July 26, 2012

PM#0382659799

Powwow season hits Treaty #3 PAGE 20

Oxy addictions still rampant across North PAGE 3

Vol. 39 No. 22

Junior Rangers flying high at Camp Loon PAGE 18 9,300 copies distributed $1.50

July 26, 2012 Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

www.wawataynews.ca

A battle of minds

Weenusk struggles to keep home lands ‘free’ Shawn Bell Wawatay News

Henry Beardy/Wawatay News

Casey Tait (left), challenged his father Gordon Tait to a game of checkers during Sachigo Lake’s Mamoskawin gathering, while Charlie Barkman watches on. It is never easy beating your teacher, but it was especially difficult for Casey as Gordon claims to be undefeated at checkers. The Mamoskawin gathering took place from July 9-15. See more photos on page 10.

Residents of Weenusk First Nation are fearing for the loss of their traditional lifestyles as Ontario gets set to release geological data on one of the province’s last pristine wildernesses.

The Ontario Geologic Survey (OGS) conducted aerial geological surveying over a broad section of untouched wilderness along the shore of Hudson Bay between November 2011 and February 2012.

Many people in Weenusk, a community of approximately 300, believe the release of the information will spur mineral exploration on much of the First Nation’s traditional territory, and in the process irrevocably alter a way of life that has been prac-

ticed since time immemorial.

“We want to keep the land free,” says George Hunter, a community member and former chief of Weenusk. “To us, freedom doesn’t have staked claims. The moment you have staked claims and private property, our true freedom is compromised forever.”

The information from the aerial surveying was supposed to be released to the public on June 5, until the First Nation found out about the survey and demanded that the release be postponed. Now the public release is scheduled for later this year, following a meeting and presentation by OGS in the community.

See Weenusk on page 9

ᐅᑕᑲᐊᐧᑕᐣ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᑭᑭᐁᐧᐸᐣ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᓫᐁᓂ ᑲᕑᐱᐣᑐᕑ

ᐊᐧᐊᐧᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒪᑭ ᓱᐱᔭ ᐊᔕ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ ᓴᐣᑲᓱᔭᑭ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑲᑭᑭᐁᐧᐸᐣ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᓂᐱᓇᒥᐠ. ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐊᐱᐱᑯ ᐅᑐᓇᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᐱᒥᔭᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᑲᐃᐧᑭᐅᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᑭ, 23 ᑕᓱᔭᑭᐃᐧᓀ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᑭᐃᓯᓭᓂᐠ ᐃᐁᐧ ᒋᑭᑐᑕᐣᐠ. ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐱ ᐁᐯᔑᑯᔕᐳᔭᑭᐃᐧᓀᐸᐣ, ᒪᑭ ᑭᐊᐣᑕᐃᐧᑲᐯᔑᐸᓂᐠ ᓂᑲᑌᐦᐃ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᑭᐸᐧᑕᐃᐧᑕᑯᔑᓄᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᐊᐣᑕᐃᐧᐃᔑᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ, ᒪᑭ ᐅᑭᑲᑫᐧᒋᒪᐣ ᐅᒪᒪᒪᐣ ᐁᐃᐧᑲᐸᔑᒧᐨ ᐊᔕ ᑫᑲᐟ ᐁᔭᓂᐸᐣᑭᔑᒧᓂᐠ. “ᐁᑲᓄᑫᔭᐣ ᓂᐦᓴᓱᔭᑭᐃᐧᓀᐸᐣ ᐣᑐᔑᒥᑫᐧᑦ ᐁᑊᕑᐅ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐊᐱ, ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᑲᐡᑭᑐᐸᐣ ᑫᑐᑕᐠ ᒋᑯᑭᐨ” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ. “ᐣᑲᑫᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᑕᐡ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᐊᔑᑭᒋᑯᑭᐸᓂᐦᐅᔭᐣ. ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᐣᑐᒋᐸᐸᒣᑕᓯᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᑭᑐᑕᒪᐣ.” ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᐱᓇᒪ ᓂᑲᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᐣᒋᓇᓇᑲᒋᑐᐨ ᐊᐣᑎ ᑲᐃᐧᐃᔑᑯᑭᐨ, ᒥᐱᑯᐊᐱᐣ

ᒪᑭ ᑲᐃᔑᐊᔑᑭᒋᐸᓂᐦᐅᐨ ᐁᐃᐧᐊᔑᑭᒋᑯᑭᐨ, ᑭᒥᔕᑭᑎᑲᐧᓀᔑᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐃᔑᑕᐸᓴᐣᑎᒪᓂᐠ. ᒥᑕᐡ ᑲᐃᔑᐁᐧᐱᔑᒧᓄᐨ ᐁᑭ ᑭᐱᐡᑭᐁᐧᐱᓯᓂᐠ ᐅᑲᐧᔭᐁᐧᑲᓂᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᓇᐱᑲᓀᓯᓂᐠ ᐁᑭ ᑭᐱᐡᑭᐁᐧᐱᓯᓂᐠ, ᑯᑕᑭᓂ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᐊᓂᑯᑲᓀᓯᓂᐠ ᑭᐸᓴᐸᓀᓯᓂ ᒥᓇ ᑭᐸᑭᐁᐧᐱᓯᓂ ᐅᐊᐧᐃᐧᑲᓀᔭᑊ. ᔐᒪᐠ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᐃᐡᑲᐧ ᐃᓯᓭᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᔐᒪᐠ ᒋᑭᐅᐣᒋᑭᑫᐣᑕᐠ, ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᑲᐃᓂᑭᓂᐨ ᑭᓂᐳᐃᐧᓭ ᐊᑯᓇᐠ ᐅᑲᐧᔭᐊᐧᐣᐠ. “ᐣᑭᐊᑲᐧᓯᐱᓂᑯᐠ ᒥᑕᐊᐧᐣᑲᐣᐠ ᐁᑭᐱᒥᔑᒥᑯᔭᐣ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᒪᑭ ᐁᑭᐁᐧᑲᓄᑫᐨ. “ᐣᑐᓯᐢ ᑌᓯ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐱ ᐃᐁᐧ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐃᐧᑫᐧᐃᐧᐸᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᑭ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᐣ ᑫᑐᑕᐣᐠ.” ᐅᐊᐧᑯᒪᑲᓇᐣ ᐅᑭᐊᐧᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐣ ᐁᑭᓯᑐᑫᐧᔑᒪᑲᓄᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᒋᒪᓂᐠ ᑭᐅᐣᒋᑭᐁᐧᐃᐧᓇᑲᓄᐨ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᐃᔑᑭᐁᐧᐃᓇᑲᓄᐨ. ᑭᑭᒋᐱᓀᓯᐊᐧᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ ᔕᐊᐧᓄᐠ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᑕᐡ ᐊᐱᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᑕᑯᓭᒪᑲᐠ ᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᐱᒥᓭᐃᐧᐣ, ᒪᑭ ᑭᑲᓇᐁᐧᓂᒪᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐯᔑᑯᑎᐱᑲ ᐃᒪ ᓂᐱᓇᒥᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑲᔭᓂᐊᐧᐸᓂᐠ ᐃᐧᓂᐯᐠ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᔑᐃᐧᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᑲᒥᐠ

ᑭᐃᔑᐃᐧᓇᑲᓂᐃᐧ, ᒥᐦᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᒋᒪᐡᑭᑭᐃᐧᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᑲᐃᐧᑲ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᐅᐣᒋᐊᐧᑲᐃᐧᐨ. ᓇᑫ ᐊᐱ, ᒪᑭ ᐅᐦᐸᓇᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᐣᒋᐊᓄᑭᓭᓂᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑭᒧᒋᐸᑭᑕᓇᑯᑕᐣᑕᐊᐧᑲᓂᐃᐧ. ᑭᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑯᓯ ᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐃᔑᓇᓂᓴᓂᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑕᑯᓯᐠ ᒥᔑᓄᐱᓯᑦ. ᒪᑭ ᐅᑭᔕᐳᐡᑲᐣ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐁᐧᐱᓯᐸᐣ ᐁᑭᔭᓂᒪᒥᓄᔭᐨ. ᑭᑭᒋᒪᒋᔕᐧᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᒥᓇ ᒥᔑᓄᔭᑭ ᑭᐱᒥ ᑲᑫᐧᒋᐦᐊᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᑲᑫᐧᒋᐃᐧᓂᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᓄᑯᑦ ᒪᑭ ᐅᑲᐡᑭᑐᐣ ᒋᐊᐧᐊᐧᑲᐃᐧᑎᑲᐧᓀᓂᐨ ᒥᓇ ᒋᐊᐧᐊᐧᑲᐃᐧᓂᑫᓂᐨ. ᐃᒪ ᑲᔦ ᑌᓴᐱᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐃᔑᔭᐱ ᐁᑭᐃᔑᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᒋᐃᔑᔭᐱᐨ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐯᔑᑯᑲᐯᔑ ᐯᑭᐡ ᐁᐅᐣᒋ ᐱᒥᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᑲᓂᐃᐧᐨ ᑕᐣᑐᕑ ᐯ ᑲᒪᑭᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᒋᐅᒋ ᑲᐡᑭᑐᐨ ᒋᑭᐯᔑᑯᑲᐯᔑᐨ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᔦ ᐅᑕᔭᐣ ᒪᒪᑕᐃᐧᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᓂ ᑲᒪᒪᑯᓂᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐅᓇᑯᓇᐠ ᑫᔭᓂᐊᐱᒋᑭᔑᑌᓂᐠ ᐱᐣᑎᑲᒥᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᑕᐨ ᒥᓇ ᒋᑕᐊᐧᑯᓇᐠ ᑎᐱ ᒪᓯᓇᑌᓯᒋᑲᓂ. ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐃᐧᓂᑯ ᐅᓇᐦᐁᐣᑕᐣ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᑲᐃᔑᓇᐧᑲᓂᐠ ᒪᑭ

Maggie Sofea is planning her first trip home in over nine years. See story in English on page 13.

ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ, ᔕᑯᐨ ᐅᔑᑲᑌᐣᑕᐣ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᐣ. ᓂᐅᔕᐳᐊᐦᑭᐃᐧᓀᐸᐣ ᐃᐡᑲᐧᔭᐨ ᑲᑭ ᑭᐁᐧᐸᐣ. “ᓂᐃᐧᑭᐁᐧ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᐁᐃᐧᐊᐧᐸᐣᑕᒪᐣ ᐣᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᐣ, ᒥᓇ ᓂᐊᐧᑯᒪᑲᓇᐠ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ. “ᐃᐁᐧ ᒥᓇ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᑲᐧᑕᑭᐣᐠ

ᑲᐊᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᐠ, ᒥᐦᐅᐁᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑫᐧᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᒪᐣ.” ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑕᓂᒣᐣᑕᐣ ᓇᐱᐨ ᑲᔭᓂᒪᓂᐠ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᑭᑭᐁᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᐱᐅᐣᒋᐨ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ. “ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᒪᐣ ᐱᒥᔭᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᒪᑭᓯᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᒪᑭ. “ᒥᔑᐣ

Summer Festival season is here!

Here are just some of the exciting events happening around the North this Summer: Blueberry Festival Aug 3-12 in Sioux Lookout CLE Family Fair Aug 8-12 in Thunder Bay KI Homecoming Aug 6-11 in Big Trout Lake Michikan Lake Homecoming Aug 17-27 in Bearskin Lake

Call Wasaya for availability and specials! 1.877.492.7292 • www.wasaya.com

ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᐊᔭᐊᐧᐣ ᐁᑭᐱᐡᑭᑫᒪᑲᑭᐣ.” ᐊᑎᑲ ᑐᑲᐣ, ᐃᐁᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᔑᐊᓂᒪᐣ ᒋᑭᐃᔑᐳᓯᐦᐊᑲᓂᐃᐧᐨ ᐱᒥᓭᐃᐧᓀᓯᐠ ᑲᐃᓇᑯᑌᐠ ᓂᐱᓇᒥᐠ. ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᐊᔭᐊᐧᐣ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᑫᑭᐅᐣᒋᐊᓂᒥᓭᐸᐣ ᐅᐱᒥᔭᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒪᑭ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᐊᔭᐸᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᑲᐃᔑᓀᐊᐧᐣᑯᐊᐧᑕᒧᓂᐠ ᐁᐧᓴ ᑕᑭᑲᐧᑲᐧᐡᑫᐧᓯᓂ ᐅᑌᓴᐱᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑫᑲᐟ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᔑᒋᑲᑌᓯᐊᐧᐣ ᒋᑌᓯᓴᑭᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑫᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐱᐣᑎᑫᔭᑕᐦᐁᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑌᓴᐱᐃᐧᓇᐣ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐃᐁᐧ ᒪᑭ ᑲᐃᔑᔭᐨ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᑯ ᐁᐊᐧᑫᐃᐧᓂᓂᒋᔭᐨ ᓇᐣᑕ ᒋᐅᒋᐃᓯᓭᐨ. ᑲᐃᔕᔭᐣ “ᐊᑎᑲ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐅᐣᒋᐊᑯᓯᔭᐣ, ᒥᐱᑯ ᐁᑕ ᐁᓯᓭᐠ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᓯᐠ ᒋᐃᔕᔭᐣ, ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᑫᑯᐣ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐃᐧ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᔭᓯᐣ ᓇᐣᑕ ᒥᓇ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐃᐧᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᒪ ᒋᐊᔭᐊᐧᐨ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ. “ᒥᑐᓂ ᑕᐡ ᓂᓂᑌᐣᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ ᒋᐊᐣᑕᐃᐧᐊᔭᔭᐣ, ᐁᐧᓴ ᐁᓂᓇᒥᓯᔭᐣ.” ᐃᓇᐱᐣ ᐸᑭᑭᓂᑲᓂᐠ 8

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Wawatay News

INSIDE WAWATAY NEWS

JULY 26, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

THIS WEEK

ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᐱᐦᐅᓇᓂᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᒪᒋᑐᑕᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐊᐧᓂᐊᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐣ ᐁᑲ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑲᐊᑕᐊᐧᑌᓂᐠ

ᐁᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐃᐧᐣᑕᐧ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᒋᐳᓂᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᑲᒥᑲᓂᑕᐧ ᐃᑫᐧᐊᐧᐠ

ᐊᔕ ᓂᐅᐱᓯᑦ ᑭᐊᓭᐧᓭ ᑲᑭᐳᓂᐊᑕᐊᐧᑌᑲᐧᐸᐣ ᑭᒋᒪᐡᑭᑭᐣ ᐊᐠᓯᑯᑎᐣ ᐅᒪ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᑌᑎᐸᐦᐃ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᓇᐣᑕ ᒋᐃᔑᒪᔭᑭᓭᐠ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᐃᑯ ᐯᔑᑲᐧᐣ ᐁᔑᐱᒥᑭᒧᒋ ᐊᑕᐊᐧᑌᑭᐣ ᑲᐊᐧᓂᔭᐸᒋᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐅᓄᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐣ. ᑲᑭᐃᓀᐣᒋᑲᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐊᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᑫᐧᓇᐃᐧᐅᐣᑎᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᓄᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐣ ᒥᓇ ᒋᐅᒋ ᒪᒋᓴᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ ᒋᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐃᔑᐁᐧᐸᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᑭᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᐱᒥ ᐊᐧᓂᐊᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐣ ᒥᐱᑯ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᐁᔑᐱᒥᑲᐡᑭᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐣᑎ ᐱᑯ ᐁᐅᐣᑎᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑐᑲᐣ ᐃᑯ ᐅᑕᓇᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᐃᓯᓭᐠ. ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐃᐧᓂᑯ, ᐱᒪᓄᑲᑌ ᓇᑕᐃᐧᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᒪ ᒥᔑᐣ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑫᑭᐅᐣᒋᐳᓂᑐᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᑫᐃᐧᐣ.

ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯᑫᐧᐠ ᑲᐃᐧᑕᓄᑭᒥᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᒧᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ (ONWA) ᐅᑭᐃᔑᐃᐧᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑐᕑᐊᐣᑐ ᐊᒥ ᐊᔕ ᐁᓯᓭᑭᐸᐣ ᒋᑭᐳᓂᒋᑲᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᑲᒥᑲᓂᑕᐧ ᐃᑫᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐊᐱ ᓴᑭᐸᑲᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ, ᐁᑭᓇᑭᐡᑲᐊᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑭᒪᐣ ᒋᐱᔕᓂᐨ ᐃᒪ ᑭᒋᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᐅᒪ ᐱᒧᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐅᑭᐃᔑᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑭᒋᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒋᓇᓇᑐᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᐊᔑᑎᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐸᐸᑲᐣ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᐊᔑᐨ ᑲᔦ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧᑭᔐᐧᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐱᒋ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᐅᒪ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑲᐊᔭᑭᐣ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᒥᑯᐣ, ᒋᐅᒋ ᐃᓀᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᐁᔭᔑᑎᓂᑕᐧ ᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᐱᒧᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᐅᒪ ᐱᓀᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐃᔑᐸᑯᓭᐣᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᐊᓂᐱᒥ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐃᐧᐣᑕᐧ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐱᒥᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐧᑕ ᑫᒥᓀᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᓇᓄᑭᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᐃᔑᔭᓄᑭᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᑭᒋᐦᐊᐊᐧᑎᓯᐊᐧᐨ, ᐱᓂᐡ ᑕᑭᔭᓂ ᐊᒋᐃᐧᓭᓂᐸᐣ ᒪᓀᓂᒥᑐᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᐢ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᓂᐠ.

Still waiting on mass oxy withdrawals

Educating youth to end violence against women

Four months after Oxycodone was prevented from being sold in Ontario, communities across the North have seen little difference in the supply of the drug available on the black market.

The expected mass withdrawals that were supposed to tax the resources of communities across the north have not happened, and addicts appear to be able to access oxy at the same rate as previously.

Meanwhile, treatment efforts go on in a number of communities.

Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) took their message to end violence against women to Toronto in June, meeting with the Ontario Ministry of Education at the Four Generations to come summit.

ONWA brought First Nations youth to the summit to find different ways of including First Nations’ language and culture into classrooms across the province, so that youth feel more engaged in the education system.

The organization hopes that by better educating youth and helping them find meaningful employment when they are older, instances of domestic violence in the youths’ future will decrease.

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ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᓂ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᓇᐣᑕ ᒋᑭᐅᒋᐃᔑ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᓭᐠ ᑲᑭᓇᑭᐡᑲᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᓀᐡᑲᐣᑕᑲ ᒥᓇ ᐁᕑᐅᓫᐊᐣᐟ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᐊᓂᒧᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᓂ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᓇᐣᑕ ᒋᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐃᔑᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᓭᐠ ᑲᐃᔑ ᓇᓀᓯᑕᒥᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒥᑎᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ. ᐊᐱ ᑲᑭᐃᐡᑲᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐊᐧᐨ, ᓀᐡᑲᐣᑕᑲ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐱᑕᐣ ᒧᓂᔭᐢ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐣᒋᑯ ᐱᑯ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᒋᔭᓂᒪᑕᓄᑲᑕᐠ ᐊᔕ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐅᓇᒋᑫᐸᐣ ᑕᐱᐡᑯᐨ ᐃᑯ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᑲ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐃᐧᐣᐠ ᐁᐃᔑᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒥᑕᐧ. ᓀᐡᑲᐣᑕᑲ ᒥᓇ ᐁᕑᐅᓫᐊᐣᐟ ᐅᑭᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐱᓇᒪ ᒋᑭᐱᑎᓂᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᑲᐃᐧᐃᔑᒪᑕᓄᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᐃᐧᐅᓇᑐᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐅᑐᓇᒋᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐃᒪ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᒧᓂᔭᐢ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐁᑭᐃᔑ ᓂᓯᑕᐁᐧᓂᒪᐨ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᐊᓇᑭᐃᔑᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᓇᑫ ᒋᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐸᐸᒥᑕᑯᐊᐧᐨ.

Mining meeting brings no change A meeting between Neskantaga and Aroland First Nations and Ontario’s minister of mining failed to ease tensions over the Ring of Fire.

Following the meeting, Neskantaga’s chief Peter Moonias said the government was pushing ahead with development as if “First Nations are nothing.”

Neskantaga and Aroland want a pause on development to give First Nations in the region time to develop their own monitoring plans and prepare for the development.

Moonias said it did not seem that the government took his community’s suggestions too seriously.

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Page 7

ᒧᐢ ᑕᐱᐡᑯ ᑭᒋᐸᑭᓯᑲᓂᐠ ᐃᓀᑕᑲᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᐱᒧᒋᑫᐨ ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᐸᑭᓇᑫ ᔕᐧᐣ ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᑭᐸᑭᓇᑫ ᓂᔕᐧ ᑕᐊᑭᑕᐃᐧ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᐅᒪ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ. ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ ᑭᐸᑭᓇᑫ ᓂᐦᓴᐧ ᑲᔭᓂᐱᐣᒋᐁᐧᐱᓂᑲᓂᐊᐧᓂᐠ, 200 ᐊᔑᑌᐱᐦᐅᑯᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐅᑭᐅᐣᒋᐊᓭᐧᐊᐧᐣ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᑲᑭᐱᒥᐸᑐᓂᐨ. ᐊᓇᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑭᑕᓀᐣᑕᒥᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐅᓄᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᑭᐃᓀᓂᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᐧᓴ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᐣ ᐁᔭᓂᐃᐧᒋᐃᓀᑕᒧᒪᐨ ᑲᐃᔑᑭᒪᐃᐧᓂᐨ, ᔕᑯᐨ ᐃᑯ ᑭᒥᔑᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᑌᑎᐸᐦᐃ ᑲᓇᑕ ᑲᑭᐃᐧᒋᑲᐸᐃᐧᑕᐊᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅᐊᐧᐣ.

Atleo wins reelection Shawn Atleo was elected to his second term as Assembly of First Nations National Chief.

Atleo won on the third ballot, with 200 votes more than the second place contestant.

Despite concerns that the AFN under Atleo was too accommodating to the federal government, a vast majority of chiefs from across the country supported the incumbent.

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ᑯᓫᐱ ᒧᐢ ᐊᐧᐸᓴᑎᑲᐣᐠ ᐁᐅᐣᒋᐨ ᐅᑭᒪᒪᑲᑌᓂᒥᑯᐣ ᑲᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐸᑲᐦᐊᑐᐦᐁᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑐᐦᐊᐣ ᑲᐊᐃᔑᐁᐧᐱᓇᒪᑎᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑫᐧᐸᑭᓇᑎᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐅᐱᔑᑯᑲᐣᐠ ᓄᑯᒥᑫ. ᐊᐃᓇᓀᐤ ᐊᐱᒋᑭᑫᐣᑕᑯ ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᐢ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᑯ ᐅᑭᑭᔑᐁᐧᐱᓇᐣ ᑐᐦᐊᓇᐣ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ 200 ᑕᓱᒥᓯᐟ ᐅᑭᐊᑯᐁᐧᐱᓇᐣ. ᔑᒪᑲᓂᐡ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᐊᔭᐨ ᐅᑭᐊᐸᒋᑐᐣ ᐅᑕᐸᒋᒋᑲᐣ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᓇᓇᑲᒋᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᐅᑕᐸᓇᐠ ᑲᔭᐱᒋᐱᓱᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑭᐃᔑᐱᐦᐃᑫᓭᓂ ᒧᐢ ᐅᐱᒧᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ 99 ᑭᓫᐊᒥᑐᕑᐢ ᐯᔑᑯᐊᐧᑲᓭ ᐁᑭᔭᐱᑕᓇᐦᐁᐨ. ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᐢ ᓂᐅᔕᑊ ᐁᑕᓱᔭᑭᐃᐧᓀᐨ, ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐱ ᑲᑲᑫᐧᒋᒪᑲᓂᐃᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᑐᑕᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᑲᐡᑭᑐᐨ ᐊᐧᓴ ᒋᔭᑲᐧᓇᐦᐁᐧᐨ, ᒥᑕᐡ ᑲᐃᑭᑐ. ᓂᒧᒋᐃᔑᐁᐧᐱᓇ ᐱᑯ.

Moose has cannon for arm Colby Moose of Poplar Hill blew away the coaches during the softball throwing competition in Lac Seul recently.

The Grade 8 student whipped a softball over 200 feet.

A police officer at the event used a radar gun to clock Moose’s throw at 99 kilometers-per-hour.

The 14-year-old, when asked about the secret to the long toss, said “I just throw it.”

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Thank You, Airlines!

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

Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

3

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Oxy addictions still prevalent in communities Fears of shortages, mass withdrawals have not yet materialized Stephanie Wesley Wawatay News

It has been four months since Oxycontin was discontinued in Ontario and First Nations communities across the north are still waiting to see a decrease in supply of the drug and to feel the effects of mass withdrawal.

Earlier in the year, NAN leaders expressed concerns over the effect discontinuation of Oxycontin – a highly-addictive opioid – would have on remote First Nations communities in northern Ontario. With thousands of NANcommunity members addicted to the drug, leaders feared the involuntary mass-withdrawal would have serious consequences since treatment programs were lacking in many communities.

Months later, some communities are still waiting to feel the effect of mass withdrawal and the expected decrease in supply of the drug.

“The panic I was feeling hasn’t really materialized,” said Dr. Claudette Chase, a physician in the community of Eabametoong First Nation. “Not too many people have presented withdrawal symptoms.”

Chase has been very vocal in the past about the discontinuation of the drug and how it would devastate communities where no treatment programs or options were available to handle withdrawal from the drug, but she has not witnessed an increase in Oxycontin-withdrawal symptoms as of late.

“I don’t know why we haven’t seen a more of a problem with

the lack of pills,” Chase said.

She explained that users have not had too much trouble finding the drug even though it has been discontinued. Chase

“I don’t know why we haven’t seen a more of a problem with the lack of pills.”

-Claudette Chase

suggested that there must have been a “bigger stockpile” of Oxycontin pills than anyone realized.

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) Deputy Chief Darryl Sainnawap also reported that there has not been much change in his community

when it comes to Oxycontin.

“It’s still the same,” Sainnawap said. He noted that withdrawal effects can be felt when the community is dry. “I don’t sense that anything has changed.

People are still able to get (Oxycontin).”

Sainnawap said that he has heard rumors of a large underground supply of the drug, which could explain why the hysteria leaders and medical professionals originally feared have not yet come to pass.

Meanwhile, steps continue to be taken to treat Oxycontinusers.

In Eabametoong, for example, over 100 people are enrolled in a Suboxone treatment plan. Suboxone is a drug used to help alleviate

withdrawal symptoms and is covered by the federal government’s Non-Insured Health Benefits program. Chase explained that Suboxone helps users get off Oxycontin without the horrible withdrawal.

Several NAN communities are now administering Suboxone to those community members who are in treatment for Oxycontin-addiction.

Other communities have taken a drug-free approach to addiction treatment.

Sainnawap said that KI is still running their Mamow Against Drugs Healing Program, a 30-day detox treatment program that does not substitute Oxycontin with any other drug.

“No Suboxone, no methadone, they go cold turkey” Sain-

nawap said.

There were recently three graduates of the program. Since its inception in 2010, the treatment program has seen much success with only one graduate relapsing.

Yet despite the success of these types of programs, challenges remain.

Sainnawap feels that there is a huge need for an aftercare program following the detox.

“They struggle,” Sainnawap said of the graduates of the program. “They need an aftercare program, anyone who wants to continue on their healing journey needs aftercare.”

Chase said that there are still problems with getting prenatal treatment programs for women who are addicted to Oxycontin and are pregnant.

Neskantaga eyes courts after meeting mining minister Shawn Bell Wawatay News

Neskantaga Chief Peter Moonias joined Aroland Chief Sonny Gagnon in meeting with minister Rick Bartolucci last week. The chiefs want a pause in the Ring of Fire to give them time to organize and prepare.

Neskantaga First Nation’s court battle to stop the Ring of Fire is ramping up, following the latest failed meeting between the First Nation and the Ontario government.

Neskantaga Chief Peter Moonias and Chief Sonny Gagnon of Aroland First Nation called for a pause of the Ring of Fire during a meeting with Ontario’s mining minister Rick Bartolucci on July 18, but Moonias said the government did not take the suggestion “too seriously.”

“The government is just going ahead with (with development) as if we’re nothing,” Moonias said. “It looks as if ‘yes’ has already been given from the First Nations, but we never did (give consent).”

Moonias and Gagnon argue that development of the Ring of Fire needs to stop in order for First Nations to establish plans for maximizing economic benefits and mitigating environmental risks.

A pause would also give First Nation communities time to get people trained to work in mining, the chiefs argued.

According to Moonias, Bartolucci told the chiefs that work in the Ring of Fire has to happen at the same time as negotiations between Ontario and First Nations.

“There’s a question of how can we negotiate this process of government to government round table while there’s still things going on in the Ring of Fire?” Moonias said. “There has to be a pause, otherwise mining will already be underway and then we’ll have lost.”

Bartolucci invited Moonias and Gagnon to the meeting.

Matawa’s Ring of Fire coordinator Raymond Ferris was also in attendance.

Both Gagnon and Moonias took issue with the government’s approach to conducting consultation with individual communities in isolation of other First Nations. Gagnon called the current approach “a game to undermine cohesion between communities.”

Moonias said the government is adopting a flawed approach when it comes to First Nations consultation. He wants to see First Nations creating their own models for how development and environmental monitoring happens, before meeting with the province to combine the provincial model with the First Nation model. Instead, Moonias said the government is appointing bureaucrats to create the processes, and then consulting First Nations afterwards.

“We have to sit down at the table, government to government,” Moonias said. “It has to be legislated that First Nations have decision making along with the government.”

Neskatanga has pledged to block Cliffs Natural Resources from building its transportation route to the Ring of Fire. Moonias previously said he was willing to die preventing a bridge being built over the Attawapiskat River.

The First Nation took its case to the Ontario Mining Commissioner earlier this month, in an attempt to have Neskantaga recognized as a

landholder in the area.

During the court case, both Cliffs and Ontario acknowledged that Neskantaga was not consulted on the decision to go ahead with Cliffs’ proposed chromite mine and transportation corridor.

The Mining Commissioner is expected to make a decision in the case later this month.

Moonias said the Ontario Mining Commissioner is only one step in his First Nation’s attempt to block the Ring of Fire in the courts. Following the July 18 meeting, he said he plans to consult Neskantaga’s legal council to determine the next steps in the legal action.

He also called on other First Nations in the region and across the province and country to stand together on making Indigenous voices heard.

“There has to be a joint effort, including the national assembly and the Chiefs of Ontario,” Moonias said. “It has to happen like that or else we’ll just be talking away while the government picks one or two communities to get them to say yes.”

Bearskin Lake Junior Rangers best in Ontario First time any community wins top award two years in a row Peter Moon Canadian Rangers

The Junior Canadian Ranger patrol in Bearskin Lake has been named the outstanding Junior Ranger patrol in northern Ontario for a second consecutive year.

“It is the first time a patrol has won the award twice,” said Captain Caryl Fletcher, the officer commanding the 19 Junior Ranger patrols in northern Ontario. “That is an outstanding achievement.”

The award was announced at Camp Loon, the annual training camp for Junior Rangers from across northern Ontario, being held in the bush 50 kilometres north of Geraldton. Seven members of the winning Bearskin Lake patrol attended the camp.

“That’s good news,” said Bruce Kamenawatamen, Bearskin Lake’s deputy chief.

“We’ll have something in their

honour, for all the patrol, when those seven get back with the award. Winning it

“Winning it for two years in a row is quite something.”

-Bruce Kamenawatamen

for two years in a row is quite something.”

