April 25, 2013 Volume 40 Number 16 by Wawatay News

PM#0382659799

Writers find their inner voice PAGES 12-13

Poplar Hill students celebrate Earth Day PAGE 5

Kingfisher Lake goes solar PAGE 8

Vol. 40 No. 16

9,300 copies distributed $1.50

April 25, 2013 Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

www.wawataynews.ca

1,100 kms $49,040

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Sachigo Lake youth complete 1,100 km walk to Thunder Bay in support of Dennis Franklin Cromarty student living centre. “It feels like I want to walk more,” says Devon Thunder as he arrives at DFC. See story on page 6.

ᓀᐡᑲᐣᑕᑲ ᐅᐎᑕᓇᐗ ᐃᓯᓭᐎᓇᐣ ᐁᐊᓂᒥᓭᐗᐨ ᓄᑯᒥᑫ ᑲᑭᐅᑕᐱᓇᐠ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐎᐣ ᔖᐣ ᐯᓬ ᐗᐗᑌ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐎᓇᐣ ᓂᔑᐣ ᐁᑭᐅᑕᐱᓇᒧᐗᐨ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐎᓂᐗ ᐁᑲ ᐁᐃᓯᓭᐠ ᐯᔑᑯᑕᐗᑌ ᐃᐃᒪ ᓀᐡᑲᐣᑕᑲ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᐃᓀᑕᒧᐗᐨ ᑲᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐗᐨ ᒋᐸᑭᑎᓇᒧᐗᐨ ᐅᑎᑭᑐᐎᓂᐗ ᐃᓯᓭᐎᓇᐣ ᐁᐊᓂᒥᓭᐗᐨ ᐁᑭᓇᐎ ᐃᓯᓭᐗᐨ ᐁᓇᑕᐌᑕᒧᐗᐨ ᒋᐎᒋᐦᐊᑲᓀᐗᐨ᙮ ᓀᐡᑲᐣᑕᑲ ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐗᐠ ᐃᓯᓭᐎᓇᐣ ᐁᐊᓂᒥᓭᐗᐨ ᒣᑾᐨ ᐊᐳᕒᐅᓬ 17, ᐯᔑᑯᑭᔑᐠ ᑲᐃᐡᑾ ᐃᓯᓭᐠ ᑲᑭᐅᑕᐱᓇᐠ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐎᐣ 19 ᐁᑕᓱ ᐊᐦᑭᐎᓀᐨ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᐢ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ᙮ ᐁᐱᐎᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᑲᑭᐅᑕᐱᓇᐠ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐎᐣ ᒣᑾᐨ ᐁᓇᐦᐃᑭᑫᐗᐨ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᔭᐎᔭᐣ ᐁᑭᐡᑾᐱᒪᑎᓯᐨ ᐃᐃᐌ ᑎᓄᑲᐣ ᐁᑭᑐᑕᐠ ᐅᑕᓇᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᒥᑕᐗᑌᐠ᙮ “ᐊᔕ ᑭᐅᑎᑕᒥᐣ ᒋᐱᑯᓭᔭᐠ ᒥᓇ ᑎᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᓇᐣ ᒣᑾᐨ ᑭᒋᒪᐣᓯᓭ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᓀᐡᑲᐣᑕᑲ ᐅᓇᔓᐌᐎᓂᓂ ᕒᐆᔾ ᒧᓂᔭᐢ᙮ “ᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᒥᓇᐣ ᐎᑫ ᐊᔦᑯᓯᐗᐠ ᐅᒥᑐᓀᒋᑲᓂᐗ ᒥᓇ ᐅᐎᔭᐎᐠ ᒣᑾᐨ ᐁᑲᑴᒥᓄᐗᒋᐦᐃᑎᐗᐨ ᐅᓄᐌᓂᐗᐣ

ᐃᓯᓭᐎᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᓇᑭᐡᑲᒧᐗᒋᐣ᙮” ᒧᓂᔭᐢ ᐅᐎᑕᐣ ᓄᑯᒥᑫ ᑲᑭᐅᑕᐱᓇᐠ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐎᐣ ᒥᐌ ᓂᐗ ᐁᐃᓯᓭᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᓄᑯᒼ ᑲ ᐊᐦᑭᐗᐠ, ᒥᓇ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ 20 ᑕᓯᐣ ᐁᑭᑯᒋᑐᐗᐨ ᒋᐅᑕᐱᓇᒧᐗᐨ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐎᓂᐗ, ᒥᓇ ᓂᓵᓯ ᐁᑯᐡᑯᐗᒋ ᐃᐡᑾᐱᒪᑎᓯᐨ ᔭᐎᔭ ᓄᑯᒼ ᑲ ᐊᐦᑭᐗᐠ᙮ ᑲᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᒧᐗᐨ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐎᓂᐗ, ᓀᐡᑲᐣᑕᑲ ᐅᐎᑕᓇᐗ ᐃᓯᓭᐎᓇᐣ ᑲᓇᑭᐡᑲᒧᐗᐨ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ, ᐁᑕᑯᓇᒧᐗᐨ ᐅᐎᑕᒪᑫᐎᓂᐗ ᐊᐱᑕ ᑲᑕᓯᓄᐗᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐗᐠ ᐁᐊᐸᒋᑐᐗᒋᐣ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐣ, ᐃᓯᓭᐎᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐱᔑᑾᒋᑐᑕᒧᐎᓇᐣ, ᐁᓄᑌᓭᑭᐣ ᒥᓇ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔑᑫᐎᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐁᑲ ᐁᑌᐱᓇᒧᐗᐨ ᒥᑐᓀᒋᑲᐣ ᒥᓄᔭᐎᐣ ᐎᒋᐦᐃᐌᐎᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᒥᓂᑴᔭᐱᓀᐎᐣ ᐎᒋᐦᐃᐌᐎᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᒪᒥᓄᒥᐌᐎᓇᐣ᙮ ᐃᐃᐌ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᐣ ᐁᑕᓯᓄᐗᐨ 421 ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐗᐠ, 75% ᒥᓂᑯᐠ ᔭᐎᔭᐠ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓯᐗᐠ, ᒥᓇ ᑲᐎᐣ ᐅᑭᑌᐱᓇᓇᐗ ᑲᒥᓈᑲᒥᐠ ᓂᐱ᙮ ᒥᓇ ᒣᑾᐨ ᐅᓇᑭᐡᑲᓇᐗ ᐁᐃᔑᓂᑲᑕᐠ ᒧᓂᔭᐢ “ᐁᑭᒋᐊᓄᑭᒋᑫᒪᑲᑭᐣ” ᒋᓇᑯᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑲᐃᔑ ᓇᑕᐌᑕᒧᐗᐨ ᓄᑕᓯᓂᑫᐎᓂᓂᐗᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐅᐣᑌᕒᐃᔪ

“ᐊᔕ ᑭᐅᑎᑕᒥᐣ ᒋᐱᑯᓭᔭᐠ ᒥᓇ

ᑎᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᓇᐣ

ᑭᒋᒪᐣᓯᓭ,”

ᐃᑭᑐ

ᒣᑾᐨ ᓀᐡᑲᐣᑕᑲ

ᐅᓇᔓᐌᐎᓂᓂ ᕒᐆᔾ ᒧᓂᔭᐢ᙮ “ᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᒥᓇᐣ ᐎᑫ ᐊᔦᑯᓯᐗᐠ ᐅᒥᑐᓀᒋᑲᓂᐗ ᒥᓇ ᐅᐎᔭᐎᐠ ᒣᑾᐨ

ᐁᑲᑴᒥᓄᐗᒋᐦᐃᑎᐗᐨ

ᐅᓄᐌᓂᐗᐣ

ᐃᓯᓭᐎᓇᐣ

ᑲᑭᓇᑭᐡᑲᒧᐗᒋᐣ᙮” ᐅᑭᒪᐎᐣ ᐃᐃᐌᓂ ᐅᐣᒋ ᑲᐗᑲᑌᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᑌ᙮ ᒧᓂᔭᐢ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐃᐃᐌ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᐣ ᑲᑴᑌᐗᐠ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐅᑭᒪᐎᓇᐣ, ᐊᑯᓯᐎ ᐱᒥᐎᒋᑫᐎᓇᐣ, ᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐎ ᐱᒥᐎᒋᑫᐎᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᔓᓂᔭᐎ ᐎᒋᐦᐃᐌᐎᓇᐣ ᐱᒥᐎᒋᑫᐎᐣ ᒋᐎᒋᐦᐊᐗᐨ ᓀᐡᑲᐣᑕᑲ ᒣᑾᐨ ᐁᐊᓂᒥᓭᐗᐨ᙮

“ᑲᐎᐣ ᑫᑯᐣ ᑕᔭᓯᒥᐣ ᑫᑭᐅᒋ ᐎᒋᐦᐊᑲᓀᐨ ᔭᐎᔭ, ᒥᓇ ᐊᐗᔑᒣ ᐅᑕᓂ ᐅᑕᐱᓇᓇᐗ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐎᓂᐗ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ,” ᒧᓂᔭᐢ ᐃᑭᑐ᙮ “ᑲᐎᐣ ᐅᐅᐌ ᒥᓈᔑᓯᓄᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑕᑭᐊᐣᒋ ᑲᓇᐗᐸᒋᑲᑌᐸᐣ ᐃᓯᓭᐎᓇᐣ᙮” “ᐎᑫ ᑕᓂᒥᑯᐡᑲᑌᑕᒥᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑕᓂᐅᒋ ᐊᓂᒣᑕᒥᐣ ᑲᐃᓯᓭᐗᐨ ᑐᐡᑲᑎᓯᒥᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐗᐠ ᐊᐊᐌ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐎ ᐅᑭᒪᐎᐣ ᐁᑲ ᐁᐃᓯᓭᓂᐠ ᒋᐎᒋᐦᐃᑯᔭᐠ ᒋᑭᐅᑕᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᔓᓂᔭ ᒋᑭᐊᓄᑭᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᒥᓇ ᒋᓇᑲᐡᑭᑲᑌᐠ ᐅᓄᐌᓂᐗᐠ ᒪᓯᓭᐎᓇᐣ ᐁᑲ ᒋᑭ ᐃᓯᓭᑭᐸᐣ᙮” ᒧᓂᔭᐢ ᐃᑭᑐ᙮ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐱᐗᐱᑯᐠ ᐁᑭᐱᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑫᐨ, ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐎ ᐅᑭᐗᐎᐣ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᐣ ᑭᐱᑭᑐ ᐅᑭᒪᐎᐣ ᐊᔕ ᐅᑭᐊᔭᒥᐦᐊᐣ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐯᔓᐨ ᐅᑲᐎᑕᓄᑭᒪᐗᐣ ᒋᓇᑲᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐗᐠ ᒋᑌᐱᓇᒧᐗᐨ ᐎᒋᐦᐃᐌᐎᓇᐣ ᑲᓇᑕᐌᑕᒧᐗᐨ᙮ ᐎᓬᐃᔭᒼ ᐌᓬᐢ, ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐎᐣ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᐣ ᐃᐃᒪ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐎ ᐅᑭᒪᐎᐣ, ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᑭᒪᐎᐣ ᐅᑭᐱᐎᑕᓄᑭᒪᐗᐣ ᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐊᐢᑭ ᐎᒋᐦᐃᐌᐎᓇᐣ ᑲᐎᒋᑐᐗᐨ ᒋᑭᐱᔕᐗᐨ ᓂᔑᐣ ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓱᐗᐨ ᒋᐊᔭᒥᐦᐊᐗᐨ ᔭᐎᔭᐣ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ᙮ ᒋᓇᑭᓇᑲᓀᐗᐨ ᒥᓇ

ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐤᑴᐠ ᑕᐃᔑᓂᔕᐦᐊᐗᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ, ᐌᓬᐢ ᐃᑭᑐ, ᒥᓇ ᒋᓇᑭᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᐎᒋᐦᐃᐌᐎᐣ ᑲ ᐊᔭᒥᐦᐊᑲᓀᐨ ᐱᒥᐎᒋᑫᐎᐣ ᓄᑎᐣ ᐊᐗᔑᐡ ᒥᓇ ᑎᐯᒋᑫᐎᓇᐣ ᐱᒥᐎᒋᑫᐎᐣ ᒋᑐᑕᒧᐗᐨ᙮ ᐌᓬᐢ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑭᐎᑕᐣ ᑲᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᑲᓀᐨ ᐅᐡᑭ ᔓᓂᔭ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐅᑭᒪᐎᐣ ᔓᓂᔭᐎ ᑎᐸᑭᒋᑫᐎᐣ ᐁᑭᑕᑯᓇᑲᓀᐨ $4 ᒥᓬᐃᔭᐣ ᒥᓂᑯ ᓂᔓᐊᐦᑭ ᒋᓇᑭᓇᑲᓀᐗᐨ ᒥᑐᓀᒋᑲᐣ ᐊᑯᓯᐎᐣ ᐎᒋᐦᐃᐌᐎᐣ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᓇᐠ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐃᓇᑲᓀᔭᑭᐣ ᐎᒋᐦᐃᐌᐎᓇᐣ ᒋᔑᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐤ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓇᐣ᙮ ᔕᑯᐨ ᒧᓂᔭᐢ ᐅᑭᐎᑕᐣ ᐃᐃᒪ ᓀᐡᑲᐣᑕᑲ ᑲᓇᑕᐌᑕᒧᐗᐨ ᐁᑲ ᐊᑯᓯᐎ ᐎᒋᐦᐃᐌᐎᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲ ᐊᔭᒥᐦᐃᐌᐗᐨ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᐣᐠ᙮ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᐎᐸᐨ ᐁᓇᑕᐌᑕᒧᐗᐨ ᔓᓂᔭᐎ ᐎᒋᐦᐃᐌᐎᐣ ᒋᑭᑌᐱᓇᐗᐨ ᐊᓄᑭᐎᓇᐣ ᑎᓄᑲᐣ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔑᑫᐎᐣ, ᒥᓇ ᐎᒋᐦᐃᐌᐎᓇᐣ ᒋᑌᐱᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᒥᒋᒪᐣ, ᑲᒥᓈᑲᒥᐠ ᓂᐱ, ᑲᐯᔑᐎᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐱᒥᔭᐎᓇᐣ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐎᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᑲᐱᔕᐗᐨ ᔭᐎᔭᐠ ᑲᐱᐎᒋᑐᐗᐨ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᓇᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ᙮

Wawatay News APRIL 25, 2013

THIS

WEEK IN

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

WAWATAY NEWS...

