May 16, 2013 Volume 40 Number 19

PM#0382659799

Elders waiting on long-term care beds PAGE 8 Vol. 40 No. 19

Attawapiskat flooding evacuations continue PAGE 6

First Nations models take over shoot PAGE 11 9,300 copies distributed $1.50

May 16, 2013 Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

www.wawataynews.ca

Photos by Sheldon Mellis

Neskantaga youth show talents: Youth hold art show in community, have plans to bring skills to Toronto. See story on page 11.

ᓂᐦᓯᐣ ᑭᐅᒋᐃᐡᑲᐧᐱᒪᑎᓯᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᓴᑭᑌᐠ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐊᐧᓂᒪᐣ ᕑᐃᐠ ᑫᕑᐃᐠ ᐊᐧᐊᐧᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐃᐧᐣ

ᑲᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐊᓂᒥᓭᓂᐠ ᑭᐃᔕᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐊᐧᓂᒪᐣ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᑕᐃᐧ ᐃᐧᒋᑕᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑲᓄᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᓂᔑᐣ ᐃᑫᐧᓭᓴᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐅᐡᑭᓂᑭᑫᐧ ᑲᑭᐃᐡᑲᐧᐱᒪᑎᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᓴᑭᑌᐠ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᐃᐃᐁᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒪᑯᐱᓯᑦ ᐁᐃᓇᓀᐤ ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓯᐨ᙮ ᓂᔑᑕᓇ ᐯᔑᑯᔕᑊ ᐁᑕᓴᑭᐃᐧᓀᐨ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓯᐃᐧᑫᐧ ᒥᓇ ᓂᑯᑕᐧᓱ ᐁᑕᓴᐧᑭᐃᐧᓀᐨ ᐃᑫᐧᓭᐢ ᒥᓇ ᑯᑕᐠ ᐁᐯᔑᑯᔭᑭᐃᐧᓀᐨ ᐃᑫᐧᓭᐢ ᐅᑭᐊᐧᓂᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓱᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐃᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᓴᑭᑌᐠ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᓇᒪᐣ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᕑᐊᐟ ᐃᐧᐣᓂᐱᑕᐧᐣᑲ᙮ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐱᑯ ᐅᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐠ ᐅᑭᒋᐱᑫᐧᐣᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑭᑭᒥᐡᑲᑯᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑲᑭᐅᒋᐊᐧᓂᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑐᐡᑲᑎᓯᒥᐊᐧᐣ᙮ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᔭ ᐯᔑᐠ ᐅᓇᔑᐁᐧᐃᐧᓂᓂ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐁᑭᑲᑫᐧ ᐃᐧᒋᔭᐨ ᐅᑫᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᓂᔑᐣ ᐃᑫᐧᓭᓴᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐅᐡᑭᓂᑭᑫᐧᐣ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᓴᑭᑌᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑭᐅᓴᑦ ᑲᐡᑲᓇᒧᑌᓂ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᔭ ᑫᑲᐟ ᑭᑯᐸᐧᓇᒧᓯ ᐊᒥᐁᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧ ᐱᒥᓭᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᑭᐅᒋᒪᒋᐸᐦᐊᑲᓄᐃᐧᐨ ᐊᐦᐃᐠ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐃᐧᑫᐧᑐᐣᐠ ᑭᐃᓇᓴᐅᓇᑲᓄ᙮ ᐊᔕ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᑲᓄ ᐃᐃᒪ ᑭᒋᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ

ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᑲᑫᑭᔐᐸᔭᐠ ᐃᐧᐣᓂᐱᑕᐧᐣᑲ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐃᐃᐁᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᓴᑲᓱ ᒪᑯᐱᓯᑦ ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓯᐨ᙮ ᐁᐦᐊᐠ ᑲᔭ ᐅᑕᑕᐁᐧᐦᐃᑫᐠ ᐊᓂᑭᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᔕ ᐅᓴᑦ ᒥᐡᑕᐦᐃ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᑭᐃᓇᑭᑌ᙮ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᐧᓂᐣ ᒋᑭᑫᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᐊᐣᑎ ᑲᑭᐅᒋᒪᒋᔭᑭᑌᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐁᐦᐊ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐃᐡᑯᑌᐃᐧᑭᒪ ᐱᒥ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᒋᑫ᙮ ᓴᑲᓱ ᑲᐃᓯᓭᐠ ᑲᑫᑭᔐᐸᔭᐠ ᓂᐡᑕᑦ ᑲᑭᐊᐧᐸᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐁᒪᑌ ᐅᒋ ᓴᑲᐸᑌᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ᙮ ᑭᒋᐅᒋᒪᑲᐣ ᐦᐊᕑᐱ ᔦᐢᓄ ᐅᐃᐧᑕᐣ ᐁᒪᒥᑎᓀᓂᒪᐨ ᑲᑭᒪᑎᓭᓂᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐱᑯ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᐃᐁᐧ ᐊᐧᓂᒪᐣ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᑲᐃᔑᓇᑭᐡᑲᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᒋ᙮ ᓂᑲᒪᒥᑎᓀᓂᒪᒥᓇᐠ ᒥᓇ ᓂᑲᐊᒥᒋᑫᑕᒪᐊᐧᒥᓇᐠ ᐅᑫᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᓇᑲᓂᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᓴᑭᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ ᓂᑲᒥᑲᐃᐧᐣᑕᒥᐣ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒥᐡᑕᐦᐃ ᒥᒋᓇᐁᐧᓱᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑕᑲᐧᐠ, ᔦᐢᓄ ᐃᑭᑐ᙮ ᑲᐧᓂᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒋᑭᑫᐣᑕᒪᐦᐠ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᑲᑭᐅᒋᓴᑭᑌᐠ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᔕᑯᐨ ᐊᒥᐅᒪ ᐁᐧᒋᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᑲᐧᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᓇᐱᐨ ᑭᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᓇᓇᐣ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᐣ ᐁᐊᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᒋᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᑲᐧᐣ ᓇᐱᐨ ᐁᐅᒋᓇᓂᒋᐊᔭᒪᑲᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐊᐧᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᓴᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ᙮ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐃᐡᑕᐣ ᐯᔭᑎ

Cargo Services

Submitted photo

ᐅᑭᐃᐧᑕᐣ ᐁᐅᒋᒥᒋᓇᐁᐧᓯᐨ ᐅᑫᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᐧᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᑲᑭᐊᐧᓂᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᓴᑭᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐱᑯ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᐧᓂᒪᐣ ᑭᒥᑲᐃᐧᐣᒋᑲᑌᐠ᙮ ᑲᐧᓂᐣ ᒪᔭᑦ ᓂᑭᑭᑐᓯᐣ ᑫᓂᐣ ᐁᐊᐱᒋ ᑭᑭᒥᐡᑲᑯᔭᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐁᒥᒋᓇᐁᐧᓯᔭᐣ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ

ᑭᒪᑌᓭᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᑲᐃᔑᓇᑭᐡᑲᒣᐠ, ᐯᔭᑎ ᐃᑭᑐ᙮ ᓂᑲᐊᒥᒋᑫᑕᒪᐊᐧᒥᓇᐠ ᐅᑫᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᓇᑲᓂᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᓴᑭᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᓂᐸᑯᓭᓂᒧᒥᐣ ᑭᑭᔐᒪᐣᑐᒥᓇᐣ ᒪᐡᑲᐃᐧᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᒥᓂᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐅᐁᐧ ᒥᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᒥᓭᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᓇᑭᐡᑲᑯᐊᐧᐨ᙮

ᑲᐧᓂᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐃᐧᓱᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒋᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐱᓇᒪ ᓂᑲᐣ ᒪᔭᑦ ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᐧᑯᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᒋᐃᐧᑕᒪᐊᐧᑲᓄᐊᐧᐨ᙮ ᓂᑯᑕᐧᓴᐧ ᒥᑕᓱᒥᑕᓇ ᐊᐧᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᐃᒪ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐊᐧᓇᒪᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐊᐧᓂᓇᐊᐧᑲᐠ ᐃᔑᑕᑲᐧᐣ᙮

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THIS

WEEK IN

WAWATAY NEWS...

Junior Rangers compete in Quebec

Attawapiskat evacuates more than 400 residents

Junior Rangers from Lac Seul and Fort Albany took on their peers from across the country in a shooting competition near Quebec City.

Louis Wesley of Fort Albany was awarded for showing the best competitive but friendly spirit during the competition.

Lac Seul Corporal Denise Ningewance was also honoured with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal for her dedicated service on behalf of her community’s Junior Ranger program.

Attawapiskat evacuated more than 400 of its most vulnerable residents – mostly Elders, chronic care patients and those with small children – last weekend after water levels rose near the community.

The First Nation declared a state of emergency due to the threat of flooding and more than 150 residents were flown to Thunder Bay while 100 were flown to Geraldton, and less than 200 being evacuated to Greenstone. Another 60 who were evacuated due to sewage backups were flown to Fort Frances.

And while residents observed water levels lowering on May 13, the community’s flood coordinator warned that ice and water still coming down the river remains a threat.

