MLIB newsletter
NOVEMBER 2009
NO.2
WE, THE TSE’KHENE NATION (PEOPLE OF THE ROCK) ARE PROUD PEOPLE
FALL
“Fall is a second spring when every leaf is a flower” McLeod Lake Indian Band Training Opportunity
GIS Capacity Building for MLIB Land & Resources Department This is an opportunity for one band member to get one-on-one training for duration of 8 weeks. Training location will be at McLeod Lake Indian Band Office. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) h ave b e c o m e i n t e g r a l t o l a n d management in British Columbia. Mapping products are used to make decisions across the Province. For the F i r s t N at i o n s t o h ave a g o o d understanding of what impacts are being felt by their traditional territories, a good understanding of GIS is necessary. Often these impacts are understood in a qualitative manner,
the GIS implementation allows the u n d e r s t a n d i n g t o ex t e n d t o a quantitative measurement. This funding will enable MLIB to develop our own band’s capacity and thereby reduce dependencies on external contractors. We will be nurturing the band members and providing skills in professional, technical realms. Most importantly, better decisions will be made because those making them will be better informed. The purpose of this project is to provide McLeod Lake Indian Band (MLIB) with an opportunity to develop capacity in GIS for the purposes of land and traditional data management. In essence this project will provide a training package. The MLIB will identify a suitable candidate to take on the role of GIS technician for the
P.A.L. (Possession and Acquisition License) course.
Saturday November 7, 2009 at the MLIB Gym from 9 to 5.
band. This candidate is technically competent; understands the fundamentals of computing; has an understanding of the land base and, most of all is eager to learn GIS. The candidate will be taken through the process of setting up a GIS workstation, developing a database of land-base infor mation and the principals of data management. The candidate will then be guided through the development of map templates and briefed on where to access provincial data. Throughout this process the basic concepts and theories of GIS and geography will be touched upon. More importantly, this training package will develop into a mentorship, by providing the candidate with a local resource on which to draw, as their GIS career progresses. Continue on page 4.
10 winter tips for your vehicle. Read everything about winterizing your car, truck or van for this winter on page 13.
MLIB newsletter Derek Orr, Sharon Dugan, Adrian Voyer, Jodie Ware, Stephanie Rocheleau, Giorgina Chingee, Guy Rocheleau, Geraldine Solonas, Jamie Ware, Leanna Tylee, Marc P. Klijnsmit, Sabrina Tylee, Thomas Kenzie, Kandy Klijnsmit, Jan Hegel, Tania Solonas, Margie Alec and Justin Woolfrey. McLeod Lake Indian Band address: General Delivery McLeod Lake, V0J 2G0 Toll Free 1-888-822-1143 PAL Course Saturday November 7 at the MLIB Gym from 9 to 5................. Website and email address www.mlib.ca or email our amazing frontdesk lady Margaret at msolonas@mlib.ca MLIB Publiction No.2 The MLIB Newsletter will be available online at www.mlib.ca or on request, in print at the MLIB Band Office. Calendar of Events Check our calendar online at www.mlib.ca for up to date events, meetings, birthdays and other not-toforget dates in 2009! House for Rent House for rent in Prince George. 3 bedroom, 1 bath and spacious basement. Fenced yard and carport. Close to Pine Centre Mall. $700/mo. Call Bob Inkpen at 250-788-8823 Receptionist Receptionist required for Chetwynd office. Please call Bob Inkpen at 250-788-8823
by LEANNA TYLEE
Our children are our future and we have a responsibility to raise them to be healthy and happy individuals. Children who eat well find it easier to learn, concentrate and cooperate. If they tend to get their energy from low-nutrient foods like chips, suckers, and sweet drinks they will not get all the nutrients they need for healthy development and may find it difficult to learn. Now I’m sure most parents have a nutritional guide of some sort so I won’t delve into that, but I do want to discuss the importance of vitamin D, exercise and drinking water for the coming winter months. Children need vitamin D for bone growth and development. It helps us absorb calcium. A deficiency in this vitamin can cause a number of problems including rickets, osteoporosis, some cancers, heart disease and diabetes. Studies also show an increase in depression, especially in winter months where sunshine is