2019 — 2020
SAGAMOK ANISHNAWBEK
ANNUAL REPORT
Sagamok community members signed a Declaration on November 3, 2018 committing themselves to working together in addressing the community's addictions issues. This Declaration was signed by Sagamok community members in a rally that kicked off the year’s annual National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Month (NAAAM) and was repeated in November 2019. The Declaration reads as follows: Creator, hear us. We are gathered here today to confirm the values that we live by to ensure the safety, health and security of our community. Today, we have come to understand that these values have been compromised threatening our children, families, community and our future. There has been an illegal infiltration of harmful drugs and substances that threaten the very core of our community, our people and especially our young people and children. We, as a community of concerned members who love and cherish our community and members will not allow this to continue. It must come to an end if we want to secure our future. We stand here today as a collective community and voluntarily take ownership of this dark problem. We commit ourselves as a collective but also as individual members to eradicate this huge and dangerous problem. We are here to state that we shall assist each other, our community workers, programs, Anishinabek Police Services, and leadership to help end this critical crisis. We stand together with our leadership and state that; anyone who is currently in the business of trafficking these harmful products to our community shall CEASE and DESIST immediately or endure the consequences.
On Behalf of the community of Sagamok Chief Nelson Toulouse November 3, 2018 1
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
S A G A M O K A N I S H N AW B E K 2019 — 2020 ANNUAL REPORT WELCOME GIMAA 2018-2020 DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Nelson Toulouse Tammy Manitowabi
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COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP Z’GAMOK ANISHNAWBEK CHIEF & COUNCIL 2018-2020
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Z’GAMOK ANISHNAWBEK KCHI-ANISHNAWBEK 2018-2020
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COMMUNITY COMMITTEES Z’GAMOK ANISHNAWBEK COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL 2018-2020
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DEPARTMENT REPORTS HUMAN RESOURCES & SHARED SERVICES
p. 9 - 13
GOVERNANCE
p. 14 - 18
COMMUNITY WELLNESS
p. 19 - 24
PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE
p. 25 - 29
LANDS RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
p. 30 - 33
EDUCATION
p. 34 - 47
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONSOIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 2020 p. 50 - 70
Table of Contents
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019 - 2020 Annual Report
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Welcome to Sagamok Anishnawbek’s 2019-2020 Annual Report Haanii and Welcome to the 2019/20 Annual Sagamok Community Report This year has been a historical year and shall go down in the annals of our history since 1918. That was the year when a world epidemic called the “Spanish Flu” attacked North America and our community. During that period, our population suffered great losses and many of our members died from that deadly disease. This past March 9th and 10th, we were gathered at the New Hall to talk and develop plans to deal with rampant spread of drugs and addictions. There were many recommendations from community members after 2 days. It was on the second day of our gathering that the World Health Organization announced COVID 19 as a world pandemic. That day changed the world and our world here in Sagamok. We took quick action and implemented our “Community Emergency Readiness Plan” which identified an “Emergency Operations Control Group” to co-ordinate measures in protecting our community. A controlled access point was established to control who entered our community. This was also one of the recommendations to control the trafficking of drugs into our community from our 2 day session on March 9th and 10th. I really commend everyone for stepping up to protect our community, especially our young people. We were successful in lobbying for development funds for a Sagamok specific drug treatment program. We also offered Richie Falls as the site for our Drug Treatment Center. This was a major selling point for National Health and Welfare. It is also timely for Richie Falls as the current and future climate in the tourist industry is pretty dismal. Gimaa Nelson Toulouse 2018—2020 3
Industrial Park Road as the site. This would also serve to assist the permanent location of an access point which would be adjacent to this site. This is the recommendation from our community forum of March 9th and 10th. I want to thank former chief Paul Eshkakogan for being our lead negotiator in our various initiatives including; Vale Implementation (Totten Mine), KGHMVictoria Mine, Domtar-Espanola, EacomNairn, TESC Contracting-Sudbury. He is also the lead for our Fort Lacloche claims. Our main road access to be completed with asphalt this July. Our interior main road will start work this summer. I don’t anticipate paving until next summer. Our road issues will be resolved and I do ask for your patience. I will be working with Paul Toulouse and his family to establish our new pow wow grounds in their historical family land. They graciously donated this land to commemorate Paul’s grandfather, the late James Wasashkung. He was a renown medicine man. We will also look at locating a Healing Lodge in this area. It would be the most appropriate location. We have utilized a couple of ways of getting your opinions on several issues. I hope you liked being involved in providing us good direction. Hopefully, we can continue this process. I want to thank and acknowledge Tammy Manitowabi and all of her staff for doing such great work for our community. I also want to thank Kitchi Anishnawbek for providing guidance. Che meegwetch, Chief Nelson Toulouse
The Attorney General is funding the creation of some new detachment buildings within the Anishinabek Policing Services. We have been selected as one of the successful communities. We identified a lot on
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Welcome
Welcome to Sagamok Anishnawbek’s 2019-2020 Annual Report Aanii, This year has been an excellent opportunity to share my learning in the area of public administration and governance as the Director of Operations for Sagamok Anishnawbek. It has also been a tremendous honour learning from and working with my colleagues on the senior management team and working alongside Chief Nelson Toulouse and Council. I was introduced as the Director of Operations in May 2019 and met with staff to share the plans moving forward. I began this tenure with the mindset that we have to lay the foundation for better governance to include the community. I shared my intention to complete a comprehensive review of all existing policies and procedures as part of my role in public administration and to restructure under the Clan system as part of my role in governance. This past year our Senior Management team was able to overcome some challenges by working together to address procedural concerns, to articulate roles and responsibilities and to uphold accountability and transparency in all of the policy sectors. This past year we celebrated many successes.
We were successful in working to finalize the Financial Administration Law.
We resurrected the Pathways to Wellness community healing and wellness training and held training sessions in November 2019 and in January 2020.
We came together as a community in March 2020 to engage in discussions on how we can best work together to combat the substance use disorder that is impacting our families.
Tammy Manitowabi Director of Operations
As we approached the end of the fiscal year 2019-20 the World Health Organization WHO declared the COVID 19 Pandemic. As a relationship based society, it was quite evident that we as Anishinabe people are confident in our ability to work together to protect our people. As we approach a new year, we look forward to setting additional priorities in Community Readiness, Emergency Response and Ratification of Sagamok Anishnawbek Laws and By-laws. We look forward to examining and addressing the Determinants of wellbeing through the transformation of programs and services to focus more on cultural and land based initiatives. One thing for certain, change is constant. Empowerment comes from within and with that comes transformation. It is with understanding this transformative change that we move from the current system of external mandates to a system that is critical and driven by the people. Che meegwetch, Tammy Manitowabi Director of Operations
Welcome
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019 - 2020 Annual Report
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Pictured (l-r) Edward Southwind, Angus Toulouse, Lawrence Solomon, Nelson Toulouse, Brenda Rivers, Anna Marie Abitong, Arnelda Bennett, Harvey Trudeau, Craig Toulouse, Sheldon Toulouse, Kenneth Toulouse Not pictured: Jessie Hardisty
Z’GAMOK ANISHNAWBEK MEMBERS OF COUNCIL 2018-2019 Angus Toulouse Sheldon Toulouse Lawrence Solomon Edward Southwind Brenda Rivers Anna Marie Abitong Arnelda Bennett Harvey Trudeau Jessie Hardisty Kenneth Toulouse Craig Toulouse 5
Z’gamok Anishnawbek’s current leadership is composed of one Gimaa (Chief) and eleven Members of Council. Our current leadership was elected on August 15, 2018 for two-year term. The Council of Sagamok Anishnawbek has a long history of good leadership and good governance that work for the benefit of Sagamok Anishnawbek. It is made up of our own people, there to contirbute to the success of all our people.
Sagamok Anishnawbek Chief and Council believe in the importance of being accountable, transparent and responsible to its membership. The expectation of good governance and administration is a function of working together to achieve Sagamok Anishnawbek goals and objectives. Strategic planning and policy development are linked with community engagement in determining the path forward. Effective communication is important in all aspects of maintaining, managing and conveying what Sagamok Ansihnawbek is doing. As the governing structure of Sagamok Anishnawbek Chief and Council strive to work in a professional and accountable manner.
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—20120Annual Report
Z’Gamok Chief & Council
HARVEY TRUDEAU
DIANNE BOB
JACKIE BOB
GRACE MANITOWABI
DELORES TRUDEAU
JEANNE MCLEOD
MARCELLA JONES
PATRICIA TRUDEAU
FRANK ABITONG
ISOBEL ABITONG
JUANITA MCNICHOL
PAULINE ABITONG
Z’Gamok Kchi-Anishnawbek
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019 - 2020 Annual Report
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Volunteers allow our community to thrive. There are so many of our community members who give their time and hearts to a variety of endeavors in the Sagamok Anishnabek community and we want to thank them all for their contributions to the lives of our families and residents. Many of our community members contribute to a variety of Committees of the Sagamok Anishnawbek, attending meetings and supporting initiatives for the benefit of all our people, now and into the future. They support the Sagamok Anishnawbek leadership and organization in providing advice and guidance and involving themselves in strategic planning and oversight for a wide variety of activities.
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FINANCE
HUMAN RESOURCES
Sagamok Anishnawbek Committtees are identified in this section.
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Lawrence Solomon Angus Toulouse Brenda Rivers
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Lawrence Solomon Sheldon Toulouse Kenneth Toulouse
Committee Members are selected after the election of a new Gimaa and Council every two years.
RESOURCES Director of Finance Director of Operations
RESOURCES Director of Shared Services Human Resource Assistant Director of Operations
Committee Members serve for the duration of a Council’s term of office.
COMMUNITY WELLNESS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECD PARENT
APPOINTMENTS Patricia Toulouse Patricia Trudeau Colleen Toulouse Nora Toulouse Priscilla Southwind
APPOINTMENTS Marcel Toulouse Pamela Sago-Toulouse Victor Francis Arthur Trudeau
APPOINTMENTS Carolyn Peltier Pamela Sago-Toulouse Deanna Southwind Danielle Toulouse Jennifer Keysis Dennis Trudeau Marlene Fournier
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Arnelda Bennett Brenda Rivers
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Craig Toulouse Edward Southwind
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Jessie Hardisty
ELDER REPRESENTATIVE Grace Manitowabi
ELDER REPRESENTATIVE Patricia Trudeau
ELDER REPRESENTATIVE Jeanne McLeod
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE Elijah Toulouse
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE
Ashley Southwind
No Representative
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Z’Gamok Committees 2018-2020
EDUCATION
G’DAA KIIM-NON
JUSTICE
APPOINTMENTS
APPOINTMENTS
APPOINTMENTS
Kayla Abitong Brooke Eshkakogan Pamela Sago-Toulouse Priscilla Southwind Rhonda Stoneypoint Roberta Swift
Kim Toulouse Victor Francis Juanita McNichol Arthur Trudeau Adrienne Eshkakogan Elaine Jones
Pauline Toulouse Paulette Toulouse Ray Hatfield Marcelle Toulouse Carolyn Peltier
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Jessie Hardisty Brenda Rivers
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Kenneth Toulouse
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Anna Marie Abitong Craig Toulouse
ELDER REPRESENTATIVE Delores Trudeau
ELDER REPRESENTATIVE Harvey Trudeau
ELDER REPRESENTATIVE Eleanor Pine
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE Chalize Eshkakogan
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE Elijah Toulouse
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE No representative
PLANNING &
GOVERNANCE
HOUSING
APPOINTMENTS Bernadette Southwind Claudette Fournier Cheryl Toulouse Michelle Toulouse Andrea Hajt-Jacobs
APPOINTMENTS Pamela –Sago-Toulouse Isabel Abitong Adrienne Eshkakogan Cecil Toulouse Chasity Cruz
APPOINTMENTS Cheryl Toulouse Patricia Owl Adrienne Eshkakogan Chasity Cruz Joshua Bob Daniel. T. Toulouse
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Brenda Rivers Angus Toulouse
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Anna Marie Abitong Sheldon Toulouse
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES Sheldon Toulouse Kenneth Toulouse
ELDER REPRESENTATIVE Pauline Toulouse
ELDER REPRESENTATIVE No. Representative
ELDER REPRESENTATIVE Harvey Trudeau
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE
YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE
No Representative
No. Representative
Connor Trudeau
Z’Gamok Committees 2018-2020
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019 - 2020 Annual Report
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Our People Director Human Resources Assistant
In the 2019-2020 fiscal year the Human Resources department saw the recruitment of a Director of Human Resources and Shared Services with Health and Safety, Information and Communications Technology, Economic Development, Proposal Writer, Payroll and Communications falling within the department. The department began to function as a whole and began streamlining processes, reviewing policies and procedures, supporting the management team and supporting staff with human resources issues.