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ᐅᓄᑎᓂᑫᓴᐠ ᑭᑲᑫᐧᐸᑭᓇᑎᐊᐧᐠ ᑯᐯᐠ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ

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ᐅᓄᑎᓂᑫᓴᐠ ᐅᐱᔑᑯᑲᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐱᑕᐯᑯᐠ ᑭᐃᔕᐸᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᐊᐣᑕᐃᐧ ᒪᒪᐃᐧᐡᑲᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᔑᑲᑫᐧ ᐸᑭᓇᑎᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑫᐧᑕᑲᐧᐦᐁᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑯᐯᐠ ᐅᑌᓇᐠ. ᓫᐅᐃᐧᐢ ᐁᐧᐢᓫᐃ ᐱᑕᐯᑯᐠ ᐁᐅᒋᐨ ᑭᐸᑭᓇᑫ ᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑭᑲᑫᐧᐸᑭᓇᑫᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐁᑭᐅᑐᑌᒥᐨ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᑲᑫᐧ ᐸᑭᓇᑎᐊᐧᐨ. ᐅᐱᔑᑯᑲᐠ ᐅᓄᑎᓂᑫᐢ ᑎᓂᐢ ᓂᐣᑭᐊᐧᐣᐢ ᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᒥᓇᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑫᐧ ᑭᑭᓇᐊᐧᒋᐦᐅᐃᐧᓂ ᒥᓂᑯᐠ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᑲᑭᐱᐊᓄᑲᑕᐠ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐅᓄᑎᓂᑫᓴᐠ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᓂ.

ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ 400 ᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᒪᒪᒋᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᑕᐊᐧᐱᐢᑲᐟ ᑲᑭᒧᐡᑲᐦᐊᓂᓭᐠ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ 400 ᑭᒪᒪᒋᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᒪ ᐊᑕᐊᐧᐱᐢᑲᐟ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐃᑭᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᑯ ᐅᓴᑦ ᐁᑲ ᑲᒪᐡᑲᐊᐧᑎᓯᐊᐧᐨ - ᑐᑲᐣ ᑲᑭᒋᐦᐊᐊᐧᑎᓯᐊᐧᐨ, ᑲᑭᑭᐡᑲᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᓂ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᓂᑭᐦᐃᑯᒪᐠ ᑲᐊᑲᔐᔑᓂᐨ ᐅᑕᐊᐧᔑᔑᒥᐊᐧᐣ - ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐅᑕᓇᐠ ᑲᑭᒥᔕᑲᒣᑯᓇᑲᓂᐠ ᑲᑭᔭᓂ ᒧᐡᑭᐱᓭᓂᐠ ᐯᔓᐨ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᐃᒪ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐅᑭᐃᐧᐣᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐁᔭᓂᒥᓭᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᓇᓂᓴᓂᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᒧᐡᑭᐱᓂᐠ ᐅᑕᓇᐱᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ 150 ᑭᐃᔑᓴᐦᐅᓇᐊᐧᐠ ᑕᐣᑐᕑ ᐯ ᐅᑌᓇᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ 100 ᑭᐃᔑᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧᐠ ᒉᕑᐅᑕᐣ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑫᑲᐟ 200 ᑭᐃᔑᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧᐠ ᑯᕑᐃᐣᐢᑐᐣ. ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ 60 ᑲᑭᒪᒋᐃᐧᓂᑕ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᐅᒋ ᒧᐊᐧᐳᓂ ᑲᑭᐊᓂᒧᐡᑭᐱᓭᓂᐠ ᑭᐃᔑᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧᐠ ᐸᐧᕑᐟ ᐸᕑᐊᐣᓯᐢ. ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᐧᓂᑯ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐃᐁᐧ ᒪᑯᐱᓯᑦ 13 ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓱᓂᐨ ᐁᔭᓂᐱᒋᓂ ᐃᐢᑭᐱᑕᒪᑲᓂᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᔕᑯᐨ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᐱᒥ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᒋᑫᐨ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᒥᐱᑯ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᐁᔑᐱᒥ ᓇᓂᓴᓂᓇᑲᐧᐠ ᓯᐱᐠ ᒥᑲᐧᒥᐠ ᐁᐱᒪᐦᐅᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐁᒥᒐᑲᒥᐠ ᓂᐱ.

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Elders care beds needed Staff at Meno Ya Win Health Centre in Sioux Lookout highlighted the region’s need for culturally sensitive long-term care beds for Elders during a visit by MPP Sarah Campbell.

It was estimated that 80-100 more long-term care beds are needed in the area immediately.

Some Elders are having to wait eight years to get into a long-term care facility.

Campbell said the issue needs more attention.

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ᓄᑌᓭᐊᐧᐣ ᓂᐯᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑫᐃᔑᐱᒥᔑᒥᐣᑕᐧ ᑲᑭᒋᐦᐊᐃᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐃᐧ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᓇᐠ ᑲᑕᓇᓄᑭᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓄᔭᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐊᐧᓂᓇᐊᐧᑲᐠ ᐅᑭᐃᐧᐣᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐱ ᑲᑭᐱᑭᐅᑌᓂᐨ ᐅᑭᒪᐅᓂ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᐣ ᓭᕑᐊ ᑲᑦᐳ ᐁᑭᐃᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑭᒋᓇᓄᑌᓭᐃᐧᓇᑲᐧᐠ ᐁᑲ ᐁᑎᐸᐸᒥᐣᑕᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᐃᔑ ᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᒋᐦᐊᐃᐧᐊᐧᐨ. ᑭᐃᐧᐣᒋᑲᑌ ᐃᒪ ᓇᐣᑕ 80 ᐊᑯᓇᐠ 100 ᓂᐯᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᔐᒪᐠ ᐁᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᑭᐣ ᒋᔑᐱᒥᔑᒥᐣᑕᐧ ᑭᓀᐧᐡ ᐃᒪ ᒋᔑᐱᒥ ᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᒋᐦᐊᐃᐧᐊᐧᐨ. ᐊᑎᐟ ᑲᑭᒋᐦᐊᐃᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᐦᐅᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᐃᓇᓀᐃᐧᐊᐦᑭ ᐱᒋᓇᐠ ᑲᔭᓂᑕᐃᐧᓭᓂᐠ ᓂᐯᐃᐧᓂ ᒋᐃᔑᐱᐣᑎᑲᓂᑕᐧ ᑭᒋᐦᐊᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ. ᑲᑦᐳ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᐁᐧ ᐃᓯᓭᐃᐧᐣ ᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᐃᐧᐸᐨ ᒋᓇᓇᐦᐊᒋᑲᑌᐠ.

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Page 6

Human skull found near Moose Factory

All-Aboriginal fashion shoot in Thunder Bay

An investigation is underway after hunters found a human skull along the James Bay coast.

Members of the Moosonee Ontario Provincial Police responded to the report on May 8.

The skull has been determined to be human, but police say it is too early to tell if it is archeological.

A Thunder Bay boutique became the first in the city to hold an all-Aboriginal fashion shoot to promote its clothing.

The shoot involved five First Nations youth wearing urban wear.

Photographer Tony McGuire said that since Aboriginal people are the most “urban” in Thunder Bay, he thought a focus on them would be good for business.

Page 3

ᐅᑎᑲᐧᓂᑫᑲᐣ ᑭᒥᑭᑲᑌ ᐯᔓᐨ ᒧᐢ ᐸᐠᑐᕑᐃ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐱᒥᓇᓇᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᐱ ᐃᑭᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᓇᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᒋᑫᐠ ᑲᑭᒥᑲᒧᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐅᑎᑲᐧᓂᑫᑲᓂ ᓇᓀᐤ ᐃᒪ ᒉᒥᐢ ᐯ. ᒧᓱᓂ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔕᐠ ᐅᑭᒪᑕᓄᑲᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᑭᐱᑎᐸᒋᒧᓇᓂᐊᐧᓂᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐱ ᒪᑯᐱᓯᑦ 8 ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓱᓂᐨ. ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᑌᐯᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᑲᐠ ᐁᐅᒋᒪᑲᐠ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐅᑎᑲᐧᓂᑫᑲᐣ, ᔕᑯᐨ ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔕᐠ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᔑ ᒋᑫᒋᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᑭᒋᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᐅᐣᒋᒪᑲᓄᑫᐧᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ.

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ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑭᑭᐡᑭᑲᓇᐣ ᑭᒐᒐᑲᑌᓯᒋᑲᑌᐊᐧᐣ ᑕᐣᑐᕑ ᐯ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᒪ ᑕᐣᑐᕑ ᐯ ᐅᑌᓇᐠ ᑭᑭᐡᑭᑲᓂ ᐊᑕᐁᐧᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐢ ᒥᐦᐅᐁᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᓂᐢᑕᑦ ᐃᒪ ᐅᑌᓇᐠ ᐁᑭ ᒐᒐᑲᑌᓯᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑭᑭᐡᑭᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᐃᐧᐅᐣᒋ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᑯᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐁᐊᑕᐊᐧᑌᑭᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐊᑕᐁᐧᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ. ᓂᔭᓇᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᑭᐊᓄᓇᑲᓂᐃᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᒋᑭᑭᐡᑲᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭ ᒐᒐᑲᑌᓯᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑭᑭᐡᑭᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᐊᑕᐊᐧᑌᑭᐣ. ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᑲᑭᒐᒐᑲᑌᓯᒋᑫᐨ ᑐᓂ ᒥᐠᐊᐧᔭᕑ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐃᑭᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᔑᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᒪ ᑕᐣᑐᕑ ᐯ, ᒥᑕᐡ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋᐃᓀᐣᑕᐠ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᐃᔑᑭᑭᐡᑲᒋᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᐦᐃᒪ ᑫᑭᐅᐣᒋᒪᑲᑭᐸᐣ ᒪᒋᑕᐃᐧᐣ.