far in between. When sunlight (UVB radiation) shines on our skin, our bodies produce vitamin D. We get 80% of our vitamin D this way. The most common way to get vitamin D is to spend time in the sun. So it’s important to do outdoor activities in the winter with our children. This can include walking, making forts, igloos, skating or a good ol’fashion snowball fight. Think of it this way, your children are getting a substantial vitamin, a good workout and spending important family time together. Vitamin D rich foods can supplement vitamin D your child gets from sunshine. Fatty fish and egg yolks naturally contain this vitamin. Foods that have vitamin D added to them are milks and some cheese. I also recommend offering water to your children at meal times. A bottle of water with your child’s name on it almost always works. Your child will take ownership of it and be more inclined to drink it. Drinking plenty of water helps to maintain energy levels and attentiveness. Here are a few tips for you parents out there. Have fresh and chopped vegetables readily available in the fridge and offer a tasty dip with them. Have sliced cheese and cut up salami within reach. Healthy foods that are prepared and ready to snack on tend to be eaten more often than foods that
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kids have to prepare themselves. Also keep the sweet and salty snacks hidden and keep it for a special night once or twice a week. For example, our Friday nights are now labelled our “family movie night”. The kids get to stay up late and eat chips and dip and fun snacks. We look forward to it every week and the kids appreciate their treats a lot more. I have included some simple, cheap, fast and healthy lunch/supper recipes that are kid friendly. Corn Chowder Half package bacon, 1 med onion, 1 can cream corn, 1 ½ cup diced potatoes, 1 can mushroom soup, 3 cups milk, salt, pepper and spices to taste. Sauté bacon, cut into small pieces. Mix all ingredients. Cook in crock-pot or pot until the potatoes are fully cooked. Enjoy!! Casserole #1 Cook 1 ½ cups of macaroni, drain and put in dish. Add I can of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup, 1 can of tuna, chicken or turkey. Add frozen veggies. Mix all together in casserole dish. Crunch up crackers and spread over top and grate some cheese and sprinkle on top as well. Add salt and pepper to taste(optional). Place in oven of 350 degrees and cook for 25-30 min. This meal is tasty, quick, and cheap. You can also use cooked rice in place of macaroni. Casserole #2 Cook 1 ½ cups of macaroni, drain and put in dish. Add 1 can of cut up mushrooms, 1 can of diced tomatoes(or stewed tomatoes), 1 cup of cut up hotdogs, smokies or sausages. Mix all together in casserole dish. Spread grated cheese over top and cook at 350 degrees for 25-30 min. Kids love this quick dish. These dishes are easy to make and the great thing about these recipes is that they are so versatile, a lot of these ingredients are canned and frozen goods, so you can always stock up on them. I recommend doing it now that the snow is falling. Go in for that one big grocery trip and buy in bulk. The less you drive in the slippery roads, the less chance of getting into car accidents!
Soulless
Every now and then you stumble upon something special. Something that blows you away. Something like that happened to Adrian Voyer not so long ago when he read a poem from Thomas Kenzie. This 12 year old Canadian (not native!!) kid was asked to write an essay about history and he came up with this beautiful poem.
Soulless by Thomas Kenzie I was born to a land of peace and love, The trees would whisper to the sky and the water We would hunt for only what we needed We were at peace with nature Nature was at peace with us The pale faced people came like the force of 1000 buffalo With them they brought metal knives and sticks of thunder We brought them useless furs for useful metal We hunted for want and not need We forgot our beliefs of peace and love They were our brothers of the trade and enemies of our land
l i a T r e v a e B d e t Roas Traditional fingerfood recipe
They killed and slaughtered For no reason at all To kill and kill Like they had no soul
by GEORGINA CHINGEE
Burn the tail over an open fire. The leather bubbles up and the tail will crack open. Now, you can eat it like you eat the meat from a lobster, or you can bake this fatty meat till it is crunchy and crispy.
They gave us a sickness An incurable wound We died a thousand deaths We will not heal
Not many people know how delicious this is!!