Our Services Employee Relations
Our Foundations Sagamok Anishnawbek Personnel Policy
The following are the permanent full-time position hires for the 2019-2029 fiscal year
Parent/Infant Advisor Roads Manager Director of Operations Director of Governance Director of Human Resources and Shared Services Nurse Manager Elders Eagle Lodge
Accounts Payable Assistant Addictions Counsellor x 2 Roads Maintenance Worker Executive Assistant x 2 Administrative Assistant Child and Family Unit Band Representative
Human Resources Workplan N Vision Report
The Human Resources department was able to streamline processes, in particular the function between payroll and human resources. An organization wide wage grid was established and approved by Chief and Council along with an updated Personnel Policy Manual. The department was better able to establish its roles and functions within the management team and with staff.
Our Committee Human Resources
One of the challenges is to be able to reach out to all community members with recruitment opportunities and encourage members to apply for posted vacancies.
GIIGOONH DODEM FISH DODEM (Turtle) Philosophers and Mediators Supporting the Loon & Crane Clans
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Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Human Resources and Shared Services
HUMAN RESOURCES & SHARED SERVICES
Regulation During the 2020-2021 fiscal the Human Resources Department will be concentrating on more in-house training, forecasting future HR needs and preparing community members with education and training needed to recruitment members into employment opportunities and better communication and working relationships within all of the policy sectors of Sagamok Anishnawbek.
Canada Labour Code Human Rights Act Employment Standards Act Occupational Health & Safety Act
ISP CONNECTIVITY Contract signed with Bell in February 2020 to provide Fibe service for 2021/2022.
STRUCTURED CABLING Spring 2020 installation of dedicated Multi-Mode Fiber Optic backbone cable for access to phone system and internet/intranet.
PORTABLE CONNECTIVITY Installation of ethernet network cables pulled to each office into dedicated voice/data ports. Twelve new Mitel 5340 IP phones were configured and installed at the portable.
RELOCATION OF SDC OFFICE Relocation of SDC Sage server, and migration of data to Administration Central I.T.
SAGE THINKSYSTEM Research, purchase, and installation of new ThinkSystem for Sage 300 ERP. Specs include AMD 2nd Gen Epyc CPU, M.2 system drive, and dedicated hardware RAID array.
POE SWITCHES Installation and configuration of two new Cisco 9200L PoE Switches. The 9200L series incorporate Cisco Digital Network Architecture (DNA).
FORTIGATE NEXT GENERATION FIREWALL Installation of Bell Fortigate 60E PoE NGFW.
HR/Shared Services, ICT will continue to provide technical support services to all departments in Sagamok Anishnawbek by continuing its focus on improving connectivity and communication between departments and all staff facilities in Sagamok. Our main priorities for the coming year include:
Improving disaster recovery plans through implementation of redundant systems for backup and restoration of server system data. Continued purchase of mobile computing systems. Configuration and training provided to staff for off-site or remote access to onpremises assets using virtual private network technology. Continue management updates regarding High-Speed internet access in the community such as Bell Fibe and SpaceX StarLink Satellite Service.
Human Resources and Shared Services
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019 - 2020 Annual Report
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HUMAN RESOURCES & SHARED SERVICES
The goal of the Economic Development Program is the development of economic wealth of the reserve for the well-being of the community. It is a sustainable increase in living standards that includes an increase in per capita income, better education and health, as well as environmental protection while keeping close ties with our culture and traditions
With the emergence of SaaS (Software as a Service), continue collaboration with 3rd party vendors to provide enhanced online services for the protection of Sagamok Anishnawbek staff and computer technology. Implement high definition surveillance electronics in MEC to provide added protection to assets in the building. Train employees in utilizing Sagamok WebEx for enterprise online video conferencing and collaboration services. Continue to research best practices and implement communications plan to go-live with live streaming of Sagamok Anishnawbek Chief and Council Meetings. Cut-Over to new Miter Finch timekeeping system.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE & OTHER GRANT PROGRAMS Tools of the Trade Program and Grant Program approvals for this year include:
Approved 20 applications for Tools of the Trade totaling $18,679.78 Approved 3 applications for the Grant Program totaling $782,766.00
CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS HOSTED Workshops that were conducted and/or facilitated:
Business Planning Workshop X 4 Summer Company Youth Workshop Women in Business
Service Canada Ore Haul Information Session
FIBRE-TO-THE-HOME The total cost to install Fibre-to-the-Home in Sagamok is $996,846. Bell will cover 72.5% of the costs in the amount of $721,899. Sagamok is being requested to contribute $274,947 or 27.5%. These contributions will allow Bell to begin construction of Fibre to the Home for 500 plus businesses and homes in Sagamok. Bell Canada sent a contract for Sagamok Anishnawbek which was signed in March 2020. This insured that the Fibre build would be implemented in the community this year. Sagamok Anishnawbek can be the first Indigenous Community in North Eastern Ontario to implement true Fibre to each home. This will enable each of the homes to obtain up to 1.5 Gigabit per second service (which is equivalent to 1500 Megabits per second). In the present situation that we are in regarding COVID-19 and the need for distancing and elearning, it is even more imperative to implement this project now. Some of the Band Operations are also occurring on-line.
Benefits of Fibre-to-the-Home Sagamok currently receives 0.25 Mbps (Megabit per second) to 6.00 Mbps by DSL through Bell Canada. This new Fibre build will offer up to 1.5 Gbps (Gigabit per second) service. This is 1,500 Mbps or 6,000 to 250 times faster than our existing speed. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) reports that 98% 11
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Human Resources and Shared Services
HUMAN RESOURCES & SHARED SERVICES of Ontario households have access to the most basic download speed of at least 5 Mbps. At that speed, people and businesses still have difficulty sharing files by email, let alone streaming videos, or making connections via Skype and other online communication platforms. Sagamok does not have the most basic download speed the that rest of the province has.
This fibre internet service could be available to 98% of all households in Sagamok as soon as January 2021. Sagamok is behind on all technology, this would put us above par with global internet standards. Improved quality of life easier for families to stream movies, browse internet, work from home, access information i.e. news, public service announcements, and live broadcasts. Able to access phone, tv and internet all through one provider. Allows youth to take on technology-based training including Educational programming, making videos, coding Improvement of workflow at Z’Gamok Enterprises Inc. which only has 0.25 Mbps internet, this causes significant delays and ability to access timely data to improve business. The new school will only be able to have up to 6 Mbps service. This will severely limit the school’s the ability to not only run their administration work effectively but makes it so the students will not have access to technology and information. Dependable access to high speed internet is essential to education. With access to high speed internet we can better prepare our students for a technology-based world and give them skills to pursue new careers that we not available to previous students in our schools. Lands, Resources and Environment has been limited in their ability to use their GIS Programs due to connection speed including Download and Upload speeds. Entrepreneurs will be able to develop websites to promote their product and sell to global markets. Potential New Business Opportunities include Coding/Website Development, Online Stores, local crafts/artist can sell their products online, Software Development, Data Storage and others. This would be an added benefit to attracting businesses to the Sagamok community including our Industrial Park.
Economic Development Programs & Services Small Business Grants Tools of the Trade Grants Business & Skills Development Training Elementary School Business Training Youth Be-aBusiness Business Service Assistance Referrals to and assistance with external funders
Our Committee Economic Development Committee
Telehealth Capabilities to meet with doctors by video instead of face to face. Students need to be connected to finish homework assignments or take college and university courses online. For businesses across all sectors, whether it is manufacturing, agriculture or ecommerce, they all depend on fast, reliable connections. Members of Sagamok Anishnawbek will have access to the connectivity they need in an increasingly digital world. Schools and Daycares need strong broadband capacity to support a modern education system. With fast, reliable internet, students can access materials not available locally, connect with subject matter experts, and collaborate on projects with students anywhere in the world. This develops their digital skills, preparing them for higher education and, eventually, the workplace. It is an ongoing goal for IT to optimize the overall connectivity for community infrastructure.
Human Resources and Shared Services
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019- 2020 Annual Report
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HUMAN RESOURCES & SHARED SERVICES
SAGAMOK GROCERY STORE RFP UPDATE Sagamok would like to develop a grocery store with additional offerings to diversify the potential revenue sources for this business. The goal is to develop a small-scale “Andy’s” type facility that carries groceries and other items (such as movies, sports equipment, health foods etc.), but also has additional offerings such as a pharmacy, ATM, Canada Post Outlet, etc. Project Phases
Phase 1 Feasibility Study: Completion of a feasibility study with a conceptual design and Class D cost estimates
Phase 2 Business Plan with Detail Designs: Completion of a business plan as well as detailed design plans up to Class B cost estimates. The architectural design should be at 66% completion when the Class ‘B’ cost estimates are produced.
Phase 3 Construction
The anticipated Project Start date is September 20, 2020 Potential Locations The potential locations being considered to locate the Sagamok Grocery Store include:
Site 1 (The Millennium Centre): Already has a building located at the site and is already hooked up to water and sewage and should have capacity to service a retail/ business centre. The site is approximately 90 ft by 101 ft
Site 2 (Industrial Park): The Industrial Park site is a cleared plot of land with no buildings on it. However, the Industrial Park will have water service available as it is being connected to a communal water system and wastewater is being constructed as a septic system. The site is approximately 100 m by 100 m
Site 3 (New Build) Located on the eastern boundary of Sagamok Anishnawbek east of the APS Land Allotment.
The Requests for Proposals (RFPs) have been sent to the following consultants:
Joe Melisek – BDO Dunwoody Donna Smith and Justin Spec – Bainsmith Consulting Signy Franklin – MNP Consulting Greg Young – TCI Consulting / Jon D Linton – Evans Company Don Garrioch – KPMG
Jeff Mouton moulton_jeff@sagamok.ca 13
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Human Resources and Shared Services
In 2019, Sagamok Anishnawbek Administration streamlined its operations by adding two additional departments to the structure. Human Resources and Shared Services Department and Governance Department were approved by Chief and Council in July 2019. Streamlining Sagamok Administration Operations included “Dodemiwin” designation. Each department was designated a Dodem that appropriately reflects the mandate of the Department.
Sagamok Anishnawbek is currently rebuilding and restrengthening inherent Anishinaabe governance as a way to exercise sovereignty. Such work has a broad reach, touching on all aspects of community life including our governance structures, language revitalization, and community healing, among others. Anishinaabeaaziwin is at the center of such work. Anishinaabeaaziwin Governance transformation in all policy sectors includes the reconciliation of Indian Policy with reference to Treaty and Inherent Rights breached by the colonial system of federal, provincial, and municipal governments. Governance Department mandate includes support in development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Sagamok Anishnawbek programs and services to reflect professional standards and resources by administering sound policies, procedures, and by establishing systems that demonstrate accountability and transparency to Chief, Council, and Sagamok Anishnawbek. Further mandate comprises the oversight of Program and Services which includes Child Advocacy Program, Gweyaksijigen Tek (Justice), Membership, Indian Registration and Estates, Community Development, Quality Management, and Governance Strategic Plan. Sagamok Anishnawbek Governance Department currently has two Committees. The Governance Committee guides the implementation of the Governance Strategic Plan and provides added assurance that the plan is working effectively toward furthering its purpose. Sagamok Community Justice Committee is comprised of Community Members, Elders, and Chief & Council Representatives who assists with the program development of Gweyaksijigewin Teg. As well they assist with Miwdoodaa Mino Maadiziwin Diversion program to create healing and wellness plans for individuals. The following are highlights of the Governance Unit as per mandate.
ACCOUNTABILITY To address the reporting gap and ensure continuous improvement of the programs and services, three quarterly reports were submitted to Chief and Council providing the man-
The Sagamok Anishnawbek Governance Department Dodeminwin designation is the AU-JI-JAWK (Crane). As per Ojibway Dodeminwin teachings, the Crane Clan teaching is that of a “leader clan who holds the responsibility for all those affairs of the Community as they relate to development agencies, supportive organizations, governing bodies, or to legal and constitutional councils that are external to the community. Crane Clan shall assume responsibility for all development, justice and constitutional matters, all governing relationships, negotiations and decisions, and for cooperative concerns, coming from and relating to sources external to the community, which directly or indirectly impinge upon and affect the life and livelihood of the people of the community.” (James Dumont 1999).
AU-JI-JAWK DODEM CRANE DODEM Chieftainship
External Affairs
GOVERNANCE Governance
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GOVERNANCE OUR PEOPLE Director Brenda Rivers Executive Assistant Jackie Toulouse Child Advocacy Program Manager Eunice Bouchard Family Support Workers Brook Eshkakogan Toby Pickering Samantha Ferland Jessica Wilkins Family Wellbeing Worker Carol Marie Toulouse Band Representatives Dolly Foster Andrew Dagg Justice Program Manager Christopher Weatherly Diversion Program Manager Pam Sego-Toulouse Victim Services Worker Joslyn Paibomsai By-Law Enforcement Coordinator Barbara Southwind Animal Control Officer Stanford Owl 15
date of each program within the department. To ensure consistency in reporting format, the reporting template is part of the Administration Manual and was provided to each Program Manager to apply. Report included type of service the program offers and the statistics that provide information that reflect the presenting issues and the number of people served. Included in continuous improvement and accountability, budgeting is the basis of prudent fiscal management. A consolidated Governance Department Budget was developed with budget cashflows for each of the programs within the mandate of the Governance Department.
