The Traveling Feather AGA 2010 issue by Service Please

MLIB

AUGUSTUS 2010

NO.9

The Traveling Feather

WE, THE TSE’KHENE NATION (PEOPLE OF THE ROCK) ARE PROUD PEOPLE

SUMMER

The 2010 AGA 22nd Annual Education Celebration 10 Year Treaty 8 Celebration ......and a wedding! Sharlene & Allan Inyallie, July 31, 2010

Contributors MLIB The Traveling Feather Derek Orr, Adele Chingee, Cindy Berg, Margie Alec, Jodie Ware, Jennifer Weightman, Lucy Martin, Kandy Klijnsmit, Sharlene Inyallie, Allan Inyallie, Ryan Bichon, Debra Lewis, Sharon Kennedy, Brenda Schley, Meaghan van Somer, Chris Kaip, Scott Taylor, Jodi Sharp, Eran Spence, Alec Chingee, Yasmin Prince, Guy Ro chel eau , Jen n i f er W ei gh tm a n , Geraldine Solonas & Marc P. Klijnsmit McLeod Lake Indian Band address: General Delivery McLeod Lake, V0J 2G0 Toll Free 1-888-822-1143

www.duzcho.com

Newsletter Submissions Would you like to write something for The Traveling Feather? Please submit your story to mklijnsmit@mlib.ca

MLIB Publiction No.9 The Traveling Feather is published up to 12 times a year. Members of the McLeod Lake Indian Band and the people of McLeod Lake can submit their news and pictures at mklijnsmit@mlib.ca

Office Opening Hours The McLeod Lake Indian Band Office is open Monday - Friday 8.30am - 4.00pm.

Chris Kaip McLeod Lake Indian Band Social Worker Hi, my name is Chris Kaip and I am the new Band Social Worker for McLeod Lake Indian Band. I was hired January 4, 2010 I love to play sports and I play Hockey in the winter and Baseball in the summer. My education is from Thompson Rivers University where I continue to work on my BSW Degree. Community Social Work is a passion of mine and I provide advocacy and support to Band members that require this service. I also provide assistance and support to families involved with MCFD as well as liaising with RCMP and other appropriate services. Providing referrals, outreach services and home visits is an integral part of this position. I also provide support to Residential School Survivors and their families and, if needed, referrals to appropriate service providers to address the residual effects of this experience. I maintain appropriate clinical, client and administrative records. This position is funded through proposal writing

Chris Kaip 2

Adele Chingee McLeod Lake Indian Band Manager It s been a year since stepping in, first as Acting Band Manager then applying and accepting the position as Band Manager. The past year has been positive and of course, it has its challenges. Overall I am pleased to be able to provide my services to our members and support our Band. I believe that I have been effective and it s been a very positive experience for me. I continue to work with Chief and Council and our Administration team. I work hard with Council, keeping them informed of all decisions and the basis for those decisions. My overall working relationship with Council and administration is impressive; we meet on a regular basis to ensure we are on track with our direction. If a gray area pop up, then I refer to our Policies to guide the direction. We are working hard to making our office a safe place to work, we had to develop and implement a Zero Tolerance Policy. Unfortunately we had some incidences that required the RCMP to assist us with dealing with the situations. Further outcome was scheduling workshops to deal with Lateral Violence. This workshop was open to all Council, Administration Staff and the community. Lateral Violence is a black cloud that has loomed over us for years. It has become a destructive way of life for families and our community. We will take steps to turning these negative energies into positive ones. Our goal is to continue to schedule workshops on the subject of Lateral Violence throughout the year. We want to extend our invitation for the community members to participate with these workshops. On the flip side, the results are the positive remarks we received from Government (INAC) and from our Industry contacts. They see McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB) as proactive and professional. They view our Band as an organization that wants to do business in a professional manner. Our Funding Services Officer from INAC said in a supporting letter that McLeod Lake Indian Band is a good organization with good leadership and governance in place . These are very positive reflections for our Band. McLeod Lake Indian Band is continuing to operate under a constrained budget again this fiscal year. Each department is provided with monthly financial reports which assist our managers with proper management information on each of the programs. It also helped us to be on time with our Yearly Audit. The managers have been keen and worked together to making all this happen and on time and most importantly, on budget!

www.mlib.ca 3

We re starting to feel a little relief as our businesses are starting to see some positive results and their bottom lines are improving. Our economic opportunity is improving with new agreements being signed with Terrane Metals, the Provincial Economic Development Agreement and the Mackenzie Pulpmill. We see a commitment from our MLIB Group of Companies to the Band to start contributing Adele Chin gee & Const 20% of their net earnings into able Joe Pla nt the Band s coffers. When funds from corporate earnings start, they will be allocated through the steps outlined in our Financial Bylaw and we will be establishing a second Trust as a safeguard to our members. The second trust is important because it will guarantee how these funds are accessed for community based projects for the full benefit of all members. However, it s only the beginning so we need to be cautious as we climb out the recent recession. We are very well positioned with our company involvement in Northeast BC to take advantage of new developments. These developments will result in more work for our companies, and those members who wish to find job opportunities. Our approach is to maintain and develop healthy and profitable businesses as well as to provide employment opportunities for our members. We re all optimistic and everyone seems to be going in the same direction. What this translates to is that the Chief and Council, our Board of Directors, business managers and administration staff are all working together. We are all committed to achieving success and progress for McLeod Lake Indian Band. We can accomplish this as long as we develop a TEAM approach to work, plan, strategize and make decisions together. We all need to be proactive instead of reactive. Our success will be the result of a TEAM effort. In April this year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of our adhesion agreement under Treaty 8. This agreement signed with the governments of Canada and British Columbia provided a major step forward for our community and recognition of our traditional territory. This agreement has provided our community with significant progress in developing our potential as a Band and individual members. We are all doing our part to make certain our Band progresses and is able to take advantage of this agreement and the opportunities that are being place in front of us.

Thanks to everyone who helped cleaning up!! 4

Although our Administration has limited funds for operations, we are still providing the services required for our members by our various departments. Our members continue to receive health care, social assistance (when all eligibility requirements are met), housing, education and training support and membership services. Our administration staff responds to the questions and requests of the members. However, we can t always provide financial assistance; but we do provide casual work on some occasions to respond to some of the hardships for our members. Again, this does not happen all the time, only when a department can use the extra support and their budget can afford it. For a possible future program, we ve changed our Members Assistance Program Policy. Each member will need to comply with certain criteria and most cases the members have to be willing to repay the funds provided to them. In other words, you have to work for your money; there will no more providing funds for nothing. Of course it s challenging with our off reserve members, so what we re examining new ways to respond to all members in a consistent and fair manner. As an example, we are actively developing a new program to assist our members to be able to take advantage of new job opportunities with our companies and business associates. The Administration department has been going through a very challenging phase with retaining our employees at McLeod Lake. We have lost several valuable employees for one reason or another. We are working very hard to respond to some of their needs in order to keep them employed with us. It s very difficult; the big issue is the daily commute from Prince George. We are reviewing this issue to find a solution that will address the problem. Other issues involve health of our workers as we are supporting employees going on maternity leaves, etc. Under the Canada Labor Code we have to accommodate our employees for health issues. It s unfortunate that our Band Members do not have the required skills needed and experience to fill all the vacant positions. We need to post some jobs for skilled and qualified people and as a result many of these jobs get awarded to nonmembers. My best advice to our members is to attend school and to continue your education. Get your Grade 12 certificate and get post secondary training in Human Resources, Finance, Commerce, Management, Health and Counseling, Computer Techs, GIS, Forestry, Lands, Environmental Training, and the list goes on. These positions are some of the listed jobs with McLeod Lake Indian Band. Job applicants also need to be Healthy! We re very aware of some of the health challenges of our members. Fortunately, we can assist members with programs and facilities that are available to our members, who are willing and able to attend, and hopefully get back on the right track and get healthy.

Adele Chingee

When we have a new Human Resources Manager, it will free up some of my time to work with Chief and Council in: • Overall management for MLIB s Operations and Financial resources; • administrating all phases of the Bands Programs and serving as an advisor to the Council; • Liaising by communicating with other First Nations, all level of government agencies; industry; news media; INAC, Health Canada, Band lawyers, etc on behalf of our Band Council in administrative matters. • Strategic planning, setting priorities and goal setting with Council and implementing strategic plans and goals; • Ensuring all Chief &Council Meetings are properly scheduled and liaise with the Executive Assistant to ensure that the packages and the agenda are compiled and distributed before the schedule meeting; • Keeping up with current affairs and reporting to Council any potential risks or setbacks for our community; • Developing and implementing of new Policies; • Reviewing current of Policies to ensure that they are up to date , including a proper review of legal documents; • Negotiating Service Agreements and other agreements with the Regional District and Town of Mackenzie, RCMP, etc; • Negotiating Funding Agreements with INAC and Health Canada; • Ensuring that the information is going out to the membership? Is the Website set up properly with up to date information? Are monthly newsletters are going out with Department Reports as part of the Information Packages, etc. • Scheduling the community information meetings; • Working with our Board of Directors and Board of Trustees to ensure that the Band s interest is expressed and protected;

Thanks to everyone who helped cleaning up!! 7

Adele s AGA 2010 report

As employment opportunities come available for various projects with our companies, our members need to ensure that they are able to successfully pass illegal drug and alcohol testing . With this challenge, some members face a barrier to gain employment opportunities. That s why it s so important to deal with health issues first. Life is too short, so you want to make the most of it. The best advice I can give to our general membership is to make positive lifestyle changes so you can live life to your full potential, because once you re clean n sober, there is no holding you back. We do want to see our members succeed, and you will succeed with education and training. It s the key to success. We re in the final stages of hiring a new Human Resources Manager that will help us to address some of the issues we face in Administration and with our companies. With the new Human Resources Manager, we ll be looking at improving our recruiting and hiring practices, career counseling, training planning and most of all, implementation of our Employment Policy.

