February 7, 2013 Volume 40 Number 5

PM#0382659799

NADF unveils new executive director PAGE 11 Vol. 40 No. 5

Kasabonika woman dies while in NAPS custody PAGE 3

From reporter to helper at Spence’s hunger strike PAGE 15 9,300 copies distributed $1.50

February 7, 2013

www.wawataynews.ca

Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

Safety in the city Relationship building needed as Thunder Bay community works to deal with racism, lack of trust for police DFC on student safety - page 8 NAN tackles urban issues - page 9 Police chief hopeful - page 10

Chris Kornacki/Special to Wawatay News

A youth talks to police during the Idle No More rally in Thunder Bay on Jan. 28. Some say Idle No More has sparked a backlash against First Nations people in the city, leading to increased racism, harrassment and assaults. A number of organizations are now working together to address the problems and build better relations. See stories on pages 8, 9 and 10.

Fort Severn halts aerial surveying to protect land, push for revenue sharing Shawn Bell Wawatay News

While Fort Severn Cree Nation’s decision to stop aerial geologic surveying on its traditional lands was made in support of national Idle No More protests and demands, it also stemmed from the community’s desire to protect its lands and its mistrust of the provincial government’s intentions around mining.

Fort Severn Councilor Angus Miles, responsible for lands and resources, told Wawatay News that his community is extremely concerned about future impacts from mining that could result from the aerial surveying.

Miles said that despite Ontario’s consultation efforts in Fort Severn,

many people in the community do not trust the government when it comes to the surveying.

“It all comes back to the bad relations with governments,” Miles said.

“In regards to mining, the biggest concern is that if they finish the survey and it becomes public information, the government will give out the mining permits and that’s what we don’t want to happen.”

Aerial geologic surveying started on Fort Severn’s traditional lands in December 2012, after representatives with the Ontario Geologic Survey (OGS) visited the community in March, August and December to hold information meetings and consultation.

Fort Severn had agreed to allow

OGS to conduct the surveying, but a newly elected chief and council that took office in August 2012 was not so keen on the work being done.

Miles said their concerns were amplified once the surveying began and community members started asking questions about the planes that were seen in the area.

Since the First Nation demanded that the surveying stop on Jan. 18, Miles said many community members have expressed that they are happy with the steps the band has taken.

“Our land base is way bigger than most communities, and we use it year round,” Miles said. “That’s a big difference here, we rely on the land heavily for most of our diet.”

He added that Fort Severn is very concerned about environmental damage, considering the fragility of the ecosystem along the Hudson Bay coast.

“If anything is done to the environment, it’s going to take a very long time to go back to normal,” Miles said. “Things take awhile to grow around here.”

Besides environmental concerns, the community is also wary of giving up control over its resources before resource revenue sharing agreements are in place with the federal and provincial governments.

That is where Fort Severn’s interests intersect with Idle No More and the hunger strike of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence.

“We look at Attawapiskat, with the diamond mine right there, and they’re not getting much benefit from it,” Miles said. “If (a mine) were to happen here, we would want to have more say in it. But as it is right now, we’re not going to get any profits from it since there is no revenue sharing agreement with the governments.”

Ontario’s Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MDNM) oversees the OGS. An MDNM spokesperson told Wawatay News that the government had received Fort Severn’s request and immediately instructed the company doing the surveying to stop the work.

See Fort Severn on page 12

2

Wawatay News FEBRUARY 7, 2013

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

THIS I can go back to my old job anytime, but I know getting my millwright ticket will open up many more doors for me.

Rob Martel

Industrial Mechanical Millwright Technician student

WEEK IN

Fort Severn protecting land

Rising Hep C, HIV cases in north

Stopping the aerial geologic surveying taking place on its traditional land was Fort Severn Cree Nation’s way of showing solidarity with the Idle No More movement. It was also a way of protecting its lands.

Councillor Angus Miles said the community is worried that a completed geological survey will help mining companies stake claims on Fort Severn’s land, something the community does not want until its land use planning is completed and revenue sharing agreements are in place with provincial and federal governments.

The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority has launched a campaign to make people aware of the rising number of cases of Hepatitis C and HIV in northern communities.

Primarily Hep C is being spread through sharing of needles used for injection drugs, although some cases have been known to pass through unprotected sexual activity.

Health practitioners are worried not only about Hep C, but also HIV, the disease that leads to AIDs, which is known to be on the rise in Saskatchewan and Manitoba First Nations.

á?Šá?§á”•á?…á? á?…ᑲᓇá? á?§á“‚ᑕᓇá?Šá?§ á?…á‘•á‘­á?Šá?§

www.cambriancollege.ca/wabnode

á?…á‘­á‘­á?ąá‘Žá“‡á“‡á?Šá?§ á? ᑲá?ąá“‡á’Ş á’‹á’?á’?á‘˛á‘Œá“Żá’‹á‘˛á‘Œá“‚á? á?…á‘•á‘­á?Šá?§ á?Šá?Śá?ƒ ᑲᑭá?…á’‹á‘?á’Ľá?Šá?§á?¨ á?Šá?§á”•á?…á“‚á?Šá?§á? á? á?§á?Šá?§á?¸á‘•á?Śá?ƒá? á?§á?Šá?§á?¨ á? á?§á?ƒá?§á’‹á‘˛á?¸á?ƒá?§á‘˛á‘•á’§á?Šá?§á?¨ á?…á?…á? á?§ á’Ľá“Żá? á?§ á?Šá“‚ᔑᓂᓂá?Šá?§á? ᑲ á?¸ á“ą á‘­ ᑲ á‘• á’Ľ á“‚ á?¨ á?…ᓄᑌᓴá?Śá?ƒá‘Żá?Łá™Ž á?Šá’Ľá?…ᒪᑲᔭ á? á?§á’‹á‘˛á“‡á? á?§á“‚á‘•á’Ľá?Šá?§á?¨ á?…á‘•á‘­á?Šá?§á™Ž á?…ᓇᔑá? á?§á?ƒá?§á“‚á“‚ á?Šá?Łá‘˛á?˘ ᒪᔪá?˘ á?ƒá‘­á‘? á? á?…á’‹ á’Şá’Ľá‘Žá“€á?Łá‘•á’Ľá?ƒá‘Żá?Šá?§á?¨ á?…á?…á? á?§ ᑲá’?á’?á‘˛á‘Œá“Żá’‹á‘˛á‘Œá“‚á? á?…á‘•á‘­á?Šá?§ á’‹á?…á’‹ ᑭᑭᓇá?§á’‹á’‹á‘˛á‘Œá“‚á? á?…á‘Ťá?§ á“‚á?Šá?§á?Ł á?…ᓇᓇᑕá?Šá?§á“Żá“‚á?Ł, á? ᑲá?§á?ƒá?§á?Ł á?…á?…á? á?§á“‚ ᓂᑕᓇá?łá“‚ᓇá?Ł ᑲá?ƒá”‘á?¸á‘Żá“Żá?Łá‘•á? á?ąá“‡á’Ş á?ąá‘Ż á“‚á‘•á‘­á?ƒá?§á?…ᓇᒋᑍá?ƒá?§á“‚ᓇá?Ł á? á?ƒá?§á‘­á”‘á‘?á”­á? á? ᑲá?§ á?ąá‘Ż ᒼᓇ á?…á‘­á’Şá?ƒá?§á‘˛á’Ľá‘Ż ᓇᑯᑕᒪᑍá?ƒá?§á“‡á?Ł á’‹á‘­á?Šá”­á‘˛á?§á?¸á?Ł á‘Ťá‘­á?…á’‹ ᔓᓂᔭᑍᔭá? ᑍᓂᓇá?Šá?§á?¨ á?…á?…á? á?§á‘Ž ᓂᑲá?Łá™Ž

á’Ş á’? á?ą á“€ á?ƒ á?§ ᓇ á?Ł á?ƒá?Ąá?ąá?Ąá‘˛á’Şá‘˛á“„á?Ł á‘­á? á?§á‘Žá“„á? á“ąá“Ť á“Ťá?Šá‘˛á?ƒá?§á?&#x; á?…ᒪᔑᑭᑭá?ƒá?§ á?…á?ąá’§á’‹á‘Ťá? ᒪᓯᓇá?Śá?ƒá‘˛á“‡á?Ł á?…á‘­á?…ᔑá‘?ᓇá?Šá?§ á? á?§á?ƒá?§ á?Šá”­á‘˛á?§á’Ľá’Şá?Šá?§á?¨ á?Šá?§á?ƒá?§á”­á?Ł á’‹á?Šá”­á‘˛á?§á’Ľá“Żá“‚á?¨ á?…á“´á‘Ś á?…á‘Ťá?§á“‚á?Šá?§á?Ł á’Şá’?á?ąá“€á?ƒá?§á“‡á?Ł ᑲá?ƒá?Ąá?ąá?Ąá‘˛á’Şá‘˛á‘­á?Ł á‘­á? á?§á‘Žá“„á? ᑕᓇá?ąá?ƒá?§á“‡á?Ł ᑲᑕᑲá?§á‘­á?Łá™Ž á? á‘Š á“Ż ᑲá?ƒá’‹á‘˛á‘Œá? ᑲᒪᒪá?ƒá?§ á’‹á?Ąá‘•á?…á‘Žá“Żá?Šá?§á?¨ á?…á‘Ťá?§ á“‚á?Šá?§á? ᑲᒪᒋᒪá?Ąá‘­á‘Ťá?Šá?§á?¨ á? ᑲá?§ ᒼᓇ á? ᑲᑲᔭá?¸á’‹á‘?á?Šá?§á?¨ á‘Ťá‘­á?Šá?¸á’‹á‘?á?Šá?§á?¸á?Ł á?Šá’Ľá?…á’Ş á? á?§á?…á’‹á?Šá”“á?ƒá‘Žá?Šá?§á?¨á™Ž ᑲá?§á“‚á?Ł á?ąá‘Ż á? á‘• á? á‘Š á“Ż ᑲᒪᒼᑎᓀá?Łá‘•á’Ľá?Śá?ƒá‘Żá?Šá?§á?¨ á?…á’Şá?Ąá‘­á‘­á?…á‘•á“‚á‘­á? á?Šá?Śá?ƒ ᑲᔭ á’Şá?Šá?§á?¨ ᑲᔭᓂᒪá? á‘­á’‹á’Şá’?á?ąá“€á?ƒá?§á?Ł á? ᑲá?§ á’Şá?Šá?§á?¨ á?ƒá?Ąá?ąá?Ąá‘˛á’Şá‘˛á“„á?Ł ᓀᑲá?ąá?Šá“„á? ᑕᓇá?ąá?ƒá?§á“‡á?Ł ᑲᔭᒪᑲᑭá?Łá™Ž

Page 1 and 12

'RQqW 3DVV ,W 2Q ,QIHFWLRQV VXFK DV +,9 KHSDWLWLV & DQG KHSDWLWLV % FDQ EH SUHYHQWHG :RUNLQJ WRJHWKHU ZH FDQ VWRS WKHLU VSUHDG LQ RXU FRPPXQLWLHV

*HW LQIRUPHG *HW WHVWHG 7DON WR \RXU ORFDO KHDOWK FDUH SURYLGHU WR ÂżQG RXW PRUH RU YLVLW ZZZ 6/)1+$ FRP 7HVWV DQG LPPXQL]DWLRQV DUH DYDLODEOH DW \RXU ORFDO QXUVLQJ VWDWLRQ RU KHDOWK XQLW

6LRX[ /RRNRXW )LUVW 1DWLRQV +HDOWK $XWKRULW\ +HDOWK &DUH LQ 3DUWQHUVKLS ZLWK )LUVW 1DWLRQV %URXJKW WR \RX E\ WKH 6H[XDOO\ 7UDQVPLWWHG %ORRG %RUQH ,QIHFWLRQ :RUNLQJ *URXS

WAWATAY

Page 6

Fort Albany case highlights need for NANwide housing The court case that found Fort Albany must pay $1.2 million to a mould remediation company is a good example of why a NAN-wide housing corporation is needed, says a deputy grand chief.

Les Louttit believes that having a NAN corporation dealing with housing and providing legal, technical and financial advice on housing to First Nations will help prevent situations such as the one Fort Albany finds itself in.

The Mushkegowuk First Nation now has to pay a remediation company $1.2 million, of which almost half a million is accumulated interest.

á?¸á?§á?&#x; á?Šá“„á?¸á“‚ á?…á‘Žá“­á?ƒá?§á“‚á?Šá?§ á?…á’‹á“‚á“Żá‘•á? á?§á“‚ᑕᑲá?§á?Ł á? ᓇᑕá? á?§á“‚ᑕᑲá?§á‘­á?Ł á?Šá?§á‘˛á?Śá?ƒá‘˛á“‡á?Ł á?…á?…á’Ş á’Ľá“Żá? á?§ ᓇá?Ł á?…ᓇᑯᓂᑍá?ƒá?§á‘˛á’Ľá? á?…ᑭᒼᑲá?Ł á?¸á?§á?&#x; á?Šá“„á?¸á“‚ 1.2 á’Ľá“‚á”­á?Ł á’‹á‘Žá?¸á?Śá?Šá’Ľá?Šá?§á?¨ á?…á‘Ťá?§á“‚á?Šá?§á?Ł ᑲᑭᓯᓇᒼᓂá?¨ á?Šá?§á‘˛á?Śá?ƒá‘˛á“‡á?Ł á?Šá’Ľá? á?§ á?…á?…á’Ş á? á?§á’‹á‘­á‘Ťá?Łá‘•á‘˛á?§á? á’Ľá?Ąá‘•á?Śá?ƒ á? ᓇᑕá? á?§á“‚ᑕᑲá?§á‘­á?Ł á?Šá?§á‘˛á?ƒá‘˛á“‡á?Ł á?ƒá‘­á‘? á‘­á’‹á?…ᑭᒪᑲᓀá?˘á™Ž á“Ťá? á?˘ á“Ťá?…á‘Žá?&#x; á?…á‘­á‘­á‘Ťá?Łá‘•á?Ł á?…ᓇᑯᓂᑍá?ƒá?§á“‚á? ᒼᓇ á?ąá‘Ż ᔓᓂᔭá?¤ á?ąá’§á’‹á‘Ťá?ƒá?§á“‚á? á?ąá‘Żá”Śá‘• á‘•á‘­á?…á’‹ á’Ľá“„á“­ á‘Ťá‘Żá?Ł á‘•á?ąá?Ąá‘Żá?¨ á?¸á?§á?&#x; á?Šá“„á?¸á“‚ ᑲá?ƒá”‘ᓇᑭá?Ąá‘˛á’Ľá?Šá?§á?¨á™Ž á?…á’Şá?Ąá‘­á‘Ż á?ąá’§á’‹á‘Ťá?ƒá?§á‘˛á’Ľá? á?ƒá?§á?Ł á?Šá?ąá?Ł á?…ᑲᑎá?¸á?Śá?Šá’Ľá?Šá?§á?Ł á?…á‘Ťá?§á“‚á?Šá?§á?Ł ᑲᑭᓯᓇᒼᓂá?¨ á?Šá?§á‘˛á?Śá?ƒá‘˛á“‡á?Łá™Ž Page 3

Wawatay News

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

3

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Kasibonika woman dies while in NAPS custody

Idle No More returns to Thunder Bay

Inquest likely, says coroner Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Chris Kornacki/Special to Wawatay News

The Idle No More Thunder Bay Chapter held a rally at City Hall on Jan. 28 to coincide with the reconvening of the House of Commons in Ottawa. The rally included speeches from Thunder Bay mayor Keith Hobbs, Fort William chief Peter Collins and also prayers and drumming. Participants also marched down Arthur Street to the Friendship Gardens and back to City Hall and ended the rally with an evening Round Dance.