Page 11

Thank You, Airlines!

Your fast, courteous delivery of Wawatay News to our northern communities is appreciated.

1

Wawatay Wawatay News News MAY MAY 16, 16, 2013 2013

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House fire claims three lives in Wunnumin Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Crisis teams have been dispatched to Wunnumin Lake after a house fire claimed the lives of two girls and a young woman on May 8. “A 21-year-old woman (aunt of the two deceased), six-yearold girl and one-year-old girl have perished in the house fire,� said Wunnumin Chief Rod Winnepetonga. “The community and the leadership are distraught and shocked over the sudden tragedy that took these young lives.�

Although a Wunnumin Lake council member attempted to rescue the two girls and young woman from the three-bedroom home, he was overcome by smoke inhalation and had to be flown to Thunder Bay by air ambulance. “He was discharged from

“This tragedy shows how ill-equipped many of our communities are to deal with these emergencies and how vulnerable our families and their children are.�

-Harvey Yesno

the hospital this morning,�

Winnepetonga said on May 9. “There is a local volunteer firefighter team that responded to the fire, but it was already out of control. The cause of the fire is unknown however it is under investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshal.�

The fire was discovered at about 9 a.m. when smoke was seen coming out of the house.

Grand Chief Harvey Yesno

Submitted photo

A tragic fire is under investigation after it took the lives of three Wunnumin First Nation members, including two children. expressed condolences to the families and community of Wunnumin Lake First Nation following the fire.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends who have lost their loved ones, and our hearts go

out to the community at this difficult time as they grieve this terrible loss,� Yesno said. “We do not yet know the cir-

cumstances around this devastating fire but this tragedy shows how ill-equipped many of our communities are to deal with these emergencies and how vulnerable our families and their children are.�

Regional Chief Stan Beardy also expressed condolences to the families that lost loved ones and the community of Wunnumin Lake. “Mere words cannot adequately express the shock and grief of this terrible tragedy,� Beardy said. “We wish to send our prayers to the family and friends who lost their loved ones and sincerely hope that the Creator provides much needed spiritual strength in this time of such great loss.�

The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of the immediate family.

Next step on inquest announced Date set for standing hearing on joint inquest into students’ deaths Rick Garrick Wawatay News

A human skull was found by hunters at East Point (shaded), 70kms from Moose Factory.

Human skull found along southern James Bay coast Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

An investigation is underway after a human skull was found by a group of hunters along the James Bay coast near Moosonee and Moose Factory.

The skull was found at a location known as East Point, located about 70 kilometres east of the James Bay communities at the north end of Hannah Bay. Members of the Moosonee Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to the report on May 8.

Det. Sgt. Daniel Foy of OPP’s North East Region Crime Unit in Timmins said the department has determined the skull is human but it is too early to determine whether the skull is archeological.

Foy said the skull will be examined by a forensic anthropologist in Toronto.

The investigation is ongoing and involves the Crime Unit, members of the Moosonee OPP Detachment and the OPP Forensic Identification Unit.

Officers will also be working with the Regional Supervising Coroner from Sudbury.

The hearing date for standing at the joint inquest into the deaths of seven Nishnawbe Aski Nation high school students in Thunder Bay has been set for June 21.

Dr. David Eden will preside as inquest coroner at the hearing, which is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in Auditorium A of the Ontario Government Building at 189 Red River Rd. in Thunder Bay. Eden will hear applications for standing under Section 41 of the Coroners Act. No other motions will be heard and the jury will not be present.

Details about further inquest proceedings will be announced at a later date, following the coroner’s ruling on standing.

To be granted standing, the coroner must find that the parties requesting standing are both substantially and directly interested in the inquest.

An Ontario online document, Aid to Ontario Inquests, states that parties with standing may represent themselves, or have lawyers or agents represent them. Parties may cross-examine witnesses relevant to their expressed interest and may call certain wit-

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nesses of their own if the coroner finds that the evidence of such a witness is relevant to the proceedings.

Parties with standing can also present arguments and submissions to the jury after all the evidence has been heard.

This is to ensure that every person who might be significantly affected by the verdict or recommendations has an opportunity to be heard and to present their point of view.

If necessary, the coroner will hold a separate hearing to determine issues of standing or any other matter that requires a decision in the absence of the jury.

The office of Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s previous chief coroner had called for an inquest into the death of Reggie Bushie in January 2009, but after consultation with NAN, Dr. Andrew McCallum, Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chief coroner in 2012, decided to expand the discretionary inquest to a joint inquest of all seven deaths, due to their similar circumstances.

Kasabonika Lakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jethro Anderson, 15, died in 2000; Pikangikumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Curran Strang, 18, died in 2005; Mishkeegogamangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Paul Panacheese, 19, died in 2006; Keewaywinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Robyn Harper, 18, died in 2007; Poplar Hillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reggie Bushie, 15, died in 2007; Keewaywinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kyle Morrisseau, 17, died in 2009; and Webequieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jordan Wabasse, 15, died in 2011.

NAN requested a joint inquest because the families of the seven youth had been asking for answers into the deaths of their children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;NAN has requested that the chief coroner commence a

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be other supports in place (during the inquest), but the families will be the main ones to support each other.â&#x20AC;?

-Alvin Fiddler

joint inquest into the deaths of seven of our youth to help the families and their communities obtain the closure they so rightfully deserve,â&#x20AC;? former deputy grand chief Terry Waboose said in 2012. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since the most recent deaths, apprehension and fears have grown across NAN First Nations as to the real cause of these tragedies.â&#x20AC;?

The inquest into the death of Reggie Bushie had been sched-

uled for January 2009, but it was delayed after NAN and legal counsel for the Bushie family questioned the validity of the selection process for the jury.

Evidence on the validity of the jury roll was presented in July 2011 during pre-inquest hearings into Bushieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death at the Superior Court of Justice in Thunder Bay. The coroner then ruled in September 2011 that the 2011 jury roll was legally invalid and the inquest could not proceed.

Although hearings were scheduled for May 2012 to look into the validity of the 2012 jury roll, the hearing was adjourned to allow the Chief Coroner of Ontario to consider NANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request for a joint inquest.

The families of the seven students met this past February to begin preparations for the joint inquest into the deaths. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This was a good opportunity to get to know each other, these families who have the common experience of losing a loved one,â&#x20AC;? said Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be other supports in place (during the inquest), but the families will be the main ones to support each other.â&#x20AC;?

4

Wawatay News MAY 16, 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.

Commentary

Everything will work out in the end Xavier Kataquapit UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY

I

have been watching some good movies lately. One titled ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ was about a group of older English retirees who move to Jaipur, a city in India, to live in a hotel converted into a senior citizen’s home. A line from that movie “Things will work out in the end. If they do not then it is not the end” made me realize how important it is never to give up.

I recall as a teenager many times I felt like just ending it all. At some dark points in my life, it seemed like I was living in complete dysfunction and nothing was working out. At times it felt like I was neither alive nor dead. I was confused and numb. I couldn’t really feel things anymore. It wasn’t so bad when I was a child but when I became a teenager and started drinking, everything took a turn for the worse.

I consider myself one of the fortunate ones. I survived this terrible period and managed to find a way out by getting a handle on my alcoholism so that I could become a recovering alcoholic and lead a clean a sober life.

I say that I am fortunate because I could have become one of the many First Nation young people to have committed suicide. Suicide is almost an epidemic in most Native communities and much of it has to do with alcoholism and drug addictions. Of course, poor living conditions, racism, bigotry and a hopelessness is fertile ground where alcohol and drug addiction grows. I have heard too many times, the sad news of friends who have ended their lives and in most cases they have done so under the influence of alcohol or drugs. I recall being in situations where I was drunk and out of my mind and thoughts of suicide was an option. Thankfully, for whatever reason, I made it through these sad times.

Too many young people in First Nations right across this country are feeling like failures and in many cases are made to feel less than perfect because of pressures from society and the fact that racism is still alive and thriving in a lot of nonNative communities where many of these young people go to school. Life is confusing for First Nation youth because on one hand they are still living life as brown skinned Aboriginal people while also trying to fit into a modern and mostly white powered world. These youth are listening to the latest

pop music, dressing in the new trendy styles and following the fashion and music icons of the day. Part of this reality includes alcohol and drug use.

I can recall that I could justify my alcoholism and drug addiction for so many reasons. The addictions were a cool way to fit into the trendy world of what all the famous figures were doing in public life. Alcohol and drugs were a way to become cool. When I found that I could not be as cool as what the magazines and movies portrayed, then I used alcohol and drugs as a way to escape my reality.

Today, right across Canada, many First Nations are sitting on top of treasures, as mining, forestry and hydro companies are interested in resource development on traditional Native lands. We are at the point where our First Nation leadership can be negotiating good agreements with government and resource development companies that benefit our Native communities. If we can provide a percentage of this wealth from these developments to go towards our First Nation communities then we would not have to be as dependent on the government for our lives. If there is enough good will on all sides, than we can create more positive environments in our First Nations through resource developments, so that our youth can get training and educational opportunities that can lead to real employment. Every municipality across the country can tax industry and develop an income from it but First Nations can’t. We need to change that. If all of the stake holders can meet at the table and work out good agreements then everyone can benefit. First Nation people are also very concerned about environment impacts because their traditional lives on the land must be protected. After the gold and diamonds are gone there must still be a life on the land.

