December 19, 2013 Volume 40 Number 44

PM#0382659799

Christmas spirit is in the air PAGE B4-B11 Vol. 40 No. 44

Fort Hope shaves heads for youth PAGE 14

Artisans display various works PAGE 13 8000 copies distributed

December 19, 2013 Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

www.wawataynews.ca

Seeking Justice

Courtesy of Nishnawbe Aski Nation

Survivors of St. Anne’s Indian Residential School, along with leaders and supporters, meet with press during a rally just to prior a court hearing at the Ontario Superior Court in Toronto on Dec. 17. The survivors are seeking access to documents from a police investigation in the 1990s that would support their claims of abuse in the residential school, but they say the federal government is withholding the documents, citing privacy issues. See story on page 3.

ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐅᑭ ᑭᑕᑭᒪᐣ ᒪᐣᑌᓫᐊᐊᐧᐣ ᐊᐱ ᑲᔭᓂ ᓇᐦᐃᓂᒪᑲᓄᓂᐨ ᕑᐃᐠ ᑲᕑᐃᐠ ᐊᐧᐊᐧᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ

ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᔕᐧᐣ ᐁᐃᐣᔓᐟ ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ ᐅᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑐᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᐃᔑᒋᑫ ᒥᓇ ᑭᒥᑭᐁᐧ ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᒥᑲᐧᓇᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᓀᓫᓴᐣ ᒪᐣᑌᓫᐊ ᐅᒪᒥᑯᐣᑕᑯᐃᐧ ᒪᒪᐃᐧ ᐊᔭᒥᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᑐᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐁᐧᑎ ᓴᐅᐠ ᐊᑊᕑᐃᑲ ᒪᑲᑌᐃᐧᔭᓯᐃᐧᐊᐦᑭᐠ. “ᑲᓂᒪᐧᔦ ᐊᐱᑕᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᓄᑯᑦ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᐅᒪ ᒍᐦᐊᐣᐢᐳᕑᐠ, ᓂᑭᒋᓀᑕᐣ ᑲᐃᓯᓭᐠ ᒋᑭᐱᔕᔭᐣ ᑲᓇᐦᐃᓇᑲᓂᐃᐧᐨ ᒪᑎᐸ (ᓀᓫᓴᐣ ᒪᐣᑌᓫᐊ),” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒪᑯᔐᑭᔑᑲᓂᐱᓯᑦ 11 ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᓂᔕᐦᐊᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᑌ ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᓇᐣ ᐱᓫ ᐸᐧᐣᑌᐢ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᑲᑭᑕᔑᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐊᐧᐸᐣ. “ᓂᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᐣ ᓂᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐊᔭᒥᐦᐊᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑭᐅᒋ ᐊᔭᒥᒋᑫᑕᒪᐊᐧᑲᐧ ᑲᑭᓇ ᓂᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᒪᐠ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᑌᑎᐸᐦᐃ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ. ᓂᑭᐊᐧᑲᓇᐱᐦᐃᑎᒥᐣ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᐅᓂᑲᓂᐡᑲᒪᑫᐠ ᐁᑭᐊᔑᑕᐱᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᓂᑭᒥᓇ ᓴᐅᐠ ᐊᑊᕑᐃᑲ ᒪᑲᑌᐃᐧᔭᓯᐃᐧᐊᐦᑭᐃᐧ ᑭᒋᐅᓇᔓᐁᐧᐃᑭᒪ ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᒥᑲᐧᓇᐣ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑭᑌᑕᒧᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐃᓀᑫ ᓂᑭᐃᓇᑫᑲᐸᐃᐧᑕᐊᐧ,

ᐁᑭᐊᓂᑫᒥᓇᐠ ᒥᑐᓂ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᒋᑲᓇᐁᐧᓂᒪᐨ ᒋᑕᑯᐃᐧᓇᐨ ᐁᐧᑎ ᒪᑎᐸ ᐅᑕᑭᒥᐠ ᒋᐊᔑᒋᓂᐣᑲᐦᐊᑲᓄᐨ ᐃᓂᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᒥᑲᓇᐣ.” ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᒥᑲᓇᐧᐣ ᐅᑭᒥᓇᐣ ᑭᒋᐅᓇᔓᐁᐧᐃᑭᒪᐣ ᐁᐅᐣᒋ ᑭᑭᓇᐊᐧᒋ ᐊᐧᐸᑕᐦᐊᐨ ᒥᓄᐃᐧᒋᐃᐧᑎᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐁᐅᒋ ᒪᒥᑯᐦᐊᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᓂᑫᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᐱᐃᐧᒋᑕᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᒪ ᒪᒥᑯᐣᑲᑫᐃᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᐠ. “ᐊᐱ ᑲᐃᐡᑲᐧ ᑭᔑᒋᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᓂᐣᑭᒪᒥᑯᐦᐊᒪᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᑭᑲᓄᓇᑲᐧ ᑲᑭᓇ ᑲᑭᓇᑐᒥᐧᑕ ᑲᑭᓂᑲᓀᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ, ᐊᔑᐨ ᑲᔦ ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪ ᐢᑎᐱᐣ ᐦᐊᕑᐳᕑ, ᒋᑭᐁᐧᐃᐧᑐᔭᐠ ᒪᑎᐸ ᑲᑭᐱᔑ ᐱᒪᓄᑲᑕᐠ ᒥᓄᐃᐧᒋᐃᐧᑎᐃᐧᓂ, ᐃᐁᐧ ᑕᐡ ᐁᔑᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᒋᑭᒋᓀᓂᒥᑎᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᓇ ᑲᐃᐧᒋᐸᐸᒥᓯᒥᑎᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ, ᐊᔑᐨ ᑲᔦ ᒋᑭᒋᓀᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᒪᐡᑲᐃᐧᓯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᒥᓇ ᒋᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᐃᐧᑕᐧ ᑲᐅᐣᑕᑲᓀᓯᐊᐧᐨ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ. “ᔕᑯᐨ ᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᑎᐸ ᑲᑭᐱᔑᐊᐧᐸᑕᐦᐃᐁᐧᐨ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᐱ ᐱᒪᑎᓯᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐃᒪ ᐅᑕᓄᑭᐃᐧᓂᐠ, ᒥᐦᐃᒪ ᑫᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᑲᐡᑭᒋᑲᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᒥᓄᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒥᑐᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᐅᒋ ᑫᐧᑭᓂᑫᒪᑲᐠ.” ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐱ ᑲᑭᐊᐣᑕᐃᐧ ᐊᔭᐨ

Cargo Services

ᒪᐣᑌᓫᐊ ᐅᒪᒥᑯᐣᑕᑯᐃᐧ ᒪᒪᐃᐧ ᐊᔭᒥᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒪᑯᔐᑭᔑᑲᓂᐱᓯᑦ 9-10, ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ ᑲᔦ ᐅᑭᐱᒋᓂᔕᐦᐊᐣ ᑲᑭᒪᓯᓇᑌᓯᑐᐨ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᓂᔕᐦᐊᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᐅᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᑲᑭᐊᐧᐸᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᐁᐧ ᒪᓯᓇᑌᓯᒋᑲᐣ ᒋᐃᓇᑲᐧᐦᐊᒪᐣ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=V5ThyvYtkLs. ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐢᑕᐣ ᐯᕑᑎ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᒪᐣᑌᓫᐊ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᑯ ᐅᑭ ᑭᒋᓀᓂᒥᑯᐣ ᒥᔑᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑌᑎᐸᑲᒥᐠ ᒥᓂᑯᐠ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᑭᐱᔑ ᑲᐡᑭᐦᐅᐨ ᑲᑭᐊᐸᐦᐊᐠ ᒪᑲᑌᐃᐧᔭᓯᐊᐦᑭᓂ ᐸᑲᓂᐦᐃᑯᐃᐧᓂᐠ. “ᑲᑭᐊᐸᐦᐅᐣᑕᐧ ᒪᔭᑦ ᑎᐱᓇᐁᐧ ᐃᒪ ᒪᑲᑌᐃᐧᔭᓯᐃᐧᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᐊᐧᐨ ᐸᑲᓂᐦᐃᑯᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒥᐦᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᒋᒥᓴᐁᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᑭᑌᐱᓇᒧᐊᐧᐸᐣ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐯᕑᑎ, ᐁᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᑲᓄᑫᒧᐁᐧᐨ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᐁᑲ ᒪᐣᑌᓫᐊ ᐅᐁᐧ ᑭᑐᑕᑭᐸᐣ, ᒥᔑᐣ ᒪᑲᑌᐃᐧᔭᓴᐠ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᑕᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᑌᐱᓇᓇᐊᐧᓯᐸᐣ ᐸᔭᑕᑭᓭᐃᐧᓂ ᒥᓇ ᒥᓄᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒥᑐᐃᐧᓂ ᓄᑯᑦ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᓂᐠ. ᐊᓇᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᐣᑌᓫᐊ ᐯᔑᑲᐧ ᐅᑭᐃᔑᓂᑲᓂᑯᐸᓂᐣ ᒥᔑᐣ ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᐠ

ᐅᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐠ ᑐᑲᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐃᐧᔭ ᑲᑲᑫᐧᑕᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐨ, ᐯᕑᑎ ᐃᑭᑐ ᓄᑯᑦ ᑕᐡ ᐃᔑᑭᑭᓇᐊᐧᑕᐸᑕᐦᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᐸᑯᓭᐣᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᑫᑯᐣ ᑲᑭᐱᓂᐁᐧᒪᑲᐠ ᒋᑭᑲᐡᑭᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᒋᐸᑭᓇᒋᑲᑌᐠ. “ᑭᓇᐃᐧᐟ ᑕᐡ ᑲᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧᔭᐠ, ᑭᓂᓯᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᒥᐣ ᑲᑭᐱᔑᓇᓇᑭᐡᑲᐠ ᓀᓫᓴᐣ ᒪᐣᑌᓫᐊ ᑫᑭᓇᐃᐧᐟ ᑲᐱᒥ ᑲᑲᐧᑕᑭᑐᔭᐠ ᐁᑲ ᑲᑎᐱᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒥᑯᔭᐠ ᐅᒪ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᐯᕑᑎ. “ᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᑭᓇᑯᑐᐣ ᑲᑭᐱᔑ ᐊᐧᐸᐣᑕᐠ, ᑲᑭᐱᔑ ᐸᑭᑎᓂᑎᓱᐨ ᒥᓇ ᓴᑲᒪᐨ ᐃᓀᑫ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐱᒪᓄᑲᑕᐠ ᒋᑭᔕᑯᑎᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᑭᐸᐧᒧᑲᓂᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ. ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᑕᐡ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐅᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐠ ᑲᑫᐧᓇᐱᓇᐊᐧᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᑲᑭᐱᑐᑕᐠ ᒪᐣᑌᓫᐊ ᑲᑭᒪᐃᐧᓀᐦᐊᐠ ᒪᒉᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂ, ᓇᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᑕᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᒥᓄᓭᒥᓇᐸᐣ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᑲᑕᔑᐱᒪᑎᓯᔭᐠ.” ᐯᕑᑎ ᐃᑭᑐ ᒪᐣᑌᓫᐊ ᐸᑯᓭᓂᒧᐃᐧᓂᐠ, ᓱᑭᑌᐦᐁᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐃᐧᒋᑲᐸᐃᐧᑕᑐᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐅᑭᐃᔑᓂᐸᐃᐧᑕᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑭᐱᐊᓂᑫᐅᐣᒋ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑲᔭᐡ ᑲᑭᐱᓇᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ. “ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐱᒧᑐᐨ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ, ᑭᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᑲᐧᓂ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᑭᐱᔑ ᐱᒥᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐊᐧᑲᓄᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐱᒥᑭᑭᓄᐡᑲᑯᐨ ᐅᑭᒋᐦᐊᒪᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑲᑭᐱᐅᐣᒋᐨ ᐅᑕᑭᒥᐠ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᐯᕑᑎ.

“ᑲᔦ ᑕᐡ ᓂᑐᒋ ᐊᔭᒥᒋᑫᑕᒪᐊᐧᒥᐣ ᒥᓇ ᓂᒥᒋᐁᐧᓯᑕᒪᐊᐧᒥᐣ ᑲᑭᓇᑲᓂᑕᐧ ᐊᐧᑯᒪᑲᓇᐠ, ᐃᑭᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑕᓯᐣ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᒥ ᐊᓱᐡᑲᒪᐊᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑭᑭᓄᐡᑲᒪᐊᐧᐊᐧᐨ 95 ᑕᓱᔭᑭ ᑲᑭᐱᒪᑎᓯᐨ.” ᐁᑲᐧ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᒪᐡᑭᑯ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᐅᑭᐃᔑᓂᔕᐦᐊᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᐊᐧᒋᔦᒥᐁᐧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐁᐧᑎ ᒪᑲᑌᐃᐧᔭᓯᐊᐦᑭᐠ, ᐁᑭᐃᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᑲᐸᐃᐧᑕᒪᐊᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᑲᑌᐃᐧᔭᓴᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᒪᑌᐊᓂᓭᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐅᒪᒐᑭᒥᑯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐅᒪ ᑲᓇᑕ ᒥᓇ ᑌᑎᐸᑲᒥᐠ ᐊᔑᐨ ᒪᒪᐃᐧᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ. “ᒥᐦᐅᒪ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᑎᓇᒪᐠ ᒪᐡᑲᐃᐧᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᒥᓇ ᓂᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᒋᑭᐡᑲᑯᒥᐣ ᒪᐣᑌᓫᐊ ᒥᓇ ᐅᐃᐧᑕᓄᑭᒪᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᑲ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᔕᑫᐧᓂᒧᐊᐧᐨ, ᐅᑕᐃᑲᒣᓂᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ, ᐅᑕᐸᓭᓂᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ, ᐅᔕᔑᐯᐣᑕᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ, ᒥᓇ ᑲᑭᐃᔑ ᑭᒋᐸᑭᑎᓂᑎᓱᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᑭᐊᓂᑕᑲᐧᓂᐠ ᒥᓄᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒥᑐᐃᐧᓂ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᒪᑎᔪ ᑯᐣᑲᑦ. “ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᐁᓇᐃᐧᓇᑲᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᑲᑫᐧᑌᐱᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᑎᐱᓇᐁᐧ ᐅᓀᓂᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ ᒪᑲᑌᐃᐧᔭᓯᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐱᑯ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐊᐢᑕᕑᐃᓫᐃᔭ, ᑭᒋᒧᑯᒪᐣᐊᐦᑭᐠ, ᑲᓇᑕ ᒥᓇ ᓂᔪ ᓯᓫᐊᐣᐟ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᐸᐸᑲᐣ.”

With over 15 years experience, Wasaya Airways is equipped to transport numerous goods such as food, lumber, gas & diesel fuel, boats, motors, snowmachines, medical and ofÀce supplies.

1.807.928.2244 Pickle Lake | 1.807.662.1119 Red Lake

Call us for all your transportation needs.

Connecting Communities • 1.877.492.7292 • www.wasaya.com

2

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

THIS

WEEK IN

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

WAWATAY NEWS...

ᓭᐣᐠ ᐊᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᐡᑯᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᒪᒋᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ

ᒋᕑᐃᑎ #3 ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᑭᐅᓇᑭᒪᑲᓄ ᒋᐊᐱᑕᒪᑫᐨ ᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐡᑭᑫᐃᐧ ᐊᐱᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ

ᓭᐣᐟ ᐊᐣ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᑲᑭᐃᐡᑯᓄᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐃᐧᒋᑲᐸᐃᐧᑕᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᐸᐸᒪᑲᐧᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑐᕑᓱᐣᑐ ᑲᒋᐅᑌᓇᐠ ᐊᐱ ᑲᐊᓂᐅᒋᒋᓭᓂᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᑲᑭᐊᓂᒪᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᑯᔐᑭᔑᑲᓂᐱᓯᑦ 17 ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓱᐨ. ᑲᑭᔕᐳᐡᑲᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑭᐱᑲᑲᑫᐧᒋᒪᐊᐧᐸᓂᐣ ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᐣ ᒋᐸᑭᑕᔓᐊᐧᑕᒥᓂᐨ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᑲᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᑭᐣ ᑲᑭᒪᑕᓄᑲᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ 1990 ᑲᓂᐅᐡᑭᓭᐠ ᐅᓇᓇᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᓂᒥᑯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑲᑭᔭᓂ ᐊᑭᐣᑕᒪᐃᐧᑕᐧᐸᐣ ᐊᑎᐟ ᐸᑲᐧᐃᔑᐃᐧ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐃᐧ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᓇᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᓄᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᑕᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᓄᐣ ᒋᑌᐯᐧᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᑲᑭ ᑲᑲᐧᑕᑭᐦᐃᑕᐧᐸᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᐊᐊᐧᔑᔑᐃᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐃᒪ ᓭᐣᐟ ᐊᐣ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ, ᑲᑭᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᐱᑕᐯᑯᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᐃᓇᒋᒪᑲᓄ ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪ ᐁᑲᑫᐧᑲᑐᐨ ᐃᓂᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ. ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪ ᑕᐡ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᑯᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᑎᐡᑯᓂᐠ ᐁᐧᑎ ᒋᐃᔑᐃᐧᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᒪᒥᔑᑫᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐊᓂᐡ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔑᑲᐠ ᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐊᓄᑲᑌ ᓇᓇᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ.

ᒋᕑᐃᑎ #3 ᐅᑭᒋᑕ ᐊᐧᕑᐃᐣ ᐊᐧᔾᐟ ᓄᑯᒥᑫ ᑭᐅᓇᑭᒪᑲᓄ ᒋᐊᓂᑫ ᓂᑲᓂᐡᑲᒪᑫᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐡᑭᑫᐃᐧ ᐊᐱᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᐅᑯᐁᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐃᔑᒪᒪᐃᐧᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᑕᐃᓇᓄᑭᐊᐧᐠ ᒋᐊᐧᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᐊᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑭᒋᐅᑕᔭᒥᑕᒪᑫᐣ ᐊᐣᑎ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ ᑫᑭᔭᓄᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧ ᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐡᑭᑫᐃᐧ ᐊᐱᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᐅᓇᒋᑲᑌᐸᐣ ᐊᐱ ᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᑭᒪ ᑊᕑᐊᐣᐠ ᔭᑲᐳᒋ ᑲᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᑭᐸᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᐡᑲᐧᐃᐧᐣᑕᑭᐸᐣ ᑫᑯᓀᓇᐣ ᑲᓇᓄᑌᓭᑭᐣ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᒪᔭᑦ ᒋᐅᓇᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ, ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᐅᒋ ᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒥᐣᑕᐧ ᐃᒪ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐅᓇᔓᐁᐧᐃᐧᑭᒪᔑᔑᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᐱᓯᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑎᐸᑯᓂᑲᓄᐊᐧᐨ.

Page 7 Grand Council Treaty #3 grand chief appointed to justice advisory group Grand Council Treaty #3 Ogichidaa Warren White was recently appointed to co-chair the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group.

The group would provide advice to the Ontario Attorney General on how to improve how the Ontario justice system impacts Aboriginal peoples.

The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group was established in response to one of the key recommendations of the Honourable Frank Iacobucci’s report, First Nations Representation on Ontario Juries.

Page 3 Rally for St. Anne’s survivors as court begins Survivors of St. Anne’s residential school and supporters rallied in Toronto just as the Ontario Superior Court was set to hear their case on Dec. 17.

