Teachings by Laura Calmwind and VSP Tool by Carleton University.
Keynote speakers were Dan-iel Sakchekapo and Jessica Yee
and special presentations were held on Motion 571 – Shan-nen’s Dream, Treaty Discussion Forum, NAN Universal Vote and History of Residential Schools.
“I learned a lot about the hand drum teachings and the sweat lodge and finding a bal-ance is important,” said Paige Mawakeesic, a youth from Wawakapewin who has been to almost every Seven Sacred Teachings conference. “There’s always new people – it changes every year. It’s always interest-ing, especially to get the chance to do these ceremonies.”
Kyle Chapias, a youth from Ginoogaming, enjoyed the sweat lodge teachings.
“I was supposed to go to it today but I was in Drumming and Singing teachings,” Chapias said.
“I usually drum at the pow-wow and I usually dance, but I don’t know how to sing though. I want to learn how.”
Marissa Meekis, a first-time youth from Deer Lake, enjoyed the Photo Voice workshop.
“We added a lot of pictures on the (mural),” Meekis said.
James Thom/Wawatay NewsAnishnawbe Mushkiki held a family fun day at Fort William His-torical Park Feb. 12 in Thunder Bay. See more photos on B7.
B 4 Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
Be ready for NEXT year’sWinter Road...
Wawatay TV will be webstreaming the Little Bands Hockey Tournament on
wawataytv.caOur broadcast schedule will be available on our website.
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Rick GarrickWawatay News
Tobacco teachings were pre-sented Feb. 13 by Laura Calm-wind and Phyllis Shaugabay during this year’s Seven Sacred Teachings conference.
“Commercial tobacco has a lot of chemicals – it’s not really good for you when you smoke it,” said Calmwind, youth coordinator with the Chiefs of Ontario.
Calmwind showed the youth a bag of traditional tobacco, noting the differences between the commercial tobacco now sold in stores and the tradi-tional tobacco once grown by First Nations people.
“This is the tobacco the Haudenosaunee grow,” Calm-wind said. “The man who grows this tobacco has the original seeds that have been passed down through the gen-erations.”
Calmwind said the man grows the tobacco the way it is supposed to be grown, by the seasons.
“This is pure tobacco,” Calm-wind said.
More than 100 youth aged 12-29 from all across NAN terri-tory attended the Seven Sacred Teachings conference, which was held Feb. 12-14 at the Best Western Nor’Wester Hotel and Conference Centre near Thun-der Bay.
Calmwind also described the Three Nations Youth Tobacco Protocol Project that was com-pleted over the past year focus-ing on how the youth feel about tobacco.
“The way we use tobacco
now was not the way we used tobacco back in the olden days,” Calmwind said.
Calmwind stressed the proj-ect is aimed at educating people about what tobacco was used for, how it could make people strong when used properly and sick when used improperly.
Calmwind and Shaugabay then showed the youth how to make a form of tobacco by scraping the bark off three dif-ferent types of willow trees.
Traditional tobacco is used in ceremonial pipes, as an offering or as a gift.
It should not be used for smoking or dipping, accord-ing to the Three Nations Youth Draft Tobacco Protocol.
After learning how to scrape the bark off the willow branches, Weagamow Lake’s Brent Patawanick is thinking about making more tobacco once he gets back to his com-munity.
“These things are interest-ing,” Patawanick said. “I’d like to make my own now that I know how.”
Lakesha Meekis, a youth from Sioux Lookout, also enjoyed learning how to make tobacco from the different types of willow bark.
“I learned about the different kinds of tobacco and what it can do for you,” said. “I’m going to ask my grandfather about it.”
Poplar Hill’s Travis Moose found the Tobacco Teachings to be “very interesting,” noting he had attended the Tobacco Free conference the previous week in Thunder Bay.
“I’m trying to quit (smoking) too,” Moose said.
Youth learn how to grow traditional tobacco
Rick Garrick/Wawatay NewsTwo youth scrape bark from black willow branches during the Tobacco Teachings workshop, presented Feb. 13 by Chiefs of Ontario’s Laura Calmwind during this year’s Seven Sacred Teachings conference, held Feb. 12-14 in Thunder Bay.
Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ B 5
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Rick Garrick/Wawatay NewsABOVE: Two youth scrape bark off some red willow branches during the Tobacco Teachings workshop during this year’s Seven Sacred Teachings confer-ence Feb. 12-14 in Thunder Bay.