KI youth invite Canadians north A group of youth from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) have invited 25 Canadians to spend a week in the community. The trip, which takes place this coming Aboriginal Day, is intended to show the country what living conditions really are like in a northern remote First Nation. The youth are reserving space for the youth walkers from Quebec who recently completed the Journey of Nishiyuu. An additional 16 spots are available for regular Canadians who want to spend time in the community. Page 7

ᑭᒋᓇᒣᑯᓯᑊ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᐅᓇᑐᒪᐗᐣ ᔭᐎᔭᐣ ᒋᐱᔕᓂᐨ ᑲᐃᔑᑲᐯᔑᐗᐨ ᑲᐱᑯᐎᓄᐗᐨ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᐁᐅᒋᐗᐨ ᐃᐃᒪ ᑭᒋᓇᒣᑯᓯᑊ ᐃᓂᓂᐗᐠ ᐅᑭᓇᑐᒪᐗᐣ 25 ᔭᐎᔭᐣ ᒋᐱᔕᐗᐨ ᐯᔑᑯ ᐱᒥᑯᓇᑲ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ᙮ ᐃᐃᐌ ᐱᒥᔭᐎᐣ, ᑕᐃᔑᑐᒋᑲᑌ ᒣᑾᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐤ ᑭᔑᑲᐠ, ᐁᐃᓀᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᒋᐗᐸᑕᒧᐗᐨ ᔭᐎᔭᐠ ᐁᔑᓇᑯᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᑲᐯᔑᐗᐨ ᑭᐌᑎᓄᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ᙮ ᐃᑭᐌᓂᐗᐠ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᐅᑕᐎᓇᓇᐗ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐣ ᑲᑭᐱᒪᐦᐊᑐᐗᐨ ᒣᑴᔑᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᑲᑭᑭᔑᑐᐗᐨ ᐅᐱᒪᐦᐊᑎᐎᓂᐗ ᑲᑭᔑᓂᑲᑕᒧᐗᐨ ᓂᔑᔪ᙮ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑭᑕᐎᓇᓇᐗ 16 ᑕᓯᐣ ᒋᐱᔕᐗᐨ ᐌᒥᒋᑯᔑᐗᐠ ᑲᓇᑕᐌᑕᒧᐗᐨ ᒋᑭᐱᔕᐗᐨ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ᙮ Page 7

Kasabonika struggles for economic development A lack of electricity is limiting the efforts of Kasabonika Lake First Nation to create economic development opportunities. The community is struggling to deal with a generating station that does not have any excess electricity for new homes or businesses.

Yet leadership remains committed to developing opportunities, and is working within the limitations of the electricity system while lobbying the government for money to increase the capacity of the existing generator. Page 9

ᑲᓴᐸᓇᑲ ᑲᑴᑲᐡᑭᐦᐅᐗᐠ ᔓᓂᔭᐎ ᒪᒋᑕᐎᓇᐣ ᐁᓄᑌᓭᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᑌᐎᔭᑊ ᐊᒋᐎᓂᑫᓭ ᑲᑐᑕᒧᐗᐨ ᑲᓴᐸᓇᑲ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᑲᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᔑᑕᒪᓱᐗᐨ ᔓᓂᔭᐎ ᒪᒋᑕᐎᓇᐣ᙮ ᐃᐃᐌ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᐣ ᑲᑴᑲᐡᑭᐦᐅᐗᐠ ᒋᑭᑐᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᑲᐱᒥᐱᑌᐠ ᐗᓴᑯᓀᒋᑲᓂᔭᑊ ᐁᑲ ᐁᑌᐱᓭᐠ ᓂᑭᒐᑲᐱᑫᐦᐃᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐅᐡᑭ ᐗᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᔦᒪ ᒪᒋᑕᐎᓇᐣ᙮ ᔕᑯᐨ ᐅᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐠ ᐃᓀᑕᒧᐗᐠ ᒋᐅᓇᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᒪᒋᑕᐎᓇᐣ, ᐁᐱᒪᓄᑭᐗᐨ ᑲᐃᔑᐱᒥᓄᑌᓭᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᑌᐎᔭᑊ ᒣᑾᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐁᐱᒥᐊᔭᒥᐦᐊᐗᐨ ᐅᑭᒪᐎᓇᐣ ᒋᑭᑌᐱᓇᐗᐨ ᔓᓂᔭᓇᐣ ᒋᑭᓇᑭᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᒣᑾᐨ ᓄᑯᒼ ᑲᔭᐸᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᑲᐱᒥᐱᑌᐠ᙮ Page 9

Pelican Falls hosts powwow The 13th annual powwow at Pelican Falls high school in Sioux Lookout was another success, with dancers and participants coming from the community and surrounding communities. The powwow was held on April 20 and 21, bringing together students with community members in a celebration. Page 15

ᐯᓬᐃᑲᐣ ᐹᓬᐢ ᐅᑭᑐᑕᓇᐗ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐤ ᓂᒥᐎᐣ ᐃᐃᐌ 13th ᐁᑕᓱᐊᐦᑭ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐤ ᓂᒥᐎᐣ ᑲᑐᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐯᓬᐃᑲᐣ ᐹᓬᐢ ᑭᑭᓄᒪᑎᐎᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐗᓂᓇᐗᑲᐣᐠ ᑭᒥᓄᓭ ᑲᑭᑐᒋᑲᑌᐠ, ᐃᑭᐌᓂᐗᐠ ᑲᓂᒥᐗᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑭᑕᑶᐗᐨ ᐁᑭᐱᐅᑕᓭᐗᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᒥᓇ ᑌᑎᐸᐦᐃ ᑕᐎᓇᐣ᙮ ᐃᐃᐌ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐤ ᓂᒥᐎᐣ ᑭᑐᒋᑲᑌ ᒣᑾᐨ ᐊᐳᕒᐅᓬ 20 ᒥᓇ 21, ᐁᑭᒪᐗᒋᐦᐃᑎᐗᐨ ᑭᑭᓄᒪᐗᑲᓇᐠ ᐁᑭᐎᒋᐗᐗᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐗᐣ ᐁᑭᒥᓄᐗᑕᒧᐗᐨ᙮ Page 15

Financial transparency bill slammed by Wabigoon Lake The Chief of Wabigoon Lake First Nation is criticizing a new federal bill that requires First Nations to disclose all their financial information online.

Chief Ruben Cantin said that although Wabigoon supports the idea of financial transparency, the federal bill C-27 requires much more of First Nations that of any other governments including the federal government. The Assembly of First Nations has also actively opposed the bill, which has already been passed into law. Page 10

ᔓᓂᔭᐎ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐎᓇᐣ ᐃᓇᑯᓂᑫᐎᐣ ᐅᑲᓄᑕᓇᐗ ᐗᐱᑯᐣ ᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐗᐱᑯᐣ ᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᐅᑲᓄᑕᐣ ᑲᑭᐅᐡᑭᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐃᓇᑯᓂᑫᐎᐣ ᑫᐅᒋ ᓇᑕᐌᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓇᐣ ᒋᐸᑭᑎᓇᒧᐗᐨ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐅᒣᑎᓂᑫᐎᓂᐗ ᐁᓇᐱᑭᓂᑫᐗᐨ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐱᐗᐱᑯᐠ᙮ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᕒᐅᐱᐣ ᑲᐣᑎᐣ ᐃᑭᑐ ᔕᑯᐨ ᐁᐎᒋᑲᐸᐎᑕᒧᐗᐨ ᐗᐱᑯᐣ ᑲᐃᓀᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᔓᓂᔭᐎ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐎᓇᐣ, ᐃᐃᐌ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐃᓇᑯᓂᑫᐎᐣ C-27 ᓇᑕᐌᑕᑯᐣ ᒥᔑᐣ ᑫᑯᐣ ᒋᑎᐸᒋᒧᐗᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓇᐣ ᐊᐗᔑᒣ ᐎᓇᐗ ᐊᐱᐨ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᐅᑭᒪᐎᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑫᐎᓇᐗ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐅᑭᒪᐎᐣ᙮ ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐱᒥᐎᒋᑫᐎᐣ ᑫᐎᓇᐗ ᐱᒪᓄᑭᐗᐠ ᐁᓇᑲᐡᑲᒧᐗᐨ ᐃᓇᑯᓂᑫᐎᓂᓂ, ᐊᔕ ᐁᑭᔕᐳᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᒋᐃᓇᑯᓂᑫᐎᓂᐗᐠ᙮ Page 10

DFC students rewarded for quitting smoking Three Dennis Franklin Cromarty high school students were awarded iPad minis for their efforts in quitting smoking. Antonia Meekis, Dakota Acheepineskum and Kansis Mandamin quit smoking and were honoured at a tobacco-free awards ceremony in March. Three student buddies were also honoured for helping the youth quit smoking. Page 13

DFC ᑭᑭᓄᒪᐗᑲᓇᐠ ᑭᑎᐸᐦᐊᒪᐗᐗᐠ ᐁᑭᑭᐱᒋᓴᑲᓶᐗᐨ ᓂᓯᐣ ᑌᓇᐢ ᐸᕒᐊᐣᐠᓬᐃᐣ ᑲᓇᒧᕒᑎ ᑭᑭᓄᒪᑎᐎᑲᒥᐠ ᑭᑭᓄᒪᐗᑲᓇᐠ ᑭᒥᓇᐗᐠ ᑭᑭᓇᐗᒋᒋᑲᐣ ᐱᐗᐱᑯᐣᓴᐣ ᑲᑭ ᐃᔑᑲᐡᑭᑐᐗᐨ ᒋᑭᐱᒋᐗᐨ ᑲᓴᑲᓶᐗᐨ᙮ ᐊᐣᑐᓂᔭ ᒥᑭᐢ, ᑕᑯᑕ ᐊᒋᓂᐱᓀᐡᑲᒼ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐣᓯᐢ ᒪᐣᑕᒥᐣ ᑭᑭᐱᒋᐗᐠ ᑲᓴᑲᓶᐗᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑭᑭᒋᓇᑭᒪᐗᐠ ᐁᑲ ᓇᓭᒪ ᑲᑭᑭᐡᑲᑯᐗᐨ ᒥᑭᐌᐎᓇᐣ ᐁᑭᑐᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᒣᑾᐨ ᒫᕒᐨ᙮ ᓂᓯᐣ ᑭᑭᓄᒪᐗᑲᓇᐠ ᑲᒥᓄᐎᒋᐎᑎᐗᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑭᑭᒋᓇᑭᒪᐗᐨ ᐁᑭᐎᒋᐦᐊᐗᐨ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐣ ᒋᑭᐱᒋᓂᐨ ᑲᓴᑲᓶᓂᐨ᙮ Page 13

Thank You, Airlines! Your fast, courteous delivery of Wawatay News to our northern communities is appreciated.

Wawatay Wawatay News News APRIL APRIL 25, 25, 2013 2013

JAMES BAY

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

BREAK-UP PROJECT KICKS OFF...

The James Bay sound and visions project is collecting photos of break up on James Bay, to raise awareness and increase understanding about the ongoing flood risk in James Bay and how it affects people’s lives and living situations each year. Anyone with photos to share of breakup over the years can email them to Mandy Scott at mx_scott@laurentian.ca. The photos pictured here were taken by Paul Lantz (www.paullantz.com), of ice breakup at different points on the Moose River.