I believe that with more opportunities and hope in First Nations the result will be fewer suicides. However, I also believe in the short term that our Native leadership and government must find the way to more effectively bring alcohol and drug treatment programs into our schools and communities.

We need to do this quickly as too many of our young people are dying by their own hand.

We can do something about it.

We need to convince our young people that they need to hang in there and have some patience as things will get better. We need to dedicate the finances, human resources and skills to help our youth right now. They have to remember that ‘Everything will work out in the end. If it does not work out, then it is not the end’.

Wawatay News archives

Pikangikum store, date unknown.

An open letter of apology to my First Nation and Indigenous sisters

By Robert Animikii Horton This is a sincere and longoverdue apology to the Anishinaabekwe and to all indigenous and First Nation women.

From the bottom of my heart, it is with truth, a humility, a love, and an unwavering respect that I write these words to each of you today -- my Sisters.

I apologize for every time we, as men, do not make you feel beautiful, valued, appreciated, cherished, and worthy of nothing less than respect, reverence, and honour -- not only with our words, but with our actions and how the very lives we live align with the words we speak.

I apologize for each time we, as men, do not congratulate you on each of your successes, when we fail to take the time to listen (and hear) your dreams and aspirations, and when we do not commit ourselves to supporting and encouraging you every single step along the way as you support and encourage us -- and just as committed and just as frequently.

For each time we forget that the small things matter and sincere sentiments truly count.

For each time we forget to cook you soup and keep warm blankets (and your favourite movies) in-reach when you’re feeling under the weather. For

each time we think of taking a moment to leave you that note to wish you a good day before we leave for work, but choose not to again and again. For each time we have the opportunity to call you at the office or at home to tell you that you’re on our minds, but decide we’re “too busy.” And for each time we stay silent instead of telling you “Miigwech for being who you are. I’m very thankful you’re in my life.”

For every time we disregard our traditional teachings which instruct us to treat each of you with respect, kindness and as equals -- in ways that we would want our own Mothers and

Sisters to be treated. But also, for each time we sidestep our responsibilities of understanding, kindness and compassion to challenge other men when they disrespect you or treat you as anything less than sacred.

I apologize for every elected or entrusted leader who preaches-hollow about “protecting our Nations” and “valuing Seven Generations Forward” at a community gathering, at election time, or from a faraway podium while, at the same time, not respecting or valuing their own wife, partner or daughters in the very home they share.

EDITOR Shawn Bell shawnb@wawatay.on.ca

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Matthew Bradley matthewb@wawatay.on.ca

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Kornacki Xavier Kataquapit Christian Quequish Robert Horton Robert Munroe

See APOLOGY pg. 5

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

WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Rick Garrick rickg@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Lenny Carpenter lennyc@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Stephanie Wesley stephaniew@wawatay.on.ca ART DIRECTOR Roxann Shapwaykeesic, RGD roxys@wawatay.on.ca

SALES MANAGER James Brohm jamesb@wawatay.on.ca CIRCULATION Grant Keesic reception@wawatay.on.ca TRANSLATORS Vicky Angees vickya@wawatay.on.ca Charles Brown

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

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Wawatay Wawatay News News MAY MAY 16, 16, 2013 2013

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ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Apology to First Nation and Indigenous sisters LETTERS Re: Urban Indian by Richard Wagamese, Wawatay News December 6 2012 Con’t from pg. 4 Ironically, wives, partners and daughters are all the very centre of our Nations and those who make Seven Generations Forward possible.

For every ounce of disrespect from us in the workplace -- whether it takes place in a band office, a community street or gathering place, within the House of Commons in Ottawa, or a 43rd floor office building in Toronto.

I apologize for every time we ignore who our true leaders are (Ikwes, young and old) and forget the respect you deserve, the significance you represent and the future you make possible.

I apologize for the “too often” times we turn our backs on our true leaders by failing to turn to you for guidance and direction, but also when we close our ears and hearts to what you wish to share and express in our communities, on our territories, in the cities, in the suburbs, at ceremony, at meetings, at gatherings or on the streets.

I apologize for those of us who fail to walk our talk rather than walking our talk upon our Red Road - but more importantly walking upon it without the talk, especially as it relates to our respect for you.

For every promise to you that we break while we passionately speak out against broken treaties.

For every broken home, every broken heart, and every broken peace-bond due to our own choices, actions or words, but also when we do not do enough to protect and prevent any of these happening to you by another, Indigenous or not.

For every tear shed, every voice ignored, every concern

discounted, every bruise covered, every excuse spun, every repeated apology that continues to ring hollow and every time you feel unappreciated unless strings are attached — or feel unloved so unconditionally.

For every deadbeat dad that walks away from their child and responsibilities (often while preaching that “youth are our future”) while helping to close the four economic walls inward upon committed mothers — mothers who begin each day with little sleep, multiple shifts, few childcare options, but who still help their child with homework, make it to the school play rehearsal, and cheer the loudest at soccer practice.

Not to mention each deadbeat who imagines that sending you a cheque once a month and offering a visitation every six (if we show up) is an example of a “considerate and selfless ex” and a “dedicated father” in the same way that someone who owns a piano that’s stored in their garage means they’re an

accomplished pianist.

For every “forgotten” childsupport cheque, every day you shoulder the weight as you strain both roles as a mother and a father, every explanation and excuse we give you to pass onto children (excited for weekend visitation) who wait on front steps for arrivals that don’t happen, and when we leave you without explanation and without as much as a phone call.

For every wannabe-player with his sights locked on Ikwes, with his “game” down to a selfprofessed science, and velvety, convincing “right words” filling her ears. But not forgetting to mention those of us who watch them work, who listen to tales of their conquest, who give high-fives or keep silent, and then wonder in shock and amazement why all us men are seen as “all the same.”

I apologize for each of us who choose the comfortable paths of little-to-no involvement when we see our women’s faces among the missing or

murdered, as we continue to watch your rights and identities stripped, and when we hear about incomprehensible abuse at the hands of “the police and the complicit” because we believe it’s a “women’s issue only” - blindly forgetting that you are the centre of our families, the centre of our communities and the centre of our Nations.

I apologize to you all for each and every square-inch of vacant, open space at rallies and gatherings where the feet of more men should be firmly planted, standing in full and committed support of our sisters who are gathering, leading and speaking up for the abused, missing and murdered indigenous women — saying “Enough!”

Editor’s Note: Robert Horton’s Full, Unabridged Letter can be viewed online at www.wawataynews.ca Robert Animikii Horton, “Bebaamweyaazh”, an Anishinabe member of Rainy River First Nations of Manitou Rapids (Treaty #3 Territory) and from the Marten Clan, has built a reputation as a progressive and outspoken activist, contrarian writer, and a respected orator on an international scale speaking on topics such as community organizing, political/social/ economic justice, and youth empowerment. He is a sociologist, social and political activist, and spoken-word poet.

This letter was written in support of the Missing and Murdered indigenous women of Turtle Island.

“I’m closer to living with a native heart than I’ve ever been”.

Thank you for those words. There are times when I had been frustrated about “labels” that were placed on me and which confused me about who I am ie: so and so’s sister or wife or mother or worker etc.

Now here I am labeled retired, divorced, old, urban Indian who resided in Winnipeg 45 years, people on my reserve do not know/remember me, which leaves me with a not belonging somewhere feeling.

I am Ojibway Cree in my heart and will be until my last breath.

Thank you for your articles in Wawatay. I recently discovered your writings and have read several of your books with the most recent Indian Horse. Thank you. I felt that you were writing about me most times as I have/had similar experiences ie; isolation, not belonging, not fitting in, being invisible is safer than having to explain why Indians are the way they are....you know what I mean.

Meegwetch. I feel proud of myself through your books, which I needed most of my adult life.

Matrine Therriault, Ojibway Cree, mom.

Re: Team Ontario male earns silver at National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. Wawatay News May 9 Editor, Well-written piece regarding Team Ontario advancement against a powerhouse Team Alberta…to advance to the GOLD medal Game. I’m so happy the young guns did not give up on each others talents. Thank you for the coaches in making Team Ontario believe in themselves. Also, thank you for your volunteerism,, without you people this would not have happened to a bunch of great kids in continuing to believe in themselves. Great job. The coaches need support from our chiefs from across Ontario to believe in our youths like British Columbia believes in their youth programs.

Great job in looking after our children, nephews, and nieces… parents are proud. Next year will be better.

Submitted online by Clarence Carpenter Re: Sewage problem forces Gull Bay Elder from home, Wawatay News May 9 Editor, Nice one-sided coverage of a ‘story’ of which a disgrunted excouncillor is using his own father to get back at council... go check your facts before printing this slanted journalism...

Submitted online Editor, “It’s like they are all passing the buck,” he says.

I have always thought that taking care of one’s parents is the children’s job. Not the chief and council’s, not the government’s, not INAC’s.

Submitted online

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

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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

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Wawatay News MAY 16, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

photo by Colin Wapachee

Moose Factory’s Ecolodge was threatened by flooding earlier this month, but waters on the Moose River have receeded and evacuees have returned to the community. In Attawapiskat, however, the flood threat remains and community members continue to be evacuated.

