June 14, 2012

PM#0382659799

Weenusk man now paddling solo to Hudson’s Bay PAGE 15

Roy Thomas retrospective opens in Thunder Bay PAGE 20

Webequie divided over Ring of Fire development PAGE 3

Vol. 39 No. 16

9,300 copies distributed $1.50

June 14, 2012 Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

www.wawataynews.ca

Aiming for the top

Grassy Narrows brings mercury poison fight to Ontario capital Youth walkers join week-long rally Frances Olimpo Special to Wawatay News

Photo by Chris Kornacki/Special to Wawatay News

Tobi Crow of Sandy Lake placed second in the softball throw competition during the 2012 Hershey Track and Field Meet in Thunder Bay. Sandy Lake fielded 15 athletes from the First Nation’s growing track team. See story and photos on page 19.

Bold blue banners and colourful fish puppets flowed through Toronto’s downtown streets as streams of supporters gathered for the River Run 2012 March and Rally on June 8. It was the final highlight after a week-long series of events, since Grassy Narrows First Nations members and supporters completed their nearly 2,000-kilometre journey from Kenora to Ontario’s capital.

“I still don’t feel tired,” Clifford Acoby said just before the march began. “I still have lots of energy to give.”

Acoby, 24, travelled from Swan Lake, Man. to join the Grassy Narrows

youth on their walk to raise awareness of chemical dumping and mercury poisoning that has affected the Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows), Wabaseemoong (Whitedog), and Wabauskang First Nations communities. Fifty years ago, the Dryden paper mill dumped 10 tonnes of mercury into the Wabigoon River, resulting in debilitating long-term impacts to the environment and the health of the population.

“As young as we are, we’re well aware of what’s happening and what the government is doing to our land and our waters,” said Acoby. “We want to raise concerns about that because that affects all of us.”

See Grassy Narrows on page 10

ᐊᒋᑯᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑌᐱᓇᐁᐧᓯᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᒐᑭᓯᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᐧᓯᑲᓂᐱᒥᑌ ᑫᑌᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᓂᐠ ᔕᐧᐣ ᐯᓫ ᐊᐧᐊᐧᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ

ᐊᔕ ᑭᑭᔕᓄᑲᑌ ᑲᑭᒐᑭᓯᑲᑌᐠ ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃ ᑲᑭᑕᓇᑌᑭᐣ ᐊᐧᓯᑲᓂᐱᒥᑌᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑫᑌᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᓂᐠ ᐯᔓᐨ ᐊᒋᑯᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ, ᔕᑯᐨ ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᑲᐅᒋᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃ ᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᐣ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᑐᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᒋᑭᐁᐧᐃᔑᓇᑯᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐱᑲᐧᑕᑲᒥᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᑭᐸᐣ. ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐸᐸᒥᓯᑲᑕᐠ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᓂ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐅᑭᐊᓄᑭᐦᐊᐣ ᒋᒪᑕᓄᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᔕ ᐅᑭᑭᔕᓄᑲᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᑭᒐᑭᓴᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᑲᐟ 840,000 ᓫᐃᑐᕑᐢ ᐊᐧᓯᑲᓂᐱᒥᑌᓂ ᑲᑭᑕᓇᑌᑭᐣ ᑫᑌᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᓂᐠ ᐃᒪ ᓫᐃᐣᒪᐣ ᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐱ ᒪᑯᐱᓯᑦ 20 ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓱᐨ. ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᓂᑭᑯᐱᓯᑦ 21 ᐊᐱ ᑲᑭᒪᑕᓄᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ 47 ᑭᓫᐊᒥᑐᕑᐣ ᐃᔑᓀᐣᑲᐱᐦᐊᓄᐠ ᐃᓀᑫ ᐊᒋᑯᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ. ᐊᒋᑯᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᑕᔾᑕᐢ ᑌᔾᐟ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑲᑭᒐᑭᓯᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᐧᓯᑲᓂᐱᒥᑌ ᐅᑐᐣᒋᓇᐦᐁᑕᒥᐦᐃᑯᐊᓇᐧ ᐅᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᒪᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ, ᐃᐁᐧ ᐅᑎ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᔕ ᑲᔭᓂᐯᔓᓇᑲᐧᐠ ᒋᔭᓂᓴᓴᑭᑌᐠ. ᔕᑯᐨ ᑌᔾᐟ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᒥᐦᐅᐁᐧ ᐸᔦᐡ ᐯᔑᑲᐧᔦᐠ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑭᔭᓂᑭᔑᒋᑲᑌᐠ.

ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᑕᐡ ᑭᓯᓂᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑕᔭᓂᑐᒋᑲᑌ ᐁᒪᐧᔦ ᐊᓂᑭᐸᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ ᒧᓇᐦᐃᑲᐣ, ᒥᓇ ᒋᓂᑲᑌᐃᐧᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᒋᓇᓇᑲᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᐦᑭ ᒥᓇ ᓂᐱ ᐱᒋᐳᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᑕᑲᐧᓄᑫᐧᐣ. “ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᐁᐧ ᔐᒪᐠ ᑲᑭᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᒋᔭᓄᑲᑌᐠ, ᒋᒐᑭᓯᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᐧᓯᑲᓂᐱᒥᑌ ᐊᔕ ᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᓇᐦᐊᒋᑲᑌ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑌᔾᐟ. “ᐁᑲᐧ ᔕᑯᐨ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᒥᐢᑕᐃ ᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᐣ ᒋᔭᓄᑲᑌᐠ. ᑫᑌ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑭᓇ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐃᐧᒋᑲᑌᐊᐧᑯᐸᓀᐣ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᐃᐧᔭᓂ ᐅᐡᑲᓄᑲᑌᐠ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᐣ.” ᐊᒋᑯᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂ ᐅᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐠ ᐅᑭᐱ ᑲᑲᑫᐧᒋᒪᐣ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᐱᑲᓯᓂᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᑫᑌᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᓂ ᐊᑯᓇᐠ 1980 ᑲᐱᒥᓭᓂᐠ, ᐊᐱ ᐠᐃᐧᐣ ᓫᐁᐠᐢ ᐅᓇᓇᑕᐊᐧᓯᓂᐁᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐊᐧᑐᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐅᑕᓄᑭᐃᐧ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐊᐧᓯᑲᓂᐱᒥᑌᓂ ᑫᔭᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᒪᑕᓄᑭᐊᐧᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᒧᓇᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐁᑭᐃᔑᓇᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ. ᒥᔑᐣ ᑲᑎᐱᓇᐁᐧ ᐊᓄᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᐅᒋ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᒋᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᑎᐟ ᐃᓂᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐊᐧᓯᑲᓂᐱᒥᑌ ᐊᓯᐊᐧᒋᑲᓇᐱᑯᐣ ᐁᔕᐳᐱᑭᐣ. ᑌᔾᐟ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ

A huge fuel cache near Sachigo Lake has finally been burned off, over two decades after the community first raised the issue. See story in English on page 9.

ᑲᑭᑕᓀᐣᑕᒥᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᒪ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᓂᐱᑲᐠ ᒋᔭᓂ ᐱᒋᐳᐊᐧᑲᒥᒋᑫᒪᑲᓂᐠ, ᐁᒥᔑᓇᑭᐣ ᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᓯᐱᐊᐧᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃ ᐊᒋᑯᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᐁᔑᒋᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᒪ ᒪᔭᑦ ᑲᐃᔑᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᑫᑌᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᐣ. “ᐁᐃᓯᓭᐠ ᐃᑯ ᒋᑲᑫᐧ ᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᒪᐠ

ᑭᓯᐱᒥᓇᐣ ᐁᑲ ᐊᐧᓯᑲᓂᐱᒥᑌ ᒥᓇ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᐱᒋᐳᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒋᐃᔕᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᓂᐱ ᑲᔭᓂᔑᒋᐊᐧᐠ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ. ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ, ᐁᑭᐊᔓᑕᒪᑯᐨ ᐊᒥᑯᑭᒪᐣ ᓂᔭᓄᑯᐣ ᒋᐱᒥ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᑭᓄᔐᐠ ᐃᒪ ᐃᓀᑫ ᑌᑎᐸᐦᐃ ᐅᐁᐧ

ᑫᓂᐱᓂᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᑭ ᐱᒥᒐᑭᓯᑲᑌᐠ ᐱᒥᑌ, ᒥᔑᐣ 45 ᑎᐸᐦᐊᐸᐣ ᑲᐊᐱᑕᐱᑲᑭᐣ ᐊᐧᓯᑲᓂᐱᒥᑌᐱᐊᐧᐯᑯᐣ ᐁᑲ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑫᑯᓀᐣ ᑐᑲᓂ ᐱᒥᑌᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᐊᓯᐊᐧᑌᑭᐣ ᒥᐅᓄ ᑲᔦ ᑲᑭᓂᑲᑌᐃᐧᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ. ᒥᑕᐡ ᑲᑭᐃᑭᑐᐨ ᑌᔾᐟ ᐅᓄᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐣ ᑭᐃᔑᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᑲᐧᐣ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᐁᒥᔑᓇᑭᐣ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᐁᑲ ᒪᔑ ᒥᑐᓂ ᐁᑫᒋᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᑭᐣ ᑫᑯᓀᓂᐊᐧᑭᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᓇᑲᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ. ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᒥᓇ ᒥᔑᓇᐧ ᐁᑭᓇᓇᐱ ᑲᑫᐧᑌᐧᐨ ᐁᑭᐃᑭᑐᐨ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᒪᑕᓄᑲᑌᐠ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᓄᐱᒪᑲᒥᐠ ᑭᐁᑎᐧᓄᐠ ᐯᔑᑲᐧᐣ ᒋᑭᑐᒋᑲᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᑲᐱᒥᓂᔕᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ ᐅᓇᔓᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᐱ ᑲᔭᓂᑭᐸᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐯᔓᐨ ᑭᒋᐅᑌᓇᐠ. “ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᓇᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᐸᑲᓂᓯᓯᒥᐣ ᑐᑲᐣ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐅᑌᓇᐠ ᑲᑕᔑᑫᐊᐧᐨ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑌᔾᐟ. “ᒋᑭᐃᓇᑯᓇᑲᓄᐸᐣ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᓂ ᑲᑦᐸᓂ ᓂᔭᑲᓇ ᒋᐅᓇᑐᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᐃᓇᓄᑲᑕᐠ ᐃᐡᑲᐧᑭᔕᓄᑲᑕᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᑕᔑᒧᓇᐦᐊᓯᓂᐁᐧᐨ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᒋᑭᐁᐧᐃᔑᓇᑯᑐᐨ ᐊᐦᑭᓂ ᐃᐁᐧ ᓂᐣᑕᑦ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᓂᑭᐸᐣ.” ᐃᓇᐱᐣ ᐸᑭᑭᓂᑲᓂᐠ 9

Red Lake Charity Golf Tournament Friday July 27th, 2012 at Red Lake Golf & Country Club

for more information, please contact Michael Pedri at: 807.475.9576 or mpedri@wgimail.com

1.877.492.7292 • www.wasaya.com

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ᐊᓴᐸᐱᐡᑯᓯᐊᐧᑲᐣᐠ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᐅᑎᔑᐃᐧᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᑐᕑᐊᐣᑐ ᑭᒋᐅᑌᓇᐠ

ᐱᔓᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᑭᐱᒪᑲᐧᔑᐁᐧ ᐁᐅᐣᒋ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᑯᐨ ᐅᑎᓯᓭᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ

ᐊᓴᐸᐱᐡᑯᓯᐊᐧᑲᐣᐠ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᐊᔕ ᐅᑭᑭᔑᑐᓇᐊᐧ 2,000 ᑭᓫᐊᒥᑐᕑᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᓇᐦᐊᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑐᕑᐊᐣᑐ ᑭᒋᐅᑌᓇᐠ ᐁᑭᓇᑕᐃᐧ ᓇᑭᐡᑲᐊᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᒋᑲᐯᔑᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᒪᒪᐃᐧᐡᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᐸᐸᒪᑲᐧᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᓇᑯᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᑲᓇᐦᐁᐣᑕᒥᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐯᔑᑯᐱᒥᑯᓇᑲ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᒋᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᒪ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑲᐱᑐ. ᐊᐱ ᑲᔭᓂᒪᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᒪᒪᐃᐧᐡᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᔐᒪᐠ ᑭᐅᐯᐧᓭ ᒪᔭᑦ ᐁᑭᐃᓯᓭᐠ ᒋᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᐅᐡᑭ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑭᑐᒪᑲᐠ 59% ᒥᓂᑯᐠ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᑲᑭᓇᓇᑲᒋᐦᐃᑕᐧᐸᐣ ᒋᑭᑭᐡᑲᑯᐊᐧᑫᐧᐣ ᐱᒋᐳᐃᐧᓂ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᐁᐅᐣᒋ ᐱᒥᐊᑯᓯᐊᐧᑎᓯᐊᐧᐨ. ᐅᒪᒪᒥᒪᐠ ᐊᓴᐸᐱᐡᑯᓯᐊᐧᑲᐣᐠ ᓇᑫ ᑭᔭᓂᔑᒋᑫᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᑭ ᑭᔑᑌᐳᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᓄᔐᐣ ᐁᑭᑭᓯᓴᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᒪ ᑭᐧᐣᐢ ᐸᐧᕑᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᑭᓇᑐᒪᐊᐧᐣ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐅᑭᒪᐣ ᑕᓫᑎᐣ ᒥᑭᐣᑎ ᒋᐱᐃᐧᒋᐃᐧᓯᓂᒥᑯᐊᐧᐨ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᑭᒋᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᑭᐸᐸᒪᑲᐧᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᓴᑭᐸᑲᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 8 ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓱᐨ, ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ ᐁᑭᔭᓂ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᑯᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᐱᒋᐳᓂᑕᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᐧᑎ ᒋᕑᐃᑎ #3 ᐁᐧᑎ ᐊᑯᓇᐠ 1960 ᑲᔭᓂᒪᒋᓭᓂᐠ.

100 ᑭᓫᐊᒥᑐᕑᐢ ᐊᐱᓯᓇᑲᐧᓂ ᐁᑭᐃᓇᑲᐧᔑᐁᐧᐨ ᐁᐃᐧᐅᐣᒋ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐨ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᑲᐊᐧᓂᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒥᑐᓂ ᐱᑯ ᐊᔕ ᐁᑭᒋᒪᒋᓴᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᒪᐣ ᒥᑕᐡ ᑲᑐᑕᐠ ᐱᔓᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᒪᑎᔪ ᑭᐁᐧᑲᐳ ᐁᑭᐃᓇᑲᐧᔑᐁᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᑕᔑᓂᑕᐃᐧᑭᐨ. ᑭᐁᐧᑲᐳ, ᐅᐃᐧᑭᐊᐧᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑯᓯᓴᐣ ᓂᐅᑯᐣ ᑭᐱᒥᔭᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᐃᓇᑲᐧᔑᐁᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐧᔾᐟᐢᑐᐣ ᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᐁᐃᔑᓂᑲᑌᓂᐠ, ᒥᐦᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᑕᔑᓂᑕᐃᐧᑭᐨ ᑫᑌᐸᑭᑕᐊᐧᓇᐱᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᐱᔓᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᒥᑐᓂ ᐅᑭᒋᐊᓂᒥᓭᐦᐃᑯᓇᐊᐧ ᒪᐡᑭᑭᑫᐃᐧᓂ ᐃᒪ ᐱᑯ ᓇᐣᑕ 70% ᑲᑕᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ. ᑭᐁᐧᑲᐳ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᐁᐧ ᐅᐡᑭ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ ᐱᑲᐧᑕᑭᐠ ᒋᑕᔑᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᑕᐃᔑ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᒋᑭᐁᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐃᐧᑕᐧ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᑲᑭᐱᔑᐱᒪᑎᓯᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ.