Housing corporation need highlighted by Fort Albany case Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit says a recent mould remediation court case is an example why a Nishnawbe Aski Nation-wide housing and infrastructure strategy is needed.

Superior Court Justice R.D. Gordon ruled on Jan. 3 that Fort Albany must pay an additional $1.2 million to Mould Clean Laboratories Ltd. for mould remediation work on 12 housing units in the James Bay community. Fort Albany had already paid Mould Clean $405,778 for the work on the 12 houses as well as $1.4 million for work on 14 other houses.

Mould Clean had previously obtained a judgement in 2010 against Fort Albany for $1,605,778, based on the consent of former Fort Albany chief Andrew Solomon. Fort Albany then paid $405,778 on account of four of the five invoices included in the judgement.

Gordon’s ruling stated that Mould Clean took no steps to

enforce the balance of the judgement until August 2012, when it had a notice of garnishment issued to certain of Fort Albany’s debtors.

“The Defendant claims that this was its first notification of the existence of the Judgment and seeks an order staying its enforcement, setting it aside and granting leave to file a Statement of Defence,” Gordon stated in his judgement.

Fort Albany had argued that “the (2010) judgement amounts to fraud,” adding there was no contract relative to the 12 units and no work had been done on the 12 additional houses, but Gordon ruled against the First Nation.

Gordon concluded in his judgement that: “The defendant (Fort Albany) has failed to establish fraud on a balance of probabilities and accordingly, its motion is dismissed.”

But the judge also noted that he was troubled by the 24 percent rate of interest charged by the company to the First Nation,

and the fact that Mould Clean accumulated “almost half a million dollars in interest.”

Gordon’s decision stated that Fort Albany was to pay the monies, which were being held in trust pending the decision, within 45 days of the decision.

Louttit believes the Fort Albany case is a good example of how individual communities are struggling to deal with housing issues on their own.

“These are the very issues in NAN First Nation communities that need to be addressed collectively through a regional mould remediation strategy which will leverage increased resources to correct these situations that exist every NAN community,” Louttit said. “That is why NAN will be setting up the for-profit NAN Regional Housing and Infrastructure entity that can assist First Nations and provide them with good advice, whether it’s legal, whether it’s technical or whether it’s financial, to make sure that their projects are undertaken with due diligence throughout.”

Louttit said many First Nation communities currently rely on their tribal councils to do inspections and assessments to verify that the work has been properly done within the timeline and within the budget.

“Normally the tribal council affiliated with the First Nation would provide the inspection as the work progressed but the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council had not been engaged by the First Nation to provide the required inspection services for that project as confirmed by its Technical Services Unit,” Louttit said. “There are certain stages of inspection before the contractor gets paid for that amount and then they continue on to the next stage.”

Louttit discussed the need for the NAN housing and infrastructure for-profit corporation during the November 2012 NAN Special Chiefs Assembly.

“Once we get the (NAN housing and infrastructure for-profit corporation) start up rolling, then we are going to engage

some professional planners and engineers and architects to determine the exact requirements for the capacity of each community to build,” Louttit said.

Louttit said there is a need to upgrade all the standards, to do proper construction methods, to have good project management and to have good planning while maintaining project transparency and financial accountability through to completions and commissioning.

“A lot of communities in northern Canada have really nice homes, and that’s possible in the NAN territory,” Louttit said. “I’m looking forward to that challenge.”

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.

The Mould Clean v Fort Albany, 2013 ONSC 66 (CanLII) court decision is available on the Canadian Legal Information Institute website.

The Ontario Provincial Police Criminal Investigation Branch is investigating the sudden death of a 23-year-old woman while in police custody in Kasabonika.

“At this point it appears that it was a death in custody and as such will be subject to a mandatory inquest,” said Dr. Michael Wilson, regional supervising coroner in Thunder Bay. “It is quite likely that there will be an inquest. It is my understanding of the case that she was in custody at the time of her death, so an inquest is mandatory under the Coroners Act.” Wilson said the inquest would be held once the investigation is complete and no other criminal charges need to be pursued.

The woman died on the evening of Feb. 1 while in police custody of the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service’s Kasabonika Lake Detachment.

An OPP spokesman said the investigation is ongoing and there are no further updates as of Feb. 5.

Under the Police Services Act of Ontario, the Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigates any death, serious injury or allegation of sexual assualt that occurs while a person is in police custody. However, NAPS and other First Nations police forces do not fall under the Police Services Act, therefore the SIU is not involved in the investigation.

Thank You, Airlines!

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

4

Wawatay News FEBRUARY 7, 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

Overcoming fear and racism Stephanie Wesley COLUMNIST

After everything that has happened here in the City of Thunder Bay regarding abductions, assaults, and middle-ofnowhere drop-off’s on cold winter nights, I don’t blame anyone from surrounding communities for fearing for their loved one’s safety.

Along with being a place where you can instantly connect with people around the world at the click of a mouse to share funny images and jokes, social media websites like Facebook and Twitter also serve as an outlet for reporting horror stories from across the nation and perpetuating this never ending fact/fable of Us vs. Them, Anishinabe vs. Non-Anishinabe.

It is a place where racism is called out, talked about, and exposed by service users.

I know racism exists out there. I’ve experienced it my whole life. As I grow older, I will probably continue to experience racism because bigoted beliefs are so engrained into a person’s psyche that there is little to no chance of just forcing a change. That is what a belief is, it is something that someone accepts is true, that is fact. A belief, even a discriminatory one, is an unfaltering opinion.

I’ve stopped worrying about what other people believe because it’s a waste of time and energy. Anti-racism campaigns haven’t put much of a dent into the lasting history of dinner table-learned racism. I sometimes wonder, is it really possible to just STOP RACISM? All I can really do is keep moving forward, show my child how to respect everyone regardless of their race, social-status, gender, or sexual-preference.

All I can do is keep moving forward in my education, in the work force, and in life.

But what happens when those around you who refuse to live and let live, who refuse to learn the value of respecting others, who refuse to STOP BEING RACIST, actually start attacking you?

What if you are taken from the streets and assaulted simply because you are of a certain colour?

What if you are trying to browse through clothing stores at the local mall and mall security won’t leave you alone, what if they actually tell you “hey you better leave, we’re gonna call the cops!”

What if one of those same cops the guards will call is the one who took your friend off the street and drove her out

to the middle of nowhere and made her walk back to the city simply because she was Anishinabe?

What do we do now?

Educate ourselves on our rights when it comes to encounters with law enforcement, know who to contact in case we are ever assaulted/mistreated by law enforcement, arm ourselves with personal safety devices when we want to go to the local store, always stay in pairs, carry a mobile phone…

It makes me wonder just who these people we are protecting ourselves from are.

Why do we have to “arm ourselves” at all just to live life normally?

Why do we have to accept the fact that this city and some of its people can be scary, and they can be violent, and we have to be prepared for it?

A few weeks ago, I came across a picture of a young woman online that still stands out to me. She was holding a sign that read, “I need feminism because my university teaches ‘How to Avoid Getting Raped’ instead of “Don’t Rape” at Freshmen orientation.”

As if getting raped is a fact of life we all must accept and we must learn how to avoid it.

I don’t want Anishinabe people walking around with their heads hung low, collars pulled up high, and trying to “avoid” potentially dangerous situations and armed with weapons of self defense. This is Thunder Bay, not Detroit or some war-torn country at constant conflict.

I do agree that it is frightening that there are still people out there who want to, and have already, hurt our brothers and sisters and haven’t been caught yet – but it is in no way to walk around in fear of what may happen.

Fear will stop you from going out at night, maybe even the day. Fear will cause you to lose faith in your fellow man, fear will bring doubt and denial, fear will eat at your heart and steal its happiness, and fear will change your beliefs and change your attitude.

Fear will turn you into someone you’re not supposed to be.

It’s okay to be educated on personal safety, it’s okay to be ready in case anything should ever happen to you, it’s okay to pray for your brothers and sisters – but don’t let fear snuff your light out.

If anything, the ones who do the hurting are the ones whose lives are dominated by fear – fear of you here, as an Anishinabe person, even after everything that has happened to you and your people. Still here. Still living. Still staying strong.

Pray for those people who want to hurt as well. They need the most help.

Wawatay News archives

DFC students win radio award, 2005

Too many die on our northern highways Xavier Kataquapit UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY

Here we are again in the middle of winter. This year up north, I am hearing lots of reports of snow and freezing temperatures. Last week, the temperatures with wind chills were in the minus 40 to 50 range in many places across the country. However, all this started late with a mild fall.

Right now, as we head into February, I understand that the really frigid temperatures have given way to freezing rain in many areas in northern Ontario. None of the Elders I talk to remember such turmoil and ups and downs in the weather systems.

One of the problems that comes out of mild mid winter weather systems has to do with traveling on northern roads. On slushy highways, where there is freezing rain, accidents happen often. Too many people die on our highways in the winter. It is almost as though they are sacrificed to the almighty car.

When I try to explain to my friends in southern climates or

other warmer parts of the world that often I drive on frozen slippery highways and in freezing rain, they are shocked. When I explain further to them that most of the roads in the north are not divided but rather have two way traffic, they are even more shocked. Then when I tell them that long lines of transport trucks run steadily along these frozen northern highways, only several feet away from oncoming traffic, that really surprises them.

I have found myself explaining how we drive in northern Ontario to people and realizing that their shock is understandable. Everyone wants to be independent and own a car but at what cost in these dangerous winter conditions?

I have often found myself explaining to family and friends that my travels outside the country were never very dangerous. However, the most life threatening experiences in heading out to other countries I have always found to be the drive on frozen slippery highways or in sleet as I drove on my way to the Toronto international airport.

For some strange reason, our leaders in government have decided over the past couple of decades that we don’t need

train travel in much of Canada anymore. Tracks have been torn up all over this country. This has meant that anyone who does not have a car or access to one is faced with having to pay a lot of money to fly out of the north. I know that in the past that many First Nation people depended on the rail system to make their way from semi remote communities to southern towns and cities. They did this mainly for health reasons but also for employment, education and recreation. The rail option is almost gone from many communities across Canada at this point. Even bus transportation has diminished to the point where it often does not make a lot of sense and it is certainly not as comfortable as a train.

I hear municipalities talking more and more these days about the desire to replace some of the tracks that have been taken from so many communities. The problem is that this is a very expensive undertaking.

Travel by air is certainly possible from northern cities to the south but it is incredibly expensive. In most cases, what it costs to fly from a small north city to Winnipeg, Toronto or Montreal amounts to the same or more cost that it takes to fly to

Europe. That is a bit crazy and it means that people without a lot of money just don’t have the same opportunity when it comes to transportation.

As gas and oil becomes more expensive the cost of transportation by personal car is becoming a lot more expensive.

I imagine that within the next 20 to 30 years we won’t have any choice but to really consider more train travel and a reinvestment in putting tracks back where they have been torn up.

We just won’t be able to afford cars and transport by trucks might be cost prohibitive.

I for one would be able to adapt to not having my own personal vehicle if there was an efficient, safe, comfortable and fast train service that connected us well all over this land. As a matter of fact, that kind of a trend would make a lot of sense to me. In terms of the safety factor, less people would be losing their lives on slippery winter roads.

I know too many people who have lost their lives merely because they wanted to drive their car from one northern town to another. Our winter roads in the north provide a situation where accidents are just waiting to happen. We need to bring back the trains.

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

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

TRANSLATORS Charles Brown

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

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

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

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Matthew Bradley matthewb@wawatay.on.ca SALES MANAGER James Brohm jamesb@wawatay.on.ca CIRCULATION Adelaide Anderson reception@wawatay.on.ca

CONTRIBUTORS Xavier Kataquapit Chris Kornacki Charles Wagamese Mario Wassaykeesic

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

Wawatay News

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

5

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

COMMENTARY

LETTERS

Is Unity a sign, or a Section 109?

Editor, Suppose there was an organization that would satisfy the aspirations of self-determination and autonomy for the Anishinabe Ojibway peoples in the Lake-of-the-Woods area and that this organization was neither a religious or a cultural group but rather it was a political, social and economic one. And let’s say for argument sake that it is a grassroots organization whose members are dedicated to a secular independent self-governing society of Anishinabe Ojibway peoples with sovereign territorial rights to their ancestral homeland.

And the vision of this organization was to transform the Anishinabe Ojibway from a loosely decentralized group of First Nation communities into a national concentration of Anishinabe Ojibway peoples in a unified secular independent nation.

And that the mission of this organization was to establish a united independent secular state within the traditional territory of the Anishinabe Ojibway peoples secured under one central authority with all the political, social and economic rights just like any other nation in the world.

