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Theresa Spence’s hunger strike PAGE 3 Vol. 40 No. 1
Margaret Kenequanash on erosion of treaty PAGE 2
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Wawatay News JANUARY 10, 2013
ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
Grand Chief Harvey Yesno’s goals for 2013 Rick Garrick Wawatay News
Grand Chief Harvey Yesno is looking to focus on treaty issues, all-weather roads and hydro transmission lines and business development in 2013. “We need to be focused on the treaty, our relationship with Canada and Ontario,” Yesno said. “I’ve said that from the beginning, I said that when I was chief over 30 years ago, and we need to get back to that. We can’t just speak about it; we’ve got to do something about it.” Yesno said Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence has begun raising awareness of treaty issues across Canada during her hunger strike in Ottawa. “So now we’re more focused on the real issue for us, particularly in the far north,” Yesno said. “I think we basically have no choice. We have to make a stand.”
Yesno also wants to meet with the federal and provincial governments over investments into the development of all weather roads and transmission lines to remote fly-in communities. “Those two alone would contribute to (reducing) the cost of living in the communities,” Yesno said. “That’s a big issue, that’s a bread and butter issue with our communities. And we’re also looking for investments in community development, the key areas are obviously education and health, and of course the overarching thing is around resource revenue sharing and new fiscal arrangements with Canada and Ontario.” Yesno wants to build on the successes in business development that have already been occurring across NAN territory. “They (First Nation businesses) are successful and
we need to build more on that to create the wealth for our communities,” Yesno said. “And I think if our young people start seeing that, they will stay in school, get a higher education and I think it will inspire them to raise their own families in safe and healthy communities.” Yesno said NAN is looking to be a stimulus for business development, noting there is “a lot of goodwill with other partners.” “It is just a matter of getting organized and getting focused on this,” Yesno said. “So I think the future looks good.” Yesno also raised potential economic development opportunities in the Ring of Fire area, noting that while some of the area First Nations have not said yes or no to development, they see the opportunity in the Ring of Fire. “What they’re saying is we need to give consent for this to go ahead,” Yesno said. “I think once that’s done, I think
communities either will be satisfied with the issues that have been addressed, whether it’s community infrastructure, regional infrastructure or some kind of profit or revenue sharing.” Yesno said the Ring of Fire communities are concerned about the cumulative impacts of building a road corridor through their territory. “Once you put a road in, there’s going to be other things that will happen quickly on the corridor.” Yesno said. “So if the First Nations consent to that, I think there is a lot of stuff that is going to happen very quickly.” But Yesno said his main focus is on meeting with the federal and provincial governments. “We need to get to the table and discuss the treaty, as far as the implementation, and I think the economies will grow in our communities and in Ontario and Canada,” Yesno said. “But that is my vision. I think it
photo by Rick Garrick/Wawatay News
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Harvey Yesno said it is time to open the books on resource development in NAN territory and to protect the Aboriginal and treaty rights of our people during the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Treaty Unity press conference, held on Dec. 21 in Thunder Bay. will have a positive impact for
everyone.”
First Nations threaten to limit access to traditional lands Rick Garrick Wawatay News
Shibogama’s Margaret Kenequanash is warning the erosion of treaty rights will result in “very difficult” access to First Nations territory. “Prime Minister Harper and his government can make all the legislation and impose funding cuts that will have devastating impacts and will erode our treaty rights,” said the executive director of Shibogama First Nations Council during the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Treaty Unity press conference, held on Dec. 21 in Thunder Bay. “This will not be recognized in our territory and will meet strong opposition without our free, prior and informed consent. And it will be very difficult to access our territory. All the prime minister is doing is removing his Majesty and his subjects’ access to our territory.” Keneqauanash said the
federal government’s move to vacate the treaty relationship leaves First Nations with no option but to use the resources within their territory to develop the future for their people without the involvement of government. “We are resilient people — we are survivors,” Kenequanash said. “We’ve been surviving for hundreds and hundreds of years. We will remain a strong nation.” Kenequanash said the Shibogama chiefs support Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence on her hunger strike and demand a response from the prime minister on treaty issues. “Bill C-45 (Jobs and Growth Act) is only one of many different pieces of legislation and policies that First Nations and tribal councils are contending with from the federal and provincial governments,” Kenequanash said. “It is time for the Crown,
represented by the GovernorGeneral of Canada, to intervene on behalf of Chief Theresa Spence and our First Nations, to bring Canada and Ontario to the treaty table.”
“We’ve been surviving for hundreds and hundreds of years. We will remain a strong nation.” – Margaret Kenequanash
Grand Chief Harvey Yesno said Spence is not alone on her quest to bring the treaty partners to the treaty table. “The Chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation and indigenous people across this country support her efforts to bring our treaty partners to the table,” Yesno said. “It is time
to open the books on resource development in our treaty territory and to protect the Aboriginal and treaty rights of our people.” NAN holds the position that the treaty partners, Canada and Ontario, must not be the sole beneficiaries of the resources and revenue from the lands and resources in the James Bay Treaty #9 and Ontario portions of Treaty #5; a land mass covering two-thirds of Ontario. “Treaty issues are fundamental to the people of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the treaties set the basis for our First Nations relationship to Canada and Ontario,” said Constance Lake Councillor Darius Ferris. “There is no expiration date on the treaties, and the dialogue with our treaty partners must continue.” Moose Cree Chief Norman Hardisty Jr. said the federal government’s move to pass Bill C-45 into law without consultation with First Nations
showed a “blatant disregard” to its constitutional and legal obligations to Moose Cree and all First Nations across the country. “The federal government is introducing new measures and altering existing legislation in ways that will impact and infringe upon First Nations Aboriginal and treaty rights and are ignoring their duty to consult with First Nations,” Hardisty said. “This duty is not optional; it is an obligation that has been recognized and affirmed by numerous Supreme Court of Canada decisions.” Hardisty said the prime minister stated during the Crown-First Nations Gathering, held in January 2012, that the federal government would work in partnership with provinces and First Nations if changes were proposed to the Indian Act, but has done the opposite. “The Moose Cree First Nation will not tolerate the imposition of federal legislation within our
homeland when consultation has not taken place and our consent has not been given,” said Moose Cree Deputy Chief Earl Cheechoo. “We understand our rights and will assert them. If the federal government believes they can willfully trample our rights with no consequence, they are wrong.” Ontario New Democratic Party Leader Andrea Horwath said the federal and provincial governments have been big on words but short on actions. “Both levels of government need to move forward with meaningful negotiations to ensure that resource revenues are shared with First Nations communities,” Horwath said. “It only makes sense that First Nations share in the profits made through mining and resource extraction in their territory. This discussion is particularly important now as the province continues to explore the unparalleled wealth potential of the Ring of Fire.”
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Attawapiskat chief surrounded by positivity Spence inspires thousands in Idle No More movement Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News
A teepee sits on Victoria Island, just between the mainlands of Ottawa, Ont. and Gatineau, Que. Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence sits in the teepee surrounded by blankets, flags, and tokens of spirituality such as sweetgrass, hand drums and sage. “When we first started, there wasn’t anything in here,” Spence recalls of that first night of Dec. 11. “We just slept on the ground. It was cold.” As she sits in her teepee on Jan. 7, beds and a woodstove have been put in place. But where she gained relative comfort in temperature, Spence is beginning to lose her health. She is on Day 27 of her hunger strike. “I’m tired,” she said. Spence has been sustaining on water, medicinal tea, and fish broth. The fish broth was recommended by an Elder, Spence said. Danny Metatawabin, her spokesperson, adds: “I was talking to an Elder and he said that’s what they used to have in the old days, during hard times.” But the minimal nutrition gained cannot make up for the lack of solid food. As of Jan. 6, Spence has lost 22 pounds and has low pressure, but she is stable. But if anyone is outside her teepee long enough, it would be difficult to sense that Spence is weak. Often, one can hear an eruption of laughter inside. “Her body is weak but her spirit is strong,” an Ojibwa sundancer remarks following another chorus of laughter. “Laughter lifts up your spirits,” Spence said. “This is where non-Natives don’t understand us. When we’re in a meeting sometimes and we get upset, we just laugh about it. And we say, that’s just the way we are. When things get out of hand or get really serious, we have to laugh.” As she talks, Spence holds an eagle feather. She said it was given to her last year during the housing crisis by a traditional woman who visited her community. “She said, use this when you talk and it’ll help your words to come out, words of truth,” Spence said. A sacred fire burns about 30 feet from the teepee. It was started the day before Spence began her strike and has burned continually since. Visitors are asked to smudge and make a tobacco offering to the fire. But while it is tempting to pray for the woman inside the teepee, they are asked instead to pray for the First Nations youth, at Spence’s request. And visitors pour in everyday from across Turtle Island bringing their songs, prayers, drums and support. From the M’kmaqs to the east to the Denes to west, and nonAboriginals, all come to Victoria Island to see Spence. Lines form
Lenny Carpenter/Wawatay News
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike was featured on a sign during the Dec. 21 Idle No More rally on Parliament Hill. While Prime Minister Stephen Harper has agreed to meet with First Nation leaders on Jan. 11, he did not mention Spence’s hunger strike during his announcement. Spence said she would not stop her hunger strike unless she sees “positive results” from the meeting. in front of the teepee, with visitors hoping for the chance to meet Spence and personally express their gratitude and support. After the Dec. 21 rally, a young woman from Saskatoon approached her friends to tell them she met Spence, her demeanour akin to meeting her favourite celebrity. She explained she left with $1.25 in her pocket and some paintings. She had planned to sell the paintings to make her way to Ottawa until she got a ride from other travellers. “I never thought I would make it here,” she said as she began to tear up. “And now she just accepted my paintings.” Spence is overwhelmed by all the support she has received. She said since her mother is a residential school survivor, she is not used to all the affection. “Sometimes I don’t know how to take it,” she said. “It’s so much love.”
