Geraldine Solonas April 2012

April 2012 Council Report Geraldine Solonas

April 3rd: Attend a special Council meeting to discuss Band member request for financial information; MLIB Membership code; and, Site C issues. A working committee is being formed to deal specifically with Site C to include Council and Band members as BC Hydro is gearing up to complete Phase 3 of this project. MLIB members will be engaged in the next few months for the required Traditional Land Use study, so any information of traditional activities you do as a Band member will be greatly appreciated for this study, especially activities done north of the Pine Pass.

April 4th & 5th: In Council office at NRC. April 6th & 9th: Easter holidays.

April 10th: Council met with Mackenzie Town Council at NRC to discuss their community planning. They shared their planning with us for our input considering we have reserve and private lands within their town and also have planned projects for which we wish their support. It was an excellent relationship building meeting, both sides being open and honest in discussions and planning of future meetings.

Council then had a Special Council meeting at 11:43 a.m. to discuss: MLIB financial info to Band member; BC Hydro consultation committee; Enbridge hosting a Fort Mac tour; Social Housing meeting; meeting with Minister Polak; Trust matter; and, Membership code issues. At 1:20 p.m. we met with Shell Canada reps: Tamara Dokkie; Manuel W., and Rej T., regarding relationship building. Chief expressed lack of communication has led to poor relationship and Shell owes MLIB payment for invoices since last fall. They claim they will deal with these unpaid invoices as soon as they get back to their offices in Alberta. They claim to have little work at this time and keen to have a positive working relationship with MLIB and are working towards that. They agree to do a community presentation on ‘fracking’ whenever we want.

April 11th: In Council office.

April 12th: Council negotiating team had an OGC (Oil & Gas Commission) pre-­‐meeting at 9:30 a.m. with regular meeting at 10 a.m. (Jenine S. on teleconference) in ML at NRC building. Discussions are on: Capacity funding ($50,000.) which is provided for negotiating of current agreement; MLIB response to OGC Funding proposal, which MLIB is extremely unhappy with as it is deficient and inadequate; meaningful consultation is required; same livelihood must exist prior to and after treaty agreements; broader issues such as wind energy, gas, mining are in play but cannot be part of this agreement; and, when are we going to have an EBA( economic benefits agreement, such as royalties for resources taken out of our Traditional Territory)? They say they can only deal with O/G! At 1:10 p.m. we had a Housing Meeting to redraft MLIB Housing Policy, which included energy efficiency and membership issues.

April 13th: Attended a meeting with Chief Orr, Minister Polak and her group at the government office on 5th and Queensway. In the less than half hour meeting with the Minister, she advised she would look Page 1 of 2

into the Western boundary issue and see why the Province is taking the stand they are; and, will proceed for a mandate for an EBA for MLIB.

April 14th: Attended the MLIB Entities Annual General Meeting at the Band hall along with Councillors Orr, Fred Jr., and, Destiny Bear. Information provided to the general Band membership (which was minimal) was the current financial status of the Band companies and jobs they are engaged in and what to look for in the same areas for the upcoming year: MLIB has been blessed with this year’s revenue Mussi cho to management of our companies!!!

April 16th: Attended the Career/Job Fair in the Band gym hosted by the MLIB Education and Employment & Training Departments who did an excellent job in having businesses come into the community for this.

In the future, it would be good to see this open to Band members from outlying areas, wherever possible, and include the town of Mackenzie just for added participation! Great work, Tse’khene ladies, including Councillor Bear who assisted!!

April 17th & 18th: In Council office at NRC.

April 20th: Attended a Special C&C meeting in ML at the NRC at 10 a.m. regarding ANOTHER letter from a Band member and his claim of being supported by the MLIB Elders. We worked on a response which was provided to the general Band membership to advise them what is happening; and, for the Elders to let them know that there is a claim by this individual that he has the Elders’ (as a group) support, which we know is not true. We thank all Band members who have and continue to support this Council in the work we do for the benefit of this and future generations.

April 23rd: All Council members met in ML at 10 a.m. at the NRC to discuss further our response to the letter received last week. The Elders have a meeting set up for 10 a.m. tomorrow in ML and we will be attending their meeting briefly to provide the letter and our response so they are aware of this situation and that it is being said that the Elders are in support of this individual.

April 24th: Attended the monthly Council meeting in the NRC in ML. Agenda items: Past minutes; Upcoming events; Review of past Action Items; Council Reports; Band Manager Report; Employment Taxation issues; Site C TLUS; INAC Funding adjustments; Health Canada Funding adjustment; Site C Heritage Assessment project; 2012 Travel rates; MLIB Financials, including engagement of auditor for last fiscal year; camera surveillance in office; and, in camera session.

April 26th & 27th: In Council office at NRC.

April 30th: Travelled to Fort McMurray with Chief Orr and Councillors Zepheria Isadore and Yazmin Prince for a one day tour tomorrow of Enbridge’s facilities, which will included a tour of a small area of the tar sands. Please note that as Council, we understand that the majority of the Band members are in opposition to the proposed Gateway pipeline and this will be taken into consideration at all times.

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