Cat Lake chief raises awareness on canoe trip A 100km canoe trip to raise awareness about the prescription drug addiction epidemic in his community brought Cat Lake Chief Matthew Keewaykapow back to where he was born.

Keewaykapow, his partner and his son spent four days travelling to Whitestone Lake, where the chief was born at his family’s old commercial fishing camp.

Cat Lake is struggling to deal with an estimated 70 per cent of its members addicted to prescription drugs.

Keewaykapow said a new land-based program has just started bringing members back to their traditions.

Grassy Narrows brings message to Toronto Youth from Grassy Narrows completed their 2,000 km trek to Toronto by meeting up with other members from the community for a week of rallies and protests in Ontario’s capital.

The week started with a bang when a new report was released showing that 59 per cent of people in the community tested for mercury poisoning still have health problems.

Mothers from Grassy Narrows later held a fish fry at Queens Park, where they invited Premier Dalton McGuinty to lunch.

And a major rally was held on June 8 to cap the week, bringing more attention to the issue of mercury poisoning that has affected the Treaty #3 community since the 1960s.

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ᐦᐊᐟᓴᐣ ᐯ ᐱᒪᑲᐧᔑᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ ᓂᐢᑕᑦ ᑲᔭᓂᒪᒋᑕᐨ ᑭᔭᓂᒪᐣ

Page 1 and 10

ᒪᑕᐱ ᑭᑕᑭᐣᒋᑲᑌᓂ ᐅᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯᐠ ᒪᒪᐃᐧ ᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐸᐟᕑᐃᐠ ᒪᑕᐱ ᑭᑭᐁᐧᐅᑕᐱᓇ ᓂᔕᐧ ᒋᔭᓂ ᓇᐱᐊᓂᑫ ᐱᒧᑐᐨ ᐅᓂᑲᓂᑕᑫᐃᐧᐣ. ᒪᑕᐱ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᒥᐱᑯ ᑫᐃᔑᐱᒥᔭᓄᑲᑕᐠ ᑲᐱᒥᓇᑲᐡᑲᐠ “ᐅᓇᔓᐁᐧᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᐱᒥᓄᑎᓂᑕᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ” ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪ ᑲᐃᔑᐱᒥ ᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒪᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᑲᑭᓇᐸᐱᐦᐊᑲᓄᐨ ᐅᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᑲᑭᓇᐱ ᐅᑕᐱᓂᑕᐧ ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᐸᕑᐟ ᐃᐧᓫᐃᔭᑦ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐱᑐᕑ ᑲᐧᓫᐃᐣᐢ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐃᓀᑫ ᓴᐱᕑᐃᔭᕑ ᑲᐅᒋ ᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐨ; ᐊᒥᒋᐊᐧᓇᑌᐠ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐠᕑᐃᐢ ᑊᓫᐁᔾᐣ ᔕᐊᐧᓄᐠ ᒥᓇ ᓀᐣᑲᐱᐦᐊᓄᐠ ᐃᓀᑫ ᑲᐅᒋ ᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐨ; ᐊᓫᑐᕑᐱᓫ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᒉᒥᐢ ᒪᕑᐢᑎᐣ ᔕᐊᐧᓄᐠ ᓀᐣᑲᐱᐦᐊᓄᐠ ᐃᓀᑫ ᑲᐅᒋ ᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᓱᕑᐱᐣᐟ ᓯᐱᐠ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐃᓯᑕᐧᕑ ᑌ ᓫᐁᐠ ᐦᐃᕑᐊᐣ ᑲᐅᒋ ᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐨ.

Madahbee acclaimed in Anishnabek Nation Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee has been acclaimed for a second consecutive term in office.

Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins (top left) was acclaimed as Northern Superior regional chief during the Anishinabek Nation elections. Sam Hunter (top right) made it to Nibinamik on his way from Pickle Lake to Hudsons Bay. And Grassy Narrows members and supporters (above) spent the week rallying in Toronto, bringing the message of mercury poisoning to the provincial government.

Madahbee said he will continue to oppose the “legislative assault on First Nations” being conducted by the federal government during his next term.

All four regional chiefs were acclaimed as well, with Fort William Chief Peter Collins as Northern Superior regional chief; Aamjiwnaang Chief Chris Plain as South West regional chief; Alderville Chief James Marsden as South East regional chief and Serpent River Chief Isadore Day as Lake Huron regional chief.

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ᐊᒥ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐃᐧᓀᑕ ᐁᒧᒋᐯᔑᑯᐨ ᓴᑦ ᐦᐊᐣᑐᕑ ᒪᐊᐨ ᑭᔭᓂᒪᓂ ᓂᐢᑕᑦ ᑲᑭᒪᒋᑕᐊᐧᐸᐣ 1,500 ᑭᓫᐊᒥᑐᕑᐢ ᐅᐱᒪᑲᐧᔑᐁᐧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐅᑲᓯᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᐅᐣᒋᒪᒐᐊᐧᐨ ᐦᐊᐟᓴᐣ ᐯ ᐁᑭᐃᓇᑲᐧᔑᐁᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᓄᐣᑌᑭᐁᐧᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᒋᐃᐧᑯᐸᐣ. ᑫᐱᐣ ᐸᓫᐃᕑᐁᐢ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐦᐁᕑᐢᐟ ᐁᐅᒋᐨ ᐅᑭᓇᑲᓇᐣ ᐦᐊᐣᑐᕑᐊᐧᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐊᐧᓇᒪᐣᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ, ᐁᐧᓴ ᐁᑭ ᑭᒋᐊᓂᒥᐃᐧᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᔭᓂᐱᒥᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᐯᑭᐡ ᐁᑭᐃᐧᓴᑭᔑᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐁᑭᐊᐧᓂᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑕᐸᒋᒋᑲᓂᐊᐧ. ᐦᐊᐣᑐᕑ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐃᐧᓀᑕ ᒋᐱᒥᔭᐨ. ᐊᔕ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐊᐊᐧᓯᑌ ᓂᐱᓇᒥᐠ ᐊᓂᐊᔭ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐁᐧᐱᑫᐠ ᐊᓂᔕ.

Hudson Bay canoe trek has tough first leg Sam Hunter is now on his own after the first leg of his 1,500 km canoe trip from Pickle Lake to Hudson Bay ended with his partner going home.

Kevin Vallieres of Hearst, Ont., left Hunter in Wunnumin Lake, after the duo had a challenging first leg that featured injuries and the loss of equipment.

Hunter plans to continue the trip alone. He is just past Nibinamik and heading towards Webequie.

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Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 2012

3

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Marten Falls Webequie community questions true divided over Ring of Fire cost of mining development Shawn Bell

Wawatay News

Chief Eli Moonias

Shawn Bell Wawatay News

Marten Falls First Nation knows it holds many cards when it comes to the Ring of Fire.

And Chief Eli Moonias is not afraid to say no to development, if the government and industry do not work with the First Nations on developing the mines.

He just has not seen the need to say no yet.

“There’s no development yet.

There’s only a proposed development,” Moonias said. “As for the benefits, that is yet to come.

That’s what we’re concerned about.”

Moonias outlined a range of challenges and concerns his First Nation has with the proposed Ring of Fire developments during a meeting with reporters in the community on June 7. Paramount among Moonias’ concerns is the potential for environmental pollution of the land, water and animals.

Marten Falls is well aware of the Athabasca River example in Alberta, Moonias said. He does not want to be in the same situation in the future as First Nations downstream of Alberta’s oilsands find themselves today, with pollution in the water and air, and fish and animals contaminated from the mines.

“If we’re going to get dollars for that development, what are we going to give up?” Moonias said. “We want our people to work, to stop the welfare dependency, but at what price?”

If the Ring of Fire does go ahead, Moonias expects to live in a very different community in 20 years.

Moonias said the only way his First Nation will support the mining development on its traditional lands is if it has guarantees of both economic benefits and environmental protections.

“Suppose we find a way to agree and development does occur, I don’t think we want to be in a situation in 20 years where we’re declaring a state of emergency because we’re lacking houses and infrastructure,” Moonias said.

“I don’t think we want to be in a situation where our people are destroying themselves with drugs because they don’t have a life to get up in the morning for.”

“We will agree to this development only if we’re satisfied our community will improve greatly,” he added. “But I don’t want mercury and arsenic destroying the river in exchange for these good things I foresee.”

The chief’s concerns over potential environmental effects of mining were echoed by Marten Falls councilor Paul Achneepineskum. Achneepineskum was born on the land in the Ring of Fire area, and has trapped, hunted and fished all across the area of proposed development. His concerns are that the community will not be able to eat the fish or the animals on the land, not only in the areas adjacent to the mines but all over Marten Falls’ traditional territory.

“This mining project is dangerous to our traditional lands,” Achneepineskum said. “The pollution could escape from that mining area, and the animals, fish and water will be polluted.”

But Achneepineskum also echoed the chief in saying that if agreements can be reached to ensure that the mines do not pollute the surrounding land and waterways, development could be good for the First Nation.

“I want to see the younger generation get employment, proper housing, recreational facilities. But I would want to make sure everything is set with agreements in place,” Achneepineskum said.

Federal Environment Minister pays quiet visit to Webequie Shawn Bell Wawatay News

Federal Environment Minister Peter Kent paid a quick visit to Webequie First Nation last week to discuss the Ring of Fire.

Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse said Kent stopped in to “see the community and the people of Webequie.”

“He was concerned about potential impacts from the (Ring of Fire) mines,” Wabasse said. “He made comments saying he is committed to working with First Nations, not just Webequie.”

Wabasse said the commu-

nity was given short notice of Kent’s visit.

Environment Canada did not issue a media advisory or a news release about the trip.

Wabasse said he asked Elders in the community if it would be appropriate for the minister to visit, and was told to go ahead.

“The Elders say we should invite ministers to our community anytime, just so the government can see how we’re living and what the living conditions are like in Webequie,” Wabasse said. “Hopefully when they see first hand what its like, they’ll consider that in how they work with us.”

Inside Webequie’s band office, Chief Cornelius Wabasse tells reporters that his First Nation is open to development in the Ring of Fire.

Outside, a line of community members has a completely different view of the proposed developmewnt planned for an area less than 100 kms from Webequie.

The First Nation members outside the band office were angry that they were not being consulted on Webequie’s position on development. And they were adamant that the community will not stand for massive mines on their traditional lands.

“If those two mines open up we’ll be totally gone, wiped out,” said Norman Shewaybick. “I have grandkids now, and my life won’t mean much if my grandkids can’t live where I was raised.”

Harry Wabasse said community members are worried about the impact on the water, land and animals that the people of Webequie have survived on since “time immemorial.”

“The development is going to have a very big impact on the species that we live on,” Harry Wabasse said. “Our inherent rights are going to mean nothing at all.”

The two men took reporters to the lake surrounding the community, where they dipped cups directly into the water to show how clean the water is for drinking.

Later in the day, a community feast featuring walleye caught from the lake was held.

Clean water and fresh fish remain staples of the First Nation, where over 700 of the band’s estimated 860 members still live on reserve.

Photo by Shawn Bell/Wawatay News

Harry Wabasse, Norman Shewaybick and Alec Wabasse are concerned about the effects on the Ring of Fire on the water, land and animals that the people of Webequie have lived on of since time immemorial.

But the community has similar problems to those plaguing many remote First Nations, such as chronic unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse and desperate housing and infrastructure needs.

Those are the things Chief Wabasse hopes to change through the Ring of Fire development.

“We’d like development in our community, because we see an opportunity for our community to prosper,” Wabasse said.

“We’d like to see jobs and training for our people to sustain our community.”

Yet the chief has his own frustrations over the way the Ring of Fire has occurred to date.

Webequie recently issued a press release expressing concerns over Noront Resources’ operating on Webequie’s traditional lands without an agreement to work with the First Nation. Wabasse said those concerns relate to “misunderstandings” between the First Nation and industry.

“Our community is open to development, but sometimes there are misunderstandings that have to be resolved,” he said. “We want government and industry to work with us, side by side, to understand us. We need to sit together and iron out the relationship to make it work.”

Wabasse acknowledged that Webequie is “very concerned” about the environmental effects of Cliffs’ proposal for an openpit mine so close to his community.

But he said community members and Elders have always talked about how the First Nation has to work with government and industry to make sure everyone prospers from the development.

“We see this Ring of Fire development as an opportunity for the community to benefit for years to come,” Wabasse said.

“If we don’t have development, how are we going to sustain our community and our people?”

Cliffs recently announced it

plans to go ahead with the $3.3 billion chromite mine, a northsouth transportation corridor and a processing plant in Sudbury.

For community members such as Shewaybick and Wabasse, Cliffs’ mine and other Ring of Fire developments like it are the biggest threats facing the community.

They argue that despite all the promises mining companies have made to Webequie over the past decade of exploration and pre-planning, very little benefit has actually come into the community.

“The mining companies promise so much, but so far we haven’t seen anything,” Shewaybick said. “There’s a lot of clarification that needs to get back to the people here.

And still the world sees us as the richest community in the North.”

“All of us were raised off from the islands, and this is going to totally destroy our home lands,” he added.

Joint inquest into NAN youth deaths ‘atypical,’ says chief coroner’s office Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

The joint inquest into the seven Nishnawbe Aski Nation youth who died while attending school in Thunder Bay is an “atypical” case because of the number of deceased, said a representative in the Office of the Chief Coroner.

Cheryl Mahyr, an issues manager in the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Unit, said most inquests involve one death though it is not unusual to involve more than one.

“We haven’t had an inquest with seven deceased for quite, quite some time,” she said.

On May 31, Dr. Andrew McCallum, Ontario’s chief coroner, called for a joint inquest into all seven deaths due to their similar circumstances after the previous chief coroner had called for an inquest into the death of Reggie Bushie of Poplar Hill in January 2009.

While most inquests are mandatory – such as deaths at construction or mining sites, or of children under specific cir-

cumstances – Dr. McCallum’s call for the joint inquest was “discretionary.” When considering a discretionary inquest, the chief coroner must consider whether the five questions are known – who the deceased are, where they died, when they died, how they died and by what manner did they die – and whether or not it is desirable for the public to have an open and full hearing of the circumstances of a death.

Mahyr said what makes this joint inquest unique is that more people could be involved in the inquest process due to the number of deceased.

“That’s something we might be expecting, having many more people,” Mahyr said. “It tends to slow down the process a little bit because everybody has to be given an opportunity to ask questions and speak to different matters as they come up.”

With the number of families involved, and if they have different legal counsel representatives, there could be more people who are “granted standing.”

“Parties who are granted

standing by the presiding coroner are able to take part in the process,” Mahyr said. “Which means they are able to examine witnesses and address the jury and address the presiding coroner, so they actually participate.”

Inquests are open to the public, and family members can attend but do not have to unless called as a witness.

A jury of five people is selected and their task is to hear the evidence, answer the five inquest questions, and “if reasonable, make recommendations that, if implemented, may prevent deaths under similar circumstances in the future,” Mahyr said.

Mahyr said not all inquests result in recommendations.

“If they do, when they formulate their recommendations, they may know who they want to address the recommendations addressed to,” Mahyr said.

“Or, if that’s not the case, when an inquest closes, when the staff in our inquest unit reviews the recommendations, they may determine who the best recipient of the recommenda-

tions and forward them accordingly.”

Juries cannot find fault or assign blame and their recommendations are not legally binding.