Governance Department held a “Meet and Greet” session with all the programs and services personnel in October 2019. Governance Management Team meetings scheduled every month for updates.
CAPACITY BUILDING Governance Department sponsored a two-day session on Dodemiwin Teachings by Elder James Dumont, October 15th & 17th, 2019 for Sagamok Anishnawbek Staff. Each department was represented with 45 employees attending. The participants of the two-day session were also invited to the Clan System Research by Heidi B. University of Toronto sponsored by Sagamok Anishnawbek Chief and Council. Another two-day session facilitated by Elder Dumont was held on January 23rd & 24th, 2020 and 70 members of staff and community members have attended. To further address rebuilding and restrengthening inherent Anishinaabe governance as a way to exercise sovereignty, Sagamok Anishnawbek representatives and Yellowhead Institute had a preliminary meeting on December 12th, 2019 to dialogue on pathways to conceptualizing an Anishinaabe Governance model that reflects Anishinaabe aadziwin – a cyclical way of life that renews relationship amongst the people, and to spirit and land.
Governance Committee two-day session was scheduled on January 24th & 25th, 2020 to launch dialogue on Sagamok Anishnawbek Constitution based on Anishinaabe Thought and law development. Dr. Damien Lee, Yellowhead Institute facilitated the Governance Committee discussion. Sagamok Anishnawbek and Nogdawindamin representatives met with the Sagamok Anishnawbek Elders Council on December 9th, 2019 to introduce and address child centered initiatives with reference to Multi-year Planning, Child Welfare Law, Roundhouse Feasibility, Grandmas and Aunties, and Service Integration Initiatives as per BCR 2019-09-40. Governance Department participated in the Sagamok Fall Harvest by sponsoring two sessions on October 8th, 2019 with guest speakers Earl Commanda, Executive Director, Waawindaamaadgewin (1850 Robinson Huron Treaty) and Terry Debassige “Our True Sovereignty” and Dodem Teachings. Child Welfare Law preliminary discussion was held on December 10th, 2019 facilitated by Nogdawindamin with representatives from Sagamok Anishnawbek and Serpent River First Nation. Terms of Reference was reviewed and representatives identified for the working group. Sagamok Anishnawbek Ratification Advisory Team met on August 28th, 2019 to review status of the follow up from the last team session held on April 25th, 2019. The meeting commenced with the recap of the discussion held on April 25th to address a “moving forward plan” with the draft codes based on community consultation sessions. Draft codes include, leadership selection, citizenship, Matrimonial Real Property, and Land Steward-
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Governance
GOVERNANCE ship. The team identified the need for further development on Community Outreach, Law Development, Constitution Development, Decolonization and Dodeminwin (and potential workshop ideas).
Community Development Training is a series of 6 quarterly community development training and technical assistance sessions following the module to address Healing Ourselves – pathways for individual healing and recovery; Healing our Community – understanding the community healing journey and
learning how to support it;
Membership, Indian Registration and Estates Manager Rhea Assinewe Membership Clerk Georgia Toulouse
Community Development – understanding how to engage community members in
transformational work leading to desired social and economic outcomes; Program Development – understanding how to design and implement programs
that support community healing and development; Governance for Development – understanding how leadership needs to lead in the
process of catalyzing and guiding community change, healing and development; Facilitation – understanding how to engage grassroots community members and
other stakeholders in consultative processes or in learning activities for healing and development. The first module session was held on November 4th – 7th, 2019 with a 60 participants. The second module “Healing our Community” was scheduled on January 28th – 30th, 2020. The remaining four modules were scheduled on March 2020 (last week); June 2020 (second last week); September (second week); November (first week). Unfortunately due to Declaration of the Pandemic, the spring, summer and fall sessions have been suspended.
Sagamok Anishnawbek Model/Framework is a joint initiative with the Joint Committee network of Education, Community Wellness, and Justice Committees. The purpose of the initiative is to develop an Administration of Government Comprehensive Consolidated Framework embodied within the paradigm of the Wheel of Life and Wholistic Continuum recognizing the ages and stages of development, from birth to death and considers the full realm of programming, from promotion, prevention, complex intervention, stability promotion, and capacity building. Mapping Exercise of all levels of programs and services was held on July 3rd, 2019 and a report was generated reflecting the type of service and programming for the targeted population.
OUR SERVICES Sagamok Anishnawbek Model/Framework Child Advocacy Program Gweyaksijigen Tek Membership, Indian Registration and Estates Community Development Quality Management Governance Strategic Plan Sagamok Anishnawbek Governance Rebuilding Research Project
Child Advocacy Program is a prevention service that is available for children and families who come into contact with Nogdawindamin Child Protection Services or are at risk of becoming involved with protection services. Family Support Services work with families to address the issues that place children at risk and educate and empower families to make choices that will keep their children safe and strengthen family functioning. Included as part of the prevention service is the Band Representative Program and provides representation on behalf of the First Nation, as a party to all Family Court Proceedings. Gweyaksijigen Tek is an intervention service that includes Miwdoodaa Mino Maadiziwin “Let’s Carry a Good Life” a voluntary pre and post diversion program for youth and adults. It Governance
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GOVERNANCE CHILD ADVOCACY Child and Family Unit develops and delivers Prevention Services to Sagamok Anishnawbek members in all the catchment area. The Child and Family Advocate Unit strengthens the families in the community by ensuring that the children remain in the circle of their families and community and ensuring the children and families receive community based services in accordance to the seven grandfather teachings: LOVE, TRUTH, WISDOM, BRAVERY, HUMILITY, HONESTY and RESPECT. The Child & Family Advocate Unit’s services include working in conjunction with Nogdawindamin Child and Family services.
offers the opportunity to have charges diverted; charges resolved by conducting a justice circle; charges are discharged upon completion of the healing and wellness plan; non- compliance with healing and wellness plan will revert back to the provincial court system. Anishinaabe Aadziwin Dbaaknige Ogimaawin Victims Program is a support program to assist victims of crime including victims of the residential school system. The program provides referrals and connections to victim services within and external to the community. The program creates a healing and wellness plan with victims to restore sense of safety and wellbeing. As well, provides assistance with forms and victim impact statements. Sagamok Ambassador Program collaborates with Niigaaniin/Ontario Works and the Community Wellness Departments, Mental Health and Addictions program to deliver a voluntary programs to individuals that relating to healing and wellness initiatives. As of July 2019, Animal Control Program was placed within the Gweyaksijigen Tek Program. Draft Bi-law is currently reviewed by legal counsel and the Justice Committee. Gweyaksijigen Teg hosts Probation and Parole attending the office every two weeks to meet with clients, as well as the Elizabeth Fry Society – Bail Supervision Program. Gweyaksijigen Teg provides assistance with persons wishing to apply for a record suspensions. Sagamok Membership, Indian Registration, and Estates provides services to Sagamok Anishnawbek. Under Federal Government Indian Act (Indian Act controls registration of Indians through the Indian Registrar and Indian Registry) Sagamok manages the Indian Registration Administration Program. Included is the Sagamok Anishnawbek Membership Code to address membership. Matrimonial Real Property is federal legislation that is applied to First Nations that do not have a MRP Code and Sagamok Anishnawbek falls under this legislation. Sagamok Anishnawbek has a draft code for ratification. The Estates Management Program was approved August 2018 and is a standard service that supports Sagamok Anishnawbek Members with “Wills and Estates”. Community Development is Community healing – the process of moving beyond the hurt and dysfunction that many have internalized and in ways that block the social and economic development of the community, ie. residential schools, colonization, loss of identity, loss of land, roles. Community development – focuses on the work of building new patterns of life that lead to sustainable well being and prosperity. Quality Management is the foundation of a strong organization and ultimately to a strong community. The goal of a well-developed quality management system is to continually improve the overall level of performance; maximize on the use of financial and human services, improve the level of accountability, transparency, representation, and responsibility to community members, leadership, and ensure financial stability within an organization. Quality management is based on a concept of developing processes for every key activity, defining standards for each process, constantly evaluating the process itself and the employees’ performance in terms of standards, monitoring, and correcting deviations when necessary. Governance Strategic Plan is a five year plan with priorities under leadership, financial management, membership, law making, basic administration, information management and information technology, community involvement, human resource management, planning and risk management, external relations, and economic development. Sagamok Anishnawbek and Dr. Damien Lee, assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Ryerson University, Associate Fellow | Yellowhead Institute have a draft Memorandum of Understanding to assist Sagamok Anishnawbek Governance Rebuilding Research Project with Anishinaabeaadiziwin at the center to include the following and is not an exhaustive list:
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Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Human Resources and Shared Services
GOVERNANCE Research ways to apply Anishinaabeaadiziwin in every day governance practices; Research ways to restrengthen clans and clan-based governance in Sagamok’s ter-
ritories; Research ways to engage youth, elders, and other community members in discussions about how to disengage from Canada’s Aboriginal frameworks as part of asserting Sagamok’s sovereignty; Explore if/how to train and hire Sagamok community members to do governancebased research that Sagamok Anishnawbek would then own; Research culturally-appropriate ways to measure the success of the points noted above; and Other research initiatives jointly agreed upon.
A briefing note with the research project was submitted at the Chief and Council Meeting of September 11th, 2019 and approved to move forward with a Memorandum of Understanding.
You know you are home when you see the Sagamok Indian Head! Always happy to see you!
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Indian Status Registration Sagamok Anishnawbek Membership Process
Population Statistics for departmental applications and funding requirements Blood Quantum Verification for Residential and Tax Exemption Technical resource to Lands, Resources and Environment for land base decisionmaking Estates Management: Matrimonial Real Property, Power of Attorney & Wills Development Commissioner and Oaths
Brenda Rivers rivers_brenda@sagamok.ca Governance
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ZHIITAAWIN VISION
The Community Wellness Department has had an exciting year, maintaining successful programs and launching new services designed specifically to address the needs of the community. This report will briefly describe key highlights, challenges and priorities for the future.
Nda zhiitaamin waamdamaang Waakiiwaadziwin, kina wiya pmiikwind ezhi-bezhgo-aawid bemaajwang miinwaa ezhi manitowaadzid.
The collaboration, dedication, knowledge and wisdom of the members of the Community Wellness Steering Committee is greatly appreciated. The members work hard on behalf of the community and we offer our gratitude for their contributions. Thank you to Arnelda Bennett, Brenda Rivers, Grace Manitowabi, Elijah Toulouse, Colleen M. Toulouse, Patricia Toulouse, Nora Toulouse and Priscilla Southwind.
Our vision is a healthy and safe community that nurtures and maintains the physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of all.
We also want to acknowledge the dedication of staff who plan, develop and deliver a variety of programs and services with creativity, dedication and enthusiasm. Thank you to staff who put their energy, commitment and love into their work. The staff of the department also wish to express their appreciation to community members and residents who participate in our programs and use the services provided by the Department. Your participation contributes to the wellness of the community. Your generosity in sharing your experiences and ideas through the evaluation process provides the feedback needed to continually improve programs and services.
ADDICTIONS Addictions continue to be a priority focus of the Community Wellness Department. Progress Report on Sagamok’s Addictions and Healing Workplan A report on the progress made on the Addictions and Healing Work Plan was concluded in October 2019. The report indicates a great deal of progress was made on many of the activities within the work plan, however, there is clearly much work to be done to achieve wellness at the individual and community levels. NAAAM and Sagamok Rally The community hosts the National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Month in November each year. This year marked the second annual Sagamok Rally, which consisted of an addictions awareness walk, showcasing the community declaration to address addictions, an evening of sharing experiences with addictions, a community feast and entertainment to conclude the day.
MUKWA DODEM BEAR DODEM Guardians, Healers Protecting People & Medicine Keepers
COMMUNITY WELLNESS DEPARTMENT 19
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
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COMMUNITY WELLNESS Community Based Day Treatment An exciting development was the completion of a community-based day treatment curriculum and launch of the first cycle of the program in September 2019. This program uses teachings and connections to the land and spirit to bring understanding about addictions, trauma and healing. The program is facilitated in a ceremonial way by wrapping teachings around the western knowledge of addictions and trauma. A second cycle was planned but was delayed due to COVID-19. Community Based Residential Treatment Centre The Department also continued to develop plans for a community-based residential treatment Centre. A two-day community visioning exercise was conducted in July to develop the model for a Sagamok Anishnawbek Residential Treatment Centre. Feedback from community members and residents mapped out what services currently exist, where the gaps in service are and what the community wishes to see in the future. Plans for this initiative continue to evolve. Dibaabiishkoodoodaa G’Bimaadzinninaa The Dibaabiishkoodoodaa G’Bimaadzwinninaa (“everything we do must be in balance”) was also developed and launched. This 12-week program focuses on healthy lifestyle changes using a multidisciplinary approach. Children and parents come together to participate in a variety of education and hands on activities that focus on health, nutrition, physical wellness, cultural identity and mental health awareness and support. Dr. Caruso has also joined the team for weekly clinics. He is a naturopathic doctor who specializes in obesity. His services have been well received.