Neskantaga declares state of emergency Community emotionally, physically ‘exhausted’ after yet another tragic death Shawn Bell Wawatay News

The second suicide in less than a week in Neskantaga First Nation has prompted the community’s leadership to issue a state of emergency in a desperate call for help. Neskantaga declared the state of emergency on April 17, the day after the suicide of a 19-year-old youth in the community. Word of the suicide came as the community was putting to rest another individual who passed away under similar circumstances last week. “We have reached a breaking point and our community is under crisis,” said Neskan-

taga councillor Roy Moonias. “Our community is exhausted emotionally and physically as we try to pick up the pieces from these tragic events.” Moonias noted that the recent suicide was the fourth in the community this year, along with 20 other attempted suicides, and the seventh sudden tragic death of the year. In a press release, Neskantaga noted a list of issues the community faces, including approximately 50 per cent of its population addicted to prescription drugs, issues of sexual abuse, inadequate policing services and no access to proper mental health and addictions treatments and counselling.

“We have reached a breaking point and our community is under crisis as we try to pick up the pieces from these tragic events.” -Councillor Roy Moonias

The community of 421 people, 75 per cent of whom are youth, also does not have access to a clean water supply. Meanwhile it faces what Moonias called “overwhelming pressures” to respond to demands of the mining industry and the provincial government over the Ring of Fire. Moonias said the community

is calling on all levels of government, health providers, the justice community and social service agencies to support Neskantaga in the crisis situation. “There are no treatments here, and more and more young people are taking their lives,” Moonias said. “This is unacceptable and something must change.” The councillor noted that Health Canada has not provided adequate resources for the community to deal with and prevent suicides. “We are getting frustrated and concerned for our young people and entire community that Health Canada has not stepped up to ensure we have adequate resourcing available

to deal with and prevent such crippling incidents from taking place,” Moonias said. In an email response, a Health Canada spokesperson said the government has spoken with the community and will work closely with them to make sure members have the support they need. William Wells, media relations officer with Health Canada, said the government has worked with Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s crisis coordination program to bring two qualified grief councilors into the community. Additional nursing resources are also being provided to help the community, Wells said, as well as increased community cou-

selling services from Nodin Child and Family Intervention Services. Wells also noted that the new federal budget includes funding of $4 million over two years to increase the number of mental health wellness teams and specialized services available in First Nations communities. But Moonias noted that Neskantaga’s needs go beyond emergency health services and grief councilors. He said the First Nation needs immediate resources for essential services such as more policing, and assistance in supplying food, safe water, accommodations and transportation to deal with the influx of support staff coming to the community.

Communities need capacity support to deal with mining, says Fiddler Pressures over Ring of Fire development contributing to state of emergency in Neskantaga Shawn Bell Wawatay News

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) deputy grand chief Alvin Fiddler says the state of emergency declared by Neskantaga last week shows how difficult it will be for some communities to deal with multinational mining companies wanting to develop on traditional lands. Neskantaga declared a state of emergency on April 17 after the fourth suicide and seventh tragic death in the community in the past year. The community is located near the proposed Ring of Fire mining development. Councellor Roy Moonias said Neskantaga faces “overwhelming pressure” to respond to demands of mining companies and governments on the development. “They are not ready,” Fiddler said of Neskantaga’s involvement in the Ring of Fire. “They need time to deal with their issues, to ensure that they can be meaningful partners in the development.” “The stress they are feeling from governments and industry to proceed with development is contributing to the problems,” Fiddler added. Fiddler said that both the provincial and federal governments need to step in to assist communities meet the demands of the mining development. “There has to be a recognition by everyone that there needs to be more capacity in

“There has to be a recognition by everyone that there needs to be more capacity in the community for them to be meaningful partners in development.” -Alvin Fiddler

the community for them to be meaningful partners in development,” Fiddler said. “There has to be some level playing field to help them have a meaningful conversation with industry, some capacity built in from the government to enable them to do that.” One of the stresses related to development that Moonias cited is the ongoing federal and provincial environmental assessments. Matawa First Nations have called for a Joint Review Panel environmental assessment for the region, which would combine the federal and provincial assessments into one assessment as well as provide incommunity opportunities for communities such as Neskantaga to voice their concerns and ideas about the proposed development. Under the ongoing comprehensive review environmental assessment, Neskantaga and other impacted communities have to respond to long, technical documents in writing under strict timelines. Fiddler said that governments and industry are not

adequately acknowledging the challenges faced by leadership in communities, including dealing with suicides and

other tragedies, when it comes to responding to deadlines related to mining development.

“Because the deaths are happening one after another, the leadership has no time to properly grieve,” Fiddler said.

“They’re exhausted, and it does impact their own ability to carry on with the administration of the community.”

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Wawatay News APRIL 25, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

From the Wawatay archives 16-5th Avenue North P.O. Box 1180 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B7 Serving the First Nations in Northern Ontario since 1974. Wawatay News is a politically independent weekly newspaper published by Wawatay Native Communications Society.

ᓂᐢᑕᑦ ᑲᑭᒪᑕᓄᑲᑌᐠ 1974 ᐁᐅᒋᐊᓄᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑭᐧᐁᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑕᐃᑦᔑᑫᐧᐃᓇᐣ. ᑕᓱᓂᔓᐱᒥᑯᓇᑲ ᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐧᐃ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐧᐃᐣ ᐅᓇᔓᐧᐁᐧᐃ ᑲᓇᐧᐊᐸᒋᑫᐧᐃᓂᐠ ᒋᐃᔑ ᐸᐸᒥᓯᒪᑲᐠ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓂᑫᐧᐃᓇᐣ. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER David Neegan

The duty to consult needs support Shawn Bell EDITOR

The tragedies of multiple suicides in Neskantaga, and the First Nation’s declaration of a state of emergency, should be a wakeup call for everyone involved in trying to push the Ring of Fire ahead. If there ever is a time for people working in government and in the mining industry to step back and look at the big picture, this is it. Seven tragic deaths have shaken the community of 420 people over the past year. Another 20 people tried to end their own life but failed. Everyone is exhausted, emotionally and physically. Meanwhile, as councilor Roy Moonias said, Neskantaga is under “overwhelming pressure” from mining companies and governments who want to negotiate with the community on the Ring of Fire mining development. The situation taking place now is a repeat of what happened in December. At that time Neskantaga was also dealing with youth suicides. A crisis intervention team was in the community. Meanwhile the deadline to respond to the terms of reference on Cliffs’ Natural Resources environmental assessment was coming up quick. At that time Neskantaga’s only option, if it wanted to respond to an environmental assessment on a project that could profoundly change northern Ontario, was to ask for an extension in light of “exceptional circumstances”. That was an extreme case, but it highlights a major problem facing nearly every First Nation. When it comes to dealing with industrial development on traditional lands, First Nations are lacking in the capacity to effectively negotiate with multimillion dollar, international mining companies. In a small community where the majority of people are youth, there are just not a lot of people to take on all the responsibilities of running a community, never mind researching the mining industry, completing the extensive paperwork involved in responding to environmental assessments and negotiating with mining companies on approvals and benefit agreements. Last year in a Wawatay interview, Chief Leslie Cameron of Wabauskang First Nation explained his community’s situation in regards to mining companies. Wabauskang has 240 members, including youth and Elders. At that time the community had 40 companies, mostly large multinationals, wanting to discuss and negotiate exploration or development work on Wabauskang’s traditional land. Industry organizations often accuse First Nations of holding back development. Complaints

are heard about First Nations requesting money from companies in order to assist with the consultation process. What companies and governments often overlook is that First Nations are strapped for cash and without adequate human capacity to have a fair conversation with multiple mining companies that each have a team of employees set up just to deal with First Nations. Following Neskantaga’s declaration of a state of emergency, NAN deputy grand chief Alvin Fiddler pointed out that First Nations such as Neskantaga need support from governments to help facilitate discussions with industry. First Nations have to be provided with adequate resources and capacity, he said, so that they can be meaningful partners in developing projects on traditional lands. Yet the need for additional resources is just one aspect of what is needed. Governments also have to start taking more seriously the challenges faced in communities – challenges such as suicides and drug and alcohol abuse. It is extremely difficult for a community to focus on dealing with requests from mining companies, or environmental assessments, when the leadership has to spend so much time and energy dealing with social issues in the community. To that end, timelines for responses to environmental assessments and other deadlines related to developments have to be flexible. And wherever possible, governments need to ensure that assessments and other protocols accurately reflect the realities of life in communities. A Joint Review Panel (JRP) environmental assessment for the Ring of Fire would have been a good start. A JRP, such as what Matawa First Nations are calling for, would have simplified the environmental assessment process for First Nations by bringing the hearings directly to communities, holding them in local languages and giving community members the chance to respond orally during the process. Instead, the comprehensive review that is happening now forces First Nations to respond in writing to long, technical documents – requiring, in many cases, the hiring of expensive experts to assist with the work. Throughout the early stages of the Ring of Fire discussions, Neskantaga has been one of the most active communities in responding to the environmental assessments and participating in the negotiations with industry and governments. But as the example from last week shows, taking on that heavy responsibility in addition to the multitude of challenges facing a community adds pressures upon pressures. The result is a leadership that is physically and emotionally exhausted – hence less able to participate in the assessment process as it moves further. And that makes meeting the duty to consult challenging, to say the least.

Wawatay News archives

DFC Native studies class with rabbits and marten, 2007.

Ojibway Dream Richard Wagamese ONE NATIVE LIFE

y wife is a tremendous cook. She’s creative in the kitchen and can conjure fabulous meals out of whatever she finds in the larder. Unlike me who seems perpetually condemned to the same old unenlightened throwit-in-a-pot and watch it boil philosophy, she’s a whiz. We eat well because of that. We’re not wealthy people at all, but out suppers are inventive, nutritious and fun. Lately she’s been working through a cookbook that features recipes for four-ingredient meals. It’s fabulous. The flavors that come from those recipes and from her determined effort to find satisfying, low cost meals means that our suppers have been verging on the spectacular lately. We still buy the same stuff. It’s the preparation and the inventiveness that turns it all around. I once put tuna in my Kraft dinner and thought it was creative. Or sliced wieners. Other times I’ve put the jelly on the toast before the peanut butter and on one memorable occa-

sion I threw kidney beans in with hamburger, onions with a spoonful or two of chili powder and called it fabulous. Gourmet I’m not but I do love to eat. There’s something to be said for the old phrase ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.’ I don’t know how much merit that actually has but I do know that a good spread definitely gets my attention. It had to have been a native person who came up with that. At my age there’s a definite plethora of bannock bellies among my First Nations pals. As former athletes we like to call it “the coach’s profile.” We like to eat. Many times at gatherings and feasts I’ve watched as native men piled on the food. The two tier system seems most popular; you can just never seem to get enough on one go-round on the plate. You can’t rely on a horizontal accumulation to satisfy you – you have to go vertical. Heaping’ helpin’ is a First Nations phrase. It must be. There’s solid evidence to back it up. There are a lot of people who have asked me over the years ‘what do Native people eat?’ Well, aside from the potential for great one-liners in response to that question we do have a definite cuisine. Just thinking of it makes me hungry. As people in touch with the land we devel-

oped our diet from what was available. That meant a lot of game, berries, vegetables, herbs and fruit. But like everything, the things we consume changed. With the advent of sugar and bleached flour, salt and numerous spices we left the land-based cuisine and took up colonial chow. Still, there’s a definite and unmistakable native cuisine that makes me slather to think of it. For me there’s nothing like a can of Spam, fried and mixed with eggs liberally sprinkled with cheese, canned potatoes, a hunk of bannock baked on a stick over a fire and slathered with jam washed down with a mug of campfire coffee with the grounds still in. Of course, it needs to be consumed outside while sitting on a log. Mmm. You’re getting awful close to the path to my heart with that meal. Even if there was it something you could offer that would come close to that it still wouldn’t measure up to that same bannock made on a stick that you shred off bite by bite and dip in a roiling stew made of rabbit, leeks, corn, potatoes and squash. That’s just the plain truth of things. Add a pinch or three of pepper and your on your way to gastronomic paradise.