The survivors have been calling on the federal government to release documents from an Ontario Provincial Police investigation in the 1990s that led to the conviction of several Catholic school administrators.

The documents would support their claims of abuse suffered at St. Anne’s, based in Fort Albany First Nation, and the survivors accuse the feds of hiding evidence.

The federal government has said the survivors need to go through the provincial court system to access the documents since the OPP conducted the investigation.

ᐸᓫᑯᕑ ᐅᐃᐧᒋᑲᐸᐃᐧᑕᐣ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᓂ

ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ

ᐊᐸᒪᑐᐠ ᐸᐡᑲᐧᐱᑭᑎᑲᐧᓀᐊᐧᐠ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᑫᐊᐧᐨ Fort Hope community members shaved their heads to fundraise towards a youth conference in February 2014 (top); Survivors of St. Anne’s residential school, including Fort Albany’s Edmund Metatawabin, hope the Ontario Superior Court will release documents that support their claims of abuse (bottom right); and AANDC Minister Bernard Valcourt (bottom left) reaffirmed his support for the proposed First Nations Education Act in an open letter to the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo.

ᐃᐡᑯᓄᐃᐧ

ᐊᓇᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᑲᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑭᒪᐡᑲᐃᐧ ᑲᓄᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐁᐊᓀᐧᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪ ᑲᐃᐧᑲᑫᐧ ᐅᓇᑐᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᐃᐧ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᓂ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᑭᒋᔓᓂᔭᐃᐧᑭᒪ ᐯᕑᓇᕑᐟ ᐸᓫᑯᕑ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᐅᐃᐧᒋᑲᐸᐃᐧᑕᐣ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᑲᐃᐧᐃᔑ ᐅᓇᒋᑫᓂᐨ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᐣ. ᐅᑭᓇᑫᐧᐁᐧᔑᑐᓇᐸᐣ ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᔕᐧᐣ ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ ᐅᑐᔑᐱᐦᐃᑲᐣ, ᐸᓫᑯᕑ ᐅᑭᐃᔑᓂᑲᑕᐣ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᐅᓇᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᐅᒋ ᒪᐡᑲᐃᐧᑲᐸᐃᐧᐊᐧᐨ. “ᑲᐃᐧᐅᓇᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐅᐡᑭ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑕᓄᒋ ᒪᐡᑲᐃᐧᐸᑲᐃᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑲᓂᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᓇᐊᐧ ᑫᓂᔑᐸᐸᒥᓯᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧᑭᒪᐃᐧ ᐱᒧᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑎᐡᑯᓄᐃᐧ ᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐯᑭᐡ ᐁᑲ ᑲᑕᐨ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐱᒥᐃᐧᑕᒪᐃᐧᐣᑕᐧ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᐱᒧᑕᒪᐃᐧᐣᑕᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᓄᑯᑦ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᑲᐃᓯᓭᐊᐧᐨ,” ᑭᐃᓇᓯᓇᐦᐃᑫ ᐸᓫᑯᕑ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᑭᐃᔑᓂᔕᐦᐊᒪᐊᐧᐣ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᒪᒪᐃᐧᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐱ ᒪᑯᔐᑭᔑᑲᓂᐱᓯᑦ 13. ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ ᐃᑭᑐ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐅᐱᒥᓇᓇᑲᒋᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᐃᔑᓇᑫᐧᐁᐧᔑᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᒪᓯᓇᐦᐊᒪᑯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ.

Valcourt stands by First Nations Education Act Although First Nation leaders and community members have firmly rejected the federal government’s Proposal for a Bill on First Nation Education, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of Canada Minister Bernard Valcourt is still standing by his proposed legislation.

In a response to a letter from National Chief Shawn Atleo, Valcourt said the proposed act would empower First Nations.

“The proposed bill strengthens and entrenches the roles and responsibilities of First Nation governments and education authorities, while reducing the day to day powers of the minister and the department from what they are today,” Valcourt wrote in an open letter to the Assembly of First Nations chiefs on Dec. 13.

Atleo said they are reviewing the response.

ᑲᐃᐧᐅᐡᑲᑎᓯᐃᐧ

ᐯᔑᑯᔕᑊ ᐊᐸᒪᑐᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᐸᐡᑲᐧᐱᑭᑎᑲᐧᓀᔕᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᐃᐧᐅᓇᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓯᐃᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᑯᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᒋᑫᐊᐧᐨ $3,140 ᑭᔓᓂᔭᑫᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᐸᐡᑲᐧᐱᑭᑎᑲᐧᓀᔓᐣᑕᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᐡᑲᑎᓄᐱᓯᑦ 30. ᐸᐣᑭ ᔓᓂᔭᐣ ᐅᑲᐃᔑᐸᑭᑎᓇᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᓀᑎᔭᐣ ᑲᐣᓱᕑ ᐊᓴᔭᑎ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᔑᐃᐧ ᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑐᕑᐊᐣᑐ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐃᒪ ᐅᑲᐃᔑᐊᐸᒋᐦᐊᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᐅᐡᑲᑎᓯᐃᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑭᔐᐱᓯᒧᐣ 2014. ᐁᐧᑎ ᓇᑐᑕᒧᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᑭᑕᔑ ᐸᐡᑲᐧᐱᑭᑎᑲᐧᓀᔕᐧᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᓇ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᐃᒪ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑭᑕᐃᐧᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᓇᑐᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᐅᒋᓄᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᒋᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ.

Page 3

Fort Hope shaves heads for youth conference Eleven members of Eabametoong First Nation had their heads shaved so they may host a youth conference in their community.

The group raised $3,140 has their had their heads shaved on Nov. 30. Part of the funds were donated to the Canadian Cancer Society and to the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto.

The rest will go towards the youth conference set to take place in February 2014.

The head shaving took place at the local cable station and was broadcast across the community.

Page 6

Thank You, Airlines!

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

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

3

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

St. Anne’s survivors seek release of evidence in court Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Survivors of St. Anne’s Indian Residential School hope the Ontario Superior Court will allow the release of police documents that support their claims of abuse suffered while attending the school.

A group of survivors, along with leaders and supporters, attended the first day of a two-day court proceeding on Dec. 17 to have their case be heard.

The survivors have been trying to access the documents so they may be used in their Independent Assessment Process (IAP) compensation claim as part of the Indian Residential School settlement.

However, the survivors say the federal government has

been withholding the evidence. The feds cite privacy concerns for the victims and maintain that it is not within their authority to release them.

The presiding judge told those in attendance that “the purpose of this hearing is not getting those stories out� but to decide what documents go to the residential school settlement process.

The documents in question are from an Ontario Provincial Police investigation conducted in the 1990s that led to the convictions of several of the school’s administrators.

The documents contain more than 900 witness testimonies and are more than 7,000 pages in length.

Among the survivors’ claims while attending St. Anne’s are being beaten

Submitted photo

Edmund Metatawabin (far right), along with Charlie Angus and NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler speak to media prior to entering the Ontario Superior Court in Toronto. with strops and rudimentary whips, being forced to ingest their own vomit, and experiencing child rape and other forms of sexual abuse.

Edmund Metatawabin of Fort Albany First Nation previously told Wawatay News that he first attended St.

Anne’s in 1956, when he was about six years old.

He recounted how he and others would be strapped to a homemade electric chair and be electrocuted – much to the amusement of the Catholic missionaries. “Your feet is flying around

in front of you, and that was funny for the missionaries,�

Metatawabin said at the time. “So all you hear is that jolt of electricity and your reaction, and laughter at the same time. We all took turns sitting on it.�

Prior to attending the court hearing in Toronto, Metatawabin told reporters that the federal government sees itself as defendants. ““And when you begin to defend yourself, you begin to hide things. That’s exactly what the government is doing. They’re hiding evidence,� he said.

By withholding the documents, NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) said the federal government is “betraying the spirit of the residential apology.� “The federal government has compromised the legal

rights of the survivors and poisoned the reconciliation process,� he said in a Dec. 17 release. “It is time for the Conservatives to do the right thing and settle the compensation for St. Anne’s school survivors.�

Since 2007, as part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, residential school survivors have been able to seek compensation against the government through a Common Experience Payment and the IAP. The deadline for each process was in September 2012.

So far, about $2 billion has been paid to more than 21,300 victims across Canada, with more than 16,400 claims still in process.

For updates on the court hearing, please visit Wawatay Online at: www.wawataynews. ca.

Mandela honoured by national chief during memorial services Rick Garrick Wawatay News

National Chief Shawn A-inchut Atleo performed a Nuuchah-nulth ceremony and presented an eagle feather during Nelson Mandela’s memorial services in South Africa. “Just before noon today in Johannesburg, I was honoured to attend the lying in state of Madiba (Nelson Mandela),� said Atleo in a Dec. 11 statement delivered by former national chief Ovide Mercredi at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly. “I offered a Nuu-chah-nulth ceremony on behalf of all First Nations from coast to coast to coast. We gathered the full

Canadian delegation in a circle and presented the South African High Commissioner with an eagle feather and, in full respect, passed to him the sacred responsibility to carry it with him to Madiba’s ancestral homeland to be buried with Madiba.�

Atleo also presented a second eagle feather to the High Commissioner in friendship and as a reminder of the participation of First Nations in the memorial. “Following the ceremony I reminded the entire delegation, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, that we must take home with us Madiba’s spirit of reconciliation, that reconciliation requires respect on behalf of all parties, including respect

for indigenous rights and recognition of indigenous peoples,�

Atleo said. “But as Madiba demonstrated through his life and work, reconciliation is possible.�

While attending Mandela’s memorial services on Dec. 9-10, Atleo also sent back a video message to the Special Chiefs Assembly. The video is available at http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=V5ThyvYtkLs. Regional Chief Stan Beardy said Mandela was a true personal hero to indigenous peoples around the world because of his “greatest achievement� of freeing South Africa from apartheid. “The freeing of indigenous peoples from apartheid in South

Africa is something indigenous peoples in Canada strongly aspire to,� Beardy said, noting that if it were not for Mandela, many in South Africans would not enjoy the peaceful co-existence and reconciliation that exists today.

Although Mandela was once labelled a terrorist by many world leaders, Beardy said he now embodies the hope that freedom is achievable for the oppressed. “As indigenous peoples, we identify with Nelson Mandela in our struggle for justice in Canada,� Beardy said. “He is proof that with vision, sacrifice and peaceful determination oppression can be lifted. If Canadian

political leaders strive to be more like Mandela who confronted oppression head on, we would all be in a better place in Canada.�

Beardy said that Mandela stood for hope, courage and integrity and he came from a long line of leaders. “Based on how he carried his life, it is obvious that he was mentored and guided by traditional Elders from his homelands,� Beardy said. “We also express our prayers and condolences to them, the people who provided him strength and direction throughout his 95 years.�

The Grand Council of the Crees also expressed their con-

Wq[+ %= qRAWq ) Y= )W#

dolences to the people of South Africa, noting they stood in solidarity with South Africans during the struggle against apartheid in Canada and internationally including at the United Nations. “We drew strength and inspiration from Mandela and his African National Congress comrades’ astounding defiance, determination, humility, patience, restraint and their ultimate commitment to a moral reconciliation,� said Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come. “The long walk to freedom is still underway in South Africa and also in Australia, the United States, Canada and New Zealand to name a few.�

:

0%=iA[& F0=5WA4=& A [&9 F[=9R?}& Ď?Ώͥ͢ Í„ÍŤ ÎŹÍ›ÎŹÎˆĎžĚ˝ÍĄÍŤĐŠÎ Ď¤ÎŠŃŠÎ§Ń‹ÎŹĎźÍŤĐŠÎ

̝̿ͥ ΏΧ̿РΆ͚ Í˛ÍœÎ§ĐŠÎŹĐ Í? Ď…Í˛Î§ÎˆĎźÎŹÎ†Î§Í? ̝Ώ Đ Í?Î? υ̽РΧÎ?ϤΏϞ͚̈́ͥ ΏΧ̿Í?υΊυΏΆ͚ Ď…Ě˝ÍĄĎ…Í Ě˝ÎŠÍ„ÍĄÍ˘ Î?Р͍̽ͥРÍ? ΏΏ͊ӹ́ͥ͢ Ώͥѧ͚ υ̝͍ͥРϥ̈́ͥ͢ ĚżÎĽÎ†Í˛ÍœÎ§ĐŠÎŹĎźÍ„ÍĄ ̝Ώ ÎŹÍ˛Î§ÎˆĎźÎŹÎ†Íš ΰͲÎ?ΧÍ? Í˛ÍœÎ§ĐŠÎŹĐ Í? Í„ĐŠĎźÍ? Ď&#x;Р͍Ί ΊÎ?ΧѧÍ? Í˛ÍœÎ§ĐŠÎŹĎź μΊРÍ? Ď…Ń‹Í˛Î§ÎˆĐ ĎĄÍ„ÍĄÍ˘ ̈́ϟыР͊ ̈́͜Χ ыϤΏϟы̽ͥΏĎ&#x;Ί͚ Ď&#x;РΏ̽ͥÍ? Đ Í?Î? Î?̽РΧÍ?Î?Ϥ̈́ͥЊ̈́ͥ͢ ĚżĐ ÎŠĎźÎĽĚ˝ŕ ľÍš Χѧ͍͢ ̽ͥРРÎ?̽ͥΧμÎ?ϤÍ? ̝̿ͥ ΏϞϟ͚ ΧÎ?Ń‹ÎĽĚ˝ŕ ľÍš ÎŹÎ?РϞΧ̈́ͥ͢ ̈́ϟыР͊ ̈́͜Χ ыϤΏϟŃ?Íš Đ Í?Î? ̽Р͍Í? ͍͍̈́ͥΊ͚ ̿Ϥ PCRU EC Đ Í?Î? HCEGDQQM EQO 0#25RQNKEG Î¤Î¨ĎšĐ€Íœ Î¤ÎŚÍąÎŚÎ‡ĎťÎŤÎ…ÎŚÍœ „ ÍąÍ›ÎŚĐ¨ÎŤĐ€Íœ ̝Ώ Ώ̈́ͲυΊѧÍ? Đ Í?Î? Ώ͍Ί͛ΏΧÍ? Î§Í˛ÍœÎ§ĐŠÎŹĐ Í? „ ̺΍ ΍͹Ό·ϝ΍΅͙ Ď„ÍƒÍąÎŽÎŚÍœ ÍąÍ›ÎŚĐ¨ÎŤĐ€Íœ ĎžÎˆĎźÎĽĚ˝ÍĄÍ˛ÍœÎ§ĐŠÎŹĐ Í? #- Ü´U ÎŹÎ?ΊͭυΏΆ͚ ыыͲЊϟ̽ͥ Í˛ÍœÎ§ĐŠÎŹĐ Í? Ď&#x;РΊÎ?ΧѧÍ? „ ÍƒĐ¨ĎťÍœ ΏΧР̝Ώ ̽Ώͥ Ώ̈́ͲυΊѧÍ? Í„ĐŠĎźÍ? „ Î¨ÎŽÎŚŃŚÍœ ͹͛ΌШ΍ϝ ÍƒÍąĎ„Ď„ÎŤĐ€Íœ Í„ĐŠÍ„ÍĄĎ…ÎŹĐ Í? Í„Í„ÍĄŃ‹Ď? ÎŹÍŤĐ Í Ě˝ÎŹÎ†Î§Í? ϟѧРÍ? Í„ĐŠĎźÍ?

4

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 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 James Brohm

Commentary

Put Love and Joy back into Christmas Xavier Kataquapit UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY

C

hristmas is just around the corner and already I see the sales push everywhere I go.

I have never really enjoyed this time of the year because more and more I realize that it is mostly about a huge push to market products to we, the consumer. That brings about a lot of stress. Christmas has become more or less a money time of the year.

The kids want the latest toy so they can keep up to their classmates and neighbours, and the parents are under the gun to provide all the latest gadgets and products for them. I see the result of this everywhere with cars being raced from mall to mall or store to store with parents frantic to fulfill their children’s wish list. I see these stressed out parents in the stores lining up to buy these gifts and they never look happy.

The strange thing is that even when mom and dad travel far and wide to buy, buy, buy, often on Christmas morning the kids are either disappointed that it was not enough or they simply discard some expensive item and pick up something like a card board box to play with.

This is the time of the year when people should be able to connect around the feeling of love and joy. Instead it has ended up being all about money and falling prey to smart marketing by big toy companies.

Christmas has almost always been a time of stress for me and I see it in so many others.

These special days have turned into a time of the year when many sad and tragic things happen and that has to do with another prominent feature most of us take part in. I am referring to the use of alcohol and drugs this time of the year.

For many households even though there are many presents under the tree the children will not be very happy. Too many of us equate Christmas and New Years Eve with parties where things just get out of hand.

The children are forgotten as people party on into the night and often there are very severe tragedies associated with this.

When children realize that they cannot count on their parents for safety and

protection because they are out of it on booze or drugs that is a very sad thing. This kind of Christmas is more like a horror show for them and will remain in their memories forever.

At the parties people fight, curse, act irresponsibly and often endanger the children in the house. Tragically people will drink and drive and have accidents and all kinds of negative situations will happen around many celebrations that are out of control. Family violence often comes to a head at Christmas with the overindulgence of booze and drugs.

Imagine the terror in a young child’s mind as they lay in their bed listening to the adults fight, get sick, swear and turn violent.

In an alcoholic or drug using household these children live a nightmare very often. Dad and mom are not in their normal minds and they can’t be trusted to care for the kids. Children understand this situation and they become very frightened and emotionally unstable.

They know that they cannot simply go to their parents and their guests in this state of intoxication and often they group together to try to weather the storm as the party carries on outside their door.

Perhaps if we could realize the terror and fear that we instill in our little children we would understand that it is very wrong to carry on in this way when there is the opportunity to change. This time of the year can really be about love and joy but it is up to us to make sure that becomes the reality for our kids.

Perhaps this Christmas and New Year it is the perfect time to get help if you are an alcoholic and having problems with booze or if you are caught up in drugs. You can very easily go to the yellow pages and look up the number for Alcoholic Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous and ask for help.

You can also turn to the many social services that exist in most communities that can help you with addictions. On remote First Nations we have people who work in addictions and they can be sought out for help.

You could make this the best Christmas and New Year holiday time ever for yourself and your kids if you think you might have a problem with drinking or drugging. That would put the Love and Joy back into this special season. www.underthenorthernsky.com

Wawatay News archives

Unloading cargo plane Pikangikum, October 1983.

Colorectal Cancer: Know the Facts Dr. Shannon Wesley GUEST COLUMNIST

Did you know that Ontario has one of the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world?

Do you know what colorectal cancer is? Did you know that colorectal cancer has a 90 per cent chance of being cured if it is found early enough? If you answered ‘no’ to any of the above questions, this article is for you.

Statistics show that we have a greater risk for developing colorectal cancer where we live. This is why it is so important that we know what colorectal cancer is, how we can help to prevent it, and how we can screen for it.

Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum, which is located at the end of your digestive system.

Your digestive system is very important part of maintaining your health so you should be aware of any changes

that aren’t normal for you.

Some signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include: blood in your stool, belly pain, weight loss, getting full after eating less food than usual, unexplained diarrhea or constipation, or your stool changes from thick to thin like a pencil. If you experience any of these symptoms speak to your doctor or nurse.

The two most important things that you can do for your health are to prevent disease from happening in the first place and screen for colorectal cancer so it can be found and treated earlier. Some ways to prevent colorectal cancer include: eating healthy and balanced meals and being physically active. Try to eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruits (at least 5-10 servings per day). Aim to exercise for 30 to 45 minutes on most days of the week. Not only will these lifestyle choices help you to maintain a healthy body weight, but they will also help to prevent other chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Screening for colorectal cancer is very important. If

found early, colorectal cancer has a 90 per cent chance of being cured. There are two types of colorectal cancer screening that are performed.