QUALITY ASSURANCE ENHANCEMENTS Quality Assurance Specialists have joined the department and have taken the lead in assisting Community Wellness Department staff in utilizing Practice Solutions Suite (EMR) in their day to day work; the overall goal of the electronic charting system would allow the department to simplify the reporting process considerably. One example is when the Quality Assurance Specialist was able to create the following chart which illustrates the percentage of programs/
Community Wellness
WAA ZHI MISSION Z’gamok mino bimaadziwin bemiikmojik maamwizwak swe’ookiiwaad wenjishing mino bemaadziwin, miigweng dash aagooshkddaadwin, gwekobemaadziwin miinwaa naandwedjigewin.
Sagamok Mino bmaadziwin cultivates and nurtures personal health and community wellbeing through partnership and excellence in the delivery of holistic prevention, intervention and treatment services.
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COMMUNITY WELLNESS activities associated with each of the Sagamok Anishnawbek Determinants of Well-Being. Efforts to improve the system to better support this type of analysis will continue.
CARING FOR OUR ELDERS Our Elders continue to benefit from home and community care services including personal support (serving an average of 20 Elders/month), homemaking (serving an average of 13/ month) and maintenance services (serving an average of 54/month). Community Wellness Department programs also serve the Elders, for example, arranging for chair yoga, monthly bowling, foot care and youth and elder programs amongst others. Chair yoga has been successful with participants reporting improved stability when walking, greater ease in rising from a sitting position, improved blood sugar levels, reductions in aches and pain, and reduced stress. Residents also benefit from occupational and physiotherapy provided by Maamweysing.
EXPLORING CHRONIC DISEASE Sagamok is part of the Mamow Ahyamowen collaborative which partners with over 70 First Nations, Laurentian University and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. 59 of First Nation partners collaborated in a study that explored the chronic diseases of their membership at the time of their death. The study demonstrated many of our membership die before the age of 65 and that many have more than one chronic disease at the time of their deaths. The Department has initiated a process of review to identify what actions each of the departmental teams can initiate to address these alarming results.
INCORPORATING MORE ANISHINAABEMOWIN Anishnabemowin is a priority in Sagamok. The Community Wellness Department has taken a small step to making the language more visible by engaging an elder to translate the vision, mission and social determinants of well-being into the language. The department has also engaged a graphic designer to design banner ups of these statements in both Anishnabemowin and English.
NURTURING OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH The Children and Youth Program continued to offer many cultural awareness and traditional teaching programs for our children and youth. Teachings included Strawberry Moon Teachings, Full Moon Ceremonies, Drum Making and Feasting the Drum, Medicine Pouches, Beading, Sweat Lodge, Ribbon Shirt and Skirt Making, as well as land-based activities such as traditional hunting and fishing activities. These cultural programs help our children and youth to build self-esteem, confidence and pride in their identities as Anishnawbek.
FITNESS AS A KEY COMPONENT TO PHYSICAL WELLNESS This year saw an increase in physical wellness programs geared to children and youth. Yoga was introduced to teach the importance of physical and mental health. There are many benefits to yoga, such as building strength, flexibility and mind body awareness. Yoga was delivered at the Daycare. Sessions were also held in the evenings for children and their parents to participate as a family. Given the high rate of illness common to Indigenous People, it was great to see an increase 21
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
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COMMUNITY WELLNESS in the use of the Sagamok Anishnawbek Fitness Centre. Introduction of a swipe card system increased access to the centre with one month showing an all-time high of being accessed 227 times.
Top 10 Highest Incidence of Chronic Disease in 2019—2020
COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE
Diabetes
Women’s Wellness program
Allergies
Reading for Wellness Book Club
Blood Pressure and Glaucous Monitoring Clinic
School based immunization program. Covid-19 has had a big impact on this program and were unable to complete last year’s immunizations.
Arthritis & related disorders
Well Baby Clinics: Working in Collaboration with Nurse Practitioner, Community Health Nurse and Dietician.
Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
OTN continues to be an effective tool to allow individuals to see their specialists without leaving the community.
Cholecystectomy
Dr K Caruso Clinic – addressing obesity and prevention/management of diabetes.
Heart Conditions
Hypertension Asthma
Depression Cancer
COMMUNITY HEALTH REPRESENTATIVE This fiscal year CWD was able to secure an experienced Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) who assisted the community health nurse with some clinical duties. Provided community base health information around promotion and prevention of health-related issues such diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and assisted with blood pressure and glucose monitoring clinics. CHR also coordinated community workshops around smoking cessation, vaping and cancer care awareness. The CHN conducts yearly immunizations to infants up to adults that include pneumonia and flu vaccinations.
This program also worked in collaboration with the community school and day care with the prevention and spread of head lice.
MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Medical Transportation Services is provided through the First Nation and Inuit Health Branch of Indigenous Services Canada. Local medical transportation is provided to four destinations that include: Medical Appointments to Massey, Elliot Lake, Espanola and Sudbury. Sagamok also coordinates long distance medical travel to Sault Ste. Marie and other destinations outside of the agreement through a prior approval process through ISC- Non-Insured Health Benefits.
NUTRITION EDUCATOR PROGRAM: HEALTHY INITIATIVES
Primary goal is health promotion program of diabetes prevention with a focus toward engagement with families, youth and children.
Sagamok Anishnawbek had been working towards enhancements of Healthy Eating initiatives through diabetes education and prevention awareness programs.
Multi – discipline team delivering comprehensive programming through the lens of diabetes prevention.
Incorporated the importance of culture.
Community Wellness
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COMMUNITY WELLNESS
It was important to note based on the mortality study it is imperative for all programs under the umbrella of CWD to provide the same messaging through programming on food literacy and diabetes prevention.
Provided information and recipes with instruction to families of healthy eating and healthy snacking.
Programs provided: Balance Program, Smoothie Clinics, Meal Masters (food literacy), Kids Cookie Club, and Healthy Eating
SYSTEMS NAVIGATOR This program was introduced in 19/20 fiscal year. The focus of the Systems Navigator is to work in collaboration with families to engage children, youth and adults in the promotion of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness. The role of the Systems Navigator also assisted with providing individuals of all ages to identify diverse service priorities, develop plans of care, support, advocate and facilitate access to health and social services. This was conducted by assisting persons served to navigate multiple and complex systems at the First Nation, regional, provincial and federal levels in order to achieve positive outcomes. The Systems Navigator also advocates for services that address cultural and spiritual needs and will network with First Nation and Non-Aboriginal partners to ensure access to service is a culturally safe experience for persons served and their families.
SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM SE RVICES School Nutrition Program ensures a delivery of nutritional food items to the students of Biidaaban school through JK – Grade 8. This program collaborates with the school educational staff to address any health needs such as allergies and the numbers of students who require dietary supplement of nutritional food.
CULTURAL PROGRAM SERVICES
Men’s Wellness in collaboration with Mental Health and Addictions
Visiting Elder’s Program
Community Annual Pow Wows (July and New Year’s Eve) –Community Ceremonies and Sweats and Cultural Teachings were provided as needed.
Gathering and preparing Traditional Food sessions around Moose hunting, fishing and gathering.
Chief and Council Activities and Robinson Huron Treaty: Under the direction and advisory of Sagamok’s Chief and Council, the Cultural Program worker has taken on a role as Sagamok’s representative at the Robinson Huron Treaty court proceedings.
The Community Wellness Department continues to be challenged with a shortage of space to house staff and to deliver programming. Connectivity has also been an issue and has created a barrier to fully implement and benefit from the electronic charting system.
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COMMUNITY WELLNESS
Responding to the addiction issues in the community will continue to be a priority. Emphasis will be placed on creating a supportive environment that provides a
variety of options for those seeking assistance in dealing with an addiction and for their families. The Department will continue to deliver and enhance the day treatment pro-
gram. Efforts will also continue to develop and implement a residential treatment pro-
gram. The Department will continue to build its relationship with Dr. Bertram, a physi-
cian specializing in addictions, as he provides clinical supervision to our Addiction Counsellors and shares his expertise through consultation on complex issues. Understanding and interpreting what Health Transformation means to our com-
munity will also be a priority in the upcoming year
Fern Assinewe assinewe_fern@sagamok.ca Community Wellness
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The objective of the Planning and Infrastructure Department (P&I) is to oversee the planning, maintenance and construction of Sagamok Anishnawbek’s community infrastructure, fire and rescue, housing, roads, waste/recycling management and water plant and distribution.
The P&I have been extremely busy with the developments and planning of various facets of this Pandemic Planning. The Director, CID Manager, Emergency Services Coordinator and Executive Assistant have been involved with the Road Access Management (RAM) group. Meeting, supervising and management of the Checkpoint was very challenging and demanding of human resources, public concerns and time management. The Director, CID Manager and Emergency Services Coordinator were/are also participating on the Emergency Operations Control Group (EOCG). This is the group that was assembled to implement the Emergency Plan. It was later discovered that the plan was very lacking in substance. The EOCG had basically redone the whole plan and are rewriting the policies and procedures for future reference. An example of which is the Checkpoint and its need for Human Resources, Personal Protective Equipment, Trailer, Signage, and generators. Challenges included Senior Management not permitted to enter Sagamok. This presented problems to not only the Emergency Plan but, to the coordination and continuation of Essential Services to the community (water, roads, housing and community infrastructure). Sagamok and the EOCG had to follow developments outside of the community like active cases from surrounding municipalities and following Ontario and Canada ’s lead for staging various development such as a Return Back to Normal Operations. The P&I are looking at what measures are required to ensure Social Distancing and Barriers in the workplace. More details on this will be discussed during this upcoming meetings. The EOCG continue to monitor and are anticipating the Second Wave which is imminent. More to come as we plan on future activities.
Our People Director Executive Assistant Public Works Clerk Project Technologist
The Housing Department is responsible for the Operation and Maintenance of Sagamok Anishnawbek’s current and existing housing infrastructure. In addition the Housing Department is also tasked with the construction of the various types of housing for the members of the community. During this fiscal year 2019-2020 the Housing Department had taken on the following projects at Maple Ridge:
11 Single Detached Housing Units
1 – 5-Plex Multiple Housing Units (Start Fall 2019)
2 Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP)
WAWASHKESHI DODEM HOOF DODEM Dancers, Singers & Peaceful People Meeting Needs of People
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Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
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PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE Roads Manager
The Water Department Operators conduct Daily Inspections and Testing of Water Quality at the following plants: Halfway Pumphouse, Toulouse Pumphouse and Water Tower
Roads Maintenance Workers
The Operators are testing for the following:
Turbidity
Weekly sample for Bacteria and Coliforms
Chlorine Levels
Heavy Equipment Operators
Ph. Levels (Acidity)
The Department is responsible for the safe delivery of potable water to the general public and to all Band Facilities (Beedahbun School, Daycare, Band Office, Millennium Centre and other facilities. The Water Department had extended the watermains into the newly developed Maple Ridge Subdivision. The Water Department is responsible for maintaining and ensuring that potable water is delivered to its customers and conduct watermain repairs throughout the year.
Community Infrastructure Manager General Maintenance Workers (2) Community Energy Champion Fire Chief
The Roads Department is responsible for the Operation and Maintenance of the entire road networking system within the Sagamok Anishnawbek and including the access road from Massey to Sagamok. The Roads department has been involved in the following projects:
SAGAMOK ACCESS ROAD PROJECT
This project is now underway and has completed Rock Blasting and the bulk of Granular Placement had been completed in the Fall of 2019. Road Maintenance turned out to be quite challenging and our Roads Dept. were in constant maintenance mode, let alone snow plowing. Invoices for all road maintenance were forwarded to TeraNorth and all payments received. Paving will be completed and all the Granulars for the shoulders and the line painting will be completed by June 2020.
INTERIOR ROADS PROJECT
This project had been approved in Fall 2019. The P&I will require and to secure a Contract Administrator (Engineering Consultant) to design and provide Contract Administration for this project. A request to Sole Source for Engineering and Contract Administration was requested in February 2020. The P&I Unit are unable to make any decisions or actions on this project until a decision has been made. The P&I had responded to questions from the Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO). We are hoping to move on this project in two phases.
Phase 1 will include paving from the Boundary to the East, and up to and including Beaudryville.
Phase II will include Surface Treatment, rock blasting and culvert replacements down River Road, Espaniel Street, Maple Ridge, Fort Subdivision and to McBean.