Attawapiskat evacuates more than 400 residents Other James Bay communities returning to normal after flooding and evacuations Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Rising waters following the break up of the Attawapiskat River has led Attawapiskat First Nation to evacuate some of its residents while other James Bay communities go back to normal following another spring thaw.

The community of Attawapiskat evacuated more than 400 of its most vulnerable residents –mostly Elders, chronic care patients and those with small children – last weekend after water levels rose near the community.

The First Nation declared a state of emergency due to the

threat of f looding and more than 150 residents were f lown to Thunder Bay while 100 residents were f lown to Geraldton and around 200 residents were evacuated to Greenstone. Another 60 residents who were evacuated due to sewage backups in early May were flown to Fort Frances.

And while residents observed water levels lowering on May 13, the community’s f lood coordinator warned that ice and water still coming down the river remains a threat.

“It all depends on where, there’s different water levels depending on the location: in front of the community, up

the river and west out in the bay,” said Sally Louttit, the community’s flood coordinator. Louttit said they are continuing to monitor the water levels on the ground and by air.

In Kashechewan, most of the 1,000 or so residents who were evacuated to Greenstone, Thunder Bay and Kapuskasing returned home

by May 10 after the community leadership deemed the threat of flooding to be minimal.

However, Hosea Wesley, a band councilor, said the state of emergency remains in effect because 40 homes that experienced sewage backup still pose a health risk.

“It all depends on where, there’s different water levels depending on the location: in front of the community, up the river and west out in the bay...”

– Sally Louttit

More than 250 residents who were evacuated in early May because they were affected by the sewage back-

ups remain in Kapuskasing.

Although the First Nation has acquired some water pumps, one of the water stations is still inoperable.

Work has begun in removing drywall, insulation, washers, driers and personal belongings from the affected homes. Before the basements could be restored, the drains will need to be excavated and check-valves will need to be installed to prevent future backups. Additionally, weeping tiles will need to be excavated and inspected.

Wesley estimated that it could take up to six weeks for the homes to be repaired and cleaned so that the remaining evacuees can return home.

In Fort Albany, the community’s f lood watch team “demobilized” for the season and stated the community will go back to normal.

As of May 13, the causeway between Sinclair Island and the mainland was available to cross by vehicle or foot.

In Moose Factory and Moosonee, water levels along the Moose River system began to decline on May 6. The following day, emergency f lood coordinators announced the f lood threat level was greatly reduced.

The town of Moosonee lifted its state of emergency and all 240 vulnerable residents who were evacuated returned home.

Mushkegowuk concerned with infrastructure, community safety Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Following another spring of evacuations and f lood scares along the James Bay coast, Mushkegowuk Tribal Council leaders are calling on the federal and provincial governments to improve infrastructure in the northern communities.

High water levels led to sewage back ups or lagoon

“I am calling on the government to work with us to ensure that the long term safety of our communities is a priority...”

– Stan Louttit

problems

in

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kat, Kashechewan and Fort Albany, leading to evacuations of 250 residents from Kashechewan and 60 from Attawapiskat due to health risks.

Deputy Grand Chief Leo Friday said that major investments and new funding arrangements need to be made to improve the infrastructure on the four Mushkegowuk communities that are located on flood plains.

“Small handouts buried under piles of paperwork to address short-term problems are not the solution,” Friday said in a media release.

“AANDC (Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of Canada) expends hundreds of thousands of dollars each spring on these infrastructure problems. It is time to look for solutions.”

Grand Chief Stan Louttit added that funding is

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required to conduct engineering assessments since the infrastructure of each community is “old and dilapidated.”

“Once engineering assessments have been completed, we would have a very good idea of what the longer term strategies and solutions should be,” Louttit said. “I am calling on the government to work with us to ensure that the long term safety of our communities is a priority.”

Louttit added a fundamental change is needed in how funding is controlled and allocated.

“It is not right how the provincial and federal governments are taking millions of dollars in revenue from the resources from our

Stan Louttit lands and we need to beg to have enough money returned to get clean water and safe communities,” he said. “We will fight to change this fiscal imbalance in any way we can.”

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1

Wawatay Wawatay News News MAY MAY 16, 16, 2013 2013

7

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KI chief invites judge, former minister to dinner Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

The chief of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) has invited the judge and Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former Aboriginal Affairs minister involved in sentencing him to jail into his community in an effort to show that there are no hard feelings.

Chief Donny Morris has publicly invited Justice Patrick Smith and former Aboriginal Affairs minister Michael Bry-

ant to KI and a feast when the community hosts 25 other Canadians from June 17-21.

Smith presided over the legal battle between KI and Platinex and sentenced Morris and five other community leaders to prison in 2008 after the First Nation would not allow the junior mining company onto its traditional territory. Meanwhile Bryant was the minister responsible for the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position during the dispute.

In a video posted on You-

tube, which Morris recorded on May 6, the chief issued a personal invitation to Smith and Bryant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would like to have the opportunity to sit down and letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit, reminisce of the old times, and to move on with our lives,â&#x20AC;? Morris said in the video.

He said the pair would be served a traditional meal, â&#x20AC;&#x153;which is our specialty.â&#x20AC;?

The invitation comes after a group of the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth began an initiative to invite 25 people from across

Canada onto the reserve for a week to experience life in the community. The week would conclude on June 21, National Aboriginal Day. Morris said he would like to see Smith and Bryant spend at least one night during that week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would hope to see either one of you but it would probably (be more) beneficial for both of them to come to KI,â&#x20AC;? he said at the conclusion of the video. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see you guys then.â&#x20AC;?

Wabigoon Lake wins another water challenge Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Wabigoon Lake won its second award for drinking water quality in the past six months even though its source water is often muddy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To take that water and its colour and win for the best water quality for this community takes a lot of doing,â&#x20AC;? said Wabigoon Lake Chief Ruben Cantin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When the dam was built at the turn of the century, it was a clear water lake.

But when it was raised nineand-a-half feet, you could really see the turbidity of the water. When itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a windy day, you can put your hand in the water and you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even see it.â&#x20AC;?

Marcel Shabaquay, Wabigoon Lakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water plant operator, won the Mandamin Cup for best water in the north at the Aboriginal Water and Wastewater Association of Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 18th Annual Conference and AGM, held from March 18-22 in Sault Ste. Marie. The Mandamin Cup was named after Elder Josephine Mandamin in honour of her waterwalks around all five Great Lakes and down the St. Lawrence River.

Shabaquay also won the 18th Annual Water Taste Challenge last October at the 58th

Submitted photo

Overview of the Wabigoon Lake water treatment plant.

Annual Northwestern Ontario Water and Wastewater Conference. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was surprising that we won it again â&#x20AC;&#x201D; last year was something and this year, it was like no way, not again,â&#x20AC;?

Shabaquay said, noting the water was judged for clarity, colour, turbidity and chlorine

residual. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was awesome.â&#x20AC;?

Shabaquay said the community has taken a greater interest in the water treatment plant since he won the second award, noting that students from Wabigoon Lakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wabshki-Penasi School were among those who toured the plant.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I first got back, I had everybody coming to the water plant to see the trophies,â&#x20AC;? Shabaquay said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of people are coming down to see what kind of treatment plant weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got and where the water comes from. The school and the kids were all inter-

ested once they found out we won.â&#x20AC;?

Mitaanjigamiingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Desmond Jordain also won the Paul Strohach award for northern operator of the year at the conference and AGM, which featured two days of training by the Keewaytinook Center of Excellence, Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation and Walkerton Clean Water Center. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All the credit belongs to Marcel because he is a very dedicated worker,â&#x20AC;? said Cori Brown, Wabigoon Lakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heath director. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done all his training, he continually goes for training.â&#x20AC;?

Shabaquay usually travels for more training every month at the Keewaytinook Center of Excellence or Walkerton Clean Water Center. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so many other operators that I meet â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve met two that have the same plant as mine,â&#x20AC;? Shabaquay said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I ask them what they do when problems arise with their filter, their flocculator or their dosage pumps. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always good to have other people I can rely on like that.â&#x20AC;&#x153; Although the lake is muddy, Cantin said the water treatment plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water intake is located far out in the bay near the location of the old Wabig-

oon River before the dam was built. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This lake is fed in by clear water lakes,â&#x20AC;? Cantin said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The live testimony our Elders had prior to the dam being built in Dryden is that they could see fish swimming around 25 to 30 feet under the water.â&#x20AC;?

Brown said the community used to be on a boil water advisory before embarking on a training program for water treatment operators.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;When itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a windy day, you can put your hand in the water and you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even see it...â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ruben Cantin

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to have really dedicated and committed workers because a lot of times, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how many First Nations are in the same position, but you can only afford one worker,â&#x20AC;? Brown said, noting that funding for the water treatment plant is insufficient. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of stress and pressure on that one worker to provide clean water for your whole community.â&#x20AC;?

8

Wawatay News MAY 16, 2013

Obituary In loving memory of Cal Kakegamic. July 12, 1955 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; February 20, 2013. Cal Kakegamic was born in Sandy Lake, Ontario and passed away at Sioux Lookout MenoYa-win Health Centre. He is survived by his wife Rhoda (nee: Fiddler) of 36 years, two sons: Samuel (Gwen Boyce), Jonathan (Randi Roundhead); one daughter: Kalyn; grandson Chance; father Hector Kakegamic; two brothers: Douglas, Eddie; three sisters: Ida, Charleen, Elizabeth (Lid); grandmother Janisse Kakekapetum; in-laws, numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother Samelia Kakegamic and grandfather John Kakekapetum. Cal committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ in July 1976. He loved his Lord right to the end. Cal was a pastor, counselor, workshop presenter and teacher. He worked for Tikinagan Child and Family Services for many years. His work took him to many northern communities where he made lots of friends. His duties as a pastor included performing marriages and funerals. One of Calâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest gifts from God was his ability to be an interpreter of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word.