And that the establishment of an independent sovereign Anishinabe Ojibway secular nation-state would be obtained through diplomatic relations and based on international laws.

If such an organization existed what would be its primary function; what would be its goals and objectives? I would insist that any organization that claimed to represent the Anishinabe Ojibway peoples must define its goals and objectives as follows: 1.To raise funds to purchase land from the government of Canada for Anishinabe Ojibway settlement; 2. To build the necessary infrastructure for the needs of the Anishinabe Ojibway society; 3. To propare the legal framework for the creation of a centralized administration and its institutions; and 4. To promote the establishment of a secular independent sovereign nation-state for the Anishinabe Ojibway peoples in the ancestral homeland of the Anishinabe Ojibway.

This would be the kind of organization I would definitely sponsor and support.

Charles Wagamese Special to Wawatay News

“What the Creator gave the Anishinabeg only the Creator can take away.”

Painted words declare this on a sign erected at the site of the longest standing blockade in our history with Canadians.

The fathers of this non-native confederacy we are presently engulfed within made up this next sentence on their own in Charlottetown 1867- without any of us Indians around.

“Section 109, all lands and resources belong to said provinces.”

This self-delusion is repeated twice more in the Canadian Constitution to perhaps convince each other that repeating it so might make it true….

It has apparently convinced ballot box created native leaders.

They literally brushed aside Idle No More grassroots to create even more policy based on 109 with the current Prime Minister…

The second paragraph of a study entitled “ Indian government Under Indian Act Legislation, 1868 -1951” states chiefs and councils were imposed on the indigenous for the purpose of complete assimilation.

Are those highly paid relatives of ours only doing what that foreign system was designed for?

The actions of the Idle No More grassroots are perhaps adding this phrase to that sign just north of Grassy Narrows …”What the Creator gave the Anishinabeg only the Creator can take away –or trade, sell or give away” In the interests of unity maybe all those chiefs who refused to step over Theresa Spence ought

to have all gone on a hunger strike as well?

Somehow send those lost calories to the malnourished of our homeland, that a Governor General by proxy deprives them of daily. Offer those symbolically to this nation to nation relationship starving for recognition and respect…

Perhaps those chiefs beyond Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan ought to consider a traditional fast. Those can produce a clear eyed clarity for Creator given human instructions that goes far deeper than a comprehensive land claim…

A tradition guided grand chief once told me, “never lose sight of that little word unity inside the bigger word community.

With it you can do lots, without it you won’t get very far.”

INM in continuing to resist and insist that this land and the societies that rely upon Creation are being even more dangerously imperilled in recent omnibus legislation, steps far past the constitutional fib that is 109…

It can however be frustrating continuing to create unity with a country that has entrusted its fate to Levi Strauss juniors.

The oligarchy in Ottawa –rule by the few- simply cannot abide brown folks, who, even amongst themselves don’t like being told what to do, to give up sacred duty.

That Tom Flanagan-inspired party has embedded deeply within it a view they have never consistently distanced themselves from. Flanagism says that Indians are only immigrants here themselves, only relying on pigment, combined with shame and guilt, to pry loose tax dollars from Treasury Boards.

They eventually wore down

the instinctive mistrust of voters until now their true right wing agenda gives them opportunity to unleash it first on us indigenous…

Could the most powerful antidote to that already exist in the healing work we’ve begun at the individual and family level?

When that restoration of who we are reaches practical proportions, at the community and nation level, might we then manifest a true indigenous agenda at last?

A maxim of which includes that eighth fire unity prophesized by the Medewin- to combine the imported scientific with the already existent Turtle Island spirituality.

To end this Doctrine of Discovery-based racialized superiority that burdens us all with odious legal, economic and political systems better buried than still accepted as conscionable?

The elders of Grassy once asked MNR two questions.

“Where did you get your authority and how can we work together?” They were saying the land is changing so fast nowhow can we do better as human beings -united in purpose- to cease destroying it?

In the meantime how can we prevent the extinguishment of the essence of our own indigenousness by the instruments of legislative oppression we are relying on for wisdom today?

How can we prevent the loss of collective rights we carry by charging our own people rent to live on their own treaty based reserves and enacting private ownership to appease loans officers at banks and to referendum into place fee simple agree-

ments that kill off aboriginal title entirely?

Where is that unity we so need today to prevent AFN from becoming a haunting acronym meaning all- for- nothing tomorrow?

To me, it’s actually amusing witnessing all manner of so called leaderships trying to stay in front of where Idle No More is headed.

In the 17th century Baron de Lanhotan, experienced us.

According to Jack Weatherford in “Indian Givers, How the Indians of the America Transformed the World ,” he found an orderly society but one that lacked a formal government that compelled such order “ The Huron told him “ we are born free and united brothers, each as much as great a lord as the other while you are the slaves of one sole man”.

This is where the seeds of freedom were discovered by Europeans. That eventually blossomed into the fading form of democracy being Levi Struass-ed and Neo Conned away today.

INM is about freedom. INM by refusing to be enslaved by forces other nations are prepared to accept is a very creative expression of what indigenousness is, as it struggles to practically revitalize and restore itself…

That essence is also all about the blessed unity all sentient beings are heir to… which is always been more a set of signs rather than a self-deluded section 109…

Meegwetch to the cyber channel-ers of time immemorial consciousness.

Meegwetch to Idle No More participants, walking together in that beautiful way…

Sincerely, Raymond Ross Shoal Lake #40 Band Member Editor, Re: Reflecting on 40 days on Victoria Island (Wawatay, Jan 31) "...the government law and the natural law, and you will walk with balance."

Good advice Edmond! I once had a dream in which I met an Aboriginal man who was travelling and living out of his car. He showed me that life was like walking a path along a mountain ridge. On one side was order - rules, routines, structure; on the other was so much freedom everything was chaos. To live life fully and maximize creativity we need to walk that path where these two opposing forces are balanced. Sounds similar. submitted online

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

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

WE UNLOCK FORMER EMPLOYER PENSION PLANS LOCKED IN RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

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

6

Wawatay News FEBRUARY 7, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Campaign trying to stem Hep C spread, prevent HIV outbreak Lenny Carpenter

Beside Wal Mart DRYDEN STK.# 2366

Wawatay News

We Buy Trucks - ATV’S - Boat motors and Sleds

2006 CHEVROLET UPLANDER AWD Fully loaded $10,495

E

SAL

STK.# 2336

STK.# 2373

2008 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

2008 FORD F150 S/CAB XLT

Ext. Cab 4x4 v8 $12,995

E

SAL

STK.# 2361

4X4 Fully loaded $13,995

E

SAL

2006 HYUNDAI TUSCON

AWD With DVD $9,495

STK.# 2384

STK.# 2385

2005 FORD F 150 SUPERCAB XLT 4x4 SO $10,995 LD

STK.# 2260A

2008 PONTIAC MONTANA

2006 GMC SIERRRA

Ext cab 4x4 $10,995

E

SAL

STK.# 2374

2006 DODGE DAKOTA

Pass. Van, v6 auto. $8,995

Quad Cab v6 Automatic $8,995

4

STK.# 2386

STK.# 2379

2006 GMC ENVOY

sport utility v6 fully loaded $8,995

E

SAL

Availab le

2006 DODGE CARAVAN

V6 7 pass. Fully loaded AS LOW AS $6,995

E

SAL

2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT Fully loaded $12,495

STK.# 6995

2005 FORD TAURUS SEL

V6,Moon roof. $6995

STK.# 2294A

2005 CHEVROLET VENTURE

7 pass. fully loaded. $6,995

AS-IS SPECIALS

STK.# 2362A

2002 FORD TAURUS SEL v6 Automatic $2,500 SOLD

S

ALE

STK.# 2345

2001 FORD TAURUS SE

V6 automatic $1,895

STK.# 2383

HUGE SELECTION OF PJ UTILITY TRAILERS

1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

2 Dr. Coupe v6 automatic, T. tops $2,500

We Deliver to Remote Northern Communities

www.nwautosales.ca

Toll Free 1 866 485 7886

The rise in the number of cases of Hepatitis C and the potential for an outbreak of HIV in First Nations communities in the north has prompted the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) to launch an awareness campaign.

Get Informed. Get Tested was officially launched on Feb. 4 by SLFNHA in partnership with the Sexually Transmitted/Blood Borne Infection Working Group (ST/BBI) and is aimed at educating the public about the infections and how they can protect themselves.

“We have seen an increase in Hepatitis C in our communities and we are very concerned,” said Janet Gordon, director of health services at SLFNHA. “Other infections could be in our communities such as HIV because they are transmitted the same way.”

Gordon said Hepatitis C and HIV infect a disproportionate number of Aboriginal people compared to the rest of Canada, in some studies 3.5 times higher.

SLFNHA serves 31 First Nation communities in northwestern Ontario, and in 2010, it detected a large increase in the number of cases of Hep C in the communities. It also learned that HIV infection rates have increased within the Aboriginal population in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and the disease appears to be spreading from west to east across Canada.

Hepatitis C, or Hep C, is a virus that settles primarily in the liver and can cause permanent damage that can lead to liver failure or cancer, said Dr. Kathy Pouteau,

a member of ST/BBI and who is the community doctor in Kasabonika Lake.

“Most people will not actually feel symptoms from it,” she said.

“They won’t know that they have it unless they get tested.”

Although there are a small number of cases where Hep C is spread through sexual contact, Pouteau said it is largely spread through blood-to-blood contact.

This would include the sharing of needles or snorting devices when inhaling opiates like OxyContin.

“We have seen an increase in Hepatitis C in our communities and we are very concerned.”

-Janet Gordon, SLFNHA director of health services

Hep C is treatable and the type of treatment varies based on the strains of Hep C. “Some people can be cured, and that they’ll have the virus completely removed from their body, but not everybody can be cured,” Pouteau said.

Although HIV is treatable, it is not curable.

HIV is a disease of the human immune system that causes AIDS and leads to life-threatening infections and cancer. Like Hep C, it can be transferred through unprotected sex, though it is often passed through blood-toblood contact.

Saskatchewan has been dealing with a sharp rise in the cases of HIV in the province over the past 10 years. In February 2012, Dr. Johnmark Opondo, the medical health officer with the

Summer Aboriginal Education Programs For almost 30 years, Nipissing University has been oīering professional educaƟon diploma programs to First NaƟon, MéƟs and Inuit students across Canada. Built upon the naƟonal reputaƟon of Nipissing University’s Schulich School of EducaƟon, our programs combine technology integrated teaching with Aboriginal cultures, languages and worldviews.

Enroll in these programs to become an Ontario CerƟĮed Teacher : t t

Aboriginal Teacher CerƟĮcaƟon Program Teacher of Anishnaabemwin as a Second Language Program

Become a Classroom Assistant by enrolling in either our : t t

NaƟve Classroom Assistant Diploma Program NaƟve Special EducaƟon Assistant Diploma Program

Bring your family and have your children parƟcipate in our educaƟonal and engaging programs: t t

Youth Camp Science, Engineering and Technology Camps

CLASSES START JULY 2, 2013 FOR MORE INFORMATION: ABORIGINALPROGRAMS @NIPISSINGU.ca WWW.NIPISSINGU.CA/ABORIGINALPROGRAMS

705-474-3450 EXT. 4368

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1, 2013

Saskatchewan HIV provincial leadership team, told Wawatay News that his province first saw a spike in Hep C cases, which was followed the next year by a rapid spread of HIV. “If the risk factors are all there, all it takes is one or two HIV positive people and it can spread,” Opondo said.

It is that urgency that has led SLFNHA to launch its campaign now, in the hopes of preventing a similar situation as that faced by Saskatchewan.

Gordon and her team encourage everyone who has shared needles or snorting devices, or who have had unprotected sex, to get tested for Hep C and HIV so that doctors can start treatment and help stop the diseases from transmitting to other people.

Pouteau said it is also crucial for everyone to protect themselves, especially by using clean equipment during drug injection, and using condoms during sex.

Individuals can access testing for Hep C at their local health unit or nursing station.

Pouteau said the campaign also aims to defuse myths and the stigma behind the infections.

Gordon said the campaign will feature culturally relevant print and radio advertisements over the next couple months in regional media. It will also include postcards, audio and video PSA’s for distribution to First Nations communities.

The ST/BBI Working Group was formed in 2011 in response to the increase of opiate drug abuse and the detection of hepatitis C in the region. The group consists of representatives from Health Canada, SLFNHA, the Northwest Health Unit, physicians and nurses.

Wawatay News

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

photo by Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Moose Factory fire chief Chris Alisappi (left) is looking forward to bringing TAPP-C training back to his community.

Workshops target community arsonists Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service has launched Project Firefly to address an increase in arson investigations in NAN communities.

The police force has seen numbers of arsons across the north rise from 58 in 2005 to a high of 202 in 2010.

“I think this TAPP-C program would help in that prevention area with the schools,” said Moose Factory Fire Chief Chris Alisappi, one of about 60 fire fighters, police officers and front-line workers who took the two-day TAPP-C training program. “We can take it back to the community and work with the local police and the schools.”

Alisappi said the volume of arson calls in Moose Factory has been decreasing over the past five years, noting that arson activity used to mainly occur in abandoned housing units and sheds and with some grass fires.

“About five years ago we were averaging about 100 to 120 calls and each year it has been decreasing 10 per cent,” Alisappi said. “Part of it has to do with the new structures they are building. They are not abandoning a lot of structures.

And some of the youth who have been involved in fire setting have been caught.”

The TAPP-C program is designed for police and other front-line community-based agencies to work together collaboratively to address issues of fire safety and arson prevention.

NAPS held two two-day TAPP-C training workshops from Feb. 4-7 at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay to train police officers, mental health workers, teachers, volunteer fire fighters and youth workers as trainers to work with youth in their home communities.

The workshops were funded through an Ontario $100,000 Proceeds of Crime Front-Line Policing Grant.

NAPS Acting Chief of Police Bob Herman said arson not only affects those directly involved in the fire, buts also the community safety aspect.

“In the NAPS communities that we police, we have seen a 300 per cent increase since 2005 to 2011 in the number of arsons,” Herman said. “So anything we can do collaboratively to prevent these from occurring again would be extremely important.”

Herman said the TAPP-C (The Arson Prevention Program for Children) being used in Project Firefly “is tried and proven” for youth from seven to 12 years old.