Well, a pickerel, gutted and packed in clay and tossed into the fire comes awful close too, as long as there’s greens and wild mushrooms in a cast iron skillet tossed over a flame. If you chase that with blueberries and then wash it all down with dark, strong Ojibway tea and then a smoke to share with the Spirits, you might just come close to perfection too. But then again, a nice moose rubaboo properly done with flour, water and maple syrup with bannock for dipping is hard to resist at the best of times provided there’s a cob of corn roasted on the fire with the husk still on and water from the river cold and rich with the mineral taste that reminds you of rocks and lakes upstream. Again, eaten outside with waves of heat from the fire pressing against you make sit unforgettable. Yes. We have a cuisine beyond Kraft dinner and sardines. The longer you’re away from it the more you remember that the way to an Ojibway man’s heart isn’t through his stomach – it’s through his recollections. My wife in the kitchen is building some great memories too. We get to eat together after all.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER David Neegan davidn@wawatay.on.ca

ART DIRECTOR Roxann Shapwaykeesic, RGD roxys@wawatay.on.ca

TRANSLATORS Vicky Angees Fred Jacob Charles Brown

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Matthew Bradley matthewb@wawatay.on.ca

CONTRIBUTORS Xavier Kataquapit Chris Kornacki Richard Wagamese Geoff Shields Anne Andreasson

CONTACT US Sioux Lookout Office Hours: 8:30-5:00 CST Phone: ....................737-2951 Toll Free: .....1-800-243-9059 Fax: ...............(807) 737-3224 .............. (807) 737-2263

Thunder Bay Office Hours: 8:30-4:30 EST Phone: ...................344-3022 Toll Free: ..... 1-888-575-2349 Fax: ...............(807) 344-3182

EDITOR Shawn Bell shawnb@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Rick Garrick rickg@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Lenny Carpenter lennyc@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Stephanie Wesley stephaniew@wawatay.on.ca

SALES MANAGER James Brohm jamesb@wawatay.on.ca CIRCULATION Adelaide Anderson reception@wawatay.on.ca

Guest editorials, columnists and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the views of Wawatay News.

Wawatay Wawatay News News APRIL APRIL 25, 25, 2013 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

LETTERS AS LONG AS THE SUN SHINES AND THE RIVER FLOWS: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A GOOD STEWARD, MR. HARPER An open letter to the Prime Minister on the closing of the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) near Kenora Dear Prime Minister: People I know, newspapers and commentators from all over the world, echo the charge that closing the ELA is an “appalling travesty.” But scorn, reason and the demand for evidence-based decision making have had no effect on you, Prime Minister. So let me appeal to your sense of patriotism and to the roots of conservative thinking. Kenora residents, Darlene Stepanik and Teika Newton, have told readers of the Miner and News that ELA is Northwestern Ontario’s “gem” and “treasure”. ELA produces worldclass freshwater science which protects the earth, gives employment to and teaches school children from Northwestern Ontario, provides training for scientists, like the Van Walleghem sisters of Dryden and is something which the world admires and respects. Canadians take pride in the ELA. Patriotism is built on pride in institutions which preserve

and conserve traditions which are emblematic of our shared values and sometimes, as with the ELA, produce excellence and greatness. The Government spent how much helping us recall, with pride, the war of 1812? The government was prepared (perhaps still is) to spend 65, or is it 85 million, for a single F35 fighter jet— enough money to keep the ELA running for at least 30 years. We need more than guns and planes to defend our land: we need science. So why not, Prime Minister, actually make the “conserve” in conservative resonate with patriotic Canadians and preserve one of our best and brightest? At a time when Canada, in its quest for Keystone, is selling itself as an environmentally friendly good steward, when the ELA could be used to do the science on oil sands pollution, why not take one important, one small but credible step, towards proving our “greenness” to our American friends? Why not do the patriotic thing—the conservative thing? Remember, that the United States uses ELA science: it has sent its scientists to ELA to do

the science on mercury emitted from its coal stacks. Some see the death of the ELA as part of a war on science. Prime Minister, you must know that this is a war you cannot win, and in fact, do not want to win if you are intent on following the lead of the United States on global warming and reducing carbon emissions. Speaking of a warming climate, Prime Minister, tell your fishing buddies, that ELA’s climate studies show that the increase in water temperature in the ELA lakes since 1969, has reduced the cold water habitat upon which lake trout depend. The war on science makes you appear, Prime Minister, both unpatriotic and despotic. Put the rancour aside. Instead of locking them out, let the Trent University science team do its nano-silver work and others continue their long term research. Open the gates to the ELA or the studies will be lost and compromised, money wasted, dreams shattered, careers frustrated and our health put more at risk. Open the ELA. You have nothing to lose.

Hope that this will address the practice of neglecting to hire qualified Native teachers in the public school systems where there are 60% to 90%

native enrolment. Towns such as Cochrane, Kapuskasing, Moosonee to name a few. submitted online

Sincerely, Peter Kirby Kenora, Ontario

Hire more native teachers Editor: Re: NAN signs education partnership with Ontario, Canada; Wawatay News April 18

Find in these communities Aroland Atikokan Attawapiskat Balmertown Batchewana Bearskin Lake Beaverhouse Big Grassy Big Island Big Trout Lake Brunswick House Calstock Cat Lake Chapleau Cochrane Collins Couchiching Couchiching Deer Lake Dinorwic Dryden Ear Falls Emo Flying Post Fort Albany Fort Frances Fort Hope Fort Severn Geraldton Ginoogaming Grassy Narrows Gull Bay Hornepayne Hudson Iskatewizaagegan

Kapuskasing Kasabonika Kashechewan Keewaywin Kenora Kingfisher Lake Kocheching Lac La Croix Lac Seul, Kejick Bay Lake Nipigon Lansdowne Long Lake Mattagammi Michipicoten Migisi Sahgaigan Missanabie Mobert Moose Factory Moosonee Muskrat Dam Musselwhite Mine Naicatchewenin Naotikamegwanning Nestor Falls Nicikousemenecaning North Spirit Lake Northwest Angle #33 Northwest Angle #37 Ochiichagwe’Babigo’ Ining Ogoki Pic River Osnaburgh Pawitik Pays Plat Peawanuck

Pickle Lake Pikangikum Poplar Hill Rainy River Red Lake Red Rock Rocky Bay Sachigo Lake Sandy Lake Saugeen Sault Ste. Marie Savant Lake Seine River Shoal Lake Sioux Lookout Sioux Narrows Slate Falls Stanjikoming Stratton Summer Beaver Taykwa Tagamou Timmins Thunder Bay Wabaskang Wabigoon Wahgoshing Wapekeka Washaganish Wauzhusk Onigum Wawakapewin Weagamow Lake Webequie Whitedog Whitesand Wunnimun Lake

Celebrating Earth Day in Poplar Hill Photos and story submitted by teacher Anne Andreassen The students in the grade 2/3 class at Abe Scatch Memorial School in Poplar Hill celebrated Earth Day with a variety of activities. The children had been working on hallway displays for this special day. Earth Day is a day when many people all over the world take extra time to honour our Earth. Of course, we know that every day is Earth Day! The grade 2/3 class sang a song to the Kindergarten class about protecting the land and water. They did fractions with sunflower seeds to remind us that our food comes from the Earth. The children read books about the environment, and unscrambled sentences that had messages about Earth Day. The grade 2/3 class really did a great job! In May, when the snow has melted, the whole school at Abe Scatch Memorial School will help clean up the school grounds.

Wawatay News APRIL 25, 2013

á?§á?&#x160;á?§á?&#x160;á&#x2018;&#x152; á?&#x160;á&#x2019;&#x2039;á&#x2019;§á?§á?&#x192;á&#x201C;&#x2021;á?Ł

Sachigo Lake walkers raise $49,040 Rick Garrick Wawatay News

The Sachigo Lake walkers completed their â&#x20AC;&#x153;awesomeâ&#x20AC;? fundraising walk for the Dennis Franklin Cromarty Student Living Centre with the presentation of a $49,040 cheque. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It just felt good walking 1,100 kilometres â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it was pretty awesome,â&#x20AC;? said Devon Thunder, one of 10 walkers who completed the 17-day walk from Sachigo Lake to Thunder Bay over northwestern Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winter roads and highways. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Forty-nine thousand dollars: thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a little bit compared to the $15 million that has to be made for the living centre. It feels like I want to walk more,â&#x20AC;? Thunder said. The former DFC student finished the walk with an autographed jacket bearing the names of people he met along the walk. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were just giving me a: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;good job, keep going,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Thunder said. Thunder and the other nine walkers, including Kevin Smith, Randell Barkman, Lazlo Kaminawash, William Ombash, Charmaine Barkman, Tito Barkman, Genevieve Beardy, Karma Barkman and Janessa Barkman, presented the $49,040 donation to Wasaya Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DFC Student Living Centre initiative during an April 22 celebration and media conference at DFC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We commend the group from Sachigo Lake First Nation who have volunteered, on their own initiative, a Journey of New Beginnings to set an example of what can be done

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Sachigo Lake walker Charmaine Barkman, left photo, and nine other walkers raised $49,040 for the DFC Student Living Centre during their 17-day fundraising walk to Thunder Bay. by just saying that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;we will do what we can doâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; using the resources they have available,â&#x20AC;? said Tom Kamenawatamin, president and CEO of Wasaya Group. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What tremendous initiative they have shown. This partnership recognizes their achievement that not only raises building funds but brings awareness to address the paramount need for a safe environment for our students.â&#x20AC;? The walkers faced freezing rain and extreme winter whiteout conditions during their journey, which began on April 5 on the shores of Sachigo Lake, but they were supported with cheers, food, shelter and much needed clothing during stopovers in Weagamow, Pickle Lake, Sioux Lookout and Wabigoon Lake. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The first day it was brutal

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we were all sore, we were cold, we were tired, thirsty, hungry,â&#x20AC;? said Charmaine Barkman, another former DFC student. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just wanted to give up and sleep right away, but no, we stuck it through. Walking on the ice, it felt never ending, just more snow, more ice because we saw how far we had to walk. But in the bush it was different; it felt shorter in the bush because we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see how far we were going. We just kept walking.â&#x20AC;? Barkman began to feel like she was actually going to make it to Thunder Bay when she arrived in Ignace, but then the extreme winter weather hit the next morning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were supposed to leave at 10 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock that morning, but we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave until a quarter to three,â&#x20AC;? Barkman said.

Tikinagan Child and Family Services

Our Children - Our Future

â&#x20AC;&#x153;That put us behind schedule, because we were running on a really tight schedule. We only did four-and-a-half hours that day and we squeezed 70 kilometres in and we were almost back on schedule.â&#x20AC;? Barkman said the walk shows what First Nations youth can achieve if they put their minds to it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not going to walk ahead of you or behind you, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to walk with you,â&#x20AC;? Barkman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier when you have support, but youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve first got to help yourself. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to get yourself going, then youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get support as you go, just like the walk.â&#x20AC;? Barkman said the walkers only had $40 on the first day of their walk, but they got â&#x20AC;&#x153;lots of supportâ&#x20AC;? along the walk. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even thinking

about how much we made,â&#x20AC;? Barkman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were just thinking weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re almost in Thunder Bay, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re almost there, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re walking to Thunder Bay. We never thought about the money, but it was pretty cool.â&#x20AC;? Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs treated the walkers to a steak meal when they arrived in Thunder Bay. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was so good; it was the best,â&#x20AC;? Barkman said. Barkman was proud of the efforts her parents made during the walk. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My mom actually took time off from work just to come here,â&#x20AC;? Barkman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And my dad was not working, so he just came with us. It was nice to have my family here with me, even my little sister.â&#x20AC;? Kaminawash said the walk was his first but it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be his

last. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll do it again if I have to,â&#x20AC;? said Kaminawash, another former DFC student. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was here roughly two years, maybe three years altogether. The whole reason I came on this walk was for DFC.â&#x20AC;? Kaminawash encouraged other youth to complete their education while they are still young. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stay in school â&#x20AC;&#x201D; school is pretty important,â&#x20AC;? Kaminawash said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wish Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d known that. With this new living centre, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a dream.â&#x20AC;? Kaminawash credited his son for completing the walk. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s starting kindergarten and in a few years heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be out in high school,â&#x20AC;? Kaminawash said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m doing it for his friends and him in the future.â&#x20AC;?

Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin Everyone working together to raise our children

www.tikinagan.org

Angeconeb celebrates 25 years

udy Angeconeb is intent. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strength in how she holds herself but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tempered by genuine warmth that puts you at ease almost immediately. And you can feel the regard and respect she has for others. It radiates off her as she describes a particularly poignant reunion between grandchild and grandfather. Angeconeb recounted how a young girl who returned home just days before, was unable to express her feelings verbally, and the twoyear-old could only burst into tears at the sight of her grandfather. It was a homecoming that Angeconeb could easily relate to. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I went to residential school and I missed my parents,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel for the children that are not with their parents.â&#x20AC;? Angeconeb recently became a service manager for Tikinagan Child and Family Services. The mother to three adult children currently lives and works in the community she calls home. The Lac Seul First Nation member is one of the many employees charged with ensuring children are protected from harm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a big responsibility on its own. I grew up with these people, she said of her former role as family service worker. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not easy working for people who know you and have known you since you were a child. Added to that, was working with community leaders who may not always agree with the plans for responding to families in crisis. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that unique aspect of the agency that inspires Angeconeb to keep going. Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin (Everyone Working Together to Raise Our Children) is the service model developed by Tikinagan in response to the original vision chiefs had when the agency was created in 1984. Under this system, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the First Nations that have the authority to make decisions for childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

care and well-being. Its chief and council that can sign a customary care declaration placing the child in Tikinaganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s care â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a decision that always involves parents where possible. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an approach that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exist in mainstream child protection. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see child protection workers meeting with town council to talk about the future of these children. This is what I like about Tikinagan. The family (and community) is involved because it is their problem.â&#x20AC;? It hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always been like that, she said. In the beginning, Tikinagan mirrored mainstream childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aid societies of apprehension and using the provincial courts to decide childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fate. It was a system that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work for the people it had been set up to serve.