The average number of days per inquest in 2008 and 2009 was three days, while in 2003 the average was 9.3 days. However, due to the number of deceased involved, Mahyr could not speculate on the potential length of the joint inquest.

“This is going to be atypical so I couldn’t estimate how long it could possibly take,” she said.

Given the recent decision to have a joint inquest, the coroner’s office is back in the planning process of the inquest.

“It’s setting dates conducive to everyone who has standing and make sure everyone’s schedule meshes,” Mahyr said.

“If everyone has different counsel, each one has to be consulted on time frames, then we can start setting time aside so they can participate fully.”

Mahyr said the office will issue a press release once it determines a start date.

4

Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 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 CHIEF EXECUTIVE David Neegan ᐸᐸᒥᓯᒪᑲᐠ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌOFFICER ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓂᑫᐧᐃᓇᐣ.

Commentary

Forest fires and global warming Xavier Kataquapit UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY

T

he past few weeks have been very anxious for so many people in northern Ontario who have had to deal with huge forest fires.

These fires are no surprise to Native elders.

Many Elders I speak to have been warning of the climate changing for a few years now.

They worry that the weather will become very hot and the forest dry.

Big companies involved mainly in energy, have a lot of influence over governments to try to convince us that we should not be listening to the world’s most prominent scientists regarding global warming and our runaway pollution of the air, land and water.

However, people are not as stupid as these manipulators think. We can all see evidence of climate change in the weather patterns all over the world and in particular in our own back yard in northern Ontario.

The Elders I talk to tell me that there are great changes that have to do with shorter and warmer winters, hotter and longer summers and they point out that this affects the land and the animals and birds that live on Mother Earth.

Few people I talk to can remember a spring fire season as bad as this one. There was less snow in the forest this winter and the cold season was shorter.

This combined with a hot sunny spring produced a very dry forest that ended up resulting in the huge fires experienced near Timmins and Kirkland Lake.

Our governments are failing us when it comes to dealing with global warming.

Instead of doing their very best at combating pollution and really working at green alternatives for energy they are doing their best with the encouragement of the energy sector to discredit world renowned scientists who are trying to warn us about the seriousness of global warming.

To make matters worse governments are cutting back on research and analysis that

has to do with scientific study of the environment. It should be obvious to us that they are trying to dry up funding that assists scientists in monitoring the affects of global warming on our land, air and water.

The problem is that we have put the foxes in charge of the hen house and they are intent on having their way.

We should be more aware and consequently upset at the many ways that government and industry have been and are currently working hard to make us believe that there is no such thing as global warming and that our polluting industries have little to do with climate change.

My people the Cree of James Bay have lived on the land since the dawn of time and I trust the voice of the Elders when they tell me that their world is changing alarmingly fast and that the weather patterns are causing great change that is most evident in the affects on the wildlife.

It is an ancient cultural belief of my people that if you do not respect Mother Earth bad things will happen. I think that since the beginning of the industrial revolution we have been disrespecting Mother Earth and spewing millions of tons of pollution into the air and water.

It seemed that at one point we all were interested in the environment and conservation but that concern has been beaten back and discouraged by millions of dollars spent by big business to lobby governments and discredit good science. When it comes to thinking for ourselves on this issue we should be ready to return to a time when we put our trust in environmentalists, conservationists, prominent scientists and those who care for the land.

We must give our environmentalists and conservationists and scientists the respect they deserve for working under great oppression and pressure while trying help us come up with ways to deal with global warming.

We must change our way of thinking and realize that if we don’t, then our future generations will have to live with the impact of global warming.

The Elders are worried about what will happen if we don’t and it isn’t pretty. More and larger forest fires are just one of the symptoms.

Wawatay News archives

Ogoki children, 1981.

Waiting, after the flood Stephanie Wesley SPECIAL TO WAWATAY NEWS

I

t’s funny that the last column I wrote for Wawatay was about staying strong as a family and keeping my son safe. I wrote about his photos on the walls and how his toys are everywhere.

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and everything is gone.

There are no pictures on the walls right now; in fact the walls have been torn down. His toys are in garbage bags sitting on the front lawn of our East End address – we are victims of the flood that took place in the early hours of May 28 2012 in Thunder Bay. We lived in a sublevel basement apartment. All of our neighbors awoke to four feet of water in their basements while ours topped off at just over two feet of brown, murky

sadness.

We are okay, a little possession-less and holed up in the spare room at my mother’s apartment, but at least we had a place to go. We will probably be staying here for the next few weeks before we can move back into the apartment – it is currently being “gutted” and dried out. There is nothing left in there, anything that touched the bacteria-laced water had to go. Contractors are rebuilding the place, so it will be like new when it is time to go back home.

Unfortunately we did not have renter’s insurance. I was told to file a claim with the city on what was lost but now I’ve heard that they want serial numbers and photos and details on how old the items lost were. I didn’t get that information off my appliances and belongings as I was scrambling to get my son out quickly to avoid being electrocuted. There are plenty of photos of the damage done, but will a photo do?

I don’t know that right now.

Somewhere between 1,000 and 3,000 homes in Thunder Bay were affected by the heavy rainstorms and sewage back-up that flooded the sleeping city.

Damages range anywhere from slightly damp due to rainwater to entire basements and homes destroyed by full-on human-waste.

A family in the East End actually had to vacate their home because the walls were starting to cave in and their house was condemned.

Folks are arguing that the incident shouldn’t be referred to as a “flood” because it was the sewage treatment plant that failed and the flooding was not natural. Maybe that’s why the city has declared itself a disaster area in order to access relief funds from the province; to take some of the brunt of the millions it will cost to have everything back to normal again.

I really miss what normal was for us, routine-wise anyway.

I am so thankful that we are in good health and made it to a safe place, though. I am also blown away by how the community really opened their hearts to the victims of the disaster, especially the volunteers who worked day and night at St. Peter’s Church in East End. I learned of the church after I joined a flood assistance group on Facebook to find out where I could find some help for my son since he lost everything. The Canadian Red Cross has since taken the reigns from the church for disaster-relief.

So now it is just a waiting game.

Wait for the apartment to be brought back to life, wait for the claim for the uninsured I submitted to be assessed, wait on more news updates from the city, and wait for normalcy to return.

And if our apartment is ever flooded again, I will be forced to build a home modelled after those in Cambodia that are high off the ground.

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

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

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER David Neegan davidn@wawatay.on.ca EDITOR Shawn Bell shawnb@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Rick Garrick rickg@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Lenny Carpenter lennyc@wawatay.on.ca INTERN REPORTER Christian Quequish christian.quequish@gmail.com

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

TRANSLATORS Vicky Angees vickya@wawatay.on.ca

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Matthew Bradley matthewb@wawatay.on.ca

CONTRIBUTORS Xavier Kataquapit Chris Kornacki Frances Olimpo Stephanie Wesley

SALES MANAGER James Brohm jamesb@wawatay.on.ca CIRCULATION Grant Keesic reception@wawatay.on.ca

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

Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 2012

5

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Pick up

Letters to the editor, online version Editor, Re: Grassy Narrows mothers invite Premier to lunch, Wawatay News online What a wonderful strategy to make pollution REAL to the politicians! Congratulations to the mothers for their insight, their stamina, their determination to protect and nurture their children and all children of the world! Remember the movie of such determination, “Erin Brokovich”? She helped win millions for each family affected by chromium that was being dumped on a community against their knowledge. It is time for politicians to leave their ivory towers before the women find a way to run the cafeteria in Queen’s Park or turn to catering....

Submitted by Joyce Atchinson Editor, Re: Attawapiskat students thriving with laptops, Wawatay News June 7 I will apologize firstly for not agreeing 100% with this concept. While I believe that modern technology does have its

place and can be extremely useful, even groundbreaking--I fail to see a striking balance between modern and traditional. I also fail to understand why there are so many programs readily available to support the childrens transition from their own culture to someone elses. Laptops = good...self-esteem through cultural and historical education AND hands on learning of tradition practices = even better!

Submittedbykeepyourculturealive Editor, Re: Lack of Moosonee public docks a concern, Wawatay News June 7 This is shameful! WHY can’t the town continue to pay for this service? Other towns pay for services that their community uses because they take it out of the tax revenue - like roads and sidewalks - this is our transportation route. SERIOUSLY! This is shameful - I pay property taxes and I think that my taxes should in part pay for these docks. We are using them! They are part of the infrastructure of this community. Seriously! This just burns

my butt. How on earth is this town EVER going to recover a tourism industry with such backwards thinking? Hi, welcome to Moosonee - town where taxes are paid for nothing...enjoy!

Submitted by anonymous Editor, Re: Grassy Narrows youth bring mercury poison message to Toronto, Wawatay News May 31 This is great to hear that our youth are taking an active interest in environmental issues and first nation’s health issues caused by industry neglect. However I believe that education is also power, I sincerely hope that these young activists pursue an education in law, environmental science and health related fields.

Are the youth continuing their high school education via correspondence on their walk?

Submitted by anonymous Extremely proud of our youth. Guaranteed your message will be heard by many.

Keep up the good work!

Submitted by Nya Weh Gowa from Six Nations.

Word on the street in...

Kingfisher Lake What are you looking forward to most about Kingfisher Lake’s new store?

Laz Mamakwa Kingfisher Lake resident “I’m just happy we have a new community store - the community’s growing.”

Delta Sturgeon Receptionist at Kingfisher Lake Band Office “More room and aisles for the customers to go shopping.

Cordillia Suggashie SED Office Clerk “We get a bigger office, and more space.”

Sheba Mckay Accounts Payable “I believe the opening of the new store will prove that we’re capable of being selfsustaining.”

at these locations Aroland First Nation Band Office Atikokan Native Friendship Centre Attawapiskat Northern Store Balmertown Diane’s Gas Bar Balmertown Keewaytinook Okimakanak Batchewana First Nation Band Office Bearskin Lake Co-op Store Bearskin Lake Northern Store Beaverhouse First Nation Band Office Big Grassy First Nation Band Office Big Island First Nation Band Office Big Trout Lake Education Authority Big Trout Lake Sam’s Store Big Trout Lake Tasona Store Brunswick House First Nation Band Office Calstock A & J General Store Calstock Band Office Cat Lake First Nation Band Office Cat Lake Northern Store Chapleau Cree First Nation Band Office Chapleau Value Mart Cochrane Ininew Friendship Centre Collins Post Office Couchiching First Nation Band Office Couchiching First Nation Gas Bar Curve Lake Rosie’s Variety Deer Lake Northern Store Dinorwic Naumans General Store Dryden A & W Restaurant Dryden Beaver Lake Camp Dryden Greyhound Bus Depot Dryden McDonalds Restaurant Dryden Northwest Metis Nation of Ontario Dryden Robins Donut’s Ear Falls Kahooters Kabins & RV Park Emo J & D Junction Flying Post First Nation Band Office Fort Albany Band Office Fort Albany Northern Store Fort Frances Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre Fort Frances Sunset Country Metis Fort Frances United Native Friendship Centre Fort Hope Corny’s Variety Store Fort Hope First Nation Band Office Fort Hope John C. Yesno Education Centre Fort Severn Northern Store Geraldton Thunder Bird Friendship Centre Ginoogaming First Nation Band Office Gogama Mattagammi Confectionary & Game Grassy Narrows J.B. Store Gull Bay Band Office Hornepayne First Nation Band Office Hornepayne G & L Variety Store Hudson East Side Convenience & Cafe Iskatewizaagegan Independent First Nation Band Office Kapuskasing Indian Friendship Centre

Kasabonika Chief Simeon McKay Education Centre Kasabonika First Nation Band Office Kashechewan First Nation Band Office Kashechewan Francine J. Wesley Secondary School Kashechewan Northern Store Keewaywin First Nation Band Office Keewaywin Northern Store Kenora Bimose Tribal Council Office Kenora Chiefs Advisory Office Kenora Migisi Treatment Centre Kenora Ne-Chee Friendship Centre Kenora Sunset Strip Enterprise Kingfisher Lake Omahamo Hotel Complex Kingfisher Lake Omahamo Store Kocheching First Nation Band Office Lac La Croix First Nation Band Office Lake Nipigon Ojibway First Nation Band Office Lansdowne House Co-op Store Lansdowne House Northern Store Long Lake First Nation Band Office Michipicoten First Nation Band Office Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation Band Office Mishkeegogamang First Nation Band Office Mishkeegogamang Laureen’s Grocery & Gas Missanabie Cree First Nation Band Office Moose Factory Echo Lodge Restaurant Moose Factory GG’s Corner & Gift Store Moose Factory Northern Store Moose Factory Weeneebayko General Hospital Moosonee Air Creebec Counter Moosonee Native Friendship Centre Moosonee Northern Store Moosonee Ontario Northland Railway Moosonee Polar Bear Lodge Moosonee Tempo Variety Moosonee Two Bay Enterprises Muskrat Dam Community Store Muskrat Dam First Nation Musselwhite Mine Naicatchewenin First Nation Band Office Namaygoosisagon Band Office Nestor Falls C & C Motel Nicikousemenecaning First Nation Band Office North Spirit Lake Cameron Store North Spirit Lake First Nation Band Office Northwest Angle First Nation Band Office Ochiichagwe’babigo’ining First Nation Band Office Ogoki Trappers Store Ojibways of Pic River Nation Band Office Onegaming Gas & Convenience Onegaming Public Library Pawitik Store

Pawitik Whitefish Bay Band Office Pays Plat First Nation Band Office Peawanuck First Nation Band Office Pic Mobert First Nation Band Office Pickle Lake Frontier Foods Pickle Lake Winston Motor Hotel Pikangikum Education Authority Pikangikum First Nation Band Office Pikangikum Northern Store Poplar Hill First Nation Band Office Poplar Hill Northern Store Rainy River First Nation Band Office Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre Red Lake Video Plus Red Lake Wasaya Airways Counter Red Rock First Nation Band Office Rocky Bay First Nation Band Office Sachigo Lake Co-op Store Sachigo Lake First Nation Sandy Lake A-Dow-Gamick Sandy Lake Education Authority Sandy Lake First Nation Band Office Sandy Lake Northern Store Saugeen First Nation Band Office Sault Ste. Marie Indian Friendship Centre Savant Lake Ennis Grocery Store Seine River First Nation Band Office Shoal Lake First Nation Band Office Sioux Narrows Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawang Slate Falls Nation Band Office Stanjikoming First Nation Band Office Stratton Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah- Nung Historical Centre Summer Beaver Nibinamik Community Store Taykwa Tagamou Nation Band Office Timmins Air Creebec Counter Timmins Indian Friendship Centre Timmins Wawatay Native Communication Society Wabaskang First Nation Band Office Wabigoon First Nation Band Office Wabigoon Green Achers of Wabigoon Wabigoon Lake Community Store Wahgoshing First Nation Band Office Wapekeka Community Store Washaganish First Nation Band Office Wauzhusk Onigum First Nation Band Office Weagamow Lake Northern Store Weagamow Lake Onatamakay Community Store Webequie Northern Store Whitedog Kent Store Whitesand First Nation Band Office Wunnimun Lake General Store Wunnimun Lake Ken-Na-Wach Radio Wunnimun Lake Northern Store

Landmark Inn Metis Nation of Ontario Native People of Thunder Bay Development Corporation Negahneewin College of Indigenous Studies Quality Market, Centennial Square Redwood Park Opportunities Centre Seven Generations Education Institute Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre Wawatay Native Communications Society

Wequedong Lodge 1 Wequedong Lodge 3 Westfort Foods Fort William First Nation Band Office Fort William First Nation Bannon’s Gas Bar Fort William First Nation K & A Variety Fort William First Nation THP Variety and Gas Bar

Thunder Bay Outlets Central News Chapman’s Gas Bar Confederation College Satellite Office, 510 Victoria Ave. East Dennis F. Cromarty High School Hulls Family Bookstore John Howard Society of Thunder Bay & District Ka-Na-Chi-Hih Treatment Centre Lakehead University Aboriginal Awareness Centre

Sioux Lookout Outlets 5 Mile Corner Al’s Sports Excellence Best Western Chicken Chef DJ’s Gas Bar Drayton Cash & Carry Fifth Avenue Club First Step Women’s Shelter Forest Inn Independent First Nations Alliance Jeremiah McKay Kabayshewekamik Hostel Johnny’s Fresh Market

Lamplighter Motel Mascotto’s Marine Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre Northern Store Pelican Falls First Nation High School Pharmasave Queen Elizabeth District High School Robin’s Donuts Sacred Heart School Shibogama Tribal Council Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre Sioux Lookout Public Library

Sioux Lottery Sioux Mountain Public School Sioux Pharmacy Slate Falls Airways Sunset Inn & Suites Travel Information Centre Wasaya Airways Counter Wawatay Native Communications Society Wellington Inn William A. Bill George Extended Care Wilson’s Business Solutions Windigo Tribal Council

If you run a business and would like to distribute Wawatay News, Please call 1-800-243-9059.