Planning and Infrastructure
Volunteer Fire Fighters & First Response Personnel Waste Water Technician Water Operator Trainee Water Systems Operator Sanitation Labourer/ General Maintenance Worker
Housing Manager Housing Administrator Housing Officer
Lakeview Complex Custodians
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PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE Our Services Community Capital Projects Meeting Space Rentals Property Management
Operations & Maintenance of Sagamok Road Systems Road Repairs Ditching, Culverts Maintenance of band owned infrastructure, including public buildings and housing rental units Emergency (Fire & First Response) Services Water Production Water Distribution Curbside Household & Commercial Waste Pickup Curbside Recycling Pickup Landfill Monitoring
This unit is responsible for the pick-up and delivery of waste to the landfill. This unit picks up waste and recycling products at the housing units and facilities throughout Sagamok. The staff within this unit are also responsible for the maintenance at the landfill and this is accomplished through the use of existing heavy equipment and local contractors. The P&I are currently working with Neegan Burnside and SBC Consultants on a Waste Management Plan. This plan will review the following:
Strategic planning for a comprehensive waste management plan to either creating or enhancing your waste management program.
Measure/baseline current waste generation. Establishing a baseline against which future reductions will be measured is an important first step in tracking progress. You cannot measure what you don't know you have, nor can you set reasonable goals or report on successes. Data measurement and management are essential components of a sustainable program.
Complete a facility-wide waste operations assessment. Internally, assess waste and recycling container placement, color coding, and labeling. Poorly placed, unlabeled containers will ensure contamination. Externally, assess waste equipment utilization to maximize efficiencies and hauls to reduce costs and transportation impact.
Develop strategic action plans for improvement. The Roadmap performance improvement measures list is designed to help you pick and choose projects to help you meet your goals.
The P&I will continue to implement this Plan and will report to the community when completed.
The Fire Department is responsible for ensuring the health and safety of all residents/visitors of the Sagamok Anishnawbek. The Fire Department provides the following:
Responds to emergency calls 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Enters burning or contaminated buildings, structures, and other areas to perform rescues and/ or fight fires while wearing appropriate firefighting equipment as supplied by the fire service.
Attends regular and assigned training sessions to maintain and upgrade firefighting skills in accordance with established policies and operational guidelines.
Works in accordance with established policies, operational guidelines and the Occupational Health and Safety Act
Drives and operates firefighting and emergency equipment, as well as personal vehicles, safely and in accordance with polices and applicable legislation.
Maintains all equipment in good condition.
Housing Rentals Rental Maintenance Rental Operations Administering the Band Council mortgage guarantee program 27
The Community Infrastructure Department (CID) is responsible for the Operation and
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Planning and Infrastructure
PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE Maintenance of all Band-Owned Facilities including the following: Band Office
Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik School
Sagamok Daycare
Community Wellness Building
Multi-Education Centre
Fort LaCloche
Other Buildings and Facilities
Regulatory Foundations Health Canada
Our Committees Planning & Infrastructure Committee (new) Housing Committee
This unit is working with all units within the P&I and other Departments with the Sagamok Anishnawbek on a number of capital projects.
Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik School Project
Our Guidance
Sagamok Anishnawbek’s current school, Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik, was built in 1985 to accommodate grades K-8. It is overcrowded and does not meet the educational needs of the community in terms of overall space, quality and functionality. Conditions surrounding the current school present health and safety concerns for students and staff, especially for highneeds students. The existing school does not have a gymnasium, cafeteria, or science room. Students and staff have to leave the school property for physical education classes, and to access the library (at the Community Centre). This poses serious health and safety concerns due to potential slips and falls, weather conditions and the risk of crossing and walking along a busy road. Additionally, the gym at the Community Centre is larger than Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) guidelines and requires higher than normal maintenance and upkeep costs and currently needs extensive renovations. With a student enrolment of 197, based on 2016-2017 nominal roll, the Gross Floor Area (GFA) according to ISC’s School Space Accommodation Standards 2016 (SSAS) should be 2,510.9m2. This exceeds the size of the existing building (1,689.0 m2) by 821.9m2. As per the feasibility study completed in October 2018, the projected enrolment for the design year is 201 students with a GFA based on SSAS, including an area for high-needs students, of 2,829.7m2.
ACRS ICMS FNIIP Capital Planning Study Comprehensive Community Plan Sagamok Community Story Workplans
.
A Pay Action Request (PAR) was approved in March 2019 by the Regional Director General to support the detailed design and construction phases for a new school that will meet the current and future needs of the students and community.
.
The project was approved with a total estimated cost (TEC) for design and construction stages for $10,977,324 (excluding feasibility study of $180,070). The TEC included a dependent off-site infrastructure component of $280,913 made up of construction cost of $225,000 and non-construction component of $55,913. Spending authority up to a maximum of $582,130 was approved and released in March 2019 for the Design Phase. A Design-Bid-Build project delivery method was selected by the community. Through competitive tendering processes, a Project Manager and Design Consultant were procured in June 2019 and September 2019, respectively.
Planning and Infrastructure
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PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE Housing Related Bylaws Noise By-Law— applicable to rental housing Smoking By-Law— applicable to rental housing. Property Maintenance By-law applicable to rental housing.
On-going programs and issues are being brought forth to the P&I, including:
Continue working with MTO and the Construction of Hwy 7300.
Negotiate new Three-Year (3) Maintenance Agreement
Continue and complete the Waste Management Plan
Street Lights throughout the Road Networks to be conducted September 2020 and including Maple Ridge
Some evaluations and reorganization within the P&I are being worked on and will streamline the services provided by the P&I Unit.
Landfill issues are cost consuming and require significant Human Resources which are not included in ICS’s Budgetary Programs. The completion of the Waste Management Plan will outline the process for negotiating a Municipal Type Agreement and looking at services and the transporting of all recyclables and waste to Off-Reserve Facilities.
Complete 5-Plex Residential Unit
P&I and Committee work is on-going.
September 2020
Ross Assinewe assinewe_ross@sagamok.ca 29
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Planning and Infrastructure
WAA ZHI LAND RIGHTS & RESEARCH PROJE CT
MISSION
Working with Sagamok Team on Fort LaCloche land transfer. Ontario was to provide a response on June 2019 and a letter was received that indicated more time was required. No further correspondence was received. Additional TEK Mapping/Information has commenced with our consultants in September 2019. Interviews with Elders were on-going and continued throughout the year. Work is on-going with focus on Fort LaCloche mapping and affidavits for the Claim. LRRP Project is now in the Final reporting stage and should be completed by March 2020. Establish evidentiary requirements to advance Aboriginal title and/or Specific Claims related to our territory, in particular: Reserve Boundaries Fort La Cloche Birch Creek Identify, with as much precision as possible, the extent of Sagamok Anishnawbek traditional territory, and current use & occupancy of territory Identify and address stewardship requirements on reserve and traditional lands Completion of all Archival Research and now compiling Final Reports to be completed at Fiscal Year-end.
FORT LACLOCHE LAND CLAIM The Fort LaCloche an important site as it was used by Sagamok Anishnawbek for settlement, cultivation, burials and fishing.
The Lands, Resources and Environment Unit and the G’daa Kiim-Non Committee oversee the development and implementation of a strategic, coordinated and culturally appropriate approach to the G’daa Kiim-non Lands Stewardship Strategy in a manner that is consistent with Sagamok’s Community Healing and Development Ten Year Action Plan.
According to the oral history of our Elders, our First Nation gave temporary permission for the site to be used as a fur trade post, originally to the North West Company (NWC), which set up the La Cloche post, in approximately 1808, and then to the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) which merged with the NWC in 1821.
WABIZHESHI DODEM MARTIN DODEM Warriors, Hunters & Providers Territory Protectors
LANDS RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT Lands Resources and Environment
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LANDS RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT Our Tools Land Use & Occupancy Inventory Land Use Plan Historical Archive
The Fort LaCloche site was excluded as part of Sagamok reserve survey pursuant to the Robinson Huron Treaty (RHT), our ancestors would have expected the Fort LaCloche to be included.
In furtherance of the Ontario/Sagamok discussions our research material has been shared with Ontario officials to enable further discussions on options to get Fort LaCloche back as part of Sagamok reserve lands. Need to address next steps
ROBINSON HURON TREATY 1850 ANNUITIES CLAIM Stage 1, case victory for RHT
Our People
Provincial government has appealed the case, federal government has not.
Justice Hennessy dismissed motion to reopen Phase 1 of trail, citing the “new” evidence does not warrant such action
Director Executive Assistant Historical Researcher
Stage 2 currently underway, focuses on technical legal objections that the crown is making to increasing or back paying any inadequate annuities.
Need to address next steps
GIS Technician
LAND CODE & MATRIMONIAL REAL PROPERTY LAW
Environmental Manager
Sagamok Anishnawbek Matrimonial Real Property (MRP) Law
Our Services
Matrimonial Real Property refers to the family home on reserve that the Spouses lived in at the time of separation and includes attached buildings. It does not include movable property such as furniture, cars, bank accounts etc. It does not include property received as a gift or inheritance to one of the spouses, prior to or on the date of marriage or commencement of cohabitation by common law spouses from their family (family land).
Land Acquisitions
Sagamok Anishnawbek Land Code
Environmental Monitoring
A Land Code provides an opportunity for First Nations to opt out of land-related sections of the Indian Act and assume jurisdiction over their reserve lands and resources under their own land code. The Land Code significantly improves the efficiency and level of economic development opportunities for the signatory First Nation. A Land Code will include regaining independence over land management within their own community.
Land Based Historical Research
Our Committee G’daa Kiim-Non Committee
Governance Foundations Z’gamok Anishnawbek Land Code 31
Lands Resources & Environment is currently working with other departments on a Ratification Committee with the mandate of securing a date for a Referendum. The RAT Committee has met and is currently reviewing the language of some of the proposed laws to reflect for of a community perspective.
Ratification Ratification Core Group formed to work with LRE, Governance, Membership and Administration Staff. A focus of this group is now working with the Communications Department and developing a Communication Strategy. There is a need to reword some of the documentation to reflect more of Sagamok's sovereignty issues. The Administration are working on the date to hold the Referendum. Recommendations for G’Daa Kiim-Non Committee:
1. Conduct a thorough investigation on Off-Reserve Members for Mail-out Ballots 2. Conduct a Elders Meeting to ensure that project objectives are identified with a strategic plan
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Lands Resources and Environment
LANDS RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT 3. Conduct a Community Open-House to present project objectives and Question and Answers
4. Schedule Community Referendum
5. Present Community Referendum results to Chief and Council FALL HARVEST
Our Roadmaps Z’gamok Anishnawbek Land Stewardship Strategy (2010)
Planning for Fall Harvest began in July with Lands, Resources and Environment Department (LRE) staff. Cynthia Owl, Acting Lands Coordinator, assumed the role of Fall Harvest Coordinator for event planning purposes. Bi-weekly meetings were held with LRE staff and invited resource people. The Fall Harvest Coordinator compiled a task list and duties were delegated to LRE staff and the Community Development Manager. On-site coordination was taken on by Tammy Tremblay.
Comprehensive Community Plan
The Planning & Infrastructure Department continued to support the Fall Harvest by ensuring that all of the supplies and equipment were delivered to the site and picked equipment and garbage after the event.
Managing Z’gamok’s Traditional Lands
The Ambassador Program provided their services to help get the Fall Harvest grounds ready for the event. On October they had a crew of five go up and clear the monument site, cut the grass, minor brushing and pick up any garbage and debris. The road to the Fall Harvest site was brushed this year due to trees and shrubs growing in The LRE hired a community member to carry out this work. The Fall Harvest road was fixed where the beaver had washed out the road, two culverts were placed at road by pond. The Sagamok Roads department brought up equipment to complete this work.
Capital Planning Study
Spanish River Forest Management Plan 2020-2030
Booths and activities by Robinson Huron Treaty Confederation, MNRF, and Burnett & Associates, complimented activities facilitated or arranged by Sagamok staff.
The Fall Harvest is now completed. A total of four moose, one cows and three bulls, were harvested at the 2019 Fall Harvest. All moose were gutted and cleaned in the field. All moose were hung and skinned and quartered at the camp site. The attendance of people camping appeared to be down from 2016. The number of people in attending for day trips seemed average. The number of day visitors was approximately 50 people/day that signed in, many did not sign in. Booths and activities by Robinson Huron Treaty Confederation, MNRF, and Burnett & Associates, complimented activities facilitated or arranged by Sagamok staff.
FORESTRY ISSUES On-going throughout the year. Continue with MNRF and Forest Management Plans (FMP), Community Consultation process will be identified through Committee discussions.
The Temiskaming Forest is currently starting a new 10-year FMP and is engaging with local First Nations including Sagamok.
The LRE is also working on new 10-year plans with Sudbury, Northshore and Spanish Forest, these plans had started in 2017. Discussions with Domtar and the Pulp Mill in Espanola. Working with Negotiations Team and drafted EACOM Agreement.