As reported previously, Chief and Council accepted their own Policy back in November, 2009. The Chief &Council Policy clearly outlines their responsibility to be more accountable and transparent to its membership. It also outlines their role as a governing body; it separates the Council s role from being involved in Administration. It also stipulates conditions and direction on certain matters, such as non attendance for meetings, what happens when the Chief Councilor is unavailable, etc. We also informed the members that we will be moving the Policy under the Election Code, which will give the Policy more power, because it will be a By Law, and therefore subject to enforcement. We are planning to do this in the very near future, as we make plans to amend some of Band Codes, such as the Election Code, Membership Code, Land Code, Financial By-law, etc. When we do this work we ll be recruiting members to participate in the Working Group. Overall the Chief and Council are working well, although we are still struggling with micro managing from our Council members with our Hiring practices. When this occurs it is brought to Council s attention at their Regular Meeting and that is where it is discussed. Council then is reminded about the line between Governance and Administration. I m currently working with a consultant to provide training for Council for governance training in how to Chair a meeting, conduct a productive meeting and assist with dispute resolution. Our goal is to ensure that all Council Meetings are properly conducted and is productive and that all the members interest is discussed and not focused on individuals or individual families. We want to eliminate the negative aspects such as the personal attacks, improper remarks, foul or aggressive language. Our goal is to help Council meetings to be respectful and productive. We re continuing to work with a consultant in developing a Policy which will guide the seniors and Elders of our Community. It s important, because there is no policy in place; we have bits and pieces of Criteria in Motions of Council Meetings. We re literally starting from ground zero with the Policy. Age is also a huge factor in determining seniors and Elders. For recognition of Elders , we want to bring back the true meaning of Elder in respect to their community contribution, teachings and participation in cultural and language, including interaction with the Youth. The changes we are proposing with the new Policy are to encourage sustainability of our culture and language, encourage healthy living and encourage respect and community involvement. We look forward to completing this project and will seek the memberships input and support.

www.mlib.ca 8

We are also working with a consultant in developing our own strategies in dealing with environmental concerns on reserve lands, as we move toward negotiating an Environmental Management Agreement (EMA) with Her Majesties (Canada and Province). McLeod Lake Indian Band has the opportunity to taking on environmental management of our lands and we can do this by identifying the issues, developing environmental laws or regulations or adopt the existing legislation. Our EMA will enable MLIB to monitor and enforce our laws. We have a band member who is currently enrolled in the Environmental Management Diploma Program at UNBC. We also have a coordinator on staff to assist the consultant who in turn works with the lands committee. The Project is ongoing and will continue until the end of the fiscal year. This phase and the next phase are fully funded by INAC. I m very proud of the TEAM we ve developed and the progress we are making. So, this new Fiscal Year will be no different, we ll forge ahead. We keep looking for those opportunities and we ll make the best of them. We want to encourage the Band Membership to continue doing the same, look at opportunities and getting involved. Be part of the change, be a part of OUR CHANGE. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and congratulate all members of Chief and Council, Administration Managers and Staff, Board of Trustees, Board of Directors and members for MLIB s continued support and progress. Mussi Cho.

e e g n i h Adele C

Derek Orr

Derek Orr McLeod Lake Indian Band Chief Dear Members, I am glad that many of you are planning to attend our 2010 Annual Gathering Assembly and 22nd Annual Education Celebration. Over the past two years McLeod Lake Indian Band has been inundated with many changes and challenges. You may be aware that Council and Administration were not able to provide our Members with any positive news for over a year and a half. There was no doubt that this Council and many of our Members knew that we had a tough road ahead of us when we were elected in June 2008, but I don t think anyone thought it would get as challenging as it did! Fortunately, we have weathered the storm and have great opportunities as we move forward. Although we have a lot of very positive news, the McLeod Lake Indian Band still has areas that we can develop. For instance, we have policies and codes that need to be updated, housing arrears to be managed and the Treaty 8 Trust deficit that must be dealt with and concluded. We will provide our Members with an update on these and many other topics on the first day (August 05, 2010) of our Annual General Assembly. In March 2009 McLeod Lake Indian Band had to reduce our Annual Budget by over 44%. Multiple factors, including the November 2007 distribution, Worldwide Economic downturn and logging revenues dropping by 75% due to the pine beetle epidemic all played a part in the necessary budget reduction. Furthermore, when the stock market tumbled, our Trust was left in a deficit that made us unable to access the Trust for Band programs and services. As a result, there were reductions in Education, Elders and Youth programs. To make things worse, in November 2008, along with many other First Nations, Duz Cho Construction was left with a 3.7 million dollar account receivable that they were unable to collect and faced bankruptcy. Fortunately, in December 2009 Duz Cho Construction received 80% of the outstanding receivable and in and instant we were stable again. This would have not been the case if it was not for the hard work of our staff, workers, Senior Managers, Board of Directors, Administration and Council. This is a significant accomplishment because most companies left in this situation usually do not recover. Despite all the challenges that we faced over the past two years we were still able to accomplish many of the goals that were identified in my election campaign. Looking back on McLeod Lake Indian Band s history it is apparent that we have always been a very proactive organization. As a newly elected chief, I too wanted to maintain our proactive approach and use partnerships to move our organization forward. It is my belief that the real opportunity lies within industry and the many activities throughout our traditional territory. Many of our Members, fellow Leaders and I, believed that we were not fully benefitting from all the industrial activities with our lands. As a result, Chief & Council focused on developing relationship with industry throughout our Traditional territory and worked to be involved in all the activities in Oil & Gas Exploration, Mining, Forestry and many other activities in our traditional lands. The benefits and positive feedback have been overwhelming. McLeod Lake is known throughout the business industry as a Band that wants to do Business. Although the governments do provide us funding, and we appreciate it, it will never provide us with all the revenues for health, education, culture and other programs that are truly needed for us to reach all our goals.

Since June 2008 Chief and Council has developed many new relationship as well as renewing a few relationships we already had with: Wind Energy Plutonic Power Finavera Capital Power Aeolis Wind Power General Electric Dokie Wind

Mining Terrane Metals Western Coal Ledcor CMI First Coal

Oil &Gas EnCana ConocoPhillips Shell Canada

Forestry Mackenzie Pulp Mill

McLeod Lake Indian Band has completed agreements with most of the above companies or we are currently working on finalizing agreements. The real benefits to these relationships are jobs for our Members, contracts for our companies and revenues for our Band. In addition, the partnerships that we developed provide McLeod Lake Indian Band the capacity to bid and complete larger projects that yield greater profits. Profits can then be used towards health, education, culture, language and many other programs that will benefit all Members of the McLeod Lake Indian Band. These relationships not only provide jobs for our members, but they also provide opportunities for our Band owned companies. Less than a year ago our companies struggled due to the downturn in the world wide economy. Thankfully, this Council was diligent in appointing a professional Board of Directors that continues to provide recommendations to Council. There is no doubt that 2008/2009 were by far the most difficult times the McLeod Lake Indian Band has faced in over a decade. However, with the sound recommendations from our Board of Directors, McLeod Lake Indian Band was able to thwart a situation that would have set us back thirty years. We were forced to make drastic and very difficult decisions in 2008/2009. Because these difficult decisions were made with a plan to ensure the long term benefits of our people, it has allowed us to move forward in 2010 with the ability to take advantage of the growing economy and to ensure that we develop safety measures so that McLeod Lake Indian Band is never in the position that we were in during 2008/2009. Some of the measures the Council and Board of Directors have undertaken to ensure the safety of our business has been to implement management policies for our companies Managers, take advantage of efficiencies and synergies between our Band owed companies, and provide a strategic direction for our companies. As a result of these changes and keeping business separate from politics, Duz Cho Logging and Construction went from a net loss to reasonable net profits within one year! As a direct result of the companies new financial position, Duz Cho Logging and Construction have committed to give 20% of all net profits to McLeod Lake Indian Band. Furthermore, Industry continues to approach McLeod Lake Indian Band and we work together to develop opportunities that will be beneficial to all our Members.

www.mlib.ca 12

Now that we have a strong economic foundation and have a highly effective and efficient team to manage our assets and administration we can move towards developing programs focused on community, culture and language. I had hoped we would have reached this point much earlier in our Chief & Council term but due to budget cuts we had to focus on survival of our Band. Fortunately, we now have the opportunity to strategically plan; so when the next downturn in the world economy arrives, as history has shown will happen, we will have been proactive and wise in our planning, be stable and have secure funding sources in place to fund priority programs which are Health, Community, Education, Culture, Elders and Youth.