6

Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 2012

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Northern First Nations leading way for Ontario: Stan Beardy Shawn Bell Wawatay News

The issues and opportunities facing communities in northern Ontario should guide all Ontario First Nations over the coming years, says Ontario regional chief candidate Stan Beardy.

Beardy, the current Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) grand chief, says that his perspective being from the North gives him a good understanding of how First Nations across the province can use northern examples and initiatives as a way forward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you look at todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scenarios in terms of economics, the NAN territory and northern Ontario in general is where the greatest opportunities are in terms of resource extraction,â&#x20AC;? Beardy says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the same time you talk about the lack of budgets, social services cutbacks and the lack of capital infrastructure, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the ones with the biggest challenges.â&#x20AC;?

In Beardyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s view, legislation is needed at the Ontario government level to ensure that First Nations see real benefits in terms of revenue sharing from the resource boom in the North.

He argues that the Northâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incredible resource wealth, mostly located on First Nations territory, gives First Nation people leverage to create a new relationship with the province. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Using the North and its rich natural resources, and applying that to leverage the unique needs of all of Ontario, that would benefit everybody,â&#x20AC;? Beardy says.

He also talks of bringing northern and southern First Nations together to develop the North. He wants to see southern First Nation companies working in the North, training northerners and helping all Ontario First Nations realize the benefits of the resource boom in northern Ontario.

Beardy announced his candidacy for Ontario regional chief on May 13. He is challenging the incumbent, Angus Toulouse of Sagamok Anishinawbek First Nation, a community located on the north shore of Lake Huron.

The election takes place during the three-day All Ontario Chiefs Conference, from June 26 to 28 in Toronto.

The Ontario regional is elected in the traditional way, with each community chief standing behind the candidate of his or her choice.

Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 2012

7

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

INSPECTION Inspection of Approved Aerial Herbicide Spraying Abitibi River 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 Abitibi River Forest (see map) will be sprayed with herbicide to control competing vegetation, starting on or about July 15, 2012. The herbicide Vision/Vision Max, registration #19899/#27736 will be used.

Submitted by Jody Kechego

Northern Superior Regional Chief Peter Collins (left) and Deputy Grand Council Chief Glen Hare were both acclaimed for another term on June 5 at the Anishinabek Nation 2012 Grand Council Assembly.

Anishinabek Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee acclaimed the Anishinabek citizens will determine our future, not government policies or colonial Anishinabek Nation Grand programs.”

Deputy Grand Council Council Chief Patrick Madahbee has been acclaimed for a Chief Glen Hare, a former second consecutive term in chief of M’Chigeeng, was also office at the 2012 Grand Coun- acclaimed for a third consecutive term in office. cil Assembly in Sheguiandah.

“We could “I’ve still not be here got fight in without our me,” said the “Only the Creator mother and former chief and the Anishinabek of Aundeck citizens will determine our land,” Hare said. “We proOmni Kantect our kids ing who was our future, not govand our famialso elected as ernment policies or lies. This is our grand council colonial programs.” home and this chief in 1980. is our family.

“It’s a good day -Anishinabek Nation Grand “The Anishiand it’s been an awesome cer- Council Chief Patrick Madahbee nabek Nation is saying no emony. I want to extend my thanks to our to government laws and no leaders, our citizens and to our agency is going come onto our ancestors. We have work to do land to divide our communities yet, but that’s what we’re here ever again.”

All four regional chiefs were for — to do the work.”

Madahbee said the Anishina- acclaimed as well, with Fort bek Nation has made progress William Chief Peter Collins as and he feels empowered by the Northern Superior regional spirit of the children and the chief; Aamjiwnaang Chief Chris Plain as South West regional resilience of the Elders.

“As government continues chief; Alderville Chief James its legislative assault on First Marsden as South East regional Nations, we continue to grow chief and Serpent River Chief stronger as a nation,” Madah- Isadore Day as Lake Huron bee said. “Only the Creator and regional chief.

Rick Garrick

Wawatay News

Aboriginal Arts and Craft Sale

The approved project description and plan for the aerial herbicide project is available for public inspection at the office of First Resource Management Group Inc. (address below) and on the MNR public website at ontario.ca/forestplans beginning July 1, 2012 until March 31, 2013 when the annual work schedule expires. Ontario Government Information Centres at Cochrane, Timmins, and Kirkland Lake 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 or to arrange an appointment with MNR staff, please contact: First Resource Management Group Inc. P.O. Box 920 Englehart, ON P0J 1H0 Wayne Pawson tel: 705-544-2828 ext. 224 fax: 705-544-2921 Ministry of Natural Resources Cochrane District Office P.O. Box 730, 2-4 Highway 11 South Cochrane, ON P0L 1C0

Kirkland Lake District Office P.O. Box 910, 10 Government Road Kirkland Lake, ON P2N 3K4

Timmins District Office 5520 Highway 101 East South Porcupine, ON P0N 1H0

Stephen Foley, RPF tel: 705-272-7129 fax: 705-272-7183

Bill Vanschip, RPF tel: 705-568-3243 fax: 705-568-3200

Nikki Wood, RPF tel: 705-235-1339 fax: 705-235-1377

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

Renseignements en français : 705-272-7158 Cochrane, 705-568-3222 Kirkland Lake, 705-235-1314 Timmins

Options for Education We are now accepting applications for the 2012 academic year!

We recognize our students are often employed full-time or reside in Northern and remote communities. Our special delivery methods will allow you to remain employed and live in your home community for the duration of the program and earn your credentials. We will be offering the following programs through a blended delivery format (e.g. on-campus sessions, tele/video conferences, distance education) in September 2012.

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UÊ *Ài i> Ì Ê-V i ViÃ

UÊ *iÀÃ > Ê-Õ«« ÀÌÊ7 À iÀÊ

UÊ - V > Ê-iÀÛ ViÃÊ7 À iÀÊ Ê >Ì ÛiÊ-«iV > â>Ì

All of these programs are delivered in partnership with an Ontario college. This means that you will receive a level of education that is equivalent to, and even exceeds that found in mainstream schools and you will graduate with a college diploma or certificate! Our staff and instructors have a passion for teaching and supporting First Nations students.

For more information contact: Lorrie Deschamps, Community Liaison & Student Recruitment Officer 3-106 Centennial Square, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7E 1H3 | Ph: 807-626-1880 | E: info@oshki.ca photo by Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Sachigo Lake artist Tim Tait completes a piece of art during the Spring Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Sale, held from June 6-9 at the Victoriaville Centre in Thunder Bay.

www.oshki.ca

A New Beginning

8

Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Be ready for

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY & CANADA DAY! Let the Pyroboyz Make Your Party a BLAST

PYROBOYZ

have put together an impressive show for you this year.

Our $999.00 Pyroblast Party Package* Package contains over 140 pcs. of Big Blasting Bombs! You receive over $1200.00 worth of fireworks, as well as a planning and choreographed instruction sheet to make your show a pro event.

Wawatay News

Pre Order your package and we’ll plan it and have it all ready for pick up.

Pre-ordered kits will be available in advance at our Thunder Bay location.

Inside the Spy Outlet at: 679 Memorial Ave, Thunder Bay, ON

Call (807) 345-0131 or Toll Free 1-877-593-7976

INSPECTION Inspection of Approved Aerial Herbicide Spraying Martel Forest and Pineland Forest The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) invites you to inspect the MNR-approved aerial herbicide spray projects. As part of our ongoing efforts to regenerate and protect Ontario’s forests, selected stands on the Martel Forest and Pineland Forest (see map) will be sprayed with herbicide to control competing vegetation, starting on or about August 1, 2012 (EACOM Timber Corp.) and July 15, 2012 (Tembec). On the Pineland Forest the herbicide Vision silviculture herbicide, registration number P.C.P. 19899 Pest Control Products Act, and/ or VisionMax Silviculture herbicide, registration number P.C.P. 27736 Pest Control Products Act will be used. On the Martel Forest Vision Silviculture herbicide, registration number P.C.P. 19899 Pest Control Products Act, Vantage Silviculture herbicide, registration number P.C.P. 26884 Pest Control Products Act, and/or Forza Silviculture herbicide, registration number P.C.P. 26401 Pest Control Products Act will be used.

The approved project description and project plan for the aerial herbicide project is available for public inspection at the EACOM Timber Corp. (Pineland Forest) and Tembec (Martel Forest) offices, and on the MNR public website at ontario.ca/forestplans beginning April 1, 2012 until March 31, 2013 when the annual work schedule expires. Ontario Government Information Centres at Chapleau (address below) and Timmins District (Highway 101 east, South Porcupine) offices 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: Mike Forrest, RPF Operations Forester EACOM Timber Corp.

267 McChesney Road Timmins, ON P4N 7C3 tel: 705-267-3339

Martel Forest: Kelly Ellis, RPF Area East Forester Ministry of Natural Resources Chapleau District Office 190 Cherry Street Chapleau, ON P0M 1K0 tel: 705-864-3163

Al Tremblay Silviculture Coordinator Tembec (Chapleau) 175 Planer Road Chapleau, ON P0M 1K0 tel: 705-864-3022

Mike Liukko, RPF Management Forester Ministry of Natural Resources Chapleau District Office 190 Cherry Street Chapleau, ON P0M 1K0 tel: 705-864-3173

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

Renseignements en français : 705-864-1710

e ut isp eD tiv n na tio r te lu Al eso R

Thunder Bay: 1-807-344-3022

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get it right,” Merwin said.

Merwin said that the province hopes to “turn the page” First Nation leaders are when it comes to the relationcriticizing the Ontario govern- ship between industry, government’s new Mining Act, saying ment and First Nations.

“We think a conversation it puts too much faith in industry to “do the right thing” with- will work between First Nations out adequate monitoring or reg- and industry, where the ulations to ensure meaningful whole process is based upon a system of mutual respect and consultation happens.

In a six-page letter to the goodwill,” Merwin said.

NAN, however, raised a Minister of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM), number of issues with the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) approach of trusting industry to pointed out a range of flaws do the right thing.

At one point in the letwith phase two regulations, including concerns over the ter NAN brought up Miner’s lack of compliance monitoring United, a group of junior exploration companies that has spoand enforcement.

“First Nations should not be ken out harshly against consulasked to trust that companies tation with First Nations.

One mining exploration will do the right thing,” NAN’s letter states. “There must be company president was quoted ongoing monitoring of all proj- in a Globe and Mail article on ect sites, to ensure companies March 27 saying that the whole are properly motivated to com- concept of consultation was “ridiculous” and that it was ply with permit terms.” “not [his] According job to go find to NAN’s letter, ar rowheads the govern“With such transparfor those peoment has said ple.” it will iden- ent hostility on display, T h o s e tify the “bad Ontario cannot reasonkinds of comapples” among ably expect that sending ments make exploration it essential c o m p a n i e s messages to industry is for the govover time. enough.” ernment “The only ensure way this would -NAN letter to Ontario to through reguhappen is by lation that letting them spoil the land, perhaps even consultation with First Nations more than once, and then happens in a timely manner, stop it from happening in the NAN wrote.

“With such transparent hosfuture,” NAN wrote. “This reactionary approach is not accept- tility on display, Ontario cannot reasonably expect that sendable.”

Phase two of Ontario’s Min- ing messages to industry is ing Act deals extensively with enough,” the letter stated. “You the relation between industry have to regulate…and require and First Nations. It includes industry to consult in advance conditions that prospectors of submitting workplans and have to notify First Nations permits. Failure to do so will before exploring on traditional mean continued First Nationlands, sets a framework to with- industry conflict, and will viodraw lands of cultural and spiri- late your legal duty to ensure tual significance from explora- meaningful consulation.”

The Mining Act’s phase two tion, and establishes a dispute resolution process to deal with regulations were posted to conflicts between industry and the Environmental Registry in March 2012. The deadline for First Nations.

Robert Merwin, the director comments was April 30, but the of MNDM’s mining act modern- government has continued to ization secretariat, said the gov- take First Nation comments.

Merwin said the new regulaernment has taken “significant strides” to address and listen to tions were initially scheduled to comments from First Nations, be implemented in June 2012, and that it will continue to do but that date has been pushed back until autumn to allow so as phase two progresses.

“We want to take the time to more time for consultation.

Shawn Bell

* package contents may vary, package contains more cakes than shown

Pineland Forest:

Regulate mining industry or expect more conflict, First Nations tell Ontario

Toll Free: 1-888-575-2349 Email: roxys@wawatay.on.ca

Kitchi meegweetch!

We, the Grade 8 students of Chief Simeon McKay Education Centre, Kasabonika Ontario would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Dream Catcher Fund for their continued support of our school trips. The Dream Catcher Fund has donated $6000 towards our Grade 8 trip to Toronto this year.

For many of us this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and a dream come true.

Thank-you for helping make this awesome event happen. Kitchi meegweetch (big thanks) from all of us Kasabonika’s Grade 8 students.

Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 2012

9

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Sachigo Lake relieved fuel cache burned off Shawn Bell Wawatay News

Incineration of a massive fuel cache at an abandoned mine near Sachigo Lake has finished, but the community is cautioning that much work remains to bring the land back to the way it once was.

Work crews with Ontario’s Ministry of Northern Development and Mines finished burning off nearly 840,000 litres of fuel left at an old mine site at Lingman Lake on May 20. The crews had been working at the site, 47 kms west of Sachigo Lake, since April 21.

Sachigo Lake First Nation Chief Titus Tait said that the incineration of the fuel is a relief for his community, especially as forest fire season approaches.

But Tait emphasized that the work done to date is only phase one. Cleanup efforts are still needed on closing the mineshaft, removing left over equipment and testing soil and water in the area for contamination.

“The immediate action needed, in terms of burning off of fuel, that’s been resolved,” Tait said. “But in the long term there is still a lot of work to be done. It is an old mine, and everything they brought in to start a mine is still there.”

Sachigo Lake has been pressing the government to cleanup the site since the 1980s, after Twin Lakes Gold Mines brought in all the equipment and fuel needed for its underground exploration of the site and then abandoned it all.

A number of independent and government assessments have since determined that some of the fuel tanks were leaking.

Tait said the community

has outstanding concerns over water contamination, noting that many of the lakes and rivers around Sachigo Lake First Nation pass through the Lingman Lake area.

“We have to protect our river systems from fuel or other chemicals getting into the watershed,” he said.

“A mining company has to be required to get a closure plan in place, and to return the land to the way it was.”

– Chief Titus Tait

During the incineration work, a large number of 45-gallon drums of unidentified, potentially hazardous fluids were also removed from the site.

Tait said those drums go to show that there are still many unanswered questions about the materials left on site.

He also emphasized a point he has made repeatedly over the years – that any mining operation in Ontario’s far north should have to follow the same closure regulations as a mine in an urban area.