“Seventy-five per cent of the youth who go through this program don’t re-offend,” Herman said. “So you can imagine when you are looking at a program that is that successful how it can have an impact, not only on the youth themselves but also on the communities.”

Gull Bay Police Service Constable Roland King said the TAPP-C training would be “just great” for his whole community, not just the youth.

“We did have arsons, especially in spring time, kids playing with matches and lighting up grass and it gets out of hand,” King said.

King said the consequences of playing with matches and playing with fire could be devastating.

“What we learn here, we’ll pass it on to the community,” King said.

NAPS conducted 58 arson investigations in 2005, 105 in 2006, 108 in 2007, 131 in 2008, 133 in 2009, 202 in 2010 and 140 in 2011. The number of arson investigations for 2012 is currently at 65.

Community Dental Clinic The Northwestern Health Unit’s Community Dental Clinic in the Pickle Lake Health Clinic will be open February and March 2013.

Eligible children & adults may visit for: UÊ Dental check-ups UÊ Cleanings UÊ Fillings UÊ Extractions

OPPORTUNITY TO INSPECT DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT HARDY DAM The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is inviting comments on a Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) regarding alternatives for the future of the Hardy Dam, located on the shoreline of the Rawn Reservoir, within the Township of Atikokan.

The draft ESR is prepared in accordance with the requirements for Category C projects as per the Class Environmental Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects document. It describes the process for the analysis of alternatives, selection of a preferred option, the development of a site plan, and an evaluation of environmental effects.

A copy of the draft ESR will be available for review during normal business hours at the MNR Atikokan $UHD 2I¿FH RU DW WKH 015 7KXQGHU %D\ 5HJLRQDO 2I¿FH MNR will host a Public Open House for the project on Thursday, February 21, 2013, from 2:00 8:00 pm at Riverview United Church Hall, 169 Pine Crescent, Atikokan. Visitors are welcome to view displays, examine background reports, and discuss the project with MNR staff.

Comments and personal information regarding this proposal are collected under authority of the Environmental Assessment Act to assist MNR in making decisions. Comments not constituting SHUVRQDO LQIRUPDWLRQ DV GH¿QHG E\ WKH Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act will be shared among MNR and others as appropriate, and may be included in documentation available for SXEOLF UHYLHZ 3HUVRQDO LQIRUPDWLRQ ZLOO UHPDLQ FRQ¿GHQWLDO XQOHVV SULRU FRQVHQW WR GLVFORVH LV REWDLQHG For inquiries, comments, or requests regarding the ESR, or to be placed on the project mailing list, please contact: Kevin Brown, P. Eng., Sr. Project Engineer Ministry of Natural Resources - Northwest Region 435 S. James Street Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S8 Tel: 807-475-1342 Fax: 807-473-3023 E-mail: kevin.brown2@ontario.ca

Sheldon Haw, Integrated Resource Mgmt Technical Specialist Ministry of Natural Resources – Fort Frances District 108 Saturn Avenue Atikokan, ON P0T 1C0 Tel : 807-597-5026 Fax : 807-597-6185 E-mail: sheldon.haw@ontario.ca

Comments must be received within the 30-day comment period, which expires March 21, 2013.

For an appointment call the Northwestern Health Unit at 1-855-407-6453.

Visit Wawatay News online at www.wawataynews.ca for the latest photo galleries, video & photo blogs

7

8

Wawatay News February 7, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Wawatay News

Racism, safety and policing in Thunder Bay #230422

johnnymacs.ca jmtc@drytel.net Special programs for your community’s needs.

807 937-5870 WAWATAY NEWS AD PROOF Size:

2

COLUMNS

28

AGATES

X

Completed by:

Matthew Bradley

File ID: 20121018 JohnMac Training Date Completed: October 10, 2012 10:26 AM

Please proof Select one of the following: your ad and Note: Run as is return it no Ad proof may later than 12 Run ad AND with changes HEALTH SAFETY not print out the noon on the (no additional proof required) same size as in Monday prior CONSULTANT

Require new proof the newspaper. to publication.

DO NOT RUN ADCode Part II Otherwise,The Canada Labour (in for quote only) your ad will run as it Client Signature appears on this proof.

Jim Fidler

Cell: (807) 627-5657 Home: (807) 346-4798 E-mail: info@thunderbayhealthandsafety.com Website: www.thunderbayhealthandsafety.com

Employers - Know Your Duties • Employees - Know Your Rights

WAWATAY NEWS AD PROOF Size:

2

COLUMNS

28

AGATES

X

Completed by:

Matthew Bradley

File ID: 20121101 JimFidler Monthly Date Completed: October 25, 2012 10:59 AM

Please proof your ad and return it no later than 12 noon on the Monday prior to publication.

Otherwise, your ad will run as it appears on this proof.

For Fast, Efficient same size as in Require new proof the newspaper.

DO NOT RUN AD Service

Select one of the following:

Note: Run as is proof may Run ad with changes Ad not print out the (no additional proof required)

(in for quote only)

Client Signature

P.O. Box 1457, Sioux Lookout, ON, P8T 1B9 Phone: 807 737-1991 Fax: 807 737-2728 Email: siouxper@siouxperautoparts.ca Ken Schultz, Manager/Owner

As investigations continue on a number of incidents involving racism, harrasment and violence against First Nations people in Thunder Bay, the issue of urban safety continues to gain prominence.

Information Recovery Note: Ad proof may Advisory Service not print out the same size as in the newspaper.

“To come together, to explore, to understand and to learn.”

At the forefront is the relationship between First Nations people and the Thunder Bay police, with organizations and individuals on both sides searching for a way forward.

Wawatay’s special report continues on page 10.

A youth talks to police during the Idle No More rally in Thunder Bay on Jan 28. Everyone agrees that respectful dialogue is a good way forward.

Student safety top priority at First Nations high school Stephanie Wesley Wawatay News

WAWATAY NEWS AD PROOF Size:

2

COLUMNS

28

AGATES

X

Completed by:

Matthew Bradley

File ID: 20121115 Info Recovery Biweekly Date Completed: November 20, 2012 11:02 AM

Please proof your ad and return it no later than 12 noon on the Monday prior to publication.

Otherwise, your ad will run as it appears on this proof.

Select one of the following: Note: Run as is proof may Run ad with changes Ad not print out the (no additional proof required)

Require new proof DO NOT RUN AD

same size as in the newspaper.

(in for quote only)

Client Signature

The high number of assaults and incidents of racism against First Nations people in Thunder Bay over the past few months have reverberated through the city, including at Dennis Franklin Cromarty (DFC) high school.

Making the situation even more troubling for students at the school, one case under investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police allegedly involved a member of Thunder Bay Police Services driving a DFC student outside of the Thunder Bay city limits and leaving the student to walk back on a cold winter night.

“I’m scared of (the police), from the stories I heard,” said Marsha Kennedy, DFC’s president of the student council. “I know they are supposed to be the good

guys, but it seems scary.”

Meanwhile a number of students have been pulled from the school by their home communities, due to the perceived lack of safety in the city.

As a result, DFC has increased its efforts to ensure the safety of students and keep the lines of communication open between home communities as well as local organizations.

DFC principal Jonathan Kakegamic understands why the students were pulled from the school, and said that the school respects the communities’ decisions to do so.

“It makes sense for those students who went home, they’re young,” Kakegamic said. “But the girls who left, they’re coming back in September. Despite what’s going on in the city, there are still kids who still want to come here because of what we do here at the school.”

Two weeks ago the school brought in NAN Legal Services’ CEO Celina Reitberger to educate students on their rights when dealing with police.

“The idea was what happens if you’re stopped by the police, what do you have to tell them, how do you protect yourself,” Reitberger said. “We are now in the age of electronics where you can record things. It’s all about having a little knowledge, which can make you feel empowered.”

Reitberger also gave her card to the students, informing them that they can call her 24 hours a day if they ever need help in dealing with the police or the legal system.

“I am very grateful she was there to answer their questions, and that there is someone out there who is willing to be there for them,” said DFC’s vice-principal Sharon Angeconeb.

Reitberger said she believes

NAN Legal to act as bridge between public and police Shawn Bell

Wawatay News

WAWATAY NEWS AD PROOF

Please proof

Select one of the following:

2

your ad and Note: Run as Ad is Place Your Here return Business it no Ad proof may COLUMNS

80

AGATES

Size:

Completed by:

Matthew Bradley

File ID: WWT 20130124 BazaarNovelty Weekly Date Completed: January 22, 2013 2:11 PM

later than 12 noon on the Monday prior to publication.

Otherwise, your ad will run as it appears on this proof.

Run ad with changes not print out the (no additional proof required)

1-888-575-2349 X

Require new proof DO NOT RUN AD (in for quote only)

Client Signature

same size as in the newspaper.

In light of what it calls a growing mistrust of Thunder Bay police amongst First Nations people, NAN Legal Services has stepped up as an intermediary between NAN residents living in the city and the Thunder Bay police.

Two weeks ago NAN Legal started a public education campaign aimed at educating First Nations youth on their rights when dealing with police. The organization is also offering to

Ministry of Natural Resources Thunder Bay District Office to Re-open The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources – Thunder Bay District Office, located on the basement or B level of the Ontario Government Building at 435 James Street South, will re-open on February 14, 2013, after being closed for repairs to water-damaged areas since May. All regular services will be available.

To avoid an interruption in regular service, staff members will continue to work in satellite offices until the reopening date. For assistance before February 14, 2013 on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. – noon and 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. EST: • • • • •

Wawatay News

DFC principal says northern leaders have role to play in keeping youth safe

Will gather information for the Nations & Native organizations

ATTENTION

Lenny Carpenter

Chris Kornacki/Special to Wawatay News

Select one of the following: WAWATAY NEWS AD PROOF Please proof your ad and Size: Run as is return it no x COLUMNS later than 12 Run ad with changes X noon on the (no additional proof required) x AGATES Monday prior Require new proof to publication.

Completed by: Randy Suggashie, DOOwner NOT RUN AD Otherwise, Matthew Bradley for quote only) yourSt. adN., will Thunder (inBay, 805 May Ontario File ID: run 622-8107 as it 20121115 Sioux-Per Parts Biweekly Phone: 807 Cell: 807 630-2043 Client Signature appears on Date Completed: November 13, 2012 1:01 PM this proof. info.recoveryadvisoryservice@gmail.com

NAN takes key role on urban safety issues

help First Nation victims and witnesses get their statements heard by the appropriate authorities, whether police, human rights tribunals or other outlets.

The move comes as a number of complaints have been made by First Nations people against the Thunder Bay police, including an ongoing investigation of a youth being dropped off by police on the outskirts of the city and made to walk back in frigid temperatures.

There have also been numerous reports of incidents of racism and assaults against First Nations

people by non-natives in Thunder Bay over the past month, including the brutal sexual assault of a First Nations woman on Dec. 27 that is still under investigation.

“The saying is where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” said Celina Reitberger, NAN Legal CEO. “When there are this many indications of things not being right, my feeling is that its getting worse.

I think there’s been a backlash because of Idle No More, and people are reacting.

See NAN Legal on page 10

there has been an increase in the number of incidents of racism and assaults against First Nations people in Thunder Bay, in part due to Idle No More and an increased awareness of First Nations rights and issues which has caused a backlash.

Her observations were backed up by Kennedy, who said she has heard stories of ill treatment towards her fellow students by citizens of Thunder Bay while they were doing simple things like waiting for the bus or even hanging out at the local mall.

“It happened to me too, security guys following me around,” Kennedy said. “I felt targeted, and I was actually just shopping too. The security guard was like ‘Oh you guys better leave now, you better get out of here. We’re gonna call the cops.’”

While Thunder Bay Police Services Chief JP Levesque said there has not been a surge in reports of assaults on First Nations people in the city over the past month, it may be that the assaults are not being reported to police.

“I don’t know that we’re hearing about it,” Levesque said. “And we can’t investigate what we don’t hear about. I’m not saying its not happening, I’m just saying that it hasn’t

been reported to us.”

Levesque added that his police force’s Aboriginal Liaison Unit is at DFC “almost daily” in an effort to work with students and build trust with First Nations youth.

The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) also presented to students at DFC on Jan. 10, bringing tips for how female students can be safe.

During the presentations ONWA handed out personal safety

cation open between the students and their home communities and leaders to empower and encourage the students.

“There are so many people from the north in Thunder Bay every day, but they don’t come to see their kids. That does something to them,” Kakegamic said. “When a leader comes to this school, the kids are smiling for days after they’re gone. Their leader, their chief, came to see them. The people up north don’t realize how much power and influence they have.”

Kakegamic is happy that Anishinabe people still have respect for chiefs and hold them in high regard. “We had the chief from Muskrat Dam come visit, and I was empowered.

(The chiefs and leaders) need to know that.”

The school has already held a number of video conferences between students and leaders in the community, with more

“Despite what’s going on in the city, there are still kids who still want to come here because of what we do here at the school.”

-Jonathon Kakegamic

alarms, which are the size of a key chain and emit a high-pitched noise.

“Female students deserve to feel safe within their own communities, and we hope that carrying these personal safety alarms, along with the included safety information and tips, will help,” said Maryanne Matthews, ONWA’s director of communications.

However, for the school itself, addressing the safety issues of students is not enough.

Kakegamic explained that, while it was important to address personal safety, it is also important to keep the lines of communi-

planned in the future. DFC is also continuing on with their Elders program, which is now educating the youth on the importance of keeping safe.

“What we say to our kids is no different from what other parents say to theirs, don’t drink, stay safe, and be home at a reasonable hour which is 10 PM,” Kakegamic explained.

“Our kids are awesome! They’re behaving. We had a case conference and there have only been about three alcohol incidents since Christmas and maybe 17 curfews - that used to be in one night. So the kids are responding to be responsible.”

Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said the organization was compelled to the address safety issues of Thunder Bay after a First Nations woman was abducted, assaulted and left for dead on Dec. 27.

“It was mainly in response to the many calls from our leadership, our communities and parents during the holiday season and what they were hearing about here in Thunder Bay and the concern they had for their students coming back here for the second semester,” Fiddler said of NAN’s involvement.