Inspiring a movement When Spence began her hunger strike on Dec. 11, she was only aware of the Idle No More movement. “I heard of (it) but not the facts of their movement,” she said while sitting in her teepee on Victoria Island, just across the river from Parliament Hill. Spence began to consider going on a hunger strike months before she made the announcement in early December. But the breaking point for her to go through with the decision began when the Harper government proceeded
to push through Bill C-45, an omnibus budget bill that affects First Nations in the areas of the Indian Act, the Navigation Protection Act and the Environmental Assessment Act. The bill was drawn up without consulting any First Nations leaders. The bill had also drawn the attention of four women in Saskatchewan. Jessica Gordon, Sheelah McLean, Sylvia McAdams and Nina Wilsonfeld, all lawyers, were concerned the bill would erode indigenous rights. They decided to organize an event in Saskatoon, set for Nov. 10, and to help spread the word
they turned to Facebook. They chose to call the page “Idle No More” as a motivational slogan. A week after that small meeting, there were events in Regina, Prince Albert and North Battleford, Sask., and Winnipeg. A month later, the movement had spread across the country. On Dec. 10 - the day before Spence commenced her hunger strike - rallies in the name of Idle No More were held across the country. Spence had nothing to do with the movement. She is neither a spokesperson nor organizer. But as her hunger strike made national headlines,
people across Canada began to incorporate the hunger strike into their rallies. On Dec. 21, more than 4,000 people took part in a march that began on Victoria Island to Parliament Hill. Within the crowd, signs were held that expressed support for Spence. Even a man with a megaphone made a shout out to Spence, telling the crowd “When I say Theresa, you say Spence. Theresa!” “Spence!” “Theresa!” “Spence!” As the marchers made their way to Parliament Hill, Spence could hear them in the distance.
“I’m proud of them because they’re standing on their ground, espeically the youth,” she said. “They’re giving the message to the government that we’re not afraid anymore. It is the grassroots movement, and the youth are standing behind it.” Spence said the rise of movement and her hunger strike was “good timing.” “We’re all connected and even the leaders are hearing the message from the grassroots people,” she said. “My hunger strike is about unifying, working together with the leaders, government and the grassroots people. So it’s good to stand together on this. They’re making the movement.” On Jan. 4, Harper announced he would meet with First Nations leaders on Jan. 11. He made no mention of Spence and her hunger strike. “I can understand for him too because he doesn’t want to recognize my hunger strike and that he doesn’t want to honour it,” Spence said. “If he was a good leader, he would’ve responded as soon as possible. But for him to let a woman go on suffering for 27 days now, it only shows where his heart is coming from.” Spence called the announcement a small step, but noted that the third party, the governor general, still needs to meet with the leaders. Spence said she would continue her hunger strike until she is satisfied with the results of the meeting. This would include having the immediate needs of First Nation to be worked on right away, “not within a year but within months,” she said. Those needs include infrastructural needs: housing and clean water; for the land to be protected, to include revenue sharing and for First Nations leaders to be part of the government, and to have better health and education systems. “I’m hoping for positive results to come,” she said.
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Wawatay News JANUARY 10, 2013
ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
From the Wawatay archives 16-5th Avenue North P.O. Box 1180 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B7 Serving the First Nations in Northern Ontario since 1974. Wawatay News is a politically independent weekly newspaper published by Wawatay Native Communications Society.
ᓂᐢᑕᑦ ᑲᑭᒪᑕᓄᑲᑌᐠ 1974 ᐁᐅᒋᐊᓄᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑭᐧᐁᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑕᐃᑦᔑᑫᐧᐃᓇᐣ. ᑕᓱᓂᔓᐱᒥᑯᓇᑲ ᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐧᐃ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐧᐃᐣ ᐅᓇᔓᐧᐁᐧᐃ ᑲᓇᐧᐊᐸᒋᑫᐧᐃᓂᐠ ᒋᐃᔑ ᐸᐸᒥᓯᒪᑲᐠ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓂᑫᐧᐃᓇᐣ. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER David Neegan
Commentary
Big Moments Stephanie Wesley SPECIAL TO WAWATAY NEWS
2013
has just begun and I can’t wait to see what it brings. A lot happened for me personally in the year of 2012, there were plenty of lows but also a lot of highs. In fact, Facebook even has a new “trend” where each user can view their “20 biggest moments of the year.” I viewed mine and was happy with most of what I saw – except for the 19th moment which was “Stephanie Wesley became friends with Classic Roots on Nov. 5, 2012.” Classic Roots is a First Nations electronic dance music disc jockey from Thunder Bay. How was becoming friends with a DJ the 19th biggest moment of my year when so much else happened? As I mentioned before in a previous column, I won a writing challenge in June. Upon winning, I was informed that I and the other winners would also be given a Governor General’s Student Award for History in December. At the time, I had no idea how “big” this moment really would be and how conflicted I would feel about it in the end. After the writing challenge, I was tracked down by a University professor from Winnipeg by the name of Renate Eigenbrod. She invited me to be the “emergent writer” for a Readings of Truth and Reconciliation panel. The panel was just one of many excellent events for the first ever Manitoba Indigenous Writers Festival that took place in Winnipeg in October. I was told by Ian Ross, who was also on the panel, that I was “meant to be there.” Everything happens for a reason. I tried not to let everything go to my head, but then I received an e-mail about the upcoming awards ceremony in Ottawa. I researched more about the award itself and who the Governor General actually was and I immediately felt proud. It was a cold morning in Ottawa on Dec. 10, 2012 when I left a very historic and expensive hotel to go to the home of David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, with several other winners to receive a medal. In a very formal ceremony, I shook hands with the Governor General and smiled for an awkward photo after he placed the very heavy medal around my neck. The strap kept breaking throughout the morning so I couldn’t wear it. My fellow challenge winner, Melanie Jewell, pointed out a familiar face down below. “Hey, there’s Harper!” she said. Sure enough, there he was Prime Minister Stephen Harper
in the flesh several feet below us. Seeing him in person made me laugh, but I actually felt bored as I fidgeted with my medal and its broken strap. It was a tiring day and I retreated back to my historic hotel room that afternoon. I logged into Facebook and started to notice a new trend amongst the statuses of my friends. Names and phrases like “Theresa Spence,” “Hunger strike,” “Bill C-45,” “Requesting a meeting with the Governor General of Canada and the Prime Minister,” and above all “Idle No More,” flooded the newsfeed. It was the first I’d heard of #IdleNoMore. I was a little confused – I was admittedly too wrapped up with everyday life. I was busy with school, with writing, with parenting, with a failed relationship, with a new friendship, with wondering where I would put my big heavy medal when I got home to realize what was happening. I was unaware of the movement, of the bill, of Theresa Spence and her goal - and it was my own fault. I started to feel guilty and still do to this day just over three weeks later. I wish I would have known about it all before I went into both of those houses. I wish I could have said something when I had the chance. I wish I would have paid more attention to other things but there’s really not much I can do about it now except keep myself more alert of what is going on. Apathy when it comes to politics is nothing new, and it is so easy to just carry on with your life and let someone else worry about it. But what the whole Idle No More movement has shown me is that it’s important to work together and to stay aware. All First Nations in Canada have come together and it’s showing the youth why it is important to “give a damn” about who is governing their country. The movement has made the whole world pay attention – you can see it online through photos posted by people worldwide who are showing their support and solidarity for #IdleNoMore and Theresa Spence. No amount of negative commentary or attacks on the movement can take away that camaraderie. Today, I keep the medal I won in the black velvet box it came with and it’s safely tucked away in a drawer. I was told that all things happen for a reason, and I am still happy about the award itself. In the end, seeing that it came with a faulty strap to begin with, maybe I was never supposed to wear the medal anyway. Or maybe it was supposed to fall from around my neck when I was receiving recognition in the house and accidentally hit Harper in the head down below. I don’t know. I should have worn it anyway that day.