Highs and lows

Judy Angeconeb recently reached a milestone. The service manager has been working at Tikinagan Child and )DPLO\ 6HUYLFHV IRU \HDUV 6KH KDV Ă&#x20AC;OOHG PDQ\ UROHV GXULQJ KHU WLPH ZLWK WKH DJHQF\ LQFOXGLQJ GDWDEDVH RSHUDWRU GLUHFW VHUYLFHV VXSHUYLVRU LQIRUPDWLRQ V\VWHPV FR RUGLQDWRU DQG IDPLO\ VHUYLFH ZRUNHU

$QJHFRQHE ZDV VFDUHG KHU ÂżUVW GD\ RI ZRUN It was March 7, 1988 and she had just moved back to Frenchmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head that weekend. It ZDV KHU ÂżUVW MRE LQ DQ RIÂżFH VHWWLQJ $QG VKH was eager to use her newly acquired skills. She wanted to prove herself. Angeconeb completed DQ RIÂżFH DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ FRXUVH WKURXJK &RQfederation College. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At that time, Tikinagan (in Sioux Lookout) ZDV D VPDOO RIÂżFH ,W PD\EH KDG HLJKW ZRUNHUV and the switchboard had about six lines. It was small but lots for me. Those lines were always busy with people calling from the North.â&#x20AC;? It was a hectic pace. Tikinagan was nearly a year into being a fully mandated Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aid Society under the Child and Family Services Act. It was responsible for developing a full range of legally mandated children welfare services, which meant hiring and training staff, forming administrative policies, establishing RIÂżFH URXWLQHV DQG QHJRWLDWLQJ IXQGLQJ

More importantly, Tikinagan had to assume responsibility for children already in care virtually overnight. It was an atmosphere that put a strain on staff, but there were moments that reminded Angeconeb to stop and smile. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was lunch hour,â&#x20AC;? she recalled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was QRERG\ LQ WKH RIÂżFH Â´ Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when a man walked in with a young girl in tow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want this kid anymore,â&#x20AC;? the man declared. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take her right now!â&#x20AC;? Angeconeb was stunned. She told him there ZDV QRERG\ LQ WKH RIÂżFH WR KHOS KLP But he insisted he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want the child anymore. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He must have seen the fear on my face,â&#x20AC;? Angeconeb said because he started laughing. â&#x20AC;&#x153; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aaahh Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just kidding,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said.â&#x20AC;? 7KDW ZDV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH VKH PHW 0RFFDVLQ

Joe, the alter ego of Fort William First Nation member and comedian Leonard Dick. It was one of the highs Angeconeb has had working for Tikinagan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I think about it, the 25 years seemed to have zipped by. And you take your lows and highs,â&#x20AC;? Angeconeb said thoughtfully. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But you continue to stick with the agency and believe in the workers, the frontline workers. They are doing a good job.â&#x20AC;? Angeconeb is grateful for having a rich and rewarding work career at Tikinagan. She has worked in different roles within the agency, including systems manager, quality assurance lead, direct services supervisor and family service worker. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my love of people that keeps me coming to work each day,â&#x20AC;? she says. The full text is published on the Tikinagan website at www.tikinagan.org/node/1588

Wawatay Wawatay News News APRIL APRIL 25, 25, 2013 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

KI youth invite Canadians to their community Shawn Bell and Rick Garrick Wawatay News

A group of youth from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation have invited 25 Canadians to spend a week in their homes and experience what life is like in the remote northern First Nation. “We want them to bring them into our community so that they can experience our living conditions, our way of life and to change stereotypes,” said youth leader Justin Beardy. “It’s a different lifestyle and I don’t think many Canadians really know that. We’re just trying to open up communications between First Nations and Canadians.” The youth are bringing the guests to KI from June 17-21 in an effort to show Canadians the reality of life in KI, as well as bridge the gaps that exist between First Nations people and non-Aboriginal Canadians. “We’ll show people our lake — why we love our lake so much,” said youth leader Leona Matthews. “We’ll take them fishing and they can get their own

fish. We’ll all have a fish fry.” Matthews said a tour of the community and information on how climate change is affecting community members would also be on the agenda. “We’ll be going out with the lands and environment team and they’ll explain a little bit about what they do,” Matthews said. “We just want everybody to experience why we love our land, our people, our waters.” Matthews said there will be events throughout the whole week. “We’ll be showing places we go, things we do out on the land,” Matthews said. The youth are also looking for the visit to create a better and stronger country for all, including future generations of children. “I really hope they’ll see why we chose to live here, because we love it here,” Matthews said. “We genuinely love it, that’s why we want to be here, that’s why we fight to stay here. We love our land.” The Cree youth from Quebec who recently walked over 1,600

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

DFC student Antonia Meekis was one of three students awarded iPad minis for quitting smoking.

DFC students get iPads for quitting smoking Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Deer Lake’s Antonia Meekis and two other Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School students, along with three student buddies, were recently awarded iPad minis for quitting smoking. “I thought it would be really hard at first, but once I got my mind off it and began hanging around the people who didn’t smoke, then I did it,” Meekis said after the March 28 tobacco-free awards ceremony. “It feels really good — I’m glad I’m tobacco free.” The other two other students who also quit smoking were Dakota Achneepineskum and Kansis Mandamin. Nakita Chickekoo, Chanelle Moskotaywenene and Alicia Koostachin were the three student buddies. Meekis quit smoking about two months ago after first taking up the addictive habit about two years ago. She credits her mother for encouraging her to quit smoking. “My mom used to be a smoker; then she quit in November,” Meekis said. “After she quit, she said it was my turn and I did it.” Meekis usually tried to keep herself busy to avoid smoking

another cigarette. “Every time I craved a cigarette, I would just drink water or do something that keeps me busy until the craving goes away,” Meekis said. “I feel better now that I save money instead of buying cigarettes all the time. I used to buy a pack every two or three days.” More than 70 DFC students signed up for the tobacco-free initiative, which was supported by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Smokers Helpline, the Aboriginal Tobacco Program and the Northwest Tobacco Control Area Network. Two DFC students, Ishmael Meekis and Kayla Kakepetum, received iPod nanos for making substantial efforts towards quitting smoking by staying tobaccofree for the first week of the initiative and cutting back their smoking by one-to-two cigarettes per day by the end of the initiative. Seven students also received movie passes for making a whole-hearted effort but not being able to achieve their goals, while another eight students received movie passes for staying smoke-free and supporting their peers over the past month.

kilometers from the James Bay coast to Ottawa on the Journey of Niyashuu have been invited to KI as special guests for the week. The KI youth have also extended invitations to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, NDP leader Thomas Mulcair, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and a host of prominent Canadians including David Suzuki, Rick Mercer and Adam Beach. Invitations were also sent to Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneris and a number of NHL hockey players. There are also 16 seats on a

charter plane specially set aside for the trip for ordinary Canadians to come to the community and experience living conditions in KI. The invitation for Canadians to visit KI comes following the successful 3rd World Canada tour, where a group of youth from the community toured around southern Ontario cities and towns including Kingston, Ottawa and Toronto. During the tour the youth met people from all of the communities, and shared their experiences of growing up and living in KI with

Canadians from all walks of life. The tour also presented the film 3rd World Canada, which documents life in KI, with people around Ontario. The invitation for Canadians to come to KI is another step on the community’s efforts to educate people around the country on the reality of life in a remote First Nation. As KI deputy chief Darryl Sainawap said following the 3rd World Canada tour, First Nations need the support of all Canadian citizens in addressing “systematic injustice.”

“The film you watched (3rd World Canada), that’s the first step our community took, is to educate the mainstream society on the condition and challenges First Nations people face in our communities,” Sainnawap said following the tour’s stop in Thunder Bay in November 2012. “That’s the first step. This is where we are today. But a change in social justice cannot happen unless common Canadian citizens, such as you and me, start kicking doors down of systematic injustice that our children face.”

TAKE BACK YOUR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SAFE DISPOSAL for your UNUSED MEDICATION The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Drug Take-Back Program provides citizens a way of disposing of their unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal. Help keep your community safe from misuse of medication. Saturday May 11th, 2013 NAPS officers will be stationed at the Police Detachment available to dispose of your old and unused medication.

SATURDAY MAY 11th 2013 (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) PLEASE NOTE: Intravenous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted. Blacken out or remove personal information; leave name of medication on bottle/package.

For Further information please contact Cst. Chris Carson

(807) 621-2687 - chris.carson@naps.ca

Wawatay News APRIL 25, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

ᑭᐡᑭᒪᓂᓯᐊᐧᐳ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᑕᐸᒋᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐱᓯᒧᑲᐠ ᑲᐅᒋᒐᑲᑌᐊᐱᑭᑌᐠ ᑭᒋᐸᐸᐳᓇᐱᐠ ᔕᐧᐣ ᐯᓫ ᐊᐧᐊᐧᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐃᐧᐣ

ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᓭ ᐁᑲ ᒥᐡᑕᐦᐃ ᒋᔭᐸᑕᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᑌ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᓭ ᐅ ᐡ ᑭ ᐊ ᐧ ᑲ ᐦ ᐃ ᑲ ᓇ ᐣ ᐁᓇᐸᐱᑫᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐊᐱ ᐅᑕ ᑭᐡᑭᒪᓂᓯᐊᐧᐳᑲᐠ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᑭᐃᐡᑲᐧᐊᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᓯᒧᑲᐟ ᑲᐅᒋᒐᑲᑌᐊᐱᑭᑌᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐃᐡᑯᑌ ᑲᐅᒋᐅᐡᒋᑫᓭᐠ ᑭᒋᐸᐸᐳᓇᐱᑯᑲᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐊᐧᑭᒋᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᓂᐱᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐊᐧᑭᑕᑐᐊᐧᐨ᙮ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᑲᐊᑲᓯᐠ ᐱᓯᒧᑲᐠ ᑲᐅᒋᒐᑲᑌᐊᐱᑭᑌᐠ ᑭᒋᐸᐸᐳᓇᐱᑯᐠ ᐃᐡᑲᑌ ᑲᐅᒋᐅᐡᒋᑫᓭᐠ 10 ᑫᕑᐅᐊᐧᐟᐢ ᐃᐡᑯᑌ ᑕᐊᐱᒋᒪᑲᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᐃᒪ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᑌᐃᐧᔭᐱᑲᐟ ᑕᐅᒋᓴᑲᐱᑫᓯᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐸᑭ ᒣᑎᓂᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑕᐊᔭᒪᑲᐣ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐅᑕ ᐅᓴᑦ ᓂᐱᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᒥᐡᑕᐦᐃ ᐃᐡᑯᑌ ᑲᐅᒋᐃᐧᑯᐱᒋᑫᒪᑲᐠ᙮ “ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᓂᑎᑭᑎᒥᐣ

ᐁᓇᓇᑕᐊᐧᐸᑕᒪᐠ ᐊᐣᑎ ᐁᑲ ᒥᐡᑕᐦᐃ ᑫᑭᐅᒋᒣᑎᓂᑫᔭᑭᐸᐣ ᐅᓴᑦ ᑲᐊᑲᐧᑭᑌᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᑌ ᑲᐊᐸᒋᑐᔭᐠ” ᐃᑭᑐ ᑭᐡᑭᒪᓂᓯᐊᐧᐳ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᒉᒥᐢ ᒣᒣᑫᐧ᙮ “ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᒪᒋᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐸᑭ ᑕᐅᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᐣ᙮” ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᐱᓯᒧᑲᐠ ᑲᐅᒋᒐᑲᑌᐊᐱᑭᑌᐠ ᑭᒋᐸᐸᐳᓇᐱᑯᐠ ᐃᐡᑲᑌ ᑲᐅᒋᐅᐡᒋᑫᓭᐠ ᐅᑲᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᓇᐊᐧ ᐃᐃᒪ

ᐊᓂᔑᓂᐃᐧ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᓂᐣᑕ ᐱᑯ ᒥᓂᑯᐠ $7,500 ᐯᔑᑯᔭᑭ ᑕᒣᑎᓂᑫᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᑫᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᑌᓂ ᑲᐊᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᔭ ᐱᒥᐊᐸᑕᐠ ᐳᑕᐊᐧᓂᐱᒥᑌ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᑌᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐱᑯ ᒥᐡᑕᐦᐃ ᐱᒋᐳᐊᐧᐸᓱᐣ ᒍᒋᐊᒍᓭᐠ᙮ ᒣᒣᑫᐧ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᐱᓯᒧᑲᐠ ᑲᐅᒋᒐᑲᑌᐊᐱᑭᑌᐠ ᑭᒋᐸᐸᐳᓇᐱᑯᐣ ᐃᐡᑲᑌ ᑲᐅᒋᐅᐡᒋᑫᓭᐠ ᐊᒥᐅᐁᐧ