“It is a very active patrol,” Fletcher said. “They participate in the training program and they do a lot for their community as Junior Canadian Rangers. This spring, for example, they did area sweeps, picking up garbage that had been hidden under the snow. They cut wood for the elders and the sick. They raised funds through bake sales and so on.

“They hosted a winter train-

ing session in their community that brought together Junior Rangers from Sachigo Lake, Kitchenuhmaykoosib, and Muskrat Dam. That involved snowshoeing, putting up tents, snaring and other traditional activities, as well as various sporting competitions. They did a lot of the work.”

During their spring clean-up the patrol collected 41 large bags of garbage and seven truck loads of larger garbage.

Its members cut the grass in the community’s cemetery after picking up all of the winter’s accumulated garbage.

The patrol receives tremendous support from Chief Rodney McKay and council and from the community, said master corporal Amanda McLean, the Canadian Ranger who runs the patrol. “We try to meet weekly,” she said, “and we go out on the land. We fish and we hunt.”

Master corporal McKay

is the principal of Michikan Lake School, which is used for the patrol’s meetings. “In Bearskin Lake, as soon as a kid gets into Grade 7 you become a Junior Canadian Ranger,” she said. “I was shocked when I found we had won as best patrol of the year for a second year in a row. But the kids deserve it.”

A key part of the patrol’s success is the support it receives from the adult committee that helps to run it in partnership with the Canadian Rangers and the Canadian Army, said warrant officer Mark Kendall, an army instructor who works with the patrol. “It’s made up of mothers who really care about the kids,” he said.

(Sergeant Peter Moon is the public affairs ranger for 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group at Canadian Forces Base Borden.)

Photo by Peter Moon/Canadian Rangers

KI youth named top Junior Ranger Captain Caryl Fletcher presents the outstanding Junior Canadian Ranger of the year award to April Hudson-Chapman, 14, of Kitchenuhmaykoosib. April was selected from 700 Junior Rangers in 19 communities across northern Ontario. “She was a standout,” said Fletcher. “She went above and beyond what she needed to do as a Junior Canadian Ranger for her patrol and for her community. She really was the outstanding Junior Ranger of the year.”

4

Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

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

Commentary Reconnecting to people and culture Lenny Carpenter REPORTER

W

es-kutch (long time ago), the Elders say, families along the James Bay coast would emerge from their winter traplines and spring goose hunting camps to gather in traditional areas in the summer to reunite with families and friends.

In their reunion, the Mushkegowuk people take part in traditional and square dancing, powwows, feasts, storytelling, and games. The festivities would last a month, when the families had to prepare for the upcoming goose and moose hunts in the fall.

But after decades of a dwindling fur trade, the enforcement of the Indian Act, the establishment of the reservation system, and the implementation of the residential school policy, the tradition of the regional annual gathering declined.

Some gatherings continued or reemerged at a community level, but the scale of the gatherings from wes-kutch disappeared.

Then 10 years ago, a group of Elders decided that the regional gathering needed to be brought back. Under their guidance, the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council organized the first Creefest in 2003. In true community spirit that existed wes-kutch, Moose Cree First Nation hosted the first Creefest alongside their own community gathering, the Gathering of Our People (GOOP). In celebrating the 10th annual Creefest, Moose Cree is again hosting the event along with GOOP. As a member of Attawapiskat with strong family ties to Fort Albany, I grew up in Moosonee with what I felt was a strong sense of culture. My father taught my siblings and I to hunt and trap while my mother taught my sisters to bead and sew. She used to make me moosehide hats, mittens, and moccasins and knitted scarves.

This made me complacent in my cultural knowledge. After all, most kids at school did not have parents who taught them traditional activities.

Then, after my first year of college, I attended my first Creefest in Attawapiskat as a student reporter. My first steps on the ground as I disembarked the plane were significant for me because it was my first time visiting the community where my grandfather grew up. The notion that this is the land of my ancestors humbled me.

I walked to the riverbank where the Attawapiskat River

flowed and the main stage was set up. I met the community chief at the time, Mike Carpenter, whom I discovered is my second cousin. Standing there, he told me this spot was where the gatherings from weskutch took place.

Every year, the Creefest and GOOP offer workshops on various traditional activities and that year in Attawapiskat, I initially attended them out of a job duty than genuine interest.

But with each one I attended, I gained an increasing sense of the Mushkegowuk culture and traditions. I learned storytelling and myths from Louis Bird of Peawanuck, drawing and sketching Aboriginal art from the late Gordon Goodwin of Kashechewan, and clog dancing from a group from Missinabie Cree.

The gatherings invite visitors from afar as well. I attended a workshop at GOOP where Rick Lightning, a Plains Cree from Hobbema, Alta., shared prophecies from his late father.

Later, I participated in my first sweat lodge ceremony led by Lightning.

And it was inspiring to see the music acts from local communities and afar. Like hip-hop artists Shibastik of Moose Cree and 30-30 from Fort Albany, and rock band Mainline from Six Nations. One of my favourite interviews was when I chatted with blues-rock musician George Leach in the dressing room as he changed his guitar strings prior to taking the stage.

For the Creefest in Kashechewan, I saw two popular First Nations performers: Ernest Moonias and Don Burnstick.

But it is not only the teachings and performances that make Creefest and GOOP what it is. I have made many friends and reconnected with others during my attendances at the Creefests, both with those living in the region and the visitors from down south or out west.

And quite often, an Elder will ask who my parents are and when I tell them, sometimes they will say, “Gah, ne-skenden ke-mama/papa (Oh, I know your mom/dad).” It’s a reconnection for them too.

My past Creefest experiences enhanced my sense of pride and being. The 10th annual Creefest and GOOP will be my first Cree summer gathering in four years, as employment and college have prevented me from attending. Having lived in Thunder Bay for three years - and being so far away from my homeland - I am looking forward to reconnecting with my Mushkegowuk culture and celebrating the traditions from wes-kutch. Hope to see you there.

Wawatay News archives

Sachigo Lake, 1993.

Dancing on the edge Xavier Kataquapit UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY

I

am sitting here watching the rain sprinkling down from a grey sky onto the lake. It is a quiet rain. There is very little wind and that adds to the laziness of my morning.

I am nestled in the midst of a vast wilderness and kilometres upon kilometres of pine tree forests. I imagine the rich green forests and all the foliage welcome this rain. The lake will be a little chilly for a few days so my daily swim should be refreshing. That is OK. I love swimming in northern lakes. The more isolated they are, the more pure and unpolluted. Esker lakes are my favourite as normally they are the remains of a glacial past, when kilometre high sheets of ice once moved on and covered the landscape. The banks of these lakes are large deposits of fine sand which act as giant filters to help create gorgeous turquoise bodies of water.

There hasn’t been that much rain this year, even in the far north but things could be worse. The mid west bread bas-

ket of the United States is experiencing a terrible drought.

This year we have seen many floods and huge storms in places where these are usually rare and regretfully a drought has come to what is normally a bountiful farmland.

Weather systems are really important. Even little changes in temperature can affect large parts of the planet in sometimes tragic ways. The drought over the farmland will mean a shortage on the world market and that will drive up the prices of all grain products and those associated with it. That will be hard enough for the ten percent lucky population of the world that lives in the first world. For third world populations, it could be deadly as there just won’t be enough food to go around.

When it comes to climate, we really live teetering on the edge. As a matter of fact, right now we have been enjoying a moment of balance but if you look at weather on earth over thousands of years, most of the time things have been quite violent with periods of great warmth and then terrible freezing.

We know that in the distant past, events like the impacts of comets or meteors have resulted in huge changes in weather patterns for all kinds

of reasons and wiped out a lot of life on the planet. Scientists can also point to vast eruptions of volcanoes in our history that resulted in weather changes primarily because of the great amount of dust, debris and ash that are sent up into the atmosphere and block out the sun. For the first time as far as we know, we humans are having an impact because of the large scale destruction of major forest areas on the planet, the out of control production of green house gases and wonton carelessness when it comes to taking care of the land, the water and the creatures of earth. Compared to colossal events, our negative activities are not all that great but when you consider the accumulated impact of every careless thing we have done over the past few hundred years, we play a role in tipping the balance.

It should not be so difficult for us as human kind to work together and try to limit the ways we pollute our planet.

We should not let the very short sighted one percent of our population who are only concerned with making a profit decide our future in terms of what to do about taking good care of our planet. You would think that we are intelligent enough at this point to realize that we are really space

travellers and living on this wonderful planet while drifting across the universe. It is the only home we have. Somehow through the magic of life we have evolved on this beautiful Mother Earth. Compared to the time line of the existence of our planet, we as humans have only been here for an instant, yet more than any other creature, we have had a greater negative impact than any life form before us.

As humans it seems we are creatures that generally don’t look very far into the future and we don’t react until we are being banged over the head.

How many severe droughts or terrible storms will it take before we realize we are part of a problem in regards to climate change. Native Elders tell us that we should learn the ways of survival on the land from our ancestors. They say this for many reasons but one of them has to do with the reality that life could get very hard and set back many generations because of our greed and insensitivity.

The rain is still dancing on the lake softly in a million tiny splashes. For the moment, I am one of the lucky ones where there are few people but my world is rich in life.

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

INTERIM REPORTERS Christian Quequish Stephanie Wesley

CIRCULATION Adelaide Anderson reception@wawatay.on.ca

EDITOR Shawn Bell shawnb@wawatay.on.ca

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

TRANSLATOR Vicky Angees vickya@wawatay.on.ca

WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Rick Garrick rickg@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Lenny Carpenter lennyc@wawatay.on.ca

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Matthew Bradley matthewb@wawatay.on.ca SALES MANAGER James Brohm jamesb@wawatay.on.ca

CONTRIBUTORS Xavier Kataquapit Linda Henry Peter Moon Henry Beardy Barbara Holmstrom Guest editorials, columnists and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the views of Wawatay News.

Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

5

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

LETTERS

Finding a place to re-grow

TO THE

Linda Henry

EDITOR: Re: Marriage made in Attawapiskat (Wawatay News, July 12) What a beautiful story and what a gift to the grandchildren to come. I hope that this is written down somewhere as it is the proof of your territories.

Did you know this will be the first generation to not have written text to remind them of their past. There will be no running through old notebooks and seeing the writings of when you were 16 or younger, and the texts will not be on-line forever so please make copies of family photos and the stories. sumitted online

Correction: Re: Search for lost children continues (Wawatay News, July 19) Wawatay reported that Dr. Katherine Gruspier of the Ontario forensic pathology service determined that human remains were found at the dig site across the bay from Pelican Falls First Nations High School. That is incorrect. Dr. Gruspier actually determined that the bones found across the bay from the school were animal remains. Wawatay News apologizes for the mistake.

Special to Wawatay News

Wabeseemoong youth, Kirk Cameron is employed in the finance department of Grand Council Treaty #3.

At this particular time, he had been asked by the organization to represent the youth at a residential school gathering in Redgut First Nation in June.

There had been six schools in the Treaty # 3 area alone, the most in any Treaty area.

Cameron began his address by welcoming the drum and scared items present. He then went to on to welcome the people and gave his reason for being present.

Within his speech he spoke of being a by-product of someone who had attended a residential school. Cameron said, “My father did not know what to do with me sometimes when I acted out. He did not know how to discipline me or show affection towards me.”

“Those are the long term residual affects of the residential school. Yes, it the affects still exist amongst the young people.

I am a living proof of it.”

Cameron’s speech brought many issues to light. His speech is as follows:

By Kirk Cameron I have spoke with a number of youth about residential schools and today I am going to share with you the information I have gathered.

I’d like to apologize to those who may take some information offensively but I assure you this is not the intent of why I’m here today.

I’m here to tell you about our concerns, viewpoints, and fears today about what residen-

tial schools have done to Native people within Canada.

When youth were asked “What are residential schools?” they all replied a dwelling of assimilation. There are only a few natives out there today who are uneducated and uninformed about residential schools, after all, how can you forget a major movement such as that.

We, the youth, would like to share what we have to say and I’d greatly appreciate it if you take into consideration what I am about to present to you today.

As a youth living with a parent who has attended residential schools, I have seen many differences between those who haven’t and those who have.

Both my parents are native, and only one has attended residential school.

My father that attended residential school, Cecilia Jeffrey, had a hard time raising me as a child. He seemed to not know what to do with me when I was young, he didn’t know how to raise me, he had a hard time teaching me lessons for reasons I am not too sure of, but I assume that has something to do with not having his own parents help him grow, and teach him the differences between right and wrong.

Many other youth that have had a parent or both parents attend residential school say the same thing, the stories and experiences may be different but the outcome is very similar.

The youth suffer from the impacts of residential schools even now in the present day.

There are youth out there who don’t speak our language because English is becoming more and more prominent within our First Nation communities.

This is one of our fears, we

fear that in time we will lose our language, with the teachers and Elders leaving us, who will teach us the language after them?

The Elders are also so busy fighting for our rights and for the culture that sometimes it is hard to ask for guidance and structure.

I know I’m scared that 50 years from now when I’m an elder, the title of being “native” is only defined by the color of my skin. That’s the biggest fear amongst the native youth that I have spoken with.

We fear that the purpose of residential schools in the near future will soon become fulfilled even though there are no running schools. I don’t want my language to disappear. I want to learn it the best that I can, we all do.

But it is hard nowadays to find those who will take time to teach it to us and there are those who have a hard time teaching.

We’re at a stump in the road and need help to move forward.

Not only is language one of the main fears for the youth, but the very meaning of our existence as native people.

We are considered the people of the earth, but how is this when the majority of present communities are filled with endless supply of garbage sometimes running from one end of the community to the other.

I’m not putting down communities, I’m only trying to show you what we see as a concern. We rarely have the opportunity to learn about the past, to learn about ceremonies, to learn what it is to be native.

We want to get in touch with our ancestors; we want to be able to carry on the sweat lodge, shaking tent, midewin, and every ceremony there is out there.

I want to share with you

a story from my post secondary journey. I traveled to London, Ontario to obtain my accounting diploma and I’ve met many different races living within that city. African, Spanish, Latin, Mexican, almost every kind of race, when I spoke with those students from other countries they either knew nothing or very little of what a native or Aboriginal person is.

The only way I can let them know what my people are was by saying Pocahontas. Being only 17 and having to compare myself to a fictional character in order to describe what the original inhabitants of Canada are…is a big slap in the face.

I have also had the opportunity to travel to other countries and on my adventures, same thing, people in other foreign countries do not know what an Aboriginal/native person is in Canada and in the future who is to say that we won’t be a figment of the past?

I would like to share with you one more story and that’ll be it. While attending school in London I have become friends with people who had different race backgrounds. And when discussing what native people are and what we do, they asked me…. “Is there any place you can re-grow?” At first I didn’t understand the question.

I replied “sure, my home reserve” not the answer they were looking for, then they asked again….. “Where is your home land to re-grow?”

Once again I answered “my reserve.” And once again not the answer they were looking for. This individual then turned and looked at me and told me, that if he ever wanted to get in touch with

his roots, and his culture and language…he could simply go back to Africa to learn everything. The country is rich and full with their religion and culture.

Chinese can return to China to regain their language and way of living. Spanish people can go back home wherever home may be, Mexico/Spain/ etc. But what about natives?

Where are we to go when we lose our language? Where are we to turn to when we’ve lost the meaning behind a sweat lodge, the meaning behind our ceremonies?

Nowhere. Our homeland is Canada. And Canada is supposed to be a country of freedom and rights. What’s right about having the first initial inhabitants of this country left with nowhere to turn for re-growth?

Growing up we were taught when we did something wrong to apologize and do our best to make the situation right and move forward together and try to patch the mistakes we made.

We do not see this with the apology Canada has made for their mistake. We do not see growth, we do not see any compassion, and we do not see anything being done to fix what has happened to our Elders, parents, and family members.

Money is not a solution, to the youth that I’ve talked to; it’s only a façade put on to make us happy.

We the youth want to regrow, we want to regain our culture and our language with or without the Canadian government, we want to take the initiative and make our people strong and free just like before.

We don’t want to dwindle away to nothing but a section in the history book.

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6

Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

Atleo re-elected national chief

Shawn Bell Wawatay News

Shawn Atleo earned his second term as the head of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), with a resounding victory during the July 18 election.

Atleo won on the third ballot, finishing with 341 votes out of 512 votes cast.