Lois Mombourquette/Wawatay News archives
Nancy Keeper washes up in Pikangikum, October 1983.
Hunger Strikes Have a Powerful History Xavier Kataquapit UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY
O
ver the years, leaders from First Nation communities in the north like Attawapiskat, have fought hard for many of the basic services and programs that currently exist. However, I can understand my peoples’ frustration when at times, it feels like progress is actually falling back and we are losing what little we gained. In the end many issues negatively affect the overall Native community in terms of chronic health problems, unemployment and social issues such as addictions, violence and suicide. The sad truth is that First Nation problems, like those in Attawapiskat, are actually a small part of a larger story across Canada where many Native communities are fighting for proper water services, education, jobs, health services and decent housing. This past month, Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence decided to draw attention to these issues by taking part in a hunger strike in Ottawa. I can understand her reasons for resorting to such drastic measures to shine a spotlight on the plight of our people. When First Nation
leaders are not consulted with in terms of legislation that affects treaty rights then we are in fact being ignored. I know from experience that life in a remote Native community is not easy. From the moment a Native child in Canada is born, they will more than likely have poor nutrition, few medical resources, trouble achieving a proper long term education and fewer chances for meaningful lifelong employment. Our First Nation leaders continually fight for basic rights that were agreed upon when our people and the government signed treaties a hundred years ago. We honoured our part of the bargain by losing just about everything, our land, our spiritual freedoms, our heritage, our language and our right to govern ourselves. The deplorable situation of many First Nations across Canada is only a symptom of how the government has failed in its part of the bargain. Chief Spence is merely calling to attention the plight of our people. It is sad to see our leaders having to address First Nation issues in this way. When government systems have broken down and a leader can no longer meaningfully negotiate, communicate or address important issues, then they are driven to alternative solutions. I am concerned for the health of Chief Spence but we should not forget that her situation represents only
a small part of the overall pain and suffering that our people have had to endure and continue to do so today. Hunger strikes have played a significant part in our world history for the cause of freedom and justice. For centuries peaceful, non violent hunger strikes have been held by many famous and brave activists. Mahatma Gandhi was a famous example in India when he engaged in several hunger strikes to protest British rule of India. This led to freedom for India. British and American suffragettes used hunger strikes very affectively to win women’s rights including the right to vote and run for office. Nelson Mandela also used hunger strikes to protest issues in South Africa. There has been much support for Chief Spence, across the country with the Idle No More movement. She has made waves around the world but it has been sad to see the criticism and racism that has appeared against her and Native people in general through anonymous posts and comments on many news sites. Many of these racist posts more than likely come from political parties trying to attack First Nation people and discredit them. However, there are also lots of people who are willing to say terrible, vicious and racist things about Natives and that saddens me. I believe that media companies share some responsibility for these negative and sometimes violent
comments appearing online. It is one thing for an individual to voice their view publicly or anonymously, it is a right we all share in a free country. However, public view points take on a whole new light when a group of people are allowed to anonymously voice their hate in a public forum. A website administrator should be capable of filtering or channeling the comments on a website under their control but this is not happening. If a major news corporation allows so many negative, hateful and racist comments on their site, it means that they are sharing in the negative view point as well. As individuals we have the right to stand up and demand that hate should not be spread in any media. Public inaction can lead to negative results. Edmund Burke, an 18th century philosopher and political figure described inaction as, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Simon Wiesenthal, a Second World War Holocaust survivor explained that, “For evil to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing.” You might not agree with First Nation leadership and Chief Spence but resorting to hate and stereotype slander is not only wrong but illegal. I hope that Chief Spence accomplishes her goals. I also want to remind her of the words an old warrior told me a few years ago, “It is important to live so that you can fight another day.”
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TRANSLATORS Vicky Angees vickya@wawatay.on.ca Agnes Shakakeesic agness@wawatay.on.ca CONTRIBUTORS Xavier Kataquapit Chris Kornacki Richard Wagamese
Guest editorials, columnists and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the views of Wawatay News.
Wawatay News
JANUARY 10, 2013
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ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
YEAR IN REVIEW ‹ 2012 › FEMALE
NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR
Spence inspires national movement Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s national spotlight for her fight to remove the third party manager assigned to her First Nation and her decision to go on a hunger strike last month makes her Wawatay’s female newsmaker of the year. Following the housing crisis in her community at the end of last year, Spence continued to oppose the third party manager imposed upon the community by the federal government. In January, after Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of Canada (AANDC) Minister John Duncan accused Spence and the leadership of Attawapiskat of withholding information so that the third party manager could release funds for essential services, Spence issued a reply indicating that the manager’s fees were billed to the First Nation at a rate of $20,000 a month. “Why should my First Nation be paying $1,300 a day for some firm to issue payroll cheques for my First Nation with our already limited Band Support Funding?” Spence asked in her letter to Duncan. “We do not need a high priced
manager to issue cheques, because we are capable of issuing cheques and managing our business affairs.” After a federal court declined to remove the third party manager on a temporary basis in February, Spence said the decision did not affect the First Nation’s overall legal challenge. She had filed a court injunction against AANDC in December. In April, AANDC withdrew the manager after Duncan deemed the housing crisis to be “over” following the installment of 22 modular homes and the repairs of three homes in the community. But Spence said the First Nation would proceed with its court injunction, calling the decision to appoint the manger “unlawful.” In August, the court agreed with Spence, calling the federal government’s decision “unreasonable in all circumstances.” “I was really amazed and shocked at the same time,” Spence told Wawatay News about the court decision. “It was a good judgment from the courts for them to see that the government did wrongful things when we declared an emergency (last winter).” But the next day, the First Nation received a letter from
Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat ended the year on a hunger strike. a letter from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) saying it could not finance a proposed housing project to build 30 duplexes because Duncan refused to sign off on the agreement.
“I’m very disappointed because (Duncan) is already aware of our community with our housing crisis,” Spence said, adding that the government did not consult with the community before making the decision.
HONOURABLE MENTION
Edwards keeps Shannen’s dream for a school alive Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News
Chelsea Edwards’ fight for equitable funding for First Nations education makes her runner up for Wawatay’s female newsmaker of the year. After the 16-year-old from Attawapiskat First Nation was named the Shannen’s Dream spokesperson in the fall of 2011, Edwards was asked to be one of six First Nations youth ambassadors to travel overseas to Geneva, Switzerland, to give a presentation to the United Nations (UN) about the inequalities facing Aboriginal youth in Canada. On Feb. 6, Edwards told the UN committee about the diesel contamination of the J.R. Nakogee Elementary School in her community and its closure 12 years ago; her experience in attending classes in portables that were cold, infested with mice and had toxic smells; the Canadian government’s repeated and broken promises of a new school; and that 47 First Nations are in need of educational facilities. She also told them about 15-year-old Shannen Koostachin, Edwards’ friend who initiated the biggest letterwriting campaign in Canada to urge the federal government to build Attawapiskat a new school, and about her untimely death in 2010 and the campaign named in her honour. “History is made,” she said on her Facebook profile following the meeting. “Watch out Harper
Chelsea Edwards has had a busy year advocating for First Nations education. and Duncan, you’re both out of excuses now that they’ve heard our voices.” Three weeks later, Edwards was feeling nervous in the House Commons as it was about to vote on Motion 202, called Shannen’s Dream. Sitting with Shannen’s parents – Andrew and Jenny Koostachin – and Shannen’s older sister, Serena and her daughter, Baby Shannen, Edwards didn’t realize what was happening as the members of parliament were voting unanimously to support the motion. “Serena and I were sitting side-by-side with Baby Shannen, and we thought they were just taking attendance,” Edwards recalls. “After everyone sat down, we were like ‘OK, good, everyone’s here, let’s get it started.’ And
they looked at us and started clapping.” On June 22, Edwards was on hand for a sod turning event at the future site of a new school in her community. The school is scheduled to open in March 2014. In the fall, Edwards received two awards for advocating for First Nations youth. She also had the opportunity to speak to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child again in December. After hearing from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth in Toronto, the UN’s envoy provided her feedback at the end of the day. “She wasn’t impressed with Canada,” Edwards said. “And she believes they have the money to invest in us and to make these problems go away but they’re not spending it properly.”