ᓂᐡᑕᑦ ᐁᒪᑕᓄᑲᑌᐠ ᒋᐊᒍᔭᐸᑕᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᑌ ᒥᐡᑯᐨ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᐅᐡᑭᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᒋᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ᙮ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑭᐡᑭᒪᓂᓯᐊᐧᐳᑲᐠ ᑲᐧᓂᐣ ᒋᑭᓇᐸᐱᑫᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐅᐡᑭᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᐅᓴᑦ ᐊᔕ ᐁᓄᑭᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᐱᒥᐸᓂᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᔭ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑲ ᐁᐃᐧᐅᐡᑭᑐᒋᐣ᙮ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒣᒣᑫᐧ ᑲᑭᐃᑭᑐᐨ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ

ᐁᓂᒥᔕᓂᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐡᑭᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᑭᐣ᙮ ᒥᓇ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᑕᔑᑭᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᓇᐣᑕ ᐁᐃᐧᐅᓇᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᓯᒧᑲᐠ ᑲᐅᒋᒐᑲᑌᐊᐱᑭᑌᐠ ᑭᒋᐸᐸᐳᓇᐱᑯᐣ ᐃᐡᑲᑌ ᑲᐅᒋᐅᐡᒋᑫᓭᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐸᐣᐟ ᑲᑎᐯᐣᑕᑭᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᑐᑲᐣ ᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐊᑕᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑐᑲᑭᔭᐣ ᑭᒋᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᒥᐡᑕᐦᐃ ᑲᐊᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᑌᓀ ᒥᐡᑯᐨ ᐅᐡᑭᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᒋᓇᐸᐱᑫᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ᙮ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᒪᒋᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᐃᒪ ᓂᐱᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᒪᒪᐤ $75,000 ᑭᒣᑎᓂᑲᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᐅᓇᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑲᓇᑕ ᔑᓂᔭᐃᐧ ᐱᒧᒋᑫᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᑭᐅᒋᐸᑭᑎᓇᑲᓄ ᔓᓂᔭᐣ ᑲᑭᑎᐸᐦᐃᑲᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ᙮ ᔑᐳᑲᒪ ᐱᒧᒋᑫᐃᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᐊᓄᑭᓂᑲᐣ ᓫᐊᕑᐊ ᓭᐅᕑᐢ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᐅᒪ ᓂᐡᑕᑦ ᑲᑭᒪᒋᐊᐸᑕᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᐱᐳᐠ ᐊᔕ 500 ᑫᓫᐅᐊᐧᐟ

ᑕᓴᐊᐧᑲᓭ ᐃᐡᑯᑌ ᐊᐸᑕᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ 600 ᑕᓱᓂᑲᐧᐣ ᐊᔕ ᑲᐅᒋᐱᒋᐳᐊᐧᐸᑌᐠ ᐊᒍᓭ᙮ ᓭᐅᕑᐢ ᐃᑭᑐ ᑭᐡᑭᒪᓂᓭᐊᐧᐳ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᐅᒋᑭᑭᓄᒋᑫᒪᑲᐣ ᑕᐱᐡᑯᐨ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᓇᓇᑕᐊᐧᐸᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᔑᓇᓄᑕᓭᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐊᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᑌ ᐅᒋ᙮ “ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᑐᑲᐣ ᒪᒋᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᔕ ᐸᓂᐢᑫᐧ ᑕᓂᑭᒋᐊᐸᑕᐣ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᓭᐅᕑᐢ᙮ “ᑕᐅᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᐣ᙮” ᒣᒣᑫᐧ ᐃᑭᑐ ᑯᑕᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐸᑲᐣ ᑲᐅᒋᓭᒪᑲᐠ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᐡᑕᐦᐃ ᓂᑐᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᒥᐣ ᐃᐃᒪ ᓂᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐁᑲ ᐁᑭᒋᒣᑎᓂᑫᔭᐠ ᑲᐊᐸᒋᑐᔭᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᑌ ᐅᒋ᙮ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐸᑲᐣ ᑲᐅᒋᓭᐠ ᓂᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᓂᓇᐣ ᐊᐦᐃ ᑲᔭ ᐊᐧᐡᑌᓂᑲᐣ ᐅᐱᑲᐧᒋᐣ ᓂᑭᒥᐡᑯᑎᓇᒥᓇᐣ ᐊᐦᐃ ᐅᑕ ᐁᑲ ᒥᐡᑕᐦᐃ ᑲᐃᐧᑯᐱᒋᑫᒪᑲᑭᐣ᙮ “ᓂᐊᐧᐸᑕᒥᐣ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᒥᐡᑕᐦᐃ ᐁᐅᒋᒪᓇᒋᒋᑫᒪᑲᐠ” ᐃᑭᑐ ᒣᒣᑫᐧ᙮

Kingfisher Lake installs solar panels at water treatment plant Shawn Bell Wawatay News

In an effort to save money on its high electricity bill and free up power for new homes in the future, Kingfisher Lake First Nation has installed a solar power project on the roof of its water treatment plant. The small-scale solar project provides about 10 kilowatts of power into the community’s electricity grid, helping to offset some of the costs of powering the water treatment plant.

“We’re trying to find ways to minimize the high cost of energy,” said Kingfisher Lake Chief James Mamakwa. “This project helps a little.” The solar panels are expected to save the First Nation an estimated $7,500 per year on its electricity bill, while reducing the amount of fuel used at the generating station and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Mamakwa said the solar panels are a small step towards freeing up power so the com-

munity can build more houses. Currently Kingfisher Lake cannot connect new houses to its electricity grid, as the generating stations are at capacity and the federal government has refused to upgrade the generators. Yet, as Mamakwa said, the community is growing and has a “big time” need for new houses. He said the community plans to look at putting solar panels on other band buildings, such as the band offices, the community store and other

big electricity users to free up more power for new houses. The solar panel project on the water treatment plant cost $75,000 to install, and was funded by Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada’s ecoENERGY program. According to Shibogama Technical Services’ environmental advisor Laura Sayers, in its first month of winter operation the system has already produced over 500 kilowatt hours of power and saved over 600 pounds of greenhouse gases.

Sayers said Kingfisher Lake’s solar project is a good example of how communities can think outside the box to work on their energy problems. “Going with solar energy is a good way to go,” Sayers said. “Every little bit helps.” Mamakwa said a different project done with an energy savings program through the provincial government has also helped the community save money on its electricity bill. Under the provincial program, Kingfisher Lake received

funding to change all the light bulbs in band-run buildings to energy-efficient lighbulbs. “We’ve seen quite a bit of savings with that,” Mamakwa said. In the long run however, Mamakwa said his community is “anxiously waiting” for a transmission line to connect Kingfisher Lake to the southern electricity grid, so that Kingfisher Lake can get to work building the much needed new houses to meet the community’s growing housing needs.

Aboriginal Artworks Group of Northern Ontario (AAGNO) Presents

Sequin 4th Annual Spring Aboriginal Fine Arts & Crafts Gift Show & Sale “The largest gathering of Aboriginal Artisans of Northern Ontario”

June 5th – June 8th, 2013 at Victoriaville Center, Thunder Bay, Ontario Come one, come all to see Authentic Aboriginal Fine Artworks of our Northern Ontario’s talented Aboriginal people’s creations. Great People, Great gift idea’s, Great prices, over 80 artisans participating.

ON SALE Tamarack Birds Beadwork Original Native Paintings Wood Carvings Native Apparel Handmade Snowshoes Native Jewellery Christmas Ornaments Leather Works Birchbark Artworks And Much, Much More!!!

TIME: Wednesday, June 5 Thursday, June 6 Friday, June 7 Saturday, June 8

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sponsored by: Matawa, NADF, NAN, KKETS, Victoriaville Center

Come and enjoy yourselves and meet the artisans For more information please contact: John Ferris @ jferus@hotmail.com or Ph. (807) 939-7525

Wawatay Wawatay News News APRIL APRIL 25, 25, 2013 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Kasabonika pondering economic development opportunities Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Although the community of Kasabonika Lake First Nation recently celebrated the grand opening of a new Northern Store, it finds itself struggling to identify economic opportunities due to a lack of electricity. “There’s no room for growth,” said Ken Albany, a band councillor with the First Nation. “It goes back to the capacity of the power plant. It’s basically holding us back.” The power station in the community reached its maximum capacity in 2007. Kasabonika secured funding from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of Canada (AANDC) to upgrade the generators to 2 MW, but then the federal government pulled the funding and told the community not to expect funds until 2015. “The federal government has failed us,” said Mitchell Diabo, manager of special projects for the First Nation. “They say we’re on their top priority list but we have no idea when that is.” The lack of power capacity has severely limited construction of any houses or projects, including a business centre the First Nation had hoped to build in the community. The proposed business centre would have housed the Northern Store and offered space for any potential entrepreneur to start up a business such as a coffee shop or deli. “Those plans are on hold,” Diabo said. So as Kasabonika Lake waits for the power station upgrade,

Lenny Carpenter/Wawatay News

Kasabonika’s new Northern Store is operating in a building leased from the First Nation, bringing money into the community. it is trying to find ways to generate revenue and create job opportunities for its 1,000 community members. Since it cannot build the business centre, Diabo said the First Nation “has no choice” but to renovate the community centre, which previously housed the Northern Store before the grand opening of the new store. “It would remain a community centre and the other half would be small business centre,” Diabo said. The business centre will offer dedicated space for its development corporation as well as a restaurant,

since the community does not have any food services. The First Nation is also bringing in modular units to attach to the centre, which will serve as a hotel. Kasabonika also brings in revenue through the Northern Store. The First Nation owns the building and has a 10-year lease with the Northwest Company. Diabo said the leadership is contemplating plans for creating its own grocery store once the lease is up. “Why do we have to have a Northern Store. Do we have to renew with them?” Diabo said.

“We need a plan. We have a good window of 10 years.” The First Nation previously had its own grocery store 15 years ago, but it “went under” and the Northern Store was brought in. “We examined why it went under, and so next time we launch a community store, we’ll be ready for that,” Diabo said. The First Nation also owns a camp that it would rent to hunters and anglers from down south. But the camp stopped generating business when a wildlife association it was partnered with went bankrupt

about three years ago. Since then, mineral exploration companies have been the sole clients in renting the camp. But Diabo said Wasaya has created its own wildlife association and is working with Kasabonika to re-establish the camp as a go-to location for southern tourists. Kasabonika is also pondering its involvement in the Ring of Fire, which is estimated to contain between $30 billion and $50 billion worth of mineral potential and generate over 23,000 jobs. Diabo said Kasabonika has

“a number of” agreements with mineral exploration companies, but the community is “unsure where it wants to go.” “The community is doing some soul searching right now, as to where they want to go,” Diabo said. “Do we really need mineral exploration industry in our area when it’s right next door in our sister community, Webequie, and feed off that and leave our traditional territory intact?” Diabo said. “That’s the kind of questions we’re asking.” Albany said many community members have expressed their concern about any mining projects within their territory. “I got people saying, we have to preserve our lands,” he said. “And we have the young people - we need to create opportunities for them. The pressure is coming up from the south. It’s up to us, how we handle that and adapt.” As of now, Diabo said there is no large-scale opportunities for the community within the Ring of Fire, but “we feel there’s enough impacts that we should benefit as well. Until that realizes, we have to look at the opportunities.” Kasabonika recently received cell phone service, and since the community does not have cable service, the First Nation is considering establishing a telecommunications company. “We need to be innovative with what we have right now, see how we can develop for the future and enhance those for the community, despite the constraints,” Diabo said. “We’re not going to just sit around and do nothing.”

WE UNLOCK FORMER EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS LOCKED IN RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

FUNDS WILL BE DEPOSITED DIRECTLY INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT *BC Registered funds do not qualify. Not available in Q.C.

“Money when you need it, Anytime, Anywhere”

Wawatay News APRIL 25, 2013

á?§á?&#x160;á?§á?&#x160;á&#x2018;&#x152; á?&#x160;á&#x2019;&#x2039;á&#x2019;§á?§á?&#x192;á&#x201C;&#x2021;á?Ł

Wabigoon Lake questions First Nations transparency act AFN says act puts standards on First Nations that surpass other governments Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Although Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation supports financial transparency and accountability, it opposes the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Nations Financial Transparency Act, Bill C-27. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We oppose it because through the contribution agreements we already sign, there is always accountability in there,â&#x20AC;? said Wabigoon Lake Chief Ruben Cantin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to provide an audit to them and to our people already once a year.â&#x20AC;? Cantin stated in a recent press release that an independent chartered accountant presents the Treaty #3 communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s audited statements at an annual general meeting where all questions and concerns are addressed, and if band members misses the annual general meeting they can receive a review of the financial statements at the band office on a one-on-one basis.