They confined us to land We can not move We can not breathe They apologized for deeds already done We will forgive We will never forget BEAVER TAIL : TSA’CHE’H
The Great Spirit wept raindrops -3-
Housing and Public Works
September and October have been very busy at Housing and Public Works. Housing has seen a change in personnel with Geraldine Solonas returning to her former position with Elders. I would like to wish Geraldine the best of luck with her new position. She will be missed. In the interim Georgina Chingee will be serving as Housing Clerk until a replacement can be found. INAC and CMHC retrofit projects have begun with roofing on selected units. Door and window replacements, as well as siding projects, are slated to begin within a couple of weeks. In case anyone is wondering why now instead of spring or summer, the answer is funding. By the time the funds are secured for these projects, summer is past. The projects have to be complete before winter is over so all we have is fall. If we were living on the coast or the Okanagan this would not be as big a problem as it is here. It certainly is not our choice to have these jobs done in fall. Meanwhile, even if what we’ve got isn’t the best, we will make the best of what we got. Our ACRS (Asset Condition Reporting System) report has been completed by Radloff and Associates and returned
to the band for correction before it goes to Indian Affairs. This will give us the opportunity to correct and adjust the figures to more closely represent the challenges we face here in McLeod Lake. When complete, we can count on project funding for a lot of the little things we find endlessly chewing at us. If not funding then at least an acknowledgement of some issues we face here. The water mains will be flushed once again this year. This will take place the first week in November. This is a precautionary measure to insure no sand or particulates are in the mains. We will be posting notices closer to the date this work will be undertaken to let the citizens know what is going on. In case you haven’t noticed, CFNR radio has been off the air since October 16th. Technicians have been at work on this problem and should be back on the air October 28th. The receiver dish was replaced as well as the receiver itself has failed and will be replaced. Guy Rocheleau Public Works Manager
P.A.L. (Possession and Acquisition License) course.
Saturday November 7, 2009 at the MLIB Gym from 9 to 5. Please, call Margie for a second PAL course November 14!
GIS
This project is designed to provide a solid foundation on which the candidate will build further GIS skills during their career. The materials developed for this project will be provided to MLIB for reuse and revision if necessary. The biggest piece of sustainability will be found in the personal network built between the TNRG GIS group and the MLIB GIS group. This network will provide support and introductions to other GIS users in the North.
The mentorship will be structured, with scheduled days to meet. These meetings will review the previous week’s questions and progress and provide opportunity for the facilitator to set tasks or goals to be completed or met by the next meeting.
Please forward your resume to Jeanne Hegel at the MLIB office or email jhegel@mlib.ca Deadline is November 20th, 2009.
House for rent. 3 Bedroom in Prince George. $700/mo. Call Bob at 250-788-8823 -4-
Calendar Updates Please check the calendar on our website at www.mlib.ca for up to date events, meetings, birthdays and other not-toforget dates in 2009! November 4 and 18, 2009 Debbie will be in the Band Office. Call Cindy at 250-750-6864 for your H1n1 Flu shots. Cindy will make appointments.
Time, indeed, is a sacred gift, and each day is a little life. John Lubbock The McLeod Lake Youth have enjoyed a busy fall, with back to school and youth activities. Homework nights are offered Monday and Wednesday nights. We are busy with traditional lessons like: preparing a moose hide donated by Jason & Jolene. Culture Kitchen is offered on Wednesday’s for the youth – this month we were able to prepare a traditional moose dinner that would have been cooked on the trap line, and a meal of bannock and meat. The Youth were able to bless some of the elders with the meals prepared. Pre- teen & high school dances in Mackenzie were attended by the youth. Piano & Dance Lessons are offered to the Youth ages 4-18. We are looking forward to the sharing these new skills with the community at the Family Christmas gathering.
November 7, 2009 PAL Course at the MLIB Band Office. Call Margie Alec fot your spot November 5, 8, 15 & 22 2009 Craft time with Josie Tylee from 3 to 5 November 19, 2009 Dr.Price will be in the office today. Call Cindy for an appointment.
The loowhe (fish) are now here- their REDD is in the lounge – you can see it through the viewing window. The Fish & Wildlife did a presentation to the youth & family at the Band hall on October 26th it was lots of fun – we will care for the fish for the year and set them free in Williston Lake in June. The lockers for the gym have arrived!! If anyone wishes to use one for work out gear or crafts please bring your own lock and sign out a locker with Stephanie or Sharon.
November 24, 2009 Fitness!!! Shake that bootie at the MLIB Gymnasium every tuesday, wednesday and thursday. Lots of fun! November 11, 2009 Remembrance Day 2009. The MLIB Office will be closed all day.