Thanks to everyone who helped cleaning up!!

nt nstable Joe Pla

rr & Co Chief Derek O

Moving forward there is going to be revenues which the McLeod Lake Indian Band will receive from our agreements with Government and Industry. These arrangements are awaiting finalization and we are going to have to consider carefully how to safeguard the revenues we will receive for our present and future members. As one of your leaders it is my duty and responsibility to make the most of the resources we receive and make sure that all members, your children and grand children, will benefit equitably, now and for many years to come. I have considered the ideals of 7 generations . This means, that we must ensure the decisions we make today will benefit and positively impact our children 7 generations to the future. To reach this goal we are working on developing Trusts Accounts in which we can invest and grow our revenues, much like the Treaty 8 Trust Settlement account we have right now. This will also benefit our Members because your money will be secure and you can monitor its annual growth. Another benefit to creating Trust Accounts is we can design them to focus on Health, Education, Community and Culture. Most of all, these Trusts will benefit the current Tse khene Members of McLeod Lake Indian Band, as well as future members from Band generated revenues for years into the future. There is no doubt that I am grateful to provide our Membership with a positive report and many great news stories after the challenging times that we have faced and triumphed over the last two years, but the real credit must go to our staff, workers, senior managers, Band Manager, company managers, Board of Directors, consultants, legal counsel, Board of Trustees and fellow Council. It was a team effort by all and that was our real success. Our Membership can be assured that there is a great team in place to take care of your assets. I thank you all for all your patience, hard work and dedication. I look forward to building on the solid foundation that we have set, Making sure the footprints we leave behind are the ones our Children will be proud to walk in. Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to see you all on August 05-06, 2010 where we can share some food, laugh and visit with our loved ones. Travel safe and see you soon!!

r r O k e r Chief De

Chief Derek Orr & Josie Tylee

Elder Program Report

Dana che'ah. Aboriginal Education As many of you workers from Mackenzie: know the Elder MaryAnn Rice, Tina Jensen along with some of our program was not running and Pat Cowan. Activities Elders. If you have a from April to mid October included: snowshoeing, computer, go to 2009 due to the Band s making tea from different www.firstvoices.com and on lack of finances. Much tree needles, trapping for the second page under thanks to Terrane Metals the day, teaching the choose a language go to and Enbridge whose funds sacredness of fire, Tse khene (McLeod Lake). to MLIB allowed the attending craft making and If the sound does not work program to be reinstated parent/teacher meetings, you may need to add as of October 19th, 2009. touring the local McLeod flashplayer and We engaged Band Lake Post Historical site, quicktime . If you have members in a questionnaire having wiener roasts along any problems, please asking their opinion in with bannock on a stick for contact me at the Band what they believe makes an lunches occasionally. Such office. I believe this is a Elder , and at what age activities will probably not fantastic tool to teach the should a member be happen in the future as the language and this is a work considered an Elder . number of Aboriginal in progress. We do need to This has become a Education workers has access funding to enter contentious issue for many been downsized to one more words/sentences and members, young and old, from three by the local to also complete the leading to the hiring of a School Board. The one pronunciation of some of consultant to work on a worker will probably be the same. policy with regards to the involved in crisis Elders Band program and management only and there www.mlib.ca how the Elders society will be NO CULTURAL may work in conjunction activities in the Mackenzie with that. A draft of the schools or with our Elders policy is scheduled to be in the future. available for this year s On a positive note, Annual General Assembly. our local dialect of the I thank everyone who McLeod Lake Tse khene is assisted by filling out the now available to the forms which were only general public on the First questions that brought Voices website and is points out that needs to be accessible to those who are set out in the draft policy. interested in learning the The local Elders who basics of our language. We live in the reserve worked on this project in community of McLeod 2004/05 and it has gone Lake have been involved live as of two months with youth and student ago in withthe much thanks to you at Christmas if Love is what's room with activities throughout the Lesa Cauche who worked stop presents and listen. year much thanks to the you on theopening project with us 15

Grandma Josie

There has been funding proposals put forward attempting to access funds to teach our language through a two-week language camp, through the day care/HeadStart facility from September to March 31st of next year, and through a teacher/pupil team (mentorship) project. We have not had any response to any of these proposals yet. Hopefully, we receive approval to do at least two of these projects. Some of the Elders have just returned from the Annual Provincial Elder Gathering in Salmon Arm. Thirty-nine Elders and spouses signed up for this trip and we ended up with twenty-five actually going. The Gathering began on July 13th and ended on July 15th. The travel day of July 12th was cold and windy, with much the same on the second day, and it was hot and warm the following days. There was much entertainment in the main building throughout each day of the Gathering, with many workshops on the first two days along with massages, haircuts, tai chi, reiki, photographer, foot detoxing, traditional energy healers services available on a first come, first serve basis. There were dances on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Issues for future gatherings is that the agenda should be available to all Bands beforehand; I asked for the agenda and was sent a basic one for the two and a half days, but nothing about the workshops and additional services that were available. We were not able to sign up for the houseboat tours or the dragon boat paddles as these were all signed for on July 12th. I disagreed with them providing hourly shuttle services to the local town of Salmon Arm and to the Vernon casino. I believe that there is a reason that there is a gathering and if people wish to shop and gamble, it could be done in the evenings. I personally did not enjoy the food which was catered. The only traditional foods were the Tuesday supper where there was fish and wild meat and the following day they had elk stew besides turkey at dinner. I suggest that for future conferences there be at least one chaperone along with the coordinator. I also suggest that if an Elder does not let the coordinator/Band know they cannot go on the trip and the Band ends up paying for their empty accommodation, the Elder will be personally responsible for those costs. Costs for this trip are: Registrations @ $1,800; Accommodation @$7,020.25; Charter bus @$4,433.31; meals/honoraria @$9,000; and miscellaneous @ $280. for a total of $22,773.56. Much thanks to the Band Council for putting the funds towards this trip. Â

s a n o l o S e n i d l a r e G

WWW.MLIB.CA 17

Home of The Grizzly Burger, The Cheese Burger & The Dirk & Bernie Burger!! Check us out on facebook & www.thegrizzlyinn.com

Dirk&

Bernie Bear Lake, BC, 250-972-4483

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.

www.mlib.ca

On March 31, 2007, McLeod Lake Indian Band signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Northern Health. Our mutual goal is for McLeod Lake Indian Band members to access high quality health services regardless of our semi-isolated location. Services include: 1. Communicable disease control, including immunization - Child health clinic immunization - TB testing (because this requires 24 â&#x20AC;&#x2019; 48 hour time frame it will be necessary to have TB tests read by the CHR) - Routine adult immunizations - Influenza season immunization of target populations - Chronic disease management immunization for Hepatitis, pneumococcal for at risk target population - Follow up on reportable chronic disease (Northern Health will communicate with Center for Disease Control in the event of an outbreak) 2.

Maternal and Child Care - Maternity follow up phone call - Newborn home visit (follow up plans to be discussed with CHR) - Baby clinics - Weighing, measuring height, head circumference - Parent issues, programs and themes - Nursing tooth decay - Safety - Growth and development including liaison with infant development programs - Nutrition - Breast feeding support - Dental program - Fluoride varnish - NICC program (Cigarette smoke-free homes)

3. Reproductive Health - Paps - Breast exams - Education: example, ovarian cancer, self breast exam, mammography, testicular exam - STD screening and follow up treatment, Hepatitis B immunization, HIV and Hepatitis counselling, testing and follow up - Pregnancy counselling - Prenatal counselling - Development of a plan for administration of ECP Plan B 4. Chronic Disease Prevention and Management - Nicotine intervention counselling - Heart disease prevention counselling - Health promotions and disease prevention - Healthy eating, active living - Chronic disease management including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, elevated cholesterol, arthritis, asthma, COPD, hypertension and nicotine counseling â&#x20AC;˘ Dr. Jonathan Pryce is in McLeod Lake once a month for services. See the CHR to book appointments

Debra Lewis and Sharon Kennedy

Nursing Services

Thanks to everyone who helped cleaning up!! 19

Jodie Ware McLeod Lake Indian Band Education Danache a, Well it s that time of year again, AGA ‒ summer is in full swing here in McLeod Lake!!! Well it s been 8 months since my world was turned upside down, what a legacy my sister left behind. She did a lot of work for MLIB and will not be forgotten. My sisters and I are in the process of organizing a scholarship in her name, to be available in the near future. I just bought my first house with my spouse and two kids. Instead of living directly onreserve, I have purchased a home less than 5 minutes away lol I am very excited, as this is a home I can expect easily for 20 years, we are currently renovating to make it our home. My son is now finished grade 3 and is looking forward to moving from a primary student to intermediate student. My daughter is now 5 years old and will be joining her other two cousins, Sydney & Sophia as Kindergarten students at Morfee Elementary, they are all excited to start the journey of Education. Elementary/Secondary 2009-2010 MLIB currently has 87 students registered with the Education Department. This past year, we have provided the following assistance: • We had 4 requests received for tutoring assistance, paid for 2 assessments for 2 school aged children. Only 2 students accessed the program for the full year. • We assistance 8 off reserve students with their school fees. • At this time, we only have 2 confirmed graduates for 2009-2010; o Robert Motz o Nicolas Stelnicki • Provided 57 attendance • elementary/secondary • Provided 43 effort incentives for elementary /secondary level o At this time, it is not confirmed if the incentives will be re-instated for the Fall 2010-2011 school year. • ConocoPhillips provided backpacks for 91 students in the Fall 2009; Thank you!  Elementary/Secondary 2010-2011 The Education Department will be doing another major mail out/email to all parents for the upcoming school year. To be mailed by mid August 2010. Packages will be made available during AGA time, so if wish to fill out, please come see me for the paperwork. • School Supplies for September 2010, at this time, there is not budget allocated. Once again, I will keep parents/students up to date if this changes. Make sure you read future newsletters…! Post Secondary 2009-2010 MLIB operated this past school year with very limited funding, there were strict restrictions on tuition, books/ supplies and all living out allowances were decreased by $100/month. MLIB funded the following: • 14 full time students in the Fall 2009 o 7 University Level o 3 College Level o 4 Upgrading • 12 full time students in the Spring/Winter 2010 20

o 7 University Level o 2 College Level o 3 Upgrading We have 4 graduates confirmed, they are: • Daphne Nicolson Pre-University Social Work Diploma • Mabeline Akai Bachelors of Social Work • Darcey Madam Culinary Arts Diploma • Vanessa Tronson Bachelors of Arts