Pam Palmater, a Mi’kmaq from New Brunswick, finished second with 141 votes. Bill Erasmus, a Dene from the Northwest Territories, ended up third with 30 votes on the final ballot.

Atleo’s victory is being touted as a sign that chiefs across the country want to work with the federal government rather than directly opposed to it.

Atleo was criticized during the campaign for being reticent to confront the government.

Those criticisms appear to have held little traction during the election.

Atleo was well ahead of his competitors after the first ballot, when he received 584 votes out of 540 cast. He narrowly missed winning the required 60 per cent on the second ballot.

Sumitted photos by Assembly of First Nations

Excerpt from Shawn Atleo’s victory speech in Toronto

I

t’s hard not to think of those that have gone before us, as you wake up every day driven to respond to the question about why it is that we do this work that we feel so strongly about.

It’s because of those instructions that were passed down, generation after generation.

There was a suggestion that these lands were empty, that there weren’t people here. Far from it. Even here, in 2012, look around this room. Nations from coast to coast to coast are still standing strong. Still working hard to give effect to the visions, to the ceremonies, passed down from the leaders

of our nations.

I think about some of the suffering that our people have gone through. The tragedy of the residential school era. I have relatives standing here with me, who are amongst those, just like in your families, who bore the brunt of the worst part of our history. And

as a young man at a moment like this, I can’t help but express my appreciation and my honour for your resilience, for demonstrating the power of the ancestry we collectively come from in our respective nations. We are indeed a powerful people.

Your selves as leaders, as

CORRECTION NOTICE REVIEW Minor Amendment Review White River 2008-2018 Forest Management Plan The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), White River Forest Products Ltd. and the White River Co-management Committee (WRACC) invite you to review the MNR-accepted minor amendment to the 2008-2018 Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the White River Forest and to provide comments.

This amendment provides for the connection of road 200 to Highway 631 to facilitate forestry operations.

How to Get Involved Minor amendment #006 will be available for review for a 15-day period July 18, 2012 to August 2, 2012 at the following locations: t 5 IF ./3 QVCMJD XFCTJUF BU ontario.ca/forestplans. The Ontario Government Information Centre in Toronto at 777 Bay Street and the MNR Wawa District and the MNR Manitouwadge Area offices provide Internet access; t 5IF +BDLGJTI 3JWFS .BOBHFNFOU -UE PGGJDF #FDLFS 3PBE Hornepayne, Ontario, contact Boris Michelussi, 807-868-2370 ext. 222.

Comments and/or concerns with respect to this minor amendment must be received within the 15-day review period and no later than August 2, 2012 by Zachary White at the MNR Wawa District office. Further public consultation may be required if significant changes are required as a result of comments, otherwise, following the 15-day inspection period, the minor amendment will be approved. After approval the amendment will remain on the MNR public website for the duration of the FMP. %VSJOH UIF EBZ SFWJFX QFSJPE ZPV NBZ NBLF B XSJUUFO SFRVFTU UP UIF ./3 %JTUSJDU .BOBHFS UP JOJUJBUF B GPSNBM JTTVF resolution process, following the process described in the 2009 Forest Management Planning Manual (Part C, Section 6.1.4).

The Ministry of Natural Resources is collecting your personal information and comments under the authority of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. Any personal information you provide (address, name, telephone, etc.) will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act; however, your comments will become part of the public consultation process and may be shared with the general public. Your personal information may be used by the Ministry of Natural Resources to send you further information related to this forest management planning exercise. If you have questions about the use of your personal information, please contact Paul Gamble at 705-856-4701.

chiefs and councilors, we all share in the experience of learning how to serve, and remembering that we serve at the good will of the people. And it is them we must look to for strength and direction. We were asked here to speak directly to our people. And I want to do that. As the very best of our teachings say, all voices must be heard, must be included.

That is a part of it, but it is equally important that all voices are understood. Everyone of our citizens has a right and responsibility to share in this effort with us.

Like my late grandmother said, ‘grandson, we are just beginning to be seen.’ Now the voice of our young people suggests that we are beginning to be heard. That the treaty partner is beginning to feel the effects of that sacred ceremony, so powerfully done that is still being repeated by our people in all of our respective territories.

Right up into next week, coming up at the Council of Federation, we take our message of action on our rights to every level of government and every citizen of this country that we will stand together, that we are stronger together.

We reflect back to every one of our citizens who’s facing turmoil in their lives, whether in the cities or in the northern

remote communities, that we as leaders are going to stand together with them. That’s what the ancestors had envisioned when they came in the 1940s and stood together, before the Assembly of First Nations was even formed. Who would think that over 50 language groups covering every inch of the territories that we share, could find a way to come together?

I believe that this is our moment. We are part of a movement not only in this country we call Canada, but of Indigenous people around the world who coalesced around the efforts of the United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples, and we will take our rightful place in our respective territories.

We go ahead armed, knowing that we’ve got the young people that are beginning to hear and understand and take the messages to the hearts and homes of our parents. We go forward armed with knowledge that corporate Canada has joined our call to action.

Corporate Canada is saying that the federal government has to rekon with and respect Treaty Rights, title rights and that First Nations must be full partners in addressing the issues of resource development in this country. It is far over due.

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Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

7

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Working with youth to end violence against women Stephanie Wesley Wawatay News

Ending violence against Aboriginal women and empowering First Nations youth by incorporating cultural values into the education system were the main focuses at a June 2012 summit held by the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA).

Maryanne Matthews, ONWA’s media communications officer, said that it is important to reach Aboriginal youth at a young age in hopes that they can learn to stand up for themselves and understand early that violence should not be tolerated.

ONWA convened in Toronto from June 26-28 with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to hold the summit “For Generations to Come: Working to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women.” The summit included 200 delegates, including 20 Aboriginal youth.

ONWA and the MOE held sessions with the youth, and together the group discussed ways to incorporate cultural values into the education system.

“A main concern that the youth in attendance had was the lack of their language and culture in school. They felt that if these things were more prevalent in their education systems, school would become a more welcoming place and it would make them feel more involved and included,” said Matthews.

Matthews explained that if a young Aboriginal student does not feel safe or comfortable while attending school especially those who have to

leave their communities and families to earn an education then it could cause the student to drop out. Matthews said that she would like to see the students succeed and get an education to avoid poverty, as poverty often leads to more instances of violence.

Matthews voiced that she hopes Aboriginal youth “stay in school to be in a better position to lead a healthy life.”

She explained that the longterm goals of the summit are to “raise awareness of the issue of violence against Aboriginal women and girls.” Matthews said that the issue of violence against Aboriginal women and their families is important because the matter itself has become so rampant.

In an article published in June by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police HQ magazine, Chris Adams, a Thunder Bay Police spokesperson, wrote that the rate of domestic violence incidents in Thunder Bay has “doubled over the last eight years.”

“If the rate of domestic violence incidents has increased that much in Thunder Bay, then the number of incidents that actually happened is higher.

Most cases will go unreported because not everyone is going to want to get help when dealing with domestic violence issues,” Matthews said.

She urges those affected by violence to utilize the many organizations that are out there to aid victims. “If you are a victim of violence, seek help. It is there, get yourself to a safe place,” said Matthews.

Even though ONWA was

submitted photo by Maryanne Matthews

Photo (from left to right): Dr. Dawn Harvard, President, ONWA Board of Directors, Betty Kennedy, ONWA Executive Director, The Honourable Laurel Broten, Minister of Education, and Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. created to help Aboriginal women and their families, “men who needed assistance have on occasion approached the association,” said Matthews.

She explained that the agency does not turn men away, and that ONWA has agreements to work with different agencies.

Matthews said that the association often refers men to Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin - which means, “I am a kind

KA-NA-CHI-HIH SPECIALIZED SOLVENT ABUSE TREATMENT CENTRE

man” in Ojibwe - a provincewide entity that was created for Aboriginal men.

In ONWA’s Breaking Free report, it states that eight out of 10 Aboriginal women experienced some form of violence in their lifetime. Matthews said that occasionally violence “stems back to childhood” and it happens in a cycle.

“The psychological effects of violence are detrimental and

long-lasting and the outcomes of exposure to violence can lead to issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, addiction, and a disconnection from one’s school, family, friends, community and culture,” said Matthews.

Matthews said that it is the goal of ONWA to see the issue of violence against Aboriginal women and their families become a nationwide

priority. Matthews stated that “Aboriginal women, girls, and families need to be protected and they deserve to feel safe in their own communities.”

“We also hope to create a meaningful and culturally appropriate strategy to reduce the incidences of – and ultimately end – violence against Aboriginal women and children.”

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Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Inspection INSPECTION of APPROVED AERIAL HERBICIDE SPRAYING LAC SEUL FOREST The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) invites you to inspect the MNR-approved aerial herbicide spray project. As part of our ongoing efforts to regenerate and protect Ontario’s forests, selected stands on the Lac Seul Forest (see map) will be sprayed with herbicide to control competing vegetation, starting on or about: August 4, 2012. The herbicides Vision, VisionMax, 2,4-D Ester LV700 registration #’s No.19899, No.27736, No.23508 will be used.

The approved project description and project plan for the aerial herbicide project is available for public inspection at the Obishikokaang Resources Band Office in Frenchman’s Head and on the MNR public website at ontario.ca/forestplans beginning July 4, 2012 until March 31st, 2013 when the annual work schedule expires. Ontario Government Information Centres at 62 Queen Street Sioux Lookout and 66 Keith Avenue Dryden provide access to the internet.

Interested and affected persons and organizations can arrange an appointment with MNR staff at the MNR District or Area office to discuss the aerial herbicide project.

For more information, please contact: Robert Auld, Forester Obishikokaang Resources Corp.

Frenchman’s Head, ON 1-807-738-1073

Kevin Pruys RPF MNR District Office 49 Prince Street, Sioux Lookout, ON 1-807-737-5053

or call toll free: 1-800-667-1940 and ask to be forwarded to one of the contacts above.

OBISHIKOKAANG RESOURCES CORP.

Inspection

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Kasabonika’s Dominik Albany prepares for a sightseeing flight around Thunder Bay on the first day of Wasaya Airway’s Pimesaywii Apitamahkaywin First Nations Youth Aviation Camp.

Exposed to flight Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Dominik Albany’s streamlined paper airplane flew right outside the hangar to win the paper airplane race at Wasaya Airway’s Pimesaywii Apitamahkaywin First Nations Youth Aviation Camp.

“It felt pretty good — I knew I would be the winner,” Albany said on the first day of the July 23-27 aviation camp, which is being held at the Confederation College Aviation Centre of Excellence in Thunder Bay. The Kasabonika youth won the privilege of flying in the co-pilot’s seat of a Cessna 172 during an evening sightseeing flight around Thunder Bay. “At Wasaya we are dedicated to supporting Aboriginal youth excellence, continuing education, and we are also avid enthusiasts in giving back to the communities in which we live and operate,” said Tom Morris, Wasaya Airway’s CEO/ president. “Therefore, it is very gratifying to us as a company to offer a program that provides our youth with the opportunity to explore potential careers in aviation, furthering their education, ensuring their success in

the future.”

A joint initiative between Wasaya Airways, the Kenny Foundation, Confederation College Aviation Centre of Excellence, Negahneewin College of Academic and Community Development and Wasaya Wee-Chee-Way-Win, the aviation camp is held annually for First Nations youth 13-15 years old to encourage them to pursue careers in aviation related fields.

Wunnumin Lake’s Archie Mekanak feels the aviation camp will provide his son with information on a possible career path in the future.

“It’s good for him to be more exposed out here (at) the aviation camp,” Mekanak said. “So he can decide which career he wants to go into after he finishes school.”

The aviation camp provides youth with opportunities to observe aircraft up close and in action, experience flight simulators and interact with pilots, mechanics and Confederation College students. They also get to learn about flying and aircraft repair as well as tour Wasaya Airways and the prop shop and visit Thunder Bay International Airport.

INSPECTION of APPROVED AERIAL HERBICIDE SPRAYING CARIBOU FOREST The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) invites you to inspect the MNR-approved aerial herbicide spray project. As part of our ongoing efforts to regenerate and protect Ontario’s forests, selected stands on the Caribou Forest (see map) will be sprayed with herbicide to control competing vegetation, starting on or about: August 1, 2012. The herbicide Vision and VisionMax registration #19899 and #27736 will be used.

The approved project description and project plan for the aerial herbicide project is available for public inspection at the Resolute Forest Products office and on the MNR public website at ontario.ca/forestplans beginning June 27 until March 31st, 2013 when the annual work schedule expires. The Ontario Government Information Centre at 62 Queen Street, Sioux Lookout provides access to the internet.

Interested and affected persons and organizations can arrange an appointment with MNR staff at the MNR District or Area office to discuss the aerial herbicide project.

For more information, please contact: Tara Pettit, R.P.F. Ministry of Natural Resources Sioux Lookout District Office 49 Prince Street, PO Box 309 Sioux Lookout, ON, P8T 1A6 Phone: (807) 737-5040 Fax: (807) 737-1813

or call toll free: 1-800-667-1940 and ask to be forwarded to one of the contacts above.

Joel Gerry, R.P.F. (Agent of Resolute Forest Products) RW Forestry Inc. 61 Mona Street Thunder Bay, ON P7A 6Y2 Phone: (807) 475-2757 Fax: (807) 939-2251

ᐅᑕᑲᐊᐧᑕᐣ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᑭᑭᐁᐧᐸᐣ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐃᒪ ᐅᒋ ᐸᑭᑭᓂᑲᓂᐠ 1 ᔕᑯᐨ ᒪᑭ ᐅᐃᐧᑲᑫᐧᑐᑕᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᑌᐨ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᑭᑕᔑᐅᑦᐱᑭᐨ. ᐅᑭᐅᓀᐣᑕᐣ ᒋᐃᔕᐨ ᓂᐱᓇᒥᐠ ᐊᐱᑕᐊᐧᑭᓱᓂᐨ ᐊᑲᐢᐟ ᐱᓯᑦ ᐣᑯᑕᐧᓱᑯᐣ ᒋᐊᐣᑕᐃᐧᐊᔭᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᔕ ᐊᓂᑲᐧᐣᔭᒋ ᑲᐃᐧᑭᐅᑌᐨ. ᐅᐊᐧᑯᒪᑲᓇᐣ ᐅᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐣ ᐁᔭᓂᒪᐊᐧᐣᑐᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᐠ ᒋᔭᐸᒋᑐᐨ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐣᑕᐃᐧᑭᐅᑌᐨ, ᑐᑲᐣ ᓂᐯᐃᐧᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑌᓴᐱᐃᐧᐣ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑫᐅᐣᒋ ᐸᐸᒥᐃᐧᓇᑲᓂᐃᐧᐨ, ᐅᑲᐅᐣᑎᓇᓇᐊᐧ ᐱᒥᑕᐸᒋᑲᓂ ᑲᓴᑭᐱᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ. “ᑎ ᑎ ᐱ ᐁ ᐧ ᐱ ᐡ ᑭ ᑲ ᓂ ᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᐊᐧᑭᑕᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᐣ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᓂᔑᐣ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐣᑲᑭᐸᐸᒥᑲᐣᑎᓂᑯᐠ ᒋᒧᒋᐯᔑᑯᓯᑌᔭᐠ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ. “ᑎᑎᐱᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᐣ. ᒥᓇᐧᔑᐣ ᑲᔦ.” ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᑲᔦ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᐅᑕᔭᓇᐊᐧ ᑫᐅᐣᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᐊᔭᔓᐃᐧᓇᑲᓂᐃᐧ, ᑐᑲᐣ ᑫᐅᐣᒋᐊᔕᐧᑕᐦᐁᓇᑲᓂᐃᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᒋᐅᑦᐱᓇᑲᓂᐃᐧᐨ. ᒪᑭ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐁᐃᐧᐃᔕᐨ ᐊᑎᐟ ᑲᑭᓂᑕᐃᔕᐸᐣ ᐊᐱ ᑭᑭᐁᐧᐨ ᓂᐱᓇᒥᐠ. “ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐣᑭᒥᓴᐁᐧᐣᑕᐣ ᒋᑭᐁᐧᐡᑲᔭᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᑕᔑᐃᐧᓴᑭᔑᓇᐣ, ᑲᐯᐦᐃ ᐱᑯ ᐣᑎᓀᑕᐣ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᐁᐧᐃᐃᔕᔭᐣ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ. “ᒥᐢᑕᐃ ᐣᑕᔭᐣ ᒪᐡᑲᐃᐧᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᑲᐡᑭᑐᔭᐣ ᒋᐊᐣᑕᐃᐧ ᐊᐧᐸᐣᑕᒪᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐃᐧᓴᑭᔑᓇᐣ.” ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑯᑕᐠ ᐸᑲᐣ ᐁᓀᐊᐧᐣᑯᑎᓇᓂᐠ ᒪᑭ ᐊᑲᐧᒋᐠ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᒋᓀᐣᑕᐠ. ᑭᑲᓄᑫ ᐯᔑᑲᐧ ᐁ ᑭ ᐃ ᓇ ᑫ ᐧ ᐸ ᐦ ᐅ ᑎ ᓱ ᐸ ᐣ ᐁᒥᑕᓱᔭᑭᐃᐧᓀᐸᐣ ᐁᑭᐊᐃᓇᐱᐨ ᐊᐧᑭᑕᑎᓇᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐁᔭᓄᓇᑯᔑᓂᐠ. “ᐣᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒪ ᐱᓯᑦ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐣᑭᓇᓇᑲᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᐣ ᑲᓂᑲ

ᑫᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᓄᑫᐧᐣ ᓂᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐊᓂᓂᑲᐣ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ, ᐁᔓᐃᐧᐣᑫᐧᓂᐨ. “ᐣᑕᒐᑯᐠ ᐣᑭᑲᓄᓂᑯᐃᐧᐢ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐊᐱ. ᒥᑕᐡ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐁᑲ ᐃᐧᑲ ᑲᐊᐧᓂᑫᔭᐣ ᐊᑯᓇᐠ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᐧᓴᑭᔑᓇᐸᐣ.” ᒪᑭ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐅᑕᓄᑲᑕᐣ ᐯᔑᐠ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᑲᐃᔑᒥᓴᐁᐧᐣᑕᐠ ᑲᑲᑫᐧᑲᒋᑎᓇᐠ. ᐅᑕᓇᐠ ᓯᑲᐧᓄᐠ ᐊᔕ ᐯᔑᑯᔭᑭ ᐅᑭᑭᔑᑐᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐧᐣ ᑲᐧᓫᐃᐨ ᑲᐱᒥᐃᐡᑯᓄᐃᐧᐨ ᓂᔓᔭᑭ ᒪᓯᓇᑌᓯᒋᑫᐃᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑯᐃᐧᐣ. ᐊᔕ ᐅᑭᒪᑕᓄᑲᑕᐣ ᐃᐧᓂᑯ ᑎᐱᓇᐁᐧ ᐁᔭᓄᑲᑕᐠ ᐅᒪᓯᓇᑌᓯᒋᑫᐃᐧ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᑭᐅᑌᐨ ᓂᐱᓇᒥᐠ. ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᑕᐡ ᐅᐃᐧᑐᑕᐣ, ᒪᑭ ᐁᐃᐧᑎᐸᒋᒪᐨ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᑲᒪᑭᓯᐊᐧᐨ. “ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᓇᐱᐨ ᒋᑎᐸᒋᒥᑕᐧ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᒪᑭᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᑭᐡᑲᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᐣᑎᓀᑕᐣ ᒋᑭᑲᑫᐧ ᐊᐣᒋᓭᒋᑲᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᐅᐁᐧ ᑲᐃᓯᓭᐠ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐁᐃᐧᐅᔑᑐᐨ ᒪᓯᓇᑌᓯᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᐧᓂᑯ ᒋᐱᒥᑎᐸᒋᒥᑎᓱᐨ. “ᑕᓴᐧ ᑲᓇᓇᑲᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᒪᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᓇᓇᑭᐡᑲᒪᐣ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᓂᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᓂᐠ, ᒥᐱᑯ ᐁᐃᓀᐣᑕᒪᐣ ᒋᑭᒪᓯᓇᑌᓭᔭᐸᐣ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ. “ᑲᐯᐦᐃ ᑲᔦ ᓂᒥᓴᐁᐧᐣᑕᐣ ᒋᑭᐸᑭᓇᑫᔭᐸᐣ ᐊᐢᑲᐧᕑ ᓂᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᑫᐃᐧᐣ.” ᐊᒥ ᐁᔑᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒥᑎᓱᐨ ᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᑯ ᐁᐸᐱᒪᑎᓯᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᔕᑯᐨ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᒥᔕᓂᐠ ᐅᒥᓴᐁᐧᐣᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ, ᒪᑭ ᑲᔦ ᐅᐸᑯᓭᐣᑕᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᒋ ᒋᑫᐣᑕᒥᐦᐊᐸᐣ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐣ. “ᐃᐁᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐣᑎᔑᒥᓴᐁᐧᐣᑕᐣ ᒋᒋᑫᐣᑕᒥᐦᐊᑲᐧ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᐱᒥᓂᔕᐦᐊᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᔑᒥᓴᐁᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑫᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᐣᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᐅᑎᔑᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᑫᐧᐃᓇᐊᐧ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᒋᔭᓂᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ. “ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᐃᔑᐊᐧᐸᒥᔑᔭᐣ ᐁᑲᐡᑭᑐᔭᐣ ᑫᑯᐣ ᐁᑐᑕᒪᐣ, ᑫᑭᐣ ᑲᑭᑲᐡᑭᑐᐣ.”

Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

9

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Weenusk alarmed for fate of ‘last frontier’ Continued from page 1

Public release postponed One of the major issues the First Nation has with the aerial surveying is the fact that Weenusk was never informed or consulted before the surveys took place.

Weenusk Chief Edmund Hunter said he and his council only found out that the government had surveyed Weenusk traditional land through an unrelated discussion with DeBeers.

The chief ’s conversation with DeBeers took place merely weeks before the scheduled release of the information.

At the request of Weenusk, OGS postponed the release – first to August 8, and now to an unspecified later date, pending a meeting with the community.

A plan for OGS to visit the community in mid-July was postponed until later this year. At that meeting OGS plans to present the aerial surveying information and explain what geological surveying is all about.

Yet for George Hunter and those who believe as he does, OGS should never have done aerial surveying in the first place without informing and getting the consent of Weenusk.

And had OGS asked permission, Hunter says the community would have been clear: the geologists were not welcome.

“Once you allow these processes to begin, our schedules and our land use plans don’t mean a damn thing,” Hunter says. “We don’t want to allow the province to issue licenses for staking to place, and the only advantage we have now is that nobody has access to the land.”

Land use plans and mineral exploration The OGS is a branch of Ontario’s Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. According to Jack Parker, the senior manager of the OGS branch of the department, the aerial surveying done around Weenusk is regularly conducted around the province as a way of updating the geological information of Ontario.

Last winter, besides the Weenusk surveying, OGS also conducted aerial surveying around Eabametoong First Nation.

Parker said the last time geological surveying was done along the shore of Hudson Bay was in the 1960s. Geologists still know little about the region, where there are few rock outcrops and the sheer remoteness of the land makes it hard to access.

While he did not have a clear answer to why Weenusk was not consulted over the surveying of its traditional land, Parker did say it is OGS’ common practice to inform First Nations when this type of surveying is planned.

For example he noted upcoming aerial surveying scheduled for to cover more of the shore of Hudson Bay, including Fort Severn First Nation’s traditional land. That surveying is expected to happen this coming winter. Parker said OGS has had ongoing discussions with Fort Severn’s chief and council, and there are plans to visit Fort Severn in August.

Parker said that one of the government’s main objectives in conducting aerial surveying in the Far North is to help First Nations with land use planning. He explained that geoscience can be valuable when First Nations make decisions

Last winter’s aerial surveying covered a large region along the shore of Hudson Bay, and also a smaller section around Eabametoong First Nation (bottom left). on how lands are going to be used in the future – as the surveys can provide information on the distribution of rock types and the location of ground water sources, along with other information.

Parker also acknowledged that the release of aerial geologic surveying often leads to increased mineral exploration in the region.

“It is a possibility,” Parker says.

“Airborne geophysical surveying has been known to trigger mineral

DO YOU HAVE PHOTOS, NEWS ARTICLES, & OTHER MEMORABILIA TO HELP WEBEQUIE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SURVIVOR TEAM (WRSST) IN CREATING DISPLAYS OF MEMORIES? Mamowpiimoosaywiin (Walking Forward Together)

exploration.”

Protecting the land and lifestyle When George Hunter talks about Weenusk’s traditional land, he does so with passion. The people of Weenusk retain ties to traditional ways as close as any First Nation in Ontario. The community harvests caribou in winter, geese in the spring, fish in the summer and moose in the fall. George

Dear Ontario/Canada Business Owner/Manager and Non-Profit Organization Executives: Webequie First Nation Residential School Survivor Team (WRSST) is proud to announce we will be hosting Mamowpiimoosaywiin, Walking Forward Together. Funded in partnership with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada/Government of Canada, Mamowpiimoosaywiin is our first annual commemorative celebration of remembrance and recovery, organized in honour of Indian Residential School survivors and their families.

We are requesting your assistance to help defray the costs of food, gas/ oil, and travel in support of our August 13th to 25th community development event. We are accepting of financial or in-kind support. Monetary, material, and other in-kind supports of $1,000 or more will be formally acknowledged at the event and, where appropriate, in project announcements, publications, reports, and evaluations. Receipts will be issued for monetary contributions over $20.

WEBEQUIE FIRST NATION FIRST ANNUAL COMMEMORATIVE CELEBRATION OF REMEMBRANCE AND RECOVERY IN HONOUR OF INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES All materials will be digitized and returned to the donor PLEASE SUBMIT AS SOON AS YOU CAN, BEFORE AUGUST 7th In Webequie: Please give to Levi Sofea: 807-343-1263 (levis@webequie.ca) In Thunder Bay: Please give to Brenda: 807-622-2630 (brenda@bmstbirdconsulting.com) In Sioux Lookout: Please give to Allan: 807-622-2630 (allanbrown@knet.ca) FUNDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION OF CANADA/GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, AND TAKING PLACE AT PEETWANNAKANG, 10.5 KM SW OF WEBEQUIE – AUGUST 13-25/2012

Our event is organized in partnership with Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission to lead a process of healing, recovery, reconciliation, and improved relationships. First Nation and non-Aboriginal participants will learn together about what happened, the enduring impacts, and steps to recovery.

Mamowpiimoosaywiin, Walking Forward Together, will take place at Peetwannakang, situated 10.5 km SW of Webequie First Nation. Travel to the commemorative site is by boat from Webequie First Nation. A temporary walking bridge is installed to traverse a river between the camping and ceremonial sites at Peetwannakang.

In addition to the blessing, unveiling, and installation of a commemorative cairn, plaque, and

Hunter believes that the connection to the land is vital for his people’s health and wellbeing.

“We have this natural food that is so abundant still. Everything is natural, and that’s what makes us healthy,” George Hunter said.

“Five hundred years from now, our future generation is also going to need a land base to survive. We don’t want to compromise their future either.”

While George Hunter says most of the community feels the same way he does about preventing mining exploration in the territory, Chief Edmund Hunter thinks the issue is a lot more muddled.

Edmund Hunter said that in his view, the community is split between those who want to prevent exploration from happening, and those who want to encourage it.

The chief said many of the community’s young people want to see more development of the region.

“The best way to go is to have a referendum in the near future about the exploration activities on traditional land,” Edmund Hunter said.

He said the community will hold the referendum before the scheduled release of the geological survey.

For now, the issue is at a standstill. OGS has agreed to postpone the release,, and Weenusk will hold its referendum in the meantime.

Yet, as George Hunter knows well, the demand for the minerals of the Far North continues to grow. DeBeers has contacted the First Nation about exploring for diamonds in the region, and other companies are expected to follow suit.

“This is the last frontier, this little corner we’ve got here,” he said.

“We’re unique. We’d rather live on a land that’s natural. It’s different up here, and there are a lot of blessings that we’ve got.”

saplings on August 17th (2:00-5:00), Mamowpiimoosaywiin will feature cultural activities, educational displays, memorial demonstrations, vigils, and religious and spiritual assemblies, a pow wow (August 17-19), and other activities in recognition of the strength, courage, resilience, achievements, pride, and identities of our former students of Indian Residential Schools and their families.

Webequie First Nation is an isolated reserve community located on Eastwood Island in Winisk Lake, the headwaters of Winisk River, 540 km north of Thunder Bay. Webequie First Nation is planning to upgrade the commemorative site, Peetwannakang, in respect of its proposed long-term use as a commemorative location while at the same time serving as a site for general community restoration, healing, and social-economic development.

Should you choose to provide your support, please send a cheque payable to WEBEQUIE FIRST NATION and mailed to the attention of Levi Sofea at the address noted in the letterhead. Payment should be identified as support for the 2012 Mamowpiimoosaywiin, Walking Forward Together (Webequie).

For additional information regarding commemorative activities, event location, and other ways to support our event; or to R.S.V.P. your attendance at our commemorative event, please contact Levi Sofea at 807-353-1263 or by e-mail to levis@webequie.ca.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely, Cornelius Wabasse, Chief, Webequie First Nation CC Chair, Residential School Survivor Team (WRSST) CC Levi Sofea, WRSST Liaison ENC. (Invitation, Site Photo, Event Daily Agenda)

10

Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Photos by Henry Beardy/Wawatay News

Sachigo Lake holds outdoor gathering Sachigo Lake First Nation celebrated its 12th Annual Mamowskawin from July 9-15.

The community gathering, which brought positive lifestyles together, was held approximately 17 km northwest of the community. The gathering featured traditional and modern cooking, tea brewing at every tent and people cooking for family and friends. It also had nightly entertainment such as country music, classic rock, gospel singing and square dancing from local and guest musicians.

Chief Titus Tait (left) having a conversation with guest musicians Gerry Mckiver (front) from Winnipeg, Manitoba and Hank Williams from Shoal Lake First Nation (back).

Sachigo children playing on a big rock, while Antonio Tait comes running towards the camera.

Sachigo Lake youth playing an evening game of volleyball at the Mamoskawin grounds. While Tanya Barkman watches, Randell Barkman tries to spike the ball past Jonah Tait.

Below left, Cindy McKay from Sachigo Lake cuts up a fresh kill of moose for the Mamoskawin week.

Below right, Mary Tait dries down the wet turkey before it is ready to be roasted under a can.

Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

11

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Eabametoong brings back Indian Days Stephanie Wesley Wawatay News

Eabematoong First Nation had their Summer Festival, full of various activities and challenges, during the week of July 16 to 21.

Last week, a three-person committee comprised of Stella Waboose, Naomi Atlookan and Doreen O’Keese organized the Summer Festival (known to many as Indian Days). The weeklong festivities included events like scavenger hunts, a wedding dress design challenge for women, Cake Boss cake decorating contests, blindfoldcanoe races and So You Think You Can Dance competition.

After years of not having any summer festivals, Waboose and the other committee members in January decided to start planning for a weeklong event in the coming summer.

“I can’t remember the last time we had Indian Days, it’s been so long,” Waboose said.

“It used to be a weeklong celebration. In January, six of us planned for a summer festival but three people left the group.”

Waboose, Atlookan, and O’Keese did not want to give up on their goal of doing something for their community, so they devoted a lot of time and effort into planning an exciting

Winners of the 60+ Hip Hop contest Anninias Papah and Ellen Neshinapaise pose in their outfits. week of games and contests.

The chief and council helped the committee by bringing in fiddlers for musical entertainment from the neighboring community of Webequie. The education authority in Eabematoong also let the commit-

tee use the gym and the recreation equipment, something Waboose is very thankful for.

“We needed 23 canoes for the blindfold canoe race. We had to do it in two races,” Waboose explained. She and her fellow committee mem-

Andrew Yesno’s Moose-cake won the Cake Boss challenge in the male’s category. bers were quite surprised by the festivals turn out and the amount of people who participated. “At first, there weren’t too many people who signed up for events, but then the phone calls started flooding in. It was overwhelming with the amount

of participants.”