Cantin also stated that salary levels, which fall well below those paid by other governments, are known to band members and the First Nation receives clear audit opinions and is in good financial standing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have noting to hide,â&#x20AC;? Cantin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know of any government that provides this level of transparency.â&#x20AC;? Cantin said he opposes Bill C-27â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s requirement of posting the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial information because nobody in the community earns more than $60,000 per year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All the checks and balances for accountability and transparency are already in place when we sign contribution agreements and the department of Indian Affairs, they already know that,â&#x20AC;? Cantin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not only that, they hold back monies until they get an audit and they get to review the audit before they release the money. If the audit is not right, they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t release the money.â&#x20AC;?

Senate that Bill C-27 would not support this accountability, but instead gives more power to the minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. We do not support unilateralism that further entrenches us in a system that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work for our people or Canada.â&#x20AC;? The Assembly of First Nations opposed Bill C-27 at all stages, instead calling for fulfillment of a transformed relationship between First Nations and Canada, including fair and appropriate fiscal arrangements. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The answers lie in our communities and with our citizens, not with more control from Ottawa,â&#x20AC;? Atleo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The passage of this bill reminds us of the work we still need to do to bring about real and lasting change to First Nations.â&#x20AC;? The federal government stated that Bill C-27 strengthens transparency and accountability by requiring First Nations to publish the annual audited consolidated financial statements they already prepare, as well as a schedule of chiefs and councillorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; salaries and expenses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The passage of this important legislation into law represents a milestone for those First Nation community members who have been calling for greater accountability and transparency,â&#x20AC;? said Bernard Valcourt, minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This Act will help deliver more effective, transparent and accountable governments, which will contribute to stronger, more self-sufficient and prosperous communities.â&#x20AC;? First Nations are required to publish their annual audited consolidated financial statements by July 29, 2014. Although the federal government stated that other levels of government already meet this standard, an AFN preliminary analysis indicates that the Act as drafted applies standards to First Nation governments that surpass those for elected officials in many other jurisdictions and contains overly punitive remedies.

file photo

Wabigoon Lake Chief Ruben Cantin has questioned the First Nations Financial Transparency Act. Cantin said the funding provided to his community covers a wide variety of expenses, including roads and infrastructure, not just the earnings of staff members. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been accountable and

transparent since 1971,â&#x20AC;? Cantin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever had a bad audit.â&#x20AC;? Cantin was disappointed at how Bill C-27, which received Royal Assent on March 27 and is now law, has been directed at

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre

MIICHIM PROGRAM Traditional HealingÍ&#x2022; Medicine, Foods & Support Program ĹŹĹ?ĹśÄ&#x161;ĹŻÇ&#x2021; Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x2039;ĆľÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć&#x161;Ć? Ç&#x2021;Ĺ˝ĆľĆ&#x152; Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹŻĆ&#x2030;Í&#x2122;Í&#x2DC; Í&#x17E;zĹ˝Ćľ Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E; ĹŹĹ?ĹŻĹŻĹ?ĹśĹ? ĹľÇ&#x2021; Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ĺ˝Ć&#x2030;ĹŻÄ&#x17E; Ç Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; Ç&#x2021;Ĺ˝ĆľĆ&#x152; Ä¨Ĺ˝Ĺ˝Ä&#x161;Í&#x160;Í&#x; Î&#x2022;YĆľĹ˝Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ä?Ç&#x2021; Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;Ä¨ Ĺ˝ĹśĹśÇ&#x2021; DĹ˝Ć&#x152;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ć?Í&#x2022; Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161; Ä&#x201A; Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;Ä¨Ć? DÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ĺ˝Ĺś ,Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;ĹŻĆ&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Í&#x2022; ĎŽĎŹĎŹĎąÍ&#x2DC;

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Loraine Loonfoot, Program Assistant 807-737-6562 Traditional Healing, Medicine, Foods & Support Program Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre

First Nations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it should be directed at everybody,â&#x20AC;? Cantin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have nothing to hide, but I think all governments and all big businesses should do that. Big industry doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t post their salaries when their CEO makes a million dollars a year.â&#x20AC;? Cantin said it would be interesting to know the details on how much money is spent in total for the Aboriginal Affairs bureaucracy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have a lot of employees right across Canada,â&#x20AC;? Cantin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;How much money does that bureaucracy get paid each year. They will pay up to half a million dollars a year for a third party manager for a First Nation, but they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give nothing to chief and council.â&#x20AC;? The federal government recently paid Attawapiskat First Nation back $136,132 for an imposed third party managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wages over four months that the community was forced to pay out last year after declaring a state of emergency over lack of housing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;First Nations have been clear in their commitment to accountability and transparency to all of our citizens,â&#x20AC;? said National Chief Shawn Atleo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Witnesses repeatedly told the House of Commons and the

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Wawatay Wawatay News News APRIL APRIL 25, 25, 2013 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Reflecting on SLAAMB’s foundation Bob Bruyere looks back at 22 years with SLAAMB Geoff Shields Special to Wawatay News

In November 1991, the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board (SLAAMB) was formed to improve the chances of First Nations people living in and around Sioux Lookout and the Northern communities to gain employment and training. The idea was formed and initiated by Bob Bruyere, who had previously been employed as the native employment counsellor for Canada Employment Immigration Commission. From 1991 to 2013, Bob was the executive coordinator of SLAAMB. On March 29, 2013 he announced his retirement. Geoff Shields spoke with Bob about how SLAAMB originated and what it meant to him. photo by Geoff Shields/Special to Wawatay News

Bob Bruyere says he hopes the chiefs will continue to support and trust SLAAMB, and for new employers start to treat Aboriginal people as equals.

Wawatay (WWT): What motivated you to initiate the formation of SLAAMB? Bob Bruyere (BB): Back in 91, the federal government did a Pathways to Success and I was a federal government employee at that time, so I worked with Sioux Lookout Area Chiefs to setup SLAAMB which was a requirement of the federal government. And after months of negotiations and debating, we got an agreement to go with SLAAMB. When the first interim board was set up, a couple of chiefs called them and asked them to contact me and offer me the position as executive coordinator. I reluctantly took the job with a fiveyear agreement then after that, it was history. WWT: When it was first formed were there any obstacles you encountered that might have impeded its formation and if so, how did you overcome them? BB: I guess the biggest obstacle we had at the beginning was

to get an agreement amongst all of the parties, five tribal councils, get the chiefs to trust that what we wanted to do was for their benefit, where they would get control of the programs and the funding. So there was a lack of trust between the chiefs and the federal government. Also at the beginning the Independent First Nations Alliance would not join SLAAMB, for political reasons. We continued to negotiate an agreement with the rest of the tribal councils. That obstacle we ran into is the whole thing of the Interim Board and learning how to act as a Board, and make decisions for the benefit of all of the First Nations communities. That was the main obstacles. WWT: In all your years as executive coordinator, what would you consider to be your greatest achievement? BB: Probably the greatest achievement for myself was to get 25 chiefs to agree to work together and to start holding each other accountable which probably took us two to three

years to get to that point. Another one was negotiating with the federal government to provide the full range of services that Service Canada offers, to the remote communities. We have a worker up in Big Trout Lake, one in Sandy Lake and one here in the SLAAMB office. They visit all of the 27 communities to provide a full range of services such as employment insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, passports, help with some immigration issues or direct people to the right department. The other one was the trades project, it was a three-year project in preparation for construction of the new hospital and new hostel (in Sioux Lookout). We tried to get people certified as journeyman carpenters, electricians and plumbers. WWT: Do you see a greater acceptance now of employers willing to hire First Nations workers as opposed to earlier days?

COUNSELLING THE SEXUALLY ABUSED

BB: I think what helped with that one was, before the hospital was constructed, we met with 15 trade unions and a couple of major contractors, and built a relationship with them to hire First Nations people. The unions did not have a good experience before but when we worked with them we had 280 people looking for work, who wanted to work during the construction of the hospital and hostel. That was the beginning, employers saw that the Aboriginal people wanted work and were quite capable working alongside anybody and so we were slowly being accepted by the employers. The unions continued to want to work with us. And I hope the new coordinator will continue to foster working relationship with the unions and with employers. WWT: You were recently awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal, what are your thoughts on this. BB: That came as a surprise because I never suspected anything until two weeks before

I was awarded the medal; MP Greg Rickford’s office contacted me and wanted more personal information and that’s when I found out I was being presented a medal. It was truly an honour to receive it but I felt like I didn’t deserve it because I’m not one for wanting recognition for the work I do because I have such a passion for promoting Aboriginal people. WWT: It took a lot of time and work to get SLAAMB to be the efficient organization it is today - what improvements if any would you like to see happening in the future. BB: What I would like to see happen is for the chiefs to continue to support and trust SLAAMB and the new coordinator. I would like to see more employers start to treat Aboriginal people as equals and begin to give us a chance to prove ourselves for various jobs. WWT: At the moment SLAAMB geographical catchments area covers 25 First

Northern Expressions:

Are you an individual, church worker, or a community worker concerned about those who have been wounded by sexual abuse? Here is a workshop designed especially for you. You will learn a counselling model that will be of help to you.

WWT: How are you enjoying your retirement and do you have any further plans for the future? BB: So far I’m enjoying retirement, it’s nice to not to have to get up and head for the job but I’m having difficulty adjusting to the new way of life but will overcome in time. So I am enjoying retirement so far. I’ve been asked to do some work but I said I’m giving myself the month of April to learn to be retired before I do any consulting work.

An Exhibition of the Art Collection of Northern Nishnawbe Education Council

Come into The Woodlands Monday, April 29 — Friday, May 10 Please join us for the

Opening Reception: Wednesday, May 1, 2012 @ 7pm Free—Food—Entertainment >ůŽǇĚ <ĂŬĞŬĂƉĞƚƵŵ

The workshop will be taught by Ivan Wapenisk, Amos Esh, and Karen Bluebird

Call (807) 937-5188 for registration details.

BB: No, we were approached a number of years back to expand and I discussed with the chiefs and the chiefs said “no, we don’t want to expand, that we are okay with what we are doing, let’s improve the lives for the people in remote communities and not consider expanding.”

The Centennial Centre: Top Floor 54 Front Street, Sioux Lookout

May 16-18, 2013 Sunset Inn Sioux Lookout, ON Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

$150.00 per person or $175.00 per husband-wife couple Pay by May 2 and receive a $25.00 discount. $75.00 for previous attenders. Group rates available.

Nation communities taking in the Northern communities, can you foresee any further geographical expansion?

Presented by: Grade 11 students from Pelican Falls First Nations High School & Queen Elizabeth District High School

In Partnership with: Northern Nishnawbe Education Council, Keewatin Patricia District School Board, Municipality of Sioux Lookout, Ontario Arts Council, Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee, Sioux Lookout Creative Arts Circle

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Wawatay News APRIL 25, 2013

Youth find inner voice as writers Wawatay News

Eight youth from across northwestern Ontario expanded their creative writing skills at a workshop in Winnipeg on April 13. The writing workshop brought together third and fourth generation residential school survivors, in hopes of helping them find their inner voice as writers. Cheryl Suggashie of Pikangikum First Nation attended the workshop with youth from Batchewana, Garden River and Pays Plat First Nations. Suggashie said one of her favourite parts of the weekend

was when she was picked up at the airport by Nina Wilson, one of the original Idle No More founders. “My jaw literally dropped and my heart just sunk into my stomach,” Suggashie said of meeting Wilson. Wilson joined the participants at a late dinner at Renate Eigenbrod’s home where they engaged in a sharing circle. Wilson told the youth she was very proud of them and what they were about to start. She emphasized the importance of healing from the trauma of residential school and working together. Eigenbrod, professor and head of the Department of Native Studies at the Uni-

versity of Manitoba, helped create the workshop with Suggashie. Eigenbrod garnered help from members of the local Aboriginal Writers Collective (AWC). The group met for breakfast at Neechi Commons, which is a community business complex being developed in the North End of Winnipeg to promote neighbourhood revitalization and to provide economic opportunities for Aboriginal youth who live in the area. Eigenbrod wanted to have the event at Neechi Commons because she wanted the theme of the weekend to be “writing for change in a place of change.”

“I hope this workshop will help you by making you think about your creativity in different ways to cope with challenges in your life,” Eigenbrod told the participants over breakfast. “And I hope it also helps you create the change you want to make in your families and your communities.” After breakfast, the youth engaged in creative writing workshops with Katherena Vermette and David Robertson (AWC members). “The best part of writing workshops is to just get you thinking about those words and really process your experiences,” Vermette said. Vermette, a poet, had the youth write whatever they

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Stephanie Wesley

4/11/13 3:01 PM

iPhone, and also keeping a notepad handy in case an idea should come to mind. “You never know when an idea is going to come,” Robertson said. “Sometimes it comes to you at the oddest times.” Robertson, a graphic novelist, agreed to be a part of the workshop because he likes to work with Indigenous youth. “I like trying to inspire them to create and to tell stories because I think that’s where we need to be headed as a people, by reclaiming our stories. A lot of our history has been told through European perspective,” he said Vermette agreed with Robertson, and added that she loves to work with novice writers. “I really love that process of getting them to write something and be surprised that they wrote it,” she said. “I am really excited for this generation that is coming up.” Both Vermette and Robertson were impressed with the writing that the youth came up with, considering it was the first time any of them had tried creative writing. “Hopefully it plants a big seed for them to start writing more and creating more,” Robertson said.