UNBC NVIT – Vancouver NSSC UBC

Post Secondary 2010-2011 To date, I have had a total of 22 requests inquiring about the Fall 2010 semester. 8 students will be continuing from last school year. 4 new requests for sponsorship has been approved, totally the number of sponsored seats at 12 students as of July 1st, 2010. There still are some seats available; all seats will be disbursed by date completed application received. If you have any questions or inquiries, please email me at jware@mlib.ca or (888) 822-1143, extension 848. Youth Sharon Dugan is no longer the Youth Worker; she has sadly left us as of end of July 2010 and returned to her position at the Mackenzie Pulp Mill. We will miss you!!!! Barb Heine, resident of Mackenzie, BC has been hired on beginning of July and is now starting to work with our youth and get a schedule established. She will be working closely with me and Stephanie Rocheleau, Infant & Family Development Worker. Welcome aboard Barb! If parents need more information on what their towns offer for youth programs, please check out your local Friendship Centers, Youth Centers, Recreational Centers, as free programs are offered everywhere for school aged children. I have also taken it upon myself to research various areas for parents if they are unable to search the web for such programs. Please contact me if need any more information or have suggestions!!!! ECA 2010-2011 funds are still at $200.00/year for children aged 4 to 18 only Funds do not accumulate over the years, so parents are encouraged to use. We do have forms developed, please email me at jware@mlib.ca for more details. Elders I have been working with the Elders since October 2009. I did take a brief 3 month break after my sister s tragic accident, Adele Chingee, Band Manager managed in my absence. Thank you Adele! Since end of April, I have worked with Geraldine to build our working relationship together. Gary Gurnsay has been hired on as an consultant, we are now in the process of creating an Elder s Policy & Guidelines. I went to Chief & Council meeting yesterday July 19th and got the policy approved in principal. I am very excited for this venture for our Elders and for our membership. There is still some issues to address, we are hoping to have final draft for review to present to the Elders and Membership during this year s AGA. I will keep you posted on the process and results. Geraldine and many of our Elders have just come back from an Elder s Gathering in Vernon, BC. I just wanted to take this time, to thank Geri, for all your hard work and commitment, the trip was a success!

www.mlib.ca 21

Summer Work Experience Program 2010 (SWEP) Due to budget availability, this year MLIB was only able to get $2421.80 from FNESC. These monies are specifically geared towards on-reserve students. I am hoping to hire 2 students for the month of August 2010 only. If you have a young student seeking employment, please contact myself or Margie Alec and we will assist in finding outside employment where you live. Well that s about all I have to report for now, please contact me if have any questions or suggestions on any of the programs we currently offer or if need more information. I can be reached by phone (888) 822-1143, extension 848 or by email jware@mlib.ca. Mussi Cho (Many Thanks) for your time!!!

e r a W Jodie

Yasmin Prince McLeod Lake Indian Band Danache'a Family and Members We'll time does fly, I've witnessed it!! LOL These past 2 years as one of your Off Reserve Council members have been very informative, emotional, and enjoyable! To date I have been specifically involved in the BC Hydro site C meetings and information. These negotiations and meetings have been a chance for me to learn more about our Bands past, the effects of big industry on our people, the way BC hydro works, and the feelings of our membership towards the use of our lands. I have participated in a few Mineral Sharing Meetings with the Provincial and Federal Governments, these meetings are still connected to our Treaty rights. A common thing I have learned from these meetings has been that issues, ideas and communication do not happen over night, this makes pre-planning and organization on our part as a Band so important. If we want something or don't want something for our Band and Lands we need to talk about it now and prepare ourselves for our Vision and Future, because anything we talk about today will take time, preparation and we'll see action in 1-3 years for it to Actually happen. I have also found the Chief and Council meetings to be very useful for our Band. To learn the process for how things work, from Administration to Logging and seeing the positives in everyones work and part in getting McLeod Lake Indian Band to where it is today!! I still do hear the negative and emotional comments on how slow things are or non useful the decisions are for some but I guess I still look towards the positives and I am happy to learn the process and be part of our Band decisions. I realize we all have our opinions and are entitled to them so I'll keep listening and trying to understand each moment and member I talk with and appreciate that moment. There have been some hard decisions and also ones that were made too quick with not all the right information, I have learned to listen and ask more questions. This Chief and Council have been working hard to know and be a part of Federal, Provincial and BC Industry proposals and decisions. Our relations to our Members and other BC Bands will benefit our Future, Culture and Strength as First Nation People! I have appreciated the chance to see the bigger picture with this Chief and Council, we want more for everyone so we are leading by example, doing the work and being aware we are the representatives for each member. In my personal life I have been blessed with a family of my own this year. Didier, Nowa, Ella and myself are enjoying living in Sooke BC and creating a farm like setting and hopefully a natural rental space for youth and Elder programs as a future business. I really enjoy working on the land (or watching Didier work on the land...lol) and having animals around, it's very therapeutic. Our private 5 acres is a peaceful place and our house will continue to go through a needed renovation for a few years. I welcome family and members to visit us when on Vancouver Island!! As an MLIB Off Reserve Councilor, I appreciate your trust and investment in me, as your family and friend I appreciate your laughs and time together!! Mussi Cho!!!

e c n i r P n i m s a Y

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. 24

Sandra Hammond McLeod Lake Indian Band July 21, 2010 marked my two year anniversary with the McLeod Lake Indian Band and what a second year it s been! There have been quite a few changes over the past year in the Finance area of the McLeod Lake Indian Band, The Finance department currently consists of Linda Inyallie, Accountant, Beth Cooper, benefits and membership services, Jamie Ware, Development Corporation accountant and payroll, and Terra Tylee, Accounts Payable. Due to a restructure last year, the Custodian, Fred Inyallie Sr and the receptionist, Tiffany Chingee, are now also part of the finance team. Upcoming staff changes to the finance department involve me. My husband and I are expecting our first child in November, so I will be going on maternity leave in October. We have just recently posted for my maternity leave replacement; that person will hopefully be starting in September. We continue to prepare the monthly financial statements for the McLeod Lake Indian Band in house. Using excel, we have developed a series of spreadsheets that will give administration and council a monthly statement of income showing the actual expenses compared to the 2011 budget. The Finance committee for the McLeod Lake Indian Band consists of Dora Chingee, Geraldine Solonas, Destiny Bear, Adele Chingee, Derek Orr and myself. At this time, there is a vacant position, so if anyone is interested, please come see me. The Finance Committee is appointed by Chief and Council. I thought I would take this opportunity to mention our in house deadlines and cutoffs for Accounts Payable and Payroll. Accounts Payable cheque requisitions are due to Terra no later than 4:00 on Monday s; all properly filled out cheque requisitions will be processed into cheque form and will be ready for release on the subsequent Thursday at 2:00. In an effort to streamline the processes here, we strive to do just one cheque run each week. One thing to remember is that simply handing your invoice to Terra by 4:00 on Monday s does not count as having submitted an invoice on time. The invoice must be approved by the appropriate manager and be submitted by him/her to Terra by the deadline.

www.mlib.ca 25

Payroll is processed every second week. Our payroll cutoff is every second Saturday, with payment to follow on the following Friday at 2:00 pm. When you accept a short term position, it s important to ask the person hiring you when the cutoff is so that you know when to expect your cheque.

Sandra Hammonds AGA 2010 report

As I prepare this report, our audit firm, Deloitte & Touche and the finance team are in the process of wrapping up the annual audit. We are on track to finish our audit and to hand it in on time to INAC for the first time in many years. This accomplishment is a combination of good leadership in MLIB, having proper policies and procedures in place and a little bit of hard work from the managers and finance department. Wrapping up the audit will hopefully result in a quiet August and then in September we will start the 2012 budget process. Under the financial bylaw, the annual budget must be presented to Chief and Council no later than January 11 of each year. This year, in preparation for my maternity leave, we will start the process a bit earlier. As mentioned, the budget must be presented to C&C by January 11th of each year. Once C&C approves the budget, then that budget will be forwarded, along with any Trust project requests, to the Board of Trustees. The BOT review any Trust project requests, and any that are approved must be posted for membership review for 21 days. Once that period ends, then the Trust projects are deemed to be approved for the upcoming fiscal year. Copies of the 2011 budget are available; if you would like one please contact me and I can arrange to give/mail a copy to you. As well, copies of the audited financial statements for the Band are available; again, please see me for a copy.