“We’re no different than an urban area,” Tait said. “A mining company has to be required to get a closure plan in place, and to return the land to the way it was.”

Tait said that returning the land to the way it was is crucial today, as young people from Sachigo Lake are becoming more interested in hunting, fishing and trapping on the community’s traditional lands. He said the open mineshaft, other

equipment and potentially contaminated land and water pose a threat for hunters, fishermen and trappers in the area.

Ontario’s Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) took the company that now owns the land – Timmins-based Cool Minerals – to court over its lack of a closure plan for the site. The judge gave the company until Oct. 10 to complete a closure plan for the site.

Andrew Morrison, a spokesperson for MNDM, said the government dealt with the stored fuel under an emergency measures provision. He said the government does not have the same authority to deal with the mineshaft and other equipment left at the site unless it poses a “direct threat”.

“With tanks full of fuel and the potential for forest fires, it creates a direct threat unavoidable by other circumstances,” Morrison said. “But with open mineshafts and things like that, those are found in other areas of the province as well. It is not creating an immediate hazard of someone being injured.”

Morrison said that the government expects Cool Minerals’ closure plan to address the next steps in cleaning up the site and monitoring the environment around the site.

As part of the Ministry of Natural Resources’ broadscale monitoring program on fish populations across northern Ontario, fish sampling will take place at Lingman Lake this summer.

MNR spokesperson Kathryn Lyzun said MNR staff will send flesh samples from Lingman Lake fish to Ministry of Environment staff during the sampling program, so that the fish can be tested for contamination.

photo submitted by Sachigo Lake First Nation

Over 800,000 litres of fuel leftover from mining operations in the 1980s has finally been burned off, but the community of Sachigo Lake wants to ensure that the rest of mine site gets cleaned up.

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ᐊᒋᑯᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑌᐱᓇᐁᐧᓯᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᒐᑭᓯᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᐧᓯᑲᓂᐱᒥᑌ ᑫᑌᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᓂᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐸᐸᒥᓯᑲᑕᐠ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᓂ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᓇᐣ (MNDM) ᐅᑭᒪᒥᔑᒪᐸᓂᐣ ᐃᓂᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᑦᐸᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᑎᐯᐣᑕᒥᓂᐨ ᐊᐦᑭᓂ - ᑎᒥᐣᐢ ᐃᓀᑫ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᒪᒋᑕᒪᑲᑭᐸᐣ ᐅᐁᐧ ᐊᓯᓂᑫᐃᐧ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᐣ, ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᐁᑲ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋᓴᑲᑭᓇᑭᐣ ᐅᐱᐃᐧᓂᑲᓇᐣ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᓂ ᐅᑭᐃᓇᐣ ᑲᑦᐸᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᒋᐱᐦᐊᐨ ᐊᑯᓇᐠ ᐅᐱᒪᐊᒧᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 10, 2012 ᒋᑭᔑᑐᓂᐨ ᐅᑐᓇᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᐃᔑᒪᑕᓄᑲᑌᐠ ᒋᑭᐸᐦᐊᐠ ᑫᑌᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᓂ. ᑌᔾᐟ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑭᒋᓀᐣᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᒋ ᑭ ᐁ ᐧ ᐃ ᔑ ᓇ ᑯ ᒋ ᑲ ᑌ ᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᑭᐸᐣ ᐱᑲᐧᑕᑲᒥᐠ ᓄᑯᑦ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᐠ, ᐊᔕ ᐅᑕᓂ ᑭᒋᓀᐣᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᐁᔭᓂ

ᓇᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᒋᑫᐊᐧᐨ, ᐁᑲᐧᐡᑫᐧᐱᓀᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐁᐊᐧᓂᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᑕᔑᐱᒪᑎᓯᐊᐧᐨ. ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᒥᓇ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐁᑲ ᒪᔑ ᑲᓂᐣᑲᐧᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ ᒧᓇᐦᐃᑲᐣ, ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᐣ, ᒪᐡᑯᐨ ᑲᔦ ᐱᒋᐳᐊᐧᓄᑫᐧᐣ ᐊᐦᑭ ᒥᓇ ᓂᐱ ᐅᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᒪᒋᑐᑕᑯᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᓇᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᒋᑫᐠ, ᐅᑲᐧᐡᑫᐧᐱᓀᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐅᐊᐧᓂᐦᐃᑫᐠ ᐃᒪ ᐯᔓᐨ ᑲᐃᔕᐊᐧᐨ. ᐊᐣᐟᕑᐅ ᒪᐧᕑᐃᓴᐣ, ᐅᑭᒪᐅᓂ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᐣ, ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᔕ ᐅᑭᐊᓄᑲᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᐱᒥᑌᓂ ᐁᑭᑲᑫᐧ ᐸᐸᔑᔭᓄᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ. ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᒥᓇ ᐅᒪ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐯᔑᑲᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᐱᑌᑕᑯᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᐊᔭᐨ ᒋᑭᐅᒋ ᐊᓄᑲᑕᐠ ᐁᑲ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᑲᑭᓂᑲᐧᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ ᒧᓇᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᓇᑲᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐸᓂᒪ

ᐱᑯ ᐁᑕ ᒥᑐᓂ ᐅᐣᒋ ᑫᒋᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᐣᒋ ᓇᓂᓴᓂᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᑭᐣ. “ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᑲᑭ ᑭᐡᐳᓀᑭᐣ ᐊᐧᓯᑲᓂᐱᒥᑌᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐁᓂᓂᒋᓇᑲᐧᐠ ᒋᔭᓂᓴᑭᑌᐠ, ᐊᒥ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᐠ ᑫᒋᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᓇᓂᓴᓂᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᐠ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᒪᐧᕑᐃᓴᐣ. “ᐁᑲᐧ ᔕᑯᐨ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᐁᑲ ᑲᑭᓂᐣᑲᐧᐦᐃᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᒧᓇᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐱᑯ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ, ᒥᔑᐣ ᐊᔭᐊᐧᐣ ᐅᒪ ᑌᑎᐸᐦᐃ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ. ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᑕᐡ ᐃᐧᐣ ᑫᒋᐊᐧᐠ ᒋᓇᓂᓴᓂᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐱᒋᑐᑕᑯᐊᐧᐨ.” ᒪᕑᐃᓴᐣ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᑲᐱᐦᐊᐣ ᐃᓂᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᑦᐸᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐅᑐᓇᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐣ ᒋᐱᐃᐧᐣᑕᒥᓂᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᐃᔑᐅᓇᑐᐨ ᐅᑲᓯᓂᑫᐃᐧ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑫᑌᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᑲᓂᐠ ᒥᓇ ᑫᐃᔑ ᐱᒥᓇᓇᑲᒋᑐᐨ ᐊᐦᑭᐃᐧ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂ ᐃᒪ ᑌᑎᐸᐦᐃ.

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Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 2012

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

Grassy Narrows fights mercury poisoning with rally in Toronto Continued from page 1 A 2011 report published by the Journal of Minamata Studies, which outlines the effects of the methyl mercury poisoning that became known as Minamata disease, was translated to English and released on June 4 at a press conference in Toronto.

Dr. Masanori Hanada, coauthor and director of the Centre for Minamata Studies in Japan, appeared to discuss his studyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s findings as part of a long line of experts and speakers, which included Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister, Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse and Grassy Narrows mother Judy Da Silva. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not in good health,â&#x20AC;? said Da Silva. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I use a cane to walk and I have gotten so dizzy a couple times where I fell down.â&#x20AC;?

Symptoms of Minamata disease include loss of balance, muscle weakness, numbness in hands and feet, impaired hearing and speech, tremors, and tunnel vision.

Da Silva also spoke the following night alongside awardwinning poet and established Aboriginal author Lee Maracle and CUPE Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Joanne Webb in a public speaking event: Pollution in Our Water, Poison in Our Bodies. In the face of colonization and lack of Canadian voter support,

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel happy that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve completed this walk but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still a lot of work to be done.â&#x20AC;?

-Clifford Acoby, youth walker

Photo by Francs Olimpo/Special to Wawatay News

Grassy Narrows members brought their concerns over ongoing effects of mercury poisoning to Toronto last week for a series of rallies and protests aimed at drawing attention to the issues affecting the community. The group of youth who walked from Grassy Narrows to Toronto were in attendance, including Ninoondawah Richard, left, Jolene Hookimawillillene, second from left and Clifford Acoby, right.

Maracle urged the importance of working â&#x20AC;&#x153;not just with other Aboriginal people but with every Canadian in this country.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clean it up,â&#x20AC;? said Maracle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no water in this world that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t connected to another raindrop. And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all in trouble. The water everywhere is being attacked.â&#x20AC;?

On June 6, a traditional fish fry was held at Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park south lawn. Premier Dalton McGuinty and other Ontario politicians were invited to dine on Grassy Narrowsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; local fish.

Protestors accused the Ontario

government of refusing to acknowledge or claim responsibility for the mercury poisonings, and that the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plans for clearcut logging on Grassy Narrows territory will worsen conditions and significantly increase mercury levels in water and fish.

A head table with special sittings for McGuinty, Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci and Minister of Environment Jim Bradley was left with empty seats. The only cabinet min-

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ister to make an appearance was Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Kathleen Wynne, who offered to hold a meeting with Grassy Narrows community members at an unspecified later date.

When River Run marchers headed back to Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park for the last time on June 8 to make their demands known, they pounded their drums, chanted and waved their picket signs high, supported by over 50 civil society groups. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our people are still suffering from this poison in the water, but most receive no support from the government.

All people diagnosed by the Japanese experts must be fully compensated, and the government must respect our decisions on our territory so that we can recover from the devastating impacts of mercury pollution on our health, our culture, and our livelihood,â&#x20AC;? said Chief Fobister.

Da Silva, Grassy Narrows youth walker Edmond Jack and Wabauskang Chief Leslie Cameron were also present to speak to over 100 people who attended the rally.

After his past few days in Toronto and a month walking across the province, Acoby expressed relief before looking ahead. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel happy that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve completed this walk but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still a lot of work to be done,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Almost 50 per cent of Grassy Narrows territory has already been logged, despite clear opposition by community members, and provincial plans project logging to continue through the next decade.

In addition to restoring the English-Wabigoon river system, ensuring the prevention of future pollution and ending industrial logging in their territory, Grassy Narrows hopes to build a permanent environmental health monitoring center in the community.

Mercury still affects Grassy Narrows, Wabaseemoong, says new report Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Mercury is still an on-going problem in Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) as 59 per cent of community members tested in 2010 had mercury poisoning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Both the federal and provincial governments need to recognize and effectively address the lasting issue of mercury exposure in First Nation communities along the English Wabigoon River system,â&#x20AC;? said National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo.

A report on the health impacts resulting from the dumping of 10 tonnes of mercury into the English-Wabigoon River system in the 1960s was delivered on June 4 at the Steelworkers Hall in Toronto.

The report resulted from tests on 73 community members from Grassy Narrows and 87 members from Wabaseemoong in 2010 by experts from the Open Research Center for Minamata Studies at Kumamoto Gakuen University in Japan.

Fifty-four people, or 34 per cent of the 160 people tested, were diagnosed with Minamata disease and 40 people, or 25 per cent, were diagnosed with suspected Minamata disease by the team of experts. The experts included five neurologists/psychiatrists and internal

medicine specialists in neurology, two nurses, one sociologist, one analyst, two supporters and three on-site supporters.

Two of the experts have been involved in Minamata screening since 1975, Dr. Masazumi Harada and Dr. Tadashi Fujino.

Following the release of the report, New Democrat Aboriginal health critic Carol Hughes questioned Health Minister Leona Aglukkaqâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2010 claim that mercury levels were safe in Grassy Narrows. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Apparently, the Conservative government has no problems letting people eat fish with (a) high level of mercury,â&#x20AC;? said Hughes during question period in the House of Commons.

Greg Rickford, parliamentary secretary to the minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, said the health and well-being of First Nations is a top priority for the federal government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We continue to work with the Mercury Disability Board and the government of Ontario to support the work of the board in addressing the issue of mercury contamination,â&#x20AC;? Rickford said.

Mothers from Grassy Narrows also challenged Premier Dalton McGuinty to eat fish from Grassy Narrows at a June 6 fish fry in Toronto.

A 2008 report found mercury levels to be above safe con-

sumption levels.

Completed by Laurie Chan, northern research chair at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and associate professor at McGill Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centre for Indigenous Peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Nutrition and Environment, the report found that while mercury levels have decreased since the introduction of controls on dumping in 1970, three species of fish, bass, northern pike and walleye, still have mercury concentrations above what is considered safe for consumption.

The report â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Our waters, our fish, our people, Mercury contamination in fish resources of two Treaty #3 communities â&#x20AC;&#x201D; recommended that people should avoid eating fish from Clay Lake, while fish from all other lakes could be consumed sparingly, particularly if the calculated lengths for standard mercury concentrations are taken into consideration.

The report advised that people should aim to eat only shorter specimens in each catch. Longer fish should be avoided, or eaten only on occasion.

The report also noted that whitefish could be eaten more frequently than northern pike, bass and walleye, considering the relatively low levels of mercury found in the species.

Celebrating Student Achievement N<)* A=q7}& =5$?W ) )& Congratulating all 2012 Graduates of: Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2030;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â?

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JUNE 14, 2012

11

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Internet high school grads inspiration for North Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Poplar Hill’s Alice Suggashie is an inspiration for students of all ages throughout Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

“Alice is an example of perseverance and showing that it is never too late to complete your education and to pursue your goals,” said Darrin Potter, principal of Keewaytinook Internet High School (KiHS). “She has persevered, she has worked full time, and she has come in and worked through that high school requirement to get that diploma.”

Suggashie, who last attended elementary school in 1977, earned her Grade 9-12 Ontario Secondary School Diploma credits through KiHS’s online instruction.

“I went to school from seven to nine in the evenings,” said the home and community care coordinator and former community health representative.

“It was very tiresome, but it was worth it. I had to drive myself to school when I was very tired and it was cold some times.”

Although Suggashie quit going to classes for a while, she started up again because she didn’t want to disappoint her mother.

“She was very happy when she saw me get my diploma,” Suggashie said. “That was a very wonderful feeling.”

Suggashie said the students supported each other and encouraged each other to continue with their courses.

“I really like the help that my teacher (Melissa Black) gave me too,” Suggashie said. “She

Poplar Hill’s Alice Suggashie finished her high school diploma through online courses in the evenings after working all day at the community’s nursing station. really explained a lot of stuff to me and I wasn’t shy to ask about where I was stuck.”

Suggashie was Black’s first student at KiHS. “We spent a lot of nights here,” Black said. “She had already put in long days at the nursing station, so I’m really glad to be able to give her diploma.”

Suggashie plans to continue taking some courses through KiHS in the future.

“With the optic cable line they brought in, it should be great this year,” Suggashie

said. “I would like to see more students graduate next year.”

Suggashie graduated on June 7 along with eight other KiHS students, including Sachigo Lake’s Tyrell Kowtiash and Nebuchadnezzar Tait, Saugeen’s Melvin Jacko, Amanda Machimity and Pamela Machimity, Bearskin Lake’s Lauren McKay, Fort William’s Brian Ogima and Red Lake’s Vanessa Kendrick.

“I’ve been granted my need for an education ever since I was a child, but I believe no matter what age

you are, everybody deserves recognition,” Kowtiash said.

“In the future, I hope to see my fellow graduates accomplish great things. I hope to see the graduates continue their education with support from friends and family.”

In addition to celebrations in the KiHS communities, the graduation was also celebrated via videoconference and web streaming in the far-flung offices of many presenters.

Dobi-Dawn Frenette, Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s education manager, joined the graduation celebration from Toronto, noting the nine graduates now have a wider range of options available for their future.