The Summer Festival committee kept the participants busy with 22 events like The Name Says It All boat race as well as a 60+ Hip Hop contest.

Waboose said that the Healthy Babies Healthy Family group

also joined in with putting on events near the end of the week geared towards toddlers and also handed out prizes.

Waboose feels that everyone enjoyed the festival, and the weeklong celebration seemed to unite the community and brought it together to have fun.

Her favourite part of the festival was the fireworks that signalled the end of the merriments Saturday at midnight.

“We received a lot of compliments about the festival and the fireworks. It felt really good,” Waboose said.

Waboose added that much of the credit for the success of the events has to go to the community members, who came out to support and enjoy the festivities.

“The members of our community were the ones who made this event a success so we are very thankful to the people of Eabametoong First Nation,” Waboose said. “In the beginning of our thank you’s, we would like to acknowledge Kitchi-manitou, and the end would have to be the people from other communities who came to share this event with us. Thanks.

The Summer Festival committee plans on hosting the event again next summer.

Results of the Summer Festival competitions: 50+ BOAT RACE -2 Males & 2 Females - Bella Shawinimash, Irene Waboose, Dougie Waswa & George Waswa Wedding Dress Contest for Women - Sharon Allen Bannock Making Contest - Ellen Neshinapaise SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE FORT HOPE (Adults 17-UP) - Joseph Oshag, Cauley Mishenene, and Ryan Wabano Scavenger Hunt - HSS Clinical Services Staff and Chasity Hudson Youth Cake Baking Contest - Kyler Atlookan Youth Best Decorated Bike - Skylar Mequanawap Make Your Own Raft Race - Marlene Atlookan & Darren Boyce SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE FORT HOPE Pt. 2 (Youth 8-16) Flloyd Atlookan Youth Cardboard Castle Contest - Madison Missewace IRON MAN - Larry Baxter IRON WOMAN - Katy Neshinapaise BLINDFOLD CANOE RACE - Leo Moonias, Brenda Keeskitay, and Jamie Quisses 60+ HIP HOP CONTEST - Ellen Neshinapaise and Anninias Papah Youth Shoreline Fishing Derby - Ryan Yellowhead Cake Boss For Men - Andrew Yesno Men Fast Walking Contest - Wayne Atlookan Womens Fast Walking Contest - Grace Bottle of Marten Falls Tightest Jeans Contest for Women - Grace Bottle of Marten Falls ‘THE NAME SAYS IT ALL’ Boat Race - Ann Waswa, Hannah Waswa, Danielle Waswa, Ben Waswa, Charlie Waswa, and Jason Waswa Best Decorated Truck Contest - Dougie Waswa & Quincey Okeese Tightest Jeans Contest for Men (by popular demand) - Matthew Shawinimash Our participation draw winner for the grand prize iPad 2 was Ellen Neshinapaise

Boat race winners Ann Waswa, Hannah Waswa, Danielle Waswa, Ben The Summer Festival’s Barbeque on Friday July 20 brought in hungry Waswa, Charlie Waswa and Jason Waswa. festival attendees.

Sadly, there are no pictures of the winner of the Tightest Jeans contest for Men. Iron woman winner Katy Neshinapaise.

The dress contest for women in action.

12

Wawatay News

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

JULY 26, 2012

Elders honoured at LU memorial forest ceremony Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Photos by Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Teri Fiddler, left, remembered her partner Josias Fiddler with the planting of a white pine tree during an Elders memorial forest ceremony at Lakehead University.

Lakehead University held an Elders memorial forest ceremony on July 13 for Elders Josias Fiddler, Curtis Hopkins, Richard Lyons, Joe Morrison and Greta Moskataywenene.

“I think of her with much love and a lot of respect because she was like a warrior in terms of traditional knowledge and traditional ways,” said Tina Armstrong, Moskataywenene’s niece and director of Aboriginal affairs at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM).

Armstrong said her aunt continued to follow her traditions, including snaring rabbits and gathering firewood, after her husband passed away.

“People would often say,

‘Why are you still doing this?’” Armstrong said, noting her aunt would reply: “This is something I like to do. So I want to honour my aunt’s spirit. Although I know physically she is not here with us anymore, I know that she is here. And I know she is here wherever we are at.”

NOSM Elder Bob McKay said Moskataywenene was “very quiet,” but when she spoke everyone would listen.

“She was very knowledgeable and she had a very good idea of the direction she wanted to see the Elders group grow,” McKay said.

McKay still remembers Moskataywenene’s comments from a NOSM Elders trip to the 2007 Trent University Elders Gathering.

“She said it was a great experience and there was

stuff there (she) never knew existed,” McKay said. “The first thing she said was the women there doing all that drumming, I never knew that existed.”

Three cedar trees were planted at the Lakehead University sacred grounds in honour of Moskataywenene, Lyons and Morrison, while a white pine was planted in honour of Fiddler and an oak tree in honour of Hopkins.

The Elders were honoured for their contributions to Lakehead University, NOSM and the community during the ceremony, which was attended by about 50-60 people.

Teri Fiddler said the location where the white pine tree was planted was “exactly” where Josias used to hold his sweat lodge.

“I used to come here a lot with my dad,” Teri said. “It will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Teri said Josias cared a lot about people and had a role in many people’s lives, recalling a time in Sandy Lake when a young boy gave him a quarter to do a sweat lodge ceremony. “I’m going to do it — that’s an offering,” Teri said, quoting Josias. “No matter how small an offering was for a sweat, he did it.”

Beverly Sabourin, viceprovost (Aboriginal initiatives) at Lakehead University, said the ceremony was held to recognize and honour the five Elders for holding onto their traditions, knowledge, culture and language.

“We are here to recognize that and we are here to also acknowledge that we will carry that forward,” Sabourin said. “We are now going to be the new coming Elders to carry on those traditions, knowledge, language and history of our Aboriginal people.”

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Mary Alice Smith, centre, looks on as a plaque honouring her partner Joe Morrison was placed beside a cedar tree during an Elders memorial forest ceremony at Lakehead University.

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Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

13

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Maggie Sofea planning first trip back to Nibinamik in nine years

Longing for home Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

It has been over nine years since Maggie Sofea last visited her community of Nibinamik First Nation.

While anyone can book a plane ticket to visit the reserve, there are more obstacles for 23-year-old Maggie.

When she was 11 years old, Maggie took part in a family camping trip at a campsite outside the community. Having arrived late in the day, Maggie asked her mother if she could go swimming as sunset loomed.

“I remember my niece April was seven at the time, she did a belly flop – she didn’t know how to dive properly,” she said.

“I tried teaching her to dive and I dove backwards. I wasn’t thinking.”

Not looking where she was diving, Maggie leapt and as she cut through the surface, her head struck a hard surface in the shallow water. The impact crushed a disc in her neck, fractured another and severed her spinal cord. Although she did not realize it at the time, she was completely paralyzed from the neck down.

“They picked me up and put me on dry land,” Maggie recalled. “My aunt Daisy was a nurse at the time and knew exactly what to do.”

Her family stabilized her neck and had a boat bring her back to the community.

Because a thunderstorm down south prevented an air ambulance from flying into the community, Maggie had to spend a night in the nursing station. She was flown to the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital the next day, where doctors said she would never move again. In the days after the accident, Maggie’s lung collapsed and she had to be put on life support. She remained in ICU and special care for months.

Maggie has come a long way since the accident. After some major surgeries and years of occupational and physiotherapy, Maggie is able to move her neck and arms. She has a specialized wheelchair that is contoured to her body, and she lives in an apartment with support services in Thunder Bay that allows her to live independently while having support

“I want to go back to see my home community again, and to see my extended relatives... and especially to see the nature of my land, which I miss the most.”

– Maggie Sofea

Lenny Carpenter/Wawatay News

Maggie Sofea has had difficulties travelling to her home community since breaking her back in a diving accident when she was 11. The 23-yearold is planning a return trip to the community for August. on hand. She has a specially designed laptop and touch screen pad that allows her to control the temperature and TV in her apartment.

While Maggie is happy with her life at the moment, she misses her home community.

The last time she visited was when she was 14.

“I want to go back to see my home community again, and to see my extended relatives,” she said. “And especially to see the nature of my land, which I miss the most.”

Her desire to see home is a challenge to overcome.

“It’s a big hassle to travel when you have a disability,” Maggie said. “There’s a lot of obstacles.”

For example, she said, it is difficult for her to board the small aircraft that services Nibinamik.

There are also challenges with accessibility for Maggie’s needs in the community. The dirt roads make for a bumpy ride in an electric wheelchair and most homes lack a ramp or lift.

Also, Maggie’s medical conditions are a cause for a concern.

“When you go up there, if you get sick, the only place to go to is the nursing station, and there’s no services or medical doctors,” she said. “It’s a nonsafe place for me, because I have a lot of health concerns.”

But Maggie is determined to visit the community where she grew up. She is planning to arrive in Nibinamik in midAugust for six days and has already begun to make the preparations. She and her family have begun gathering the necessary equipment she will need in the community, such as a bed and chair. To get around, they are acquiring a trail rider.

“It’s like a rickshaw, and two (people) push me around on one wheel,” she explained. “It’s like a wheelbarrow. It’s kinda neat.”

They also have other equipment to make places more accessible, such as ramps and portable lifts.

Maggie has plans to revisit certain sites when she is finally back in Nibinamik.

“I’ve always wanted to go back to the campsite where my accident happened, because I’m drawn to that place,” she said.

“It takes a lot of courage and strength to face the place where it happened.”

There is also a sandy hill just outside the community that has

significance for Maggie. She remembered biking to the top of the hill when she was 10 and reflecting as she stared out to the evening landscape.

“I looked directly at the sun and I was thinking to myself what the future holds for me,” she recalled, smiling. “It was a spiritual moment. That memory stuck with me since the accident.”

Maggie is currently in pursuit of one of her dreams. Last spring, she completed the first year of Confederation College’s two-year film production program.

She is already working on her own independent documentary on her upcoming trip to Nibinamik.

Ultimately, Maggie wants to make films about people with physical disabilities.

“In most films, there’s not a lot of recognition of people with disabilities and I think that needs to be changed,” she said.

She also wants to make a feature film about her life experiences.

“Every time I look at my experience in my life, I can picture it as a movie,” she said.

“I’ve always dreamt of winning an Oscar for my story.”

Describing herself as an ordinary woman with extraordinary dreams, Maggie hopes to inspire others.

“My ultimate goal is to inspire people to follow their dreams and become inspirational role models,” she said. “If I could do it, you can do it.”

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14

Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Bringing youth back to the land Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Charles Fox and Meladina Hardy-Fox want to provide relationship-building skills and land-based skills for Aboriginal children at their new group home in Thunder Bay.

Charles Fox and Meladina Hardy-Fox plan to open a group home for eight to 12-yearold Aboriginal children in a Thunder Bay heritage building this coming August.

“Dilico (Anishinabek Family Care) has already confirmed that they are going to send some kids here,” Fox said.

The group home will feature the development of relationship building skills and land-based skills for up to eight children.

“They can learn to create some healthy attachments and then they can develop healthy relationships as they get older,”

Hardy-Fox said. “But we’re also looking at having an ECE on staff, early childhood care, to help with their numeracy, their literacy, their comprehension, all those kinds of skills.”

The land-based component of the group home will involve hunting, trapping and fishing out of another home the couple owns in Fort William First Nation.

“We’ll take them back to the land, basically, and teach them all those skills, survival skills in the wilderness whether it’s water or on land,” Fox said. “If they get lost, how to find their way. How to survive in the bush, summer or winter, how to prepare fish, how to prepare

NOTICE OF SUBMISSION OF TERMS OF REFERENCE This notification is to announce the submission of the Cliffs Chromite Project Terms of Reference to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). Please read below for further information about the Project.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (Cliffs) is undergoing a provincial and federal Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Cliffs Chromite Project.

The EA will assess the following four components of the Project: 1) The Mine Site, located near McFaulds Lake; 2) An Ore Processing Facility, co-located at the Mine Site; 3) An Integrated Transportation System (ITS) to transport product/supplies and workers to and from the Mine Site; and 4) A Ferrochrome Production Facility (FPF), located in Capreol, near Sudbury.

As part of the planning process for the provincial EA and as required by the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, a Terms of Reference has been prepared by Cliffs for submission to the MOE. If approved by the MOE, the Terms of Reference will serve as a framework for the preparation and review of the provincial EA. Any written comments about the Terms of Reference must be received before August 27, 2012. All comments should be submitted to: Alex Blasko, Special Project Officer, Ministry of the Environment, Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch 2 St. Clair Avenue West, Floor 12A, Toronto ON, M4V 1L5 Tel: 416-314-7232 Email: alex.blasko@ontario.ca A copy of all comments will be forwarded to Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. for its consideration.

For further information about the Cliffs Chromite Project please contact: Jason Aagenes Director, Environmental Affairs 1159 Alloy Drive, Ste. 200 Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6M8 Phone: 1-855-353-4766 Fax: 216-694-4035 public_affairs@cliffsnr.com

Documents Available for Review You may inspect the proposed Terms of Reference during normal business hours at the following locations, please check with your nearest location for their specific hours of operation: Ministry of the Environment Approvals Branch Floor 12A, 2 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto, M4V 1L5 Ministry of the Environment Thunder Bay District Office Suite 331, 435 James Street South, Thunder Bay, P7E 6S7 Ministry of the Environment Sudbury District Office Suite 1201, 199 Larch Street, Sudbury, P3E 5P9 Ministry of the Environment Timmins District Office Ontario Govt. Complex Hwy 101 East, South Porcupine, P0N 1H0 Greenstone Municipal Office 1800 Main Street, Geraldton, P0T 1M0 Thunder Bay Municipal Office 3rd Floor, 500 Donald Street East, Thunder Bay, P7C 5K4 City of Greater Sudbury Municipal Office 200 Brady Street, Sudbury, P3A 5P3 Timmins City Hall 220 Algonquin Blvd. East, Timmins, P4N 1B3

Valley East Public Library 4100 Elmview Drive, Hanmer, P3P 1J7 Capreol Citizen Service Centre & Library 1-9 Morin Street, Capreol, P0M 1H0 Brodie Resource Library 216 South Brodie Street, Thunder Bay, P7E 1C2 Waverley Resource Library 285 Red River Road, Thunder Bay, P7B 1A9 Elsie Dugard Centennial Library 405 Second Street West, Geraldton, P0T 1M0 Greenstone Public Library Longlac Branch 110 Kenogami, Longlac, P0T 2A0 Beardmore Ward Office 78 Pearl Street, Beardmore, P0T 1G0 Nakina Ward Office 200 Centre Avenue, Nakina, P0T 2H0 Main Public Library Mackenzie Branch 74 MacKenzie Street, Sudbury, P3C 4X8 Timmins Public Library 320 Second Avenue, Timmins P4N 8A4

A copy of the Terms of Reference has also been mailed to the following communities: Aroland First Nation - Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation - Attawapiskat First Nation - Constance Lake First Nation - Eabametoong First Nation - Fort Albany First Nation Ginoogaming First Nation - Kashechewan First Nation - Long Lake First Nation #58 - Marten Falls First Nation - Matawa Tribal Council - Métis Nation of Ontario - Mushkegowuk Council - Neskantaga First Nation - Nibinamik First Nation Red Sky Métis Independent Nation - Temagami First Nation Wahnapitae First Nation - Webequie First Nation - Whitefish River First Nation – Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek First Nation – Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation – Biinjitiwaabok Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay) First Nation – Dokis First Nation – Henvey Inlet First Nation – Mattagami First Nation – M’Chigeeng First Nation – Nipissing First Nation – Sagamok Anishinawbek First Nation – Serpent River First Nation – Sheguiandah First Nation – Shesheqwaning First Nation – Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve – Zhiibaahaasing First Nation

In addition, the Terms of Reference will be available at: http://www.cliffsnaturalresources.com Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Environmental Assessment Act, unless otherwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property location included in a submission will become part of the public record files for this matter and will be released, if requested, to any person.

game, how to prepare hides.”

Fox witnessed how good it is for youth to go out on the land during the school year while

We’ll take them back to the land and teach them all those skills, survival skills in the wilderness whether it’s water or on land...