Preparing the 2011 budget earlier this year presented some challenges to MLIB. Our Aboriginal Healing Foundation funding agreement expired on March 31, 2010 and those funds funded the youth worker and both mental health counselors, so we had to arrange our existing funds so that we wouldn t have to cut those three important positions. In addition to the loss of the AHF funds, our five year block funding agreement with INAC expired as well. We were informed in early 2010 that INAC was working on restructuring their funding arrangements and that we would not be able to re-negotiate our block funding agreement. Instead, INAC offered all Bands whose block funding agreement expired in March of 2010 a choice; we could renew our existing agreements for one year or choose to enter into a one year, non block funded funding agreement. MLIB decided to extend our five year agreement by one year. The only problem this posed during budget season is that INAC was not able to confirm or provide any details on what funds we could expect for the 2011 year. Eventually we were able to get a response from INAC and were able to enter those amounts into our 2011 budget. Another hurdle for the 2011 budget was the expected continual decrease of oil and gas application revenue. The OGC funds are important because not only are they revenue, but they are also not restricted funds. So many of our funding sources (INAC, Health Canada, consultation monies) are all restricted funds, which means that we have to spend the monies according to the funding agreements whereas C&C can decide where to spend the OGC funds. These funds allow us to fund MLIB programs that do not have fixed funding sources, like the youth programs. One last challenge to the 2011 budget process was the unavailability of the MLIB Trust funds, due to the minimum value requirements of the trust agreement. Your Board of Trustees and Council continue to work on rectifying that situation; we are hoping to have positive news by AGA time. In closing, I would like to thank everyone here at the McLeod Lake Indian Band that I have worked with over the past year. It s been a busy and challenging year and I have really enjoyed it and look forward to the year to come. Have a great summer everyone, and enjoy the AGA!!

d n o m m a H a Sandr 27

More Horoscopes on Page 18

I have something to say....... Anything to share or show?? Send your story and/or pictures to mklijnsmit@mlib.ca

Allan & Sharlene Inyallie

McLeod Lake Indian Band Hi there! My name is Scott Taylor, McLeod Lakes N.N.A.D.A.P worker. I offer addictions counseling, crisis intervention as well as treatment & detox referrals. I possess an extensive knowledge of addiction dynamics and treatment options while being sensitive to the impact of various addictions on First Nations families and communities. I have a degree in Psychology and certification in conflict resolution along with suicide and crisis intervention. In the past I have had the opportunity to work as a mental health therapist in many communities such as Telegraph Creek, Iskut, Kitwanga, and Sai Kuz. Recently myself and Constable Joe Plant organized a three day Youth and Elders camping trip to Carp Lake. This was well received and is likely to become an annual event. Currently I am looking for a driver with their own vehicle interested in transporting individuals who want to attend A.A. meetings in Mackenzie on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. Gas will be provided.

r o l y a T t Scot

www.mlib.ca 30

Scott Taylor

Guy Rocheleau McLeod Lake Indian Band Public Works

The daycare project is now into the tendering stage. Lot clearing was completed at the beginning of July. Fergus Foley of Access Engineering is our consulting engineer on this project. Fergus has completed 12 daycares in the last couple of years and is very qualified to complete this project. Depending on the availability of contractors we should be able to break ground mid-summer. The Amec water study was completed as part of the Ground Water Under Influence of Surface Water or GUDI study being conducted by Radloff Engineering for INAC. The study showed our wells to be under the influence of surface water. There is a threat to our wells from septic systems and previous fuel spills as well as infiltration of lake water into the well aquifer. In order to eliminate this threat, we have been granted funds to dig new wells. The primary site will be just north of the existing water tower. In the event that insufficient quality or quantity of water is discovered, a secondary site will have to be agreed on. It is the desire of M.L.I.B. Public Works that, in the event that chlorination systems are installed, we will not have to inject the water with chlorine unnecessarily. In order to reach this objective we must start with a supply of water that will not become contaminated in the future. As an interim measure, a UV disinfection system will be installed in the pump control building as a precaution in the off chance that a germ should enter our water system. At this time the water quality in the village continues to be excellent. Water quality continues to be monitored by Health Canada. Valve mapping will be completed by July 22 and annual main flushing will also be completed at this time.

www.mlib.ca

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.

Three projects identified by INAC as being funded for this year are being carried out: 1. Minor fence repairs at IR 1 which are ongoing. 2. New fence construction at IR 5 which is complete. 3. Temporary repairs will be carried out on the water tower roof in order to restore a pitch to keep

the water from pooling. This will be accomplished by applying expanding foam with a nonpermeable coating. Permanent repairs will be completed during a later phase of our water project should the decision be made to retain the tower. A cell phone booster was installed in the village on May 18/10. This project was originally presented for consideration for the First Nation Infrastructure Fund application in 2009. Surplus capitol and a contribution from the Health Dept. enabled us to complete this project. The purpose of the booster was to enable outlying elders to have some form of communication. Unfortunately the booster does not have the range to fulfill the mandate required of CPHP communications. These deficiencies have yet to be worked out. Negotiations are underway with ABC communications to upgrade to a repeater which will greatly enhance communications in the entire area. Technicians from ABC were on site June 7 & 8 to do field work prior to compiling a proposal for a repeater. Ryan Bichon and I travelled to Ft St James to examine the recreation facility in that community. We were able to examine the building closely and take measurements of the rink and building. The profile photos have been loaded into my CAD drawing program which allow us to build and modify this building at will. Cost estimates are being established to determine the first or D class estimate for this facility. The appearance and location of this building are yet to be determined should this project go ahead. The existing Health and Wellness Program (2001) for the administrative employees of M.L.I.B is being resurrected. First aid supplies are now onsite for the new first aid attendant. Safety tours and meetings are slated to resume in July. Changes to the Band Hall layout are being planned to secure the reception area and office equipment and to give the entrance a face lift. The reception area will be relocated to the lounge area. The lounge area will be relocated to the reception area. The custodian storage area will be expanded and a display cabinet and bulletin board will be incorporated into the entrance. Redundant doors and walls will be removed. This project is in the design stage. A surveillance system has been purchased for the Band Hall. This system will provide security for Band members and Staff. Cameras will monitor all corridors and will have storage capability for playback. The cameras can be monitored from anywhere by anyone cleared for access. It will also have alert capability to notify administration when any motion is detected after hours. This year has been a hard climb as we establish a functioning Public Works Department. The McLeod Lake Band has a large investment in Public Works Infrastructure. By maintaining these assets, capitol that was used to replace failed systems can be put toward building the community and improving the living standard of all band members. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of Ryan Bichon for all the work he and the band members are doing toward the community. Adele Chingee has been a great support for our fledgling department as we build up our capabilities. Chief and Council have shown great vision in fund allocation for Public Works which will allow us to stop the bleeding and start moving forward with new initiatives. Kudos to Sandra and the finance team for looking after the pennies.

u a e l e h c o R Guy

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. 33

Daycare McLeod Lake Indian Band Hello everyone, as a lot of you may know my name is Jodi Sharp and I have been working within the Mcleod Lake Daycare since August of 2009. During this past year I have had the joy and opportunity to teach many of your young children and they have also tought me the wonderful gift of childhood and how important it is to play, learn and be honored and valued for who we are as individuals. Each child is a gift and they each have something special that they share with the community and thier families. I am a wife and mother of five wonderful children residing in Mackenzie BC. I have worked with children and families for many years as an asistant figure skating coach from the time I was 13 years old becoming the head coach of the Mackenzie Figure Skating Club following graduation from college in 1996-1998. I have recently completed my Aboriginal Early Childhood Education through CNC in Mackenzie and I have certificates in food safe, child safe, and family daycare. I am so excited to begin my career as an early childhood educator, working with the many children, families, community members, elders, and band members as we begin our journey together through our head start program. I thank you for this wonderful opportunity and I am looking forward to working with you all. Play Today...Laugh Today.....Learn Today....Love For Always

p r a h S e i Jod

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. 34

Anita s new pet Cocoâ&#x20AC;?is pretty hungry. She wants real dogfood instead of salads from The Grizzly Inn. Could you show her the way??