“There are so many more doors that are open for you,” Frenette said. “Life isn’t just built upon dreams and visions; it’s built upon hard work, commitment and self knowledge, making mistakes and learning from those mistakes and taking responsibility for your actions.”

Frenette encouraged the students to be leaders, not followers and to look into their hearts to determine what they truly want from life and how to get there.

“Some of you may be the first graduate in your family,” Frenette said. “You are blazing the trail for the family to follow.”

KiHS also handed out Awards of Excellence to Saugeen’s Johnathan Bottle for Student of the Year and Highest Average in Eight Courses, Saugeen’s Kelly Machimity for Best Attendance and Fort Severn’s Sinclair Childforever for Most Community Involvement Hours.

Highest Marks in a Subject

Area awards were presented to Bottle, Kowtiash, Ogima, Pamela Machimity, Kelly Machimity, Fort Severn’s Christa Koostachin and Josiah Whitehead, Saugeens’ Jolynn Bottle and Deer Lake’s Brendan Beardy.

Community Awards: Keewaywin: Kelli Quill and Kyle Harper Neskantaga: Alexander Moonias and Cheyanne Moonias Fort Severn: Christa Koostachin and Mason Nayotchekeesic North Spirit Lake: Joseph

Kakekagumick and Destiny Meekis Poplar Hill: Denise King and Bobbery Suggashie Nibinamik: Thomas McKay and Janine Beaver Saugeen: Kelly Machimity and Jolynn Bottle Sachigo Lake: Tyrell Kowtiash and Chad Tait North Caribou Lake: Therron Morriseau and Alexander Williams Deer Lake: Brandon Rae Bearskin Lake: Lauren McKay and Tara Wemigwans Fort William: Brian Ogima Mishkeegogamang: Melvin Strang

Beautiful taxi ride

Photo by Shawn Bell/Wawatay News

Last week’s fine spring weather made for a perfect chance to enjoy a water taxi ride between Moose Factory and Moosonee.

Class of

2012 North Spirit Lake First Nation wishes to congratulate the following students who have successfully completed their academic year 2011-2012 Grade 12 Melinda Henderson Cherilee Keesic Lucan Campbell April Kakekagumick Kyle Campbell

Grade 8 Georgette Keno Kelsey Meekis Lakota Rae

Senior Kindergartens Dwayne Kanabee Jacklyn Strang Lakeisha Campbell Jake Keewaykapow Lavonne Kakegamic

Brock Rae Lazarus Moose Shadow Meekis Rosie Rae Jacquin Oombash

The North Spirit Lake First Nation Chief & Council would like to thank Melinda Henderson for representing North Spirit Lake First Nation at the Miss North Ontario Pageant 2012 in Sudbury, ON. Congratulations & keep reaching for the stars, Melinda!

12

Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Congratulations from

Keewaytinook Okimakanak Chiefs & Council Keewaytinook Okimakanak Administration Keewaytinook Okimakanak Secondary Student Services Pelican Falls First Nations High School

Cherilee Keesic

Cara MeekisDEER

Charmaine Meekis

Lyanna Meekis

Natasha Quill

Phil Andrew Strang

NORTH SPIRIT LAKE

LAKE

DEER LAKE

DEER LAKE

DEER LAKE

POPLAR HILL

Westgate High School

Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School

Phil Howie Strang POPLAR HILL

Angela Rae

Tyler Wassaykeesic

DEER LAKE

POPLAR HILL

Kevin Anderson

Roseanna Kakekagumick

POPLAR HILL

KEEWAYWIN

Hammerskjold High School

Julian Mamakeesic KEEWAYWIN

Queen Elizabeth District High School

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson Jeremy Kakegamic KEEWAYWIN

Melinda Henderson NORTH SPIRIT LAKE

s n o i t a l u t a r g Con

The Office of Aboriginal Initiatives congratulates Lakehead University’s Aboriginal graduates on the successful completion of their degree programs. We are very proud of your hard work, dedication, and academic achievements, and wish you every success in your future endeavours.

aboriginalinitiatives.lakeheadu.ca 1-807-766-7219 or toll free 1-888-558-3388

photos by Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

TOP: Anishnawbe Mushkiki executive director Corinna Gagnon (centre) celebrated the grand opening of the new Anishnawbe Mushkiki Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic on May 30 at the Victoriaville Centre in Thunder Bay. ABOVE: Deborah McGoldrick, nurse practitioner clinic lead (left), showed off one of the examination rooms in the new Anishnawbe Mushkiki Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic.

Aboriginal chronic disease clinic opens in Thunder Bay Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Clients appreciate the time and care they are receiving at the new Anishnawbe Mushkiki Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic in Thunder Bay. “They love it; they’re happy,” said Deborah McGoldrick, nurse practitioner clinic lead at the new clinic. “We work differently. We have a little bit more time to spend with people and they appreciate that. And because it’s chronic disease management, you can’t do appointments in five, 10, 15 minutes.”

McGoldrick said the clinic has already helped a number of patients who had uncontrolled diabetes.

“Within two months, we’ve got their sugars back under control,” McGoldrick said.

“They’re coming in regularly for appointments with their dietician and their diabetes team.”

Anishnawbe Mushkiki developed the new clinic, which is in located on the second floor of the Chapple Building at the Victoriaville Centre, to provide better access to chronic disease management and health care.

“Our focus is Aboriginal health care,” McGoldrick said.

“We will be dealing with those chronic diseases that Aboriginal people face, such as diabetes, arthritis, any heart conditions, mental health issues.”

The new clinic features a new primary health care delivery model with nurse practitioners, in collaboration with registered nurses, registered practical nurses and family physicians, providing comprehensive, accessible and coordinated family health care services to people without a primary care provider.

“If someone doesn’t have a

(primary care) provider, we can take them on,” McGoldrick said. “We’ve already, by wordof-mouth and interacting with other groups, taken on a lot of clients.”

McGoldrick said the clinic focuses on prevention, maintenance and health teaching for their patients.

About 250 clients have registered since the clinic began operations this past winter.

“We will be dealing with those chronic diseases that Aboriginal people face, such as diabetes, arthritis, any heart conditions, mental health issues.”

– Deborah McGoldrick

“If a lot of your family is already having diabetes and you are obviously at higher risk for it, we are going to work with you so you don’t become one of the statistics,” McGoldrick said.

“We try to keep you as healthy as possible.”

Corinna Gagnon, executive director of Anishnawbe Mushkiki, said there is a great need for health care among the Aboriginal population in Thunder Bay. “I know our other clinic (in the Anishnawbe Mushkiki building on Royston Court) is maxed to capacity,” Gagnon said. “With this clinic, you have to be 16 and older without a provider.”

Anishnawbe Mushkiki’s Royston Court clinic currently provides services for Aboriginal people in Thunder Bay, from newborn on up.

Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 2012

13

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Canoeing to raise funds for prescription drug abuse Cat Lake chief says travelling on land had calming effect

Congratulations to the Graduates!

Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Cat Lake Chief Matthew Keewaykapow returned to where he feels most comfortable during an early June canoe trip to raise awareness and funds for a community prescription drug abuse treatment program.

“I felt like I was going home,” Keewaykapow said. “It felt like home over there in the bush.”

Keewaykapow completed the 100-kilometre canoe trip over four days, from 7 a.m. on June 1 to 10:30 p.m. on June 4, with his partner and six-year-old son. They travelled to where Keewaykapow was born at his family’s old commercial fishing camp on Whitestone Lake.

“It had a rather calming effect on us,” Keewaykapow said. “It was definitely a good trip; it was rewarding.”

All the funds raised by Keewaykapow will be used to support the children, youth, Elders and community members affected by prescription drug abuse.

“As we all face many challenges and obstacles in life, we have to remember who we are as First Nations and our traditions,” Keewaykapow said.

“Part of this initiative is to raise awareness of the situation that many First Nation communities, families and individuals are confronting in prescription drug abuse. By travelling with my partner and son on this journey, I want to share hope with my fellow community members. Cat Lake has a future beyond the drug abuse.”

Cat Lake declared a state of emergency on Jan. 23 due to prescription drug abuse and

Congratulations to the graduates from the Trustees and staff of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.

WWW.KPDSB.ON.CA photo by Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Cat Lake Chief Matthew Keewaykapow (right) recently completed a 100-kilometre canoe trip over four days to his birthplace at his family’s old commercial fishing camp on Whitestone Lake. has since started land-based treatment programs using traditional healing models supported by community Elders.

“As we all face many challenges and obstacles in life, we have to remember who we are as First Nations and our traditions.”

–Cat Lake Chief Matthew Keewaykapow

“We sent out a group about a week ago,” Keewaykapow said.

“They are doing pretty good there, about 40 miles west of (the community). They’re out there for three weeks.”

Keewaykapow believes the land-based program will pro-

vide participants with more traditional knowledge.

“Some of them do not know how to prepare fish or to hunt,” Keewaykapow said, adding that log cabin construction is also on the agenda, with Elders providing instructions.

Donations may be made to the community through a pledge form on the Windigo First Nations Council website: www.windigo.on.ca.

Keewaykapow’s son “just loved” the canoe trip.

“He didn’t want to come back too early,” Keewaykapow said.

“He wanted to stay out there; he just liked the land and all the animals. We saw moose, we saw geese.”

Keewaykapow’s son also did plenty of fishing for walleye while his parents were paddling.

“He caught fish off the side of the canoe,” Keewaykapow said.

“It was really a good meal. He was really proud of himself. He hasn’t had that much opportunity to fish like that. I haven’t had time to take him out on the water as much as I did with the other two (children).”

Keewaykapow said water levels were higher than normal along the canoe route to Whitestone Lake, which made paddling more difficult when going against the current.

“I was just exhausted when I made camp every night,” Keewaykapow said, noting he and his partner paddled about 12-13 hours a day. “We just stopped paddling when it got too dark and we couldn’t see.”

Since returning to the community, Keewaykapow said a number of youth have asked for an opportunity to go on a canoe trip as well.

“I would go,” Keewaykapow said.

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Cromarty n li k n a r F e Dennis to thank th n e k li ld u o w r Generatio e w o P io r Onta sary for r u b ir e h t for ating the gradu 2.

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Congratulations to the Graduates Message from the Director of Education On behalf of the staff and trustees of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board I want to congratulate all of the graduates in our secondary schools. I recall my graduation from Grade 13 and how different my life was from the life of today’s graduate. The world has become so small and information dissemination is instantaneous. Jobs change rapidly and new jobs are invented constantly. Our graduates are entering a world of change and I Jack McMaster believe they are prepared for it. I watch students who are...technocrats and will embrace this ever changing world with great success.

Wherever our graduates work, one thing will be constant, and that is change. I urge each graduate to embrace the technology and the concept of change, because proactivity in life begets satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

Be well planned, but ready to alter the plan when necessary and you will succeed.

As you leave your secondary education experience, take a moment to thank your teachers for supporting you, caring for you, pushing to new heights, and ensuring that you present yourself to the world of work as a confident, knowledgeable prospective employee or employer. Have a great life and thank you for learning with us in KP. Sincerely, Jack McMaster Director of Education

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&KDUPDLQH 0HHNLV 'HHU /DNH /\DQQD 0HHNLV 'HHU /DNH 5HJLQDOG 0HNDQDN %HDUVNLQ /DNH $XWXPQ 1HHNDQ 0LVKNHHJRJDPDQJ 1DWDVKD 4XLOO 'HHU /DNH &RU\ 6DLQQDZDS .LQJILVKHU /DNH .DLWO\Q 6DNDNHHS %LJ 7URXW /DNH 3KLO $QGUHZ 6WUDQJ 3RSODU +LOO 3KLO +RZLH 6WUDQJ 3RSODU +LOO -HQQ\ :LQWHU :DSHNHND

WWW.KPDSB.ON.CA Congratulations 2012 Grads!

Photos in this issue can be purchased online at

www.wawataynews.ca

14

Wawatay News

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

JUNE 14, 2012

Submitted photo

Matthew Poulin of Bearskin Lake sits next to Prince Charles on a bus as he waves to the crowd in downtown Toronto on May 22. Poulin was invited to meet the Prince on behalf of Miziwe Biik, a Toronto-based organization that provides training and employment opportunities for Native people.

Bearskin member meets Prince Charles Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

For more information, call Julia or Rebecca at the Blueberry Festival Office at 737-3227.

BlueberryBert.com

Matthew Poulin of Bearskin Lake First Nation was in disbelief when an Aboriginal organization told him he had an opportunity to meet royalty.

Poulin, who grew up in Sioux Lookout, was looking for volunteer opportunities from Miziwe Biik, a Toronto-based organization that provides training and employment opportunities for Native people, after completing his first year of a computer studies program at George Brown College. Weeks later, they called him back.

“She told me I wasn’t going to believe what she was going to ask me,” Poulin, who completed high school through Miziwe Biik, recalled. The organization was asked to find a First Nations youth to be part of the Royal Visit to Toronto, and Poulin was chosen and asked if he would like to meet with Prince Charles on May 22.

“I jokingly accepted it,” he said. “But it turned out to be true.”

Poulin said he was surprised and nervous at the prospect of meeting the Prince. He underwent a training session where he learned “certain postures” and when speaking to Prince Charles, to address him as “Your Highness.”

When the day came, Poulin, other youth and CEOs awaited

Camp Teen Camp Junior Camp 1 Junior Camp 2 Junior Camp 3 Family Camp

Dates July 5-10 July 12-17 July 19-24 July 26-31 August 3-5

for the Prince’s arrival at the Yonge Street Mission, where Prince Charles was to make an address on his charity. The Prince arrived midway through the hour-long event. When he first stepped in, Poulin said everyone in the room stood up.

“It was like when a judge comes in,” Poulin said.

Afterwards, the youth and the Prince got on a Toronto Transit Commission bus where the Prince was to be given a brief tour of downtown Toronto.

“He was always joking around...it was very exciting.”

-Matthew Poulin on meeting Prince Charles

When Poulin first entered the Yonge Street Mission, there was no one outside. That changed when the youth boarded the bus to await the Prince.

“There were hundreds of people outside all cheering, with cameras,” Poulin said.

It was when Prince Charles boarded the bus that Poulin shook his hand.

“I just bowed and said ‘Your Highness,’ like a greeting,” Poulin said, chuckling at the memory.

At the request of the Prince, who read Poulin’s bio prior to

Ages 13-16 9-12 9-12 9-12 Everyone Welcome

arriving in Toronto, Poulin sat next to Prince Charles on the bus as he waved to the crowd.

The bus made a circuit from Gerrard Street to Sherbourne to Welsley and Carleton before dropping the Prince and youth off at the UforChange centre on Parliament Street where the Prince sat in on various youth development workshops in St. James Town.

Poulin was sent to an art gallery upstairs and 20 minutes later, the Prince arrived and spoke to Poulin for a couple minutes.

“I just explained to him what (Miziwe Biik) is and how it helped me,” Poulin said. He recalled the Prince as having a firm handshake and his demeanour to be “highspirited.”

“He was always joking around,” Poulin said.

Poulin presented the Prince with a gift from Miziwe Biik, which included sweetgrass and a cap with the organization’s logo.

Afterwards, the Prince left to attend a meeting with the Assembly of First Nations.

When Poulin left later, the scene outside had changed.

“Suddenly there was nobody outside,” he said with a laugh.

Poulin said meeting Prince Charles was quite the experience.

“It was very exciting,” he said.

Cost $90.00 $90.00 $90.00 $90.00 Donation

Beaver Lake Camp is a ministry of Northern Youth Programs. Beaver Lake Camp opened its doors in 1969 as a Bible camp and a retreat/conference center as well as a place for discipleship, counselling and training.

Over the years Beaver Lake Camp has become recognized across Northwestern Ontario as a place for Native youth and families to come for rest, emotional and spiritual healing a place to rebuild relationships and learn Gods way for living.