Fall is out for winter. Check out up coming events for the youth and family (on the web site) and on the bulletin board in the lounge. Cheers Sharon Dugan On Reserve (Youth) Family Worker MLIB
McLeod Lake 1000
Lionel & Vincent aiming for their 1000 meter shot
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MLIB Education Department October & November 2009
Danache’a Everyone,
Youth 2009-2010 Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) funds were re-instated this year, instead of $400/year; it has been reduced to $200/year. This program is for registered MLIB children aged 6 year to 18 years only however after careful consideration, Sharon and I both agreed to change the age from age 6 to age 14 for eligibility. New Forms will be made available online very soon.. All requests are processed by date received either by fax, email or letter. Can either reimburse or pay institute directly – depends on the individual family arrangements. Contact: Sharon Dugan at sdugan@mlib.ca or myself for more details.
Well we survived back to school!!! What a fast couple of months, adjusting back to the school schedule. Winter is slowing coming, wood stove is going all the time now… Elementary/Secondary 2009-2010 Well backpacks have gone out, to date, I have mailed and delivered 80 backpacks. Only 3 have been returned. I have received positive feedback on most; some find the younger backpacks logo’s peel off easy. Overall, good response. All parents are encouraged to return their Elementary/ Secondary Financial Applications by September 30th otherwise risk incentive ineligibility. To date, I have received 56 applications out of 88 eligible students. Soon the forms will be made online at our website www.mlib.ca or you can contact me for more details. I have also received 2 requests for tutoring, 2 requests for a bus pass. As this year’s budget is very limited, first come, first serve basis providing that I have all the required documentation.
Elder’s Department Just recently this department has moved under the Education umbrella. I am very eager to work alongside the new Elder Coordinator; Geraldine Solonas. Together we will work towards unity with our people, especially our youth. The Elder Job Description has been re-vamped, d e fi n i t e l y w i l l s t a r t s e e i n g m o re ‘ g r a s s ro o t s ’ communication with our Elders. Welcome to our team Geri!!!
Post Secondary 2009-2010 This year, unfortunately, due to budget constraints, no new students were accepted. All students were encouraged to seek outside funding such as the many scholarship/ bursaries that are out there, etc… Since my last report, only 12 students continued on, 1 student did go into arrears, 2 students are part-time. I have received several requests for 2010-2011 sponsorship, 1 complete application received in full. As per our policy, our priority list is as follows:
Planning Committee I sit on this committee alongside 5 other staff members. We organize events such as birthdays, AGA, Education Celebration, Stay in School, Staff Christmas party, Quarterly Meetings, etc… Right now we are just wrapping up AGA correspondence, making sure we thank all the wonderful sponsors for making this year’s event a success. Last but not least, we are planning our annual Staff Christmas party…Keep you updated as we get closer!!!
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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 or by email jware@mlib.ca.
Continuing Students Grade 12 Graduates New Applications in date order, not including members who have dropped out/quit in the 2 years prior to the new application. New applicants whose studies are not within the 2-4 year program length, including those who using the first year to receive grade 12 or equivalent. Applicants who have dropped out/quit prior to the date of new application MLIB members who have chosen severalty may receive Post Secondary sponsorship through MLIB Education Department based on INAC funding rates only.
Mussi Cho (Many Thanks) for your time!!! Jodie Ware Supervisor of Education & Employment/Training
Remembrance Day 2009
I have something to say....... Anything to share or show?? Send your story and/or pictures to mklijnsmit@mlib.ca
read more on back page
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McLeod Lake Indian Band
Youth Department Mailing Address: General Delivery, McLeod Lake, BC V0J 2G0 Telephone: (250) 750-4415 Fax: (250) 750-4420 www.mlib.ca
Please complete all areas of application for EACH youth APPLICATION FOR EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVIES Student’s Name:
_________________________
Band Number:
_________________________
Mailing Address:
_________________________
Postal Code: _________________
City: ________________ Prov: ____
Telephone: (_____) _________________
Activity Requiring Funds: _________________________________________________________ Amount of funding requested: $__________________ (a copy/actual documentation required) • • • • •
The maximum amount of funding available is $200.00 per fiscal year (dependent on each Band fiscal year) for extracurricular activities. Attached actual receipts for the costs of the activity or information showing the actual costs of the extracurricular activity. These funds do not accumulate over the years, please use by March 31st of every year. Band Fiscal years run from April 1st to March 31st. Registered MLIB children ages 4 to 18 are eligible to apply.