Jillian Isadore

Health Team Manager McLeod Lake Indian Band Well, here we are, it s summer 2010 and there have been loads of changes on the Health Team (and as a side note, I do not do well with change!!) But alas, of our ten health team members last year we have only there left myself, Brenda Schley and Stephanie Rocheleau. With change comes exciting opportunities so take the opportunity and get to know our new staff. They re pretty great!! I work with many individuals, families, groups, agencies and funders to help ensure that the community of McLeod Lake is provided with the best possible services. I pride myself on building a team founded on trust, compassion and hard work. I strive to create this environment on the Health team and in the community. I am responsible for managing and balancing the budget allotted to the Health team to ensure that we are financially responsible. I am proud to say that we have never gone over budget but work within the limits of money we are provided. I work hard in the development of new initiatives and ensure that the health teams programs outline the objectives established by the funders. I offer legal support to all individuals and families in all family court matters as well as youth in criminal court who require support and information. I work jointly with MCFD to provide community based social services to identify groups, individuals and families within applicable legislation in order to improve social well being and functioning of families and individuals. I also provide community development services in order to improve social functioning through needs assessments with relevant groups and then to partner with appropriate resources to develop ways to meet identified need, followed by conducting program service evaluation and necessary reporting. My position requires ability to respond to a variety of health and social needs for all members throughout the provinces as well as on reserve, to this end I am required to be on call at all times. I am grateful to the health team members as it is vital to our success and performance that we work together and support one another. This program is partly funded through Health Canada and through proposal writing. Thank you again for your continued support; it is an honour to work for McLeod Lake Indian Band. If you have any questions of how the health team can help you or your family, do not hesitate to contact myself or any member of our health team. Members of the Health Team: Meaghan Van Somer, Chris Kaip, Scott Taylor, Cindy Berg, Brenda Schley, Jodi Sharp, Betty Giesbrecht, Barb Heine, Diane Nakamura, Stephanie Rocheleau, Debbie Lewis, Sharon Kennedy, Barb Paterson, Dr. Jonathan Price, and Mary Arnett.

r e m o S n a v n a h g ea

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. 37

McLeod Lake Indian Band Forestry Report The forest industry continues to be slow, but activity remains brisk at the MLIB Forestry Department. We are still laying out new cutblocks in hopes of selling some wood this year. Tree planting just finished up, with about 350,000 seedlings being planted this year â&#x20AC;&#x2019; less than we usually plant, but enough to keep us caught up on reforestation of MLIB lands. Through a government program to assist unemployed forestry workers during the industry downturn (Job Opportunities Program) the Forestry Department received funding to remove all dead pine trees from the Carp Lake Campground and make it safe for visitors. This work is now complete and we have started some trail clearing work on the Duz Cho Trail under additional funding from this program. In addition to forestry work, the Forestry Department has taken on some local improvement projects to enhance the community. These projects include re-finishing the exterior of the Natural Resources Center (NRC), installing new fencing and out-houses at the ballfield, and establishing a community garden behind the NRC. Check out the excellent work completed by MLIB members. With all the work going on, each day is very busy for me. And I must rely on others to help make things work. I gratefully acknowledge the assistance and efforts of others who have helped make our projects successful. Lionel Chingee has done an excellent job of training new staff for block layout and tree plant quality control work. Albert Isadore has done an outstanding job of supervising the crew to clean up the Carp Lake Campground. Boris Boyko has done an awesome job of supervising the community development projects. In addition, I acknowledge the efforts and hard work of everyone towards making our projects something to be proud of.

n o h c i B Ryan

www.mlib.ca 38

Visionary Capacity Building by

McLeod Lake Indian Band

McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB), located north of Prince George, BC, is building investment and employment capacity for the Tse'khene in various industries. "It started way before I came along," says Chief Derek Orr (elected 2008). He says economic development initiatives are especially evident since MLIB joined the Treaty 8 groups of First Nations. MLIB began coming into its own prior to 1987 when leaders advised the Canadian government of their intention to join Treaty 8. This move was made after a forestry company, Duz Cho Logging established in the early '80s, produced profits enough to hire legal counsel and negotiate McLeod Lake's adhesion to Treaty 8. As economic capacity grew, MLIB created Duz Cho Construction in 2002 to work in the oil, gas, and coal industries of northeastern BC. A lobby effort with oil companies garnered the construction company its first contracts, and Duz Cho Construction was profitable by the middle of the decade. Acting further on the growing oil and gas activity in Northeast BC, MLIB made a major share purchase of Summit Pipeline Services Ltd, a company that constructs pipelines as well as conducting diagnostic and repair services for pipelines, municipal sewer systems, pulp mills, and other industries. MLIB has business development programs to help Band members gain skills and establish business ventures. Traditional lands and waters once provided abundant harvests of fur and game to Tse'Khene people. The key now is to build capacity to do the available work. "We targeted seven or eight members who were mentored and encouraged to join the effort for McLeod Lake Indian Band to participate in industrial development," says Chief Orr. The Band is looking at opportunities in mining, forestry, and business development. MLIB endured the toughest year in recent history, especially tough for a new chief, youngest in their history at age 35. "It's been one and a half years since I have been able to give members any good news," says Chief Orr. "A lot of community services for youth and elders were put on hold while the world economy battered the financial stability of MLIB." Currently, MLIB is working with Terrane Metals. "We are working to ensure jobs, business contracts, revenue-sharing, and environmental monitoring. We have a Memorandum of Understanding with Mt. Milligan Mine to provide environmental monitoring at the mine site," says the chief. MLIB also has opportunities for members in wind energy (Dokie Wind/Plutonic). In fact, Mortenson Construction has begun the process of constructing the first elements of the Dokie Wind Farm.

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if www.mlib.ca

you stop opening presents and listen. 39

The Dokie Wind Project includes a total project cost of $228 million. Mortenson Canada Corporation, leading North American wind energy contractors, employs a mix of their own personnel, local hires, and local subcontractors. This project will deliver 333,000 megawatt-hours per year of clean electricity to BC Hydro, commencing on March 1, 2011 under a 25-year EPA through partnership between Plutonic Power and GE Energy Financial Services. Ledcor Construction has a relationship with McLeod Lake Indian Band that goes back to the early part of this decade. Ledcor president Scott Lyons says, "We started working with Jim Humphries on a project proposal that occurred in 2004. While that project didn't proceed, we continued meeting with Jim and met Chief Derek Orr when he was elected in 2008." Scott says Chief Orr provided the kind of leadership that pulled the business team in McLeod Lake together. "The team was there, but and he provided an extraordinary level of leadership." Ledcor also has a small part in the Dokie Wind Energy project and plays a bigger part in the Willow Creek Coal Mine near Chetwynd.

"Both Ledcor and MLIB are signatories to the contract for Mt. Milligan with Terrane Metals, and we are currently working on upgrading the mine site access road and have high hopes for a lot more work together once the site is ready to develop." Ledcor has built four run-ofriver projects in the province of BC. "These projects have given us a good footing understanding of working with First Nations in BC," Scott says. "If you're going to work in BC you have to build these relationships." He adds, "In MLIB we see a long term future. They have built the industrial capacity to do big things. If we need men and equipment for a job, I wouldn't hesitate to go to them. When Chief Orr got elected, he went to work immediately pulling together the people and resources. He's a very strong fellow." The reopening of the Mackenzie Pulp Mill is having a positive impact on the Mackenzie region. In addition to the 250 jobs created by the mill, the forest harvesting sector has revived and companies delivering services to the mill are busy rehiring and re-establishing themselves in Mackenzie. It is estimated that over 1,200 jobs will be created. The town of Mackenzie gets its largest taxpayer back and is growing again; many folk who moved away are returning, and new families are coming to Mackenzie.

"Through Duz Cho Logging, the Band was one of the four investors in the Mackenzie Pulp Mill Development Corporation that preserved the mill and developed the business case for the mill that ultimately led to its sale." Paper Excellence, a Dutch Company, now owns the mill. McLeod Lake also was key in securing fibre security for the mill. When the former owners of the mill went into bankruptcy, the fibre agreement was sold, leaving the mill without fibre and little prospect of restarting. Through an Economic Development Agreement with the MLIB, a new company was formed to the benefit of the entire region. A license to cut was granted to Mackenzie Fibre and has been tied to the continued operation of the pulp mill. "This is a great example of a First Nation Community working with others in the region," Tanner says. "Without the participation of McLeod Lake in this innovative approach to ensuring a fibre supply, the mill simply would not have opened." Tanner expects the creation of Mackenzie Fibre will lead to additional future benefits and opportunities for the Band.

Malcolm McCo

Ledcor has an agreement to supply any additional help the MLIB would need on the existing Dokie Project, but As published in July s issue more important is the partnership arrangements they of DRUM, a first nations have on the Willow Creek mine and the Mt. Milligan mine. "What is less well known is the newspaper that went national "This Willow Creek was an important role that Chief Orr for the first time in 20 years! existing mine that was shut and the McLeod Lake Indian down. We operate the mine, Band played," says Tanner which was restartedLove in Marchis what's Elton, Director of the inManaging thePulp room 2010, and began producing coal Mackenzie Mill with you at Christmas if in May 2010," says Scott. Development Corporation.