Data collection and management is on-going. New FMP and Community Consultation Process are currently being processed and will be forwarded to C&C for review and discussions. LRE will be reviewing other programs. Continue working with MNRF and EACOM -Northshore Forest and the cutting of the Value site (to date we have no resolution). Lands Resources and Environment
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LANDS RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT
Working with Northshore Forests and Tree Tending Contracts Working with HydroOne and Tree Clearing on Hydro Right-of-Ways throughout Sagamok Working with the School Project and conducted Tree Removal on proposed new school site.
On-going programs and issues are being brought forth to the LRE, including the following:
Continue working with MNRF and the development of 4 new FMP's. Grid Metals Corp agreement was signed in July 2019 MNRF North-East Director was issued a letter that states that Sagamok requires Financial Resources through the CCA to have capacity to participate with all the developments in the Forestry Sector. The LRE continue working with NWMO discussions and Transportation discussions. The Land Use Core Group and LRE are experiencing some issues with scheduling of activities and meetings. Application for funding has been submitted to Indigenous Services Canada Working with MNRF and will include discussions on all developments in regarding MNRF (Forestry, Moose Management, Aggregates, Land Use Permits and Fisheries). LRE and Committee work is on-going. Land applications have been approved at Chief and Council.
Samantha Keysis keysis_samantha@sagamok.ca 33
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Lands Resources and Environment
The following are the four strategic goals of the Sagamok Education Unit. The strategic goals are: Language and Culture; Student Success; Communication and Collaboration; and Governance and Leadership. These goals guide the program and services delivery within the Unit at various sites in Education. This summary does not provide justice to the staff and their hard work in the planned activities and events in each of the goal areas. However, the following are a few highlights for the 20182019 fiscal year of activity. A detailed annual report will be produced and circulated in the community in October 2019 covering the academic year of September 2018 to August 2019.
ZHIITAAWIN VISION Empowering Sagamok Anishnawbek to be academically successful and culturally enriched.
WAA ZHI MISSION
Anishinaabemowin Enjigbeshing 5th Annual Anishinaabemowin Language Camp Sagamok Education and Community Wellness Departments hosted this year’s Anishinaabemowin Enjigbeshing 5th Annual Anishinaabemowin Language Camp during the week of July 21-26 at beautiful Fort LaCloche. Joanne Owl coordinated the event, supported by Summer Students Robin Eshkakogan and Star Trudeau, who worked in collaboration with a range of Sagamok Anishnawbek program and services, Sagamok Anishnawbek Che-Anishnawbek (Elders Council) and community-atlarge. Financial support was provided from the North Shore Tribal Council Education Program and the Union of Ontario Indians.
Annual Education Month May is Education Month in Sagamok Anishnawbek. It begins with a sacred fire and pipe ceremony, followed by community breakfast. Some of the activities hosted through our May 2019 Education Month included : annual Education Month powwow, Amazing Race, workshops held by Queen’s University (Engineering), Career Fair, Bear Witness Day, Grade 7 Ojibway Cultural Foundation tour, youth forum, Sagamok Trades Day and Student Career Re-
The Sagamok Anishnawbek Education Committee is an Anishnawbe, CommunityControlled and a Community-Based Educational Network. We shall provide a holistic educational process towards the well-being of the individual learners of the Sagamok Anishnawbek Nation.
BINESI DODEM BIRD DODEM (Eagle) Spiritualists, Pursuers of Knowledge Knowledge Keepers
EDUCATION Education
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EDUCATION VALUES
search project. The month ended off with a BBQ for all community members.
Fairness Everyone has an equal opportunity to Education
SHKI WAASE AABAN BINOOJIINH GAMIK
Quality We strive to provide the best education for our learners Accountability & Commitment We are accountable to our community and stakeholders and commit to offer access and quality education to our learners Equality Equality in Education services for every member of our community Empathy We will be empathetic to the needs of all children thereby strengthening their well-being and ensuring success
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Our goal is to encourage and guide our children through experiences that will enrich their self-confidence and strong sense of belonging through the Seven Sacred Teachings of Lifelong Learning.
Children and staff participated in our Annual Language Camp at Fort LaCloche which gives them an opportunity to express themselves and connect with our language through listening and enhancing their communication amongst peers.
Our program nurtures children’s development and supports their sense of self by providing daily outdoor activities for discovery and learning with our bodies, minds and senses.
We focus on creating and supporting caring relationships that are shared between children & adults through our Elder’s visiting program. We had a total of 6 Elder’s visiting twice per week.
Preschool children attended Fall Harvest and were able to observe an Elder clean a partridge and a rabbit. By providing this experience, our children had the chance to be involved by exploring & asking questions.
BIIDAABAN KINOOMAAGEGAMIK Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik continues to place language and culture as a priority providing students with opportunities for cultural teachings and the infusion of language and culture into everyday activities. This year, we added a Cultural / Elders Coordinator to oversee the Visiting Elders Program and seek out community individuals and other resources to provide cultural based learning opportunities for students. A focus on the future is to encourage more men to come forward to share.
Cultural Teachings
Elders visit Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik classrooms to tell stories, demonstrate crafts and speak Anishinaabemowin with our students.
Students enjoyed learning about the importance of the eagle feather and community staff, the Four Sacred Medicines and smudging ceremonies.
During the spring maple sugar run, students made birch bark bowls to collect sap and to be used for feast offerings.
Students joined community Elders to walk in Solidarity for the water on World Water Day in March.
Students have opportunities to share songs on the drums with the Biidaaban drum group, the Biiwaasaaya Junior Singers and girls hand drum groups engaged in extracutricular and after-school programs.
Traditional dance workshops continue to be offered to students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Biidaaban singers and dancers attended the Espanola High School pow wow during the month of May.
Students had the opportunity to learn quillwork, ribbon skirt making, loom work, necklaces and hand drum making.
At the beginning of each month, students attend a monthly Mno Bimaadziwin assembly that recognizes students for demonstrating traditional teachings and excelling in their school attendance.
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Lands Resources and Environment
EDUCATION
STUDENT SUPPORT NETWORK The Student Support Network (SSN) is a group of Sagamok Education staff from each level of education intended to:
help staff in dealing with internal issues, concerns, and personal wellness
plan for educational activities in a collaborative environment
meet the needs of all learners, with a specific focus on transitions and implementing Student Transition Support Plan activities
2019 Student Career Fair Weekly career research guidance sessions are held each year throughout April and May with grades 6-8 students engaged in researching various careers and occupations, getting them acquainted with career research and start thinking about future career possibilities. At the end of May, as part of Education Month, 40 students (20 males, 20 females) completed 31 Career Projects and shared them with the community.
Career & Education Planning Series Workshops Workshops are held for each level from grades 9 to 12 to engage students in career and education planning and research. During these sessions, students can prepare for meeting prerequisite requirements throughout their education and for eventual career/workforce entrance. Each grade is engaged in online Labour Market Research, and students are supported with developing a Career Action Plan that identifies their individual educational pathway throughout high school and post secondary in their field of interest. Between October 2018 and May 2019, nine (9) sessions were offered for students and three (3) sessions were offered for parents. In total, seven (7) parents attended information sessions and sixty nine (69) students. No students came to the Grade 11 sessions. This year, we merged grade 9 and 10 and geared it towards student interest in various fields. From last year’s evaluations, we heard that participants want to hear more of first person perspectives in our workshops so we brought in guest speakers that work in those fields to promote education and inspire our students to pursue jobs and co-op placement. On February 21, the Student Support Network and Espanola High School Students came together with Dean Riggs (EHS Co-op Teacher), Jon Brunette (Espanola Hospital Representative), Vanessa Dorian (Personal Support Worker), Vern McCumber (APS Officer), and Kristina Rivard-Gobbo (EHS Principal) to listen to real-life experiences of people engaged in a wide range of careers. Students were also given the opportunity to research a variety of post-secondary programs and match the highschool prerequisites needed to apply to them. 20 Espanola High School students attended in the morning and 17 attended in the afternoon. The student’s evaluation comments outlined that they enjoyed learning, “where certain careers can lead you,” “that co-op placements can help you choose a career,” “that it takes a lot of work and planning to get to the career you want.” A few points for the following year are to bring in someone in the computer programming and mining field as well as discussing summer co-op options. Education
2018/19 STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM PRESCHOOL LEVEL Rachel Toulouse Daycare Supervisor ELEMENTARY LEVEL Charlene Pine Elementary Student Support Worker SECONDARY LEVEL Christine Toulouse Secondary Student Support Worker (Network Chair) Mark Aizenberg, WALC Teacher (Alternate Network Chair)
POST SECONDARY LEVEL Lorna Sinobert Post Secondary Student Support Worker Lorrie Ann Linklater Post Secondary Student Support Worker (Network Recording Secretary)
WORKFORCE LEVEL Andrea Hajt-Jacobs ASETS Coordinator .
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EDUCATION Education Administrative Staff Anna Marie Abitong Director of Education Claudette Fournier Executive Assistant Jennifer Owl Student Data Base Systems Management Officer Rachel Toulouse Shki Waase-Aaban Binoojiinh Gamik Supervisor Rebecca L. Toulouse Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik Principal
Charlene Pine Elementary Student Support Worker Josephine Toulouse Secondary Student Support Worker
Mark Aizenberg WALC Teacher Marjorie Southwind WALC Principal Lorrie Ann Linklater Post-Secondary Student Support Worker Lorna Sinobert Post-Secondary Student Support Worker Andrea Hajt-Jacobs ASETS Coordinator Colleen Eshkakogan Librarian
Margaret Toulouse Anishnaabemowin Language Resource Support Worker 37
Land Based Learning Experiences
Grade 8 students enjoyed a variety of indoor and outdoor cultural and land based activities like archery, setting nets, fishing and beading during a session hosted by the Lands Resources and Environment and Community Wellness Departments at Ritchie Falls.
Grades 1 through 8 participated in the annual Sagamok Anishnawbek Fall Harvest and Grade 6 students participated in fall harvest activities hosted by Kenjgewin Teg in M’Chigeeng.
Intermediate students were involved in a two hatchery project: one for Rainbow Trout and the other for Walleye.
Students and staff participated in land-based learning with Great Lakes Cultural Camp.
Students engage in local community outings, like medicine walks, art opportunities and hikes.
Grade 1 students had the opportunity to skin and prepare a rabbit to eat, enjoying rabbit soup and bannock.
Students visiting a beaver pond with Elder Michael Abitong, learning words in Anishinaabemowin and information about beaver habitats.
Grade 7 and 8 students had the opportunity to learn how to cook a goose with a workshop by Englebert Cheakasm.
Grade 8 students went ice fishing along with their parents and community Elders during an event hosted by the Lands Resources and Environment department.
Intermediate students participated in teachings on the rites of passeage.
Students participated in Kenjgewin Teg’s Indigenous Games.
15 students attended the first Language Bowl hosted in M’Chigeeng where they sang songs in Anishinabemowin and performed a skit, assisted by Elders.
1 student was recognized with a Memorial Award at the annual Anishinaabemowin Teg Conference.
Grade 8 students netted their own fish to resource their annual June fish fry fundraiser.
Community Involvement
Students made 100 medicine bags that they shared with the greater community during National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Month.
Students made 100 red felt dresses that they shared with the greater community during May’s Red Dress Day. Elder Grace Manitowabi has carried these little red dresses with her to meetings outside the Sagamok community to share awareness about Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Students help create wreaths for Tasnhwang with collaboration with the Community Wellness Department.
ASETS ASETS supported rekindling Anishnaabe Inendamowin (thought) through a dedicated space for learning and teaching opportunities, resulting in:
participation in the annual Multi-Educational Centre building Feast & Smudge September 2018
participation in the Education Month Sunrise Ceremony 2019
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Education
EDUCATION
assisting with the Sagamok Anishnaabemowin Enjigbeshing in July 2019
Labelling all office equipment and furnishings with their Anishnaabemowin names to promote daily language exposure
SHKI WAASE AABAN BINOOJIINH GAMIK Our goal is to support the uniqueness in each child that will allow them to spark their curiosity, stimulate thinking and guide positive interactions as they share new learning opportunities.
We recognized each child’s unique spirit, individuality and achievements at our graduation celebration. We had 18 children that graduated from our program and 51 guests that took part in their special day.
Inviting our Elder’s into our day are ways in which we support and enrich the transmission of our language to our learners.
Early learners are provided with choices & decision making to engage in play with a wide variety of objects and open-ended materials for them to explore, manipulate, investigate & problem solve.
We support children’s developing sense of self by giving experiences where they can tackle challenges with enthusiasm as they participate throughout daily interactions amongst their friends.
Education Policies Shki Waase Aaban Binoojiinh Gamik Policy Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik School Policy
Secondary Student Support Policy Post Secondary Student Support Policy Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program (ISETP) Policy
FIRST NATION SCHOOL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES INITIATIVE (FNSHSSI) The FNSHSSI began in 2015 with the intent to respond to the voices of concerned parents and families of children with exceptional needs, from birth to high school, who felt more specialized services, were needed within their communities. As a result, a joint partnership of Health and Education technicians from four communities (Wiki, M’Chigeeng, Whitefish River, and Sagamok) came together to develop a centralized case-management service for children and youth attending on reserve schools (including Day Cares). The services identified for children/ youth and their families are
● Occupational Therapy ● Speech and Language Services ● Behavioural Intervention.