Cal also co-taught family life and fathering workshops with Amos Esh at Beaver Lake Camp (Dryden) and in northern communities. He also presented workshop material at S.O.S. conference in Wapekeka. His passion in his work as a counselor and his love for God allowed him to become friends with many. Cal was a great father, husband and desired this for others. He worked at Scott Mission, Toronto, for 5 years and graduated from Providence College, Otterbourne MB, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1993. He worked with Gary Quequish as leaders of Min Web Bon First Nations Church in Sioux Lookout. We will surely miss Cal! Meeg-Wetch (Thank You) From Cal Kakegamicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Family. Thank you for the comfort of your presence in our time of sorrow: Gary Quequish and Joe (Rosemary) Kakegamic for the Sioux Lookout viewing service.

Friend Sanadius Fiddler, Sharon Mckay, Amos Esh, Evelyn Meekis and Jackie Rae for the Sandy Lake funeral service. Family and friends for visits and phone calls at home and while Cal was in hospital. Especially Amos & Verna, Georgina Harper, Bob & Mary Linklater & Families.

Tikinagin Child & Family Services: Thelma Morris & Rachel Meekis Bridge and staff at Sioux Lookout; Martha Rae & Annie Anishinabie & staff at Sandy Lake; Fred Sky & staff at Red Lake; staff at Keewaywin, K.I., Deer Lake and Thunder Bay. Georgina Neshinapaise of Summer Beaver and Elsie Fox of K.I. Thanks for the ways youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve helped me and my children. Dr. Kelly, Denise for patiently accepting my many phone calls! Dr. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Driscoll, Dr. Morgan and staff especially Amy at Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre for the compassionate care you gave my husband Cal. Sandy Lake First Nations Band that I was able to bring Cal home. My sisters and their families: Martha Rae, Joan Rae, Mary Jane FiddlerYoung, Evelyn Meekis, Kalena Quill, Ruth Rae and Ida Fiddler. Ida for letting us bring Cal to your home.

Bello Kakegamic & crew and Sandy Lake home care staff for getting room ready. Calâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dad Hector Kakegamic, brothers Doug & Eddie, sisters Ida, Charleen & Liz and their families.

Ida â&#x20AC;&#x201C; My friend & sis-by-law for supporting my heart! Gitchi meeg wetch for your prayers & songs, friendship and many kindnesses youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve shown us because of our loved one, Cal Kakegamic. God bless each one of you. Sincerely; Rhoda (Mrs. Cal), Samuel, Jonathan & Kalyn Kakegamic.

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Culturally sensitive long-term care beds needed in Sioux Lookout Christian Quequish Special to Wawatay News

The Registered Nursing Association of Ontario (RNAO) held a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Take Your MPP to Workâ&#x20AC;? event May 10, where KenoraRainy River MPP Sarah Campbell toured the Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Northwestern Health Unit and the William A. George Extended Care Unit in Sioux Lookout.

Emily Monaco, a registered nurse and RNAOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political action representative for the Sioux Lookout chapter said the region is experiencing a shortage of long-term care beds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More specifically, culturally sensitive long-term care beds needed by Elders in our catchment or service area,â&#x20AC;? said Monaco.

She said that provincial benchmarks show that for the size of Meno Ya Win Health Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service area, they would need 80 to 100 more long-term care beds.

The centre services 28 First Nations communities in the region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What happens because of that is we have 40 per cent of the beds in the hospital right now that are occupied by alternate level care patients who are basically awaiting placement in a long-term facility,â&#x20AC;? said Monaco.

One such patient is Elder George Ignace of Lac Seul First Nation. Ignace is residing at the hospital as he awaits placement at a long-term care center.

Monaco said that Meno Ya

Christian Quequish/Special to Wawatay News

From left to right: Stephanie Kramar, RPN, George Ignace, long-term care candidate, Susan Albany, medical interpreter. George Ignace of Lac Seul First Nation is waiting for a long-term care residence in Sioux Lookout. The Sioux Lookout region only has 20 long-term care beds.

Win feels that they are in the best position to meet the needs and care for the First Nations people in their service area because they are equipped to support the cultural and linguistic requirements of First Nationsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;including interpreters who are available on a 24/7 basis.

Cynthia Dwyer, a registered nurse working at Meno Ya Win, said one of the things that RNAO is focusing on is the need for long-term care beds, espe-

cially for those in the northern communities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So an Elder will come and stay with us and eventually if they decide or the family decides they go to long-term care and they get on this list,â&#x20AC;? said Dwyer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And this list, if they want to stay here in Sioux Lookout can be up to eight years wait.â&#x20AC;?

Dwyer said Meno Ya Winâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service area contains almost 35,000 people.

Campbell said she was sur-

prised to find 12 rooms closed at the Meno Ya Win Health Centre. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It really struck me too that there are so many people in the hospital who are there because they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have access to either home care or they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a long-term care bed,â&#x20AC;? said Campbell. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really no reason for that, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s such a tremendous cost, especially with homecare.â&#x20AC;?

Campbell said the challenge would be to bring more long-

term care beds to Sioux Lookout â&#x20AC;&#x201C; she said the issue needs to be constantly pressed within the government so they recognize the importance of the matter.

Barb Linkewich, vice president, clinical and research at Meno Ya Win said a proposed site has been picked out for an added facility, which would house 80 to 100 beds for longterm care patients. The area would be adjacent to the Meno Ya Win health centre.

Moosonee mayor charged with fraud over lottery tickets Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

The mayor of Moosonee has been charged with fraud after an investigation into missing

lottery bingo reports by the Moosonee Native Friendship Centre was concluded.

Victor Mitchell, who was also the Friendship Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive director, was arrested and

charged on April 25 with four counts of Fraud Over $5,000; one count of Fraud Under $5,000; two counts of Misappropriation of Funds; and one count of Breach of Trust.

The arrest came after the Sudbury Regional Enforcement Unit of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario concluded an investigation concerning missing lottery bingo

reports that had not been submitted by the Moosonee Native Friendship Centre.

Mitchell will appear in court on July 9 in Moosonee.

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Wawatay Wawatay News News MAY MAY 16, 16, 2013 2013

Summer Student Newspaper and Magazine Writer/Photographer

Wawatay Native Communications Society is seeking an energetic, motivated and reliable individual to fill the following summer student position. Wawatay has the mandate to provide access to communication technologies and services to the people of Nishnawbe Aski Nation utilizing various media to preserve, maintain and enhance indigenous languages and culture.

Accountability: The successful candidate is supervised by and is directly accountable to the Wawatay News Editor in Thunder Bay and Wawatay Magazine Editor in Sioux Lookout Duties and Responsibilities: Â&#x2021; Work with Newspaper Editor and Magazines Editor, generate original story ideas and submit a story list prior to the assigned story meeting. Â&#x2021; Write news and feature stories based on information gathered through personal or telephone interviews, meetings and events, and research online or other places, for publication on the internet and in Wawatay newspaper. Â&#x2021; Take photos for publication in Wawatay newspaper using Wawatay digital camera. Â&#x2021; Tag cutlines for photos at the bottom of related stories. Â&#x2021; Write stories and briefs for special projects as assigned. Â&#x2021; Write feature length stories and take photos for Sagatay magazine, SEVEN youth magazine, and Onotassiniik mining magazine as assigned. Â&#x2021; Editorial copy should total about 1,500 to 2,500 publishable words per week. Â&#x2021; Proofread copy on production day as assigned. Â&#x2021; Maintain a filing system that allows all stories/content to be tracked over time. Â&#x2021; Some travel and evening and weekend work will be required. Â&#x2021; Other duties as assigned.

Criteria for applicant: Â&#x2021; Must be between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at start of employment. Â&#x2021; Was registered as a full-time student during preceding academic year. Â&#x2021; Must be returning to school on a full-time basis during the next academic year. Â&#x2021; Is a student in a post-secondary, vocational or technical program. Â&#x2021; Is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Â&#x2021; Is legally entitled to work according to relevant provincial legislation and regulations. Â&#x2021; Priority will be given to applications of Aboriginal descent. Â&#x2021; The ability to speak Oji-Cree, Ojibwe and/or Cree would be an asset.

-PDBUJPO 4JPVY -PPLPVU r 4BMBSZ IPVS r "QQMZ CZ 5VFTEBZ .BZ ! $45 Please send resume to: Adelaide Anderson, A/Finance Manager Wawatay Native Communications Society Box 1180, Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B7 Email: reception@wawatay.on.ca Fax: (807) 737-3224 Please note: References may be required Wawatay Native Communications Society thanks all those who submit applications.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Funding provided by the Government of Canada

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY RESIDENTIAL COUNSELLORS Internal/External Posting 2 Full Time Positions & 1 Term Position (1 year) Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario The Residential Counsellors will be responsible for carrying out daily programming, facilitating groups, case conferencing and supervision of clients. These positions are required for the Short Term Assessment Treatment Unit.