One is a ColonCancerCheck fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and the other is a procedure called a ‘colonoscopy’.

ColonCancerCheck is a colorectal cancer screening program that helps Ontarians, ages 50 to 74 years old, to get screened for colorectal cancer using FOBT kits. If you are a man or woman who is 50 years of age or older, your nurse or doctor will give you a green ColonCancerCheck FOBT kit for you to complete at home. This test finds cancer by looking for tiny amounts of blood in your stool. After you complete the test, you will get a letter or phone call about your results and what should happen next.

A colonoscopy allows a doctor to look for signs of cancer inside of the colon with a camera. You would go for a colonoscopy if you are considered to be at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer or if you have a positive FOBT test (blood is found in

your stool). You are considered high risk if a relative like your mom, dad, brother or sister had colorectal cancer.

If one of these relatives had colorectal cancer, you would be scheduled for your test at age 50 or 10 years before your relative’s age when they were diagnosed. For example, if your dad was diagnosed at age 55, you would be screened at age 45.

During the colonoscopy, the doctor might find a polyp, which is an abnormal growth inside of the colon. Not all polyps are cancerous, but some are so it is important to find them. If a doctor does find a polyp, they will remove it and send it away for further testing.

It is always better to try to prevent and screen for cancer.

Remember, earlier screening means earlier detection, and likely, a better outcome for you and your family.

For more information on colorectal cancer and ColonCancerCheck screening, visit www.coloncancercheck.ca or call 1-800-461-7031 to find out when you are due for screening.

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

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Lenny Carpenter lennyc@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Rick Garrick rickg@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Stephanie Wesley stephaniew@wawatay.on.ca ART DIRECTOR Roxann Shapwaykeesic, RGD roxys@wawatay.on.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNER Matthew Bradley matthewb@wawatay.on.ca

SALES MANAGER James Brohm jamesb@wawatay.on.ca SALES REPRESENTATIVE Tom Scura toms@wawatay.on.ca CIRCULATION Grant Keesic grantk@wawatay.on.ca TRANSLATORS Vicky Angees vickya@wawatay.on.ca

CONTRIBUTORS Xavier Kataquapit Dr. Shannon Wesley Andy Fyon Bryan Phelan Paige Fiddler Jeff Kiyoshk Ross Kaitlyn Bluecoat Paul Lantz Guest editorials, columnists and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the views of Wawatay News.

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

5

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Geology and Winter Roads across the north Andy Fyon ONTARIO BENEATH OUR FEET

When the daylight gets shorter, the temperature drops, and the lakes, rivers, and muskeg begin to freeze across the Far North, thoughts turn to the winter road season.

As the snow falls, the groomers set out to pack the snow so the frost goes deeper into the ground and the ice on the lakes gets thicker. Building the winter roads is an art and skill. Winter roads are essential transportation networks across the Far North. Winter roads are an important means to deliver fuel, building supplies, and groceries to remote communities. Winter roads connect communities.

Role of Geology There are geological factors that affect the construction and maintenance of winter roads and all-season roads.

Geology is a field of science that helps us understand the materials that make up the land and the shape of the land.

It helps us identify sources of aggregate (sand, gravel or strong rock) used to build both winter roads and all-season roads.

Because of their geological properties, dry, flat, sandy areas are excellent places to locate a winter — and allseason — road as this material does not turn into mud as a result of repeated freezingthawing. High and dry landforms make a stable winter road bed compared to muskeg and lakes. A rocky area is one type of dry stable land, but not all rocky areas are good to build on. Steep rocky hills or cliffs are not suitable for winter road construction. Cliffs are impossible to drive over and steep hills can be very difficult for trucks to climb and dangerous when going downhill.

Geology identifies land made of clay. Clay is a natural geological road hazard because this type of land is often low, flat and wet. Low, wet ground is bad for winter roads because the mineral soil soaks up water like a sponge.

Clay is not strong and changes quickly from a solid ice road to a soft, soggy, unstable road with deep ruts during freezethaw cycles. The many rolling bumps could damage vehicles.

Landslides could occur and

the area could flood. Those conditions would shorten the life and usefulness of the winter road. Trucks would have to travel more slowly with reduced weight loads.

Geology shows areas where the earth broke a long time ago to create a fault line in the rock. These fault areas may create long, narrow depressions in the earth where creeks, narrow lakes, and thick, wet, unstable soil may occur. Parts of a winter road that cross this type of area will likely require more maintenance.

Geology shows areas that are covered by thick muskeg, and have many lakes and creeks. Many winter road systems cross muskeg and lakes because it is possible to build long, straight stretches that don’t require tree cutting.

Winter roads on this material are easier to maintain so long as the temperature remains cold. But the climate has been changing. Muskeg and lakes are becoming less dependable for a winter road.

Permafrost The land between Fort Severn and Weenusk contains permafrost. Patches of permafrost occur north of a line from

Sandy Lake, just north of Lansdowne House, to just south of Moosonee.

Building any stable road on permafrost is not easy. Anything that causes the permafrost to melt will cause the icerich soil to turn into mud. Mud is weak and when it freezes, it forms lumpy ground and damages the road. Geology helps identify areas where permafrost occurs. It tells us what mineral soil may be needed to cover roadsides to preserve the permafrost and lessen the chance of landslides.

It helps us solve technical problems such as what soil must be removed to make a stable road bed, what gravel is best for construction or which materials would insulate streambeds and culverts best.

Often this is information used when constructing all-season roads, but it can also be a factor in the construction of a new winter road alignment.

Climate Change Changes are taking place to the climate and Aboriginal Elders say the temperature is not as cold as it was when they were children.

The winter is not as long and blue ice is thinner than it used to be. The muskeg does

not freeze like it used to and the permafrost is melting. The snow is different and the winter season is shorter. These are important changes — changes that affect the life of winter roads.

At least five of the past 10 years have suffered from a less reliable winter road season.

Climate change is causing many to re-think decisions to build winter roads on lakes, muskeg and poor geological soils. Geology has to be considered for future winter and all-season roads.

Role of Modern Geology The Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) carries out modern geological mapping across Ontario, including the Far North.

The geology mapping methods include: geological field work to identify rock, sand, gravel, and clay deposits; geology land forms like eskers; and natural geological hazards like faults and landslide areas. The geology study includes: review of all public geologic maps and reports; environmental reports; photographs taken from aircraft and satellites; elevation and topographic

maps; and the digging of pits or drilling of shallow holes to sample the earth and rock materials. Sometimes surveys, called geophysical surveys, are carried out using instruments on the ground or from aircraft to help describe the geology below the surface.

The results of the OGS studies are published as geological maps and in reports available to the public. This information is available at no cost, both online and in regional offices of the OGS. These maps and reports are used

by First Nations and tribal councils, consulting companies working for First Nations, land-use planners, and engineers considering winter road realignment or all-season road options.

Without this modern information, it is difficult to plan and build new legs of winter roads, all-season roads, or winter road re-alignments.

Disregarding the geology of a winter, or all-season road corridor will result in higher construction and maintenance costs and may cost more money in the long run, especially if the road is abandoned.

Understanding the Ontario beneath our feet is important, especially as we adjust to climate change.

Winter roads built across muskeg and lakes are going to be more subject to climate change because the road is more likely to be affected by warming temperatures.

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 FUN PAY NO INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT X TA G IN D *BC Registered funds do not qualify. Not available in Q.C. L O H WITH E WITH CERTIFICAT OF INDIAN STATUS

WWW.CFSOLUTIONS.CA

6

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

AANDC minister stands by First Nations Education Act Wawatay News

Although First Nation leaders and community members have firmly rejected the federal government’s Proposal for a Bill on First Nation Education, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of Canada Minister Bernard Valcourt is still standing by his proposed legislation.

“I believe that the time is long overdue for us to ensure that First Nation children have access to a comprehensive education regime which affords them education rights and protections in the same manner as all other students,” Valcourt said in a Dec. 13 open letter sent to National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo.

they are today. I cannot stress enough the important fact that the draft legislative proposal will not apply to First Nations who are part of existing comprehensive or sectoral self-government agreements that cover education. Implementation of First Nation control over First Nation education will provide First Nations with the opportunity to establish the structures and systems that support First Nation control and institution building, including self-government negotiations moving forward.”

National Chief Shawn A-inchut Atleo responded to Valcourt’s open letter by stating the First Nations’ position is clear and has been reaffirmed by a unanimous resolution at

Bernard Valcourt Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of Canada and education authorities, while reducing the day to day powers of the minister and the department from what

.

T F I G E R ’T N O W U O Y TH E G I F T

0

%

Ÿ APR

PURCHASE FINANCING

500

$

◊

HOLIDAY BONUS CASH FOR A LIMITED TIME

ON VIRTUALLY ALL OF OUR MOST POPULAR MODELS

HURRY IN! THIS HOLIDAY OFFER ENDS DECEMBER 29 TH 2013 FIESTA SE OWN FOR ONLY

OFFER ES INCLUDES

$3, 5000

*

$13,998

* Offer excludes taxes.

WELL-EQUIPPED WITH:

AM/FM Stereo/CD/MP3-capable, Remote Keyless-entry, Air Conditioning, Premium seating Cloth, Autolock AND MUCH MORE.

IN MANUFACTURER URER REBATES

5.1L/100km 55MPG HWY^^

2013 FOCUS S OWN FOR ONLY

$14,498

6.9L/100km 41MPG CITY^^

* Offer excludes taxes.

OFFER INCLUDES

$3,000

*

WELL-EQUIPPED WITH:

160 Horsepower 2.0L l-4 Engine, Remote Keyless Entry System, Active Grille shutters. MyKey ®, AM/FM Single-CD/MP3-capable 110 Watt with Input Jack, Air Conditioning AND MUCH MORE.

IN MANUFACTURER REBATES

5.5L/100km 51MPG HWY^^ 7.8L/100km 35MPG CITY^^

THE WORLD’S BEST-SELLING CAR NAMEPLATE. NAMEPLATE.^

2014 ESCAPE S PURCHASE FINANCE FOR ONLY

$

OFFER INCLUDES S

$750

*

148 @ 1.99

%

**

bi-weekly

Sideview Mirrors. MyKey . Torque Vectoring Control AND MUCH MORE. S ®

$30,968 Offer excludes taxes.

500

HOLIDAY BONUS CASH

PLUS

500

$

HOLIDAY BONUS CASH

6.7L/100km 42MPG HWY^^ 9.5L/100km 30MPG CITY^^

OWN FOR ONLY

LEASE FOR ONLY

Offer excludes taxes.

6 Speed Selectshift® Automatic Transmission with Sport mode. Power

2013 F-150 XLT SUPERCREW 4X4

$

*

WELL-EQUIPPED WITH: W

IN MANUFACTURER ER REBATES

PLUS

OWN FOR ONLY

24,998

$

Financed bi-weekly for 84 months with $0 down. Offer exclude taxes.

*

S

†

WELL-EQUIPPED WITH:

5.0L Ti-VCT 4-Valve V8 FFV Engine. Ford SYNC® Voice Activated, In Vehicle Connectivity System, Automatic Headlamps AND MUCH MORE.

$399 @ 1.99% **

APR

OFFER INCLUDES

$9,250*

For 24 months with $998 down. Offers exclude taxes.

IIN MANUFACTURER REBATES

10.6L/100km 27MPG HWY^^ 15.0L/100km 19MPG CITY^^ 2013 F-150 Platinum Model Shown

Our advertised prices include Freight, Airr Tax, ax, and PPSA (if finance fin nanced anced d or lea leased) leased). sed).

Add dealer administration and registration fees of up to $799, fuel fill charge of up to $120 and applicable taxes, then drive away.

ELIGIBLE COSTCO MEMBERS

RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL

1,000

$

‡

ON MOST NEW VEHICLES

Get the gift that brings Endless Joy. Only at your Ontario Ford Store.

30468_G_R0_DecJanEndlessJoy_8.5x11.5.indd 1

ontarioford.ca

the recent Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly.

“First Nations have affirmed a path forward, opposing the federal proposal in its current form and seeking dialogue founded on the principle of First Nations control of First Nations education that values our languages and cultures and is supported by stable, sustainable and fair funding,” Atleo said. “The resolution calls upon Canada to negotiate to advance the Assembly of First Nations policy framework of 2010 First Nations Control of First Nations Education.”

The 2010 First Nations Control of First Nations Education is available online at: http://www.afn.ca/uploads/ Vehicle(s) may be shown with optional equipment. Dealer may sell or lease for less. Limited time offers. Offers only valid at participating dealers. Retail offers may be cancelled or changed at any time without notice. See your Ford Dealer for complete details or call the Ford Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-565-3673. For factory orders, a customer may either take advantage of eligible Ford retail customer promotional incentives/offers available at the time of vehicle factory order or time of vehicle delivery, but not both or combinations thereof. Retail offers not combinable with any CPA/GPC or Daily Rental incentives, the Commercial Upfit Program or the Commercial Fleet Incentive Program (CFIP). * Until December 15, 2013, Purchase a new [2014 Escape S FWD] / [2013 Fiesta SE Hatch]/2013 Focus S Sedan / 2013 F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4x4/ 2013 F-150 SuperCrew Platinum 4x4 5.0L] for [$24,998] / [$13,998/ $14,498/ $30,968/$48,080] (after Manufacturer Rebate of [$750/ [$3,500/ $3,000 / $9,250/ $9,250]. Taxes payable on full amount of purchase price after total manufacturer rebate has been deducted. Offers include freight and air tax but exclude administration and registration fees of up to $799, fuel fill charge of up to $120 and all applicable taxes. All prices are based on Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Delivery Allowances are not combinable with any fleet consumer incentives. **Until December 15, 2013, lease a new 2013 Ford F-150 Super Crew XLT 4x4 for up to 24 months, and get 1.99% APR on approved credit (OAC) from Ford Credit. Not all buyers will qualify for the lowest APR payment. Lease the above-noted model with a value of $30,968 (after $998 down payment or equivalent trade in and $9,250 manufacturer rebate deducted) at 1.99% APR for up to 24 months with an optional buyout of $21,432, monthly payment is $399, total lease obligation is $10,574, interest cost of leasing is $1,038 or 1.99% APR. Offers include freight, air tax, and PPSA but exclude administration and registration fees of up to $799, fuel fill charge of up to $120 and all applicable taxes. Additional payments required for optional features, license, and insurance. All prices are based on Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Some conditions and mileage restriction of 32,000km for 24 months applies. Excess kilometrage charges are 16¢per km for F-Series, plus applicable taxes. Excess kilometrage charges subject to change (except in Quebec), see your local dealer for details. All prices are based on Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Manufacturer rebates are not combinable with any fleet consumer incentives. ^^Estimated fuel consumption ratings for the 2013 Focus 2.0L I4 5-Speed Manual, 2014 Escape 2.5L I4 6-Speed Automatic, 2013 Fiesta 1.6L – I4 5-Speed Manual, 2013 F-150 4x4 5.0L – V8 6-Speed SST. Fuel consumption ratings based on Transport Canada-approved test methods. Model shown is 2013 F-150 4x4 5.0L – V8 6-Speed SST: 15.1L/100 km city and 10.7L/100 km hwy. Actual fuel consumption will vary based on road conditions, vehicle loading and driving habits. ‡Offer only valid from December 3, 2013 to January 31, 2014 (the “Offer Period”) to resident Canadians with an eligible Costco membership on or before November 30, 2013 who purchase or lease of a new 2013/2014 Ford (excluding Fiesta, Focus, C-Max, Raptor, GT500, Mustang Boss 302, Transit Connect EV, and Medium Truck) or Lincoln vehicle (each an “Eligible Vehicle”). Limit one (1) offer per each Eligible Vehicle purchase or lease, up to a maximum of two (2) separate Eligible Vehicle sales per Costco Membership Number. Offer is transferable to persons domiciled with an eligible Costco member. Applicable taxes calculated before CAD$1,000 offer is deducted. ^Claim based on analysis by Ford of Polk global new registration for CY2012 for a single nameplate which excludes rebadged vehicles, platform derivatives or other vehicle nameplate versions. ‫ڟ‬Based on R. L. Polk Canada, Inc. Total New Registration data for Full Size Pickups per Ford Segmentation as of YTD September 30, 2013. ©2013 Sirius Canada Inc. “SiriusXM”, the SiriusXM logo, channel names and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc. and are used under licence. ® Registered trademark of Price Costco International, Inc. used under license. ©2013 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

“My view is that we cannot get there without putting in place legislation.”

Valcourt said the federal government agrees that First Nations must have control over their education in the open letter, which is available on the AANDC website at: http://www.aadnc-aandc. gc.ca/eng/1386958638702/1 386958691700.

“The proposal that I put forth is intended to empower those who know best what their children need – First Nations, parents, communities, and administrators - to determine what is most effective for their success,” Valcourt said. “The proposed bill strengthens and entrenches the roles and responsibilities of First Nation governments

Rick Garrick

Available in most new Ford vehicles with 6-month pre-paid subscription

12/12/13 1:47 PM

f i l e s / e d u c a t i o n / 3 . _ 2 010 _ july_afn_first_nations_control_of_first_nations_education_final_eng.pdf.

Its objectives are: ensure First Nation lifelong learners have access to an education system with programs and services grounded in First Nations languages, values, traditions and knowledge; build and sustain First Nation capacity and institutional development so as to deliver a wide spectrum of quality programs and services across the learning continuum; and implement First Nations control of First Nations education.

“The minister has stated that there is an opportunity for dialogue on terms set by the chiefs,” Atleo said. “We will make efforts to ensure First Nations are aware of the minister’s response. We will be carefully reviewing the minister’s letter and setting out next steps through dialogue with all First Nations.”

“The minister has stated that there is an opportunity for dialogue on terms set by the chiefs. We will make efforts to ensure First Nations are aware of the minister’s response.”

-National Chief Shawn Atleo

During the Chiefs of Ontario Special Chiefs Assembly in late November, Regional Chief Stan Beardy said First Nations across Ontario have vowed to stop the federal First Nation Education Act and will refuse to abide by or implement the act if is unilaterally pushed through parliament.

“Action is currently underway garnering public and political support for our position,” Beardy said. “We continue developing strategies based on all available options including challenging resource extraction, direct action and litigation.”

Recent high school data, from 2004-2009, indicates First Nation students have a graduation rate of about 36 per cent compared to the Canadian graduation rate of 72 per cent, according to an Assembly of First Nations document from the October 2012 Chiefs Assembly on Education.

The federal government said it consulted 600-plus First Nations across the country and other stakeholders through eight face-to-face regional consultation sessions, more than 54 technical briefings and information sessions via video or teleconference sessions and an online survey that received 631 responses since December 2012 over the Proposal for a Bill on First Nation Education.

MP Carolyn Bennett, the Liberal Party of Canada critic for Aboriginal Affairs, said the Proposal for a Bill on First Nations Education has received a failing grade from coast to coast to coast during an Oct. 24 House of Commons session.

“The Conservatives should push pause on this f lawed, top-down strategy, sit down with First Nations communities and build a workable, fully funded plan that respects, supports and empowers First Nations to control their own education systems,” Bennett said.

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

7

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

Auditor General calls for emergency prevention Rick Garrick Wawatay News

The Auditor General has raised flags about the way emergencies are handled in First Nation communities in his 2013 Fall Report, released on Nov. 26.