Payable to: _____________________________________________________________________ Payments will be paid directly to the institute or reimbursement to the parent(s). Please complete the above section of the application. Also, please attach a note giving authorization for payment to persons other than parent(s). Have you received funds this fiscal year? (Not including school supplies or allowance). Please check one. _______ YES – Amount Received $__________
!"##$%&'()*+,-'.$,#/' 000000000000000'
_______ NO ________________________ Signature of Parent
!""#$%&'(%&!)*+,&
________________ Date
________________________ Print Name
123"%&'144#35$6/'000000000000000' !36$/' 00000000000000000000000000' 144#35$6'78/'0000000000000000000'
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Elder Coordinator Report The Elders program has been reinstated as of October 19th, 2009 with funding from Terrane and Enbridge for the administration of the program and funds from MLIB Trust for Housing & Maintenance. Administration wishes to have a different approach to the program, here are some of the ideas to be implemented:
There will be terms of reference and a policy drafted for the program; The program needs to do more proposals for program and culture funding; Elders will have more involvement with the youth and their activities; There needs to be more activities to involve Elders’ socializing together; Elder profiles will be created to see which areas each Elder is knowledgeable in, therefore spend more time with individual Elders; Provide workshops geared towards the needs of Elders; Gifts will be used more than money to pay Elders for their assistance; Work with the LRO for Elders’ Consultation Requirements; Work with other MLIB departments for the benefit of Elders; and Providing on-going information to the members as to Elder activities.
There are issues with the term "Elder" and redefining "Elder" has been brought up from various members. Administration is considering the budget implications of the baby boomers coming of age and Administration is very concerned there are not enough funds to cover even the basic program. This issue of budget shortfalls for programs for this particular age-group is a national concern. The legal side is being reviewed which includes the review of provincial and federal legislation. We encourage members to forward all suggestions to me for input. With that being said, I will be researching other First Nations Elder’s Policies and researching the age eligibility for the program, the eligibility for the Elder’s Program is currently being reviewed. I will keep all Elder’s updated on this process. I recently applied for funding from ConocoPhillips to host an Elders’ Christmas dinner along with their monthly meeting in December. We will now have to rent space for meetings and activities as Paxton, where we previously met for meetings and activities, was sold this past summer. I will be setting up a meeting for the Elders in November, which must also be the Elders’ annual general meeting in order to comply with Society requirements so that their society remains in good standing and is eligible to apply for funding from all available sources. I am wishing you well and blessings as we move into the holiday season which is fast approaching. I can be reached at (250) 750-4415, extension 271 or by email gsolonas@mlib.ca if you have any other questions or concerns.
Winter Tip 11
Chief Derek Orr and Fish & Wildlife Officer Arne Langston
Slow down and don't make any sudden moves on ice and snow . Never tr ust your brakes, slow dow n way before you have to stop. Leave a little more room between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. Read more on page 13 !!
Come and have a look at the fish tank in the MLIB Office Lounge
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Youth Activities
Wanna recycle? Ask Margaret where to get a recycle bin.
I have some great pictures....... Anything to share or show?? Send your story and/or pictures to mklijnsmit@mlib.ca
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No-where Wolf by JUSTIN WOOLFREY
One day a troubled wolf lay by a small village in a forest in Northern British Columbia. As he lay, he worried, his pack had no place to live. The white humans were logging off the land. The only place he could stay was near the people that cared most for the land, his people, the Aboriginal people. He and the first real people were cousins. The wolf lay beside the village in which his other form lived, his spirit being refueled by the trust and respect of his people. Far from where he lay, there was a place, no longer a forest, just a place where he loved to run with his pack. But it was being logged by white humans. In his mind a vision of flat land, ugly with no trees appeared and in his ears he heard the howling of chainsaws. He smelled something he did not recognize from strange objects and his spirit felt the pain of his fellow animals. His friends had nowhere to live and nothing to live. The wolf was losing his forest home. The wolf closed his eyes and stood on his hind legs. He slowly
changed from his wolf spirit into a human spirit. His transformation complete, he appeared as his human form, Butsi. Butsi walked into the village searching the elders and Chief Kniwa. He needed to share his vision about what was happening in the forest. he needed them to know what lay in the future. The elders were sitting in a teepee, in a circle around the fire. Butsi was a known villager. He was born in the village and had lived there his entire life. He was one of them. he had come to complain about the forest to the Chief and elders before it got worse. he described the destruction of the land and forest. He told them of his powers of transfor mation and changed into his wolf form. He closed his eyes and knelt on all fours. Then he led the way. When they got to the dead lands of the forest he howled with despair. No animals answered back. The Chief and the elders felt ill and moaned. All life was gone. Butsi closed his eyes and stood on his hind legs. He walked away from the chief and the elders and encountered a white human. Butsi said,”Why do you choose to kill our land? There is a better way”. He told them about the
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disaster that they had created in the forest and how animals had died. The white humans listened. Butsi and the white men talked about how the white people could plant trees instead of killing them. they talked about trading a seedling for each tree taken. The white people promised to leave some trees behind, for the animals. they promise to check for animals’ homes before they took down a tree. Butsi went to Chief Kniwa and the elders. he told them of the discussions he had with the white humans and the promises they had made. The Chief and the elders went to the white humans and told them that they trusted them. The promises of the white humans made the elders feel healed. They told the white humans that Butsi would be watching. The eyes of the wolf would be watching them closely. The Chief and the elders told them to be aware of wolves. To this day, loggers in the forest feel uncomfortable and are worried about the wolves’ eyes watching.