QUALIFICATIONS % Child and Youth Worker diploma and/or related discipline; % Experience working with youth in a residential treatment setting; % Must have experience and understanding of Native culture, and of the geographic realities and social conditions within remote First Nation Communities; % Work experience in Residential Services with children, adolescents, and families.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY % A thorough understanding of the Child & Family Services Act and 0HQWDO +HDOWK $FW D GHÂżQLWH DVVHW % Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout District will be an asset; % Ability to take direction and facilitate individualized treatment plans; % Knowledge of child development and therapeutic modalities in working with youth; % Excellent time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently; % Must be willing and able to relocate and live in Sioux Lookout.

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 Resources Department Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority 61 Queen Street, P.O. Box 1300 Sioux Lookout, Ontario P8T 1B8 Phone: (807) 737-1802 Fax: (807) 737-2969 Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com Closing Date: May 24, 2013 @ 4:30 pm

9

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SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Primary Health Care Unit

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Nodin Child & Family Intervention Services (NCFI)

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

SPECIAL NEEDS CASE MANAGER Internal/External Posting Full Time Four (4) Months Term Position Location: Sioux Lookout, ON

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.

This full time position reports to the Specialized Services Supervisor. The Special Needs Case Manager will be responsible for providing case management to children DQG IDPLOLHV H[SHULHQFLQJ VSHFLÂżF VHYHUH PHQWDO KHDOWK EHKDYLRUDO RU FRPSOH[ special needs. The Special Needs Case Manager should be willing to receive RQ JRLQJ WUDLQLQJ LQ VSHFLÂżF DUHDV DXWLVP GHYHORSPHQWDO LVVXHV EHKDYLRUDO LVVXHV etc.) in order to provide specialized case management services. The work requires good communication skills and the ability to work as a team member. The Special 1HHGV &DVH 0DQDJHU ZLOO QHHG WR SURPRWH LQWHUGLVFLSOLQDU\ LQWHUDJHQF\ DQG LQWHU PLQLVWHULDO FRRSHUDWLRQ DQG FRRUGLQDWLRQ ORFDOO\ UHJLRQDOO\ DQG SURYLQFLDOO\ IRU WKH EHQHÂżW RI WKH FDVH PDQDJHPHQW RI D FKLOG

QUALIFICATIONS Â&#x2021; Minimum Grade 12; Â&#x2021; &HUWLÂżFDWH 'LSORPD LQ 6HFUHWDULDO $UWV DQ DVVHW Â&#x2021; Minimum 1-2 years administrative or clerical experience; Â&#x2021; 3UHYLRXV H[SHULHQFH PLQLPXP \HDUV LQ D 0HGLFDO 2IÂżFH DQ DVVHW KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY Â&#x2021; 3URÂżFLHQW ZLWK 0LFURVRIW 2IÂżFH :RUG ([FHO 3URGXFWV Â&#x2021; Working knowledge of databases; Â&#x2021; Superior time management, organizational and administrative skills; Â&#x2021; Ability to meet aggressive deadlines and manage multiple priorities; Â&#x2021; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community health staff, Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre and the Primary Health Care Unit; Â&#x2021; $ELOLW\ WR PDQDJH FRQÂżGHQWLDO DQG VHQVLWLYH PDWHULDO LQ VWULFW FRQÂżGHQFH Â&#x2021; Ability to problem solve and have strong decision making skills; Â&#x2021; Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written); Â&#x2021; Ability to work independently in a fast paced work environment; Â&#x2021; Must have experience and understanding of Native culture, and the geographic realities and social conditions within remote First Nation communities; Â&#x2021; 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:

QUALIFICATIONS Â&#x2021; 8QLYHUVLW\ 'HJUHH LQ KXPDQ VHUYLFH ÂżHOG ZLWK WZR \HDUV H[SHULHQFH LQ WKH KHDOWK services environment is preferred; Â&#x2021; 6SHFLDOL]HG FRXUVHV LQ VSHFLÂżF DUHDV RI PHQWDO KHDOWK DXWLVP EHKDYLRUDO RU developmental challenge; Â&#x2021; Experience working with First Nations people and northern communities; Â&#x2021; Experience in case management is preferred; Â&#x2021; Experience in delivery of therapy is an asset.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY Â&#x2021; Knowledge of Case Management principles and Service System Principles; Â&#x2021; Case management report writing; Â&#x2021; Knowledge of community resources; Â&#x2021; Ability to work as lead for multi-disciplinary teams and with community agencies; Â&#x2021; ([FHOOHQW RUJDQL]DWLRQDO DQG WLPH PDQDJHPHQW VNLOOV DV ZHOO DV WKH DELOLW\ WR ZRUN independently; Â&#x2021; .QRZOHGJH RI 0LFURVRIW 2IÂżFH 3URIHVVLRQDO 3OXV ([SHULHQFH ZLWK D FOLHQW 'DWDEDVH H J &,06

Â&#x2021; .QRZOHGJH RI WKH SHRSOH FXOWXUH DQG PHQWDO KHDOWK SULRULWLHV RI WKH )LUVW 1DWLRQV communities in the Sioux Lookout Zone; Â&#x2021; Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone will be an asset; Â&#x2021; $ JRRG XQGHUVWDQGLQJ RI WKH 0HQWDO +HDOWK $FW &KLOG )DPLO\ 6HUYLFHV $FW DQG awareness of current issues within Northern and remote Native communities; Â&#x2021; Must be willing to relocate.

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 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 Human.Resources@slfnha.com

Human Resource Department Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority 3 2 %R[ 4XHHQ 6WUHHW 6LRX[ /RRNRXW 21 3 7 % 3KRQH )D[

Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com

Closing Date: May 31, 2013 at 4:30 p.m.

No resumes received 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.

Closing Date: May 29, 2013 @ 4:30 pm 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.

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 Web-site at www.slfnha.com

)RU DGGLWLRQDO LQIRUPDWLRQ UHJDUGLQJ WKH +HDOWK $XWKRULW\ SOHDVH YLVLW RXU Web-site at www.slfnha.com

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY

Physician Services Internal/External Posting Full Time Positions Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario These unique employment opportunities places the successful applicants in key positions that will support physician services for the Sioux Lookout area. They will support the delivery of approved policies for SLRPSI. These positions will be under the organization of SLFNHA.

MANAGER OF PHYSICIAN SERVICES

FINANCIAL OFFICER

The Manager of Physician Services will be responsible for overseeing and managing physician services. The Manager of Physician Services will provide day to day leadership to the Primary Health Care Unit which includes: Northern Clinic, Administration, Medical Secretarial Support and Recruitment.

7KH )LQDQFLDO 2IÂżFHU ZLOO EH UHVSRQVLEOH IRU RYHUVHHLQJ DOO ÂżQDQFLDO UHVSRQVLELOLWLHV WKDW DUH UHODWHG WR SK\VLFLDQ services. This position will report to the Director of Finance and work closely with the Manager of Physician Services and other team members.

4XDOLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQV % Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or Equivalent Experience in a health discipline preferred; % Strong management skills; % Able to initiate and model positive change; % Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; % Able to work with diverse personalities; % Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFWLQJ GHPDQGV % Strong supervisory skills; % Fluency in one of the First Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dialects of the Sioux Lookout district (Ojibway, Cree and/or Oji-Cree) is an asset.

Knowledge and Ability: % Must have experience and understanding of First Nation issues, and of the geographic realities and social conditions within northern remote Native communities; % Understanding of health systems; % Experience in working with a Board.

4XDOLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQV % Business or Accounting diploma or degree is required; % 6WURQJ ÂżQDQFLDO IRUHFDVWLQJ DQG DQDO\VLV VNLOOV % 0LQLPXP RI IRXU \HDUV ÂżQDQFLDO PDQDJHPHQW experience; % Strong oral and written communication skills; % High degree of computer literacy including ACCPAC Plus; % Well developed organizational leadership and interpersonal skills; % Understanding of issues and trends in regional/First Nations health delivery.

Knowledge and Ability: % Knowledge of General Account Practices and Principles; % Must be a team player.

Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Persons Sector Check to:

The Health Authority wishes to thank all applicants in advance.

However, only those granted an interview will be contacted.

Human Resource Department Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority P.O. Box 1300, 61 Queen Street, Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B8 Phone: (807) 737-1802 Fax: (807) 737-2969 Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com

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

No resumes received after this time will be accepted.

No resumes received after this time will be accepted

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

Closing Date: May 24, 2013 at 4:30 p.m.

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

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

10

Wawatay News MAY 16, 2013

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First Nations organizations contribute over $50 million to Thunder Bay economy Stephanie Wesley Wawatay News

According to a survey conducted by a committee of representatives from local Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) organizations, 12 NAN First Nations businesses and organizations in Thunder Bay contributed an estimated $51.8 million to the economy in the last fiscal year.

NAN presented the information at a Celebration and Contributions open house at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School on May 7. The event was organized by NAN Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic and featured informational booths from groups like NishnawbeAski Police Services, Matawa First Nations, and Northern Nishnawbe Education Council.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were amazed when we began to add up how much money is contributed to the economy by First Nations,â&#x20AC;?

Kakegamic said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We initially started this because we want to share with the general public how First Nations are significantly contributing to the economy of Thunder Bay.â&#x20AC;?

Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs was one of the speakers

at the open house, and he made note of the fact that the estimated contribution from First Nations businesses and organizations did not include retail sales in Thunder Bay. In a news release from NAN about the open house, it states that the findings of the survey are preliminary but data pending from 13 more organizations and the retail sector is expected

to boost the total financial contributions to as much as $100 million annually.

Hobbs said that it was good to see focus put on the good things that happen in Thunder Bay regarding First Nations people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are committed to making this a livable inclusive city,â&#x20AC;?