807-937-6748

Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 2012

15

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Duo canoeing to Hudson Bay reach Wunnumin Lake

Inspection

Weenusk member continues solo after travel partner forced to return home due to injuries

Inspection of Approved Aerial Herbicide Spraying Romeo Malette Forest

Lenny Carpenter

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 Romeo Malette Forest (see map) will be sprayed with herbicide to control competing vegetation, starting on or about July 15, 2012. The herbicide Forza, Vantage, and Vision, registration #26401, 26884, and 19899 will be used.

Wawatay News

It took them two weeks but the duo canoeing from Pickle Lake to the ice floes of Hudson Bay have completed the first leg of their journey.

Sam Hunter of Weenusk First Nation and Kevin Vallieres of Hearst, Ont., reached Wunnumin Lake First Nation on June 6 after embarking on their 1,500-kilometre journey from Pickle Lake on May 23.

“Reaching Wunnumin Lake is breathtaking,” Hunter said in an email to Wawatay News.

“Water and islands as far as the eye can see which only makes you feel real good inside.”

But while the pair enjoyed the sights and being one with nature, traversing down the Pipestone River had its challenges.

“The weather for the canoe trip didn’t start good,” Hunter said. “Snow, sleet, rain, and cold weather stuck around for a week.”

They also came upon a portion of the forest that was ravaged by a forest fire two years ago.

“Trees have fallen down, obstructing portage trails, and camping in ash for three days straight made the trek bad,” Hunter said. “Everything was dirty no matter how you tried to keep things clean.”

The travellers had to make 15 portages due to the amount of rapids and trees obstructing the river. Hunter said it was difficult to clear portage trails with a hot sun and other elements bearing down on them.

“You wake up in the morning and just as soon as you left one portage, you reach another one in no time,” he said. “Black flies are like clouds and a few times they end up in your throat.”

The duo faced other ordeals.

While going around a bend and approaching rapids, Vallieres hit a “sleeper” – a log hidden beneath the water – flipping the canoe and throwing Vallieres and most of his gear into the water. Vallieres managed to grab onto his canoe and continued to float toward the rapids.

From the shore, Hunter threw him a rope and managed to pull Vallieres out of harm’s way.

“I think the rapids would have done him in,” Hunter said.

The approved project description and project plan for the aerial herbicide project is available for public inspection at the Tembec Office and on the MNR public website at ontario.ca/forestplans beginning June 15 until March 31, 2013 when (WWYV_PTH[L 3VJH[PVUZ VM ;YLH[TLU[ the annual work schedule expires.

The Ontario Government Information Centre in South Porcupine provides access to the Internet.

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

For more information, please contact: Mac Kilgour, Area Forester Ministry of Natural Resources Timmins District Office South Porcupine, Ontario tel: 705-235-1320 fax: 705-235-1377

Al Tremblay, Forester Tembec Inc. Chapleau Office Chapleau, Ontario tel: 705-864-3022 fax: 705-360-1279

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

Renseignements en français : Lino Morandin, 705-360-7544 Submitted photo

Sam Hunter of Weenusk First Nation arrived in Wunnumin Lake on June 6, two weeks after he and Kevin Vallieres of Hearst, Ont. left Pickle Lake to travel the Pipestone and Winisk Rivers to Hudson Bay. Though it was not clear how or when, Vallieres also sustained two broken ribs.

On his Facebook, Vallieres indicated he lost most of his gear.

“If that isn’t enough, a river otter stole the only good pair of hiking boots I had left,” he wrote. “So I’m down to (one) pair of sneakers.”

A few years ago, Vallieres had suffered a spinal cord injury and spent a year in a wheelchair. He had canoed since then, Hunter said, “but this was extreme.”

“I didn’t think he would make it to Wunnumin Lake but he managed to struggle on and made it,” Hunter said.

Hunter did not escape injury.

While clearing a portage trail with an ax, Hunter cut himself on the leg.

“The wound was bad and ugly,” Hunter said.

After a night of the wound being held by band-aids and a t-shirt, it was “good for some Krazy glue to close the wound

the following morning,” he said.

Hunter received medical attention when the pair arrived in Wunnumin Lake.

Beaten by the elements and rib injuries, Vallieres said goodbye to Hunter and flew home on June 7.

Undeterred by his injury and the loss of a travel partner, Hunter continued the journey solo, leaving Wunnumin Lake on June 8. He arrived in Nibinamik First Nation two days later and spent three nights in the community attending its 37th year celebrations.

Hunter departed Nibinamik on June 12. When he reaches Webequie First Nation, he expects to be joined by four other canoeists on the way to Peawanuck and Hudson Bay. Despite all the struggles, the 46-year-old was in high spirits.

“The trip is awesome to say the least,” he said. “The scenery, cry of the loon and the sounds of the rushing rapids just cleanses the soul, mind and body.”

ATTENTION RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SURVIVORS DEADLINE for Residential School IAP Applications SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2012!!!!!!!!

Did you or someone you know attend an Indian Residential School in Canada and suffer physical and/or sexual abuse.

If so, you may be eligible for a monetary award up to $260,000.00 Canadian funds.

Please call 519-445-4502 or email sagolaw@porterlaw.ca for a free consult.

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16

Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Anishnawbe Mushkiki – Employment Opportunity Thunder Bay Aboriginal Community Health Centre PROGRAM AND HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PERMANENT FULL TIME The Program and Human Resources Manager is responsible for Human Resource Management, Program and Project Development for Anishnawbe Mushkiki Thunder Bay Aboriginal Community Health Centre’s and the Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic. The Program and Human Resources Manager will ensure the policies and procedures, standards are maintained and updated on a regular basis and maintaining employee and labour relations, recruitment, occupational health and safety, training and development.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program and Human Resources Manager is responsible for coordination, development and evaluation of programs. The Program and Human Resources will ensure an up-to-date Strategic Plan is developed and maintained, oversee other projects and programs to ensure Anishnawbe Mushkiki keeps up-to-date with changes in programs, policies and technology while meeting the needs of the surrounding Aboriginal population.

REQUIREMENTS: Qualifications: • Degree in Human Resources Management or Degree in Business Administration or Commerce with major in Human Resources Management.

• Experience in a human resources environment specializing in labour relations.

• Excellent communication skills and analytical ability • Excellent organizational skills • Knowledge and understanding of the Ontario Employment Standards and other relevant legislation • Excellent supervisory, planning, organization, skills to manage people and to lead the human resources program.

• Personnel and Program evaluation skills • Experience in negotiating collective agreements • Knowledge of Aboriginal culture and traditions • Awareness of Urban Aboriginal Programs and services • Demonstrated interpersonal, problem solving and leadership skills • Awareness and respect of Ojibway /Cree traditional healing practices • Ability to speak Ojibway/Cree is an asset • Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance • Successful completion and maintenance of a Police Security Check PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR INTEREST REGARDING THIS POSITION IN WRITING TO: CORRINA GAGNON – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: JUNE 30th, 2012: 29 Royston Court Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4Y7 Email to: cgagnon@anishnawbe-mushkiki.org

KEEWAYTINOOK OKIMAKANAK (Northern Chiefs Tribal Council)

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Nodin Child & Family Intervention Services (NCFI) MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLOR Internal/External Posting Permanent Full Time

LOCATION: BEARSKIN LAKE FIRST NATION OR WEAGAMOW

Health Secretary Accountability: The Health Secretary will report directly to the Health Director and be responsible for the administrative duties of the health department.

Responsibilities: • Make travel arrangements for all Health Department staff and KO community staff.

• Complete travel advances, travel expense claims, and cheque requisitions.

• Pick up and return clients to the airport as required.

• Deliver mail to the airport as required.

• Fax, photocopy and scan for the Health Department.

• Organize and prepare for Health Department meetings and workshops in advance.

• Attend Health meetings and record minutes.

• Receive and record all Health Department staff and community workers timesheets and submit to payroll.

• Be responsible for all Health Department purchase orders.

• Maintain the Health Department’s staff filing system.

• Organize and schedule training.

• Provide backup for the Receptionist Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: • Excellent organization skills • Able to prioritize • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills • Computer skills essential • Knowledge and understanding of culture and values of KO communities • Ability to speak Oji-Cree, Ojibway or Cree is an asset.

Salary will commensurate with experience.

Closing Date: June 22, 2012 Please submit resume with 3 references to: Hiring Committee Keewaytinook Okimakanak Box 340, Balmertown, ON POV 1CO Email: hiring@knet.ca Fax: (807) 735-1383 Note: Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

This full time position reports to the Clinical Supervisor. The Mental Health Counsellor will be responsible for providing direct Clinical Intervention and Prevention Services to referred clients in the Child and Family Intervention catchment area of Bearskin Lake and the communities of Weagamow and Sachigo Lake. The Mental Health Counsellor worker will be community based out of the Bearskin Lake or Weagamow.

QUALIFICATIONS • Degree in Social Work/Psychology with relevant clinical/counselling experience is preferred; • Minimum two years experience in the health services environment; • Specialized courses in specific areas of mental health; • A thorough understanding of the Mental Health Act, Child & Family Services Act and awareness of current issues within Northern and remote Native communities an asset; • Proficiency in clinical assessment skills and client needs; • Experience with video counselling technology an asset; • Travel is a requirement of the position.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY • Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone is an asset; • Ability to manage a case load independently; • Familiarity with working in acute care situations; • Knowledge of community resources; • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007. Experience with a Client Database (e.g. CIMS), Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) & Brief Child and Family Phone Interview (BCFPI) an asset; • Excellent time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently; • Experience working with youth, a definite asset; • Must be willing to relocate.

• Education assistance and training available dependent upon applicant’s qualifications and in accordance with SLFNHA Policies and Procedures 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 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: June 29, 2012 The Health Authority wishes to thank all applicants in advance. However, only those granted an interview will be contacted.

www.knet.ca

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 Primary Health Care Unit

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Tuberculosis Control Program

DIETARY AIDE Internal/External Posting Permanent Full Time Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

MEDICAL SECRETARY Internal/External Posting Permanent Full Time Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

TUBERCULOSIS EDUCATOR Internal/External Posting Term Full Time (1 year) Location: Sioux Lookout, ON

Reporting to the Operations Supervisor, the Medical Secretary is responsible for performing a variety of medical secretarial duties to Physicians and the Primary Health Care Unit staff.

The Tuberculosis Educator is responsible to promote and provide awareness, education, and methods of prevention on tuberculosis to members of the Sioux Lookout Zone First Nations. The incumbent will develop culturally relevant educational resources, conduct and facilitate workshops at the community level, act as an advocate, and resource to First Nations people. This position also facilitates the delivery of Tuberculosis education and support services to clients both in hospital, and at the First Nation community level.

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Under the direction of the Team Leader, the Dietary Aide is 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 relocate and live in Sioux Lookout.

Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal Reference Check 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: June 29, 2012

QUALIFICATIONS • Diploma or certificate in Medical Office Assistant or equivalent; • Previous experience (minimum 1- 2 years) in a Medical Office; • Previous experience in medical terminology and medical transcription an asset; • Possess excellent dicta-typing skills; • Proficient keyboarding skills (50 wpm) is required; • Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written); KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY • Working knowledge of medical office procedures; • Ability to maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical and clinic staff and the general public; • Must have experience and understanding of Native culture, and the geographic realities and social conditions within remote First Nation communities; • Superior time management and organizational skills; • Ability to work independently in a high paced work environment; • Working knowledge of medical office procedures and electronic medical record; • Must be willing to relocate and live in Sioux Lookout.

Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal Reference Check 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: June 29, 2012

QUALIFICATIONS • Grade 12 or equivalent; • Certificate/Diploma in a Health related field a definite asset; • Minimum two years experience in a health care field an asset; • Experience working with families; • Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills; • Possesses excellent team building and networking skills; • Must be willing and able to travel extensively to designated communities.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY • Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nation dialects in the Sioux Lookout Zone a definite asset; • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Professional Pro 2007 an asset; • Experience and understanding of the 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; • Must be willing to relocate and live in Sioux Lookout.

Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal Reference Check 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: June 29, 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

JUNE 14, 2012

17

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Services

Lenny Carpenter/Wawtay News

Filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin of the Abernaki First Nation of Odanak, Que., spoke to about 50 artists at the Flowering Moon Gathering on May 9 at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. Director of Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, a 119-minute documentary that chronicled the Oka Crisis in 1990, the 79-year-old talked about her craft, being a Native activist in the 1960’s, and the ‘art of listening.’

Filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin speaks to artists on ‘art of listening’ First film project was listening to Moose Factory children Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Aboriginal filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin believes there is one basic rule for all works of art.

“For me, the rule is called love,” the 79-year-old told a group of artists of various disciplines on May 9. “I think what drives us is the love we have, of the land, of the people, of the traditions, the way people speak. It brings people home.”

The Abenaki documentary filmmaker believes that artists are the voice of the country.

“Art is really an incredible way to give a message,” she said. “It’s a voice that, even if you are doing a flower with beads or embroidering, it’s a message.”

Obomsawin was in Thunder Bay as the keynote speaker during the Flowering Moon Gathering, an event organized by the Ontario Art Council that brought artists in northwestern Ontario together to share and talk about their crafts.

Born in 1932, Obomsawin grew up on the Odanak reserve in Quebec before moving to Trois-Riveres with her family.

By the 1960’s, Obomsawin was a professional singer. She debuted in New York City and went on to tour Canada, the United States and Europe for humanitarian causes in universities, museums, prisons and art centres.

She emerged as an activist for the societal and political challenges First Nations people faced in the 60s.

During the gathering in Thunder Bay, Obomsawin recounted a time she was researching at an archive in Ottawa and wanted to copy some documents she had gathered for her research. The clerk for Indian Affairs, noting her Native background, told her they “lost” the files. Frustrated, Obomsawin went to the office of Indian Affairs Minister Jean Chretian.

She talked to his assistant, who said Chretian was gone and would not be back for hours.

“You see that chair there?”

Obomsawin told the assistant. “I’m sitting there until he comes.”

Obomsawin waited for hours until Chretian arrived around 7 p.m.

“By then, I was like a bomb,” she said, and the artists laughed. She told Chretian the story and he asked if she could still go back. She said yes, and he told her to go back the next day to get the files.

The clerk threw the files to her when she returned the next day.

“And I said, ‘Gee, you must’ve worked all night to find the files,’” Obomsawin said.

Obomsawin got into the film industry after CBC producers noticed her campaign to have a swimming pool built in her community. She was brought into the National Film Board (NFB) in 1967 as an advisor on a film about Aboriginal people.

She started directing her own films, the first being Christmas in Moose Factory (1971), a 14-minute documentary on the lives of children inside the Horden Hall residential school.

Obomsawin said she had wanted to go to an isolated community to capture the lives in children in residential schools and looked at a map.

“I chose Moose Factory by chance,” she told Wawatay News, adding with a laugh: “I think I liked the name.”

During the Christmas holidays for four years, Obomsawin spent time with the children, singing to them and telling stories before they slept.

“Then eventually, I wanted them to tell me their stories,” she said. “So I taped them talking about their lives and then I had them do a drawing about it.”

Obomsawin said she loved hearing their voices, especially as they spoke English with a “very particular” accent.

“So it’s really great to look at this film and hear the children and their voices,” she said.

“I loved that film. I don’t feel that I’ve missed anything because I got very close to the children.”

Obomsawin went to on produce 35 more documentaries in a career that spans 40 years.

Her most famous film is Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, a 119-minute documentary that chronicled the Oka Crisis in 1990, when a land dispute between a group of Mohawk people and the town of Oka erupted into an armed standoff between the First Nation and Canadian military.

Obomsawin said on July 11 that year, she was driving to a shoot for another project when she heard about the shootout at Oka on the news.