Auditor General Michael Ferguson examined a number of issues in his report that the federal government had been struggling to address, including online government services, food recalls, illegal entry into Canada, emergency management on First Nations reserves, oversight of rail safety, disaster relief for agricultural producers, and internal controls over financial reporting. “Our audit of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada’s role in supporting emergency management on First Nations reserves showed that the department is in a cycle of reacting to emergencies,� Ferguson said in the

report. “It has not been able to focus on what can be done to prevent and mitigate these events.�

Ferguson said some reserves continue to be adversely affected in significant ways by repeated emergencies, such as floods. “These difficulties are compounded by the fact that the respective roles and responsibilities of the federal government and other stakeholders are unclear,� Ferguson said. “Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada must work with other stakeholders, including First Nations, to reduce the human and financial costs of emergencies over the long-term.�

The report indicated that AANDC spent $286 million between 2009-2010 and 2012-2013 on emergency situations, of which $180 million - or 63 per cent - was spent on response and recovery, with only $4 million on prevention and mitigation. The report

also called for an immediate increase in the annual budget of AANDC for immediate response, prevention and mitigation activities, noting the costs of emergency response must often come from funds identified for capital spending, which deprives First Nations of much-needed funds for infrastructure. “The facts here are truly alarming - at least 9,500 First Nations citizens were evacuated due to major fire and flooding emergencies in 2011 in the three regions visited during the audit,� said National Chief Shawn A-inchut Atleo about the report. “The impact to families can be devastating in terms of disruptions to children’s education, employment, First Nation businesses and overall community well-being.�

A number of First Nations across northern Ontario have faced emergency situations due to flooding over the years, including Attawapiskat,

Kasabonika and Kashechewan, which were evacuated in 2013.

“Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada must work with other stakeholders, including First Nations, to reduce the human and financial costs of emergencies over the long-term.�

-Auditor General Michael Ferguson

Communities have also faced emergency situations due to nearby forest fires, including Sandy Lake, Deer Lake and Cat Lake, which were evacuated in 2011.

Ferguson said the federal government needs to improve the results on issues identified

in his report. “Even when government identifies a problem, it takes too long to develop and implement solutions,� Ferguson said. “Departments need to focus on critical success factors that are proven to work.

These include setting clear priorities, applying lessons learned, and monitoring deliverables against timelines and objectives.� “We have seen too many crises in our communities that could have been avoided with better coordinated plans and adequate resources,� Atleo said. “As the Auditor General points out, the department is caught in a cycle of only reacting to emergencies. This must end. The AFN (Assembly of First Nations) has put forward plans and approaches to the federal government and provincial and territorial leaders including efforts like those we supported in the recent Alberta floods. Now it’s time to act on these plans across

the country.�

Atleo said the AFN has been pressing for a better, more coordinated approach by all levels of government to emergency management that deals not only with responding to crises but also actions aimed at preventing and mitigating disasters wherever possible. “We are calling for proper investments in long-term and sustainable plans that are developed in coordination with First Nations,� Atleo said. “Today’s report finds that upfront investments and planning reduce costs when disasters do hit. Last week, the Aboriginal Affairs minister stated that the federal government was willing to better improve access and support for First Nations emergency management. Now, we need to see real action by the federal government to work with First Nations on this critical matter.

Nothing less than the lives of our people and well-being of our families is at stake.�

Treaty 3 Ogichidaa to co-chair Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Grand Council Treaty #3 Ogichidaa Warren White is looking forward to providing advice to the Ontario Attorney General as co-chair of the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group.

Ogichidaa Warren White “I look forward to providing input on traditional approaches to community well-being and reconciliation as strongly recommended in the Iacobucci report, and closely examining all phases of the justice system continuum impacting First Nation people and communities, from police investigations to programming for inmates in institutions,� White said after being appointed co-chair on Dec. 6 along with Murray Segal, former deputy attorney general of Ontario and former deputy minister responsible

for Aboriginal affairs. “There are many outstanding issues requiring attention, such as violence against Aboriginal women, that a partnership such as this can begin to address.�

The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group was established in response to one of the key recommendations of the Honourable Frank Iacobucci’s report, First Nations Representation on Ontario Juries. “The Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group will be a vital resource for our government in our ongoing efforts to improve Ontario’s system of justice,� said Attorney General John Gerretsen. “I look forward to working with our two experienced leaders, Ogichidaa Warren White and Murray Segal, to build a justice system that is more responsive to the needs of Aboriginal peoples.�

Developed as a forum for the government to collaborate with Aboriginal leaders and others with knowledge of Aboriginal justice issues, the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group will consider ways to improve how the Ontario justice system impacts Aboriginal peoples and to provide advice to the Attorney General. “With the appointment of Ogichidaa Warren White and former deputy attorney general Murray Segal, Ontario has taken another important step to address Aboriginal justice issues,� said David Zimmer, minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

“The co-chairs offer a wealth of experience and knowledge and will play an important role in improving Ontario’s justice system for Aboriginal peoples.�

Iacobucci offered 17 major recommendations in his report this past February, including the Juries Review Implementation Committee and the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Group that have since been implemented by the provincial government.

Iacobucci’s third

recommendation was for the Ministry of the Attorney General, after obtaining input of the Juries Review Implementation Committee, to provide cultural training for all government officials working in the justice system who have contact with First Nations peoples, including police, court workers, Crown prosecutors, prison guards and other related agencies.

Iacobucci said the justice system as it relates to

First Nations is currently in a crisis, particularly in northern Ontario, during the presentation of his report. “Despite the efforts of many individuals, access to justice, the administration of justice, the availability and quality of legal services, the treatment of First Nations peoples in the justice system, all are wanting in northern Ontario,� Iacobucci said. “In this context, it stands to reason that if the justice system has and continues to fail

First Nations people, they will be reticent to participate in the process to assemble the jury roll or to serve on juries. These unfortunate circumstances lie at the heart of the problem of the juries issue.�

Iacobucci’s report can be found on the provincial government website at http:// www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov. on.ca/english/about/pubs/ iacobucci/pdf/First_Nations_ Representation_Ontario_Juries. pdf.

INSPECTION English River Forest 2009–2019 Forest Management Plan Inspection of Approved Planned Operations for Phase II 2014–2019 The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Resolute FP Canada Inc. and the Ignace Local Citizens Advisory Committee (LCAC) are advising you that the Planned Operations for the second five-year term (2014– 2019) of the 2009–2019 Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the English River Forest have been approved by the MNR Regional Director and are available for inspection.

The MNR-approved Planned Operations for the second fiveyear term will be available for inspection for 30 days.

During the 30-day inspection period, there is an opportunity to make a written request to the Director, Environmental Assessment Approvals Branch, Ministry of the Environment for an individual environmental assessment of specific forest management activities in the Planned Operations for the second five-year term.

The MNR-approved Planned Operations for the second five-year term and planned operations summary are available for inspection during normal office hours by appointment for 30 days from December 20, 2013 to January 19, 2014 at the following locations: t 3FTPMVUF '1 PGGJDF JO 'PSU 'SBODFT BOE 5IVOEFS #BZ t ./3 QVCMJD XFCTJUF BU ontario.ca/forestplans BOE t 5IF 0OUBSJP (PWFSONFOU *OGPSNBUJPO $FOUSF JO 5PSPOUP BU #BZ 4USFFU BOE 4FSWJDF0OUBSJP MPDBUJPOT JO *HOBDF BU )JHIXBZ BOE 'PSU 'SBODFT BU 4DPUU 4USFFU %SZEFO BU (PWFSONFOU 3PBE 4JPVY -PPLPVU BU 2VFFO 4USFFU BOE 5IVOEFS #BZ BU +BNFT 4USFFU QSPWJEF *OUFSOFU BDDFTT For further information, please contact:

REMINDER The Nishnawbe-Aski Police

GUN AMNESTY PERIOD Ends December 31, 2013

Following the Gun Amnesty Period anyone who possesses LOOHJDO ÂżUHDUPV SURKLELWHG GHYLFHV DQG DQ\ DFFRPSDQ\LQJ DPPXQLWLRQ ZLOO ÂżQG WKHPVHOYHV EHLQJ LQYHVWLJDWHG DQG most likely charged with a Criminal Code offence.

3OHDVH FRQWDFW \RXU ORFDO 1$36 RIÂżFH LI \RX KDYH questions or if you would like to turn in your unwanted RU LOOHJDO ÂżUHDUPV DPPXQLWLRQ DQG RWKHU GHYLFHV Thank you.

John Coady .JOJTUSZ PG /BUVSBM 3FTPVSDFT )JHIXBZ 1 0 #PY *HOBDF 0/ 1 5 5 UFM e-mail: john.coady@ontario.ca

Dave Legg 3FTPMVUF '1 $BOBEB *OD .PXBU "WFOVF 'PSU 'SBODFT 0/ 1 " : UFM FYU e-mail: dave.legg@resolutefp.com

Jamie Fassett *HOBDF -$"$ 1 0 #PY *HOBDF 0/ 1 5 5 UFM D P +PIO $PBEZ

The approved Planned Operations will be available for public viewing for the five-year period at the same locations listed above.

This is the third and final opportunity to influence operations for the second five-year term.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is collecting your personal information under the authority of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. Any personal information you provide (address, name, telephone, etc.) will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act ø:PVS QFSTPOBM JOGPSNBUJPO NBZ CF VTFE CZ UIF .JOJTUSZ PG /BUVSBM 3FTPVSDFT UP TFOE ZPVøGVSUIFS JOGPSNBUJPOøSFMBUFE UP UIJT GPSFTU NBOBHFNFOU QMBOOJOHøFYFSDJTF *G ZPV IBWF RVFTUJPOT BCPVU UIF VTF PG ZPVS QFSTPOBM JOGPSNBUJPO QMFBTF DPOUBDUø0XFO 7BVHIBO BU 3FOTFJHOFNFOUT FO GSBOÎBJT

8

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

ONWA calls for help to end violence against Aboriginal women Rick Garrick Wawatay News

The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is calling for all Canadians to help end violence against Aboriginal women.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada was commemorated on Dec. 6.

“On the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada, ONWA calls on all Canadians to take a stand against the pervasive levels of violence that Aboriginal women and girls experience on a daily basis,” said Betty Kennedy, ONWA’s executive director. “We should use today as a catalyst for concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against Aboriginal women and girls so that together, we as Canadians can break the cycle of violence.”

Aboriginal women and girls experience violence at exponentially higher rates than nonAboriginal women, with eight out of 10 Aboriginal women having experienced some form of violence in their lifetime.

There are also more than 600 Aboriginal women who are currently missing or have been murdered in Canada.

The names of 66 missing and

murdered Aboriginal women and girls from northwestern Ontario were were read aloud to honour their lives during an Oct. 4 Sisters in Spirit vigil in Thunder Bay. “Those are the ones that are documented that have come forward in the general area, but we also want to stress that there are a large number of cases that go unreported,” said Maryanne Matthews, ONWA’s media and communications officer. “Even (with the national) number of 600 that we have, we know the number in reality is much higher than that. Which is another reason why a national inquiry is so important.”

ONWA has been calling on all Canadians to support the call for a national public inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

“There is such limited research in that area and there is not enough funding for Aboriginal organizations to form that research ourselves,” Matthews said. “We’re hoping that an inquiry can help shed more light into the reality of the situation and find out just how severe the problem is.”

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) has gathered more than 10,000 signatures on a petition in support of a national public inquiry

into missing and murdered Aboriginal women, which was originally scheduled to be delivered to the federal government in October but was extended to early December due to requests from the community for more time to submit additional signatures.

“Our hearts are full as we remember our mothers, daughters, sisters, aunties, grandmothers and friends who have been lost to violence,” said Michèle Audette, NWAC’s president. “We call on the federal government to support families and communities, Aboriginal leadership, allies and the premiers who have voiced the need for a national public inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls.”

NWAC also encouraged Canadians to write their local leaders to support the call for a national public inquiry as well as reach out and support families and communities that have lost loved ones to violence.

“It (national public inquiry) is something that would be a crucial step towards understanding why violence against Aboriginal women is so pervasive, why there are so many missing and murdered Aboriginal women and to start the process to develop solutions into that problem,” Matthews said.

B.C. carver’s huge Thunderbird carving a hit at Victoriaville Rick Garrick Wawatay News

EŝƐŚŶĂǁďĞ ƐŬŝ EĂƟŽŶ ,ĞĂůƚŚ ĂƌĞĞƌƐ 'ƌĂŶƚ WƌŽŐƌĂŵ E E ŝƐ ŽŶĐĞ ĂŐĂŝŶ ĂĐĐĞƉƟŶŐ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ,ĞĂůƚŚ ĂƌĞĞƌƐ 'ƌĂŶƚ WƌŽŐƌĂŵ ĨŽƌ E E &ŝƌƐƚ EĂƟŽŶƐ ĂŶĚͬŽƌ ĂĸůŝĂƚĞĚ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶƐ͘ ^ƵĐĐĞƐƐĨƵů ƉƌŽũĞĐƚƐ ĐĂŶ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ ƵƉ ƚŽ Ψϱ͕ϬϬϬ ƚŽ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉ ĂŶĚ ŝŵƉůĞŵĞŶƚ ,ĞĂůƚŚ ĂƌĞĞƌƐ ƉƌŽŵŽƟŽŶĂů ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ͘ džĂŵƉůĞƐ ŽĨ ,ĞĂůƚŚ ĂƌĞĞƌ ƉƌŽŵŽƟŽŶĂů ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ ƚŚĂƚ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞĚ ƵŶĚĞƌ ƚŚŝƐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞ͗ ,ĞĂůƚŚ ĂƌĞĞƌ &ĂŝƌƐ͕ ,ĞĂůƚŚ ĂƌĞĞƌ tŽƌŬƐŚŽƉƐ͕ ^ƚƵĚĞŶƚ ƐƐĂLJ tƌŝƟŶŐ ŽŶƚĞƐƚƐ ĂŶĚ ,ĞĂůƚŚ ZŽůĞ DŽĚĞů WƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƟŽŶƐ͘ ůŝŐŝďŝůŝƚLJ ZĞƋƵŝƌĞŵĞŶƚƐ͗ dŽ ďĞ ĞůŝŐŝďůĞ ƚŽ ĂƉƉůLJ ĨŽƌ Ă ,ĞĂůƚŚ ĂƌĞĞƌƐ ŐƌĂŶƚ͕ LJŽƵͬLJŽƵƌ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJͬŐƌŽƵƉ ŵƵƐƚ͗ % Ğ Ă ŵĞŵďĞƌ ŽĨ E E ĂŶĚ ŚĂǀĞ ǁƌŝƩĞŶ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ŽĨ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƟŽŶ͘ ;ŝ͘Ğ͕ ŚŝĞĨ ĂŶĚ ŽƵŶĐŝů͖ ĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ͖ ,ĞĂůƚŚ ĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚͿ͖ KZ % Ğ ĂŶ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶ ĂĸůŝĂƚĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ E E͖ E % dĂŬĞ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŝŵĂƌLJ ƌĞƐƉŽŶƐŝďŝůŝƚLJ ĨŽƌ ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŽīĞƌŝŶŐ Ă ,ĞĂůƚŚ ĂƌĞĞƌƐ ĞǀĞŶƚͬĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ƚŽ ďĞ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞĚ ďLJ &ƌŝĚĂLJ͕ DĂƌĐŚ Ϯϭ͕ ϮϬϭϰ͖ % Žŵŵŝƚ ƚŽ ĨƵůĮůůŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚ ďLJ ŚĂǀŝŶŐ ĂŶ ĂƵƚŚŽƌŝnjĞĚ ƌĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƟǀĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ Žƌ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶ ƐŝŐŶ Ă ůĞƩĞƌ ŽĨ ĂŐƌĞĞŵĞŶƚ ǁŝƚŚ E E͖ ĂŶĚ % ^Ƶďŵŝƚ Ă ĮŶĂů ŶĂƌƌĂƟǀĞ ĂŶĚ ĮŶĂŶĐŝĂů ƌĞƉŽƌƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚ ƚŽ E E ǁŝƚŚŝŶ Ϯ ǁĞĞŬƐ ŽĨ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚ ĐŽŵƉůĞƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ŶŽ ůĂƚĞƌ ƚŚĂŶ DŽŶĚĂLJ͕ DĂƌĐŚ ϯϭ͕ ϮϬϭϯ͘ ,Žǁ ƚŽ ĂƉƉůLJ͗ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ĂƌĞ ŶŽǁ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ Ăƚ ǁǁǁ͘ŶĂŶ͘ŽŶ͘ĐĂ Žƌ ďLJ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƟŶŐ >ŽƌĞƩĂ ^ŚĞƐŚĞƋƵŝŶ͕ ,ĞĂůƚŚ ŽŽƌĚŝŶĂƚŽƌ͕ Ăƚ ϭͲϴϬϬͲϰϲϱͲϵϵϱϮ ͬ ϴϬϳͲϲϮϯͲϴϮϮϴ Žƌ ďLJ ĞŵĂŝů ůƐŚĞƐŚĞƋƵŝŶΛŶĂŶ͘ŽŶ͘ĐĂ ͘ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶ ^ƵďŵŝƐƐŝŽŶ WƌŽĐĞƐƐ͗ % ůů ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ ĚĞĂĚůŝŶĞ ĚĂƚĞ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƌĞǀŝĞǁĞĚ ďLJ Ă ƐĞůĞĐƟŽŶ ĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĞ͘ % ůů ĂƉƉůŝĐĂŶƚƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ŶŽƟĮĞĚ ĂƐ ƐŽŽŶ ĂƐ ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ĂŶĚ ŶŽ ůĂƚĞƌ ƚŚĂŶ :ĂŶƵĂƌLJ ϭϱ͕ ϮϬϭϰ͘ % ƵĞ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ůŝŵŝƚĞĚ ĂŵŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ĨƵŶĚŝŶŐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͕ ŝŶĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞ Žƌ ůĂƚĞ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ǁŝůů ŶŽƚ ďĞ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĞĚ͘ >/E &KZ WW>/ d/KE /^ t E ^ z͕ : Eh Zz ϴ͕ ϮϬϭϰ Λ ϱ͗ϬϬ WD ^d͘

Coast Salish carver George Franks’s handcarved Thunderbird was a hit at the 13th Annual Aboriginal Fine Arts and Crafts Xmas Gift Show and Sale.

“This is my interpretation of the Nanabosho story,” said Franks, who carved the Thunderbird from a 100-year-old red cedar tree. “Nanabosho’s friend was the wolf, so this is the wolf here, and the Thunderbird is on top.”

Franks, who has been living in Thunder Bay for about five years, said the copper plates on the piece represent the copper that was once mined and traded by Anishinabe traders from the local area.

“That’s where the trade items come from, the copper,” Franks said. “And on top of it is the fruit bowl for ceremonies, for smudge ceremonies or tobacco offerings.”

Franks also placed birch bark on a platform with wheels that allows the piece to be moved effortlessly.

Franks sold the piece on the last day of the arts and crafts sale, held from Dec. 3-7 at the Victoriaville Centre in Thunder Bay. Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

9

10

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Wawatay News

Kwayaciiwin’s Exploratory Process

It is with interest and anticipation that I look forward to the “Exploratory Process to consult the grassroots people to determine Kwayaciiwin’s future role in education support services in the Sioux Lookout district as mandated by the Chiefs”. I hope you read the first information insert on the Wawatay News that introduced the exploratory process, work-plan and possible education concepts for your consideration. The insert also outlined some of the possible benefits that each concept can achieve to improve the education gaps as partners. This is the second insert of our communication process.

In this second insert, it is our hope that all parents will have a better understanding of Kwayaciiwin’s possible future roles, school system, standards and school issues that need to be addressed collectively. Even though, there are many positive achievements and successes in the schools, there are some education issues that I will outline that affect the schools. I will outline the importance of standards. It is not my intention to disrespect anyone but to inform you of some issues in education that I am aware of, that we all need to address together as partners.

KERC is exploring possible two concepts: regional education organization (REO) and district school board (DSB) in the exploratory process. Keep in mind that under REO, you will create new aggregated services and all these second level services (initial steps) will gradually lead to the creation of the district school board if that is the future direction of the grassroots people. I want to remind you that the “Possible Future Impacts” listed are drafts and they will change based on your future directions. We just want to provide you as much information.

In our next insert, we will focus on providing you possible impacts to the local education authority’s governance, administration, management and programs.