● Physiotherapy ● Psychoeducational Assessment
Biidaaban students access these services while they are in school in a portable unit attached to the Biidaaban Kinoomagegamik school facility that houses two treatment rooms. This joint partnership has not been without its challenges, mostly securing continuous and sustainable funding to build the human resource and/or capacity required to work with our children/youth and families in their communities. The full implementation of services in this past academic year has not been realized however, we did continue to receive services for Speech and Language; Psychoeducational Assessment services, Autism Programming and training of staff. We were also assigned a case manager (Cate Pitawanakwat) for Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik and Shki Waase Aaban Binoojiinh Gamik to begin the transition of full services from other providers to the First Nation School Health Support Services Initiative. Education
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EDUCATION Sagamok Anishnawbek
GRADUATIONS
DAYCARE (Preschool)
2019 18 2018 2017 2016
14 17 12
SENIOR KINDERGARTEN 2019 25 2018 2017 2016
16 29 17
BIIDAABAN KINOOMAAGEGAMIK Mental Health & Social Skills Programming Two School Based Mental Health Workers provide one-on-one services for 40 students and a Children’s Mental Health Worker provides services to 4 students. As well, Mental Health Workers provide crisis support for students. All classrooms are provided with Social Skills programming throughout the school year that is based upon the Seven Grandfather Teachings and provided by the School Based mental Health Worker and Student Support Worker. As needed, this team initiates Talking Circles for students who may be having social difficulties. This team partnered with the Community Wellness Department to hold a Kindness Rocks Dedication ceremony, install a bullying awareness board, host presentations on cannabis and Jordan’s Principle and designing murals to support National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Month. They also partnered with Anishinabek Police Services to offer presentations on bullying and internet safety.
After School Programming Some of the exciting after-school clubs offered for students included: the Code Club, Choir, Rock Band, Reading, Archery, Junior and Intermediate Basketball, Girls’ Hand Drum, Hockey Practice, the Games Club and the Literacy Club.
GRADE 8
Parent Teacher Advisory Council Events
2019 20
The Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik PTAC hosted a number of Family Movie Nights, Yule Log Making and family dances at Halloween and Year-End. PTAC also hosed a book mobile reada-thon.
2018 2017 2016
8 18 4
ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMA 2019 37 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
9 10 22 17 21 20
Assessments
Early Years Evaluation (EYE) This assessment was administered to Kindergarten students, providing indicators of development. Confident Learners Initiative (CLI) With students now having completed assessments, the CLI will be fully implemented from Kindergarten to Grade 3 at Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik to ensure that our learners are fluent and confident by the end of grade 3.
Developmental Reading Assessments (DRA) Assessment data for grades 4 through 8 indicates many students are below grade level in reading. To address this, students will be provided with differentiated learning opportunities. Prioritizing a strategic plan to raise math scores in 2019-2020 Assessment results from the Education Quality And Accountability Office (EQAO) provincial test, Canadian Achievement Test (CAT4) and other assessments indicate a need for a strategic plan that focuses upon raising math scores across all grades. This has been included as a priority focus in the coming year.
Special Education With the new First nation School Health Support Services Initiative, Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik students now have direct service access while in school to speech and language pathologists and clinicians, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychoeducational assessments and behavioral intervention. Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik continues to provide a multitude of services for students with behavioral, communication, intellectual, physical, or multiple exceptionalities as identified 39
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Education
EDUCATION through the psychoeducational assessment process or by speech pathologists, physicians or psychiatrists. Students continue to have the support of the Children’s Treatment Centre, Children’s Community Resource and W. Ross MacDonald School.
BIIDAABAN KINOOMAAGEGAMIK VISION
Transitions Transitional activities occur during the school year for all pre-school children at Shki Waase Aaban Binoojiinh Gamik who will be attending Biidaaban in the fall and for the Grade 8 students attending Espanola High School.
Shki Waase Aaban Binoojiinh Gamik visited Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik 3 times during which time they participated in a Reading Buddies activities with an Intermediate class, Kindergarten classroom visits, school tour and a presentation for Jordan’s Principle - Bear Witness Day, where each child received a stuffed animal. 20 students transitioned to Espanola High School and prepared with a number of activities including visits with the Secondary Student Support Worker in class. During these visits, the Espanola High School (EHS) Principal and Guidance Counsellor presented a slide and assisted with course selections. Students also attended Trades Day at EHS, the Powwow, a Parent Info Night and Jump Day, as well as a Student Shadow Day.
Parental Engagement & Community Involvement Biidaabank Kinoomaagegamik seeks to engage parents and community members in the educational journeys of our children with Open Houses, an annual Thanksgiving Feast, Numeracy Day, Family Math Day, Confident Learner Literacy Nights and Family Math Night, annual Holiday Festive Concert and community Christmas Breakfast, as well as numerous field trips and sporting events, like the Terry Fox Run and Biidaaban Classic.
Stimulating Activities
National Child Day Kindergarten, Junior and Intermediate students displayed research projects reflecting how children live in different countries.
Science & Heritage Fair Grades 4 and 8 researched and displayed a total of 32 resech projects in the areas of Science and Heritage with 80 students participating.
Students visited Anderson Farm and Science North, some took coding workshops provided by Science North and Elephant Thoughts Cancode, workshops by Solar Trek, Water Works, Earth Rangers an Improvement Workshop with Debajhmujig, and woodcarving in M’Chigeeng with the “Carver Kings”.
“Helping young minds achieve success and become confident learners.”
MISSION Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik provides a safe and nurturing learning environment that is conducive to the well-being of each student. We will foster Anishnaabe pride by weaving together academics and traditional knowledge so each child develops to their fullest potential.
MOTTO Nurture the child Support the Student Improve the community
SECONDARY STU DENTS In 2028-2019, there were a total of 71 Sagamok secondary students registered in Semester 1 and 62 secondary students registered in Semester 2 - with 2 students having moved away from the area, 1 having moved back to Sagamok, 3 having transferred to the Re-engagement program and 3 having graduated in the first semester.
Lates & Absences In both Semester 1 and 2, three was a total of 88 instructional days for students, with our student’s attendance as follows:
In the Semester 1 Grade 9 program, the 12 enrolled students missed an average of 15 days and had an average of 2.1 lates. In Semester 2, there were 10 Grade 9 students en-
Education
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EDUCATION In 2018-2019 Sagamok Post Secondary Students graduated from a wide variety of programs, like: UNIVERSITY Bachelors of Arts – Major in Native Studies Bachelors of Arts – Major Gerontology Bachelors of Science in Nursing Indigenous Language Instructors Bachelors of Arts – Specialization Psychology Master of Education in Educational Leadership Educational Administration Bachelors of Arts – Honours Psychology Concentration in Forensic Psychology Bachelors of Arts – Concentration Geography Doctor of Pharmacy – Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
COLLEGE Heavy Equipment Technician Occupational Therapist Assistant/ Physiotherapist Assistant Personal Support Worker Social Service Worker Early Childhood Education (2) Electrical Engineering Technician Business Management Certificate Liberal Arts 41
rolled who missed an average of 19.75 days and had an average of 1.2 lates. In the Semester 1 Grade 10 program, the 21 enrolled students missed an average of 16 days and had an average of 2.5 lates. In Semester 2, there were 20 Grade 10 students enrolled who missed an average of 19.97 days and had an average of 2.3 lates. In the Semester 1 Grade 11 program, the 11 enrolled students missed an average of 28 days and had an average of 2.4 lates. In Semester 2, there were 11 Grade 11 students enrolled who missed an average of 32 days and had an average of 1.9 lates. In the Semester 1 Grade 12 program, the 25 enrolled students missed an average of 16 days and had an average of 2 lates. In Semester 2, there were 22 students enrolled who missed an average of 23 days and had an average of 1.5 lates.
Credit Accumulation During the academic year, the 67 enrolled secondary students had the potential to receive 490 credits of which they successfully received 354 credits. This represents a success rate of 72%.
Transitions Grade 8 Secondary School Orientation Incoming Grade 9 students were provided with an in-depth orientation with two main activities, “Can You Picture this About Me?” and “Open the Combination Lock.”. During their orientation, students received information about the Secondary School program policies, roles and responsibilities, financial supports, community involvement requirements, High School clubs and sports, bus conduct rules and learning and working environments. At the end of the session, students were provided with a copy of “How to Get Good Grades In Ten Easy Steps” and their first semester school supplies. EHS – JUMP DAY The Espanola High School hosts an annual Jump Day where students can meet their teachers, find their lockers, take part in an assembly introducing staff and programs, and also take in a barbecue. This gives them time to practice finding class locations & apply gained skill to unlock/lock their locker combination.
Academic Success
25 Sagamok Anishnawbek secondary school students were recognized by the Rainbow District School Board for their outstanding achievements in June, 2019.
1 Sagamok Anishnawbek secondary school student was recognized by Espanola High School for in the subject “First Canadians and Numeracy” and another student in the subject “Exploring Our World / First Canadians.”
Graduations The 2018-2019 Graduation hosted by Sagamok Anishnawbek for its Secondary, Post Secondary and Adult Education students was held on August 1, 2019 at the beautiful Fort LaCloche grounds, recognizing 17 graduates of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma from Espanola High School and 20 graduates from other secondary school. Among other awards, the Director of Education Academic Excellence Award was given to 7 Grade 9 students, 8 Grade 10 students, 4 Grade 11 students and 8 Grad 12 students.
WAAWAASNOODE ADU LT LEARNING CENTRE In the 2018-2019 academic year, 15 students of Waawaasnoode Adult Learning Centre graduated and many others were supported in achieving their Ontario Secondary School Diplomas. In total, 168.5 credits were earned by Waawaasnoode Adult Learning Centre students. New Environmental Science (SVN3E) and Hospitality and Tourism (TFJ3C) In Class Courses
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Education
EDUCATION Both courses integrate Anishnaabe perspectives and implement a community land-based approach to earning. Students worked towards achieving a credit for an in-class course as well as employment training and certificates in Wilderness First Aid and CPR, Outdoor Survival, Canoe Safety, Safe Food Handlers, Smart Serve and Customer First Training. Students achieved a 77.5% class average for the Environmental Science course and 67% for the Hospitality and Tourism.
Transitions Post-secondary students were provided with an Orientation to the Sagamok Anishnawbek Secondary School Program, going through policies, school introductions and a budgeting presentation.
Graduations On August 1, 2020, a total of 11 University Graduates (11 female, 1 male) and 9 College Graduates (6 female, 1 male) were recognized.
COLLEGE 2019
9
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
9 10 22 17 21 20
UNIVERSITY
ASETS ASETS supported, promoted, and engaged students by providing programs and services to increase student success, promote lifelong learning, and increase skills development and employment attainment with the following results:
Clients Served: In total, 225 clients contacted ASETS for employment and training related supports. Of these, 78% (or 175 clients) completed the intake process. Of these 225 clients, 66% sought financial assistance.
Service Statistics: In total, 324 individuals and 5 groups were provided with employment counselling sessions. 224 individuals visiting the office to access computer, internet or telephone resources.
Sagamok Anishnawbek POST SECONDARY GRADUATIONS
Funding Applications: From the 225 clients served, 149 funding applications were received and of these, 134 (or 90%) of them were approved. Those not approved for funding may not have been eligible for funding or the projects did not proceed as expected. ASETS staff also assist4d 47 clients with accessing funds from other sources for otherwise unavailable projects or to cost share for greater service delivery and to maximize funding. Of the 134 approved funding applications, 35% concerned Skill Enhancement (in class training), 26% concerned the summer student program, 18% concerned employment support, 11% concerned a targeted wage subsidy, 8% concerned mentored work experience, and 1% each concerned career exploration and self-employment assistance.
2019
11
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
12 9 6 15 10 8
ASETS/ ISETP 2019
35
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
9 15 — 6 5 7
Of the 134 approved funding projects, 91% (or 124) were completed. Of those clients completing these project, 51% were male, 46% are female and 3% are transgender. 31% were adults while 69% were youth.
Designing a new Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik The Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik School Capital Design project began with its kick off meeting held in June 2019 with the hired Project Management Team from Colliers and subsequently, the hiring of the architectural firm - JL Richards & Associates Ltd of Sudbury, Ontario to complete the Design Plan Phase. Design timelines were developed and approved by Education
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EDUCATION SHKI WAASEAABAN BINOOJIINH GAMIK
council with the following targets: final Design Report to be completed by February 2020 with a proposed construction start date of April 2020 and new school completion date of August 2021. However, this is all pending approved funding for the construction phase from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) for major capital funding
VISION
Our goal is to establish and promote positive relationships with parents through the engagement of ongoing communication and involvement that value children’s experiences.