“They’re enraged with us, I guess. And it shows that they’re not willing to work with us to improve the crisis in our community.” In early December, Spence announced during the
Assembly of First Nations Special Assembly that she would go on a hunger strike until Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a representative of the Queen agreed to meet with her and other First Nations leaders. She said Harper failed to live up to his January promise to improve relations with First Nations, saying there is currently “no relationship.” She began the hunger strike on Dec. 11 in Ottawa with the claims she is “willing to die” in the process. During her hunger strike, she stayed in a teepee on Victoria Island, just minutes away from Parliament Hill. Her hunger strike coincided with a growing grassroots movement called Idle No More, where rallies were held in various cities and communities across the country, calling for the Harper government to consult First Nations in the numerous bills affecting treaty rights being pushed through legislation. Many participants at the rallies have expressed support for Spence, while some chiefs and community members have either fasted or went on a hunger strike of their own as a show of solidarity for Spence.
Find in these communities Aroland Atikokan Attawapiskat Balmertown Batchewana Bearskin Lake Beaverhouse Big Grassy Big Island Big Trout Lake Brunswick House Calstock Cat Lake Chapleau Cochrane Collins Couchiching Couchiching Deer Lake Dinorwic Dryden Ear Falls Emo Flying Post Fort Albany Fort Frances Fort Hope Fort Severn Geraldton Ginoogaming Grassy Narrows Gull Bay Hornepayne Hudson Iskatewizaagegan
Kapuskasing Kasabonika Kashechewan Keewaywin Kenora Kingfisher Lake Kocheching Lac La Croix Lac Seul, Kejick Bay Lake Nipigon Lansdowne Long Lake Mattagammi Michipicoten Migisi Sahgaigan Missanabie Mobert Moose Factory Moosonee Muskrat Dam Musselwhite Mine Naicatchewenin Naotikamegwanning Nestor Falls Nicikousemenecaning North Spirit Lake Northwest Angle #33 Northwest Angle #37 Ochiichagwe’Babigo’ Ining Ogoki Pic River Osnaburgh Pawitik Pays Plat Peawanuck
Pickle Lake Pikangikum Poplar Hill Rainy River Red Lake Red Rock Rocky Bay Sachigo Lake Sandy Lake Saugeen Sault Ste. Marie Savant Lake Seine River Shoal Lake Sioux Lookout Sioux Narrows Slate Falls Stanjikoming Stratton Summer Beaver Taykwa Tagamou Timmins Thunder Bay Wabaskang Wabigoon Wahgoshing Wapekeka Washaganish Wauzhusk Onigum Wawakapewin Weagamow Lake Webequie Whitedog Whitesand Wunnimun Lake
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Wawatay News JANUARY 10, 2013
ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
YEAR IN REVIEW ‹ 2012 › NEWS
STORY OF THE YEAR
Attawapiskat chief holds hunger strike as Idle No More spreads “When is the Prime Minister and the minister of Aboriginal Affairs going to wake up?” – Mushkegowuk Grand Chief
Stan Louttit
The Idle No More rally was sparked in the middle of December, and has spread across the country over the past few weeks. Rick Garrick Wawatay News
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Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s hunger strike and the Idle No More protest movement are Wawatay’s news story of the year. Spence began her hunger strike on Dec. 11 and and plans to continue until Stephen Harper and a representative of the Queen meet with her and First Nations leaders to involve them in the legislative process that affects First Nations across Canada. Spence said she was “willing to die” in the process. “Theresa is feeling tired but her spirit is strong,” said Danny Metatawabin, Spence’s official spokesperson, on the eighth day of her hunger strike. “She’s thoroughly focused on what she needs to do: her hunger strike. She’s going to stay on Victoria Island for however long it takes to call a meeting
with the prime minister and governor general.” Chiefs from across Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the country offered support to Spence during her hunger strike, which she conducted in a teepee on Victoria Island, just minutes away from Parliament Hill. “We stand united with Chief Spence in her heroic efforts to protect Aboriginal and treaty rights,” said Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit. “Our people are frustrated with the federal government’s continued attack on treaty and inherent rights and the lack of dialogue with our leaders by making unilateral decisions that affect our people, lands and resources. Sometimes drastic measures have to be done to be heard.” Grand Chief Harvey Yesno said Spence’s decision to go on a hunger strike is a protest against recent legislative changes that will directly impact the rights of First Nations. “First Nations across Canada are frustrated at how changes and plans are underway by the federal department of Indian Affairs and Canada without addressing the key components of the obligations of our treaties,” Yesno said. Although Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of Canada Minister John Duncan offered to meet with Spence, Metatawabin said Spence would only meet with Harper and Governor General David Johnston. “When is the prime minister and the minister of Aboriginal Affairs going to wake up?” asked Mushkegowuk Grand Chief Stan Louttit.
“Canada continues to ignore the treaties, as well as the provisions of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, both of which have been endorsed by Canada. Canada’s actions are unfair, paternalistic and extremely disrespectful of First Nations. This is why you will continue to see actions taken by First Nation leaders such as Chief Spence and others who are sick and tired of unilateral actions and decision making by government on matters that directly impact their people and communities.” Naotkamegwanning (Whitefish Bay) Chief Joyce White and a group of jingle dress dancers performed a special dance for Spence on Dec. 15 at Victoria Island. “It was very spiritual and uplifting and we’d like acknowledge the Elder who led the group and the jingle dress dancers,” Metatawabin said. Ontario Native Women’s Association executive director Betty Kennedy said Spence personifies the strength of Aboriginal women and their commitment to their communities. “Over 600 Aboriginal women and girls have already lost their lives due to the systemic injustice and racism that plagues our people,” Kennedy said. “How many more lives need to be lost before action is taken?” Idle No More began as a grassroots movement and has since grown to an international movement, with rallies held across Canada, the United States and in London, England. Many Idle No More participants expressed support for Spence on her hunger strike, and some chiefs and community members have since fasted or started hunger strikes of their own in support of Spence. “There’s a lot of prayers coming from across Canada and across the world, and she’s praying for us as well,” Metatawabin said. “That’s what’s keeping her going.”
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Wawatay News
JANUARY 10, 2013
7
ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
YEAR IN REVIEW ‹ 2012 › NEWS
STORY OF THE YEAR HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Plane crashes at North Spirit Lake
Housing problems NAN grand chief raise national attention elected by one vote
Rick Garrick
Attawapiskat’s “round two” housing crisis and other housing problems across Nishnawbe Aski Nation get an honourable mention as Wawatay’s news story of the year. “A lot of people are choosing to go down south,” said Attawapiskat acting chief Christine Kataquapit this past September as the community looked for housing for about 100 community members after their trailer complex was condemned by the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council due to mould contamination. But about a month later the federal government rejected the plan to send residents south, instead offering up to $300,000 in assistance and support for upgrades and repairs necessary to ensure the trailer complex would provide warm, safe shelter this winter. Kataquapit said the funds committed to repair the trailers are “not enough.” Currently, about 50 people remain in the trailers while most who had to leave due to health concerns are either staying at the community
Wawatay News
The Jan. 10 Keystone Airways plane crash in a blizzard at North Spirit Lake that killed the pilot and three passengers gets an honourable mention as Wawatay’s news story of the year. Martha Campbell, a 38-yearold North Spirit Lake community member from Winnipeg; Colette Eisinger, 39, from Winnipeg; Ben Van Hoek, 62, from Carmen, Manitoba; and Fariborz Abasabady, the 41-year-old pilot from Lockport, Manitoba, all perished in the plane crash on the ice about one kilometre from North Spirit Lake. Brian Shead, 36, from Winnipeg, survived the plane crash with non-life threatening injuries by crawling through the broken off tail section. Officials said the Piper PA 31 Navajo aircraft, Flight 231, departed Winnipeg at 7:51 a.m. without incident. Once it left Winnipeg airspace, there was no radio contact with the aircraft. As community members rushed across the lake to the crash scene, the plane was already in flames, with black smoke visible through the blizzard.