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Infant & Family Development Hi Everyone,
In the Infant & Family Development Department, I have been working on a number of activities. The Breakfast Program has resumed. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, the bus kids are given a small bagged breakfast consisting of something from the Milk Group, the bread group and a Fruit group selection. The children will be getting a slip in their bag within the next few days. On it, they can indicate their ideas and preferences. Every two weeks, I send in a Bulk Food Order. If anyone wants to participate and make an order, they can let me know and I will set them up. The Speech Therapist, Joan Beek, now comes to the reserve twice a month. This makes it much easier for our children to see her. She also spends time in the Daycare, giving our Daycare Workers some hints for helping the children there. The Occupational Therapist accompanies Joan once a month. She helps children learn to things like dress themselves and eat properly. Active Parenting Now (children ages 5-12) will be starting on November 9 at 6:30pm. After that, they will run on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30, with the last one on December 16. I will also be running individual Make the Connection classes for parents with babies starting in November. There will be a Parent Idea Lunch - Friday Nov. 13, 2009. Parents, stay tuned for the theme, but please start thinking of what you would like to see from the Infant and Family Development Department. Bye for now. Stephanie Rocheleau
Good Day Everyone Well, on the 23rd of November 2009 I will have worked for the McLeod Lake Indian Band for one full year! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!!! Although I have worked for the Band in one capacity or another for a number of years, I had only worked on short-term contract positions in the past. Therefore, it is all the more sweet that I am able to work full-time for you, the band membership. I feel that I am an excellent team member, and I do my job diligently on behalf of ‘Our People’. As for our “Quilting Hotties” monthly bingos, they are going to be back in full swing starting on Friday, November 27th, 2009! Hope to see you all there to support our local crafting club. On another note, Lisa Evans from Mackenzie has said that a lady from the Mackenzie Arts Club is inviting us local crafters from McLeod
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Lake to hold a table in their Gallery to show off our projects in the New Year. I think this is a wonderful opportunity to let Our Light Shine. I pray that each and every one of you is doing great and taking care of your little ones, as they are Our Future! If you have any questions, feel free to call me @ 1-888-822-1143 ext # 831, or on my direct line @ 250-750-6831. You can also e-mail me at tsolonas@mlib.ca PS – this picture is of Rhiannon and me celebrating her first Christmas in 2008!
Tania
Employment & Training Hello Everyone, Well the first snow has hit and that sure must have made the kids smile. The McLeod Lake Indian Band E&T Department organized training funded by the Duz Cho Construction Ltd. It was held on September 21st to 23rd, 2009 here in McLeod Lake in our gymnasium. This training was in-house geared to work under Duz Cho Construction in Chetwynd, BC. All the participants who showed up passed all courses, Yah!!!! Most of the participants who did not show up gave reasons such as did not get paid to do training, would rather work for a day’s wages. T h e E m p l o y m e n t a n d Tr a i n i n g Department has seized all safety training for this year. All the group safety training will commence in May 2010. On November 7th, 2009; the E&T Department will be hosting a P.A.L Course here in McLeod Lake. This course is offered to all band members who signed up. Call or email me for more details if needed. The E&T department is heading towards implementing the PGNAETA Labour Market forms into the E&T application package. This will be geared towards members researching their training in order for members to get the job they are going to be good at and happy with. More paperwork people!!! I am open to help member with the Labor Market research. Please phone me on a time and date that I can assist you with this. Update: College & Career Preparation Program – As per my last report, MLIB was working with several students on the feasibility of offering this on-reserve. At this time, I am working with CNC in Mackenzie & the Employment Centre to arrange a day in November for them to come out and do a presentation, meet with potential students, offer on-site assistance.