NAN organized a community safety forum on Jan. 15, where community members were able to discuss any concerns they had regarding safety within the city.

“I thought one of the steps we could take was to bring the community together, the youth, the women, including the different police services to have that forum on Jan. 15,” Fiddler said. “To begin that conversation on how we can all work together to create a safe community for all, not just First Nations people, but for all the citizens of Thunder Bay.” NAN presented a report with 13 recommendations on how safety can be improved within the city.

It is not the first time NAN is taken a prominent role in the safety of First Nations people in urban areas.

“We recognize the fact there is more and more of our community members migrating or moving to centres like Thunder Bay and Timmins.”

-Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler

NAN played a large role in calling for an inquiry into the deaths of seven First Nations youth who were attending school in Thunder Bay. Although NAN’s mandate is mainly to address the issues on reserve, Fiddler said it is not difficult to take on the challenges facing those living off reserve.

“I think at times like this, we’re obligated because we also recognize the fact there is more and more of our community members migrating or moving to centres like Thunder Bay and Timmins,” he said. “And if there’s issues there that our communities want to address, we will address those.”

Fiddler said he does not consider the safety initiative to be NAN-led.

“Though we did start the conversation, we see it for the whole community to be involved, including Fort William First Nation,” he said. “I think that’s what it will take to be doing this.

What we all want to for everyone in Thunder Bay whether you’re a student, a First Nations woman, that you feel safe, that you feel a part of this community, that you feel welcome here.”

Fiddler said the report outlined some steps that can be acted on in the short-term, but he hopes more steps will be taken.

“We want this conversation to be ongoing, to build on what was started,” he said.

9

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

February 7, 2013

call locally 807-475-1471 or toll-free 1-800-667-1940 (English) or toll-free 1-800-667-1840 (French) or TTY service 1-866-686-6072 or e-mail: mnr.nric.mnr@ontario.ca

We apologize for any inconvenience our office closure may have caused.

BLEED

Paid for by the Government of Ontario

SEVEN GENERATIONS EDUCATION INSTITUTE Check out our 2013/14 Program Lineup at www.7generations.org

A unique experience for Aboriginal students…

SGEI COMMUNITYͲBASED PROGRAM Diploma in EducaƟon and Bachelor of EducaƟon 2 Year partͲƟme communityͲbased program Graduates qualify for OCT CerƟĮcaƟon APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 15TH, 2013 This program meets provincial standards and includes courses in Aboriginal EducaƟon and teaching placements in First NaƟon and Provincial schools.

Minimum qualiĮcaƟon required is an OSSD. For informaƟon about applicaƟon requirements, visit educ.queensu.ca/atep/applyͲcommunity.html For further informaƟon, contact: Bob Grynol Seven GeneraƟons EducaƟon InsƟtute Phone: 1Ͳ800Ͳ668Ͳ6279 or 274Ͳ2796 Email: bobg@7generaƟons.org www.7generaƟons.org

ATEP, Faculty of EducaƟon Queen’s University, Kingston, ON Phone: 1Ͳ800Ͳ862Ͳ6701 Email: atep@queensu.ca educ.queensu.ca/atep/applyͲcommunity.html

NonͲAboriginal people with a BA and a connecƟon to the Aboriginal community may also apply.

16445 Fast 'n Friendly.QX8_Layout 1 14/01/13 3:53 PM Page 1 WAWATAY NEWS AD PROOF Size:

3

COLUMNS

72

AGATES

X

Completed by:

Matthew Bradley

File ID: 20121129 Seven Generations AETP Date Completed: November 20, 2012 11:22 AM

Please proof your ad and return it no later than 12 noon on the Monday prior to publication.

Otherwise, your ad will run as it appears on this proof.

Select one of the following: Note: Run as is proof may Run ad with changes Ad not print out the (no additional proof required)

Require new proof DO NOT RUN AD

same size as in the newspaper.

(in for quote only)

Client Signature

Free Delivery to your door!

WAWATAY NEWS AD PROOF

Please proof your ad and

Select one of the following:

10

Wawatay News FEBRUARY 7, 2013

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

Police chief addresses First Nations relationship with it as we do under the criminal code.

Shawn Bell Wawatay News

WWT: Are you seeing that there is an increased amount of harassments, assaults of First Nations people by non-natives in the city?

As efforts continue to improve relations between the First Nations community in Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Police Services, Chief of Police JP Levesque met with Wawatay to discuss issues and perceptions related to policing.

WWT: The case alleging that a youth was driven outside of the city and dropped off by police, what are the facts with that?

JPL: The OPP based out of Sioux Lookout are looking after that. The last time I spoke to the lead investigator was last week, and they were probably four weeks away from coming out with any kind of report.

WWT: What internal procedures and plans do you have to ensure that if something like this happens, those responsible can be held accountable?

JPL: I’ve said this a number

of times. The chief is a CEO of the organization. And any CEO that has an allegation against one of their people, and we’re not talking some minor misuse of judgment, we’re talking about a criminal allegation here, if its factual, it’s an abduction, and punishable under the criminal code. Do I want a person who is capable of doing that working in my organization? I do not. All CEOs wouldn’t want that in their organization. Yes I’d like to find out what the truth is, and if its something we need to deal with we will deal

JPL: I don’t know that we’re hearing about it. And we can’t investigate what we don’t hear about. I know there was a rash last summer of individuals driving by Aboriginal youth and throwing things at them. During that period, the way we deal with it is that any report like that goes under one incident number so it’s easily track-able.

And I can’t say that there’s been this huge influx reported to us (now). I’m not saying that it’s not happening. I’m just saying that it hasn’t been reported to us.

WWT: There is also the issue that people are afraid to go to the police with their problems.

What are your thoughts on that, what do you have in place to address that?

JPL: Well we were talking

before about social media. What we’re seeing is really the effects of people having encounters with the police that tend to be fairly innocuous, maybe. Somehow start out as kind of a routine thing for our people and end up not being that by the time it gets through social media and is told 100 times. So there is that phenomenon going on as well. You know, I’m not saying those things are not happening, as far as the drive-by assaults, throwing material at people and stuff. But as far as the mistrust, getting back to the social media side of it, mistruth leads to mistrust. And in some cases, fear, as we’re seeing. I guess what we’re asking, and its something I’ve been talking to the Aboriginal leadership about, is let’s be truthful about the interactions.

Obviously if somebody’s had something happen to them, be it a member of the public does something to them or they are not happy with the way they were dealt with by one of our members, we want to hear about it. It’s unfortunate that people are feeling that they can’t come to this service to report those

kinds of things.

WWT: There are also safety concerns of First Nations people coming from the communities into the city, especially with kids coming to school. What message would you have for parents sending their kids here and the unease about people sending their children to school in Thunder Bay? JPL: It’s unfortunate. We have, I like to think, a good relationship with Jonathon Kakegamic and the folks at Dennis Franklin Cromarty. We work closely to ensure the safety of the kids going to school there, and all Aboriginal kids who are going to any of the schools here in town. Our Aboriginal Liaison Unit, the officers are (at DFC) daily. If for nothing else, it’s to try to garner some trust within our service.

Its unfortunate, when I was at the safety forum a couple of weeks ago and heard that NNEC mentioning they had a number of students not coming back because their parents didn’t want to send them because they didn’t

feel it was safe. As chief of police I don’t like to hear stuff like that.

It tends to be a perception issue though, in a lot of cases.

WWT: Are there any other messages you have for the First Nations community, or Thunder Bay in general, about the relationships here and the feelings that are out there?

JPL: I think its one of those unfortunate things that it took some things to happen that weren’t very positive to make us take a hard look at it and say, OK, we’re not in a spot we should be. What I’m getting from the Aboriginal community is that they want that relationship to be better. As do we. So it took some things that weren’t so positive happening to have people like Alvin Fiddler stepping up and saying we need to do something about this. He organized that safety forum, which will continue. We need to work collaboratively to move forward from this. I understand relationships are strained right now, and I can see them getting better, and I’m really hopeful.

NAN Legal helping bring witnesses, victims forward Continued from page 8 “We can’t just put it down to perception,� she added. “Somebody has to take the bull by the horns and say we have a problem and we’ve got to figure out how to deal with it.�

Reitberger gave presentations to Dennis Franklin Cromarty (DFC) students two weeks ago and Matawa students last week to go over the rights of individuals when dealing with police. The

efforts are part of a legal education strategy that the organization is targeting to First Nations youth in Thunder Bay, a group that Reitberger said seem to be the most vulnerable.

She is also advising youth to call her if they have any concerns with police conduct, or need assistance with making statements or complaints to police. “It is terribly important that incidents get reported,� Reit-

berger said. “If people are afraid and they will not come forward to point out who is doing whatever, then these people are allowed to have a free reign.�

The mistrust of police amongst First Nations youth was brought to the public’s attention last week when a 19-year-old man went on CBC radio in Thunder Bay to share his claims of witnessing an abduction of a First Nations woman in the city in late Decem-

“Miskwaadesi�

A Call For Aboriginal Teachers

Honours Bachelor of Education (Aboriginal) P/J Is accepting applications for September 2012

Be a Leader in Aboriginal Education Choose Teaching

“People are genuinely concerned and they want to do something.�

-Celina Reitberger

ber. The young man said he was too afraid to go to police with the account, and so kept the information to himself for nearly a month before going to the media.

Thunder Bay Police Chief JP Levesque said it is “unfortunate� that people are feeling that they cannot come to police to report incidents.

He said NAN Legal’s involvement will be a help for the police. “I’m in support of anything that helps us move forward, and I see this as another outlet to help

us deal with victims of crime,�

Levesque said.

Levesque also encouraged victims or witnesses of crime to report the incidents, either directly to police or through agencies such as NAN Legal. “We can’t investigate what we don’t hear about,� Levesque said, when asked if there has been an increase in the number of crimes against First Nations people over the past month. “I’m not saying those things are not happening, as far as the drive-by assaults, throwing material at people and so on. But there has not been a huge influx reported to us.�

Reitberger noted that there are a number of organizations in Thunder Bay focused on crime

prevention, including the Aboriginal Liaison Advisory Committee and the Urban Aboriginal Strategy among others. But she pointed out that in many cases the police have been disconnected from those organizations, and better relationships are needed going forward.

However, the collective will to deal with the problems exists, she said. “People are genuinely concerned and they want to do something,� Reitberger said. “Now we need to get it together.

Everybody has to get in the same room and come up with a plan. Let’s use all these great people and all this energy and implement the plan – but first we need a plan.�

DID THE LOSS OF A FAMILY MEMBER BEFORE JUNE 14, 2010, RESULT IN A CORONER’S INVESTIGATION AND AUTOPSY? IF SO, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AN ORGAN WAS RETAINED AFTER AUTOPSY. When deaths are investigated, pathologists sometimes retain an organ for further testing to help determine the cause of death.

This Honours program prepares you (of Aboriginal ancestry) to become a teacher with a core specialization in literacy, numeracy and attention to children with special needs.

Graduates will be recommended to the Ontario College of Teachers for certi5cation, at the Primary/ Junior division.

Contact: Judy Flett Aboriginal Education Programs Coordinator 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 5E1 P: 807.343.8020 E: JFlett@lakeheadu.ca

In the past, family members may not have been notified that an organ had been retained.

Now, families are routinely notified when an organ is retained and their wishes are sought regarding how the organ should be treated after testing is complete.

The Ontario Forensic Pathology Service is reaching out to anyone for whom the loss of a GBNJMZ NFNCFS CFGPSF +VOF SFTVMUFE JO B DPSPOFS T JOWFTUJHBUJPO BOE BVUPQTZ Immediate family members and personal representatives (i.e. those responsible for administering an estate) are invited to contact us to ďŹ nd out if an organ was retained in their case.

Some organs that were initially retained are no longer available due to the practices of the time. Others are still at the hospital or forensic pathology unit where the autopsy took place. In those cases, affected families and personal representatives may now request that the organ be sent to a funeral home for cremation or burial. Expenses will be covered by the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service and the Office of the Chief Coroner.

3FNBJOJOH PSHBOT SFUBJOFE CFGPSF +VOF XJMM CF SFTQFDUGVMMZ EJTQPTFE PG CFHJOOJOH PO +VOF 5IJT JT JO BDDPSEBODF XJUI SFHVMBUJPOT NBEF VOEFS UIF Coroners Act. A toll-free telephone line has been set up. Contact us at 1-855-564-4122 or visit our website at Ontario.ca/OrganRetention.

0OUBSJP DB 0SHBO3FUFOUJPO r

Paid for by the Government of Ontario

OrganRetention@Ontario.ca Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (SFOWJMMF 4USFFU Toronto, ON . " (

Wawatay News

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

11

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

NADF introduces new executive director, goals Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund’s new executive director is looking to develop an entrepreneurial culture, assist capacity development and create an equity fund.

“We are in overdrive and ramped up to help Aboriginal entrepreneurs and communitybased businesses move ahead,” said Brian Davey, who was introduced as NADF’s new executive director on Jan. 31. “I have three main goals to push the organization forward and into the future.

They focus on developing the entrepreneurial culture in our communities and with our youth, assisting in capacity development and creating an equity fund for entrepreneurs and communitybased organizations.”

Davey is looking to seek out and support people who are willing to take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities as economic development activities are initiated in the region.

“Why we exist is to create benefits and prosperity in our communities and we’ll do whatever is necessary to make that happen,” Davey said.

Davey said NADF will continue to bring in capacity development initiatives for community members, such as the Strategic Mineral Exploration and Mining Training Course, scheduled for April 8-12, and the 3rd Annual Mining Ready Summit, scheduled for Oct. 16-17.

“We bring in very knowledgeable speakers on mining,” Davey said about the Mining Ready Summit. “It talks about the mining cycles and the various opportunities related to the different phases of the mining cycle.”

Davey said the equity fund

Davey said most of NADF’s work is involved with the business opportunity side.

“We also try to web the overall economy with First Nations development,” Davey said. “What I mean by that is we strengthen the web or the interdependence between established compa-

will help people who have “great ideas” but don’t have the equity to develop their ideas into businesses.