“When I got there, there was a guy, David Campbell, who was already there,” said Darcy Keesick, who saw Campbell pulling the pilot from the wreckage. “He had (the pilot) out of the cabin, and he was just in between the cabin and the engine. I went over there and … helped him drag (the pilot) away from the wreckage.” The pilot was later pronounced dead at the scene. Transportation Safety Board of Canada spokesperson Peter Hildebrand said the cause of the crash would be difficult to determine, since the plane did not have a flight recorder and the community does not have a flight control tower. The plane crash was the worst in northwestern Ontario since the 9-11 Wasaya Airways plane crash 10 kilometers northwest of Summer Beaver in 2003.
Rick Garrick
Wawatay News
healing lodge or with family. That comes after last winter’s housing shortage in the community resulted in a national outcry and a 3rd party manager being installed in the First Nation. Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit said the housing conditions in some communities are “terrible.” “This should not be happening in this day and age,” Louttit said at the Nov. 13-15 Special Chiefs Assembly. “Attawapiskat exists in every NAN community — overcrowding, poor construction, poor land, materials below standard.” Louttit said there is currently an estimated backlog of 5,000 homes needed across NAN territory based on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada website data. Louttit said many of the communities are also running out of subdivision space to build new homes on.
Rick Garrick Wawatay News
Grand Chief Harvey Yesno’s one-vote election win over former deputy grand chief Terry Waboose to lead Nishnawbe Aski Nation gets an honourable mention as Wawatay’s news story of the year. Yesno received 22 votes on the third ballot of the election, which was held during the Keewaywin Conference in Kashechewan, while Waboose received 21. Mike Metatawabin was eliminated on the second ballot, after receiving 12 votes compared to Yesno’s 16 votes and Waboose’s 15 votes. Brian Davey, Lawrence Martin, Doug Semple and David Neegan were eliminated after the first ballot. “We need to be united,” Yesno said in his victory
speech, stressing the importance of unity among the communities and chiefs. “There’s no way to do it otherwise.” Yesno replaced former grand chief Stan Beardy, who stepped down in June after being elected regional chief of Ontario. Yesno had previously served as the Ontario government’s director for Aboriginal and Community relations for the Ring of Fire, executive director of the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund and chief of Eabametoong First Nation for five terms. He was also involved with Grand Council Treaty No. 9, which later became NAN, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Yesno told the chiefs gathered in Kashechewan that the birth of Nishnawbe Aski Nation is still in its early stages. “I think it is important that all of us express new ideas and new horizons to reach for,” Yesno said. “We need to get our people more involved in the process.” Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit was reelected with 24 votes during the deputy grand chief election, while former deputy grand chiefs Alvin Fiddler and Goyce Kakegamic were elected to new terms.
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8
Wawatay News JANUARY 10, 2013
ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
YEAR IN REVIEW ‹ 2012 ›
WAWATAY’S
PHOT
Honourable mention: A young boy cuts the ribbon for the Kingfisher Lake Omahamo store in May. (Photo by Christian Quequish)
In our number one photo of the year, an Elder shows the line and stick m Honourable mention: Orien stands outside the Attawapiskat portables during last winter’s housing crisis. (photo by Johan Hellberg)
Honourable mention: Sandy Lake runners take off during the community’s marathon run for diabetes. (photo by Lis Roach)
The second place photo of the year, a beautiful shot of a powerful march as the Kingfisher Lake walkers get close tion drug abuse awareness walk in Sioux Lookout. Honourable mention: Terry Waboose explains his position on the Ring of Fire mine to Ontario ministers Kathleen Wynne and Micheal Gravelle. (photo by Lenny Carpenter)
Wawatay News
JANUARY 10, 2013
9
ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
YEAR IN REVIEW ‹ 2012 ›
TOS OF THE YEAR
Honourable mention: Treydon Munroe gets involved in the Bearskin Lake fall hunt.
Ziggy Beardy
Lenny Carpenter
method of ice fishing at the Sachigo Lake fishing derby in February.
Bryan Phelan
Honourable mention: Darren Hudson and Colin Tait take on some water in their homemade raft during the Kitchenuhmaykoosib raft race in July.
Honourable mention: Leo Baskatwang drags the Indian Act across Canada. (Photo by Christian Quequish)
Brent Wesley
e to finishing their prescrip-
Lenny Carpenter
In our third place photograph, country superstar Crystal Shawanda was caught mid jump on a Moose Factory stage as the crowd gazed in admiration. Honourable mention: Sarah Mickelson gets up close with the Stanley Cup in Garden River. (Photo by Pauline Mickelson)
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Wawatay News JANUARY 10, 2013
ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
MALE
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre is a state-of the-art Centre of Excellence providing First Nation, rural and remote health care and specialized holistic services to the people of Northwestern Ontario. Working hand in hand with our communities to build a healthier future.
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February 19-21, 2013
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Wed Evening
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NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR
Chief Moonias vows to oppose Cliffs at all costs Shawn Bell Wawatay News
Neskantaga Chief Peter Moonias burst into the national media’s attention in the spring when he announced to the world that he would stop a bridge to the Ring of Fire from being built over the Attawapiskat River, by any means possible. “They’re going to have to cross that river, and I told them if they want to cross that river, they’re going to have to kill me first. That’s how strongly I feel about my people’s rights here,” Moonias said in May. Since then Neskantaga has become a thorn in the side of Cliffs Natural Resources, the mining giant that Moonias has pegged an “American mining bully.” Moonias’ efforts have brought international attention to the First Nations fight to be consulted and accommodated on what may be the biggest development ever in northern Ontario. For those efforts he has earned Wawatay’s male newsmaker of the year. The First Nation is making true its claim to use any means possible to oppose the Ring of Fire until proper consultation gets completed. In May the chief sent a series of letters to the Ontario government, demanding consultation and expressing his concerns over Cliffs’ announcement that it was going ahead with its Ring of Fire chromite mine, along with a north-south highway and a smelter in Sudbury. As Moonias pointed out, Ontario was helping push Cliffs’ mine along without having completed any consultations with First Nations, as the province is obligated to under law. “There is no such thing as after the fact consultation,” Moonias said. “Consulation happens before you go into somebody’s backyard.” Moonias and his Aroland counterpart Sonny Gagnon took their call for a Ring of Fire slowdown to mining minister Rick Bartolucci in July, demanding that the government put a pause on the development to allow time for proper consultation to happen. That suggestion was ignored by Bartolucci. “The government is just going ahead as if we’re nothing,” Moonias said at the
Neskantaga Chief Peter Moonias has spent the year opposing Cliffs’ Ring of Fire mine. time. “It looks as if ‘yes’ has already been given from the First Nations, but we never did give consent.” In the summer Neskantaga upped its efforts, announcing it would use a little known mining court to try and get its voice heard.
“They’re going to have to cross that river, and I told them if they want to cross that river, they’re going to have to kill me first.” - Peter Moonias
The case brought to Ontario’s mining commissioner asked for the First Nation to be named a party in a claims dispute between Cliffs and KWG Resources. Neskantaga argued that it was the original landowner, and subsequent mining claims issued by the government to the companies could not be sold or given away without acknowledging the First Nation’s title. While its mining commissioner court case ended with the commissioner ruling against Neskantaga, the First Nation did manage to extract an admission from both Cliffs and Ontario that neither of them had consulted with Neskantaga before announcing the mine
project. But Moonias was not done there. While vowing to continue using the courts to block Cliffs’ Ring of Fire project, the chief turned his attention to the Environmental Assessment (EA) portion of the mine. First Neskantaga submitted responses to the Cliffs EA, essentially calling the process inadequate as it failed to consult First Nations in a meaningful way. Then Moonias requested that Ontario’s environment minister send the EA to a mediator to deal with the dispute between Neskantaga and Cliffs. As the year came to a close, Neskantaga’s request for mediation was still outstanding. So was the First Nation’s threat of more legal action against Cliffs and Ontario. And behind it all was the declaration that kick-started Neskantaga’s opposition to the Cliffs project and the transportation corridor. Moonias has repeated throughout the year that he was serious when he said his community will police the Attawapiskat River, that it will block any attempts to build a bridge over the river, and that he is prepared to die on the river if it came to that. Moonias told Wawatay in the spring that his community is serious when it says something. His actions throughout the year back up his claim.