H2S Alive 13 ppl signed up 10 ppl showed up 2 ppl missed for work
OFA Level 1 11 ppl signed up 8 ppl showed up 2 ppl missed for work 1 ppl missed for no ride
Bear Awareness, WHMIS, TDG & Ground Disturbance 16 ppl signed up 11 ppl showed up 3 ppl missed for work 1 ppl missed for no ride 1 ppl missed no reason
The Department is looking into bringing a mobile Equipment Operators Simulator into the McLeod Lake Indian Band Village. This is a costly Training Intervention and I will be seeking funds to bring this here. I will keep you updated in future newsletters. Success Stories: Richard Jackson and Vincent Chingee were hired by the Nechako Fabrication Ltd. Congrat’s to both of them. Penny Inyallie has graduated from her studies at the Academy of Learning in the Marketing Assistance Program. Johnny Solonas has finished his Pre-employment Training for Exploration and Mining program. Neil Solonas has finished his training for the Environmental Monitors Assistance Program. Anita Vallee and Georgina Chingee have successfully completed their Culinary Arts Certificate from the College of New Caledonia – Mackenzie Campus. I have had some inquiries about members resumes. When I send out a resume, I will keep them on file for you. It is up to you to call them about your resume. The Employer will phone the number on the resume. That is all for now. If you would like to speak with me, please do not hesitate to call me or email me at malec@mlib.ca In Friendship, Margie Alec Employment and Training Officer
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10 Winter Tips OK, so if you live in Florida or Southern California, you may not need to read this column.
But if you live in a cold-weather area, like McLeod Lake or if you are planning to visit loved ones in a colder clime over the winter holidays, the following tips literally could be life-saving! And even if you’ve been living in Alaska for many years now, these tips can serve as handy reminders of simple steps you can take to stay safe and keep your vehicle in good working order this winter. 1. Get the right kind of oil change. Are you approaching the time for a 30,000-mile full service for your vehicle? If so, don’t procrastinate! Among other things, the service should include an oil change, and the oil used should have the right viscosity, or thickness, for your vehicle at this time of year. Oil tends to thicken as it gets colder, and if it’s too thick it won’t do the best job of keeping your engine lubricated. Check your owner’s manual for guidance about which oil to use in different climates and temperatures.
2. Make sure you can see. When’s the last time you replaced your windshield wiper blades? They usually work effectively for about one year, so be sure to invest in some new ones if you’re due. Here’s another important step to take before you find yourself struggling to see in a blinding stor m: Fill up your windshield washer reservoir with windshield washer fluid. (Plain water won’t do the trick at this time of year because it freezes.) Also check to see that your heater and defroster are working properly so you can keep the windshield nice and clear. 3. Give your battery a little TLC. This is an ideal time of year to make sure your battery’s posts and connections are corrosion-free and that your battery has all the water it needs. If your battery is more than
for truck, car and van
three years old, have a certified repair shop test its ability to hold a charge. Granted, you might be able to find a Good Samaritan to help you jumpstart your vehicle in the middle of a blizzard — but wouldn’t you rather avoid such a scenario altogether? 4. Examine your belts and hoses. When you have that full service done on your vehicle, make sure the belts and hoses get checked for wear and tear — even if you’re driving a modern car. Cold weather can do a number on belts and hoses, so they deserve attention. 5. Check your tire pressure. Your tires must be properly inflated to ensure you’ll have the best possible traction as you drive along — and traction is often severely jeopardized in wet, snowy or icy conditions. The air pressure in your tires has likely dropped as the weather has gotten colder, so it’s important to see where things stand now. (You can generally expect that you’ll lose 1 pound per square inch whenever the temperature drops by 10 degrees Fahrenheit.) Again, your trusty owner’s manual will tell you what your target tire pressure should be. 6. Think about switching to snow tires. Do you live in a hilly place that gets its fair share of snow? Then you might want to improve traction even more by investing in winter tires and using them over the next few months instead of your usual all-season tires. When shopping around for snow tires, ask about all the fees that might come into play, such as fees for mounting and balancing. You can accomplish this easily and make accurate cost comparisons by asking each store for the “out the door charge.” 7. Do you have four-wheel drive? If so, it’s important to check the status of your four-wheel-drive system and be sure it’s working correctly — especially because most