Since 1988 to present, each Band Council and Local Education Authorities have managed and operated their school on behalf of the federal government. We all know that the government left us with nothing expect the school buildings, INAC did not leave in place the critical school support services for our area in 1988. Each community was left alone to run their schools to the best of their ability with limited resources. It was the tribal councils (1989) that have to intervene to establish some stability to provide second level services for their communities with no funds from INAC except the minimum advisory funds. The larger schools managed with limited support. Despite the limitations and severe shortage of funds, the communities managed to succeed with the support from the tribal councils and now with Kwayaciiwin Education Centre in the second level services area.

As I reflect from 1988 to present in terms of local control of education, there are some issues that still exist that I want to highlight which certainly affect the effectiveness of the schools and our collective support services as following: • improper use of curriculum guidelines in schools; • some staff do not believe in the approved culturally relevant curriculum thus ignoring it; • lack of proper administrative support for staff; • hiring practices must improve; • lack of communication between schools and even with Kwayaciiwin too; • lack of effective networking systems between schools and schools; • lack of standardization.

As you know, Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre (KERC) does not have any authority to supervise or inspect your schools. These are some of the very reasons why our children are not learning properly because there is no consistency and stability to start addressing the gaps together.

For the past eleven years (2002-2013), Kwayaciiwin’s initial goals were to develop systems and strategies to address the academic readiness gaps by providing second level services, creating a “Centre”, and developing a bilingual & bicultural program & curriculum guidelines based on First Nation values and to build capacity for leadership. In December 2009 - 2013, Kwayaciiwin received FNSSP funds to focus on three critical areas: literacy, numeracy, and student retention. With these new funds, development of new strategies such as: school improvement planning, local & district wide data-collection processes, developing district wide assessments, providing on-going professional development & training, and purchasing textbooks & IT equipment and working on student retention strategies, and most importantly, it made possible for KERC to hire experienced resource teachers. All of these critical initiatives and strategies were developed for a reason to develop standards as we move forward together as partners.

You might wonder why do we need District-wide standards for education?

Students in the north deserve a quality education and the same opportunities that every child in Canada is entitled to. We must strive for the same opportunities for our students up north. These are some reasons why we need standards: • Standards provide a clear set of shared goals and expectations for the school system; • Standards promote equity by ensuring that all students, no matter what community they are from, are well prepared with the skills they need; • Standards help teachers ensure that their students have the skills and knowledge they need to be successful by providing clear goals for learning to students and parents; • Standards help the development of a common district-wide assessment system that measures whether students have learned what was taught and to address the gaps; • Standards will achieve stability, standardization and consistency in the schools; • There is a standard district-wide Kwayaciiwin curriculum mandated by the Sioux Lookout Chiefs to be use in your school; • The other areas that we need to be standardized are the curriculum, school calendar, assessments, policies and etc As a parent, it is important to get involved in your child’s education. A child depends on you to make decisions that will benefit her / him in the future. It is our hope that each of you will take time to reflect and to determine how effective Kwayaciiwin’s education support services are to your schools. I hope that it will get you to think about your own school system too as we all work together for the same students. Kwayaciiwin exists for the children and schools, and we want to ensure that we are performing to your expectation. I want to encourage you all to participate and express your honest views and concerns in the KERC’s exploratory process. I feel that we (Kwayaciiwin and our partners Sioux Lookout area First Nations) have reached a “critical time” to review and focus on the urgent need to provide stability, standardization and consistency in our schools together.

Please review the following information and I encourage you to take notes of any questions that you might have as it pertains to the KERC’s exploratory process.

First Nations

Kwayaciiwin (KERC)

(It is possible that the REO could be the initial step on the path to the DSB. These options will be discussed during the community consultations).

What impact could occur with KERC as a Regional Education Organization?

Develop • All schools will have policies to ensure that all students receive good education within a safe school.

Standardized Policies • All schools will have procedures that parents can see to ensure that they understand how education is provided in a safe school.

Provide Second Level Special Education Services

Develop a Centralized Hiring system

1st Level of Service

2nd Level

3rd Level

Local Education Authorities (LEA’s) Administrative control of schools since 1988 based on Indian Control of Indian Education Each LEA is expected to function as a ‘school board’ No law-making capacity.

The passing of BCR’s only (Band Council Resolutions)

Tribal Councils formed starting in 1984 (1988 in the Sioux Lookout First Nations receive advocacy district) on education issues from NAN Limited 2nd level education services and advisory services from Tribal and AFN. Councils

KERC does not have any authority to directly supervise schools. That responsibility lies with the Local Education Authorities.

CONSULTATIONS WITH COMMUNITIES WILL DETERMINE FUTURE ROLE OF KERC Option 1 – Regional Education Organization with expanded services Option 2 – District School Board operating with authority similar to a provincial school board

KERC does not provide any 3rd level services

NAN (Nishnawbe Aski Nation)

NAN as a political-territorial organization is not involved in 1st level service delivery.

Administration of the NAN FNSSP Aggregated Partnership Proposal until March 31, 2015

NAN Education Jurisdiction Process Possible NAN Education Act

Province of Ontario

Daily operation of provincial schools as part of a provincial school board e.g. Sioux Mountain Public School in Sioux Lookout

Provincial Boards of Education e.g. Keewatin Patricia District School Board The Common School Act of 1846 established local school district.

School boards are responsible for governance (and policy) and operations (and procedures).

School boards are incorporated.

School board trustees are elected.

Legislation & government Ministry of Education Identifies and provides resources to provincial school boards.

• Parents who may move from one community to another are ensured that the school follows the same policies and procedures to ensure good education in a safe school.

• Assessments are given to any student who it is believed requires the assessment. Students will receive assessment and support at a much earlier age.

• If an assessment shows the need for support, the teacher will be given good strategies to support the student with learning.

• Professionals like psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists will also provide advice to support learning.

• Education Directors will no longer have to secure the services of professionals, but can purchase service instead, from KERC. • KERC will form a hiring committee to hire staff to be placed in schools across the north depending upon school needs.

• KERC will create a pool of teachers who can be hired throughout the year when a vacancy occurs. Thus there will be less wait time to replace teachers.

• Education Directors will not have to search for staff before, or during the school year, as KERC will have a pool for immediate replacement.

Create a supervisory service

• KERC will develop a mentoring program for principals, where principals and KERC administration will help develop principals early in their careers.

• KERC will create a job description and performance review documents to review the work of principals. Education Directors will assist KERC in the review, but KERC will ensure consistent reviews within all schools in the north.

• KERC will be able to provide professional development for staff in northern schools based on their identified needs from the principal and school review process. Education Directors will assist KERC with this process and professional development support, where requested.

What impact could occur with KERC as a District School Board (DSB)?

Standardized Policies • Policies for all aspects of running a school will standardize the approaches across the schools making for better impacts on student learning and for all aspects of reduced costs in purchasing. governance and • Principals, teachers, and parents will understand education better, and can support the youth in each community better by following policies and operations (finance, procedures. This will help improve student success. human resources, facilities, technology, • Education Directors will have common policies to work with and can talk with one another about best practices in supporting schools through the etc.) policies and procedures.

Centralized communications to all communities and schools

Recruitment, hiring, and evaluation of all staff

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre Needs Community Input To Determine Its Future Role

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Possible Impacts of REO and DSB ….

Executive Director’s Message on Exploratory Process of KERC’s Future Role Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all people especially to the parents and to their precious children. May the Spirit of Christmas bless your children and family

DECEMBER 19, 2013

More and improved partnerships with other education organizations

• The roles and responsibilities of the L.E.A. may change.

• The District School Board will communicate regularly and respond to parent requests. Newsletters and communication will be sent out, posted on the KERC DSB website, and broadcasted over the radio, webcasts, and local television.

• KERC will consult with the communities on education changes that are identified for consultation. This will help Education Directors build community relations with the school in supporting KERC to consult with communities.

• Education Directors will provide KERC with communication needs in their communities and rely on KERC to provide answers and communicate the successes that occur in each community school.

• A more formal approach will be taken to establish the hiring pool each year. This will help Education Directors replace staff more quickly.

• A common pay grid for all teachers will be created, which will allow for easier transfer between communities.

• Staff members who are struggling with teaching or administration will be provided with immediate support to enable them to serve students better.

School improvement will occur.

• Education Directors will have more time to focus on other school needs as hiring pools will be created and school reviews done and responded to

by KERC. • The DSB will have recognition, thus allowing for greater partnerships with other boards of education, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Ontario Ministry of Education.

• The sharing of policies and procedures, good teaching strategies, and cultural programs will occur between these organizations, thus saving money for other use, and improving academic results.

• Technology can be used to provide communication partnerships with other DSBs where principals and teachers can videoconference to discuss needs and successes with other principals and teachers in northwestern Ontario and beyond.

Our Vision

Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre is a respected, First Nation, community driven, sustainable centre of excellence. We provide comprehensive support and systems to ensure learner success, while providing a bilingual and bicultural program.

efD flabe/qf5g uxq3laD

fabqlaD jyoveg fjDq laq2kfEkaZ laqhaKfwg 8 vi3aqf5””, kePeeux5, qfUIg f2lOm5g laq;alaD lOvElaqhapladD 3jDq fOv2jkaZ jyOveg WfaZ fPrrE2kslaDha ePbg l2PrpladD wd ldyiladD1

Our Mission

Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre fosters excellence and comprehensive support services in partnership with our communities.

rydrilaD

fabqlaD jyoveg fjDq laq2kfEka-laqhaKfwg jmrydD lOvElaqhaKladD 3jDq wEpg rrE2ks3laD l2ls kaddkafg hp3ladD1

Resource Centre Kwayciiwin Education okout, ON P8T 1J8 43 Queen Street, Sioux Lo yaciiwin.com t. 807.737.7373 www.kwa

11

12

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Cowley awarded Truth and Reconciliation scholarship Bryan Phelan Wawatay News

Engine Oil • Hydraulic Oil • Anti-freeze • Grease • Outboard-Snowmobile and Chain Oil

Phone 1-877-445-4453 or 807-928-2261 Fax 807-928-2970 Sales email: tpaterson@morganfuels.ca Your “Winter Road” Fuel Delivery Company

THE LINE OTHERS THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE

A Whitefish Bay Anishinabe First Nation woman has received a Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Scholarship from the University of Winnipeg.

Diana Cowley is one of two recipients of $5,000 Truth and Reconciliation scholarships for 2013, the university announced Dec. 10. The scholarships recognize the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and honour students who are residential school survivors or descendants of residential school survivors.

Cowley, 27, graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a bachelor of arts in indigenous studies but has returned to complete an education certificate so she can become a teacher.

She found herself at a crossroads after graduating with her first degree, for which she majored in Aboriginal governance.

“My interest in becoming a teacher came from a vision quest that I went on about a year ago in finding out where I needed to go in life,” she said.

“The dream that I was gifted with was (of) me teaching children about Anishinabe culture.”

Cowley’s maternal grandparents attended residential school in Ontario.

“It was there that our rich and beautiful Anishinabe culture was erased,” she said.

“I believe that re-learning

Diana Cowley

about myself and where I come from, along with understanding more about my culture and spirituality, has helped me in my path

to healing.”

In her current academic program, she will focus on the teaching of history and politics.

“My goal is to not only to obtain my education degree but I also hope to get my postbachelor degree in counselling,” said Cowley, whose family roots are in Whitefish Bay, although she grew up in Winnipeg. “During that time, I want to go back to my community of Whitefish Bay to teach.

Whatever the future holds for

“Whatever the future holds for me, ultimately, will be by the direction of the Great Spirit.”

– Diana Cowley

me, ultimately, will be by the direction of the Great Spirit.”

Cowley is the first person in her immediate family to attend university.

“I believe my generation is working on creating positive change and healing in our community,” she said. “I know I can make a difference through education.”

As for the support she received in the form of the

scholarship, “I think I was chosen because I am taking back what was taken away and I will be teaching in truth for renewing good relations with all nations, which is in part of what the commission stands for,” Cowley said. “I want to say Kitchi-Miigwetch to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for this award. It’s helping me to stay focused on doing my best through school.”

The University of Winnipeg initiated its Truth and Reconciliation scholarships in 2010, and awards two of them annually.

The other recipient for 2013 is Amber Chartrand of the Dene Nation. She is a secondyear University of Winnipeg student majoring in criminal justice and conflict resolution, while juggling her studies with her role as a single parent.

Chartrand chose her field of study when she realized how over-represented Aboriginal peoples are in the justice system, in many cases due to the effects of residential schools.

“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission adds its congratulations to the award recipients and encourages them to continue their educational journey,” Justice Murray Sinclair, chairman of the commission, said in a news release.

“While residential schools, under the guise of education, have been responsible for harm and damage to Indigenous people and communities in Canada, the commissioners of the TRC believe that education does hold the key to reconciliation.”

It’s Getting Cold Out There!

Which means winter roads will be opening all throughout the North for January, February and March.

Make sure winter roads travellers come see you first..

REBATES UP TO

FINANCING AS LOW AS

1100 + 3.99

$

%

GREAT DEALS ON PREVIOUS MODEL-YEAR SLEDS. HURRY TO YOUR POLARIS® DEALER NOW. LIMITED-TIME OFFER.

Parts, Service, and Sales Address: 939 Tungsten St, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5Z3 Phone:(807) 623-2635 Email: jjsports@tbaytel.net Hours: Monday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm

TERRAIN DOMINATION

TerrainDomination.com 3.99% Finance Rate for 36 Months: This is a limited-time offer that is valid for the purchase of selected qualifying models and is subject to credit approval from TD Auto Finance® (TDAF) on qualified purchases financed during this program. Offer may not be combined with certain other offers, is subject to change, and may be extended or terminated without further notice. See participating retailers for complete details and conditions. Rates from other lenders may vary. Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed and down payment/trade. Minimum amount to finance is $5,000. Example: $7,500 financed at 3.99% over 36 months = 36 monthly payments of $221.40 with a cost of borrowing of $470.27 and a total obligation of $7,970.27.

Freight, licence, PPSA/RPDRM, insurance, registration, any retailer administration fees, and other applicable fees and taxes are not included in the financed amount. Dealers are free to set individual prices, but must be enrolled with TDAF to participate. Professional rider on a closed course. Polaris recommends that all snowmobile riders take a training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Never drink and ride. ©2013 Polaris Industries Inc.

Call Tom Scura!

1-888-575-2349

sales@wawatay.on.ca

Plan Your 2014 Advertising with Us! Wawatay Radio Network is here for you.

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

• Live Broadcastsing • Commercial Advertising • Simultaneous Translation

Rate cards for: Wawatay News Sagatay Magazine wawataynews.ca available online

Contact Mark Kakekagumick Email: markk@wawatay.on.ca Ph: (807) 737-2951. ext 2236 Toll Free 1-800-243-9059 Fax (807) 737-2263

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

13

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Photos by Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Left: Sandy Lake’s Ray Linklater shows off a three-panel painting he had for sale at the 13th Annual Aboriginal Fine Arts and Crafts Xmas Gift Show and Sale.

Above: Gull Bay’s Diane Davis (Nawogesic) had a number of moosehide gun cases for sale during the Dec. 3-7 arts and crafts sale.

Bottom right: Lake Helen’s Josie Wawia shows off her mother Anne’s quilted artwork during the Victoriaville Centre arts and crafts sale.

Bottom left: Slate Falls’ Chancillor Crane had a number of birch root carvings for sale at the annual arts and crafts sale.

Aboriginal artisans do “very well” at Victoriaville sale Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Slate Falls’ Chancillor Crane used his birch root carvings to overcome a tragedy in his community this past summer.

“We lost five people and this helped me deal with a lot of stuff,” Crane said. “In a way, it’s my therapy.”

Crane first began carving his birch root carvings after discovering a uniquely-shaped root while clearing his yard.

“One day I was cleaning my yard in the fall time and a frozen stump came out and I just

started carving it,” Crane said.

“I saw a cane at first and then I saw an eagle head. It just grew from there.”

Crane and a record number of Aboriginal artisans took part in the 13th Annual Aboriginal Fine Arts and Crafts Xmas Gift Show and Sale from Dec. 3-7 at the Victoriaville Centre in Thunder Bay. “This show is probably the best show I ever had,” said John Ferris, founder of the Aboriginal Artworks Group of Northern Ontario and organizer of the annual arts and crafts sale.

“Every year is like that, but

this year is more exceptional because there were new people, younger artisans, that had joined the group.”

Ferris noted an Aboriginal artisan from British Columbia who carves B.C. cedar.

“And he’s already worked with some of our local cedar and developed some creative artwork from that,” Ferris said.

“It was very amazing work.”

Ferris said the arts and crafts on display, which included quilts and unique jewellery, were very inspiring.

“We had over 200 artisans — a lot of people represented

other artists at their table,” Ferris said. “And despite the poor weather we had the first two days, a lot of people came in to purchase the artwork.”

Pic Mobert’s Candace Twance had a variety of wallhangings with Ojibwe floral designs painted on diagonal cross-sections of wood for sale while Sandy Lake’s Ray Linklater had a number of paintings, including a three-panel piece, for sale.

“I was influenced by Lloyd Kakepetum, the late Carl Ray, Roy Thomas and Joshim Kakegamic,” Linklater said. “But my

uncles always told me that you have to have your own style. So it’s better to have your own style where you are comfortable in.”

Ferris is currently planning another Aboriginal arts and crafts exhibition and sale for late July or early August 2014 in Toronto.

“We want this exhibition to concentrate on promoting our culture, our heritage and our language through our artwork,” Ferris said. “I’ve already spoken to the artisans, young and old, and they are very receptive.”

Ferris said the artisans want to expand their market and pro-

mote their artwork to a different audience.

“The (artwork) pricing should be at least double or triple the cost of what they are selling here,” Ferris said.

“We’re trying to promote our art to other cultures in different parts of the world, and we want to show them the authenticity of our work. That is why the prices are being set up a little higher than here.”

Ferris said the Toronto exhibition would cost about $600 per person for the five day trip, which includes two travel days and three exhibition days.

Accidents Happen. Know Your Rights.

Car and Truck Accidents, Snowmobile and ATV Accidents, Airplane and Boat Accidents, Slips and Falls, Serious Injuries, Death Cases, Long Term Disability, Dog Bites, Medical Malpractice, Victims of Crime.

Girones Law Firm also holds one of the largest number of multi-million dollar awards and settlements resulting from personal injury in Canada

Marc C. Laroche, Jennifer Kelly, André Bourdon, Lorenzo Girones, Q.C., Andrea Girones, Jay Meunier, absent from photo Jérémie Fournier

GIRONES LAWYERS A Serious Injury Law Firm

16 Cedar St. S.,Timmins 705-268-4242 • 1-800-569-1673 lg@vianet.ca

14

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Training in Counselling A 10-Course Diploma in Biblical Counselling (a satellite program of Providence Theological Seminary)

Offered at Beaver Lake Camp Dryden Ontario First two courses Theory 1 and Practicum 1 offered January 6 - 24, 2014 Average Cost: $150.00 per course plus textbooks and room and board.

For more information contact: Dorcas Layman (807) 937-4421 amos@northernyouthprograms.org Site 306, Box 1, RR3 Dryden, ON P8N 3G2

Submitted photo

Eleven Fort Hope community members had their heads shaved to fundraise towards a youth conference they plan to host in February 2014.

Fort Hope shaves heads for youth conference Stephanie Wesley Wawatay News

www.wawataynews.ca

Eleven members of Eabametoong First Nation gathered at the community cable station to participate in the culmination of a fundraiser that left them without their hair at the end.

Wiichiiwaywin Organizations Meeting Group, (W-OMG), formerly known as OW Working Group, held a meeting in September where the group decided to host a youth conference this coming February.

“We haven’t had one (a youth conference) in such a long time,” said Stella Waboose, a member of W-OMG. “We have been fundraising and also receiving generous donations for this upcoming event, but one of our fundraisers was for our local CHR Bill Shawinimash and the health and social ser-

vices clinical worker supervisor Sid O’Kees to shave their hair.”