Hobbs said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thunder Bay is our home,â&#x20AC;?

Kakegamic said during his opening remarks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need more positive news in Thunder Bay. Thank you for participating, exhibitors. All of you here are doing great work.â&#x20AC;?

Kakegamic explained that First Nations organizations offer a variety of professional services and hold numerous events that support the economies of urban centers.

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Wawatay Wawatay News News MAY MAY 16, 16, 2013 2013

11

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Neskantaga youth hold arts festival Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Youth in Neskantaga First Nation had the opportunity to express themselves artistically when the community held an arts festival on May 11.

Cleevis Quisses, a 25-yearold who is considered a youth mentor, said the festival arose out of a desire by local youth.

“The artists here wanted to perform, and to be heard,” he said.

The festival attracted about 100 people, consisting mostly of youth and children.

Many took parts in activities such as drawing, muralpainting, beading, photography and music performances.

Quisses performed onstage during the festival. He has been composing hip-hop instrumentals for more than 10 years and often works with youth.

Quisses said music has allowed youth such as himself to express themselves.

“We express our feelings on the mic, and I’ve heard a lot of youth say it’s therapy for them, it helps them,” he said.

Quisses believes art – be it visual, written, or musical – is an important outlet for youth.

“When I’m feeling bad, I have to put down something, through notes, not words.

Some other people have their own thing, and it helps them,” he said.

“It shows how people are feeling. Even if it’s just

“When I’m feeling bad, I have to put down something, through notes, not words. Some other people have their own thing, and it helps them...It shows how people are feeling. Even if it’s just a scribble, it’s still art. To me, that’s what art is: it’s expressing...”

–Cleeyis Quisses

photos by Sheldon Mellis

Youth in Neskantaga responded to their community’s declaration of a state of emergency over suicide by creating and hosting an art show on May 11. The show is expected to head to Toronto for a display. a scribble, it’s still art. To me, that’s what art is: it’s expressing.”

The art festival took place less than a month after the First Nation declared a state of emergency due to the high rate of suicide and attempts

of suicide among its youth.

Jayson Sugarhead has personally been affected by suicide, and not only in Neskantaga. He said he has been affected by it through family or friends in Summer Beaver and Fort Hope.

The 20-year-old has been performing and recording hip-hop since he was 16 and said the medium has helped him “get through the day.”

“When I sing songs, it takes the edge off,” he said, adding that he performed

All-Aboriginal fashion shoot hits Thunder Bay

during the arts festival.

“Art, you can express what you want to express. You can take your vision and draw it or write it down. It’s a way to connect with people.”

The arts festival was organized with the assistance of Mamow Sha way gi kay win: North-South Partnership for Children.

A representative with the organization said art pieces from the festival will be taken to Toronto and featured in an exhibit.

Quisses said it feels good to know art from his community will be on display in southern Ontario.

“There’s talent up here, in isolated places like reserves and communities,” he said.

“People need to know that there’s actually people living up here.”

He estimated that the exhibit will be up within a month’s time.

Information Recovery Advisory Service Randy Suggashie, Owner

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Wawatay News

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In March, five First Nations youth took part in all-First Nations photo shoot for Thunder Bay clothing shop The Urban Boutique. The shoot, first thought up by Tony McGuire for Theymedia, was the first of its kind in the city.

“I ran the idea by Angelo that he should be the first in town to do a fully Aboriginal shoot for urban wear,” McGuire said.

Angelo Petta, owner and operator of The Urban Boutique, said that the shoot, entitled Urban Tradition, would be the first of a series of shoots involving people from different ethnicities. In the end, he plans on bringing all of the models together to form a shoot called United Kultures.

Petta said that the Urban Tradition shoot was “awesome.”

The models were Sean Morriseau, Devyn Shebagegit, Corey Spence, Brodie Radford, and Melinda Henderson.

“Aboriginals are the most “urban” people around and I indicated that a focus on them would not only be good for business but also be a Thunder Bay first,” McGuire explained.

“Tbaytel was having problems finding images of Aboriginals and did some free shoots to get images to use in their advertising but they had still not taken the open plunge of using an Aboriginal-only campaign. I wanted to be the first to support that.”

McGuire said that Petta agreed it would be a good fit for the boutique.

“Sixty per cent of my customers are Aboriginal,” Petta said. “I wanted to give back to

Will gather information for the Nations & Native organizations “To come together, to explore, to understand and to learn.”

BE

FireSmart

®

It’s grass fire season, don’t be the reason.

photo by Theymedia

Devyn Shebagegit, Corey Spence, and Melinda Henderson pose during a photo shoot at The Urban Boutique, the first photo shoot in Thunder Bay to use all Aboriginal models. the community with fashion.

I think it is a good thing to do to showcase Aboriginal models so that others can see it and maybe it will give them hope.

They could think ‘hey if they can do it, I can do it too.”

Henderson said that she wanted to get involved in the photo shoot with The Urban Boutique “because I always heard about this boutique. It was definitely an experience I couldn’t miss.”

Henderson came across the opportunity after McGuire put out a casting call on Facebook looking for First Nations models. Morriseau also responded to the call. Radford, who goes by the name Ibe, is a rapper

who is sponsored by The Urban Boutique. Shebagegit was contacted directly by McGuire to be involved.

Shebagegit said there was no hesitation when it came to agreeing to partake.

“The hardest part for me was when we had to look mean,” Shebagegit explained.

“We had to keep giving attitude. I was trying not to laugh at those times.”

Shebagegit has been involved in local fashion shows and photo shoots in the past. She was featured in the Remember Me Project, which was to help spread awareness of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Her

brother, Spence, was on site the day of the Urban Boutique shoot.

“They were all good and followed directions,” McGuire said of the youth. “People can sometimes not listen, but in this case they trusted me.”

Shebagegit said that it was fun to try on all of the different clothes and meet the other models. Petta also let the models pick out an outfit each as a thank you for participating in the shoot.

“The Urban Tradition Look Book,” an album containing the photographs from the shoot, can be found on Facebook on The Urban Boutique’s Facebook page online.

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12

Wawatay News MAY 16, 2013

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Taking aim and having fun in Quebec Junior Rangers from Lac Seul, Fort Albany shoot in national contest Robert Munroe Canadian Rangers

A member of a Junior Canadian Ranger team representing Ontario in a national shooting contest in Quebec City returned home with an award for showing the best competitive but friendly spirit of all the competitors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I felt shy at first when I heard my name being called for an award,â&#x20AC;? said Louis Wesley, 12, of Fort Albany. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was given the award from someone important who said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;congratulationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to me.â&#x20AC;?

The annual Spirit Award goes to the competitor who is recognized by other competitors as best representing the sporting spirit of the competition.

Nine Junior Rangers from Fort Albany and Lac Seul represented Ontario at the contest, which saw 61 of the top Junior Ranger shooters from across Canada competing for two days. They shot with air rif les at a variety of targets, while standing, kneeling, and lying prone on the ground.

The Junior Rangers from northern Ontario stood out during the competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening ceremony as they paraded in distinctive, blue team jackets provided for them by Wasaya Airways. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were very proud of winning the right to wear those jackets,â&#x20AC;? said Captain Robert Munroe, unit information officer for 3rd Canadian

Photo by Captain Bob Munroe

Cassie Capay from Lac Seul takes careful aim during the Junior Canadian Ranger National Marksmanship Championship in Quebec.

Ranger Patrol Group. The team, he said, did not win any prizes for their shooting but

performed well against the other teams.

The competition was held

at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, a half hour drive north of Quebec City.

None of the Junior Rangers had ever traveled to Quebec before and took advantage of opportunities to see many of the historic buildings in the downtown area. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Quebec City is the farthest east I have ever been and I liked walking through the historic part of the city,â&#x20AC;? said Wesley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also got to go to the Sugar Shack (a restaurant) and eat a lot of maple syrup. They also had a French singer who played during the meal. My team sent me to the stage where I had to play the spoons for him during a song. Being a Junior Canadian Ranger is pretty cool.â&#x20AC;?

The Junior Rangers found it was fun being in a city in which the major language is French.

They visited shopping malls, saw a recreation of a traditional Huron village, and tried a variety of new foods, including a restaurant dinner that featured Quebec pea soup, sausages, tourtiere meat pies, and lots of maple syrup. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My kids were proud of what they did this week, which impressed me,â&#x20AC;? said Master Corporal Denise Ningewance, the Ranger who runs the Junior Ranger program at Lac Seul. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The competition was faster than what I was expecting. The Junior Rangers were shaking because they were so nervous trying to get their shots off before the clock beeped.

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When we first arrived some of Junior Rangers wanted to go home right away but by the end of the week they wanted to stay longer because of the

â&#x20AC;&#x153;My kids were proud of what they did this week, which impressed me.â&#x20AC;?

-Denise Ningewance

new friends they were making and, of course, the fun places they got to in the evenings.â&#x20AC;?

Ningewance was honoured at the competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening ceremony when she was presented with a Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her dedicated service on behalf of her communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Junior Ranger program.

The Junior Rangers representing Ontario were Janice Scott, 13, Jade Sutherland, 12, Louis Wesley, 12, and Dristin Wesley, 17, all from Fort Albany; and Cassie Capay, 14, Deshawn Littledeer, 14, Ernistine Tait, 13, Drew Vincent, 13, and Billy Quedent-Ningewance, 13, all from Lac Seul.

For further information please contact Captain Bob Munroe the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group Unit Information Officer at 705424-1200 extension 7403 or cell 705-795-0365.