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drivers don’t use their 4WD systems in the pleasant summer months. Be sure that the system engages and disengages easily, and that all drivers in your household know how and when to activate the system. 8. Get the antifreeze mixture just right. Aim for having a 50-50 mix of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your radiator. This will prevent the mixture from freezing even at ridiculously cold temperatures. It’s easy to check the status of the mixture with an inexpensive antifreeze tester, which you can pick up at any auto parts store. If the mixture is off, your cooling system should be drained and refilled or flushed. Be sure you’re equipped to dispose of your old antifreeze properly if you do this job yourself. It can’t just be poured down the drain. 9. Prepare an emergency kit. Store this stuff in your trunk during the winter months, especially if a road trip is in your future: a blanket, extra boots and gloves, an extra set of warm clothes, extra water and food, including hard candies, an ice scraper, a small shovel, a flashlight, windshield washer fluid, windshield wipers, flares, jumper cables, a tool kit, tire chains, a tire gauge, a spare tire with air in it, tire-changing equipment, a firstaid kit, paper towels and a bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter, which can provide additional traction if a tire gets stuck in snow. Also, keep the gas tank as full as you can to prevent the gas lines from freezing. 10. Know what to do if you get stranded. Don’t wander away from your car unless you’re completely sure about where you are and how far away help is. Light two flares and situate them at each end of your vehicle to call attention to your plight. Put on the extra clothes and use the blanket to stay warm. If you have enough gas in the tank, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes for each hour you’re waiting for help. Leave at least one window open a little bit so that snow and ice don’t seal the car shut. Suck on a hard candy to prevent your mouth from getting too dry.
A DAY FOR REMEMBERING OUR VETERANS
On behalf of the McLeod Lake Indian Band and its members, the Planning Committee would like to thank the following sponsors for making the 9th Annual General Assembly & 21st Education Celebration happen:
EVERYONE IS WELCOME—PLEASE COME AND JOIN US FOR A GREAT POTLUCK In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Gold Sponsor – Peace River Coal, BP Canada Ltd and Duz Cho Logging
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
Silver Sponsor – TransCanada Pipeline, EnCana Corporation, First Coal Corporation, and Pembina Pipeline Corporation. Bronze Sponsors – ConocoPhillips, Dokie General Partnership, Plutonic Power Corp, Regional Fort George, Chetwynd Petroleum, Nelson Vanderkruyk, Park L Projects Ltd, and Terrane Metals. Donations – Legacy Fund Grant, Compass Group Canada, ESS Camp Services, Ledcor CMI Ltd, Royal Trust, Shell Canada, Radloff & Associates, Alexander Mackenzie Hotel, GK Beddome, SM Forest & Associates, District of Mackenzie, Ministry of Energy Mines & Petroleum Resources, Mackenzie CoOp, Duz Cho Construction, and Summit Pipelines Ltd.
WHERE: MCLEOD LAKE BAND HALL WHEN: NOVEMBER 11.2009 / REMEMBRANCE DAY TIME: 11:00 AM it would be appreciated if you could show up 10 minutes before SOME FEATURED DISHES: SALMON PHILLO WRAPS SHEPARDS PIE
FRIED RICE
MOOSE HEART
MOOSE TONGUE
MOOSE NOSE
VERY BERRY DESSERTS
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO BRING A DISH, PLEASE CONTACT JOLENE @ 750‐4415 OR 750‐4567
MLIB Newsletter No.3 will be online December 2 - 2009, or on request in print at the MLIB band Office
THANK YOU!!
Cuisine Beef Bon Appetit Butter Ceylon Cookbook Cordon Bleu Cream Cuisine Duck Fish
French Chef Gratine Kitchen Lobster Omelet Paris Sauces Soufflee Tarte Tartin Wine Veau