RIGHT: A group of youth work on one of the murals in the Photo Voice workshop.
LEFT: Keynote Daniel Sakchek-apo talks about the abuses he suffered while growing up and how it affected his life.
Scenes from Seven Sacred Teachings conference
B 6 Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
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Lac Seul gets Ranger patrolPeter MoonSpecial to Wawatay News
A graduation parade Feb. 4 marking the opening of northern Ontario’s newest Cana-dian Ranger patrol was “a very proud day for us,” said Chief Clifford Bull of Lac Seul First Nation.
“I think it’s awesome that we now have this patrol here in our community,” he said. “It’s something that we’ve always wanted and feel we have needed. It is a tremendous day for us.
“These Canadian Rangers will be setting an example and acting as role models for our young people, who will be looking up to them. It’s exciting to hear that we can look forward to getting the Junior Canadian Ranger pro-gram established in our community, too.”
The Lac Seul patrol brings the number of communities with Ranger patrols in northern Ontario to 19 and the total number of Cana-dian Rangers in the province to 550.
“The graduation parade was great,” said Major Guy Ingram, commanding officer of the Canadian Rangers in northern Ontario. “Everyone seemed to have a family member here or a friend and there was great support from the community. It was good to see them taking pictures and getting involved.”
Brig.-Gen. Fred Lewis, the reviewing offi-cer and commander of the army in Ontario, told the graduates they would be a valuable addition to the Canadian Forces resources in Ontario’s Far North. He presented Sgt. Brad Ross, the new patrol leader, with his sergeant’s stripes.
“It feels great being the new patrol ser-geant,” Ross said. “I was very honoured and excited at the same time.”
He is a Lac Seul band councillor and auxil-iary police officer. He was formerly a Canadian Ranger with the nearby Muskrat Dam patrol.
Sgt. Peter Moon is the public affairs ranger for 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group at Canadian Forces Base Borden. See www.canadianrang-ers.ca.
Peter Moon, Canadian Rangers/Special to Wawatay News
ABOVE: New Canadian Rangers in Lac Seul salute during their graduation parade.
LEFT: Brig.-Gen. Fred Lewis speaks with newly promoted Sgt. Brad Ross at the graduation parade Feb. 4.
Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ B 7
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James Thom/Wawatay NewsAnishnawbe Mushkiki held a family fun day at Fort William Historical Park Feb. 12 in Thun-der Bay. Youth and parents par-ticipated in traditional activities including stick ball, double ball, dog sledding, sliding, drumming and other activities. Dozens of families participated in the day’s activities.
Winter fun in the sun
B 8 Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
WAWATAY Radio Network 89.9 FM Sioux Lookout, Ontario
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The Northern First Nations Hockey Tournament is once again happening from March 16th to the 20th, 2010 in Sioux Lookout. Wawatay Radio Network will, once again, be broadcasting live play-by-play coverage of this Big Event. Only because of your generous sponsorships are we able to broadcast the Tournament. Please support your favorite team or teams from your area.
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Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ B 9
Supporting Students:Serving CommunitiesCanada Summer Jobs is a Government of Canada initiative. It provides funding for not-for-pro t organizations, public-sector employers, and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create summer work experiences for students between the ages of 15 and 30.
If you are an eligible employer, we invite you to submit your application from February 1 to 28, 2011.
Effective February 1, the application form and the application guide will be available on our Web site, or at any Service Canada Centre.
Applications can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at any Service Canada Centre.
Important Notice to Employers
For more information:
Click servicecanada.ca/csj2011Call 1-800-935-5555 (TTY: 1-800-926-9105)Visit a Service Canada Centre
À l’écoute des étudiants,au service des collectivitésEmplois d’été Canada, une initiative du gouvernement du Canada, accorde du nancement pour aider les organismes sans but lucratif, les employeurs du secteur public et les petites entreprises comptant 50 employés ou moins à créer des emplois d’été pour les étudiants de 15 à 30 ans.
Si vous êtes un employeur et que vous répondez aux critères d’admissibilité, présentez votre demande du 1er au 28 février 2011.
Dès le 1er février, le formulaire de demande et le Guide du demandeur seront disponibles sur notre site Web ou dans l’un des Centres Service Canada.
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Cliquez servicecanada.ca/eec2011Composez le 1-800-935-5555 (ATS : 1-800-926-9105)Visitez un Centre Service Canada
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B 10 Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
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The imagineNATIVE North-ern Ontario Film and Video Tour launches Feb. 28 and runs to April 9.