“The warriors had guns, the army had guns, the police had guns, there were guns everywhere and I thought, Wooo, this is going to be hard.”

– Alanis Obomsawin

“I was shocked and so instead of going to my work, I went there right away,” she said. “I told the (NFB) that I’m changing my production. I have to go there and document this from the inside.”

Obomsawin said she thought the event would last the weekend but it lasted 78 days.

“And I was there the whole time,” she said.

By that time, Obsansowin had developed her reputation as an Aboriginal filmmaker and had friends in the community.

“Everyone knew who I was and I think everyone was happy I was there,” she said.

She said it was not easy to document the event, especially since she hated guns.

“The warriors had guns, the army had guns, the police had guns, there were guns everywhere and I thought, Wooo, this is going to be hard,” she said.

Obomsawin’s highlight of the project was being with the

people of Kanehsatake.

“For me, it was the courage the warriors showed to stay ‘til the end, and the women were incredible,” she said.

Obomsawin recently worked on two films in Attawapiskat, one about the housing situation in the community that will be released soon. The other is still in production.

Obomsawin, who turns 80 in August, has earned numerous awards and accolades over her career.

Along with receiving the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts in 2001 and being an Officer for the Order of Canada, Obomsawin is the subject of one of the firstever book on Native filmmakers called Alanis Obomsawin: The Vision of a Native Filmmaker by Randolph Lewis.

Obomsawin credits the storytelling of Elders when she was young as a way she developed “the art of listening,” as she would lay and listen at night by an oil lamp in the days before her community had electricity and running water.

“To this day, I never start with filming people,” she said of her documentary projects.

“When I go and see them, I bring a tape recorder and just listen for hours.”

She said emerging filmmakers have difficulty understanding this concept when starting out.

“It’s very difficult to do an interview and film at the same time without being distracted yourself, wondering: is the camera correct? And the person being filmed: is my hair correct?” she said.

“All those things fade away if you do just sound, which means, you only hear the voice.

And if you really listen, you’ll fall in love with that voice.”

Obomsawin told the artists that Aboriginal people in Canada have come a long way and she was glad to be able to take part in the gathering.

“Just hearing the voice of anyone here moves me,” she said. “I never get tired of listening to people.”

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18

JUNE 14, 2012

Wawatay News

Bannock a hot-seller at Girly’s

ONTARIO FIRST NATIONS TECHNICAL SERVICES CORPORATION

Rick Garrick

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Infrastructure Specialist Thunder Bay Service Centre

Wawatay News

Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) requires an Infrastructure Specialist for the Toronto Service Centre. The mandate of the Corporation is to provide technical and enhanced advisory services to the Unaffiliated First Nations in Ontario. The primary role of the Infrastructure Specialist will be to conduct new housing inspections, provide advisory services regarding O & M, Minor Capital, some aspects on Major Capital and utilization of Training Resources. The Infrastructure Specialist will report directly to the Operations Manager.

DUTIES: • Assist and advise Unaffiliated First Nations in the asset information activities comprising of the asset inventory system managed by AANDC; • Conduct inspections on new housing at the required stages of construction as well as renovations • Assist and advise Unaffiliated First Nations in understanding the level of information required in inventory collection and verification of the Integrated Capital Management system (ICMS) and the Capital Asset Management System (CAMS) including asset condition reporting system (ACRS); • Assist and advise clients in the planning and development of Maintenance Management Program related to First Nations Capital Assets.

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS: • Must have a College Diploma in the Civil Engineering or Architectural Technology/Technician or other related specialty.

• Designate Inspector Certificate or training in the Building Science required.

• Training in R2000 building concepts and Energuide for Houses will be an asset.

• Experience in theory and practices in operation and maintenance of community building, water and sewer systems, landfills/refuse sites, roads/bridges and other community services.

• Must be self motivated with good oral/written communication skills.

• Ability to operate computers and a variety of software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and AutoCad would be an asset.

• Valid Ontario Drivers License.

• Ability and availability to travel.

CLOSING DATE:

Friday June 22, 2012, 4:30 p.m. (EST)

Please mark very clearly on the envelope “INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIALIST” and Email, Mail/Fax your resume/Curriculum Vitae to: Brian Staats, CRSP, Operations Manager Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation 111 Peter Street, Suite 606, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1 bstaats@ofntsc.org For a detailed job description, contact Reception (416) 651-1443 ext. 221 or email reception@ofntsc.org We thank all applications, however only those receiving an interview will be contacted.

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Girly’s Restaurant owner Yvonne Pitchenese fries up another bannock burger for a customer in Wabigoon Lake First Nation. said. “If I have a fire, that will kick in.”

Pitchenese usually gets plenty of customers from the band office, school and people shopping at the community store, which is located next to the restaurant.

“Elders come here and have bannock,” Pitchenese said. “It’s just a place for people to sit and visit.”

Many of Pitchenese’s customers order their favourite meal whenever they come in, such as the chief’s salad.

“Our chief likes his garden salad,” Pitchenese said, noting the garden salad includes lettuce, tomato, cucumber, grated mozzarella cheese and strips of chicken breast. “That’s his usual.”

Pitchenese also gets plenty of customers during the ice-road season who stop for the gas and cigarettes at the community store, “They usually get the bannock burger, fries and gravy to go so when they are on the road they can just go straight to their destination,” Pitchenese

said.

Pitchenese usually makes her frybread just before lunch so it is ready for the lunch crowd.

“I try to make everything daily fresh,” Pitchenese said.

“You just have to make sure everything is fresh.”

Pitchenese usually picks up fresh produce and other supplies twice a week in Dryden either before or after the restaurant is open, usually from 9 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m.

“It’s been busy,” Pitchenese said. “I’m open all year round, Monday to Friday, and Saturdays if the weather is permitting.”

Pitchenese encourages other people to start up their own restaurant businesses.

“Just go and do it,” Pitchenese said. “You should try to build up because a lot of things do cost money, especially with restaurant equipment.

Your main one is your fryer, then your grill and your other equipment.”

Pitchenese is planning to put up a sign along the highway to promote her business.

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A secret ingredient passed down from her kokum keeps Yvonne Pitchenese’s customers coming back for more and more frybread.

“The bannock is more the signature of this restaurant,” said Pitchenese, owner of Girly’s Restaurant in Wabigoon Lake. “They come for the bannock burger and the taco.”

Pitchenese serves a variety of meals, but Indian tacos, bannock burgers, poutine and fresh-cut fries are her specialties.

“And wild rice soup, when I make it at certain times of the year,” Pitchenese said. “We make it the traditional way; it tastes better.”

Before Pitchenese opened up the 18-20 seat restaurant about five years ago, she was well known for her bannock bus on the powwow circuit.

“I went to the Eagle Lake powwow, our powwow here and a few times at the Frenchman’s Head powwow,” Pitchenese said. “You couldn’t see me because I was in the back making bannock all the time; now I get to see people I can talk to now.”

Pitchenese operated the bannock bus for about 10 years after operating out of her home for about five years.

“I sold the bus so I could build this stationary (restaurant),” Pitchenese said. “I took all the existing equipment and put it in here.”

Pitchenese bought a new fryer for the restaurant and she has a fire suppression system built into the fryer’s exhaust fan hood in case a fire breaks out.

“It’s to code,” Pitchenese

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Wawatay News

19

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

JUNE 14, 2012

Sandy Lake’s running club a great motivator for youth Chris Kornacki Special to Wawatay News

Sandy Lake First Nation entered 15 athletes from its running club in the 2012 Hershey track meet held June 6 at the Royal Canadian Legion Track in Thunder Bay. Gary Manoakeesic, the team’s assistant coach, said the community has been fielding a track team since 2009 and every year the team is growing.

“The first year we only had eight runners and every year it’s been getting bigger.

This year there’s 45 runners in the elementary school running club,” Manoakeesic said. “Half of the team here (Hershey meet) are first timers. Every year there’s always new, younger kids that will enter the team.”

The running club has Peewee, Bantam and Midget runners. Peewee is age 9-10, Bantam 11-12 and Midget 13-14 years old.

“We only have the budget to take 15 runners to compete,” Manoakeesic said. “So we held a qualifying run in Sandy Lake to choose which 15 runners would compete at the Hershey meet in Thunder Bay. We had to do that to cut the team in half.”

This year the running club competes in three races. The first was the 10 mile Fireman marathon in Thunder Bay this past May. The Hershey meet was the second and the last will be the Sandy Lake Diabetes Run, a 15 kilometer race being held October 20 in the community.

“We’re starting to prove to people that with our youth competing here that they can keep going and do longer marathon runs like the Fireman Race.”

-Gary Manoakeesic, assistant coach

For Manoakeesic, competing is a great, healthy motivator for the youth.

“The running club is an excellent way to keep the kids active. It’s a very, very good thing because we are trying to go back to our traditional ways where all Native people used to run.

And we’re starting to prove to people that with our youth competing here that they can keep going and do longer marathon runs like the Fire-

Chris Kornacki/Special to Wawatay News

McKenzie Kakepetum (middle) dashes during a 100 meter sprint. Sandy Lake First Nation fielded 15 athletes in the 2012 Hershey Track and Field Meet held June 6 at Thunder Bay’s Royal Canadian Legion Track.

man Race,” he said.

Five runners competed in the 10-mile marathon and they were the first runners that actually joined the track team when it started three years ago. And they finished it,” Manoakeesic said.

For Sandy Lake athletes Gabriel and Jurrien Kakepetum, they both look forward to competing for one reason: winning.

Gabriel has been competing in the Hershey meet for three year in a row and said he wants to keep running “to win.”

Jurrien said he’s been in the running club for two years and wanted to start running because it was fun.

And after two years of competition, he said it’s more fun then ever.

“I’m looking forward to coming in first place,” Jurrien said laughing.

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Gabriel Kakepetum makes a throw in the Midget boys softball toss competition.

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Wawatay News

JUNE 14, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Thomas’ vibrant colours shine through Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Louise Thomas remembers seeing her husband painting in his studio, music playing softly in the background while he worked on multiple projects that contained strong vibrant colours.

“I would ask, ‘How do you know where to put that colour?’” Louise recalled, smiling at the memory. “And he would say, ‘Lovely, I just know.’”

The use of colour was a key feature in the works of Roy Thomas, an Anishabe artist from Long Lac. Vision Circle: The Art of Roy Thomas A Retrospective, is an exhibit that opened on June 7 at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

More than 60 pieces of Thomas’ paintings, ranging from his earliest to latest works, is on display at the art gallery until Sept. 9.

Thunder Bay Art Gallery director Sharon Godwin said they have always wanted to put on a big show dedicated to the Ojibwa artist.

“It was important that we do it in Thunder Bay because this is where Roy spent a great deal of his life and his family is here,” she said.

The gallery brought in the various works from public and private collections from all over Canada and one from the U.S. for their first solo exhibit

of Thomas’ work.

“Roy really deserved recognition,” Godwin said. “He is one of the finest Canadian artists and I don’t think he had the recognition he deserves.”

Born in 1949 and raised in Long Lac, Thomas was guided by the memories of his grandparents as child, and they taught him how to paint. The first time he drew, he used his pointing finger to draw figures on his grandmother’s back as she told him stories. Later, he used a stick on the ground, snow, and beach.

“And there were times too, he would say, ‘Lovely, I feel my paintings loving me. I just feel the colours.’”

-Louise Thomas on her husband, Ojibwa artist Roy Thomas.

According to the Ahnishnabae Art Gallery website, Thomas would tell his grandparents that these drawings would disappear. His grandparents told him, “One day my grandson, these drawings will come back to you, what is yours is never gone away forever.”

Thomas’ work is often categorized as the “so-called Woodlands style” of painting, though Godwin said, “It’s not label I don’t think Roy was

Courtesy of Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Roy Thomas’ “We’re All in the Same Boat” features six artists: Norval Morriseau, Carl Ray, Daphne Odjig, Joshim Kakegamic, Blake Debassige and Thomas himself, standing in a boat painting on a rock face. Thomas completed the piece in 1984 after the artists were featured in an art exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario. “We’re All in the Same Boat” is one of more than 60 pieces of Thomas’ work on display at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery in their The Art of Roy Thomas: A Retrospective Exhibition, which opened on June 7 and runs until Sept. 9. keen on.”

Lac Seul artist Ahmoo Angeconeb said he had heard about Thomas for many years and admired his work. In the mid80s, he finally met him when Angeconeb moved to Thunder Bay. “I thought he was a really great guy,” Angeconeb said of his first impression of Thomas.

“He had a great sense of humour and he also liked to

share and teach.”

Angeconeb, who said he was honoured to hold the opening prayer and ceremony of the exhibit, admired the teachings that go with Thomas’ work.

“For example, the importance of the four sacred gifts: water, land, air and fire,” Angeconeb said. “And also his composition: the way he placed and painted different

June 21, 2012 You are invited to celebrate National Aboriginal Day in Centennial Park Come out and enjoy a day of traditional teachings and learning!

Sunrise Ceremony 7 a.m.

Opening Ceremonies 8 a.m.

Teachings begin at 9 a.m.

-Traditional Men’s Teachings -Traditional Women’s Teachings -Women’s Regalia Teachings -Traditional Games -Fry Bannock and Tea

-Ojibwe language instruction -Drumming and singing instruction and practice -Kids craft corner -Sharing Circles

School Students Primary (K-3) 9-11 a.m.

Junior (Grades 4-6) 11-1 p.m.

Intermediate (Grades 7-8) 1-3 p.m.

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animals in different arrangements “And of course the colours.

The colours are really vibrant.”

Godwin said Thomas was “technically fine painter” and one of the most notable works in the exhibit is a piece called, “We’re All in the Same Boat.”

The piece was painted in 1984 after Thomas was in an exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario with six other Woodland artists. It features the six artists: Norval Morriseau, Carl Ray, Daphne Odjig, Joshim Kakegamic, Blake Debassige and Thomas himself, in a boat with their own paintbrushes painting their own works on a rockface.

Thomas moved to Thunder Bay in 1989 and lived there until he died of cancer in 2004.

Louise spoke about meeting her future husband during the exhibit’s grand opening.

As a single mother, Louise said Thomas entered her life when she attended a dance with a friend. There, they ran into a friend, Harold.

“And Harold comes in with a striking friend,” Louise recalled. The man was Thomas, but since Harold was a counsellor at an institute, “I thought Roy was one of his clients,” Louise recalled and the crowd laughed.

“Roy came over and introduced himself and he was confident and you could tell he was proud of who he was and he dressed as wonderful as always,” she said.

Thomas asked Louise to go to another dance, but Louise declined. Then while at work the following Monday, Louise was surprised to see Thomas walk in.

“And I got up and I remember walking around the desk and shook his hand and I thought, This is the man who I’m gonna marry,” she recalled.

When she started to see his work, “I knew this man was special.”

Thomas and Louise opened the Ahnishabae Art Gallery in Thunder Bay in 1997 to “showcase his work and to illustrate and promote the Ahnishabae culture,” according the gallery website.

Thomas is an inspiration to many Aboriginal artists, Louise said.

“And there were times too, he would say, ‘Lovely, I feel my paintings loving me. I just feel the colours,’” she recalled, and then pointed to his various works. “As you can see, when you walk around, colour does amazing things to the human spirit. It just makes you come alive.”

On behalf of Lydia L. Beardy Memorial School, the community of Wunnumin Lake, and Elephant Thoughts, we wish to extent a huge THANK YOU to Bruce Power for their continued support in the delivery of the two week science and technology in-school camp program! This year’s focus included Robotics, Rocks and Minerals, and Dinosaur workshops.

Bruce Power has been the sole sponsor of this hugely successful program for the past four years. In the words of several of the students who participated in this year’s program: “We can’t wait until next year!”

Sponsored by Sunset Women’s Aboriginal Circle Ontario Native Women’s Association The Municipality of Sioux Lookout Sioux Mountain Public School

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