Shawinimash and O’Kees are hosts of the BnS Radio Show, which airs every Friday on the radio station. O’Kees is also a member of W-OMG. “That’s why we started with that pair,” Waboose said.

The others who volunteered to shave their hair were Louie and Peggy Sugarhead, John Slipperjack Jr., Heather Slipperjack, Robert Meeseetawageesic, Stephen Sofea, Jan Vandermeer, and Phil the Nurse.

Their heads were shaved on Nov. 30.

Waboose explained that W-OMG decided they would donate portions of the funds raised by the hair shaving to both the Canadian Cancer Society and to the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto.

“We posted this fundraising drive and had more community members graciously

volunteer for our causes, and we raised a total of $3,140,” Waboose said. The hair shaving was aired on the local cable station.

As well as a $1,000 cash donation to the Canadian Cancer Society, the community also donated the hair that was shaved.

“We all agreed to donate to cancer research because all have been touched by this terrible disease and everyone who donated, as well as our volunteers, had someone in mind because we all felt it (cancer),” Waboose explained.

W-OMG donated a portion of the funds raised ($1,000) to the Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto because “kids from our community and our neighbouring communities have been patients there, and some still are,” Waboose said. “This hospital provides the best doctors to all children who walk into that building.”

The remainder of the funds raised will be going towards the youth conference.

“This is a worthy cause in itself,” Waboose said of the conference. “This conference will focus on youth empowerment. It has always been said that the kids are our future, and this is just the beginning of Eabametoong’s path to give truth to that phrase.”

Waboose said that W-OMG would like to express a sincere and heartfelt thank you to those who volunteered to have their hair shaved for the fundraiser.

“And of course, a thank you to the people of Eabametoong First Nation, Nurse Roxanne, Bushtown Jets, Taybinak Group, Andy Fyon, Sean Spenrath, Sam DeGrazia, Kaitlyn McCullough, and JCY Principal Nick Shaver for all of the generous donations,” Waboose said.

Lakehead Welcomes

Indigenous Lifelong Learners Lakehead University is committed to promoting the educational aspirations of Indigenous peoples. Programs at Lakehead offer academic, cultural and transitional services tailored to Indigenous student learning and research goals.

Specialization & Access Programs Ŗ +PFKIGPQWU .GCTPKPI Ŗ 0CVKXG #EEGUU 2TQITCO Ŗ 0CVKXG 0WTUGU 'PVT[ 2TQITCO

Aboriginal Education Ŗ *QPQWTU $CEJGNQT QH 'FWECVKQP

#DQTKIKPCN 2 , Ŗ 0CVKXG 6GCEJGT 'FWECVKQP 2TQITCO Ŗ 0CVKXG .CPIWCIG +PUVTWEVQTUŏ 2TQITCO

Programs include: Ŗ #DQTKIKPCN %WNVWTCN 5WRRQTV 5GTXKEGU Ŗ 7PFGTITCFWCVG )TCFWCVG 'PJCPEGOGPV Ŗ 'NFGTU KP 4GUKFGPEG

Office of

Aboriginal Initiatives aboriginalinitiatives.lakeheadu.ca

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

SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR ALL THE DETAILS ON THESE ITEMS AND MORE!

B a z a a r & N o ve l t y Th u n d e r B ay, O n

Toll Free

1-800-465-3930 w w w. b a z a a r a n d n o v e l t y. c a

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

15

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

For Fast, Efficient Service 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

DFC students win business awards Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Deer Lake’s Alyssa Meekis earned first-place honours and $300 for her photography business plan at Dennis Franklin Cromarty First Nations High School’s annual business awards. “I’ve done several events already in my home reserve,�

Meekis said after the Grade 11 Entrepreneurship class awards ceremony, held Dec. 9 at DFC. “And I’ve done a wedding, which is my biggest event I ever did. It was really exciting.�

Meekis said the wedding pictures are all framed and hanging in the newlywed family’s home. “It was really nice to see that when I went in there,� Meekis said. “I started taking pictures when I was about 10 when I got my first camera. I’ve been really passionate about photography for a couple of years

now.�

Meekis uses a Canon EOS Rebel T3i digital camera and four lenses, including fisheye, wide-angle and portrait lenses, to capture her images. “I just need a printer and ink and I’ll be ready to print them out for people,� Meekis said.

Although Meekis has been doing most of her photography assignments in Deer Lake and Sandy Lake, she plans to travel further afield for photography assignments once she graduates from high school this upcoming year. “I plan to do (the photography assignments) anywhere,�

Meekis said. “Usually, wherever I am, I try getting someone to ask me to take a picture for them.�

Meekis encouraged other youth to focus on achieving their dreams. “People shouldn’t give up on anything if they believe in it,�

Meekis said. “Just go for it.�

Bearskin Lake, Naongashiing receive funding for business centres Rick Garrick Wawatay News

The Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing (Big Island) are looking forward to the construction of a new 7,000-squarefoot business centre. “We are extremely excited by the opportunity to have a store and tourism centre in our community,� said Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing Chief Wesley Big George. “This store and tourism centre, created by our First Nation, will serve our neighbours, the surrounding area and visitors from the United States.

We hope that having ongoing access to goods and services will not only be convenient for residents and visitors, but also create economic opportunities for our community.�

The Treaty #3 community will receive $501,500 in support from Ontario’s Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program for the $1.5 million project, which includes a gas bar, grocery store, post office, gift shop and general store. “It is important that communities have a gathering place where cultural and educational activities can take place and community development initiatives can flourish,� said David Zimmer, minister of Aboriginal Affairs. “As

One Ontario, we will continue to work with First Nations and Aboriginal organizations to move forward on important capital projects that help build stronger, more vibrant communities.�

About 20 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the project, and about four full-time and six part-time positions are expected to be created once the businesses are in operation.

Bearskin Lake is also set to receive $750,000 from the Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program to support the $1.4-million expansion of its community centre, which will create jobs and enhance educational and training opportunities in the community.

Expected to be completed in 2014, the expansion will include new meeting and recreational facilities, a space for community programming and events and a new cafeteria.

The Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program has provided more than $30.7 million to support 112 major and minor capital grants and related feasibility studies to build or improve community centres and small business centres across the province since 2003.

Meekis plans to use the $300 award to buy clothing for her baby, who is due in about three months.

Cylde Moonias earned second-place honours during the award ceremony while Tre Fiddler earned third-place honours.

The Grade 11 Entrepreneurship class is part of the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program that was developed and implemented by the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative in 2008 to teach Aboriginal youth about business and entrepreneurship, to encourage them to complete their high school education and to go on to post-secondary studies. “This is our eighth year running the Grade 11 (Entrepreneurship) program,� said Brandon Wright, teacher of the Entrepreneurship class. “Every year we usually have on average about eight students, but

this year we had 13 students competing today. It was a very close competition; I guess that would happen when you have a deeper roster of competitors.�

Wright said one of his former Entrepreneurship students from two years ago recently opened up a restaurant in her home community of Sachigo after completing Culinary Arts at Confederation College. “The last I heard it was doing pretty well — since it’s a new business and she has a lot of attention,� Wright said. “And a few others have gone on the the business program at (Confederation) College.�

The Entrepreneurship program provides students with information on business and personal financial literacy, including the process to develop a budget, knowledge of banking, how to create spread sheets and the importance of financial projections.

Request for Pre-Qualification OLG Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation OLG has issued a Request for Pre-Qualification for the following Gaming Bundles for Modernizing Land Based Gaming in Ontario: RFPQ# 1314-045 for Gaming Bundle # 5 (GTA) RFPQ# 1314-120 for Gaming Bundle # 6 (West GTA) RFPQ# 1314-121 for Gaming Bundle # 7 (Central) OLG is using the MERX™ electronic tendering system to issue the RFPQ. MERX™ is a national service designed to facilitate the procurement process within the public and private business communities. You may obtain more information by referring to their website at www.merx.com/olg or by telephoning 1-800-964-MERX(6379) or by faxing 1-888-235-5800 and quoting the associated RFPQ solicitation numbers.

The closing date and time for the submission of proposals is March 13, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Note that OLG will release Requests for Pre-Qualification for other zones at a later date.

Magino Gold Project – Federal Funding Available December 2, 2013—The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is making available funding to support participation of the public and Aboriginal groups in the federal environmental assessment of the Magino Gold Project, located in Ontario.

Funding is available for eligible individuals and groups to enable their participation in upcoming steps of the environmental assessment, which include reviewing and providing comments on the Environmental Impact Statement and draft Environmental Assessment Report.

Applications received by January 13, 2014 will be considered. Recipients and the amount of funding allocated will be announced at a later date.

To apply for funding or for more information on the project and the environmental assessment process, visit the Agency’s website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca (Registry reference number 80044) or contact the Participant Funding Program by writing to PFP.PAFP@ceaa-acee.gc.ca or by calling 1-866-582-1884.

As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 put in place to support the government’s Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Agency is conducting a federal environmental assessment of this project.

This project is being assessed using a science-based approach. If the project is permitted to proceed to the next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canada’s strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and IROORZ XS DQG LQFUHDVHG ¿QHV. The Proposed Project Prodigy Gold Incorporated, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Argonaut Gold Incorporated, is proposing the redevelopment of the Magino Gold mine. The proposed project, located 14 kilometres south-east of the town of Dubreuilville, Ontario, would involve the construction, operation, decommissioning, and abandonment of an open-pit mine and metal mill. Mining will occur over seven to eight years with an ore production capacity of 30,000 tonnes per day. The on-site metal mill would have an ore input capacity of 15,000 tonnes per day and will operate for approximately 15 years.

16

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

Beside Walmart DRYDEN Cars – Trucks – Vans – SUVs – Trailers – Snowmobiles We accept all trades Boats, motors, atv’s and vehicles We Finance OAC - We deliver vehicles - Lay Away We ce n Fina

We do DEALS

WE CASH CHEQUES

Best Selection of Safety Certified Vehicles Ever

www.nwautosales.ca

!

D L SO 2008 DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB automatic,low kms. $12,995

2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

[ ÀDUH VLGH &OHDQ $7,495

E

SAL

STK.# 2515

2004 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER [ ORDGHG Z OHDWKHU $9,895

STK.# 2492

2007 DODGE DAKOTA

4XDG &DE [ $8,995

E

SAL

2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

[ $OO UHDG\ WR JR $8,995

E

SAL

2004 HONDA CRV

$:' 5HPRWH VWDUW $7,995

STK.# 2475

2007 KIA SPECTRA

F\O 'U ORDGHG $6,995

!

D L SO 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS

V6 automatic, moon roof $6,495

E

SAL

2008 PONTIAC G5

&\O $XWR WLG\ 'U $6,995

STK.# 2408A

STK.# 2527

2007 CHEVY UPLANDER $7,995

E

STK.# 2480

2008 FORD F 150 4X4

8 ft box Low kms. $12,995

STK.# 2432

2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT

[ 9 $XWR IXOO\ ORDGHG $9,695

STK.# 2426B

2006 FORD ESCAPE XLT

9 $XWR IXOO\ ORDGHG $7,995

2004 FORD F150 S/C XLT

STK.# 2479

2008 CHEVROLET HHR

$XWRPDWLF IXOO\ ORDGHG $7,495

2005 CHEVROLET COBALT 4 cyl. Automatic $5,995

STK.# 2470

2007 TOYOTA MATRIX

'U F\O 6SG /RZ NPV

2003 DODGE RAM

[ Y DXWR IW ER[ $3,995

!

D L SO

2007 DODGE DAKOTA

2004 DODGE CARAVAN SE

4XDG &DE ZLWK &DS $8,995

9 $XWR ORDGHG VHDWV $5,495

STK.# 2486

STK.# 2484

2004 KIA SEDONA

9DQ VHDWV IXOO\ ORDGHG $5,495

2014 PJ Trailer all Sizes from 8 ft. to 18 ft. single and tandem axle trailers. Dump trailers, car haulers we have the best selection ever STK.# 2495

4x4 V6, Automatic $6,495

STK.# 2526

E

STK.# 2505

1998 DODGE

STK.# 2465

2004 GMC JIMMY

Ext Cab 4x4 $8,995

Best selection of Trailers

SAL

E

2006 CHEVY COLORADO

SAL

2010 FORD F150

Ext Cab 4x4 $13,995

SAL

STK.# 2524

STK.# 2500

[ Y $XWR ORDGHG $8,995

STK.# 2523

AS IS Specials

STK.# 2506

Ext cab 4x4 V8 automatic $1,295

2007 HYUNDAI ACCENT

'U F\O DXWR ORZ NP $6,995

!

D L SO 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM

4 Cyl. Low Kms.Automatic $5,495

E

SAL

STK.# 2474A

2005 GMC ENVOY

[ Y $XWRPDWLF $3,995

Call Toll Free 1 866 485 7886

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

17

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Miichim program honours hunters with feast Bryan Phelan Wawatay News

The hunting season so far hadn’t gone well for the people of Slate Falls First Nation. The weather wasn’t co-operating and no one was having any luck in shooting a moose.

Until now.

Near the head of the rapids, Ryan Loon nailed one of his traps to a tree when a cow moose walked towards him.

Ryan’s gun sat in his boat about 30 feet away. He hesitated at first, unsure what to do, then dashed for the boat and got a shot off with his gun before the moose could run away.

Kathy Loon, Ryan’s aunt, tells this story from a couple of years ago to illustrate her nephew’s hunting prowess.

She’s speaking to about 40 people gathered for the second annual Miichim Hunters Feast at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre. The feast, held Dec. 12 in the health centre’s Josias Fiddler Conference Centre, honours Ryan and others who contributed to health centre’s Miichim (Traditional Foods) program over the past year.

Kathy is the manager of traditional programs at Meno Ya Win, including the Miichim program.

“This boy has been hunting since he was a little guy … running around after his grandfather,” she says of Ryan.

“He’s often gone for long periods of time from home, just wandering the bush, checking his traps, hunting.”

And when Ryan gets back from the bush, he shares what he has harvested.

“In Slate Falls, he single-

handedly feeds all the Elders and keeps their freezers full, as well as some of the Elders here (in Sioux Lookout) at Patricia Plaza,” Kathy says. “And now he’s starting to donate to the hospital. So I’m very proud of my nephew here.”

“...when Ryan gets back from the bush, he shares what he has harvested.”

Dick Bramer, general manager of support services for Aramark, the company that provides food services for Meno Ya Win, presented Ryan with a gift to show appreciation for the fish he has donated to the Miichim program. Others received recognition and gifts for contributing geese, venison, moose, grouse, caribou, and blueberries.

“Without your generous donations and commitment, the program would not exist,” says Dean Osmond, Meno Ya Win’s vice-president of corporate services and chief operating officer. “Providing traditional foods to our clients is an essential part of providing culturally-appropriate care.”

Traditional foods are offered to Meno Ya Win patients once a week. A selection of pre-made, frozen Miichim meals are also prepared for patients who want to stay with their traditional diets on a daily basis. And boiling fish and moose can accommodate those on special diets requiring nutritional fluids.

“It’s very, very important,” Kathy Loon says of the Miichim

Bryan Phelan/Wawatay News

Elders Isiah Kanate of North Caribou Lake, Damin Crowe of Sandy Lake, and Andy Lac Seul from the First Nation of Lac Seul line up for traditional food at the Meechim Hunters Feast hosted Dec. 12 by Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre. program. “Some of these Elders, they’ve lived on this food for 80 years and then it’s food from a different culture.

They’re just not used to it. For them to get a traditional meal once a week means a lot to them.”

Joan Winter of Wapekeka First Nation, in Sioux Lookout for Meno Ya Win Elders Council meetings, agrees.

“When Elders are taken out of their community and brought here, some won’t want to eat anything unless it’s traditional food,” she says at the Miichim feast, which included roast moose, baked walleye, wild rice casserole and bannock. “It’s always good when

they feed us traditional food when we’re here because it’s healthy.”

Art Weir, the Miichim cook, on average prepares 150 meals per week for Meno Ya Win, the adjacent Jeremiah McKay Kabayshewekamik hostel, and the William George Extended Care facility not far away.

The traditional food is stored and prepared in a small kitchen separate from the main Meno Ya Win kitchen to comply with health and safety regulations, notes Michelle Beaulne, the health centre’s director of environmental services.

Meno Ya Win would eventually like to offer traditional food to its patients

more often but that will depend on the amount of food donated, she says.

“Last year the snow was high up North, so the hunting was pretty hard and our freezers were a little low,” says Loon.

“This year it’s good; we had a good fall.” Loon should know, having contributed moose, caribou and partridge she hunted herself.

Donations to the Miichim program come from across the region served by Meno Ya Win, with big game usually from communities accessible by road, while ducks and geese are more easily shipped from remote northern communities.

“It is a little hard to ship a

whole moose on a plane,” Loon explains, although airlines have been supportive of the program.

“I’m really glad we get to recognize the hunters who have contributed to this program and ask people to continue donating,” she says after the feast.

Adds Winter: “I’m just hoping the program will keep going, so the patients can get food some of them are longing to eat when they’re brought out here.”

Donations to the Miichim (Traditional Foods) program can be arranged by calling Kathy Loon at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, 807-7376561.

18

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Health Services

Financial Services

Health Services

Bad Credit, Bankruptcy or have No Credit? Let our Financial Services manager, Joanna work with you to find the right payment and guide you through the process of re-establishing your credit. Together we will get you into the right vehicle today! Contact Joanna today toll free at 1-800-465-1144 or email joanna@bayview.toyota.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.

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

Business 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)

Place your classified ad with us.

1-800-243-9059

Swearing in

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

Heavy Equipment

Snowcat. Bombardier BR350, all way blade. serviced , cummins engine. LanceBright@hotmail.com 780-945-7945 located in Winnipeg.

Kaitlyn Bluecoat/Special to Wawatay News

Councillor Jack Mckay takes his oath of office from electoral officer Pauline Morris and Election Elder Rebecca Hartley in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug. Donny Morris and Darryl Sainnawap were re-elected as chief and deputy chief, respectively, while Leonard Beardy, Cecilia Begg, Debra Beardy, Steven Chapman and Randy Nanokeesic were also sworn in as councillors.

Michael T. George Owner BRANDING EVERYTHING! THINK LOGOED!

Providing Business Lending Services since 1997 to our member communities.

Embroidered & Imprinted TEAM CLOTHING Jerseys, jackets, athletic pants

Please visit our website or find us on Facebook Location: John R Delaney Youth Centre 28 Amisk Street, PO Box 308, Moose Factory, ON P0L1W0

www.impactpromos.ca 1-888-206-5064 1018 Victoria Ave. E. Thunder Bay, On.,

Licenced Repair Garage 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

Phone: (705) 658 - 4428 • Fax: (705) 658 - 4672 • Toll Free: (800) 989 - 4850

w w w. g i l l o n s . o n . Đ Ă ͻ 1 - 8 0 0 - 4 6 5 - 7 7 9 7

www.snowshoesalesandrepairs.com

4JPVY -PPLPVU r 3FE -BLF r 'PSU 'SBODFT r %SZEFO &NP r 3BJOZ 3JWFS r "UJLPLBO r 5IVOEFS #BZ

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING INTERIORS Three Disciplines, All Creating Better Places For People

Thunder Bay, ON 345-5582 or Toll Free (866) 345-5582 www.formarchitecture.ca

HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSULTANT The Canada Labour Code Part II

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

Place Your Business Ad Here

1-888-575-2349

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

807 937-5870

• Business Cards • Brochures •

Jim Fidler

#230422

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…

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

19

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

Taykwa Tagamou entrepreneur signs deal Stephanie Wesley Wawatay News

A Taykwa Tagamou Nation (TTN) entrepreneur has formed a partnership with a Fortune 500 company.

Last month, Cree Quest partnered with Aramark Remote Workplace Services to build capacity for Cree Quest to access and deliver services on a larger scale within northern Ontario.