Wawatay News
JANUARY 10, 2013
HONOURABLE MENTION
11
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New Grand Chief will set tone of future development Shawn Bell Wawatay News
It is still much too early to judge Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Harvey Yesno’s performance in the top job. But the former Eabametoong chief earned his spot on the Wawatay honourable mention list by not only winning the grand chief election, but for immediately implementing his own tone to the work that NAN is doing. Yesno took on six other candidates, including two sitting deputy grand chiefs, in a race that was pegged by many as being completely up in the air. When the Kashechewan dust finally settled, Yesno had a narrow victory over a Terry Waboose and a three-year term as grand chief. In his first media conference, Yesno emphasized that protection of the lands will come “at any cost.� “One thing is for sure, on the lands, its going to be all about
protection,� Yesno said. “We’re not going to protest over our own lands. But people will protect their own lands.� Despite those strong words, Yesno’s first few months on the job have been pretty quiet. A number of themes have emerged during these first few months. Yesno is not against resource development. He regularly cites his economic development experience and the need to get communities involved in business. But he wants to make sure First Nations benefit, be it through resourcerevenue sharing or improved economic benefit agreements. In an open letter in October, Yesno laid out his vision of what First Nations are looking for in terms of resource development. He focused on “fair and equitable� treatment of First Nations, including an opportunity to invest, develop partnerships and ownership of business development opportunities. “The desire for our communities to succeed in
business and provide a better future for our people is one of the most urgent pressures facing most chiefs today,� Yesno wrote. He has also noted the importance of reestablishing the treaty relationships – taking consultation out of the hands of industry and giving it back to government. He called it “implementation of the treaty,� noting that Canada and Ontario have to level the playing field by investing in First Nations in order to help the communities get involved in development opportunities. Whether Yesno’s approach will work in getting the desired benefits remains to be seen. But one thing is certain – the operations of NAN will be under his lead for the next three years, crucial years for the development of the Ring of Fire and other resource industries in the territory. How successful Yesno is in creating a legacy may well shape how the entire NAN territory develops long after he has stepped aside.
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INSPECTION Big Pic 2007–2017 Forest Management Plan Inspection of Approved Planned Operations for Phase II 2013–2017 The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), GreenForest Management Inc. (GFMI) and the Pic River Public Consultation Committee (PRPCC) are advising you that the Planned Operations for the second five-year term (2013–2017) of the 2007–2017 Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the Big Pic Forest have been approved by the MNR Regional Director and are available for inspection. The MNR-approved Planned Operations for the second five-year term will be available for inspection for 30 days. During the 30-day inspection period, there is an opportunity to make a written request to the Director, Environmental Assessment Approvals Branch, Ministry of the Environment for an individual environmental assessment of specific forest management activities in the Planned Operations for the second five-year term. The MNR-approved Planned Operations for the second five-year term and Planned Operations summary are available for inspection during normal office hours by appointment for 30 days from January 3–February 1, 2013 at the following locations:
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Thunder Bay Counselling Centre 544 Winnipeg Avenue Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3S7 Tel: (807) 684-1880 Fax: (807) 344-3782
t ./3 QVCMJD XFCTJUF BU ontario.ca/forestplans.
Northeastern Ontario
Sudbury Counselling Centre 260, Cedar Street Sudbury, ON P3B 1M7 Tel: (705) 524-9629 Fax: (705) 524-1530
Derrick Tirschmann, RPF "SFB 'PSFTUFS .JOJTUSZ PG /BUVSBM 3FTPVSDFT 40 Manitou Road 1PTUBM #BH 4FSWJDF .BOJUPVXBEHF 0/ 1 5 $ tel: 807-826-3225 ext. 36 fax: 807-826-4631
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The approved Planned Operations will be available for public viewing for the five-year period at the same locations listed above. This is the third and final opportunity to influence operations for the second five-year term. The Ministry of Natural Resources is collecting your personal information under the authority of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. Any personal information you provide (address, name, telephone, etc.) will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Your personal information may be used by the Ministry of Natural Resources to send you further information related to this forest NBOBHFNFOU QMBOOJOH FYFSDJTF *G ZPV IBWF RVFTUJPOT BCPVU VTF PG ZPVS QFSTPOBM JOGPSNBUJPO QMFBTF DPOUBDU 1BVM (BNCMF BU Renseignements en français : Jennifer Lamontagne, 705-856-4747.
12
Wawatay News JANUARY 10, 2013
HEALTH Services
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STORY OF THE YEAR
Fight against addiction underway, but PDA remains
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Cat Lake Chief Matthew Keewaykapow declared a state of emergency in January 2012 due to PDA.
Shawn Bell Wawatay News
The epidemic of prescription drug abuse in First Nation communities was not a new news story in 2012. But it remained a devastating story, one where solutions remain elusive, and as such it was an obvious choice for Wawatay’s health story of the year. When it came to prescription drug abuse, 2012 started off on a difficult note. Right away in January Cat Lake First Nation declared a state of emergency due to the
Employment Opportunity Talking Together Facilitator – James Bay Coast DESCRIPTION: Talking Together is a project funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. The purpose of the program is to utilize a traditional/alternative justice approach to resolving child welfare/ family matters in order to avoid litigation. The process used is the traditional “Talkingâ€? Circle in order to arrive at acceptable resolutions to child welfare matters. Circles are arranged and conducted by a Talking Together Facilitator. Currently NALSC is seeking to hire (1) Talking Together Facilitator based in the James Bay area or in one of the coastal First Nation communities. QUALIFICATIONS: As a Talking Together Facilitator you will: ‡ Preferably, hold a post-secondary degree or diploma in social work, child and family worker SURJUDP PHQWDO KHDOWK RU UHODWHG VRFLDO VHUYLFH ÂżHOGV ‡ Have experience or knowledge of the legal and child welfare systems ‡ Have an understanding of restorative justice techniques/applications and how they are used in the Circle context ‡ Have excellent oral and written skills ‡ Have good computer skills (including the ability to use a database) ‡ Be professional, discreet and sensitive to the clients’ circumstances in order to preserve their dignity and trust in the program ‡ Be organized, detail-orientated and thorough, ‡ Work well with others and work with limited supervision ‡ Be able to travel to northern communities ‡ Possess a valid Class G driver’s license ‡ $ELOLW\ WR VSHDN &UHH RU 2MLFUHH ZLOO EH FRQVLGHUHG D GHÂżQLWH DVVHW SALARY RANGE: To commensurate with education and experience. This is a full time contract position until March 31, 2013 with a possibility of extension. LOCATION: James Bay Coast Deadline to apply is Friday, January 18, 2013 at 5:00 pm E.S.T Please send resume and cover letter including three (3) references to: Carol Kakegabon, Talking Together Manager Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation 150 City Road, Fort William First Nation, Ontario P7J 1J7 Email: zwatt@nanlegal.on.ca or by Fax to : 807 622 1096 Please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
high rates of addiction in the community. Chief and council said it could not provide essential services to members as an estimated 70 percent of people in Cat Lake were addicted to prescription drugs, including children as young as 11. Cat Lake’s call for help brought the prescription drug story back to the attention of people around the country. It also emphasized how little had changed since Nishnawbe Aski Nation declared a state of emergency across all of the communities due to prescription drugs in 2009. Yet even though 2012 started off with such a tragedy, the issue of prescription drug abuse started to see some positive developments as the year wore on. Community-based solutions started to take root across the north. Eabametoong’s land-based programming earned accolades, although funding was limited. Kasabonika Lake continued to set the bar for community-based treatment programs. And in November, a gathering in Neskantaga allowed communities to discuss and share their own approaches to communitybased healing programming. Meanwhile suboxone programs were finding measured success in a number of communities. A Wawatay profile on the healing paths of four people in North Caribou Lake on Oct. 25 put a human face to the struggle with addictions. As one of the participants in the North Caribou Lake suboxone program put it, having treatment in her community was key to quitting drugs. “I tried quitting before,� Valerie Keeash said about her time at the Sioux Lookout withdraw unit in 2011. “I finished that program but relapsed once I came out. I had told the workers that I was going to stop and help people who are addicted too but that didn’t happen.� Keeash went on to describe her battle with addictions and the hope for recovery she embraced once entering the treatment program in her own community. Now she oversees the program along with her sister-in-law Crystal Keeash. While some communities are having success with
suboxone programs, other people are looking to traditional methods of getting away from addiction. Respected traditional teacher Ralph Johnson of Sioux Lookout told Wawatay in May 2012 that many of his clients are dealing with their prescription drug addiction through traditional healing methods at the Natural Healing program he operates in Rainy Lake.