– Charles Fox

boarding Northern Nishnawbe Education Council (NNEC) students in the heritage building.

“We took them out to the reserve on the four-wheelers to go hunting and they really enjoyed that,” Fox said.

Hardy-Fox said the opportunity to go out on the land “made a difference” for the NNEC students.

“A big change happened when Charles would take three or four boys for a hunting trip,” Hardy-Fox said. “Just driving for the day to go hunting and come back. And that’s when they started to let their guard down and start sharing.”

Hardy-Fox said the landbased programming is the big attraction for the childcare agencies.

Fox modeled the landbased programming on his own youth, when his family took him out on the land after he came back from residential school.

“They deprogrammed me and reprogrammed me,” Fox said. “I was a wreck when I got back from residential school.

I left when I was about eight years old and didn’t get back home until I was about 20.”

Fox is looking to help children who have been bounced around from foster home to foster home.

“We want to give a grounding; we want to give them a sense of identity,” Fox said.

“We just want to teach them all those things, the seven grandfather teachings.”

Fox said the identification of any mental issues the children may have is also a goal.

“All the clinical and those kinds of invasive therapies will be done at the rez so that here (at the heritage building) they can just have comfort, secure and sleeping,” Hardy-Fox said.

Plans include a number of full-time staff in the future once the group home is fully operational.

“Even when we’re here, we’ll have to try to get some night staff so there’ll be someone watching them,” Hardy-Fox said.

“We plan to stay here on the third floor for the first while.”

The couple began restoring the heritage building in 2008 to bring it up to code for a group home, which includes fire doors and multiple egress points on each floor.

“It’s over a hundred years old,” Fox said. “It’s a nice old house.”

To keep the original ambiance of the heritage home, Fox and Hardy-Fox covered over a stain glass window above a passageway with plexiglass to provide a safe environment for the children while preserving a piece of history.

Hardy-Fox said the renovations took a long time because every change to the building’s exterior had to go through a heritage committee.

Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

15

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Returning from tour Christian Quequish Wawatay News

Returning from a monthlong tour in southern Ontario, Nick Sherman of Weagamow Lake First Nation found himself right at home with a welcome home show July 6. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After I released my album in January, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve just been playing as much as I possibly can,â&#x20AC;? said Sherman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was really nice to just play for an entire month.â&#x20AC;?

Sherman said he tried to hit all the major cities: Toronto, Montreal, Windsor, and Ottawa while visiting smaller towns in between when he had the chance.

He said the vibe is different when he played in small towns compared to big cities.

Sherman said that in small towns, he got the type of crowd that came out to listen to live music. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the city, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re basically helping create the atmosphere of the venue youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re playing at,â&#x20AC;? Sherman remarked.

He said that some of the challenges he faced were mostly physical. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I got sick in the first week, so that was a huge obstacle,â&#x20AC;? said Sherman, who had to figure out how he was going to play in a â&#x20AC;&#x153;semi-proper state of mind.â&#x20AC;?

He said a lot of Tylenol, nasal drainage and drinking green tea with honey helped in getting him through his shows. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After the show, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care what my condition was, but before the show, it was a two hour process of trying to make sure my face wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to fall off on stage,â&#x20AC;? said Sherman.

The weather was a big obstacle as well.

Sherman said that driving around southern Ontario in a â&#x20AC;&#x2122;98 escort he bought secondhand for $600 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; where some days were as hot as 30 degrees â&#x20AC;&#x201C; were just unreal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trying to be motivated

and have the energy to make it to the next show was a challenge,â&#x20AC;? said Sherman.

Sherman said that all in all, it was a positive experience.

He said he made some really good friends, people heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be interested in working with down the road, and a couple of new fans. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If someone bought a CD

â&#x20AC;&#x153;After the show, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care what my condition was, but before the show, it was a two hour process of trying to make sure my face wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to fall off on stage...â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nick Sherman

once a night, it was a success. So, in that sense, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d say I made an impact.â&#x20AC;?

Sherman said he hoped to be touring again real soon.

Jean-Paul De Roover, a musician with many talents was at the show and had tagged along with Sherman for the last half of his tour. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was just finishing up his tour, so we decided to meet up and have some fun for a couple of shows,â&#x20AC;? said De Roover. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is Nickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first big tour, so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really proud of him and glad for what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing.â&#x20AC;?

Sherman grew up mostly in and around the Weagamow Lake area, living on reserve as well as on the trap lines.

He said he took an interest in music in his early teen years, and started messing around with writing songs and performing as he got older.

Taking place in the basement of the Centennial Centre in Sioux Lookout, the welcome home show also featured the musical talents of Jean Paul De Roover, Natasha Quequish and Kaden Anderson.

Bearskin Lake First Nation Presents:

Michikan Lake Homecoming!

75th year Celebrations!

August 17 to August 27, 2012 All Bearskin Lake First Nation Members and former residents living off reserve are invited to come home and celebrate!

For more information please Contact any member of the Council or Anita Nothing, Recreation & Special Events Planner @ 807 363 2518 Please check out our website: michikanlakehomecoming.myknet.org Or find us on Facebook Michikan Lake Homecoming 2012

REVIEW Review of Draft Forest Management Plan: Information Centre Abitibi River Forest 2012â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2022 Forest Management Plan The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), First Resource Management Group Inc. and the Cochrane Local Citizens Committee (LCC) invite you to review and comment on the 2012â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2022 Draft Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the Abitibi River Forest.

The Planning Process The FMP takes approximately two years to complete.

During this time, five formal opportunities for public and Aboriginal involvement are provided. The third opportunity (Stage 3) for this FMP occurred on December 19, 2011 when the public was invited to review and comment on operations for the first and second terms of the plan. This â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Stage 4â&#x20AC;&#x2122; notice is to: t J OWJUF ZPV UP SFWJFX BOE DPNNFOU PO UIF %SBGU FMP, and t SFRVFTU DPOUSJCVUJPOT UP UIF CBDLHSPVOE information to be used in planning.

Comments from the public will be considered in revisions to the Draft FMP. How to Get Involved The Draft FMP and summary will be available on the MNR public website at ontario.ca/forestplans and at the office of First Resource Management Group and at the MNR locations noted below, during normal office hours for a period of 60 days from September 7 to November 6, 2012. Comments on the Draft FMP for the Abitibi River Forest must be received by Cory Wiseman of the planning team at the MNR Cochrane District Office by November 7, 2012.

The Ontario Government Information Centre in Toronto at 774 Bay Street and the following ServiceOntario offices within the Abitibi River Forest provide Internet access: ServiceOntario 143 Fourth Avenue $PDISBOF 0/

ServiceOntario Main Floor, 33 Ambridge Drive *SPRVPJT 'BMMT 0/

ServiceOntario 5520 Highway 101 East 4PVUI 1PSDVQJOF 0/

5P BTTJTU ZPV JO UIF SFWJFX BOE UP QSPWJEF UIF PQQPSUVOJUZ UP BTL RVFTUJPOT JOGPSNBUJPO DFOUSFT XJMM CF IFME BU UIF following locations from 5 to 8 p.m. on the following days: Timmins â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Monday, August 27, 2012 at Travelodge, 5 to 8 p.m.

Iroquois Falls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at Royal Canadian Legion, 5 to 8 p.m.

Cochrane â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at Terryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant, 5 to 8 p.m.

Smooth Rock Falls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thursday, September 6, 2012 at SRF Curling Club, 5 to 8 p.m.

In addition to the most current versions of the information and maps that were previously available, the following information will also be available: t %SBGU '.1 JODMVEJOH TVQQMFNFOUBSZ EPDVNFOUBUJPO t %SBGU '.1 TVNNBSZ DPQJFT NBZ CF PCUBJOFE BU UIF JOGPSNBUJPO DFOUSFT BOE t ./3 T QSFMJNJOBSZ MJTU PG SFRVJSFE BMUFSBUJPOT .FFUJOHT XJUI SFQSFTFOUBUJWFT PG UIF QMBOOJOH UFBN BOE UIF -$$ DBO CF SFRVFTUFE BU BOZ UJNF EVSJOH UIF QMBOOJOH process. Reasonable opportunities to meet planning team members during non-business hours will be provided upon SFRVFTU *G ZPV SFRVJSF NPSF JOGPSNBUJPO PS XJTI UP EJTDVTT ZPVS JOUFSFTUT XJUI B QMBOOJOH UFBN NFNCFS QMFBTF DPOUBDU POF of the individuals listed below: Ministry of Natural Resources Cory Wiseman, RPF Cochrane District Office P.O. Box 730, 2-4 Highway 11 South Cochrane, ON P0L 1C0 tel: 705-272-7195 fax: 705-272-7183 e-mail: cory.wiseman@ontario.ca office hours: 8:30 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:30 p.m.

First Resource Management Group Paul Fantin, RPF P.O. Box 550 Englehart, ON P0J 1H0 tel: 705-544-2828 fax: 705-544-2921 e-mail: paul.fantin@frmg.ca office hours: 8:30 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:30 p.m.

Cochrane LCC c/o Mark Jones, LCC Chair P.O. Box 730 Cochrane, ON P0L 1C0

%VSJOH UIF QMBOOJOH QSPDFTT UIFSF JT BO PQQPSUVOJUZ UP NBLF B XSJUUFO SFRVFTU UP TFFL SFTPMVUJPO PG JTTVFT XJUI UIF ./3 District Manager or the Regional Director using a process described in the Forest Management Planning Manual (2009).

The last possible date to seek issue resolution with the MNR Regional Director is December 6, 2012.

Stay Involved A final opportunity to inspect the approved plan before it is implemented will take place during the inspection of the MNR-approved FMP (Stage 5), which is tentatively scheduled for January 2013.

The approval date of the FMP is tentatively scheduled for January 27, 2013.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is collecting your personal information and comments under the authority of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. Any personal information you provide (address, name, telephone, etc.) will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act IPXFWFS ZPVS DPNNFOUT XJMM CFDPNF QBSU PG the public consultation process and may be shared with the general public. Your personal information may be used by the Ministry of Natural Resources to send you further information related to this forest management planning exercise. If you IBWF RVFTUJPOT BCPVU UIF VTF PG ZPVS QFSTPOBM JOGPSNBUJPO QMFBTF DPOUBDU %FOJT $MFNFOU BU Renseignements en français : 705-272-7158 Cochrane, 705-235-1314 Timmins, 705-568-3222 Kirkland Lake.

16

Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Primary Health Care Unit

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Client Services Department

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Client Services Department

RECEPTIONIST/CLERK Internal/External Posting Permanent Full Time Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

SECURITY PERSONNEL Full Time ( 1 position) Internal/External Posting Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

TRANSPORTATION DRIVERS Internal/External Posting Casual positions Location: Sioux Lookout, ON

Reporting to the Clinic Coordinator, the Receptionist/ Clerk will be responsible for performing a variety of clerical support services to the Primary Health Care Unit.

Under the direction of the Team Leader (Security), the Security Personnel provides security for the Hostel facility, parking lot and other SLFNHA property.

QUALIFICATIONS • Minimum Grade 12 or equivalent; • Certificate/Diploma in Medical Office Assistant program or equivalent an asset; • Minimum 2 years receptionist/secretarial experience an asset; • Medical terminology and medical transcription experience an asset; • Proficient keyboarding skills; • Ability to speak in one of the First Nations Dialects in the Sioux Lookout Zone is required.

QUALIFICATIONS • Minimum Grade 12 and/or post secondary education; • Post Secondary education in Law and Security an asset • Previous Security experience; • Experience/training in the area of Non-Crisis Intervention; • Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills; • Possess excellent team building and networking skills.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY • Knowledge of Microsoft Office XP Pro (Office Pro 2007 an asset). Experience with a Client Database; • Ability to work with scheduling and medical information software programs (e.g. Practice Solutions); • Excellent communication skills (both written and oral); • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical and clinic staff and the public; • Must have experience and understanding of Native culture, and of the geographic realities and social conditions within remote First Nation Communities; • Excellent time management and organizational skills; • Ability to work independently.

Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal Reference Check with a Search of the Pardoned Sexual Offender Registry 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 Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com Closing Date: July 27, 2012

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY • Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone will be an asset; • Experience and understanding of Native cultural issues, the geographic realities and social conditions within remote Northern First Nation communities; • Innovative problem solving and decision making skills; • Excellent time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently.

• 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 Search of Vulnerable Persons Screening to: 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 Closing Date: August 3, 2012

The Transportation Drivers are primarily responsible for providing ground transportation to First Nations medical clients and escorts from the First Nations communities. The incumbents will provide general outreach to the clients and perform routine maintenance for the Client Services Department Vans.

QUALIFICATIONS: • Minimum Grade 12 or equivalent; • Must have a Valid Ontario Driver’s Licence, with a minimum of three (3) years previous driving experience; • Must have had no insurance claims over the last three (3) years; • Must have had continuous insurance coverage for the last three (3) years; • Must have a good driving record-accident free for minimum of (3) three years; • Must have no Highway Traffic Act convictions; • A defensive driving course would be a definite asset.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY • Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone a definite asset; • Experience and understanding of Native cultural issues, the geographical realities and social conditions within remote Northern First Nation communities; • Innovative problem solving and decision making skills; • Excellent time management, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently.

Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal Reference Check with a Search of Vulnerable Persons Screening Registry and a Driver’s Abstract 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 Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com Closing Date: August 3, 2012

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.

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

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

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

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Client Services Department

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Client Services Department

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Client Services Department

DIETARY AIDES Casual Employment Internal/External Posting Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

ACCOMMODATION CLERKS Internal/External Posting Casual Positions Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

HOUSEKEEPERS Casual Internal/External Posting Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

Under the direction of the Team Leader (Dietary), the Dietary Aides are responsible to meet the dietary needs of the Hostel clients.

QUALIFICATIONS • Minimum Grade 12; • Safe Food Handling an asset; • Must have Food Service Worker certification; (or be willing to obtain) • Previous experience in a hospitality field an asset; • Ability to lift up to 20 lbs; • Must be independent and self motivated worker; • Valid Driver’s license preferred; • Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills; • Possess excellent team building and networking skills.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY • Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone will be an asset; • Experience and understanding of Native cultural issues, the geographic realities and social conditions within remote Northern First Nation communities; • Innovative problem solving and decision making skills; • Excellent time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently; • Must be willing to do shift work.

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

The Accommodation Clerks are primarily responsible for the overall care of the hostel and private accommodation boarders.

The incumbents will process boarder information, assist the dispatcher with daily pick up lists, and work cooperatively with other staff and agencies.

QUALIFICATIONS: • Minimum Grade 12 or equivalent; • Good communication, and interpersonal skills; • Certification in CPR and Emergency First Aid an asset; KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY • Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone a definite asset; • Knowledge and experience in office procedures and basic computer literacy an asset; • Experience and understanding of Native cultural issues, the geographical realities and social conditions within remote Northern First Nation communities; • Innovative problem solving and decision making skills; • Excellent time management, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently.

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

Under the direction of the Team Leader (Housekeeping), the Housekeepers are responsible to keep the Hostel and Administration offices at a high standard of cleanliness.

QUALIFICATIONS • Minimum Grade 12 and/or post secondary education; • Ability to lift 20+ lbs; • Ability to stand on feet all day; • Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills; • Possess excellent team building and networking skills.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY • Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone will be an asset; • Experience and understanding of Native cultural issues, the geographic realities and social conditions within remote Northern First Nation communities; • Innovative problem solving and decision making skills; • Excellent time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently; • Must be willing to do shift work.

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

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

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

Closing Date: August 3, 2012

Closing Date: August 3, 2012

Closing Date: August 3, 2012

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.

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

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

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

Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

17

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Rainy River First Nations announces a Career Opportunity for a CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (C.E.O.) Rainy River First Nations Economic Development Corporation (R.R.F.N. E.D.C.) (Internal / External Posting) The Rainy River First Nations is seeking a highly professional, knowledgeable and competent individual who has vision, courage and dedication to employ as Chief Executive Officer for the Rainy River First Nations’ new Economic Development Corporation.

Christian Quequish/Wawatay News

Graduates of Brock University’s distance education course are now ready to start teaching children in their communities.

Education graduates head home to teach Christian Quequish Wawatay News

Five Brock University graduates were honoured July 18 at Pelican Falls First Nation High School (PFFNHS) during Northern Nishnawbe Education Council’s (NNEC) Bachelor of Education Program Recognition Event.