you stop opening presents and listen. 40

McLeod Lake Indian Band Land Management Summary of Land Referral Office The McLeod Lake Indian Band Land Referral Office is located in Chetwynd, set-up to deal with the numerous referrals submitted by government and industry in McLeod Lake Indian Band s Traditional Territory such as Mt. Milligan, Enbridge Pipelines, Peace River Coal, EnCana, Site C, Western Coal Corporation, etc. The Land Referral Office currently employs four full time people. Alec Chingee, Land Referral Manager over looks meetings with coal, forestry, wind, oil and gas companies. He manages staff to ensure the office is run efficiently with a positive working atmosphere. Eran Spence, Land Referral Officer, reviews all oil and gas applications from the Oil and Gas Commission as well as several Front Counter Applications. Eran also works with Gary Loiselle to ensure the McLeod Lake Indian Band trap line is sustained and protected from oil and gas development. Jennifer Weightman, Coal Coordinator, looks after all applications for mines submitted by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources in the McLeod Lake Traditional Territory. Jennifer makes regular visits to the mine sites to ensure that the rules and regulations are being followed. In September 2009 she was also asked to work on the BC Hydro Site C file, attending meetings in Victoria and updating membership at quarterly meetings. Debbie Pinkston was hired in January 2010 to work as the Land Referral Clerk. Debbie takes care of organizing monitors for field studies and archaeology work as well as invoicing, time sheets and reception. The archeology companies within the territory also hire environmental monitors through this office. This office has three trucks, two snowmobiles and one ATV which are all used for site visits as well as for the environmental monitors. All equipment is stored in the Land Referral shop with regular maintenance. Relationship of Land Referral Office and Chief and Council The McLeod Lake Indian Band Land Referral Office works with the Chief and Council to assure that the interests and future of the Band are being protected when reviewing applications within the Traditional Territory. The staff of the Land Referral Office submits monthly reports to Chief and Council giving a brief update of the activity in the area. When meeting with companies working within the Traditional Territory the Land Referral Office express the interest that the Band is taking in becoming business orientated while still sustaining the environment for future generations. Within the last few months Alec Chingee and Jennifer Weightman of the Land Referral Office have also been part of a committee that works on different types of agreements with industry and potential business partners. This committee was created to fully prepare the documents for review from band lawyer, Albert Peeling, and Chief and Council.

www.mlib.ca 41

We are very well positioned with our company involvement in Northeast BC to take advantage of new developments. These developments will result in more work for our companies, and those members who wish to find job opportunities. Our approach is to maintain and develop healthy and profitable businesses as well as to provide employment opportunities for our members. We re all optimistic and everyone seems to be going in the same direction. What this translates to is that the Chief and Council, our Board of Directors, business managers and administration staff are all working together. We are all committed to achieving success and progress for McLeod Lake Indian Band. We can accomplish this as long as we develop a TEAM approach to work, plan, strategize and make decisions together. We all need to be proactive instead of reactive. Our success will be the result of a TEAM effort. In April this year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of our adhesion agreement under Treaty 8. This agreement signed with the governments of Canada and British Columbia provided a major step forward for our community and recognition of our traditional territory. This agreement has provided our community with significant progress in developing our potential as a Band and individual members. We are all doing our part to make certain our Band progresses and is able to take advantage of this agreement and the opportunities that are being place in front of us.

Thanks to everyone who helped cleaning up!! 42

Land Management AGA 2010 report

Mining Mining in Northeast BC is flourishing once again. The mining companies within the Traditional Territory of the McLeod Lake Indian Band have ramped up production and are working on several capital projects to increase the efficiency of the mines. Not only are they increasing production but we have also received several applications for exploration and new mine applications. In January 2010 Duz Cho Construction worked with Ledcor to excavate the bulk sample pit for First Coal. During this construction Chris Fox, Jordan Calder, Ken Solonas, Paul McNabbTylee, Mike Inyallie, Allan Inyallie, Tony Inyallie, Adrien Voyer and Jason Jackson all worked at the site, some of which were trained on running the ADDCAR. Due to the court case between West Moberly First Nations and the Province over the critical caribou habitat First Coal s work was stalled. The Province has been ordered by the courts to create a joint augmentation plan for the Burnt Pine Caribou herd with West Moberly First Nations. Currently the plan is still in review by the decision maker. First Coal continues to do baseline studies for the Environmental Assessment application and hopes to be testing the changes to the ADDCAR in the near future. Western Canadian Coal has merged with Cambrian Mining Corporation to create stability and diversification in the company. Western Canadian Coal now owns properties outside of Canada and therefore has changed their name to Western Coal Corporation. As for projects within the Traditional Territory of the McLeod Lake Indian Band both the Brule and Wolverine operations are still running at full production. Western Coal has also reopened the Willow Creek property giving many opportunities to McLeod Lake companies and its membership. Shawn Prince, Adrien Voyer, Michael Inyallie, Paul McNabb-Tylee and Jason Jackson are only a few members that have had the opportunity to work at Western Coal. Peace River Coal is currently producing 900,000 tonnes of coal per year from the Trend operation which is located southeast of Tumbler Ridge. Over the past few months we have been participating in the Environmental Assessment process for the proposed Roman Mine, including archaeology, baseline studies and working group meetings. Peace River Coal has also approached McLeod Lake offering a memorandum of understand which would include funding for review of their projects as well as band projects, this agreement is still in the negotiation phase. Canadian Dehua who had begun exploration on the Gething project which was a proposed underground mine near Hudson Hope and West Moberly has purchased and applied for other projects in the area. Canadian Dehua now holds the tenure to their Murray River project and has applied for a third property which will be called the Bullmoose project. Earlier this year Chief and Council signed a memorandum of understanding with Canadian Dehua to fund the review of their project, as well a $20,000 donation was made to the Band for a project of their choice. There are also many other applications for exploration and mine reopening from companies such as, Teck Resources, Colonial Coal, Hillsborough Resources and Orestone Mining Corporation.

www.mlib.ca 43

Oil and Gas Oil and Gas activity in the Peace has maintained a steady pace, with applications being submitted to our office consistently throughout the year and companies visiting our office for more project pre-consultation and overviews of their planned projects for the year. Some new companies have begun to start up and many of the companies like Shell Canada, Murphy Oil and EnCana have continued to develop new projects. Other companies are still operating at a minimal level, working more in production than the development of new projects. All activity is expected to remain consistent throughout the year. Trapline Our office has been in consultation with Spectra Energy Midstream over the last month regarding a pipeline project that they are proposing in the area southwest of D awson Creek. We have expressed a continued concern regarding portions of this project which conflict with our band owned trapline and adjacent portions of crown land, which we believe to be of great significance as a rare and truly unique old growth wildlife habitat that should not be disturbed further than it has already been. A year ago, a similar pipeline was proposed through this area by EnCana that we found a solution to by rerouting it to follow another existing pipeline that this borders this old growth habitat. This area of forest is not yet defined as old growth forest by

the B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range, though it is entirely evident of a highly diverse ecosystem, currently sustaining all species of wildlife and vegetation in the area, and we are working to have it protected as a wildlife sanctuary reserve. Other Developments The Land Referral also works on other applications that may not fall under mining or oil and gas, these include landfill sites, gravel pits, wind farms, transmission lines, hydro dams, etc. The bigger projects that we work on outside of the regular applications are windfarms. Over the past year we have worked with GE and Plutonic on the Dokie Wind Project, Capital Power Quality Wind Project, Aeolis Thunder Mountain Project and Finavera who have 4 projects, the Tumbler Ridge, Wildmare, Bullmoose and Meikle. All these projects are at the end stages of the Environmental Assessment and have currently been accepted into the powercall from BC Hydro except the Aeolis Thunder Mountain Project. Although Aeolis has completed its Environmental Assessment it was not accepted into the powercall for unknown reasons. McLeod Lake Indian Band has or is currently working on agreements with these companies to ensure work opportunities as well as revenue share from the projects.

Since the fall of 2009 the McLeod Lake Indian Band has been working on community consultation for the BC Hydro Site C project. As many of you may know we have been holding community meetings to inform membership of the project as well as updates at every quarterly meeting and articles in the monthly newsletter. Jennifer Weightman from the LRO along with Albert Peeling and Yasmin Prince have been meeting with BC Hydro on a regular basis to gather information about the project.

In the early spring of 2010 the relationship between McLeod Lake and BC Hydro came to an end as we felt we were not being consulted in good faith and that BC Hydro was pushing Site C without giving McLeod Lake the opportunity to have input. Since this time Chief and Council have decided to publicly oppose the Site C project and have returned the unspent consultation dollars that BC Hydro provided. The Band plans to meet and gain support from the other nations impacted by the proposed dam as well as becoming vocal by sending out press releases and letters to government expressing their opposition. McLeod Lake Indian Band encourages the members to speak out about their personal concerns as it is a great impact to the Traditional Territory of the McLeod Lake membership. The McLeod Lake Indian Band Land Referral Office is funded from outside sources such as Oil and Gas Commission, Northeast Coal Consortium and other companies that aren t part of these associations. If anyone has any concerns or questions about the activity within the Traditional Territory of the McLeod Lake Indian Band please feel free to contact one of us at the office to give you more information, 1-866-283-6542.

t n e m e g a n a M d n a L B I L M www.mlib.ca 45

Employment & Training McLeod Lake Indian Band My name is Margie Alec and I am your friendly Neighborhood Employment and Training Officer. I have been honored to work for the McLeod Lake Indian Band Members and was first given this opportunity by a very knowledgeable Tse Khene woman, Valerie Inglis. When I first came into this department she asked me a very important question. She asked me whom I worked for, I thought for a moment and told her the people. She answered me, exactly. This is what I keep while I work in E&T department. I hail from an isolated reserve on Babine Lake Called Nedo ats. On the maps it is called Old Fort. Most people confuse this with Fort Babine. Old Fort is up Babine Lake, just about in the middle. I come from a traditional village where there is no power or roads and we get there by boats or by ski-doo in the winter. I am Carrier from the 4 tribe Lake Babine Nation and from the (Likh jibu) Black Bear clan.