The tour will kick off in Temagami and will visit 11 northern and First Nation com-munities throughout the prov-ince.
During March and April the tour will present NDN 4 L!F3, a collection of short films made for or by Indigenous youth. It premiered at the 2010 imagin-eNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival.
The tour will also screen A Windigo Tale, the award-winning feature film starring Gary Farmer, Jani Lauzon and Andrea Menard. The drama film is a story centred on inter-generational trauma and heal-ing.
The tour also includes video-making workshops for youth led by artist and filmmaker Kee-sic Douglas.
Select youth in Parry Sound, Thunder Bay, Timmins and Fort Albany will learn how to cre-ate and edit short videos using readily available technology such as cell phones and web-cams.
The short videos will then be featured on imagineNATIVE’s website and open to public voting, sending the winner to Toronto for the imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival in October.
The tour will stop in Thunder Bay March 25 at the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Cen-tre and in Timmins April 1 at Timmins High and Vocational School. Both films will be screened in each location.
A Windigo Tale will play in Moose Factory at John R. Del-aney Youth Centre April 3.
NDN 4 L!F3 will be shown in Moosonee at Northern Lights Secondary School April 4 and in Moose Factory at Delores D. Echum School April 5.
Peetabeck Academy will host both films April 8 in Fort Albany.
The imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival is an international festival held in Toronto once a year. It cele-brates the latest works by Indig-enous peoples in film, video, radio and new media.
Rick Garrick/Wawatay NewsABOVE: Four children joined in to help Shy-Anne Hovorka sing one of her songs at the Spirit of Winter gathering Feb. 11 at the former Forest Park school. The gathering was organized by the Community Coalition Unified for the Protection of Children and Youth and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Thunder Bay.
LEFT: Thunder Bay hip hop artist Shibastik, pictured, and Feenix also performed during the gath-ering.
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NEWS IN BRIEFFort William to get solar park
Fort William First Nation has signed an agreement with Sky-Power Limited, Canada’s lead-ing developer of solar energy, for development of a 10-mega-watt solar park on its lands.
The solar park will include 45,000 solar panels spread over about 100 acres of land. Con-struction will be completed by the summer.
Once the solar park is fully operational, it will produce enough clean energy over 20 years to supply 17,000 average homes with energy for one year.
“This is a testament to how collaborative economic innova-tion is being achieved through working together in mutual respect,” said Fort William
Chief Peter Collins. “We look forward to many
more renewable energy oppor-tunities such as this one.”
The carbon dioxide offset is estimated at 130,000 tonnes over the initial 20 years of the project.
“Our energy plan is creating jobs for Ontario families and is turning Ontario into a global clean energy powerhouse,” said Energy Minister Brad Duguid.
“It is important partner-ships like this one with First Nations communities that will help ensure a clean, strong and reliable energy system for the future of our children and grandchildren.”
SkyPower president and CEO
Kerry Adler said his company is creating high quality, good paying jobs and providing local investment that will strengthen the local economy.
The project has the potential to create 100 local jobs.
“Since the founding of Sky-Power we have always sought unique opportunities for col-laboration and partnership with First Nation communities,” Adler said.
“This successful partnership demonstrates our commitment to strategic partnerships in renewable energy and we con-tinue to explore similar oppor-tunities to ensure a brighter future for future generations.” –RG
Kanawayhitowin launching in Fort Frances“Stop the abuse, we all have
a responsibility to end woman abuse, enough is enough.”
Those are the beginning words on a Kanawayhitowin: Taking Care of Each Others Spirit video calling for an end to violence against Aboriginal women.
The video is available at www.kanawayhitowin.ca.
The Kanawayhitowin pro-gram, which has already been launched by the Ontario Fed-eration of Indian Friendship Centers in Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, is scheduled to launch Feb. 10 in the Fort Fran-ces area.
Developed by the OFIFC to address the issue of violence against Aboriginal women, the program reflects a traditional and cultural approach to com-munity healing and wellness.
“The Kanawayhitowin logo reminds us of the sacredness of women according to the teach-ings of our 13 grandmother moons and as caretakers of the Earth we have a responsibil-ity to take care of each others spirit,” said Pauline Shirt.
Shirt is an Elder on the panel that guided the development of the program.