The Bachelor of Education program is offered by Brock University in partnership with NNEC through Brock’s Tecumseh Centre.

It gears to Aboriginal students who cannot undertake the traditional student role in a university, and helps train local people who will then work as teachers in the communities.

The bachelor of education program is spread out through five years, with students leaving their communities for three weeks at a time to be taught in the Sioux Lookout region.

“Our instructors flew up from the south,” said Alanna Mamakeesick, Brock University graduate and Lac Seul First Nation band member.

Mamakeesick said she hopes to start teaching within a few years when a position opens up. Until then she will be an educational assistant and supply teach when she is needed.

Mamakeesick said going to the Brock University campus in St. Catharines, Ont. to learn geology and live in residence for three weeks was an exciting experience.

She said that a big challenge was leaving her home community. Marg Raynor, coordinator of the Bachelor of Education program for Brock University, said that was the case for a lot of students.

“Separation from family was probably one of the biggest challenges,” said Raynor.

Raynor said that community and family crises create a difficult road block for students in the program.

“Here we are celebrating their graduating from this program, and today one of them receives a message that a friend has died back home,” said Raynor.

Barry McLoughlin, director of lifelong learning at NNEC, said that another challenge the students face is the need for understanding employers.

“If the student’s coming out who works in the school as a teacher’s assistant or as a teacher, that principal needs to have coverage for a few weeks,” said McLoughlin.

He said that on the flipside, one of the benefits of the program are the relationships the students form with each other.

“Brock recognizes the importance of those bonds and relations,” said Raynor. “All that

is encouraged throughout the program because we know it has to be there.”

McLoughlin said the students become family, creating a support network that helps strengthen them as individuals.

Cherish Kakegamic of Sandy Lake First Nation, a graduate of the bachelor of education program, said she already has a teaching job lined up.

“I’m going to be teaching Grade 2 in my community,” said Kakegamic.

She said one of the biggest challenges was leaving her daughter behind, but she compromised by visiting her on weekends.

Her greatest moment, she said, will be graduating in October.

The graduates will be honoured at a ceremony at Brock University in St. Catharines in October.

Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre in Sioux Lookout, Ontario is seeking a

Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre in Sioux Lookout, Ontario is seeking a

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Culture & Language Curriculum Specialist

The Executive Director is the senior employee and chief administrative officer of the Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Center (KERC).

The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of its staff and programs. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors.

The Culture & Language Curriculum Specialist, under the direction of the ARP Coordinator will design and develop curriculum resources and materials and assist the District First Nations school staff in implementing the Kwayaciiwin District First Nations curriculum guidelines and provide professional development.

RESPONSIBILITIES The Key responsibilities include managing the programs and staff of KERC, ensuring proper planning for the programs and services provided by KERC, implementing the policies of KERC and decisions of the Board, maintaining proper communication with the staff, Board and other key partners and managing the resources of KERC.

Duties and Responsibilities • In-service district schools on the Kwayaciiwin bilingual and bi-cultural elementary school program guidelines.

• Assist with the revision of Kwayaciiwin guidelines.

• Work with local Education Authorities.

• Promote the Kwayaciiwin program throughout the school, community and district.

• Assist teaching staff in implementing the guidelines: timetabling, organizing, developing materials and planning.

• Assist teachers in developing units, lessons with materials, and resources.

• Provide professional development to school staff in areas such as immersion and second language methodology, classroom management, literacy, and unit planning.

• Design and develop teaching materials in the languages of the First Nations.

• Conduct research on other bilingual education programs, and other topics as required.

• Liaise with schools, Education Directors, Local Education Authorities, principals, teaching staff and other agencies.

QUALIFICATIONS • The position requires an experienced manager with an expert knowledge of First Nation education systems.

• Administration experience is required including planning of programs and services, coordination of implementation activities, and supervision of staff.

• Experience in preparing reports and making presentations.

• An understanding of planning, monitoring and evaluation practices and processes.

• Knowledge of First Nations education needs and systems • Strong planning, organizational and coordination skills and ability to manage complex projects.

• A demonstrated ability to work with First Nations and culturally sensitive to First Nation issues and the district it serves.

• Self-motivated, organized, able to lead a team of professional staff.

• Excellent interpersonal, communications and computer skills.

• Bachelor of Education degree with minimum 5 years teaching experience preferably in a First Nations community • Fluency in Ojibway, Oji-Cree or Cree is a definite asset SALARY To commensurate with education & experience. KERC offers a comprehensive group insurance & pension plan.

Qualifications • Teacher qualifications • Experience working with First Nations in the field of education • Self-motivated, organized, able to work as a team member, a facilitator, and a consultant • Excellent interpersonal, communications and computer skills.

• Ability to travel independently to isolated First Nations communities.

• Experience in bilingual/ bi-cultural programs an asset.

• Language fluency in Ojibway, Oji-Cree and/or Cree.

• Willing to be trained in skill development relating to the job description/responsibilities.

To apply: Please submit a resume, three most recent employment references with written permission to contact, and a covering letter via email to:

To Apply: Please submit a resume, three recent employment references with written permission to contact, and a covering letter via email to:

Eugene Southwind, Finance & Human Resources Officer Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre Email: esouthwind@kerc.ca

Eugene Southwind, Finance and Human Resources Officer Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre email: esouthwind@kerc.ca

Closing Date for Applications: August 10, 2012 A detailed job description may be obtained by calling Eugene Southwind at (807) 737-7373 ext 19. An up to date Criminal Reference and Child Abuse Registry check required at time of hiring. *KERC thanks all those who apply; However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted*

Closing Date for Applications: Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 4:00 pm Criminal Reference and Child Abuse Registry check required at time of hiring.

Kwayaciiwin thanks all those who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The C.E.O. will administer the daily operations and projects of the Corporation and will provide advice to the Board of Directors based on business and financial analysis of current and proposed activities.

The CEO will report to the Board of Directors of the Rainy River First Nations Economic Development Corporation, while daily supervision will be provided by the Manager of Administration of the Rainy River First Nations.

QUALIFICATIONS • A university degree in either Business, Finance, Economics or another related field; • A preferred minimum of ten (10) years experience in business development, financial analysis and strategic planning; • Highly experienced in strategic and business development, operational management, and human resources management; • Strong knowledge with corporate and tax laws, corporate securities/shares, corporate structures, corporate roles and responsibilities; • Strong knowledge of fiscal management and responsibility, business finance, contracts, and partnerships; and • High level of office administration skills and proficient with Microsoft Office 2007, most particularly with Excel.

SALARY Commensurate based on qualifications and experience.

TO APPLY Applications can only be forwarded in person, by Postal Mail, E-mail, or by Fax addressed to: ATTENTION: Chief Executive Officer – R.R.F.N. E.D.C. Rainy River First Nations P.O. Box 450 Emo, ONTARIO P0W-1E0 Fax #: (807) 482-2603 Email: d.wilson@bellnet.ca APPLICATIONS must include: • A cover letter and resume that includes three (3) professional references; • A satisfactory Criminal Reference Check; and • Written authorization to contact references.

DEADLINE Applications must be received no later than Friday, August 3, 2012 @ Noon (CST).

NOTE While all applications are appreciated, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

CONTACTS Dean Wilson, Manager of Administration d.wilson@bellnet.ca or (807) 482-2479.

Or Tracy Oshie-Horton, Executive Assistant ea.rrfn@bellnet.ca or (807) 482-2479.

18

Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Fun, safety and food highlight of Camp Loon

photo submitted by Peter Moon

Master Corporal Savannah Neotapin of Constance Lake coaches Junior Ranger Dwight Shewaybick, 12, of Webequie, on the shooting range.

By Peter Moon Special to Wawatay News

Camp Loon was “an excellent camp this year,” according to the officer commanding the 700 Junior Canadian Rangers across northern Ontario.

“It went very well,” said Captain Caryl Fletcher. “There were a lot of Junior Canadian Rangers who were first-timers at the camp. So it was a new experience for them and we also had a lot of younger Junior Rangers this year, aged 12 to 14. They were just thrilled to be here.”

The annual camp, held on

Springwater Lake, 50 kilometres north of Geraldton, provided eight days of advanced training for 148 Junior Rangers from 19 First Nation communities. Instruction included shooting (both rifle and paintball), boating (power boats and canoes), driving all-terrain vehicles, instruction in how to swim-to-survive, mountain biking, and traditional arts and crafts and skills, including drumming. A highlight of the program was a 130-metre zipline that was launched from a 10-metre tower and crossed a river. The zipline was hugely popular and some Junior Rang-

ers did as many as 14 trips on it.

Junior Canadian Rangers are part of a national youth program run by the Canadian Forces for boys and girls aged 12 to 18 in Canada’s remote and isolated regions.

The program at Camp Loon emphasized safety on the land and water and in personal lifestyles and was delivered by 46 Canadian Rangers and 52 other military personnel.

Canadian Rangers are part-time reserve soldiers. In northern Ontario, there are 550 Rangers in 23 first nations.

“Our number one focus is fun and right behind that is safety,”

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Captain Fletcher said. “A lot of what we teach they take back to their communities and they use it. We teach them how to use all-terrain vehicles, power boats, canoes, and about water safety. I know they remember what we teach them and many of them will pass it on to their friends. I’ve seen Junior Rangers in northern communities ask someone getting into a boat where their life jacket was. And they ask because we’ve taught them about the importance of wearing a life jacket.”

The Canadian Rangers have 50 life jackets and 50 helmets, suitable for both ATV and snow-

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photo submitted by Peter Moon

A confidence building zip line was popular at Camp Loon.

mobiles, in each of 20 remote northern Ontario first nations for community use. They may be borrowed by anyone who wants to use them.

A highlight of this year’s camp, as always, was the food prepared for the Junior Rangers by a military field kitchen. “The food was great,” said Junior Ranger Preston Cromarty, 14, of Kitchenuhmaykoosib. “It was healthy and it tasted good.”

“The whole menu was designed for the children,” said Leading Seaman Karen Boot, one of six cooks at the camp.

“That’s why there was hot dogs, burgers, and pizza subs. That’s

what they wanted. They can’t get that in their communities.

So, instead of roast beef for dinner, we gave them what they wanted. We had lots of healthy food for them.

“Did they appreciate it? Yes, they did. They said so. One night four of them came and said good night to me before I went to bed.

They walked by my tent and they said: ‘Goodnight, cook. See you later, Boot.’ That was their way of saying thank you.”

(Sergeant Peter Moon is the public affairs ranger for 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group at Canadian Forces Base Borden.)

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Wawatay News

When 14-year-old Colby Moose of Poplar Hill First Nation made his first toss in a softball throwing competition in Lac Seul, Scott Haines could not believe it.

“Holy smokes,” said Haines, a track and field coach who coached Team Ontario at the last two North American Indigenous Games.

“When it left his hand, it just launched.”

The competition was part of an event organized by Haines to qualify the local youth to compete in the Hershey Track and Field Games (HTFG), a North American

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Haines had tried to bring a local team to a HTFG event in Thunder Bay but could not make the arrangements, so he contacted a HTFG representative to see if he can set one up in Lac Seul.

“So she just said, have it at your school there and register the event,” he said. “The kids did the softball throw and standing long jump.”

Every student at the local school took part, but it was Moose who stole the show.

“Right after the first throw, we knew it was something pretty good,” Haines said.

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Moose’s toss reached a distance of 202 feet and 8 inches. After Haines submitted the scores to HTFG, he discovered Moose finished second in his age group in Ontario.

“Last year, he would have been third at (HTFG) in Hershey,” Haines said.

Unfortunately for Moose, only the first place finishers are invited to Hershey. But Moose has no hard feelings about not making the games.

“I felt good about it,” he said of his toss. Moose said he plays mostly baseball in the summer months back home in his community and hockey in the winter. Sports come naturally for the Grade

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Vehicle(s) may be shown with optional equipment. Dealer may sell or lease for less. Limited time offers. Offers may be cancelled at any time without notice. See your Ford Dealer for complete details or call the Ford Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-565-3673. © 2012 Sirius Canada Inc. “SiriusXM”, the SiriusXM logo, channel names and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc. and are used under licence. † Ford Employee Pricing (“Employee Pricing”) is available from June 14, 2012 to August 31, 2012 (the “Program Period”), on the purchase or lease of most new 2012/2013 Ford vehicles (excluding all chassis cab and cutaway body models, F-150 Raptor, Medium Trucks, Mustang Boss 302, and 2013 Shelby GT500). Employee Pricing refers to A-Plan pricing ordinarily available to Ford of Canada employees (excluding any CAW-negotiated programs). The new vehicle must be delivered or factory-ordered during the Program Period from your participating Ford Dealer. 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Non-Ford owners can enter by mailing an original 100 word essay on “what they like about Ford”, with their full name, full mailing address, email, daytime phone number (with area code) to: Vanessa Richard, Pareto Corp., 1 Concorde Gate, Suite 200, Toronto, ON, M3C 4G4. Contest closes at 11:59pm (PST) on the last day of the 2012 Ford Employee Pricing campaign which will be no earlier than August 31, 2012. Limit of 1 entry per person. Up to 8 prizes available to be won in Canada in 3 possible prize categories, each worth up to CAD$50,000. Chances of winning are dependent on the total number of entries received up to each 10,000 interval of unit sales under the Employee Pricing campaign (“Draw Trigger”). Odds of winning decrease as the contest progresses, more entries are made into the contest, and opportunities for Draw Triggers lessen. 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Taxes payable on full amount of lease financing price after any price adjustment is deducted. Additional payments required for PPSA, registration, security deposit, NSF fees (where applicable), excess wear and tear, and late fees. Some conditions and mileage restrictions apply. A charge of 16 cents per km over mileage restrictions applies, plus applicable taxes. Offers include Total Price Adjustments of [$8,773]/[$3,770] (Total Price Adjustment is a combination of Employee Price Adjustment [$2,273]/[$2,770] and Delivery Allowance of [$6,500] /[$1,000]). Delivery Allowances can be used in conjunction with most retail consumer offers made available by Ford of Canada at either the time of factory order or delivery, but not both. Delivery Allowances are not combinable with any fleet consumer incentives. Employee Pricing is not combinable with CPA, GPC, CFIP, Daily Rental Allowance and A/X/Z/D/F-Plan programs. 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Wawatay News

19

Moose has arm ‘like a cannon’ 8 student. Asked if there is any special technique or trick to his long throws, he said, “I just throw it.”

Moose could not only throw at long distances, but with some speed as well.

A local police officer took out a radar gun and recorded Moose’s throw. He tossed at speed of 99 kilometres-perhour (or 60 miles-per-hour).

“A kid like this, he could be a professional baseball player,” Haines said And while Moose would love to play sports as a career, would he prefer baseball or hockey?

“Hockey, probably,” he said.

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Wawatay News

JULY 26, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Powwow brings together family and friends Stephanie Wesley Wawatay News

Powwow-goers from all over convened on the Wauzhushk Onigum Nation Pow-wow Island during the weekend of July 20th for the Honouring Our Children and Elders powwow.

The powwow was held from July 20 to 22 near at Wauzhushk Onigum (Rat Portage) First Nation. The event was organized by Don Big George and Melanie Skead.

“My experience at the powwow was fantastic,” said Barbara Holmstrom, who attended the event as a spectator. “I enjoyed watching the dancers, young and old, dance in their style in their beautiful regalia.”

Holmstrom said that there were numerous people from all over in attendance. The masters of ceremony were Peter White and Charles Copenace.

Holmstrom said she enjoyed listening to the host drum of the Wauzhushk Onigum Nation.

“The sound of the drums makes me feel connected and proud to be Anishinaabe,” Holmstrom expressed. She said that it was a time for family and friends to come together to renew their bonds and honour their beliefs and traditions of their ancestors.

“I feel that it is important that we honour our children and our elders.”

Submitted photos by Barbara Holmstrom

Powwow dancers came from all over to join in the festivities at Wauzhushki’s Honouring our Children and Elders powow.

The Board and Staff at the Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre would like to wish everyone a happy and safe summer!

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Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre 273 Third Avenue, Suite 204 Timmins, ON P4N 1E2 705-267-7911 fax. 705-267-4988 www.occc.ca