It has been another awarding year for some of the members. The Employment and Training Department has a few success stories to share with you. Up to this date, the department has had: 5 clients complete the Community Development/Wage subsidy Program and 4 went on to full time employment. 1 member taking the online Water Treatment Plant Technician Program and is scheduled to finish in Sept 2010. 1 member taking the secretary/receptionist program and is scheduled to finish in August 2010. 1 member whom has taken the Drillers Helpers Program and successfully certified and working now. 1 member is a certified Environmental Monitor Assistant. 2 members completed PGNAETA Pre-employment mining training. The groups training for members safety tickets were given in May 2010. Most members were ticketed up until 2011. I did hold a WHMIS/TDG group training and 27 members signed up, 14 showed up, 7 no shows and 5 were working. The H2S course held was not so good. I had 17 members sign up and 6 of the sign up members showed up. The department ended up taking some of the forestry crew to take the places of the no show and made a class of 10 participants.

In the next year of Group Training, McLeod Lake Indian Band members are encouraged to use the group training done each year in May to take their safety tickets. The College and Career Preparation Program was a success. The department had 8 members sign up for this program and 5 stuck with it. The 5 clients are returning in September 2010 to continue with their studies. One member is continuing with her studies in the summer session. If you are interested in entering the College and Career Preparation Program, please come and see Margie Alec to get the paperwork started. There is no funding for this program for it is tuition free. The Employment Councilor from the Employment and Career Centre in Mackenzie come to the McLeod Lake Indian Band to offer some career councilling. She will be returning in the fall to offer their services again. The Thompsons River University is looking for 14 Aboriginal Women interested in Trades. The Intro to Trades program will run from September to December and will focus on 5 different trades. All costs will be covered. At the end of this program 4 (perhaps more) Aboriginal women will be chosen to continue on in a Foundations Trades program at Thompsons River University. This program is ONLY for women. If you are interested or know someone who may be, please have them contact Leonard Jackson of BCAMTA at (250) 314-9959 or email him at ljackson@bcamta.ca The Northwest Community College s School of Exploration and Mining has many courses regarding Mine training. You can see what is new at www.nwcc.com The Mackenzie Pulp mill is accepting resume and you can send them to hrmack_recruiting@mackenziepulp.com The Willow Creek mine is also accepting resumes and you can get a hold of Don Fraser at Phone: (250) 788-8842 extension 30132, Fax: (250) 788-8847 or email by d.fraser@westerncoal.com Kenneth Solonas has been given the tasks on receiving resumes, taking names on the mining division. He has been taking resumes for Duz Cho Construction, Mt. Milligan and the mines in Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge. The Employment and Training Department will be taking a look and revising the E&T Policies. This will reflect the Five (5) new agreement with PGNAETA and McLeod Lake Indian Band. The Employment and Training Officer will be away on an Annual Leave from August 9, 2010 to August 20, 2010. There is a three week turn around period for all new applicants. These new applicants will be processed upon my return. Please ensure that you complete all of the required Documents. Please take the time to do the Labour Market Research. The research will ensure that you are going into the right training for that future job you would like to do. That is all for this AGA. Have a blast.

www.mlib.ca

c e l A e i g r Ma 47

u o y k n a Th

Gold Sponsors!!

Thank you Silver Sponsors!!

Special Thanks to:

S.M. Forrest & Associates Ltd. Prince George

Thank you Bronze Sponsors!!

Mackenzie

Fibre Management Corporation

AGAWAresources nanaimo

Last June we were in Bear Lake to visit our daughter in law Kandy Tylee (Klijnsmit) and our son Marc. As a loyal reader of The Traveling Feather we naturally visited The McLeod Lake Indian Band. In the MLIB bandhall we met Chief Derek Orr who gave us an impression of what is happening in and around this special community. We were deeply impressed of what Derek told us. It is nice to see how well everything is regulated here at MLIB. Eg. the many workshops organized so everyone has the opportunity in several areas to increase knowledge. We are deeply impressed and grateful that we had a chance to look behind the scenes of this beautiful native Community.

t i m s n j i l K n o i r a M & a i R , d

Thank you so very much for the hospitality!

Gerar www.mlib.ca

Land Management Report The existing Land Management Committee is comprised of Cheryl Chingee (Chair), Marion Jackson, Boris Boyko, Paul Tylee, and Sam Chingee. Eugenia Isadore has been hired as the Environmental Management Agreement (EMA) Coordinator, and Lucy Martin has been hired as the Lands Officer to work part time until she returns to the University of Northern BC in September. As part of their commitment under the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management and the First Nations Land Management Act (FNLMA), the McLeod Lake Indian Band drafted and approved an Environmental Management Framework (EMF) in 2007. In accordance with section 21 of the First National Land Management Act and section 25 of the Framework Agreement, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Environment Canada, along with MLIB, are negotiating an Environmental Management Agreement (EMA). The overall purpose of the EMA is to ensure that environmental impacts on MLIB lands are prevented or minimized to every extent possible and that environmental considerations are identified and fully incorporated into MLIB s decision making processes. The general principles of the EMA are: •

The EMA is a plan on how MLIB will enact environmental protection laws deemed essential by the First Nation and the Ministers;

•

For essential areas, standards and punishments will have the same effect as those in the laws of the province;

•

In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between MLIB s land code or an MLIB law and any federal law that relates to environmental protection, the federal law prevails;

•

Four areas identified in the Framework Agreement that must be addressed include: 1. Fuel Handling and Storage 2. Solid & Liquid Waste Management 3. Hazardous Materials Handling, Storage and Disposal 4. Environmental Emergency Response;

•

MLIB community members identified four additional areas of concern: 5. Environmental Impact Assessment 6. Ground and Surface Water Protection 7. Habitat Protection 8. Cultural Resources Protection;

•

The province of BC can choose to participate in the development of MLIB s EMA;

•

The Regional District of Fraser Fort George, the District of Mackenzie, and the Village of McLeod Lake have been instrumental in the development of MLIB s EMA, as they are the most familiar with environmental issues and services in McLeod Lake.

The Land Management Department is well on its way to finalizing its EMA. The next step will be implemented the laws developed to ensure in full with control you of environmental issues onifits lands. Love is what's inMLIB the isroom at Christmas

you stop opening presents and listen. 53

It is with great sadness that I am leaving my position as a Community Health Representative with McLeod Lake Indian Band. I have been offered a position as a camp cook, with one of my best friends, in Slave Lake. The interesting piece is that I don t know how to cook so I may be back sooner rather than later. This is a new chapter in my life and I am very excited to move forward. I have truly enjoyed working with the community of McLeod Lake in this role and as a friend. You all have become my family and I will miss everyone dearly. I will come back to visit when I am able and look forward to catching up on what is happening in your lives. My e-mail address is cindy-berg59@hotmail.com. Please send me pictures and e-mails. I would love to hear from you. Our goal is to promote healthy living in the community of McLeod Lake and also to provide access to the best possible health care for the Tse Khene members. The CHR is responsible for participating in the delivery of high standard community health programs. Treatment and surveillance programs are in place to provide quality health prevention and treatment in the community. As a valuable member of our health team, the CHR liaisons between patients, family, the community and health care providers to ensure patients and families understand their conditions and treatment and are receiving appropriate care. Consulting and support services are provided to individuals and groups, which encourage prevention and intervention when necessary. Workshops are offered regarding a variety of health and wellness issues. Numerous support programs are in place such as Pregnancy support â&#x20AC;&#x2019; vitamins are supplied as it is important that pregnant mothers take a multi-vitamin containing folic acid. Nutrition supplements are provided as well to ensure that unborn children and mothers are provided with the best start possible. A dentist travels to the community; the dentist provides outreach dental services such as cleanings, fillings, and fluoride treatments. CHR also tests the water that is used by all residents in McLeod Lake to ensure that the drinking water is maintained at a healthy standard. These are a few of the services offered by the CHR. If there is anything that we can assist you with please come into the office and we will do our best to help you.

g r e B y d n Ci 54

Atreyu Chingee

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.

Newsletter & Website Update Hello everyone, Welcome to the 2010 AGA!! This is the last page of this issue of The Traveling Feather. All the reports are in, all the pictures have a spot. And now I still have to write my report!! So here I go again........ lol. The MLIB website is booming! I should say, MLIB is booming, because we are getting more than 300 hits a day, and we have well over a hundred subscribers to The Traveling Feather. With the McLeod Lake Indian Band and Chief & Council in the news on a regular basis, people from all over the world search Bing and Google for MLIB. With news articles in papers, business magazines and online magazines the exposure is bigger than ever before. We work hard to keep the site Up-To-Date; for the members of the McLeod Lake Indian Band, the members of the community and the interested visitor. Right after this years AGA, all the departments are going to finish their pages on the website. That means more new content by the beginning of August. In the days after the AGA we will also add the pictures of this years AGA. Don t forget to check them out at www.mlib.ca. Please, keep sending your stories and/or pictures for next issues of The Traveling Feather. For now, I hope you have a great two days at this years special Treaty 8 Celebration AGA!!

t i m s n j i l K Marc P.

Hi, my name is Brenda Schley. I have worked in the daycare for the past 2 years and have enjoyed my experience of working with the children and families of McLeod Lake. It has been an honour to teach and grow with the children of this community. I love to scrap book and take my dog spirit for walks. I look forward to continuing to work with your children and I would like to thank you for the great couple of years.

Brenda Sc

hley

MLIB Newsletter No.10 will be available September 2nd 2010 online at www.mlib.ca or, on request, in print at the McLeod Lake band office.