“All children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential” Shki Waase-Aaban Binoojiinh Gamik is licensed under the Child Care Early Years Act through Ministry of Education, as well as, Ontario government regulations. Our centre offers a learning program that is consistent with Ministry of Education policies, pedagogy and curriculum We operate year round to meet the needs of our families child care needs. Our program assists 39 children with • our Toddler Room having 15 spaces for children between 18 months and 30 months), and • our Preschool Room having 24 spaces for children between 31 months and 6 years. 43
SHKI WAASE AABAN BINOOJIINH GAMIK
We believe that parents are the first and most powerful influence in their child’s learning and well-being. We promote parental engagement on an ongoing basis. Parents and families joined their child for our annual Thanksgiving day feast. We had 35 adults and 27 children all together.
Our program continues to deliver activities for children to grow and understand their place in the group which also promotes lifelong skills like personal responsibility and problem solving.
We connect with our community partners to provide learning opportunities and promote awareness for our children and their families. During our Nutrition presentation, we had 16 adults & 7 children participate.
We work collaboratively with other service providers, such as, School Health Support Services by offering Speech & Language therapy to provide equal learning experiences for the needs and best interest of our children.
BIIDAABAN KINOOMAAGEGAMIK Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik operates a social media channel on the Facebook platform that connects parents with the school. Biddabaan also continues to connect with parents through paper notes, an exterior display sign, Class Dojo, Storypark and email. Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik also publishes monthly calendars and website updates, as well as ensuring a presence in the Education Department Bulletins that are published quarterly.
POST - SECONDARY STU DENTS We exercise effective communications to collaborate and inform students, staff and community of educational opportunities and practices. Promote and deliver programs and services through use of technology, community events, activities, and forums.
3 submissions in quarterly education newsletters
12 Career Sessions with High School Students and Parents
Website updates for Post-Secondary Allowance Cheque Distribution Dates
Maintaining current Educational Assistance forms for student access through the Sagamok Education website.
ASETS
Weekly updates of the public job board and sharing of over 500 employment and training opportunity posts to the Sagamok Job & Training Information Board Facebook Group.
Annual Program Information Booth at the Sagamok Education Month Career Fair to pro-
Z’gamok Anishnawbek 2019—2020 Annual Report
Education
EDUCATION mote programs, services, and provide summer employment opportunity information.
ASETS Staff partnered with Student Support Network to deliver Career and Education Planning Series Session to grade 9-12 students.
ASETS Coordinated Annual Trades Day for Education Month with 10 trades activity booths.
Sagamok Anishnawbek Education Transformation The First Nation with Schools Collective is intended to develop new funding mechanisms and jurisdiction pathways for First Nations education that support First Nations systems development of a holistic, culturally responsive, high quality education for First Nation students. The collective includes eight (8) First Nations in the Ontario Region as follows: Walpole Island; Chippewas of the Thames; M’Chigeeng First Nation; Mississaugas of New Credit; Oneida Nation of the Thames; Sagamok Anishnawbek; Wikwemikong and Six Nations (observer status). Dr. Brent Debessagi of Western University provides the research component to the collective and Leslee White Eye is the project coordinator. Since 2016, the Collective has been actively engaging communities (staff, members of council, Education Committee members, and community membership) in three (3) priority areas intended to guide communities in the development of their own education systems. The three priority areas are: Education Formula Funding; Governance Readiness; and Research, Assessment and Evaluation. In March & May of 2019 two community engagements were held on what should be included in a Funding Policy Framework and the following provided the issues for further discussion into the future:
Curriculum and resources Transitional supports for students to continue on to college/university; life supports Research models Modern Infrastructure Innovation Parity of Wealth “Plus Plus”
Remoteness / Distance Maintaining Vital sSocial Links Data System Transformation Building Capacity Partnerships within the community or other First Nations
SHKI WAASE AABAN BINOOJIINH GAMIK Our goal is to build capacity, enhance and support all staff in staying current in educational trends and best practices by providing continuous professional learning opportunities.
The Early Childhood Development Parent Committee of parents and community representatives works to provide ideas for the well-being of students.
As registered Early Childhood Educators, our staff engages in lifelong professional learning.
Staff participated in a “Play Nice in the Sandbox” team building session.
Staff were given the opportunity to attend the Native Early Childhood conference that focused on “Reclaiming our Language through Early Years.”
Education
Our goal at Shki. Waase-Aaban Binoojiinh Gamik is to have our children leave the centre with the experiences of a loving, fun-filled, and healthy environment by:
• Helping them make friends & work together through teaching them to respect one another, show kindness and compassion; • Helping them build selfconfidence & independence through nurturing and praising their efforts; Preparing them with “readiness” skills through routines and setting the tone for academic growth.
“When parents are involved, children will achieve MORE!” .
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EDUCATION Year End Activities for Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik Learners
BIIDAABAN KINOOMAAGEGAMIK
Biidaaban continues to build new partnerships and maintain existing relationships with Kenjgewin Teg, the North Shore Tribal Council, the Chiefs of Ontario and other partners locally and provincially.
The Student Support Worker attended the annual ONECA engagement Session and represents Biidaaban at a number of community planning forums throughout the year. She will be monitoring the automated call system for our safe arrivals.
The Principal continues to be aware of new developments in the First Nations with School Collective and attended a workshop in Little Current to be better able to address questions about this new reform. The Principal also attended meetings regarding the new school initiative.
Grades 3 & 4 Urban Air
Grades 5 & 6 Laurentian University Outdoor Education Centre and Pool
The Student Support Worker and our School Based Mental Health Worker presented to local First Nation and Rainbow Board teachers at a PD session hosted by Shawanosowe School in the spring sharing our unique integrated in-school support system and our Seven Teachings program.
Staff Professional Learning Communities continued monthly capacity building and helping to keep staff aware of services available to students with the new School Health Support Initiative and Jordan’s Principle.
Grade 7 John Island Camp
Kenjgewin Teg provided ongoing Professional Development in language, literacy, numeracy and technical support for all staff with the goal to build internal capacity as the First Nation Student Success Program (FNSSP) is in its last year.
The FNSSP Principals continued to meet quarterly.
Anishnaabemowin staff attended Professional Development provided by Anishnaabemowin Teg.
Educational Assistant Staff attended Professional Development in the form of Autism training with Sudbury Learning Disabilities Association and the Chiefs of Ontario Autism training.
One staff member attended FASD- PD Session hosted By the Anishnawbek Nation.
Three staff attended Chiefs of Ontario Special Education workshops offered in the fall and winter.
One staff attended Geneva House in Toronto for Autism workshops.
Four staff attended For the Love of Reading in Toronto.
Two staff attended the CONNECT 2019 Education technology conference in Niagara Falls.
One staff attended the OPHEA (Ontario Physical Education Association Conference. Great Lakes Cultural Camps with Dr. Pamela Toulouse providing ways to infuse culture and language into the curriculum.
Kindergarten teams attended Linking Land Based Inquiries to Early Learning hosted at Anderson Lake in August. Those staff who needed their first update attended a session offered here in Sagamok.
We continue to report using the Monthly Education dashboard reports connecting everything to the 12 determinants “Strong Families and Clans” to support community development. Staff meetings take place weekly at Biidaaban and monthly at the Education unit. The principal attends both the Education Committee and Joint Committee group as a resource. 15 staff renewed their Ontario College of Teachers certification. ECE renewals were submitted as they came up.
Grades 1-8 Play Day / Fun Day of water activities
Grade 1 & 2 Science North
Grade 8 Toronto Trip
Shki Waase Aaban Binoojiinh Gamik 3042 New Subdivision Road Sagamok Anishnawbek, Ontario, P.O. Box 610, P0P 1P0 Ph: (705) 865-1180 Fax: (705) 865-1182 daycare@sagamok.ca
Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik 717 Sagamok Road P.O. Box 577 Sagamok Anishnawbek, Ontario P.O. Box 610, P0P 1P0 Ph; (705) 865-2387 Fax: (705) 865-3411 toulouse_becky @sagamok.ca
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EDUCATION ASETS The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) Agreement is administered by the North Shore Tribal Council (NSTC), with funding provided by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The program provides employment and training supports to assist unemployed and underemployed Sagamok members facing barriers to employment, to enhance skills in order to securing long-term employment. Sagamok Anishnawbek is a Sub-agreement holder to the NSTC Agreement and is thereby a Local Delivery Mechanism (LDM) of ASETS programs and services. 2017 and 2018 are part of extension years to the original five-year ASETS 2010-2015 Agreement. As of April, 2019, ASETS has been replaced by the new Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program (ISETP). The ISETP is a 10-year agreement that is intended to build on what was successful about ASETS while reflecting the call for improvements from Indigenous partners during the 20162017 Indigenous Engagement Dialogues. Key changes to ISETP are that the agreement is considered to be a more “co-developed program” with Indigenous partners; it is intended to provide greater flexibility for organizations to design programming to meet the needs of their people and communities. The agreements have moved from a provincial regional structure to a distinctions-based structure, intended to recognize, respect and reflect Canada’s Indigenous peoples. During the next year, Sagamok will be working on interpreting the new agreement for its full application to enhancing employment and training programs and services. For the purpose of his report, the term ASETS will continue to be used. ASETS
ASETS staff attended over 35 meetings and information sessions with over 15 partners and funders to gain and share information and advocate for the needs of clients and community
ASETS staff engaged in capacity building and completed three skills development/ certification programs to better serve clients and community including Myers Briggs Type Inventory Master Trainer Certification
ASETS submitted 3 proposals for additional funds in support of youth and summer employment and training, and a community based Intro to Trades program
ASETS conducted online survey of Employment & Training Programming using Survey Monkey to gain client and community input for strategic planning in moving from ASETS to ISETP
Espanola High School 147 Spruce Avenue Espanola, ON P5E 1R7 Ph: (705) 869-1590 Fax: (705) 675-0229 Espanola_High_School @rainbowschools.ca
Waawaasnoode Adult Learning Centre 4008 Espaniel Street Sagamok Anishnawbek, Ontario .
P.O. Box 610, P0P 1P0 Ph: (705) 865-1475 Fax: (705) 865-3276
Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program (ISETP) 4008 Espaniel Street Sagamok Anishnawbek, Ontario P.O. Box 610, P0P 1P0 Ph: (705) 865-2421 1 (800) 567-2896 Fax: (705) 865-1509
Z’gamok Waaseyaankaan Teg Language and Culture Centre 610 - Unit 7 Sagamok Road (Millennium Centre) Ph: (705) 865 - 2000 toulouse_margaret @sagamok.ca
Anna Marie Abitong abitong_anna@sagamok.ca Education
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MAANG DODEM LOON DODEM Chieftainship Internal Affairs
FINANCE
Ryan McLeod mcleod_ryan@sagamok.ca 47
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ABDIK NENDWENDAAGWAG Basic Physical Needs Clean water Adequate nutrition Shelter Clothing Sanitary waste disposal
SAGAMOK ANISHNAWBEK
DETERMINANTS MSHK AWI MAAMWISWIN EZHI NGODWEYAANGIZING, AASCAABWITAADING, MAAMWI NAADMAADING ENHI DEBENDAAGZING Strong bonds of unity, cooperation, social support and belonging
OF
WELL-BEING
NAAGDAWENDJGENG, KOWAAMJIGENG ZOONGAAKWIGENG Protection, safety and security
ANISHNAABE’AAZIWIN AYAWYING Cultural integrity and identity
ZONGI NAWENDING MIINWAA DODEMING Strong families and clans
AABDIK GE KENJIGAADEGBAN WII ZHISEK Critical learning opportunities
KSKWIEWZIWIN WAANKIIENJGEWIN WII KIDAT ENENDANG Adequate power, freedom and voice
Sagamok Anishnawbek Determinants of Wellbeing
GWEYAK MINIK WAAKIAAIGANAN (WEGWAAMAN) NAAKIIWNAN, NAADMAADWINAN MIINWAA KAWAAMDIWIN Adequate infrastructure, human services and social safety net. NAME’EWIN, MANITOWAADZIWIN, NIIGAAN NAABING, ENJI WENJIZHICHIGENG Spirituality, vision and purpose Having a connection to the Creator and; Having a fully developed sense of vision, purpose and direction as individuals, as families in community life and In the life of the Nation WIWENI KANOONDING MIINWAA NSASTAMWIN TEG Open, healthy communication and access to information DEBNEWEWSIWIN DEBZEK ZHOONYAA BIINDGESHKAAG Adequate income and sustainable economics NGO OODENAW MINO BIMAADZIWIN AASGAABWITAADING NAANDWECHIGENG KINOOMAADING NIKOGING GEGO YASHTOONG Community climate that nurtures and supports healing, learning, personal growth and creativity
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GAVIN ESHKAKOGAN
COURTNEY BENNETT
BRAD POLSON
CLAIRE PELTIER SOUTHWIND
KRISTEN STONEYPOINT
BETTY TOULOUSE
NESSA SOLOMON
ACADIA SOLOMON
DARCY SARAH TRUDEAU