“For example, if they need 30 per cent equity, that means cash to leverage 70 per cent debt financing,” Davey said. “And (if) they can only come up with 15 per cent of equity, what we do is — with a good plan, a good business idea — we put in the other 15 (per cent) for them. Of course, we expect some return on that ourselves, but at least it enables them to leverage the debt financing and get their business idea off the ground.”

nies and First Nation companies or First Nation entrepreneurs, because in some cases we don’t have the management or the capacity or the equity, so there has to be a greater partnerships between the various businesses within northwestern Ontario or northern Ontario.”

Davey previously worked with Matawa First Nations as manager of economic development and operated his own investment banking business: First Nations Equity. He also served as a Nishnawbe Aski Nation deputy grand chief for two terms.

“We are pleased to have some-

one lead our organization of such high calibre,” said Arlene Meekis, NADF’s board chair. “Brian brings many talents to our team, having spent the last 30 years working on First Nation issues in both the private and public sector as an independent business person and in senior management positions.”

Lakehead Supports

Aboriginal Learners

“We’ve been around for a number of years and my job is to take it to the next level.”

Lakehead University is committed to helping Aboriginal peoples further their educational aspirations. Aboriginal programs at Lakehead offer academic, research, and cultural support services tailored to Aboriginal needs.

-Brian Davey NADF executive director

Davey said Canada’s Aboriginal community is creating businesses at a faster rate than the general population, adding that NADF has provided about $30 million in loans over the past 22 years, which helped create more than 2,000 jobs and maintain about 545 businesses.

“Our job is to continue to do that kind of investing in our communities,” Davey said. “Creating wealth and prosperity in our communities is what we’re all about and we’ll continue to do that.”

Davey is looking to increase NADF’s $13 million asset base to a higher level over the next fiveto-six years.

“We’ve been around for a number of years and my job is to take it to the next level,” Davey said. “I’d like to bring it up to $60 million within five, six years.”

Specialization & Access Programs

Administrative & Support Services

Department of Indigenous Learning Native Nurses Entry Program Native Access Program

2I¿ FH RI $ERULJLQDO ,QLWLDWLYHV Aboriginal Cultural & Support Services Lakehead University Native Students Association Nanabijou Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement Lakehead University Aboriginal Alumni Chapter Elders Program

Aboriginal Education Honours Bachelor of Education (Aboriginal) P/J Native Teacher Education Program Native Language Instructors’ Program Office of

Aboriginal Initiatives aboriginalinitiatives.lakeheadu.ca

1-807-766-7219 or toll free 1-888-558-3388

Northern First Nations Hockey PRESENTS

Hockey Tournament

Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena Sioux Lookout, Ontario

March 11 - 17, 2013 To secure your spot, Teams must pay full entry fee by Feb. 20, 2013. After February 20, 2013, the registration will be open to all the communities and the teams must pay full entry fee by February 28, 2013.

A-side Champions Runners-up

$18,000 $12,000

B-side Champions Runners-up

$5,000 $4,000

C-side Champions Runners-up

$3,000 $2,000

ENTRY FEE $2200.00 ONLY 32 TEAMS WILL BE ACCEPTED For further information and downloading of the documents, visit the website: www.firstnationshockey.ca 7 DAYS OF 32 FIRST NATIONS FINEST HOCKEY, AT ITS’ BEST

For more information, please contact: Margaret Kenequanash Fax: (807) 737-1208 margaretkenequanash@knet.ca Committee Members: Jack Mckay Sam Mamakwa

12

Wawatay News FEBRUARY 7, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Sachigo Elder, Wawatay Judge Joe awarded postboard member passes humous Queen’s medal Barkman spent lifetime helping people Throughout his life Barkman provided guidance, direction, support and advocacy to various First Nations organizations in Nishnawbe Aski Nation territory.

He acted in the role of councilor in Sachigo Lake First Nation before the chief and band council system was enacted, and then served many terms as band council in Sachigo until his retire-

Shawn Bell Wawatay News

Respected Elder Peter Barkman of Sachigo Lake passed away on Jan. 31.

Barkman was serving as an Elder member of the Wawatay Board of Directors as well as a member of the Elders Council for the Sioux Lookout Health Centre at the time of his passing.

ĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ĞƌƚŝĨŝĐĂƚŝŽŶ YEAR 1 – FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DŽŶĚĂLJ͕ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ Ϯϱ ʹ &ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ DĂƌĐŚ ϭ͕ ϮϬϭϯ dŚƵŶĚĞƌ ĂLJ͕ KŶƚĂƌŝŽ Z '/^d Z ďLJ DŽŶĚĂLJ͕ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ Ϯϱ

Details www.nodn.com or call 807-621-3562 REGISTER NOW FOR YOUR SEAT!!!

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO in association with Economic Developers Association of Canada

“Peter dedicated his life to the betterment of his people through his active life, and his loss will be felt across NAN territory.”

-Harvey Yesno

ment in 2005.

He was also a radio broadcaster for Wawatay in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, ser ved as a board member for Tikinagan Child and Family Ser vices, and was Elder and Advisor to Youth Strategy Initiative, a project to promote youth empowerment through Wasaya Group Inc. “It is with saddened hearts that we mourn the loss of Elder Peter,” said NAN Grand Chief Har vey Yesno. “Peter dedicated his life to the betterment of his people through his active life, and his loss will be felt across NAN territor y. May God watch over his family as they grieve during this difficult time.”

A viewing was held in Sioux Lookout on Feb. 2 before Barkman’s body was f lown to Sachigo Lake for a funeral on Feb. 4.

Need a new car, truck or SUV? p l ! e h n a c e W # Good credit, bad credit or no credit

Canadian Aboriginal Auto Sales

TOLL FREE EBUILDING R IT D E R C IN 1-866-999-2499

Jack Eshelman Ph: (204) 334-0979

Fx: (204) 224-1813 Email: eshelman@mymts.net

Rick Garrick Wawatay News

The late Joe Morrison’s legacy was recently celebrated with the presentation of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and a new bursary — the Joseph Morrison Legacy Fund.

“The ceremony was very moving and the words that people had for him were very sincere,” said Sherry Moreau, chief executive officer of Oshki Aa-yaa’aag Mino Bimaadiziiwin (Good Life For Young Peoples), a non-profit corporation that aims to bring to life the dreams and aspirations of Aboriginal youth through confidence building and culturally-affirming activities.

“People spoke from their hearts and there were a lot of kind words spoken,” Moreau said. “People were very appreciative of his work and were glad that the family and (the Oshki Aa-yaa’aag Mino Bimaadiziiwin) organization were choosing to honour him in this way.”

Moreau said Morrison was honoured for his lifetime commitment to family, his community and the volunteer work he did with young people in the Treaty 3 area during the ceremony, which was held on Jan. 27 at the Lake of the Woods Museum in Kenora.

“Judge Joe served his country, and while that alone is a great deed, his service to his community was just as impressive,” said Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell. “Joseph Morrison was a voice of healing

and reconciliation, a leader in the friendship centre movement and someone who, despite his early challenges, rose through the ranks to become a respected Elder, leader and justice of the

“Judge Joe served his country, and while that alone is a great deed, his service to his community was just as impressive.”

-Sarah Campbell

peace. He is someone who is remembered fondly by everyone who has encountered him.”

Campbell explained that she focused on choosing individuals for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal who had distinguished themselves, not for a single act of kindness or generosity, but for dedicating their lifetime to helping others. She also sought out people who had asked little if anything in return for their generosity, kindness and sacrifices.

“There were few candidates as deserving as Joseph Morrison,” Campbell said. “Joe grew up in a time of, not mincing words, of intolerance, of hostility. It is true that times are not always easy, but rather than succumb to those feelings, he conquered his fears, he conquered those urges and he lived a life that made him a true role model, not just for First Nations but for everyone living in northwestern Ontario and everyone who had the good fortune of

meeting him.”

Moreau said the Joseph Morrison Legacy Fund is aimed at a deserving student who exemplifies the values, interests and dedication that Morrison held close to his heart.

“The family is going to be choosing the recipients in June and July of every year,” Moreau said, noting that justice, health, community development and military service are the priority fields of study. “It’s Ontario wide, so people can apply from all over Ontario.”

Recipients must be residents of Ontario from 16-30 years of age with a demonstrated financial need who are enrolled in a post-secondary education program.

Morrison, the first justice of the peace in Ontario to be sworn in with an eagle feather, in 1989, passed away on March 21, 2012 at the Ottawa Heart Institute. He served with the Queen’s Own Rifles from 19591962 in Calgary and Germany and worked at a number of positions, including bookkeeper, Native street patrol supervisor, Metis housing coordinator and executive director of friendship centres in Kenora and Fort Frances.

He was well known on the powwow trail as the keeper of Wakaapiness drum. In addition to helping with ceremonies, flag-raising and dancing with other Native veterans on the powwow trail, he also acted as an Elder for numerous groups and gatherings.

Fort Severn wants resource revenue sharing agreements before mines Continued from page 1 Julia Bennett of MDNM said that the surveying is being done in part to support a fiveyear geology mapping plan developed by the government “based on interests shared by the community” such as water and energy.

“This project will help researchers understand things like the geological history of the region, ground energy potential, mineral resource potential, groundwater implications, safety and health implications,” Bennett wrote in an email. “All this data is to be

shared with the First Nation and can help the community develop a land-use plan that considers both quality of life and economic development opportunities.”

But Miles said Fort Severn believes the government is simply doing the “first step” for mining companies wanting to explore for minerals in the region.

Meanwhile Fort Severn wants to complete its land use plan on its own timelines, he said, in order that the community’s vast territory is completely documented.

“We want to cover everything (in the land use plan)

to try and protect the land,” Miles said. “It seems like the government is pushing us to try and create certainty for mining companies. They don’t understand what the land means for us.”

MNDM said it has contacted Fort Severn in regards to next steps in the aerial surveying.

The government plans to work with the community on those next steps.

Miles said the First Nation plans to hold a community meeting in the near future to discuss next steps, and that it will not make any suggestions to the province until that meeting takes place.

Wawatay News

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

NEWS BRIEFS

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY SHORT TERM ASSESSMENT TREATMENT PROGRAM

NAPS chief of police on leave

RESIDENTIAL COUNSELLOR Internal/External Posting Full Time Term Position -1yr & 4 months Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Chief of Police Claude Chum has taken an indefinite personal leave of absence as of Jan. 23.

Deputy Chief Robert Herman has been appointed as acting chief of police and Inspector Roland Morrison has been appointed as acting deputy chief until further notice.

A letter explaining the personal leave of absence, which was accepted and approved by the NAPS board of directors, was sent to all Nishnawbe Aski Nation chiefs and councils on Jan. 23.

Chum began his chief of police duties in January 2011 after a 21-year career in policing. He began his career as a constable with the Ontario Provincial Police’s First Nations Program in western Ontario in 1989 and the Anishinabek Police Service in 1996. He eventually worked his way up to sergeant, detachment commander, detective staff sergeant, director of operations for the Central Region and deputy chief of police with Anishinabek Police Service before joining NAPS.

Thunder Bay’s Aboriginal Liaison moves on Anna Gibbon, Thunder Bay’s first Aboriginal Liaison, has been appointed Justice of the Peace to the Ontario Court of Justice Gibbon leaves her post at the city of Thunder Bay as of Feb. 6.

Gibbon has been the Aboriginal Liaison for Thunder Bay since 2008. “As our first Aboriginal Liaison Anna brought her considerable skills to bear in supporting the development of the city’s first Aboriginal Liaison Strategy and has played a key role in fostering an improved relationship with the urban Aboriginal community,� said Thunder Bay city clerk John Hannam.

Sam Achneepineskum of Marten Falls will take on the Aboriginal Liaison position on an acting basis while the search for Gibbon’s replacement is conducted. “Sam Achneepineskum is a respected Elder in the community and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position,� said Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs.

Picard wins eighth term in Quebec Labrador Ghislain Picard has been re-elected as the chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador for an eighth straight term.

Chief Picard, an Innu from the community of Pessamit, won election for another three year term on Jan. 30 in Quebec City.

The win means Picard will also serve as regional representative on the AFN National Executive. “Regional Chief Picard has worked to address a number of priority areas at the national level, including advocacy for implementation of the United Nations Declaration of Rights for Indigenous Peoples in guiding all of our work in the protection of First Nation title and rights,� said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo in a press release. “I look forward to our ongoing efforts to advance the goals and interests of First Nations in Canada and especially those in the Quebec/Labrador region.�

Picard was first elected as chief of the AFNQL for the first time in 1992.