The program is designed to help address the issue by raising
awareness of the high risks and warning signs of violence and the resources available to com-bat violence against Aboriginal women.
The OFIFC is stressing the Kanawayhitowin message to end the isolation abused women feel; promote a variety of educational and awareness raising activities and materi-als; provide information about warning signs and safety plan-ning; emphasize the empow-erment of Aboriginal men to take responsibility and make change; and provide guidelines on how to implement the pro-gram in local communities. –RG
Peawanuck airport goes greenThe airport building in
Peawanuck is going green.The Ministry of Transporta-
tion is expecting to start using solar and wind power at the site later this winter or early spring, said MTO spokesman Bob Nich-ols.
He said there is no firm date at this time.
“Peawanuck was chosen
for the solar and wind project because of its remoteness and its relatively high cost to pro-duce electricity,” Nichols said.
“The cost of electricity in Peawanuck is the highest of all the remote sites we operate, at a cost of $1.80 per kilowatt hour.
“A significant savings is expected. We expect that the Peawanuck solar and wind proj-
ect will pay for itself within six years.”
Nichols said Summer Beaver has been solar and wind-pow-ered for two years.
Terminal buildings in both Kitchenuhmaykoosib and Nes-kantaga have solar systems.
“We’ll be looking for oppor-tunities at other sites in the future,” Nichols said. –JT
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B 12 Wawatay News FEBRUARY 17, 2011 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
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Wawatay Kids TVWednesday’s and Friday’s
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Joyce HunterSpecial to Wawatay News
How do we develop respect-ful and just relationships between First Nations and Can-ada?
It was the key question asked at a symposium hosted jointly by National Centre for First Nations Governance and academics at the University of Toronto.
Hundreds of people rep-resenting different interests, including business and indus-try, the government, First Nations leadership from across Canada, students, youth, fac-ulty and even the Supreme Court of Canada converged in Toronto Feb. 9 and 10 to be part of the discussion.
“The relationship between First Nations and settler nations has evolved over hundreds of years since the time of contact,” said Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse in his welcom-ing remarks.
Toulouse said that relation-ship started out on the basis of peace, friendship and co-oper-ation.
“It unfortunately changed to one of domination by Crown governments that included control of lands and resources and policies of assimilation that resulted in the impoverishment and disempowerment of Indig-enous nations across this coun-try.”
Toulouse also said that most Canadians are familiar with the policies of forced assimilation that were imposed on Canada’s First Nations.
He spoke of the Indian Act, the residential school system and of the failure of the Crown governments to honour and implement the treaties that were signed on a nation-to-nation basis.
“We will never forget our his-tory, but this does not mean we want to wallow in these histori-cal injustices,” he said. “We are working hard to identify the way forward – out of grind-
ing poverty to provide greater opportunities for our nations to succeed and prosper. I believe that when we become more involved in the economy of this province, this province and all Ontarians will benefit.”
Lt.-Gov. David Onley lauded representatives from the Ontario government, private sector, Aboriginal communi-ties and academics who came to reach out to one another in their bid to come to a respon-sive, community-specific approach to achieving reconcili-ation.
“Reconciliation is about creating something new with full recognition of the past,” he said. “It needs two sides to acknowledge something (inap-propriate) happened. Both par-ties need to address the situa-tion truthfully, understand its profound impacts, learn lessons and then rebuild.
“I commend you each for embarking on this journey. Let us encourage the present gener-ation by proceeding with cour-age on the path to true recon-ciliation.”
Toulouse said First Nations recognize joint work and dia-logue is required to repair the relationship with Crown gov-ernments and with all Canadi-ans.
“True, lasting reconcilia-tion will take time and must involve both parties – and can-not be dictated by one party – there must be a genuine effort to respect and listen,” he said. “First Nations have more access to government and are at the table with cabinet ministers and other decision-makers more often, but what happens is for the most part, still determined by government.”
Doug Carr, assistant deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs for the province of Ontario said it is actions that count and not words.
“If reconciliation is to be genuine, practitioners have to be inspiring as to what they are doing and to share that pas-sion with people in the broader society and to carry that idea that reconciliation is essential to everyone in Ontario if we are to flourish in a fair and healthy society,” he said.
Commitments were made by those who participated at the conclusion of the conference to continue to work together to develop concrete practices for realizing true reconciliation.
Symposium looks at healing First Nations, Canadian relations
“We will never forget our history, but this does not mean we want to wallow.”