Tina Gagnon of TNN is the sole owner of the company Cree Quest, which provides catering, event planning, and equipment rentals.

Aramark Remote Workplace Services’ website says the company is a North Americanwide provider of industrial camp and catering solutions for a diverse client base in the extractive resource industries, forestry, emergency services and the military. It also has clients in 22 different countries. “I’m just really pleased about the partnership with Aramark,�

Gagnon said. “Their corporate social responsibility is in line with my vision as a business owner, such as employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and nutrition, and community involvement.�

Gagnon said Aramark is a $13.5 billion business and world leader in professional services. “One thing that really attracted me is they’re recognized under the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business under a silver level, which means they value working with Aboriginal communities at a higher level,� Gagnon said.

Gagnon grew up in Moose Factory and lived in Moosonee for a few years before she relocated to TTN, where she was

Tina Gagnon mainly raised.

Cree Quest was formed as a sole proprietorship in 2010. “I started off by offering catering and event planning, like open houses and Christmas parties specifically for the community,� Gagnon said. “The largest event was the spring Chiefs Assembly in May 2012.�

It was at the assembly that Gagnon says she recognized there was a market for Aboriginal businesses who “needed our skills as women and traditional values we hold as women.� “It turned into an opportunity and recognizing we have a flair for preparing traditional dishes, those were in high demand at different functions. That’s how we started,�

Gagnon said of Cree Quest.

Cree Quest got its name from Gagnon, who explained she was going into the competitive bidding market so she created the name from two sources. “There’s usually a process called RFP – request for proposals. I took the word ‘request’ and I wanted to incorporate my Cree culture in that as well in recognizing it was an Aborigi-

nal business. I took Cree Quest.�

Gagnon has a college diploma in Addictions and Community Services, and also attended university for a time and studied history. She also recently completed a four-year term as a band councillor for TTN. “I took all of those learning experiences and with the intent of the community service background I was able to indentify barriers that our people had,� she said. “I thought Cree Quest was the avenue to explore more boulevards of growth and development that were lacking in the workforce.�

Gagnon said she took her work experience and education to create a business. She explained that she always had an entrepreneurial spirit. “Back in my early 20’s, I entered a business planning competition and I placed first in a category for business planning,� Gagnon said. She had to present her business plan to a panel of four banking institutions. “That set the bar to where I wanted to be as I grew older,�

Gagnon said of the experience. “I’ve always had it in me. My mission was to help people, to help my community as well.

So combining what my future was and what I have already learned turned it into a successful business.�

Cree Quest recently started to expand into professional services like traditional food remote camp services, event planning, and equipment rental.

Gagnon said that it was not easy when she started Cree Quest. “Some of the challenges were being taken seriously as

a competitor and as a woman.

The tethering process of my business is wide open to others, to competition, and the competition already existed for many years, they have the capacity,� Gagnon explained. “I had to prospect for a partner in order to be more competitive.�

Gagnon said she felt that as a woman it was really a man’s world in the negotiation process and bidding. “I did lose a few times but I continued to seize the open opportunities and I just never gave up,� Gagnon said.

Gagnon said the partnership between Cree Quest and Aramark will enhance what she can do as a sole owner and will help her as a member of TTN to provide more employment opportunities for the community. “It’s going to help me develop more management supervisory training positions as opposed to just house keeping or janitorial,� she said. “I want to take it to a higher level than that, I think we have more skills than just what is being offered out there right now.�

She said that the new partnership Cree Quest has with Aramark will build her company’s capacity to grow and be more competitive in remote workplace services. “It’s going to set the bar to developers out there that they need to recognize that if they’re going to do work in our territories, we have the capacity within our own membership to provide services,�

Gagnon said. “So it’s not even a question as who is going to do the work – it should be a given,� she said. “It’s in our territory, we can do the work. Let’s get to work.�

Fort Hope youth receives governor general award Stephanie Wesley Wawatay News

Eabametoong First Nation’s Hanna Waswa, 21, was presented with a Governor General Student Award for History at a ceremony in Rideau Hall on Nov.19.

Waswa was awarded the medal after winning first place in her age category earlier this year in the 2013 Aboriginal Arts and Stories Challenge for a story she wrote called “The Peaceful Dead.� “When I started this story, my main goal was to portray reserve life as accurately as possible,�

Waswa explained in her author’s statement on the challenge’s website. She said the idea of making her story’s main character a girl who was coming home from high school to attend her mother’s funeral was one that she had “been playing with for a long time.�

Waswa identified with her character in the way that she also had to leave her home community to attend high school. “While the tragedy is rare, the emotions and circumstances are a daily part of people’s lives,�

Waswa said of her winning entry.

Alicia Dottiwalla from Aboriginal Arts and Stories said that Waswa’s story “recounts the emotions, familial connections and trials of a young person who has experienced the realities of life both on and off her home reserve.�

Waswa was invited to Rideau Hall in Ottawa to receive her Governor General’s Award from Gov.-Gen David Johnston. “To be honest, it (the ceremony) was quite surreal,�

Waswa said.

The contest is currently open and the deadline is March 31, 2014. More information can be found at www.our-story.ca.

Immediate Availability

And Ready to Work...

2009 Prinoth Bison 7900 hrs

Assembly of First Nations

February 3-5, 2014 ‡ The Westin Harbour Castle Hotel ‡ Toronto, Ontario The National First Nations Infrastructure Conference and Tradeshow will be a unique and timely opportunity for dialogue and information sharing on current infrastructure and housing issues and challenges facing First Nations.

The Conference will be an opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss best practices and network on LQQRYDWLYH ZD\V RI EXLOGLQJ PDQDJLQJ SURFXULQJ DQG ÀQDQFLQJ LQIUDVWUXFWXUH LQ )LUVW 1DWLRQV communities.  Interactive Workshops and Information Plenary Sessions  Networking Events  Tradeshow Who Should Attend?  First Nations Leadership  First Nations Band Administrators  First Nations Water, Housing and Infrastructure Technicians  Federal and Provincial Governments  Industry Suppliers and Consultants

Cat Engine * 66� Tracks *All-way Blade * Rear Cargo Deck * Fully Serviced

Winter Road Utility and Rescue Vehicles

DON’T MISS OUT:  Pre-paid delegates who book at the conference hotel will be eligible for Early Bird Draws! www.lochlomondequipmentsales.com

807 472 7357

Sponsorship provided by:

Visit www.afn.ca/NFNIC for more information or contact Regina Toulouse by email at rtoulouse@afn.ca or by phone at 613.241.6789 Ext. 326 or toll free at 1.866.869.6789

Place Your Business Ad Here

1-888-575-2349

20

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

LOVE RESPECT COURAGE HONESTY WISDOM HUMILITY TRUTH Jeremiah McKay Kabayshewekamik, the hostel in Sioux Lookout, Ontario provides a home-away-from-home for First Nation patients coming to and through Sioux Lookout for medical appointments and care.

While at the hostel, we ask that patients and their escorts honour the Seven Sacred Teachings and the house rules in place to ensure a safe, healthy and enjoyable visit for everyone staying here.

Did you know?

The Jeremiah McKay Kabayshewekamik (hostel) has 24/7 security on-site. The security team is here to ensure all guests are safe. This means they may visit your room to respond to noise complaints and ensure you are respecting the premise. Only registered guests are allowed in the hostel rooms. Outside visitors are welcome to meet with guests in the lobby and dining area, but are not allowed into the rooms.

Also, this facility has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol, smoking, drugs and violence.

This is in place to ensure the safety and health of all guests. If a guest is caught violating this house rule they will be escorted out of the building. Please, respect yourself and respect the health and comfort of your neighbours.

www.slfnha.com

SECTION B

December 19, 2013 Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

ABOVE: Margaret Scott, George Nakogee, Jules Spence of the Timmins bureau.

LEFT: Rick Garrick, Stephanie Wesley, Lucy Percy, Tom Scura, Lenny Carpenter, Roxann Shapwaykeesic of the Thunder Bay bureau.

BELOW: (Back row) Terrance Meekis, James Brohm, Grant Keesic, Jeff Hindy, Jerry Sawanas, Brian Aysanabee, Bill Morris, Bryan Phelan, Michael Dube and Victor Lyon. (Front row) Vicky Angees, Adelaide Anderson, Kaylin Reid and Matthew Bradley of the Sioux Lookout bureau.

B2

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Feathers of Hope attend AFN youth summit Stephanie Wesley Wawatay News

photo by Stephanie Wesley/Wawatay News

Three Feathers of Hope youth took part in the Feathers of Hope forum held this past spring in Thunder Bay.

NEWS BRIEF

Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Assessment Report Submitted to Government Osisko Hammond Reef Gold is pleased to announce the submission of the Final Environmental Impact statement/Environmental Assessment (EIS/EA) Report to the government for conformance review this month. We expect to publish the EIS/EA Report for public comment early in 2014. We will be visiting the Town and Aboriginal communities in December, and plan to host a public Open House early in January 2014.

We would like to thank all of you who have helped and supported us through the environmental assessment process. It has been both encouraging and enlightening, and all of your feedback and information has been very valuable and appreciated.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with you into the New Year, and in the meantime, wish all of you a very happy and healthy holiday season!

Happy Holidays!

OSISKO HAMMOND REEF GOLD LTD. Head Office:

Regional Office:

Contact:

1100, av. des Canadiens-de-Montréal Suite 300, P.O. Box 211 Montreal, QC H3B 2S2

101, Goodwin Street, P.O. Box 2020 Atikokan, ON P0T 1C0

Alexandra Drapack Director Sustainable Development Hammond Reef Project adrapack@osisko.com

www.osisko.com

More than 500 First Nations youth aged 18-35 from across the country attended the Assembly of First Nations’ (AFN) 4th youth summit from Nov.18-21 in Saskatoon to develop a five-year action plan for change and progress to address their priorities.

Among them were members of the Thunder Bay-based youth group Feathers of Hope (FOH), who were invited by AFN to attend this year’s summit.

“We were asked to speak by the AFN Youth Council. We were invited to the conference just to speak about Feathers of Hope, about what we have done so far and where we are going,” said Uko Abara, one of FOH’s youth amplifiers.

Kathryn Morris, another amplifier from FOH, said that she was happy for FOH to have the opportunity to speak at the AFN youth summit.

“Our goal is to spread the word on Feathers of Hope and that was a good way to do it,” Morris said.

The three-day summit held workshops and panel discussions on priority issues directed by youth.

FOH held three workshops a day, with an increasing amount of attendees with each new workshop.

“When we were there, we talked about what the (FOH) forum is and we talked about the different things that comprised it,” Abara said. “It’s not only a forum but a youthled initiative, and there is also the action plan.”

FOH held a forum last spring with youth from across northern Ontario to discuss key issues affecting the youth and their communities, and have been working on an action plan and a report from the forum.

Abara said that they wanted to encourage the youth at the summit to take charge of FOH, and that they talked of the benefits that the forum held in the spring had for the youth.

“So if you want to take a first step towards making change where you are, Feathers of Hope is a way,” Abara said.

The feedback FOH received after each workshop was very positive, said Morris.

“At the end of each of our presentations or workshops, we had numerous requests to visit different communities across Canada,” Morris said. She said that a lot of the questions had to do with how to get something like FOH started in home communities.

“There was a lot of interest in what we were talking about,” Abara said of the feedback after the workshops.

AFN National Youth Co-Chair Noel Joe said, “First Nations youth are the fastest growing demographic in Canada and need to be meaningfully included in shaping the way forward on all areas that affect our lives and the futures of our nations.”

“It was really good to see how these young people (at the summit) are really active and more knowledgeable about what’s going on in their communities and within Canada,” Morris said.

“For me, it was a good experience to see that there are a lot of youth leaders across Canada within the

communities,” Abara said. “It was nice to see these leaders are connecting with each other and empowering each other.”

Abara said that the issues and experiences that affect First Nations in northern Ontario are also experienced by other First Nations youth across Canada.

“The issues are alive and well, but it’s good to see the youth are taking the time and initiative to solve these problems,” Abara added.

National Chief Shawn Atleo, who addressed the summit on the first day, said that the young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, “they are our leaders right now.”

“We look forward to working with the National Youth Council and all our youth in ensuring their plans and priorities are integrated into our national action plans and strategy,” Atleo said. “We will move forward stronger, together.”

The five-year action plan from the summit will be released in early 2014 and will be incorporated into the AFN national agenda.

Morris said that the FOH action plan and report from the spring forum would be released early in the New Year.

“I just want to repeat that one of our main goals going to the summit was to spread the word about Feathers of Hope and allow youth to take charge about that process to solve and address issues in their communities and in their own lives,” Abara said.

“Youth from all of our territories came together to discuss important priorities in their lives and for the future, such as education, economic development, health, treaties, and supporting our cultures and languages...”

– AFN National Youth Council Co-Chair Sasha Maracle

“We hope they can interact with the resources they have, whether its with their own provincial advocate’s office, the band offices, and with each other, we are hoping that the youth can take the idea of FOH and implement it within their own communities and work towards the change they want to see.”

AFN National Youth Council Co-Chair Sasha Maracle said having these national youth summits is important for youth to meet up and discuss their issues.

“Youth from all of our territories came together to discuss important priorities in their lives and for the future, such as education, economic development, health, treaties, and supporting our cultures and languages,” Maracle said in a media release. “We are building a plan to move these priorities forward, led by youth and supported by leadership.”

Updates and information about Feathers of Hope can be found at facebook.com/FOHTbay or on Twitter at @FOHTbay

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

B3

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo Visits Pikangikum Jeff Kiyoshk Ross Special to Wawatay News

Assembly of First Nation’s National Chief Shawn A-inchut-Atleo addressed a packed community centre in Pikangikum on Nov. 27 at the request of the community chief and council to advocate a new working relationship with the federal government and speak to its high school students.

Pikangikum Chief Paddy Peters opened the meeting with a sombre account of necessities such as clean water, power, and sewer that he said, “were promised years ago, but never happened.”

“The basic necessities for the health and safety of the community are at a standstill today,” he said, and the federal government has ignored repeated requests to meet.

Peters held a large stack of letters that he says have been sent over the years.

Though Pikangikum battles with social problems, infrastructure, and classroom portables, this meeting highlighted that Pikangikum has big plans ahead. This was underscored by the full attendance of the high school students whose energy filled the centre, and it is that group of young people that the community is fighting hard for.

The Whitefeather Forest Initiative is Pikangikum’s answer to economic development and has been in refinement for 18 years.

This Elder-driven project would be an environmentally sustainable forestry practice that would be owned and operated by Pikangikum.

Just this year, they have been granted a forestry license, but

Submitted photo

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo (standing, right) speaks before Pikangikum community members on Nov. 27. the meeting highlighted the frustration with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of Canada (AANDC), formerly known as INAC, who hold the keys to any economic development on Native land and refuse to meet with the First Nation or provide any funding.

Peters called on the National Chief to advance the concerns of the First Nation to the federal government.

Alex Peters, president of Whiteforest says, “INAC knows this will be a successful initiative. They know it will get us out of that INAC mentality.”

In a meeting that was conducted in both English and Ojibway, at times very sombre with frustrations, Peters pointed out with pride, “Pikangikum is an Ojibway speaking community . . . even

“I like the pride you have here for your culture and your language . . . and you’re strong in your language and I love that. It fills me up with inspiration.”

-Atleo responding to youth question

the little ones can understand their language.”

When asked National Chief Atleo about what he saw as unique in Pikangkum, he said he was impressed with the retention of the language.

“It also comes with what most of southern Canada calls being isolated,” he said. “But Pikangikum is in the centre of

their universe. Everyone else is isolated. And it’s the same way with my people feel from Ahousaht (British Columbia), where I come from. Because we’re in a so-called isolated community too.”

Atleo also spoke of many of the similarities.

“My village had over 65 suicide attempts and several completions in one calendar year. Pikangkum has experienced that, too. We experienced reaching out for support. So has Pikangikum.”

Pikangikum’s problems are not unique to First Nations across Canada, but if INAC allows the First Nation to go ahead with forestry, it could be a step to self-reliance, and with a new school being built for 2016, the community is fostering a new generation of hope. But this all comes

from the resilience of the First Nation to work with a system that keeps them from true selfdetermination.

Asked if the federal government has moved beyond the assimilationist policies of White Paper, a 1969 attempt to abolish Native rights and the Indian Act, Atleo said, “In some respects you still see misunderstanding in what it means to support community control.”

“I’m not sure it’s ever really changed. I don’t think the understanding has necessarily ever changed but there are improvements in it. Our people are learning more, Canadians are learning more, young people are learning more and gaining a better sense of selfawareness . . . in some respects Canada has got to learn, but our people are going to drive

the solutions. That’s where I get quite inspired and hopeful.

And it’s not about relying on governments to do it.”

Atleo’s message of hard work ahead resonated with the young crowd. One brave student stood and asked, “What do you like about Pikangikum?”

“I like the pride you have here for your culture and your language . . . and you’re strong in your language and I love that,” Atleo replied. “It fills me up with inspiration.”

Atleo’s speech brought applause from the young crowd, who are oftentimes quite reticent, but his stories ring true and similar to the common experience of First Nations. The young people in Pikangikum are not blind to the problems of social inequity faced by their parents and Elders.

Atleo said it best that day: “My father said to me, ‘son, my grandfather caught three whales. And my grandpa was this tall,’” he says with his hand at his chin.

“Three whales! One as long as this room,” as he motions to the length of the full gymnasium that is home to ball hockey, dances, bingo games, court, council meetings, and dances. “Just eight people in a canoe. A 42-foot canoe built from a cedar tree. You can’t just do that from skill. You have to go to the Creator. You have to go the Creator, and you ask that whale to grab that harpoon because that’s the food!”

The young people of Pikangikum need that support and those stories to know that though it may be difficult there is a way forward.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak introduces New K-Net Director ioux Lookout, Ontario - Keewaytinook Okimakanak announces that Dan Pellerin has joined the organization to run K-Net Services. Dan Pellerin comes with a wealth of experience within the industry, having spent the last seven years as a project manager for the expansion of internet and satellite services in northern Manitoba, Ontario and the Maritimes. Prior to that, Dan Pellerin was a key member of the team that was responsible for providing internet access to Northwestern Ontario Communities.

S

New Hope Youth Centre of Thunder Bay would like to thank everyone who contributed to making our Annual Fundraiser Dinner & Program a success on November 22, 2013.

Dan joins K-NET to continue providing residential, business and government services to First Nation communities in remote areas of northwestern Ontario and other remote communities in Canada. He also plans to expand K-NETs’ mandate to provide dependable services to the communities. Dan comments “I am excited to start a new challenge within K-NET and look forward to working with the team to further develop their already extensive services. I am fortunate to be joining such a respected organization that prides itself on top quality service.”

: Sharon Herman Newton Mamakeesic Avery Mamakeesic Shannon Kakapetum Rebecca Kakagamic Suneela Laldin Laila Roundhead Ashley Belmore Silver Suggashie Julian Walker Chad Ford Joshua Shapwaykeesic Karen Marano Renita Brubacher Roberta Shapwaykeesic Nicholas Walker Matthew Waboose Nicole Waboose Jonas Meekis Maggie Sofea NAN Grand Chief Harvey Yesno

Sondra Funk Mary Keesic Indy Meekis Marcia Weber The Flower Shed Breukelman's Potato Farm Sysco Foods Real Canadian Superstore Holland Bakery New Life Christian Fellowship Thunder Bay Christian Fellowship Nishnawbe Aski Nation Helen Yesno Curb Appeal Landscaping Epicure Selections by Marcia Weber Partylite by Roberta Shapwaykeesic Ron Marano Ontario First Nation Technical Services Dilico Youth Outreach Services Annie Culligan

New Hope Youth Centre exists to DzEmpower Youth in Reaching their full Potential while discovering Christdz 1-1014 Victoria Ave. E. Thunder Bay, ON // P7C 1B6 Board of Directors Ȃ Harvey John Yesno, Anthony Shapwaykeesic, Clarence Meekis, Phil Weber, April Sawanas Contact: Elisa Coates Ȃ NHYC Director // Phone: 623-HOPE (4673) // Email: newhope.elisa@gmail.com

Peter Campbell, Keywaytinook Okimakanak Executive Director, said “Dan’s wealth of experience and industry knowledge has already made him a key addition to the K-NET family. We view his arrival at K-NET as a sign of our commitment to being the leading organization in our industry in the North. Our new innovations and the increasing demand from our customers led us to ORRN IRU VRPHRQH ZKR FDQ OHDG RXU WHDP DQG ZKR ZLOO ¿W LQ ZLWK RXU VHDUFK IRU innovative and exceptional service, and it is very fortunate that we were able to ¿QG VRPHRQH RI 'DQ¶V FDOLEHU WR IXO¿OO WKLV UROH ,¶P FRQ¿GHQW WKDW 'DQ ZLOO SOD\ D key role in providing and implementing high quality solutions for our clients.”