“NAN First Nations are experiencing extreme levels of addiction and require extreme solutions.� -Alvin Fiddler
Johnson used sweat lodge ceremonies, a teaching lodge and other healing avenues such as one on one work. “They learn a different way of looking at life,� Johnson said. “We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the people who came.� But the issue of prescription drug abuse was not all positive in 2012. It f lared up again near the end of the year when Health Canada announced it would allow generic OxyContin to be produced and sold in Canada, and then promptly approved six companies to produce the generic drug. Health Canada’s move caused an outcry from First Nations leaders across the country who fear that allowing cheaper versions of the drug will result in an increase in the amount of prescription drugs f lowing north into First Nations communities. “NAN First Nations are experiencing extreme levels of addiction and require extreme solutions,� said NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. “With OxyContin clones on the market, it just means more drugs f low to the north.� Meanwhile other communities are struggling to get funding to run community-based programming and even suboxone programs. All of which makes one thing very clear. The health story of the year is not going away in 2013.
SPORTS STORY OF THE YEAR
Fort Albany girls basketball makes northeastern finals Rick Garrick Wawatay News
The Fort Albany senior girls basketball team’s impressive run to the northeastern Ontario high school finals is Wawatay’s sports story of the year. “It was a good year, we learned a lot,� said Peetabeck Academy coach Justin Sackaney. “The girls learned that it doesn’t matter who they face, they can play hard and do the things we’ve taught them and be successful.� The first team from a fly-in community to compete in the northeastern Ontario high school senior girls basketball tournament, Peetabeck lost to defending champion Kapuskasing District High School by 14 points in the finals. “We left with our heads held high,� Sackaney said. “We played hard, we just lost to a better team.� Peetabeck reached the finals by beating O’Gorman High School by four points in a close, back and forth semi-finals game, after going unbeaten in regular league games with a 6-0 record and winning its division. Sackaney is looking forward to next year, as all but one of his players will be back on next year’s team. Seven of the nine players were actually junioraged players. Fort Albany’s path to the finals started about six years ago when Sackaney began holding basketball practices every day after school. Although only three or four students would show up over the first two years, Sackaney noticed a change in the third year when the students began to take him seriously as a coach and more students began practicing. “There were many days when I was walking home from the gym when I’d ask myself, why am I doing this?� Sackaney said. “But I just kept going. And now I know it takes awhile to get youth to listen to you, to get them to trust you.� Roseanne Knapaysweet, Fort Albany’s 17-year-old point guard, said it felt great to show the other teams what they have. “I don’t know where we would be if Justin wasn’t here today,� Knapaysweet said. “He’s the one who showed us how to play. He had faith in us. It feels like he made a change in our lives.�
Wawatay News
SPORTS
JANUARY 10, 2013
13
ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR
Jordan Nolan brings Stanley Cup back home Rick Garrick
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Wawatay News
Stanley Cup champion Jordan Nolan is Wawatay’s newsmaker of the year. After being called up to the Los Angeles Kings in February, the six-foot-three, 227 pound winger from Garden River First Nation played every game until the Kings won the Stanley Cup on June 11. “The countdown at the game (during the last minute of play), it was more exciting than the New Years Eve countdown at Times Square,” said Nolan’s aunt, Barbara Nolan. “It was more than that.” Barbara said the crowd watching the game at Garden River’s recreation centre erupted in cheers as the Kings won the game. “Oh, the community just went wild,” Barbara said. “It was just filled with some awesome good feelings.” The 23-year-old son of former NHL coach Ted Nolan scored two points during 20 Stanley Cup playoff games, including an assist on the first goal of the finals, and served 21 penalty minutes to help the Kings win their first Stanley Cup. After a couple of weeks of celebrations in Los Angeles and Las Vegas after winning the Stanley Cup, Nolan returned home to Garden River to celebrate with his family and community. “I’ve been pretty busy the past two days, just trying to get everything organized in our house,” the 23-year-old Stanley Cup champion said. “Just to set up for the parade that we’re gonna have here.” Nolan brought the Stanley Cup home on Aug. 20 to celebrate with hundreds of community members. Festivities included the smudging of the Stanley Cup, addresses from chiefs, Nolan’s presentation of the Stanley Cup to the youth, and a parade along Highway 17B, including a short stop at the landmark Garden River train bridge for photos. Although Nolan was drafted in the eight round in 2009, his father said one of the knocks against him was his work ethic. But Nolan changed his attitude
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Will gather information for the Nations & Native organizations and toiled away in the minors until he was called up to the Kings. His dedication to the game was made clear as he played during the final minute of the Stanley Cup clinching game. “Before I started my American Hockey League career, (my father) said just dedicate five years of your life to hockey and do everything you can do to get to the NHL, and if things don’t work out, you can go do something else,” Nolan said. “But my main goal was to be in the NHL and I knew that. In order for that to happen, I’d have to make some changes in my life, and once I made those decisions, everything just started clicking so things worked out.” Ted Nolan and his wife Sandra shed tears of joy as Nolan hoisted the Stanley Cup during the June 11 on-ice celebrations. “It’s special feeling too coming from a First Nations community, Garden River,” Ted said. “Some of the things that our people went through and what have you, and all of sudden, you see one of our own win the Stanley Cup and bring it to a First Nations community. It’s something that still sends chills down your back.”
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The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Regional Hearings Fort Albany, Ontario Date: January 29,30,2013 Location: Peetabeck Academy 1 School Road, Fort Albany, Ontario Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day The Hearings will provide an opportunity for Residential School Survivors to share with the Commission and Canada the unique experiences of children who attended Residential School. The purpose of the Regional Hearings is to inform the public about the Commission’s work and statement gathering process, and provide survivors with time to reflect and share their experiences. This is also an opportunity for all Canadians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, to learn more about and bear witness to the legacy of the Residential School system.
What is a community hearing? A Community Hearing is: • An opportunity to share your experiences publicly with the TRC Commissioners or via private statement gathering. • A Forum for community leaders to present on behalf of their communities. • A safe place to hear and share in other’s experiences. • A safe place to learn about the legacy and impacts of residential school. • An opportunity to bear witness to this important event. Community Hearings are not part of an IAP claims process
Health Supports are available For a complete listing of TRC Hearings, please visit trc.ca | For more information please call:Rose Hart | Phone: 204-293-0507 | Email: rose.hart@trc.ca or,Mike koostachin Phone:705-278-1131 Email: mikekoostachin@hotmail.com
14
Wawatay News JANUARY 10, 2013
ENVIRONMENTAL
ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
STORY OF THE YEAR
Weenusk First Nation says no to sharing of aerial geologic survey information Shawn Bell Wawatay News
The Ontario Geologic Survey (OGS) claimed its aerial surveying of one of Ontario’s last pristine wildernesses was done with the best of intentions. The OGS wanted to update geologic records that were decades old, it said, and help First Nations in the area create land use plans based on geologic information. And if the aerial surveying
around Weenusk First Nation along the Hudson Bay coast resulted in a big increase of mineral exploration in the area, well, no one would be surprised. The only problem was that the First Nation did not even know the aerial surveying took place. And when it did find out just weeks before the results were to be published on the Internet for prospectors everywhere to see, it turned out the people of Weenusk were not
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that interested in having their geologic information exposed to the world. “Once you allow these processes to begin, our schedules and our land use plans don’t mean a thing,” said George Hunter, a community member and former chief of Weenusk. “We don’t want to allow the province to issue licenses for staking to take place, and the only advantage we have now is that nobody has access to the land.”
Wawatay’s environmental story of the year is in part a David vs Goliath tale of a small community doing what it can to oppose mining exploration on its land. But it is also more complex than that. Even amongst the community members there are divisions over whether mineral exploration in the area would be good for the First Nation. Add in the fact that similar geologic aerial surveying took place over Eabametoong
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and Mattagami last year, and that more surveying is planned for the Fort Severn area along the James Bay coast, and the lessons from Weenusk become regional in scope. The Weenusk example is concerning, considering that the First Nation only found out that the work had been done during an unrelated discussion with DeBeers merely weeks before the scheduled June 6 release date. OGS’ senior manager told Wawatay that it is common practice for the organization to contact First Nations before doing the surveying. For an unexplained reason, that did not happen with Weenusk. But the bigger question is how much control First Nations have over the information that gets collected. In Weenusk’s case, the release date of the information was postponed after the First Nation expressed concerns. An August 8 date was also pushed back, and now the release has been delayed indefinitely. It is generally common practice for the OGS to put the information it collects online. Parker acknowledged that generally when an aerial survey gets put online, the province sees an increase in mining claims staked in the area. That is what Hunter and
others in the community fear – once the information gets made public, a process of staking claims will begin that will end up with the First Nation struggling to keep its land in the pristine state it is today. “To us, freedom doesn’t have staked claims,” Hunter said. “The moment you have staked claims and private property, our true freedom is compromised forever.” But Weenusk Chief Edmund Hunter said the situation is not so black and white. Many members of the community want the jobs and economic benefits that come from mining exploration. He wants to see a referendum where the community can decide, one way or the other. Whatever the community ends up deciding, the demand for the minerals of the far north will continue to grow. The struggle to keep the land free from mining claims and private property is one that Weenusk may have to deal with for decades to come. The environmental story of the year is not a simple story. It is many layered, with many stakeholders. But in the end it is a story that affects all the people of the north, in different ways. And considering the uniqueness of the pristine area in question, it is a story that should resonate around the world.