“The best part of writing workshops is to just get you thinking about those words and really process your experiences...” – Katherena Vermette

Amy Boyer, one of the participants from Batchewana who does a lot of businessstyle writing and reports, felt that the workshop was “really liberating.” She liked that she was able to write something of her own creation. In the afternoon, AWC member and established poet Rosanna Deerchild took the group on a walk through the neighbourhood to take in the sights and sounds. She instructed the youth to think about what they experienced on the walk, and she gave them 20 minutes to write a poem. She informed them ahead of time that everyone would share their work at the end. “This is a respectful place, a loving place. We are going to be fearless today,” Deerchild said. “To be writers, you must write. To be storytellers, you must tell your story. The poem doesn’t live until you give it breath. You must speak it out loud. You can’t give that gift to someone unless you speak it out loud.” Duncan Mercredi, established poet and storyteller, also worked with the youth during the afternoon with Deerchild. Shayla Elizabeth, another poet from the AWC, gave tips on body language and reciting poetry live. Catriona Dooley, a local participant from Winnipeg, said that Mercredi “really got us to think about how our minds can perceive things differently and also gave pointers on our reading styles. I don’t think I have read a poem out loud of my own since middle school.” Matt Goodchild, a participant from Pays Plat, said that he had no idea what he was getting into when he agreed to come to the workshop. See WORKSHOP page 13

Wawatay Wawatay News News APRIL APRIL 25, 25, 2013 2013

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Workshop brings third and fourth generation residential school survivors together Conâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t from page 12 â&#x20AC;&#x153;But when I got there, I started to think more of why I had the opportunity,â&#x20AC;? Goodchild said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I realized it was a personal lesson in my life, it was an experience of learning something new among some incredible people from different areas.â&#x20AC;? Batchewana participant Theodore Syrette said he felt that the experience gave him inspiration to try creative writing again. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being around inspir-

ing, emerging, and professional Indigenous writers lifted my spirits knowing that our stories and the legacies of our people will continue on for future generations.â&#x20AC;? Kassidy Armstrong, a youth from Garden River FN, said she too felt inspired by the weekend and the people she met. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The entire weekend was a great experience,â&#x20AC;? Armstrong said. She is very proud of the fact that she shared vocally what she had written, an act which she described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;nerve-racking.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;But it is important to have your voice heard,â&#x20AC;? Armstrong added. The workshop concluded with an open mic night that was open to the general public. It was attended by about 40 people, including many local artists and poets. Al Hunter, a published poet from Rainy River First Nation, recited three of his poems â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one which was sexual in nature. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a part of the healing process, to see sex and sexual matters as a healthy part of

our lives,â&#x20AC;? Hunter said after his readings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Especially as Anishinaabe people, we have been through so much. We lost three or four generations of affectionate, loving, empathetic parents. It is up to us to work with our own children, to let them know how much we care. Kiss them up. Love them every day.â&#x20AC;? The youth were then given a chance to read their work. Syrette and Metis participant Rebecca Beaulne-Stuebing

shared the poems they wrote in the afternoon workshops. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have never been prouder,â&#x20AC;? Suggashie said of the two. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know they were reading in front of national authors, writers, and artists until it was all over,â&#x20AC;? she laughed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so happy these youths got to experience it,â&#x20AC;? Suggashie said. The night was wrapped up by a reading from another well-

known author, Marie Annharte Baker, who left the audience in stitches with her comedic reading. Goodchild said he hopes that the workshop will continue to happen in the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope that other youth will have the opportunity to attend and empower themselves through creative writing, and effectively finding their voice to share with thoughts and opinions,â&#x20AC;? Goodchild said.

Stephanie Wesley/Wawatay News

Eight young writers from northwestern Ontario joined a Winnipeg writing workshop hosted by a range of novelists, poets and graphic artists.

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PHYSICIAN RECRUITER INTERNAL/ EXTERNAL POSTING Full Time Position Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

SCHEDULER Internal/External Posting Full Time Position Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

This full time position reports to the Clinical Supervisor. The Mental Health Counsellor will be responsible for providing direct Clinical Intervention and Prevention Services to referred clients in the Child and Family Intervention catchment area of Pikangikum. The Mental Health Counsellor worker will be based in Pikangikum.

The SLFNHA is an organization which has a mandate to co-ordinate the delivery of health services to the First Nations communities in the Sioux Lookout Zone. SLFNHA is seeking a dynamic and energetic individual to be to responsible for all the recruitment needs of the Sioux Lookout Regional Physician Services.

Under the direction of the Contract Supervisor, the Scheduler will be responsible for scheduling physiciansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; northern community visits and hospital based coverage. This schedule will be based upon established Sioux Lookout Regional Physician Services Inc (SLRPSI) policies. The Scheduler will work closely with the Northern Medical Director in creating a long term schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS % Degree in Social Work/Psychology with relevant clinical/counselling experience is preferred; % Minimum two years experience in the health services environment; % 6SHFLDOL]HG FRXUVHV LQ VSHFLÂżF DUHDV RI PHQWDO KHDOWK % A thorough understanding of the Mental Health Act, Child & Family Services Act and awareness of current issues within Northern and remote Native communities an asset; % 3URÂżFLHQF\ LQ FOLQLFDO DVVHVVPHQW VNLOOV DQG FOLHQW QHHGV % Experience with video counselling technology an asset. KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY % Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone is an asset; % Ability to manage a case load independently; % Familiarity with working in acute care situations; % Knowledge of community resources; % .QRZOHGJH RI 0LFURVRIW 2IÂżFH 3URIHVVLRQDO 3OXV ([SHULHQFH with a Client Database (e.g. CIMS), Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) & Brief Child and Family Phone Interview (BCFPI) an asset; % Excellent time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently; % ([SHULHQFH ZRUNLQJ ZLWK \RXWK D GHÂżQLWH DVVHW % Education assistance and training available dependent upon applicantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TXDOLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQV DQG LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK 6/)1+$ 3ROLFLHV DQG 3URFHGXUHV Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sector Check to: Human Resource Department Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority P.O. Box 1300, 61 Queen Street Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B8 3KRQH )D[ Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com Closing Date: May 3, 2013 The Health Authority wishes to thank all DSSOLFDQWV LQ DGYDQFH +RZHYHU RQO\ WKRVH JUDQWHG DQ LQWHUYLHZ ZLOO EH FRQWDFWHG Please ensure the SLFNHA receives your Criminal Reference Check as soon as possible to avoid delays in processing your application. For additional information regarding the Health Authority, please visit our :HE VLWH ZZZ VOIQKD FRP

The Physician Recruiter plays a critical role in ensuring we are hiring the best possible talent by developing and executing recruitment plans, networking through agency contacts, association memberships, employees, coordinating/implementing college/university initiatives, administrative duties and record keeping. QUALIFICATIONS % Diploma/Degree in Business, with areas of concentration in Marketing, Industrial Relations and/or Human Resource Management; % Minimum 2 yrs experience in recruiting; % :RUNLQJ NQRZOHGJH RI 0LFURVRIW 2IÂżFH 6XLWH KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY % Outstanding interviews skills â&#x20AC;&#x201C; using various techniques; % Innovative thinker, able to use and develop new sources for recruitment; % Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines; % Ability to develop and maintain lasting working relationships with business partners, educational institutions and employees; % $ELOLW\ WR ZRUN ZLWK VHQVLWLYH DQG FRQÂżGHQWLDO LQIRUPDWLRQ % Must possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal; % Knowledge and experience in employment negotiations; % Solid interpersonal skills that allow for one to work effectively with different managers, candidate personalities; % Ability to attend and conduct job recruitment fairs. OTHER % Travel is a requirement of the position; % Required to works days and sometimes evening and weekends, if necessary; % Must be willing to relocate to Sioux Lookout. Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up to date Criminal Reference Check: Human Resource Department P.O. Box 1300, 61 Queen Street Sioux Lookout, Ontario P8T 1B8 Tel: 807-737-1802 Fax: 807-737-2969 Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com Closing Date: May 6, 2013 at 4:30 pm No resumes after this time will be accepted.

QUALIFICATIONS % Minimum Grade 12; % &HUWLÂżFDWH 'LSORPD LQ 6HFUHWDULDO $UWV DQ DVVHW % Minimum 1-2 years administrative or clerical experience; % 3UHYLRXV H[SHULHQFH PLQLPXP \HDUV LQ D 0HGLFDO 2IÂżFH DQ DVVHW KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY % 3URÂżFLHQW ZLWK 0LFURVRIW 2IÂżFH :RUG ([FHO 3URGXFWV % Working knowledge of databases; % Superior time management, organizational and administrative skills; % Ability to meet aggressive deadlines and manage multiple priorities; % Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community health staff, Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre and the Primary Health Care Unit; % $ELOLW\ WR PDQDJH FRQÂżGHQWLDO DQG VHQVLWLYH PDWHULDO LQ VWULFW FRQÂżGHQFH % Ability to problem solve and have strong decision making skills; % Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written); % Ability to work independently in a fast paced work environment; % Must have experience and understanding of Native culture, and the geographic realities and social conditions within remote First Nation communities; % 0XVW EH ZLOOLQJ WR UHORFDWH DQG RU OLYH LQ 6LRX[ /RRNRXW Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal Reference Check to: Human Resources Department Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority 61 Queen Street, P.O. Box 1300 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B8 Phone: (807) 737-1802 Fax: (807) 737-2969 (PDLO +XPDQ 5HVRXUFHV#VOIQKD FRP Closing Date: May 3, 2013 at 4:30 pm No resumes after this time will be accepted. The Health Authority wishes to thank all applicants in advance. However, only those granted an interview will be contacted.

The Health Authority wishes to thank all applicants in advance. However, only those granted an interview will be contacted.

Please ensure the SLFNHA receives your Criminal Reference Check as soon as possible to avoid delays in processing your application.

For additional information regarding the Health Authority, please visit our website at www.slfnha.com

For additional information regarding the Health Authority, please visit our Web-site at www.slfnha.com

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Health Services Weeneebayko Area Health Authority Cancer Care Project Wachay, WAHA and the Ontario Breast Screening Program are looking to increase the number of women from Moosonee, Moose Factory, Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Kashechewan and Peawanuck to get screened for breast cancer. If you are a woman aged 50 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 74 and have never been screened or it has been more than two years since your last one, please see your doctor or nurse to arrange for a mammogram. Please, help us to put the squeeze on breast cancer. For more information, please visit www.weeneebaykohealth.ca and click on the Cancer Care Project page. You can also visit us on Facebook on our Weeneebayko Cancer Project page. Meegwetch

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Wawatay Wawatay News News APRIL APRIL 25, 25, 2013 2013

Pelican Falls celebrates 13th annual powwow

Photos by Geoff Shields/Special to Wawatay News

Geoff Shields Special to Wawatay News

Despite the overcast weather conditions, nearly 500 people attended the 13th annual Pow-Wow at Pelican Falls on April 20 and 21. People came from various destinations to participate in the elaborate festive celebration. Lola Goodwin, one of the organizers, said about 150 people came to the powwow from out of town to join the students and staff at the school during the powwow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had a lot of help, we had Glen Whiskeychanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exchange group from Toronto helping us move things and bringing food over,â&#x20AC;? Goodwin said. When asked what the powwow meant to her, Goodwin said the event is a celebration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a time for celebration the people to come and enjoy themselves, just enjoy what

the people used to do a long time ago,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would also like to thank everybody that helped us lots, the houses and students and their counsellors they did a lot of cooking too to help us.â&#x20AC;? Those who attended the powwow were enthusiastic. Dancers in traditional regalia danced over the two days to the chants and drumming. One of the drum-keepers, a young man named Daniel had this to say when asked what the powwow meant to him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It brings a sense of community to my people, I know that there is still lots of turmoil when it comes to historical impacts,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we unite even if these different nations here like the Cree people, Ojibway people and some Sioux people, we are all family here. We share our food together, we share stories, we share songs together and we share dances together. A long time ago we shared together with

one another when we have that sense of unity it brings us back to how we were before the interruption happened. It is also a gateway I guess how our sense of celebrations is more of opening door to learning about different kinds of ceremonies, sweat lodge, dark room ceremonies, different things like that. You know you get to meet and greet people, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a community,â&#x20AC;? he said. What was pleasing to see was the large number of young people who took to the circle and danced in harmony with the drums. One young traditional hoop dancer, Ricky Kepener performed his art of hoop dancing on both days, enthralling the audience. At the end of the powwow, there was a giveaway dance for all that attended the days of celebrations. A wonderful ending to two days of sharing and gathering with old and new friends.

Listen to Wawatay Radio Network Broadcasting weekdays in: Cree from Timmins Ojicree from Sioux Lookout WRN also broadcasts live community events, meetings, sporting events, and gospel jamborees.

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Wawatay News APRIL 25, 2013

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