Sioux Lookout Out of the Cold FULL TIME POSITION Frontline Worker Accountability ‡ 7KH 2XW RI WKH &ROG SURJUDPV (PHUJHQF\ 6KHOWHU 7UDQVLWLRQ 3URJUDP 7UDQVLWLRQ +RXVLQJ )RRG %DQN DQG 0HDO SURJUDPV ¹ DUH WKH UHVSRQVLELOLW\ RI WKH 6LRX[ /RRNRXW 2XW RI WKH &ROG 1RQ 3UR¿W 2UJDQL]DWLRQ ‡ 7KH )URQWOLQH :RUNHU LV DFFRXQWDEOH WR WKH ([HFXWLYH 'LUHFWRU 7KH SRVLWLRQ LV IXQGHG SULPDULO\ WKURXJK 3URYLQFLDO JUDQWV IRU KRPHOHVVQHVV WKURXJK WKH .HQRUD 'LVWULFW 6HUYLFHV %RDUG DQG RWKHU JUDQWV DV DYDLODEOH Areas of responsibility ‡ 6XSSRUW DQG VXSHUYLVH RYHUQLJKW JXHVWV RI WKH (PHUJHQF\ 6KHOWHU ‡ :RUN DV SDUW RI D WHDP WR VXSSRUW FOLHQWV RI WKH 2XW RI WKH &ROG 7UDQVLWLRQ 3URJUDP ‡ $VVLVW ZLWK VWDII WUDLQLQJ DQG VFKHGXOLQJ ‡ (QVXUH WKH VDIHW\ DQG FRPIRUW RI DOO FOLHQWV VWDII DQG YROXQWHHUV ‡ 3UHSDUH DQG VHUYH PHDOV DV UHTXLUHG ‡ 2UJDQL]H VRXS GRQDWLRQ SURJUDP ‡ 2UJDQL]H WKH FRPPXQLW\ YROXQWHHU SURJUDP ‡ $VVLVW ZLWK SURSRVDO DQG SROLF\ DQG SURFHGXUH ZULWLQJ ‡ (QVXUH WKH VPRRWK RSHUDWLRQV RI WKH &RPPXQLW\ )RRG %DQN ‡ (QVXUH UHFRUGLQJ RI GRQDWLRQV DQG WKH DSSURSULDWH UHFRJQLWLRQ IRU DOO GRQRUV ‡ (QVXUH K\JLHQH DQG FOHDQOLQHVV RI WKH 6KHOWHU ‡ 2WKHU UHODWHG GXWLHV Working conditions ‡ 7KH )URQWOLQH :RUNHU ZLOO ZRUN RXW RI WKH VKHOWHU DW )DLU 6WUHHW ‡ 7KH ZRUN SHULRG LV KRXUV SHU GD\ GD\V RQ GD\V RII 0LQLPXP TXDOLÀFDWLRQV ‡ &ROOHJH /HYHO 'LSORPD LQ D UHODWHG ¿HOG ‡ LH 6RFLDO 6HUYLFHV 'UXJ DQG $OFRKRO RU ‡ )LYH \HDUV RI UHODWHG ZRUN H[SHULHQFH ‡ 9DOLG 2QWDULR 'ULYHUœV /LFHQVH ‡ ([FHOOHQW ZULWWHQ DQG RUDO (QJOLVK VNLOOV ‡ 8QGHUVWDQGLQJ DQG DSSUHFLDWLRQ RI $ERULJLQDO KLVWRU\ DQG FXOWXUH ‡ $ELOLW\ WR XQGHUVWDQG DQG VSHDN 2MLEZD\ RU 2ML &UHH DQ DVVHW 3OHDVH IRUZDUG \RXU UHVXPH ZLWK D FRYHU OHWWHU DQG WKUHH UHIHUHQFHV WR WKH 6LRX[ /RRNRXW 2XW RI WKH &ROG %R[ 6LRX[ /RRNRXW 21 3 7 % SKRQH ID[ RU HPDLO RRWF#EHOOQHW FD E\ )HEUXDU\ 2QO\ FDQGLGDWHV VHOHFWHG IRU DQ LQWHUYLHZ ZLOO EH FRQWDFWHG

13

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

Residential Counsellor is required for full time position. The Residential Counsellor will be responsible for carrying out daily programming, facilitating groups, case conferencing and supervision of clients.

QUALIFICATIONS ‡ Minimum Grade 12 or equivalents; ‡ Child and Youth Worker diploma and/or related discipline an asset; ‡ Experience working with youth in a residential treatment setting; ‡ Excellent time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently; ‡ A thorough understanding of the Child & Family Services Act DQG 0HQWDO +HDOWK $FW D GH¿QLWH DVVHW ‡ Knowledge of child development and therapeutic modalities in working with youth.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY ‡ Ability to take direction and facilitate individualized treatment plans; ‡ Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout District will be an asset; ‡ Must have knowledge and understanding of Native culture, and of the geographic realities and social conditions within remote First Nation Communities; ‡ Must be willing to do shift work; ‡ Must be willing and able to relocate to Sioux Lookout.

Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal Reference Check with a Vulnerable Person’s Sector Check to: Human Resources Department Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority 61 Queen Street, P.O. Box 1300 Sioux Lookout, Ontario P8T 1B8 Phone: (807) 737-1802 Fax: (807) 737-2969 Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com Closing Date: February 22, 2013 The Health Authority wishes to thank all applicants in advance.

However, only those granted an interview will be contacted.

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

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

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Newspaper Production Assistant (part time) Wawatay Native Communications Society serves the communications needs of the people and communities in Northern Ontario. The Society does this through the provision of a variety of multimedia services, including but not limited to: a weekly newspaper, daily native language radio programs, print services, weekly television programming, audio streaming and regularly updated website. These services help to preserve and enhance the languages and culture of the Aboriginal people in Northern Ontario.

Accountability: The Newspaper Production Assistant is accountable to Newspaper editor.

Responsibilities: ‡ 3UHSDUH QHZVSDSHU DG ÀDWV IURP UXQVKHHW HYHU\ )ULGD\ DIWHUQRRQ IURP 1:00pm to 4:30pm, receive approval before end of day. Ensure ad layout is accurate and complies with rules of ad layout. ‡ Assist in editorial page layout on Tuesday starting at 8:30am. Must be able to colour correct photos, work from object libraries, apply paragraph styles. ‡ ,QVHUW FRPSOHWHG DSSURYHG DGV LQWR OD\RXW DQG SUHSDUH QHZVSDSHU ¿OHV IRU print. Send all pages to print by end of day. Must be available for overtime if required. ‡ Quality check all pages, overview and ensure the newspaper is error free. ‡ Other related duties as required.

4XDOLÀFDWLRQV ‡ Strong understanding of print methods, experience with newspaper layout an asset. Other press printing experience will be considered. ‡ 0XVW EH SUR¿FLHQW ZLWK WKH $GREH &UHDWLYH 6XLWH &6 VSHFL¿FDOO\ InDesign and Photoshop. ‡ Must have excellent verbal and written communications skills. ‡ $ \HDU JUDSKLF GHVLJQ VSHFL¿F GLSORPD ZRXOG EH SUHIHUUHG ‡ Print portfolio for review. ‡ The ability to communicate in Ojibway, Oji-Cree or Cree considered an asset. ‡ A high degree of initiative, motivation and the ability to observe FRQ¿GHQWLDOLW\ LV HVVHQWLDO ‡ Excellent time management skills.

Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario Please send resume and portfolio to: Shawn Bell, Wawatay Native Communications Society 620 Victoria Ave E. Suite 202, Thunder Bay ON, P7A 1A9 Email: shawnb@wawatay.on.ca Thanks to all those who apply. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Client Services Department LAUNDRY AIDE Internal/External Posting Casual Employment Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

Internal / External Job Posting for Term Temporary Position

The Laundry Aide is responsible to provide clean laundry for the Hostel facility.

7KH (GXFDWLRQ /LDLVRQ 2IÂżFHU LV UHVSRQVLEOH WR PDQDJH WKH HGXFDWLRQ GHSDUWPHQW DV GLUHFWHG E\ 6KLERJDPD )LUVW 1DWLRQV &RXQFLO 6)1& DQG WKH 6KLERJDPD (GXFDWLRQ $XWKRULW\ FRPSULVHG RI WKH (GXFDWLRQ 'LUHFWRUV IURP PHPEHU FRPPXQLWLHV 7KH FDQGLGDWH ZLOO HQVXUH WKH GHOLYHU\ RI DGYLVRU\ DQG VXSSRUW VHUYLFHV LQ HGXFDWLRQ UHODWHG PDWWHUV WR WKH 6KLERJDPD FRPPXQLWLHV DQG WKHLU ORFDO (GXFDWLRQ $XWKRULWLHV WR HQKDQFH FRPPXQLW\ EDVHG HGXFDWLRQ

QUALIFICATIONS ‡ Minimum Grade 12 or GED; ‡ Previous knowledge of laundry processes an asset; ‡ 3UHYLRXV H[SHULHQFH LQ D KRVSLWDOLW\ ¿HOG DQ DVVHW ‡ Must be independent and self motivated worker; ‡ Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills; ‡ Possess excellent team building and networking skills.

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

EDUCATION LIAISON OFFICER

Duties and Responsibilities Include: % 0XVW ZRUN FORVHO\ ZLWK WKH RWKHU 6)1& PDQDJHUV WR SURYLGH VHUYLFHV WR FRPPXQLWLHV % 5HVSRQVLEOH IRU GHYHORSLQJ DQG PDQDJLQJ WKH RSHUDWLQJ EXGJHW DV DSSURYHG E\ (GXFDWLRQ 'LUHFWRUV DQG WKH &KLHIV % 0DNH UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV WR WKH %RDUG RQ VWDI¿QJ DQG RUJDQL]DWLRQDO VWUXFWXUH WR HQVXUH HIIHFWLYH DQG HI¿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¿QJ QRWHV DQG SUHVHQWDWLRQV IRU 6KLERJDPD &KLHIV % 3URYLGH DQ DQDO\VLV DQG XSGDWHV WR FRPPXQLWLHV RQ DOO DSSOLFDEOH HGXFDWLRQ SROLFLHV UHJXODWLRQV DQG GLUHFWLYHV DQG DGYLVH WKH FRPPXQLWLHV DQG RWKHUV RI WKHLU LPSOLFDWLRQV IRU IXWXUH % 'HYHORS DQG UHYLVH SROLFLHV IRU ORFDO HGXFDWLRQ DXWKRULWLHV 4XDOLÀFDWLRQV 5HTXLUHG % 'HJUHH GLSORPD LQ HGXFDWLRQ DQG RU H[SHULHQFH LQ WKH ¿HOG RI HGXFDWLRQ % ([SHULHQFH LQ ZRUNLQJ ZLWK ERDUGV DQG RU FRPPLWWHHV % (IIHFWLYH FRPPXQLFDWLRQ VNLOOV ÀXHQF\ LQ 2ML &UHH DQG (QJOLVK DQ DVVHW % *RRG RUJDQL]DWLRQDO OHDGHUVKLS DQG WHDFKLQJ VNLOOV % ([SHULHQFH LQ ZULWLQJ SURSRVDOV % 0XVW EH DEOH WR WUDYHO Duration of Employment:

Location: Salary: Start Date:

7HPSRUDU\ SRVLWLRQ WR FRYHU RQH \HDU OHDYH )HEUXDU\ WR 'HFHPEHU

6LRX[ ORRNRXW 2QWDULR &RPPHQVXUDWH ZLWK H[SHULHQFH )HEUXDU\ QHJRWLDEOH

Submit Resume / Application to: %HYHUOH\ &KULVWLQN 6KLERJDPD )LUVW 1DWLRQV &RXQFLO 3 2 %R[ .LQJ 6WUHHW 6LRX[ /RRNRXW 21 3 7 $ 7HO H[W RU )D[ (PDLO EHYF#VKLERJDPD RQ FD 7KDQN \RX IRU DSSO\LQJ 2QO\ WKRVH VXFFHVVIXO FDQGLGDWHV VHOHFWHG IRU LQWHUYLHZ ZLOO EH FRQWDFWHG

14

Wawatay News FEBRUARY 7, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

NEWS BRIEFS Pic River to build coastal trail Announcements

Financial Services

Health Services

Health Services

Mens Barbershop services, hair cuts and shaves, now available in Sioux Lookout. 114 front st.

738-2512. 10-6 Monday-Friday.

DEBT PROBLEMS? (Discuss Your Options.) For free advice: MNP Ltd., Trustee in Bankruptcy.

Local Office: 315 Main Street South, Kenora, ON; Cathy Morris, Estate Manager (807) 468-3338 or Toll Free 866-381-3338. Principal Office: 301-1661 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, MB. Ken Zealand, CA, Trustee. www.mnpdebt.ca

Weeneebayko Area Health Authority Cancer Care Project Wachay, WAHA and the Colon Cancer Check program are looking to increase the number of men and women who are being screened for colorectal cancer in Moosonee, Moose Factory, Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Kashechewan and Peawanuck. If you are aged 50 – 74 and have never been screened or it has been more than two years since your last one, please see your doctor or nurse to get your FOBT kit. All men and women who participate from the communities mentioned will receive a $25 Northern Gift Card (while quantities last) and a chance to win monthly prizes. Check your behind and remind your loved ones to! Sure it takes a little courage to scoop your poop on a stick but cancer is scarier. For more information, please visit www.weeneebaykohealth. ca and click on the Cancer Care Project page. You can also visit us on Facebook on our Weeneebayko Cancer Project page.

Love Yourself, Heal Your Life Workshop. Based on the book “You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay. Come and experience this powerful 2 day workshop which was developed by Louise Hay who has changed the lives of millions of people worldwide. February 23rd and 24th at The Italian Cultural Centre, Thunder Bay. For more information and to register call Judie at “The Reflexology Room” 807-474-1011.

Services Cosco Technology Call Garett Cosco for all your tech needs including computer repair and satellite installation. 807-738-TECH (8324) www.coscotech.ca Cash on the spot for your scrap cars, trucks, vans, and SUV’s. Same day pickup with cash. Call Marcel 6247242 or 626-0161. Thunder Bay area.

Phone disconnected? We can hook you up, no security deposits or credit checks. Best price in town, Call us today and receive 1000 free long distance minuntes. (1-866-391-2700) Handyman – Snow Shoveling, Carpentry, framing & finishing, drywall & mudding, floor tiling & carpeting, plumbing, and painting.

Senior’s discount. Call Don 807-285-2416, Thunder Bay Area.

Try a Wawatay classified ad!

1-888-575-2349

Professional Quality Printing of Business Cards, Brochures, Posters, Banners, Signs and much more. Contact Roxann for more details or to recieve a custom quote. Call 1-888-575-2349.

Wawatay Ads Work!

Call Tom Scura

1-888-575-2349

Health Services Weeneebayko Area Health Authority Cancer Care Project Wachay, WAHA and the Ontario Breast Screening Program are looking to increase the number of women from Moosonee, Moose Factory, Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Kashechewan and Peawanuck to get screened for breast cancer. If you are a woman aged 50 – 74 and have never been screened or it has been more than two years since your last one, please see your doctor or nurse to arrange for a mammogram. Please, help us to put the squeeze on breast cancer.

For more information, please visit www.weeneebaykohealth.ca and click on the Cancer Care Project page. You can also visit us on Facebook on our Weeneebayko Cancer Project page. Meegwetch

30 th

Ann iver sary

The Key to good health is the Immune System. The key to the Immune System is IMMUNOCAL. Why? IMMUNOCAL is the only patented supplement scientifically and clinically proven to optimize your Immune System. IMMUNOCAL provides all the essential amino acids you need to live. Health Canada Approved. Call 807-475-9371 for information.

Heavy Equipment 2008 Front End Loader, low hrs $59,000; Case Backhoe with extend a hoe $33,000; 4 wheel drive and 2004 Chev Duramax diesel, crew cab truck with Boss V plow $28,000. For information call or text 807-276-0050.