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Wawatay News
ARTS
JANUARY 10, 2013
15
ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
AND ENTERTAINMENT STORY OF THE YEAR
Tragically Hip rock out in Fort Albany the history and culture of the Mushkegowuk Cree. But this year, organizer Ed Metatawabin wanted to make the gathering an even more special event. He asked author Joseph Boyden, known for his awardwinning novels Three Day Road and Through Black Spruce – which feature Mushkegowuk people as the main characters – to be the keynote speaker at the gathering. And he made an additional request. “He says, ‘Oh, you have a friend named Gord Downie (of the Tragically Hip), right?’” Boyden recalled in speaking with Metatawabin. “And I said ‘Ah, this the real reason you’re asking, isn’t it?’ (laughs) And he said, ‘Maybe he’ll want to play a couple of songs.’” Downie, the Hip’s frontman,
Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News
A high-profile Canadian rock band putting on a show in a James Bay community to help dispel the negative press First Nations received in the wake of the Attawapiskat housing crisis is the arts and entertainment story of the year. More than 500 people descended upon Fort Albany First Nation to see the iconic Canadian band The Tragically Hip perform on Feb. 16 during Mushkegowuk’s annual Great Moon Gathering. The Great Moon Gathering focuses on both traditional and contemporary Aboriginal education and aims to educate teachers who are often from other parts of Canada about
ARTS
had previously been to the James Bay area with Boyden, taking part in fishing and hunting trips. “I had a wonderful time,” Downie said of those trips. “I brought my son with me and I think he enjoyed the bush.” Boyden wrote a letter to the other band members and they all agreed to put on a show in Fort Albany. Prior to the concert, Downie and the band walked out onto James Bay to go ice fishing with some local residents. That night in the Peetabeck Academy gymnasium, the concert was opened by local performers, with Downie jumping in on a song with local youth for a rendition of “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.” Then the Hip took the stage
NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR
Cleaning up at Aboriginal Peoples Choice Awards Lenny Carpenter
before the standing room only crowd, performing hits like “Bobcaygon” and “New Orleans Is Sinking.” “The concert was awesome,” Metatawabin said. “Everyone was jumping up and down and screaming.” During the set, Downie heard goose calls from the crowd, which he found “very comforting.” The band was well received by the community. “We’ve been treated like royalty,” Downie said. The event received national coverage, with Downie, Boyden, Metatawabin, CBC’s Sheila Rogers, and local youth contributing pieces to MacLean’s magazine about the event. Boyden, who previously
The Tragically Hip joined author Joseph Boyden at Fort Albany’s Great Moon Gathering last year. Everyone had a blast on the coast. taught in Moosonee, said he was glad to have the opportunity to go up to the community to dispel the negative press the region received. “I’m a fighter for the people,
Proposed North Caribou Lake First Nation Winter Road Realignment in the Ministry of Natural Resources Sioux Lookout District Public Notice for a Category B Project Evaluation Class Environmental Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has received a work permit application for the North Caribou Lake First Nation winter road realignment project (see attached map). The winter road realignment will also involve the installation of water crossings, including one bridge. It is the intent of North Caribou First Nation to upgrade this winter road into an all season road in the next few years, at which time a second public notice will be circulated for comment. The MNR and applicant are inviting public comment on the proposed project. No significant adverse environmental effects are anticipated.
Wawatay News
After receiving six Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards (APCMA) for her latest album, Interwooven Roots, Shy-Anne Hovorka is the entertainer of the year. The Matachewan First Nation member recorded half of the album in Nashville at County Q Studios, and the other half at Dining Room Studios in Thunder Bay. Hovorka said recording in Nashville was “obviously the dream, the impossible dream.” The album title, Interwooven Roots, was inspired by a cedar and spruce tree growing in Hovorka’s backyard, which appeared to be growing out of the same stump. “(They) have not competed with each other for growth, so I wrote a song about that,” she said. “Then I decided to wrap the album around that concept of interwoven-ness of species and linking it towards humanity.” The album, her third, was released in June. While proud of the success of the album, Hovorka wavered at the thought recording a fourth. Hovorka is an unsigned musician and independently finances her albums. In total, Interwoven Roots cost $40,000
You are invited to direct any inquiries, comments or requests regarding the Work Permit proposal to the Applicant or MNR contact. Comments must be received by February 4th 2013.
to record. “It does take up a couple of years to save up that kind of money,” she said. And then she was nominated for the six People’s Choice awards: Aboriginal Female Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Country CD, Best Producer/Engineer and Best Album Cover Design. She went to the awards show in Winnipeg on Nov. 1 and 2 with no expectations of winning. “We were going with the excitement of playing at the awards and I pretty much resigned myself, after looking at the other nominees, that I wasn’t going to win any awards,” Hovorka said. So she was “shocked, happy and amazed” when she won her first award.
gazine
For more information on the project, to submit comments, or to request further notice, please contact: Jonathan Salo – Windigo First Nations Council Technical Unit On behalf of North Caribou First Nation PO Box 299 Sioux Lookout, Ontario P8T 1A3 Tel: (807) 737-1585 jsalo@windigo.on.ca
Brian Kilgour - A/Sr. IRM Specialist Ministry of Natural Resources 49 Prince Street PO Box 309 Sioux Lookout, Ontario P8T 1A6 Tel: (807) 737-5044 brian.kilgour@ontario.ca
The MNR is collecting comments and personal information under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act to assist in making decisions and determining any further consultation needs. All comments and opinions will be kept on file and may be available in study documentation that is made available for public review. All comments and contact information received may be forwarded to the project applicant unless specifically requested otherwise. For more information on the collection and use of the personal information, contact: Glen Niznowski: Planning & IM Supervisor, MNR, Tel: (807) 737-5037.
The latest edition of Sagatay is out now. Look for it on your next Wasaya flight.
2-13
ER 201
I WINT
“When they first announced my name, I thought I better thank everybody while I can still can,” she said. Hovorka ended up making five more speeches after she won all her categories. Hovorka already had plans of returning to school to earn her master’s in education and not focus on her music, but the awards might change all that. “With this, and getting a lot of requests for more performances, I think I have re-think everything,” she said. “You gotta be flexible in life.” As a songwriter, Hovorka said, the songwriting never stops and she already has written a slew of songs. “There will probably be another album coming down the line,” she said. “I always say there isn’t, but another one always comes along.”
The proposal is being planned in accordance with a Category B project under the Class Environmental Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects. A Notice of Completion will be provided only to parties who have provided input or requested further notice. MNR may proceed to implement the project without issuing a further general notice.
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and I’ll always do that,” he said. “I’ll try to correct the misunderstandings that many people have, and always show the beauty of the people as well.”
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Wasay
Some of the next issue’s features will include...
Book your ad for the Fall issue, set for distribution on March 4. The deadline to book your ad is January 25.
Teybinack Talent Show in Fort Hope. Matawa carpentry training program. Profile of Pikangikum artist for Shy-Anne Hovorka CD cover. ED CRAFT HAND NORTH6 page 1 in the
Profile of the late Sam & Madeline Crane (walkway at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre recently named after them).. 1 PM 05 2:4 12-12-
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16
Wawatay News JANUARY 10, 2013
ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ
The registration page is now live on the website. Go to: www.northernbandshockeytournament.ca Click on: Registration PLEASE: ONE PERSON ONLY REGISTER THE TEAM. You will need this information: 1. Team Name 2. Coach Name 3. Coach Email Address / Phone Number 4. Player Name / Band Number / Position / Jersey Number
Estimated Prizes totalling $65,000 and approximately 20 Teams will compete
Send us a message - on FB or on the website - if you want us to FAX or EMAIL the registration form to your community.
The re-establishment of the Northern Bands Hockey Tourment is here! Teams will come together in Dryden for this week long event, giving them the chance to show off their hockey skills. The Dryden Memorial Arena - 84 Whyte Avnue is the proud host location and Dryden welcomes the players, their families and fans.
Keep up to date, ask questions and join in the conversation on Facebook and Twitter
Please visit the offical website for many details
www.northernbandshockeytournament.ca