About K-NET The Kuhkenah Network (K-Net) provides information and communication technologies (ICTs), telecommunication infrastructure and application support in First Nation communities across a vast, remote region of Northwestern Ontario as well as in other remote regions in Canada. This private telecommunications network supports the development of online applications that combine video, voice and data services requiring broadband and high-speed connectivity solutions. K-Net is a program of Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO), a First Nations tribal council established by the leaderships of Deer Lake, Fort Severn, Keewaywin, McDowell Lake, North Spirit Lake and Poplar Hill bands to provide a variety of second level support services for their communities. Kuhkenah is an Oji-Cree term for everyone, everywhere. ( www.knet.ca ) Contact Keywaytinook Okimakanak Peter Campbell, Executive Director (807) 735-1381 petercampbell@knet.ca

B4

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Photos by Paige Fiddler/Special to Wawatay News

Left: Santa Claus (Wayne Kakepetum) allows a child to take a gift from his sack.

Above: One of the many floats during Sandy Lake’s Christmas parade on Dec. 6.

Santa Claus comes to Sandy Lake parade Stephanie Wesley Wawatay News

Sandy Lake First Nation held it’s annual Christmas parade on Dec.6.

The parade was a combined effort of departments from the band office (Welfare Corporation, Health, Education, and Recreation) and other organizations, like Nishtum Kikinoamatowin Head Start.

Seth Fiddler, an employee of Sandy Lake Recreation, said that he helped make the

f loat for Santa Claus – who was played by Sandy Lake counselor Wayne Kakepetum.

“Everyone in the band office got together to help make the float,” Fiddler said.

Fiddler said that his favourite part was seeing the children of Sandy Lake converge together in groups in different parts of the parade route. He said that the f loats were passing out candies for the children.

“They (the children) gathered up on the road, they all got together,” Fiddler

“There was Christmas Spirit in the air, everyone had a smile on their face.”

-Paige Fiddler

said. “Their houses are separate from each other and they got together in one pack and they all got to get candies.”

“It was good seeing the

Elders come out to grab candies, too,” Fiddler added.

Fiddler said that the parade has been going on for decades.

“They used to have SkiDoo trains, too,” he said.

Kristen McKay, a member of the Sandy Lake Youth Council, said that she thought the parade was good.

“There were a lot of different f loats,” McKay said. “One float had a theme where it required a stove and smoke was even coming out.”

“It was fun, but so cold,” McKay said.

Paige Fiddler also had to contend with the cold as she snapped photos of the parade.

“My hands were frozen, I left my mitts in the truck because I couldn’t get a good grip on my shutter button,” Paige said. “But I got used to it (the cold) after a while.”

“There was Christmas Spirit in the air, everyone had a smile on their face,” Paige said.

The band office donated

cash prizes for the top three floats this year.

McKay said that Nishtum Kikinoamatowin Head Start won first place for its float.

“Nishtum gave out beans and bannock to the older people,” McKay said of Nishtum’s float.

Fiddler said that he is glad that everyone helped out this year for the parade, especially the businesses and organizations.

“It was great seeing all of the kids faces smile,” Fiddler said.

Christmas Greetings from Ontario Regional Chief: The season of joy has arrived and I’m happy to share a special message for this special time of year. It is a time of excitement, where we look forward to spending time with family and friends, enjoying each other’s company with the sounds of laughter all around. It is truly a special time to be thankful for all that we cherish in our lives.

It is also a time when we may be facing personal challenges.

Many are feeling pain of losing a loved one or battling feelings of loneliness; please know you are blessed and are in my thoughts and prayers.

I believe in the power of hope and the comfort of knowing God, our Creator, loves us all, gives purpose and provides peace within ourselves.

My Christmas wish to you is the opportunity to spend time with your loved ones and to make beautiful new memories that will be cherished. Have a very merry Christmas and safe travels to all.

THUNDER MOUNTAIN CULTURAL COMMITTEE PRESENTS

A TRADITIONAL

NEW YEAR’S EVE POW WOW FWFN/Community Centre Tuesday, December 31, 2013 6:00pm - 1:00am Host Drum: Lac La Croix Honourary Host Drum: FWFN/Chi-Anemki M.C: Clarence White - Arena Director: John Pierre Spiritual Advisors: Deanna Nowgesic Victor Pelletier DRUM GROUP SPLIT: $3,000.00 SMALL HONOURARIUM FOR DANCERS THAT ARE IN FULL REGALIA Doors Open 6:00pm - Grand Entry 7:00pm This is a community-based, family-focused, alcohol & drug free celebration

CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT Technical support services provide by Aaron Hardy Crafters tables available

Sincerely, Stan Beardy Ontario Regional Chief Chiefs of Ontario

For more information contact;

bear@fwfn.com 622.4998 • cherchapman@hotmail.com 476.5222 Jennelle Charlie nellibli@hotmail.com 632.5486

Free bus shuttle transportation service from City Hall Bus Terminal to FWFN/Fort William First Nation, Bingo Hall.

Buses loading at City Hall/May Street at 6pm; 8pm; 10pm and the last bus is leaving FWFN at 11:30pm.

MEEGWETCH - A heart and spirit-felt thank you.

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

B5

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

DFC focuses on global warming in An Honourary Elf play Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Intrigue and global warming headlined two Dec. 12 presentations of An Honourary Elf by students at Dennis Franklin Cromarty First Nations High School. “What was Mrs. Claus trying to do,� said Carol Barkman, a Grade 10 student from Sachigo Lake who performed the Tippy role in the play. “Global warming — it was actually Mrs. Claus.�

Although Frosty the Snowman, performed by Darrell Fiddler, thought that Santa, performed by Sage Mawakeesic, was behind the global warming that was melting him and the winter wonderland at the North Pole, it turned out that Mrs. Claus, performed by Antonia Meekis, was behind the whole affair. “Mrs Claus was the one that caused that (global warming),� said Nancy Currie, director of the play and teacher at DFC. “(Frosty was starting) to melt away and (there were) the tired reindeer. Everything worked out for the better.�

Fiddler, a student from Sandy Lake, noted that Frosty had melted down to just his head at one point in the play. “We were just trying to capture how global warming can affect the world,�

Fiddler said. “Frosty was just suffering from the effects of global warming.�

Currie said the drama class students have performed seven plays over the past few years and other students have also performed some plays. “The kids just love doing them,� Currie said. “It’s super for the skills they gain through the drama and they have a lot of fun. That’s what it is all about is having fun and being proud of what you did.�

Currie said the play was “basically just a comedy for entertainment.� “Jeanna (performed by Robyn Turtle) had to go to the North Pole and there was

a little message there I guess about her mom because she was so uncaring,� Currie said. “But at the end of the play she was caring.�

Jeanna ran away to the North Pole with a couple of unstable elves and discovered that something foul was afoot in Santa’s workshop.

So she set out to uncover the truth despite threats of re-education by the elves. “We started rehearsing the play three weeks ago,� said Meekis, a student from Deer Lake. “I felt really nervous but then after a while I got used to it.�

Alicia Koostachin, another student from Deer Lake who performed the Snooble role, signed up for the play to “be more outgoing.� “This was my first play,�

Koostachin said. “It was fun.�

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Dennis Franklin Cromarty First Nations High School students Robyn Turtle, left, Carol Barkman, centre, and Alicia Koostachin performed in two Dec. 12 presentations of An Honourary Elf, which focused on the effects of global warming.

Season’s Greetings from Detour Gold

“There were a couple of folks who hadn’t even read before who had to step in. There were a lot of hurdles but we pulled through in the end.�

-Rachelle Pelletier

Rachelle Pelletier, a student teacher at DFC, stepped in to play a couple of roles due to actors who were back home in their communities. “Everyone was having a great time,� Pelletier said. “There were a couple of folks who hadn’t even read before who had to step in. There were a lot of hurdles but we pulled through in the end.�

Other performers in the play included Paige Meekis, as Boolie, Brittany Sainnawap, as Snog, Monica Wassaykeesic, as Yobo, and Joshim Kakekagumick, as Blitzen.

Students from the Grade 10 Integrated Arts and Grade 10 Clothing classes also created the set design and many of the costumes for the play.

Merry Christmas!

Best Wishes for a happy and safe holiday season celebrated in the company of family & friends

Bill Mauro

MPP THUNDER BAY-ATIKOKAN

Thunder Bay Constituency Office 240 Syndicate Ave. S. • 623-9237 www.billmauro.onmpp.ca

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

UK :[YLL[ )V_ *VJOYHUL 65 *HUHKH 7 3 * ;LS! -H_! ^^^ KL[V\YNVSK JVT

B6

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

t o r S s a e t n t ta! e L

Native Sena School students in Weagamow Lake

Elijah Beardy Antone Kenequanash Javon Skunk

Colten Benson

Merry Christmas

fla wEsv9rPfendka

Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre fabqlaD

43 Queen St. P.O. Box 1328, Sioux Lookout, Ontario Tel: 807-737-7373 Fax: 807-737-2882 www.kwayaciiwin.com

Hunter Quequish

Suri Sakakeep

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year from the students and staff at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School

ōǬ Ȅȉŋŭť ƐȉŨ żʓŐƯȭŋũ ƴʓŐǩʓƒ ƯǍŋŧƱȆƴǧƱŦ ōƒŧƱȄŦ ǧȉ ŐȆƯȉƴȉŦ ƯƔũǍ ǬƱɒƯɓƴȄ ŐŭǍɨǧƱȉŐŭ ʼnƴŭ ǧȉ ƴŋŭǧȆ ōƒȶżũƗȉŐŭ ƴŋŭɯȄ ōŧƯŐŬƯŐŭŦ

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

B7

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

Jersey Kakekayash Natasha Adams

Meegwun Kenequanash

River Benson Cont’d on page B8

0HUU\ &KULVWPDV +DSS\ 1HZ <HDU

3OHDVH KDYH D KDSS\ KHDOWK\ DQG VDIH KROLGD\ VHDVRQ

)URP WKH VWDII DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ DQG 7UXVWHHV RI WKH .3'6%

WWW.KPDSB.ON.CA All stakeholders create a culture of learning so that students come first.

WWW.WAWATAYNEWS.CA

:LVKLQJ HYHU\RQH D VDIH DQG KDSS\ KROLGD\ VHDVRQ )URP WKH %RDUG RI 'LUHFWRUV PDQDJHPHQW VWDII DQG SK\VLFLDQV RI WKH 6LRX[ /RRNRXW 0HQR <D :LQ +HDOWK &HQWUH

&HOHEUDWH WKH WUDGLWLRQ RI JLYLQJ WKH EHDXW\ RI WKH VHDVRQ DQG D 1HZ <HDU RI SHDFH DQG KDSSLQHVV ~ From the Board of Directors and Staff of Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority Main Offices closed for the holidays from Wednesday, December 25, 2013 to Wednesday, January 1, 2014.

Open in the new year on January 2, 2014.

www.slfnha.com

B8

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

‘Hope you’re getting ready for Christmas’ Letters from Grades 3-4

Cont’d from page B7

Dear Santa, I wish for a ipod and 10 games and I wish for a small ski-doo and I wish. I had a peletgun I wish had skylunders sa wqfoce and I wish. For a xobox live and wishing for a computer and I wish for a game and a dummy..that’s all.

Thank you from david tait Grade 3 Dear Santa, I wish a ipid and sled and an xbox one and helo5 I wish for a black ops2 I wish for a toy.

Sagatay Beardy Grade 3 Tiannah Hudson Dear Santa, I what I got an Xbox one and a goat and a ipid and a earphones for the xbox Lucius Kakekayash Grade 4

Summer Benson

Dear Santa, I what a Xbox one and sled I halo 5 microphone McCartney Beardy Grade 3 Dear Santa, I wish for a ipad and new sled and the first bioshock and xboxone call of duty black ops Hayden Brown Grade 3

Trinity Kakekayash

Wallace Jeremiah

Dear Santa, I wish for two electric guitars and a ipad Caden Harper Grade 3

Dear Santa, For Christmas I will like a ipad5. And I will need papers and I will need pencil sharpener Kirsten Beardy Grade 4 Dear Santa, I Wish for a baike for Christmas…and I Wish for a toy car and Wishing for a sled..and I Wish for a rocket and I Wish for a helo 4 Game for my Xbox..

Thank you from dante marry Christmas To you Dante Sakchekapo Grade 4 Dear Santa, I want a x box and one I want I pod I wish to get sled I wish game GTA5 I wish for halo5 Fabian Keeash Grade 4 Dear Santa, I wish for a Ipod and a Ipad also a furby and a x box also an xbox games a compter also for my family to be happy Fiona Kenequanash Dear Santa, I want a Ipad and a gt sled and a cat and a dog and I want grandma cookies so mush I want to have alot of presents and a ipod Jordyn Keeash Grade 3

Dear Santa, I wish for a I pad and a x box 360 and skstes Amarys Tait Grade 3

Dear Santa, I wish for a ipad I wish for a computer I wish for a tv I wish for a Xbox one Jade Morris Grade 4

Wishing you the best of the Season!

HOLIDAY HOURS: Closed from Tues. Dec. 24 to Thurs. Dec. 26 Reopen on Fri. Dec. 27 at 8:30 am Closed on Tues. Dec. 31 & Wed. Jan. 1/14

SEXUAL HEALTH CLINICS OPEN: Fri. Dec. 27 (walk in)

Mon. Dec. 30

8:30 am – 4:30 pm 11:00 am – 5:30 pm

(services limited, for information call 625-5976)

BRANCH OFFICE CLOSURES: Nipigon

Dec. 20 to Jan. 1

Marathon

Dec. 24, 25, 26, 31 & Jan. 1

Manitouwadge Dec. 19 to Jan. 3 Geraldton

Dec. 24, 25, 26, 31 & Jan. 1

Terrace Bay

Dec. 24, 25, 26, 27, 31 & Jan. 1

999 Balmoral Street, Thunder Bay Phone: 625-5900 | Toll-Free: 888-294-6630 TBDHU.COM

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

B9

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Photos by Paul Lantz/Special to Wawatay News

Left: Margaret Linklater selling crafts with her daughter Karen Linklater during a Christmas Bazaar held at the James Bay Education Centre in Moosonee on Nov. 30.

Above: Fort Severn member and long-time Moosonee resident Mary Burke buys lunch from Sara Fero and Brenda Mueller.

Arts and crafts, food at Moosonee bazaar

Danielle Innes, Myopin Cheechoo and Ashley Wabano from the Moosonee Public School students sell sweets and snacks.

Sabeth Kaysook and Lottie Paulmartin sell handmade moose hide and woolen handicrafts.

B10

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

! e m r u o l Co

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 19, 2013

B11

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Sioux Lookout welcomes back Little Bands Bryan Phelan Wawatay News

Representatives of Sioux Lookout officially welcomed the Little Bands Native Youth Hockey Tournament back to town on Dec. 16.

The weeklong tournament returns to the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena for its 13th season after one year away at the twin ice surfaces in Dryden. The 2014 tournament, which takes place Feb. 10-16, will still feature two rinks, as games will also be played throughout the week at the Lac Seul Events Centre arena, which opened earlier this year and seats 1,300 spectators.

Chief Clifford Bull of Lac Seul and Mayor Dennis Leney

Bryan Phelan/Wawatay News

Celebrating news that 2014 Little Bands Native Youth Hockey Tournament will take place in Lac Seul First Nation and Sioux Lookout are, from left: Gerson Augstin, Sioux Lookout parks and recreation manager; Amy Brizard, executive assistant for the Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Dennis Leney; tournament organizers Ziggy Beardy, Steven Fiddler and Jethro Tait; Chief Clifford Bull; Barry King, manager of the Lac Seul Events Centre; and Dori Hopko, president of the Sioux Lookout Blueberry Festival. of Sioux Lookout, along with business and recreation officials from the two

communities, gathered with tournament organizers at a news conference to announce

the venues for the upcoming event.

“We decided to bring the

tournament back to Sioux Lookout mainly because of the proximity of the new Lac Seul arena,” said Ziggy Beardy, who handles the tournament’s public relations, website and statistics. “We can accommodate up to 36 teams.”

Organizers are soliciting entries for a girls division, for players 10 to 15 years old, which would be a tournament first. The five standard divisions, from novice to midget, remain in place.

“We had a good time and good hospitality in Dryden but Sioux Lookout has been our base … so we decided to come back and give it another try,” Beardy said. “Our fan base is here.”

Mayor Leney is pleased to see the Little Bands return.

“With Lac Seul having a brand new arena and with our arena, it’s going to work out for both the communities really good,” he said. “We have the hospitality – lots of hotels and lots of restaurants – and it’s a good economic boost for the municipality and all our businesses.

“I enjoy all the hockey we get here with the First Nations, especially the Little Bands,” added Leney, who policed in the district’s remote communities for 10 years until retiring from the OPP’s Northwest Patrol Unit. “Having worked in the North for several years, it’s nice to see a lot of the people I’ve known for years back in Sioux Lookout. I always look forward to it.”

Tips for gearing up for the new hockey season It’s time to strap on those pads, lace up those skates and head out onto the ice!

Whether it’s trying the sport for the very first time or for the player who’s passed the puck around season after season, every hockey player knows that having the right gear is essential.

Players and their parents should always keep in mind, that when purchasing hockey gear, the most important thing to consider is fit. Proper fitting equipment not only helps improve performance on the ice, but can also help to prevent injury.

Following is a quick list of tips to help with fitting equipment from head-to-toe.

• Helmets and faceguards are mandatory in minor hockey. For optimal protection helmets should be replaced every 2-3 years minimum.

• New technology such as the Impact-Alert Hockey Helmet Sensor is a great safety add-on for any player.

The colour sensor indicates when your helmet has taken a significant impact, that the integrity of the helmet should be checked and the user should be monitored for a concussion.

• Throat guards should completely cover the throat and be BNQ approved.

• The tip of the shoulder should fit snugly under the shoulder cap in the pad.

• Elbow pad size must align

with the size of your gloves.

• Fit is very important for gloves, too big and you can’t grip the stick, too small and your wrist will be exposed to injury.

• A properly fitted pant should protect all of the critical organs and areas of your body and not inhibit your movement.

• The best fit for shin pads means they go from the bottom of your hockey pants to the top of your skate.

• A good rule of thumb is that skates should be one full size smaller than your shoe size. If your skates are too big they can inhibit your performance and lead to injury.

Bryan Phelan/Wawatay News

Action shot from the 2013 Little Bands Hockey Tournament.

CELEBRATE THE SEASON

We’re proud of our record of safe, responsible operations everywhere we do business and of the opportunities we’re building for generations to come.

Wishing all First Nations communities a safe and happy holiday season.

TSX:G NYSE:GG www.goldcorp.com

B12

Wawatay News DECEMBER 19, 2013

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

The Council & Staff of Sandy Lake First Nation wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

photo credit - Jennifer Meekis