Place your classified ad HERE 1-800-243-9059 Pay Full Price for the first week and HALF PRICE for all following weeks!* *Must be the same ad in following weeks to get the special pricing. Cannot be combined with any other offers. All pricing is subject to HST.

Licenced Repair Garage

Grocery Coffee

Dairy Paper Cleaning Supplies

Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services

Access to Justice

53 York St. Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1E1 E-mail: hmcars@bellnet.ca

Tel:807-737-4643 Cell:807-738-0047 Toll Free:877-337-4643

Cars, Trucks, Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Equipment, Towing MTO Safety Inspection, Praxair, Welding & Fabrication

PRECISION AUTO BODY

Serving Nishnawbe-Aski Nation since 1990

Your Business Ad Here

86 S. Cumberland St Thunder Bay, ON P7B 2V3

call Wawatay sales at 1-888-575-2349

1-800-465-5581 807-622-1413 www.nanlegal.on.ca

• Business Cards • Brochures •

For more information contact us @ 345-6595 or visit us at 237 Camelot Street, Thunder Bay

Michael T. George Owner

807-938-7707

“Great product and unparalleled service”

We support individuals who face challenges due to a disability or other barriers to improve their independence. Let us help you achieve your goals.

Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation will be able to provide its services to the James Bay region for another year.

On Jan. 22, FedNor announced it will commit $320,000 to support the ongoing operations of the Wakenagun, an organization that provides small and medium-sized enterprises with access to capital and business counselling services, as well as supporting regional community economic development and planning activities.

Wakenagun is based in Moose Factory and serves the James and Hudson Bay communities, including Fort Severn, Peawanuck, Attawapiskat, Kashechewan, Fort Albany, Moosonee, Taykwa Tagamou, Chapleau Cree, and Missanabie Cree.

It has previously provided business loans to entrepreneurs within the communities for ventures such as bed and breakfast lodgings and the Cree Village Eco Lodge in Moose Factory.

“We are proud to work in partnership with the government of Canada and FedNor to create employment and support business development and growth in the James Bay region,” said Bill Cachagee, chair of the Wakenagun, in a press release. “Today’s announcement will ensure entrepreneurs and businesses throughout the area continue to have access to the resources they need to be successful.”

Wakenagun is one of 24 community futures development corporations (CFDC) funded by FedNor to serve northern Ontario businesses and communities. CFDCs are community-based, notfor-profit organizations run by volunteer boards and staffed by experienced business and economic development professionals.

“working & living in your community”

Protein Beverage

Employment & Community Supports

Wakenagun receives funding for another year

Jason Kirouac For all your northern Foodservice needs!

WANTED

The Ojibways of the Pic River are planning a coastal trail to protect sand dunes and natural habitat from the mouth of the Pic River to Heron Bay on Lake Superior.

“Congratulations to the Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation and their partners for taking steps to protect Lake Superior,” said Environment Minister Jim Bradley. “This is a great example of groups coming together to help ensure that our Great Lakes are drinkable, swimmable and fishable.”

Pic River received a $21,340 grant through Ontario’s Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund to develop the coastal trail along with the Voyageur Trail Association and Trans Canada Trail.

Signage along the boardwalk trail will identify points of historical and environmental interest.

The Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund was developed to provide grants to grassroots community groups for activities such as cleaning up a beach or shoreline, restoring a wetland or creating a coastal or riverside trail.

• Legal-Aid • Community-Based Justice • Alternative to Child Welfare • Victim Witness Assistance

Thunder Bay: 1-807-344-3022 Toll Free: 1-888-575-2349 Email: roxys@wawatay.on.ca

Contact us for more details or to receive a custom quote Posters • Banners/Signs • and much more…

Make it easy for your customers to find you.

Business & Service Directory ads do just that.

To book call Tom Scura at 1-888-575-2349

Wawatay News

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

15

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

From reporter to helper A life-changing experience helping at Victoria Island behind to catch up, Raymond crouched. Wincing, he said he wasn’t feeling well. He got up and walked when the rally proceeded, but stopped again. He said he was light-headed and had a pain in his abdomen. Police asked if he wanted a ride back to camp but he said no. He recovered a bit and marched on.

A block later, he stopped again, this time on his own. I thought for sure he wouldn’t be able to go any further. The whole rally stopped, the organizer saying: “We won’t leave a warrior behind.”

Then the organizer called for women drummers to come up.

Within a minute we were encircled by these women, singing for Raymond. I stood behind him and a woman asked me to move.

She had her hand extended toward him. I’m praying for him, she said. Another woman smudged him with sage.

The song stopped. Raymond got up for a second but bent back down. It wasn’t looking good.

Then he stood up again. He looked behind and put his arm in the air, acknowledging the crowd, telling them he was OK. He never showed weakness again during the march and proceeded with the rally with more energy than I had seen him, shouting “You can’t stop me, Harper.”

Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

I did not know what to expect when I first approached the gates to Victoria Island on Dec. 20.

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence was on her 10th day of fasting in a teepee and I was there primarily to report on it and the upcoming Idle No More rally.

But within me, I wanted to show my support for her. I’ve known her since I was a child when she and her family lived in Moosonee.

And since I am a member of Attawapiskat, she is my chief.

I heard drums as I walked up to the gates. I entered and a helper welcomed me and asked me to sign a guest book.

And I saw the famous teepee where Theresa was conducting her fast. A helper stood watch. I recognized him.

It was Pat Etherington Jr., who I had went to school with in Moosonee. I ran into him last year at a Truth and Reconciliation Commission event in Halifax. He had been one of Theresa’s helpers since Dec. 15.

“I’m running into you all over the place,” he joked.

I would see many people I knew or who knew my parents during my time on the island.

From the start, there was a lot of positivity and love in the camp.

That day, many visitors came from all over to take part in the upcoming rally.

At the PM’s doors

Ceremonies of various kinds occurred each day. One of the duties as a helper was to offer visitors a smudge and tobacco as an offering to the fire.

A young woman said she left Saskatoon days earlier with $1.25 in her pocket and paintings she planned to sell.

She was denied access to the teepee because Theresa was resting, but she happened to meet her when Theresa stepped out.

“I never thought I would make it here,” she said, and began to cry. “And now she just accepted my paintings.”

Theresa was surprised to see me as I stepped in for my visit, recognizing me.

She was tired but she was doing well.

When I was a kid, my cousin and I were climbing a tree and jumping into the snow. My hood got caught and I was just hanging there, almost choking. My cousin ran to Theresa’s, the nearest house, and her partner at the time came and got me down.

After talking with Theresa at Victoria Island, I was about to leave when she said, “don’t go hanging on trees now” and we laughed. It was a memory I had almost forgotten.

Despite her suffering, Theresa was in high spirits. Her laughter was contagious and could be heard frequently from outside the teepee.

Days after the rally, I gave serious consideration to staying in Ottawa over the holidays, to stay on the island with Theresa and the other helpers. But I had family up north expecting me.

When I returned to Ottawa on Jan. 3, I was welcomed like a family member.

My plan at the time was to stay a few nights at a hostel before going back to Thunder Bay. I told this to Edmond, one of

Photo by Tonya Fawn

Lenny Carpenter, a member of Attawapiskat, leads the march back to Victoria Island from Parliament Hill during the Jan. 11 Idle No More rally. Carpenter initially went to Ottawa to report on Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s fast for Wawatay and then became one of her helpers. Spence gave him the honour of carrying her eagle staff during the rally. the helpers.

“Theresa wouldn’t want you to stay in a hostel,” he said. “Stay in a tent over there. We’ll set up a bed for you.”

And that is how I became a helper. Each morning I’d wake up, have a smoke and coffee, sit by the sacred fire, and then help out anyway I could.

I helped with tending the fires, supporting the ceremonies, welcoming visitors, and watching over the door to the teepee.

It was almost pointless to askwhat the plan for the day was.

Events unfolded naturally.

Being on Victoria Island was an experience of spirituality and love.

Ceremonies of various kinds occurred each day. One of the duties as a helper was to offer visitors a smudge and tobacco as an offering to the fire.

And all kinds of visitors came by, from different parts of Canada, from different races, creeds and religions.

One day a group of Crees from Treaty 6 in Alberta showed up to conduct a ceremony for Theresa. They brought along a sacred bundle and pipe that was used at the signing of the treaty and was passed down over five generations.

A group of Muslims came by one Sunday. They offered a gift for Theresa and when I offered a smudge, they gratefully accepted.

One of them explained to his son what to do.

“It’s cleansing,” he told him.

Nearly everyday I was asked by a visitor if there was anything they could do to help. I always said I don’t know, because we received food and money donations everyday.

A chief in a headdress turned to me, knowing I was carrying Theresa’s eagle staff. “Are we doing the right thing right now?” he asked.

“Should we be doing this?”

About a week after I became a helper, Pat presented me with a strip of red fabric. Most helpers wore one as an arm band, signifying their role. I gave him a tobacco offering and proudly wore it from that day.

Carrying the staff I woke up on the morning of Jan. 11 expecting to go into reporter mode for the day’s Idle No More rally. Like at the Dec. 21 rally, I planned to be on sidelines taking photos and conducting interviews.

But as we prepared for Theresa to hold a press conference, someone asked her who should carry her eagle staff since her spokesman was attending meetings.

“She said Lenny should carry

it,” came the reply, and I was stunned.

We did the press conference and Theresa addressed the crowd gathered on the island who were taking part in the rally. She said she was proud of them for standing up for First Nations rights, and added a wish.

“When you do this rally,” she said, “do it with peace and love.”

People cheered as she went back into her teepee, then the rally began.

“Lead the way, Lenny,” a helper told me, and I was the first one out through the camp gates.

So there I was. Instead of watching from a distance, I was leading hundreds, if not thousands, of people from Victoria Island to begin the march to Parliament Hill.

Once we got on the road, which police had blocked off for us, we allowed the marchers to assemble and we lined up, staff and flag carriers at the front.

And we marched.

Since I was carrying Theresa’s staff, I made sure to walk alongside Cross Lake Elder Raymond Robinson and Mi’kmaq sundance warrior Joseph Jean Sock. They were fasting on Victoria Island in solidarity with Theresa. That’s who she would be marching with, I thought.

‘We won’t leave a warrior behind’ During a stop to allow those

As we reached the gates to Parliament Hill, someone informed the crowd that Prime Minister Stephen Harper was meeting with chiefs in the Langevin Block, the official home of the prime minister’s office and right across from Parliament Hill.

The crowd converged around the building.

I was into it at first. Let’s show Harper we’re here, I thought.

Songs and chants were punctuated with the pounding of the drums.

But things began to grow intense. Anger appeared.

They began to knock at the door of the building, calling for Harper to come out. Women called for non-violence.

I was right on the doorsteps, holding the staff, watching everything unfold and feeling the anger, the negative energy.

All Idle No More protests were peaceful. This was getting ugly.

Then a chief in a headdress turned to me, knowing I was carrying Theresa’s eagle staff.

“Are we doing the right thing right now?” he asked. “Should we be doing this?”

I remembered Theresa’s words that morning, to rally with peace and love.

“No,” I told him. “I don’t like this. Theresa wouldn’t want this.

I think we should go to Parliament Hill.”

He reflected for a moment.

“OK, lead the way and we’ll follow,” he said.

So I asked for people to move, telling them I was going to Parliament Hill. I was joined by some of the helpers and Theresa’s daughters, and they followed me as I went up to the steps of the Hill.

Soon, the crowd filled the grounds, including the chief who had asked me what to do.

The rally proceeded peacefully and the speeches began.

As some talked, I thought I should say something, to reiterate Theresa’s message on Victoria Island.

I was given the microphone and I told the 4,000 people

assembled the story of being at Harper’s doors and what the chief asked me, and remembering Theresa’s words.

“I’m feeling the love right now,” I said, and some cheered.

“Are you feeling the love?”

Hearing the cheers from the crowd was incredible as I asked if they loved the land, the water, and each other.

Following the speeches, there was a round dance and then someone offered the idea of marching back to the island.

I led the way alongside Theresa’s daughters, everyone following my pace, respecting the staff.

Leaving the island Two days later, I left the island to fly back to Thunder Bay. As I went back to my apartment and my daily routine, I felt a great sense of disconnect, a void within myself.

I was not a spiritual person in my day-to-day life, but after being around it so much on a daily basis on the island, I missed it. I felt incomplete without it.

The daily smudging, the tobacco offerings, the drums, the cedar.

I made a new family. We, the helpers and close supporters, became a tight-knit group. We had laughed together, undergone challenges together.

Tears were shed.

And I missed the people, the daily visitors, the helpers who dedicated themselves to the cause and to Theresa.

When I returned to the island on Jan. 23, I was greeted with many hugs and handshakes.

“Welcome home,” one Elder said to me. And it felt that way.

I was glad to be on the island again, even if just for another night.

The next day, a ceremony was held for Theresa to honour her fast.

I was glad to be there for that, to be there for the end. The next day, the camp was disassembled.

The teepee and tents were taken down.The sacred fire was ashes.

I paid a visit to the site before I caught my flight back to Thunder Bay. I recalled all the visitors that walked through the gates, the ceremonies conducted by the fire, and the drum songs and prayers that continue to resonate within those wooden gates.

My experience there opened my eyes to the strength of our people, the power of our spiritual ways. It changed me for the better. I learned so much about our traditions and spirituality.

And I made a new family. We, the helpers and close supporters, became a tight-knit group.

On the last morning, we gathered in the teepee and shared our experiences. We had laughed together, undergone challenges together. We put any differences we might have had aside and worked together for Theresa.

Tears were shed.

We’re still in touch, most of us, and promised to reunite at the island at some point.

Being on Victoria Island was the experience of a lifetime. It was a life-changing event and I’ll never forget it. I feel so honoured and grateful to have been a part of it.

It was a special place and time for our people, even if most were not there.

16

Wawatay News FEBRUARY 7, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

TOGETHER, WE’RE STRONGER. WE’VE CERTIFIED 100% OF THE WOODLANDS WE MANAGE TO INTERNATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT STANDARDS. Thanks to our 9,000 dedicated employees, we continue to be a global leader in the forest products industry. With world-class safety standards and world-class talent on our side, we’ll always be able to proudly protect and support the environment as well as the hometown communities where we live and work.

To learn more, visit resolutefp.com/sustainability

Richard Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer