March 29, 2012

PM#0382659799

Homework and homesickness: how students ccope, or don’t, with being far away from home PAGE 12 P Vol. 39 No. 7

Language struggles: examining the state of Cree, Oji-Cree and Ojibwe in today’s North PAGES 8 and 11 9,300 copies distributed $1.50

March 29, 2012 Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

www.wawataynews.ca

Rising river threatens to flood Coast communities

Eagles Soar

Kash, Albany declare emergency Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Fear of flooding due to an ice jam on the Albany River has led Fort Albany and Kashechewan First Nations to declare state of emergencies.

The declarations were made on Mar. 24 as warm temperatures resulted in a fast thawing of the Albany River, leading to quick-rising water levels and a breakup that approached the communities from upriver. By 9 p.m. on Mar. 24, the breakup reached the communities along with the high water levels.

While water levels stabilized as of Mar. 26, an ice jam located near each community that could back up river water has authorities concerned.

For Kashechewan, the ice jam is directly in front of the First Nation.

“If the (warm) weather holds up, I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Kashechewan Deputy Chief William Sutherland.

Fort Albany’s flood coordinator, Brent Nakoochee, said that the ice jam covers an “eight to ten mile stretch” located downriver on the causeway that splits the community from Sinclair Island and the mainland. Part of the mainland in front of the ice jam is flooded, but so far, no part of the community has experienced flooding.

At this stage, Nakoochee said the threat of flooding is “moderate.”

Photo by Adrienne Fox/Special to Wawatay News

Lac Seul Eagles pulled off a huge come from behind win to take their second straight Northern Bands Hockey Tournament championship, beating the Michikan Mavericks 5-4 after being down by 2 in the third period. Above, Derek Jones celebrates the gamewinning goal that put Lac Seul on top for good. See story, photos and results from Northern Bands on page 19.

See flooding on page 3

ᒋᒪᒋᓭᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᐱᑕᐯᑯᓯᐱ ᐊᓂᒧᐡᑭᐱᓭᐠ ᓫᐁᓂ ᑲᕑᐱᐣᑐᕑ ᐊᐧᐊᐧᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ

ᓇᓂᓴᓂᓇᑲᐧᐣ ᒋᒧᐡᑭᐳᑌᐠ ᐁᐧᓴ ᐊᐱᐣ ᒥᑲᐧᒥᐠ ᑲᐱᑕᐦᐅᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐯᔓᐨ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐱᑕᐯᑯᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑭᔐᒋᐊᐧᓄᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᔐᒪᐠ ᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐣᑕᐧ. ᐊᐱ ᑲᑭᐃᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐣᑕᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 24 ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓱᓂᐨ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭ ᑭᔓᔭᓂᓭᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᑭᔕᑕᐱ ᓂᐣᑭᓱᐨ ᒥᑲᐧᑦ ᐃᒪ ᐱᑕᐯᑯᓯᐱᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐁᑭᔭᓂ ᑭᔕᑕᐱ ᒧᐡᑭᐱᓭᐠ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑭᔭᓂᐸᐸᑫᐧᔭᐦᐅᑯᐨ ᒥᑲᐧᑦ ᐯᔓᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᔭᓂ ᓇᑕᒪᑫᔭᐦᐅᑯᐨ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐅᒋ ᐊᐧᑭᑕᒋᐊᐧᓄᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᓴᐣᑲᓱ ᑲᔭᓂᐊᐧᑲᓭᐠ ᐁᔭᓂᑎᐱᑲᐠ ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 24, ᐊᒥ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐃᓂᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᓂᔑᐣ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᐅᒋᒋᐱᑭᐣ ᑲᑭᔭᓂᒧᐡᑭᐱᓭᐠ. ᐊᓇᐃᐧᐣ ᐸᐣᑭ ᑭᑭᐱᒋᒪᑲᐣ ᓂᐱ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 26 ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓱᐨ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᔕᑯᐨ ᒥᑲᐧᒥᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᓇᑕᑲᒣᓭᐊᐧᐨ ᐯᔓᐨ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐃᒪ ᓯᐱᐠ ᒥᐦᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᑲᑕᓀᐣᑕᒥᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ

Photo by Karen Metatawabin Wesley/Special to Wawatay News

Water levels on the Albany River are threatening Fort Albany and Kash.

ᑲᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᒪ ᑭᔐᐧᒋᐊᐧᓄᐠ, ᒪᔭᑦ ᐃᑯ ᐃᒪ ᐅᐣᒋᐡᑲᐤ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐱᐃᔑᓇᑕᒪᑫᓭ ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᑭᒋᒥᑲᐧᑦ. “ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᐱᒥᑭᔓᐊᐧᔭᐠ, ᓇᑫᐱᑯ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑫᐃᓯᓭᑫᐧᐣ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑭᔐᒋᐊᐧᐣ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᓀᐢ ᐃᐧᓂᔭᑦ ᓴᑐᓫᐊᐣᐟ. ᐱᑕᐯᑯᐠ ᑲᓂᑲᓂᐊᓄᑲᑕᐠ ᑲᒧᐡᑲᐦᐊᐠ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑊᕑᐁᐣᐟ ᓇᑯᒋ, ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᒥᑲᐧᑦ ᑲᑭᐸᑲᐧᑕᐦᐅᑯᐨ ᐃᒪ ᐱᑯ ᓇᐣᑕ ᐊᐃᓇᓀᐤ ᐊᑯᓇᐠ

ᒥᑕᓱᑎᐸᐦᐊᑲᐣ ᐃᓂᑭᓂ ᐃᒪ ᒪᒥᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᐊᔓᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᐸᑫᓯᐠ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ ᓯᐣᐠᓫᐁᕑ ᒥᓂᑎᑯᐠ ᒥᓇ ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᑲᐠ. ᐯᑲᐧᐨ ᐃᒪ ᐅᐣᒋᐡᑲᐤ ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᑲᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᑕᐦᐅᑯᐨ ᒥᑲᐧᑦ ᒥᐦᐃᒪ ᐁᔑᒧᐡᑲᐦᐊᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᔕᑯᐨ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᔑ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒋᐃᔑᒧᐡᑲᐦᐊᐠ. ᐅᐁᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ, ᓇᑯᒋ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᒥ ᐁᐱᑌᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᒋᒧᐡᑲᐦᐊᐠ ᐱᒥᐊᐦᔓ ᐊᔭᐣᑲᐧᒥᓯᓇᓂᐊᐧᐣ. “ᐃᐁᐧ ᑕᐡ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑯᑕᒪᐣᐠ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐊᐱᐣ ᓂᐱ ᑫᑐᒋᑫᒪᑲᐠ,”

ᐃᑭᑐ ᓇᑯᒋ. “ᐁᒧᒋᐊᔭᐱᔭᐠ … ᐁᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᑕᒪᐠ ᓂᐱ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᔭᓂᐊᐱᒋᐱᐠ.” ᓂᐢᑕᑦ ᐅᑐᓇᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᑲᐃᔑᐱᒧᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᑯᐣ ᑲᐸᐸᓯᓭᐠ ᑲᒪᒋᐸᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᐊᐃᐧᔭ, ᐊᒥ ᑲᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᒪ ᑭᔐᒋᐊᐧᐣ ᑫᑲᐟ 300 ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᑭᒪᒪᒋᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧᐠ ᑐᑲᐣ ᑭᒋᔭᐦᐊᐠ, ᒥᓇ ᑎᐯᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᐊᑲᔐᔑᓂᐨ ᐅᑕᐊᐧᔑᔑᒥᐊᐧ, ᒥᓇ ᑲᐊᑯᓯᐊᐧᑎᓯᐊᐧᐨ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑲᐸᐢᑫᓯᐣᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐊᐧᐊᐧ ᑭᐃᔑᐃᐧᓇᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ, ᒥᑕᐡ ᐃᒪ ᐁᑲᐯᔑᐦᐃᑕᐧ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐱᑕᐯᑯᐠ ᓂᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᒪᒋᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᔑᐨ ᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᑲᓇᐁᐧᓂᒥᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑯᑕᐠ ᐊᐃᐧᔭ. ᑲᐸᐸᔑᓭᐠ ᑫᑯᐣ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᒪ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᒥᓇ ᐊᒥᑯᑭᒪ ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᑭᐊᓄᑲᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᑭᒪᒪᒋᐃᐧᑕᐧ. ᓇᑯᒋ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᐱᑕᐯᑯᐠ ᑲᐅᒋᐊᐧᐨ ᑕᑭᒪᒪᒋᐃᐧᓇᐸᓂᐠ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᑭᐅᐣᑎᓇᒧᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐱᒥᓭᐃᐧᓂ ᑲᑭᓂᑲᐧᓇᑯᓭᓂᐠ, ᐊᓂᐡ ᐱᒥᓭᐃᐧᐳᓂᐃᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᐃᔑᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᑲᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑫᑲᐟ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐃᒪ ᐃᔑᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐠ ᓯᐣᐠᓫᐁᕑ

ᒥᓂᑎᑯᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᒪ ᐊᔕᑲᓂᐠ ᑲᐅᒋᐊᔕᐧᐣᑕᐁᐧᒧᐠ ᒥᓂᑎᑯᐠ ᒥᓇ ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᑲᐠ, ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᐱᐣ ᒋᑭᐊᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᒧᐡᑭᐳᑌᓂᐠ. ᐊᔕ ᒥᔑᓄᔭᑭ ᐅᑐᐣᒋᔭᓄᑲᑕᐣ ᑲᓇᓇᑲᒋᑐᐨ ᑲᒧᐡᑲᐦᐊᓂᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᓇᑯᒋ ᐅᑕᓇᑭ ᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒋᔭᓂᒪᓂᐠ ᐊᐱ ᐊᓂᑲᑫᐧᒪᒪᒋᐃᐧᓂᑕᐧ ᐅᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᒪᐣ. “ᐣᑭᑭᑫᐣᑕᒥᐣ ᒋᒧᐡᑭᐳᑌᐠ ᐃᐁᐧ ᒥᑲᓇ ᐊᐱ ᐊᓂᐸᑲᐧᐦᐊᐠ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ. “ᐣᑕᓇᑭᐃᐧᐣᑕᒥᐣ ᑲᔦ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒪᒋᑭᑐᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᑭᐅᒋ ᐊᔭᒥᐦᐃᑎᔭᑭᐸᐣ. ‘ᐊᒥ ᑲᐃᓇᑲᐧᐸᐣ, ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᐃᐧᑐᑕᒪᐠ ᓂᐢᑕᑦ ᐅᓇᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐱᒥᓂᔕᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ ᑲᒪᒋᐃᐧᓂᑕᐧ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ, ᐊᓂᐣ ᑕᐡ ᑫᑐᑕᒪᐠ ᒋᐅᒋ ᒪᒪᒋᐃᐧᓇᑭᑕᐧ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ. ᑲᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᒥᐣ ᐃᑐᐠ ᐱᒥᑌ, ᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᒥᐣ ᑲᔦ ᐱᒥᓭᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᓂᑲᐧᓇᑯᓭᑭᐣ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐊᔭᔓᓂᑕᐧ.’ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᔑ ᑲᓇᑫ ᓇᐣᑕ ᒋᐃᔑᒋᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ.” ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑲᔭᓄᓇᑯᔑᐠ ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 25, ᐱᓇᒪ ᐅᑭᑭᐱᑎᓇᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᒪᒪᒋᐃᐧᓂᑕᐧ ᐊᐃᐧᔭ ᐊᓂᔕ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑲᑭᓄᑌ ᑭᐱᒋᒪᑲᓂᐠ ᑲᔭᓂᒧᐡᑲᐦᐊᓂᑭᐸᐣ.

ᐱᑕᐯᑯᐠ ᑭᐱᒋᓂᔕᐦᐃᑲᑌᓂ ᐱᒥᓭᐃᐧᓂ ᑲᑭᓂᑲᐧᓇᑯᓭᓂᐠ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐱᒥ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᐃᐡᐱᒥᐠ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᔭᓂᔑᓇᑲᐧᓄᑫᐧᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ ᓯᐱ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 26 ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓱᐨ ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᑕᐡ ᐊᒥᑯᑭᒪ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᓂᔕᐦᐊᐠ ᐅᐱᒥᓭᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑕᓄᑭᓇᑲᓇᐣ ᒋᓇᑕᐃᐧ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᑐᓂᐨ ᒥᑕᑲᒥᑲᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑭᑐᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐱᒥᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᓇᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᒥᐊᐧ, ᐱᑕᐯᑯᐠ ᐅᑭᐅᓇᑐᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ ᑲᐅᒋ ᒪᓯᓇᐦᐊᒪᑎᓇᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᒋᐅᐣᒋ ᐃᓇᐱᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᔭᓂᓇᒋᒧᓇᓂᐊᐧᓂᐠ. ᐃᓂᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓇᐣ ᐅᑲᐱᒥ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᑫᔭᓂᐊᐱᒋᐱᔭᓂᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᓂᒧᐡᑭᐱᓂᐠ ᐊᒥ ᐁᑲᐧ ᓇᐣᑕ ᑫᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ. ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐁᐧᑎ 2008 ᑲᔭᑭᐊᐧᐠ, ᑫᑲᐟ ᑲᑭᓇ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᑕᐯᑯᐠ ᒥᓇ ᑭᔐᒋᐊᐧᐣ ᑭᒪᒋᐸᐦᐊᐸᓂᐠ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᑫᑲᐟ ᑲᑭᒧᐡᑭᐱᓂᑭᐸᐣ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐃᒪ ᑭᔐᒋᐊᐧᓄᐠ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᔭᑭᐊᐧᐠ, ᑭᔕᐳᑕᐁᐧᔭᐦᐅᑯᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᑲᐧᒥᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑭᐸᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑭᒧᐡᑭᐱᓭ ᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ.

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ᐃᐢᑲᑌᐃᐧᓴᑲᐃᑲᓂᐠ #39 ᐅᑲᑫᐧᓇᑲᐡᑲᓇᐊᐧ ᐁᑲ ᐯᔓᐨ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᒋᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᐅᑕᐸᓂᒥᑲᓇᓂ

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ᑕᐣᑐᕑ

ᐯ

ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᐱᐅᐣᑐᓭᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑕᐣᑐᕑ ᐯ ᑲᐃᔑᓂᔕᐦᐅᑕᐧ ᐅᑕᑯᓯᐠ ᐊᒥ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒋᐃᔑᑲᐯᔑᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᐅᐡᑭ ᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐊᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑌᓇᐠ. ᐃᐧᑫᑐᐣᐠ ᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᐅᑭᑕᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐅᑐᐡᑭᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ 52 ᑕᓱᐸᑫᑲᒥᑯᐊᐧᐣ, 110 ᑕᓱᓂᐯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 22 ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓱᐨ. ᐅᐁᐧ ᐅᐡᑭ ᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᒥᐡᑲᐧᒋᓴᑭᒋᑯᓯᐊᐧᐠ 12 ᑕᓱᓂᐯᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᐊᔭᑭᐸᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑲᐯᐦᐃ ᐁᑭᔕᑲᐡᑭᓀᓭᐠ, ᐁᔭᓂᓇᐣᑭ ᒥᔑᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑕᑯᓯᐨ ᑲᐱᑕᑕᑯᔑᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᑕᐣᑐᕑ ᐯ. ᐃᐧᑫᐧᑐᐣᐠ ᑲᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐨ ᒐᕑᓫᐃᐢ ᒪᐧᕑᐃᐢ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐁᑌᐱᓇᐁᐧᓯᐨ ᐁᑲ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ ᒋᐃᔑᑲᑲᐯᔑᐦᐊᐊᐧᐨ ᐸᑲᐣ ᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐊᑯ ᑲᑭᐡᐳᓀᓯᓂᐠ ᐃᐧᑫᐧᑐᐣᐠ ᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ. ᐅᐁᐧ ᐅᐡᑭ ᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐅᒋᐊᓄᑲᑌᐊᐧᐣ ᐅᒪ ᐃᐧᑫᐧᑐᐣᐠ, ᑐᑲᐣ ᐱᒥᑕᐸᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐱᒥᓭᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐁᓇᓇᒋᑕᐸᓂᑕᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐁᐃᔑᐃᐧᓂᑕᐧ, ᓇᐣᑕ ᐅᑕᐸᓂᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋᑭᐁᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐃᔑ ᓇᒋᒪᐡᑭᑭᐃᐧᓂᓂᐃᐧᐊᐧᐨ.

ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᐃᐧᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᒋᓂᔕᐧᐸᓀᑕᒧᐠ ᑭᒋᒥᑲᓇ ᐁᐧᑎ ᒪᓂᑐᐸ ᑲᐃᑯᑭᔑᐱᓯᐠ ᐱᓂᐡ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᒥᐦᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᐁᑲ ᑲᓇᐦᐁᐣᑕᒥᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐃᐢᑲᑌᐃᐧᓴᑲᐃᑲᓂᐠ #39. ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᑭᑲᓄᓇᐊᐧᐣ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᐣ ᐸᑲᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ ᓂᑲᑌ ᒋᐃᔑᐱᒪᒧᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᐁᑲ ᐃᒪ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐊᐧᓇᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᐅᑕᑭᒥᐊᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐃᔑᐊᑌᓂᑭᐣ ᓂᐣᑲᐦᐊᑲᓇᐣ. ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᓂᑲᓂᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᑕᐠ ᐱᒥᔭᐃᐧᔭᓄᑭᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐁᒪᒥᑐᓀᑕᐠ ᐸᑲᐣ ᒋᐃᓇᒧᒋᑫᐨ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᔕᑯᐨ ᐅᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᒋᐸᑭᑎᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑭᑭᓇᐊᐧᒋᒋᑲᓂᐊᐧ ᐊᐣᑎ ᒪᔭᑦ ᑲᐃᔑᐊᑌᓂᑭᐣ ᑲᑲᓇᑌᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ. ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᐢᑲᑌᐃᐧᓴᑲᐃᑲᐣ ᐁᐃᔑᓂᓯᑕᐁᐧᓂᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᐣ ᐁᐅᐣᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᐨ ᑲᐃᐧᒥᑲᓇᑫᓂᐨ ᑲᐃᑯᑎᐸᐦᐊᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐁᑲ ᐁᑭᒋᓀᐣᑕᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐊᔓᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂ.

New lodge opens in Thunder Bay

Shoal Lake #39 still battling highway The proposed twinning of a highway from the Manitoba border into Ontario continues to raise opposition from Shoal Lake #39 First Nation.

The First Nation is calling on the government to reroute the highway so it does not encroach on traditional lands or spiritual sites.

Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation says it is willing to reconsider the routing of the highway, but needs the First Nation to provide more information on where sacred sites are located.

Shoal Lake #39 continues to maintain that the government is siding with the development of a gated community over its traditional rights.

Residents of northern communities travelling to Thunder Bay for medical services have a new lodge to stay in during their stay.

Wequedong Lodge opened its new 110-bed facility on Mar. 22.

The lodge replaces a current 12-bed facility that was constantly overbooked, as the number of northern residents coming into Thunder Bay continues to increase.

Wequedong’s Executive Director Charles Morris said he was relieved that the organization no longer has to provide clients with hotel rooms due to overcrowding.

The new facility complements the other services provided by Wequedong, such as transportation to and from the airport, bus station and appointments.

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ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐊᐢᑭ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᑭᒥᓇᑲᓄ ᑭᑕᑭᒥᑯᐃᐧ ᑭᑭᓇᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᔕᐨ ᐊᑲᒪᑭᐣᐠ ᐃᐣᑎᔭ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐢᑕᐣ ᐯᕑᑎ ᑭᑭᑕᑭᒪᑲᓄ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑲᑭᐃᔕᐨ ᐃᐣᑎᔭ ᐊᑲᒪᑭᐠ, ᐁᑭᒥᓇᑲᓄᐨ ᑭᑕᑭᒥᑯᐃᐧ ᑭᑭᓇᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐃᐧᓂ. ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐊᐢᑭ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑭᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᓇᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᑭᐃᔑ ᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᐃᐧᑕᐧ ᒥᐅᑯ ᐯᔑᐠ ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᑭᒋᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᐁᐅᐣᑕᑲᓀᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᒪ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ. ᐯᕑᑎ ᑭᐊᔭᒥᐸᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᐃᔑ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᓇᓄᐊᐧᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᐃᑭᑐᐨ ᓇᐱᐨ ᐁᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᒋᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᐊᐦᑭ ᒥᐁᑕ ᐃᒪ ᑫᑭᐅᒋ ᔕᐱᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑕᔑᐱᒪᑎᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᓄᑯᑦ ᑲᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᐠ ᑭᑕᑭᒥᓇᐣ. ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᑭᒪᒪᑲᑌᑕᐣ ᐅᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᐸᐸᑲᐣ ᑲᐅᐣᑕᑲᓀᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᑌᑎᐸᑲᒥᐠ ᑫᑲᐟ ᐃᑯ ᐯᔑᑲᐧᐣ ᐁᓂᑕᑲᐧᓂᑭᐣ ᑐᑲᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐊᐢᑭ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ. ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐊᐢᑭ ᐅᑭᒋᐦᐊᐃᐧᐡᑲᒪᑫ ᓴᑦ ᐊᒋᓂᐱᓀᐢᑲᑦ ᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᐃᔑᒋᑫ ᐃᐧᐸᐨ ᑲᑭᔐᐸᔭᓂᐠ ᑲᔭᓂᒧᑲᐦᐊᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᐊᔭᒥᒋᑫ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐃᔑᑕᐧᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᓇᓂᐊᐧᓂᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐧᐊᔑᒣ 250 ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᑭᐃᔕᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ ᓂᐦᓱᒥᑕᓇ ᐸᐸᑲᐣ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᑌᑎᐸᑲᒥᐠ ᐁᑭᐱᐅᐣᑐᓭᐊᐧᐨ.

NAN Grand Chief honoured in India Grand Chief Stan Beardy was honoured in India, presented with an honourary doctorate.

Nishnawbe Aski people were recognized during the gathering as one of the ancient cultures of the world.

Beardy spoke to the gathering about the need to balance protection of nature with ensuring that indigenous people survive in the modern world.

The grand chief said it was fascinating to see that the philosophies of Indigenous people from across the world are similar to those of the Nishnawbe Aski people.

NAN Elder Sam Achneepineskum also performed a traditional sunrise ceremony and a prayer during the conference, which was attended by more than 250 people from more than 30 countries around the world.

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The Lac Seul Eagles snuck by Michikan in the Northern Band finals, top left. A new online Ojibwe dictionary has 30,000 words, top right.

Wequedong Lodge opened a new residence in Thunder Bay, mid right.

And NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy represented Nishnawbe Aski people at an indigenous people gathering in India.

ᐅᒋᐯᐧ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᓂᐱᑌᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐊᔕ ᑭᐊᒋᑲᑌᐊᐧᐣ ᒪᒪᑕᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᐁᐧ ᐅᒋᐯᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᓂᐱᑌᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐊᔕ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ 30,000 ᑕᓯᓄᐣ ᐅᒋᐯᐧ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑭᐃᔑᐊᒋᑲᑌᐊᐧᐣ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ, ᐃᑭᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑕᐡ ᑲᑭᐊᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᒋᒧᑲᒪᓇᑭᐠ ᒥᓂᓱᑕ ᔪᓂᐯᕑᓯᑎ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯᐃᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᑲᑭᒋᐦᐊᐃᐧᐡᑲᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᐊᐧᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᒋᓇᐣᑭᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᐊᔭᐠ ᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᑲᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᐧᓇᐣ. ᐅᓄᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᓂᐣ ᐃᑯ ᐁᑕ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᐊᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐃᒪ, ᐃᐧᐣᒋᑫᒪᑲᐣ ᑲᔦ ᑫᑯᓀᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᒋᑲᑌᐠ. ᐊᑎᑲ ᑐᑲᐣ, ᐃᐁᐧ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ ᒪᓄᒥᐣ, ᑭᐊᔑᑎᓂᑲᑌᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᔦ ᐅᒪᓯᓇᑌᔑᒥᑯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᓂᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᒋᐯᐧ ᑭᒋᔭᐦᐊᐠ ᐁᐃᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᓄᒥᐣ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐁᒐᑲᑌᓯᑭᐣ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᑲᑭᐱᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᒪᒥᓄᒥᑫᐊᐧᐨ. ᐅᐁᐧ ᑕᐡ ᑲᐃᐧᐅᐡᑭ ᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᑕᐸᑭᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᒪᑯᔐᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᓂᑭᑯᐱᓯᑦ 2 ᐃᓇᑭᓱᐨ.

Ojibwe dictionary now online The Ojibwe Peoples’ Dictionary now has over 30,000 Ojibwe words in an online forum, thanks to the efforts of the University of Minnesota’s American Indian studies department.

The efforts to expand on the current printed dictionary were led by a team of Elders from Minnesota.

The dictionary not only provides translation of words, but provides context for the words. For example, the entry for wild rice also includes audio clips of four Ojibwe elders speaking the word manomin, along with historical photos of wild rice gathering.

The dictionary will be launched at a party on Apr. 2.

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ᐅᐱᔑᑯᑲᐠ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᐸᑭᓇᑫᐊᐧᐠ ᓫᐊᐠᓱ ᐃᑯᓫᐢ ᑲᐃᓂᑕᐧ ᐅᐱᒪᑫᐧᐸᐦᐃᑫᐠ ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᓂᑲᐣ ᑭᐃᓯᓭᐊᐧᐠ ᒪᐧᐊᐨ ᑭᒋᐃᐡᑲᐧᔭᐨ ᑲᑯᒋᐦᐃᑎᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᐱᒪᑫᐧᐸᐦᐃᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᓂᐢᑕᑦ ᑲᔭᓂᒪᒋᒣᑕᐁᐧᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᓂᔑᐣ ᒥᓇ ᓂᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᔑᐁᐧᐸᐦᐅᑎᐸᓂᐠ ᐃᓂᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᑯᒋᐦᐊᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᒋᑲᐣ ᒪᑊᕑᐃᐠᐢ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᔕᑯᐨ ᓂᐦᓴᐧ ᐃᐡᑲᐧᔭᐨ ᑲᔭᓂᑯᒋᐦᐃᑎᐊᐧᐨ ᓂᐦᓴᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐱᓇᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐠ ᓫᐊᐠᓱ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐸᑭᓇᑫᐊᐧᐨ. ᓫᐊᐠᓱ ᑭᐸᑭᓇᑫᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᓇᐃᐧᐣ ᓂᔕᐧ ᐁᑭᐱᓇᐦᐃᑫᐨ ᒥᒋᑲᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᑕᑭᐧᐨ ᑫᐱᐣ ᒪᑫ, ᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᐅᐣᒋᓂᑲᓂ ᑲᑭᐸᐱᓇᐦᐃᑫᐨ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᐱᒪᑫᐧᐸᐦᐃᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᒪᒪᐤ ᓴᐣᑲᓴᐧ ᑭᐱᓇᐦᐃᑫ ᐊᔑᐨ ᓂᔭᓄᔕᐸᐧ ᑭᐅᐣᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊ. ᓀᐣᑲᐃᐧᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᒋᑊᐢ ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᑭᐸᑭᓇᑫᐊᐧ ᐱ ᓴᔾᐟ, ᑲᑭᐱᓇᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐨ 9 ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᑭᑯᒋᐦᐊᐊᐧᐨ ᕑᐁᐢ 64 ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ 8 ᑭᐱᓇᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐱᒪᒋ ᐊᔾᐢ ᑭᐸᑭᓇᑫᐊᐧᐠ ᓯ ᓴᔾᐟ, ᑲᑭᐱᓇᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐨ 7 ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᑭᑯᒋᐦᐊᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᑲᐣᒋᑲᑦ ᒧᐢ ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ 4 ᑭᐱᓇᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐠ. ᐊᓂᔑᓂᐯ ᐱᒪᑯᐁᐧᐸᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᐱᔕᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᐱᒪᑫᐧᐸᐦᐃᑫᐠ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᑌᑎᐸᐦᐃ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐃᓀᑫ ᐊᐧᓂᓇᐊᐧᑲᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 14 ᐊᑯᓇᐠ 18 ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓱᐨ.

Lac Seul wins again The Lac Seul Eagles defended their Northern Bands title with a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the A division final.

The Eagles were down 4-2 to the Michikan Mavericks in the third period of the final before storming back with three unanswered goals to take the title.

The Lac Seul victory came despite two goals from Michikan’s Kevin McKay, who was the leading scorer of the entire tournament with nine goals and 15 assists.

Sandy Lake Chiefs took the B-side title, winning 9-8 over REZ 64.

The Bamaji Ice won the C-side championship with a 7-4 win over the Pikangikum Moose.

The Northern Bands tournament brought teams from across the North to Sioux Lookout from Mach 14-18.

Page 19

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Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

3

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Nishnawbe Aski recognized as ancient culture Grand chief discusses balance of traditions and modern society at India gathering Rick Garrick Wawatay News

The Nishnawbe Aski people were recognized as an ancient culture during the 4th International World Conference of Elders of Ancient Traditions and Cultures.

“We were recognized as being one of the ancient cultures of the world,” said Grand Chief Stan Beardy, who attended the March 4-7 conference in Haridwar, India. “That is very significant for us within NAN territory that at an international gathering we were afforded that order of being recognized as being an ancient culture with ancient traditions. I think that very significant for us.”

Beardy spoke about how to protect the balance of nature during the conference, which was organized by the International Council of Cultural Studies (ICCS) of USA and India. He also discussed how to balance the existence of Indigenous peoples in NAN territory since time immemorial while ensuring its survival with contemporary lifestyles.

Nishnawbe Aski people were recognized as being one of the ancient cultures of the world at the 4th International World Conference of Elders of Ancient Traditions and Cultures, held March 4-7 in Haridwar, India.

“It was fascinating to be there,” said Grand Chief Stan Beardy, second from left.

“It was fascinating to be there,” Beardy said, noting the philosophies of the Indigenous peoples at the conference were similar to those of Nishnawbe

Aski people. “The ancient cultures focus on preserving the planet as much as possible, but at the same time they are talking about moving forward into

the 21st century. They were talking about how do we balance the universe with these technologies, today’s economic opportunities for example. But

the emphasis is always how do we preserve our culture to ensure what we enjoyed will last for thousands of years and is there for future generations.”

Beardy and a number of Indigenous leaders from across the world were also honoured by the Tampa, Florida ICCS campus for their work on preserving and maintaining their ancient culture, while at the same time finding ways to move their communities forward within modern life.

“I am very grateful that our peoples’ time immemorial existence was recognized at this major world event, and as their leader, I am honoured to accept this doctorate as a result of the recognition of ancient history and traditions within NAN First Nation communities, “Beardy said. “This was a very rewarding and beneficial experience to share our peoples’ history, culture and traditions with our brothers and sisters from around the world. The intent is that we can come home with some engaging ideas to preserve, revive, and strengthen our own traditions, while at

the same time establishing networks with other Indigenous peoples to find fundamental solutions to the issues NAN First Nation communities face.”

Encroachment issues were also discussed during the conference.

“They talked a lot about encroachment violations of human rights, encroachment by outside interests,” Beardy said. “They cannot keep everybody out, but what they are saying is that we have sustained ourselves for thousands of years. Encroachment is inevitable, development is inevitable: how do we balance what we need to do.”

Beardy said the Indigenous leaders decided to create awareness in their respective countries that there needs to be a balanced approach in terms of development in the future.

NAN Elder Sam Achneepineskum also performed a traditional sunrise ceremony and a prayer during the conference, which was attended by more than 250 people from more than 30 countries around the world.

Kash and Fort Albany declare emergency as Albany River rises Continued from page 1 “What we’re afraid of is what the water’s going to do,” Nakochee said. “All we’re doing is sitting around… to see the water levels and see what it’s doing.”

As part of its Stage 1 evacuation plan, Kashechewan evacuated nearly 300 residents considered vulnerable, mostly Elders, families with small children, and those with medical needs. The evacuees were sent to Kapuskasing and Wawa, Ont., where the local authorities have welcomed them and made arrangements for accommodations.

Fort Albany has evacuated four Elders with escorts and another community member.

The evacuation efforts are co-ordinated by Emergency Management Ontario and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Nakochee said that more Fort Albany residents would have been evacuated if the First Nation had access to a helicopter, as the airport is

located on the mainland while most residents live north on Sinclair Island. The causeway that separates the island and the mainland, which is usually dry and drivable year-round, is flooded.

Having years of experience being the flood co-ordinator, Nakochee foresaw the complications of evacuating residents.

“We knew that the road was going to be covered once the breakup comes,” he said. “I had mentioned that in our teleconferences. I said, ‘If you’re talking about Stage 1 evacuation, how are we gonna transport people out? We’re gonna need jet fuel, we’re gonna need helicopters to bring people back and forth.’ And nothing’s been done yet.”

By the evening of Mar. 25, the First Nations had suspended evacuations after the initial threat subsided.

Fort Albany received its own surveillance helicopter to view the river conditions on

Mar. 26 after working primarily with a Ministry of Natural Resources helicopter and its own observational efforts on the ground.

To keep its members informed, Fort Albany has set up a Facebook page called Fort Albany Floodwatch to provide updates to the community.

Both First Nations will continue to monitor the water levels and take appropriate steps if water levels rise again.

In 2008, most residents of Fort Albany and Kashechewan were forced to evacuate after high water levels threatened to flood each community. In Kashechewan that year, ice floes burst through the dikes, rushing river water on to the mainland of the reserve.

A 2006, an adviser to the Department of Indian Affairs recommended that Kashechewan relocate to another site after another spring of flooding, but the community choose to stay.

Photo by Jackie Kataquapit/Special to Wawatay News

A view of Sinclair Island from the mainland of Fort Albany First Nation. Most of the community’s residents live on Sinclair Island and are now cut off from the town, including the airport and main grocery store, as rising waters have washed out the road. Meanwhile, Kashechewan evacuated 300 people, mostly Elders, in preparation for possible flooding of the community if an ice jam in the river backs up more water.

Shoal Lake #39 continues opposition to twinned highway Modular homes beat winter Linda Henry Wawatay News

Shoal Lake #39 is continuing its opposition the Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) decision to expand the highway from the Manitoba border to Rush Bay, Ontario into a twin highway.

“This reaches into what we call the ‘southern tip’” of Shoal Lake’s traditional territory, said Mike Meyers, consultant to Shoal Lake # 39. “We want the highway moved back up north.”

The proposed highway will interfere with our “sacred sites and fresh water springs,” Meyers added.

MTO in response has said they are “prepared to re-think the design” of the highway, but Meyers said the community is skeptical of that response.

“We will not believe it until we see something in writing,” said Meyers.

The current plan is to route the proposed expansion south

of the existing highway into an area that the First Nation believes will threaten fresh water springs and an important spiritual site.

MTO has responded to the inquiries made by the First Nation, pledging to assist Shoal Lake #39

“We will not believe it until we see something in writing.”

-Mike Meyers, consultant for Shoal Lake #39

with an impact assessment.

“The Ministry has had ongoing discussions with the First Nation over the last two years in an effort to identify the First Nation’s specific areas of concern.” said MTO spokesperson, Annamarie Piscopo. “We have committed to assisting the First Nation with a community impact study and an enhanced consultation process.”

Piscopo said that MTO is

waiting on the community to provide more information on an acceptable route before it officially changes the plans.

“We acknowledge that the First Nation has expressed concerns about impacts to sacred sites south of Highway 17,” Piscopo said. “Last fall the ministry advised Chief Mandamin that we are open to modifying the four lane alignment south of Royal Lake to avoid sites in the area.

We are hopeful that the community will provide information that will enable the ministry and the First Nation to jointly make an informed decision.”

It appears the issues are still not resolved.

In a series of letters sent to developer Grant Griffith of Royal Lake Resort Inc and forwarded to media, Shoal Lake #39 accused the government of siding with the developer over the First Nation.

“Due to the Ministry of Transportation’s concern that part of

the highway expansion will interfere with the Royal Lake Inc.’s new septic field, this part of the highway has been routed south,” Chief Eli Mandamin wrote in a letter dated January 30. “As a result, the proposed southern route will go through an area of our traditional territory that we consider sacred and where many sacred sites are located.”

Further, Mandamin stated that “the Ministry of Transportation clearly indicated that route will not be moved so as not the inconvenience Royal Lake Inc.’s development. Needless to say, we find this insulting and unacceptable, that the septic fields of your development are more important than our First Nation’s sacred sites.”

The First Nation also said that the Royal Lake Inc. property is going to be a “gated” community, preventing Shoal Lake #39 members from access to rice fields, fishing and shoreline activity.

road melt to Attawapiskat Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

While the James Bay winter road officially closed on Mar. 16, all 22 modular homes arrived in Attawapiskat well ahead of schedule last month.

Wayne Turner, the community’s executive director, said that they are planning on placing the last two trailer homes on their foundations within “the next couple days” as of Mar. 20.

No families have yet to move into any of the modular homes.

“We are in the process of installing water and sewage connections… and then we have to get them electrically hooked up,” Turner said.

He estimates that the first families should be moving in within the next two to three weeks.

Meanwhile, most of the supplies for the construction of Attawapiskat’s new school did not arrive through the winter road.

Turner said that because of the late awarding of the construction contract on Mar. 6, the school project working group was not heavily relying on the winter road to bring in materials.

“The contractor was able to bring in some materials, so they are able to get a start (on construction) in May when the ground thaws,” he said. “But we were basically planning on the majority of the materials coming in during the summer months (by barge).”

The James Bay winter road opened on Feb. 8 and closed on Mar. 16 after warm temperatures began to expose the mud and grass on the road.

4

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

From the Wawatay archives 16-5th Avenue North P.O. Box 1180 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B7 Serving the First Nations in Northern Ontario since 1974. Wawatay News is a politically independent bi-weekly newspaper published by Wawatay Native Communications Society.

ᓂᐢᑕᑦ ᑲᑭᒪᑕᓄᑲᑌᐠ 1974 ᐁᐅᒋᐊᓄᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑭᐧᐁᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑕᐃᑦᔑᑫᐧᐃᓇᐣ. ᑕᓱᓂᔓᐱᒥᑯᓇᑲ ᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐧᐃ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐧᐃᐣ ᐅᓇᔓᐧᐁᐧᐃ ᑲᓇᐧᐊᐸᒋᑫᐧᐃᓂᐠ ᒋᐃᔑ ᐸᐸᒥᓯᒪᑲᐠ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓂᑫᐧᐃᓇᐣ.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER David Neegan

Commentary

Learning Cree the hard way Lenny Carpenter REPORTER

“Repeat after me,” says the Cree teacher.

“E, ii, oo, a,” she says, pointing to each syllabic on the chart.

We repeat, and she goes to the next line.

“Pe, pii, poo, pa,” she says, and so on. The class collectively sighs.

Sitting in a classroom while a teacher went through a chart to teach us a new writing system was very boring. We would go through that syllabic chart every year.

And then we would learn how to say certain animals and objects, and how to write those words in syllabics.

Syllabics. Did we really need to learn a whole new writing system (which was devised by an English missionary) while simultaneously trying to learn the alphabet? It never made sense to me.

The problem with Cree classes, at least back then, was that while nouns and verbs would be taught, we never learned how to piece them together into a full sentence. Instead, we were taught a word, how to say it, and then how to write it in syllabics.

While the argument can be made that this is how English is taught, everyone my age back then spoke English every day, while Cree was rarely used.

My parents spoke a lot of Cree at home, but my siblings and I never learned to speak it fluently. My mom says that before I started school, my Cree was very good for my age. When my Cree-only speaking kookoom (grandmother) was visiting, she was impressed with my pronunciation when I said it was time for me to go to bed.

But when I started going to school, I came home speaking English, and so my parents decided to speak English to us.

And since then, I’ve only come to know some words and short phrases.

I don’t resent my parents for not speaking the language to me all the time.

They probably wanted the best of both worlds for me.

I’ve become proficient at the English language. Over the years I’ve received a lot of praise from high school English teachers and, nowadays, my writing peers. Would I have this ability had I learned Cree growing up? It’s

difficult to say.

But I feel like I’m missing out on a lot. Three of my grandparents spoke only Cree, and now they’re all deceased. I was able to bond with each of them in different ways that transcends language, be it through hunting or other traditional activities, but now that they are gone, I wish I was able to talk to them, to ask them about their lives, feelings and what things were like back when they were young.

It’s become more apparent to me over the past few years how important it is to learn and speak the language.

Since I moved to Thunder Bay, it’s become more difficult to try to learn Cree since there are few Cree speakers here. I try to speak it whenever I can. Perhaps taking a cue from my grandparents or mom, I speak Cree to animals at times. Like to my roommate’s dog, I’d say “atim, kesheil-tan-na?” (Dog, are you hungry?) or, “Awuss, iis-chigen-da-koo-soo” (Go away, ever annoying).

It probably sounds weird, but just speaking Cree with some kind of purpose makes me feel more in tune with my Cree roots.

To aid in my learning of the language, I recently bought a book called Cree Legends and Narratives from the West Coast of James Bay. It’s a book of legends and stories told by Elders that were recorded and transcribed.

The storytellers spoke in Cree, and while there’s an English translation, the book provides the Cree words in English text.

I read it aloud and I feel like a fluent speaker because I was never able to say a succession of sentences in Cree. And it’s really helped with learning the grammar of the language, again something not taught in my Cree classes.

I’ve been trying to think of other ways to learn, but a recent conversation with Anastasia Wheesk of the Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre reinforced what I already knew: to learn the language, you have to live it.

It’s obviously difficult to do that from Thunder Bay. I’ve given some thought to moving back to the James Bay coast for a while in the future to re-immerse myself in the culture and language.

That’s a big move. But for now, I guess I’ll have to continue to try to learn by talking to my parents and other speakers whenever possible.

And I’ll continue to find books that are in the Cree language. As long as they’re not in syllabics.

Wawatay News archives

Watersports on a Deer Lake spring day in 1981.

Gaining knowledge on your health Xavier Kataquapit UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY

T

here is something strange going on with flu reporting this winter. In the past decade the media has been full of news about the various super flus including SARS, H1N1, Bird Flu and Swine Flu to name a few. The headlines caused a lot of concern and there was a push on to stock antivirals and as well for people to get the annual flu shot.

For some reason the health departments and media have suggested that this year was the year of mostly no show when it comes to the flu.

There seems to me that this reasoning is a little bizarre in that I personally have never seen so many people around me sick with the flu and colds this winter. I am also hearing about severe cases in schools and in nursing homes where older people are dying of pneumonia. I have seen many cases of very bad flu and colds at the several First

Nations I visited this winter.

In many of these communities there is no doctor and a limited nursing staff. When it comes to health care First Nations are treated as second-class citizens.

There is no easy answer to figure out if in fact there are serious flus circulating.

If you go on the various government and health sponsored websites on line it does not look like much is happening. This makes me wonder about how the flu cases are reported. The entire flu sickness is a huge industry that involves the biggest pharmaceuticals in the world. They produce flu shots, anti viral medicines, cough medicines, decongestants and an enormous range of products to treat flu symptoms or colds.

I recall that 15 or 20 years ago people around me ended up with at least one flu per winter season but these days it seems common to contract flus and colds several times.

What are the reasons for this? Many suggest that it is because people are moving around the world a lot more through air travel and the flu bugs are hitching a ride with them and then being spread. Some suggest that

it is because of the warming climate and all the changes taking place that foster more flus.

Whatever the reason is we all know that there is a very big industry built up around the flu and cold season and that should make all of us question what we hear, we know and what is promoted regarding flus and colds.

Can we trust that these big companies that make all the drugs are dedicated to our well being above the consideration for profit. I don’t think so. With that in mind it is necessary for us to do our own research, talk to health professionals and read what the alternative media is reporting about sickness in general and the huge industry that has developed to treat so many inflictions that we deal with in the modern world.

Do some of your own research online to educate yourself about the flu, flu shots and the health industry in general. If something concerns you, there is always your doctor. Let’s face it you can’t really depend on the health care system to do this for you and if you take the time to educate yourself then

that can only result in making better decisions when it comes to your personal health care.

Thank goodness for our Canadian health care system and all the great doctors, nurses and support staff that work in hospitals and clinics across the country.

Shame on all those greedy big insurance companies and medical initiatives that are lobbying our governments to bankrupt our wonderful health care system.

They are more and more pushing us towards a public/ private approach that at some point out could end up back in the hands of private enterprise. If we let that happen then we truly are pawns of big business and misrepresenting governments.

All I know is that I see a lot of outright lies, half-truths and hype when it comes to disease, treatment and the drug industry in general.

That does not make me feel very confident in identifying, understanding and finding treatment for any of my health problems. How did it ever come to this? Perhaps because of our own disinterest and lethargy we can only blame our selves.

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

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

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER David Neegan davidn@wawatay.on.ca EDITOR Shawn Bell shawnb@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Rick Garrick rickg@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Lenny Carpenter lennyc@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Linda Henry

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

TRANSLATOR Vicky Angees vickya@wawatay.on.ca

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Matthew Bradley matthewb@wawatay.on.ca

CONTRIBUTORS Xavier Kataquapit Chris Kornacki Richard Wagamese Christian Quequish Adrienne Fox

SALES MANAGER James Brohm jamesb@wawatay.on.ca CIRCULATION Adelaide Anderson reception@wawatay.on.ca

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

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

5

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Copper Thunderbird Richard Wagamese ONE NATIVE LIFE

W

e meet a varied assortment of people in our time here. Some come and go almost casually and leave little behind but small pools of recollection. Others walk into our lives boldly, trumpeting great things that maybe shake us to our cores and change things so that our lives are never the same again. Still others arrive elegantly, their energy a smooth confluence with our own, like the meeting of streams.

My Elders say that ‘all we are is the story of our time here’.

When we’re finished and we carry on in our spirit journey, all we take with us is that story.

So, they say, the important thing is to learn to create a beautiful one. That’s as true for individuals as it is for communities, municipalities, societies, nations and our species. Our job is to create a wonderful enduring tale of our time here.

As a lifelong loner, it’s been hard to learn how to reach out to people. Now that I do my life has become enriched by a plethora of wonderful individuals.

But there’s a conceit to being a loner. You get to thinking that you’ve always been alone, that no one has ever affected you in any meaningful way, or that nothing of the world has influenced you. When you get to the truth of things you realize how many people helped you create the story of your life.

For instance, I met Norval Mor-

riseau in the early fall of 1987.

I was freelancing for a native newspaper in Southern Alberta and they wanted a story on the famous Ojibwe painter. It took awhile to track him down but when he heard that I was an Ojibwe journalist, he agreed to do the interview. He was staying in the ritzy Jasper Lodge and I drove up there from Calgary to meet him. Earlier that spring there had been much made in the media about Morriseau being discovered drunk and wandering Vancouver’s downtown East Side. There was television footage of him crawling out of bushes bedraggled, unkempt and far from sober.

He was an Order of Canada holder and it was big news.

Morriseau was a painter and a traditional teacher. He was a recluse and an odd sort of character who emanated mystic energy and a magical power that was magnetic. When we talked it seemed to me that time just disappeared. We spent a whole afternoon and evening together and even now I have trouble understanding how the notion of time absolutely disappeared in his presence.

The strange thing is that we never got around to speaking about the Vancouver episode.

Instead, Morriseau invited me into his world of shamanism and the rich Ojibwe heritage that he had carried all his life.

He talked of being raised by his grandfather and the stories he was given as a boy. He spoke about the way traditional and cultural teachings were presented to him and how he felt the magic within them and how attractive the pull of that magic was.

He seemed to recognize the

need I carried for connection to myself and my identity. So he told me stories. He told me the great rambling tale about the Ojibwe migration from the eastern sea to the north, about trickster spirits and the root of our traditions.

He told me about shamans and the need for principles to guide our actions. He spoke quietly and eloquently and I didn’t miss a word. It was an amazing experience.

Then he talked about his art and the visions that spawned it that had made him famous.

He told me how it was spirit that made it possible and how the blazing hot colors of his canvases were meant to heal, and the hard black lines meant to serve as contrast in order to teach us to see.

Morriseau was a true original. He wasn’t afraid to go beyond convention or to think outside the box. His art resides in a special place – the gallery of magic where visionaries let us see beyond what we think we know of the world.

He’s gone now but his art remains to teach us. All he ever wanted us to do was to learn to see and he used color and the stark images of his culture to train our eyes, to let us develop our own vision and in that way create our own lives artfully. I am more for having met him.

He guided me to being a better storyteller. He influenced the way I work and as the loner sits in his writer’s space and pecks away at a keyboard, it’s the influence of Norval Morrisseau that often drives me.

People. Our greatest resource.

They come along when we need them most. Always – and we create a better story.

Pick up

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

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

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

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

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

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

> Aboriginal-Canadian Relations Certificate www.confederationc.on.ca/insight

still e c a Sp in: > College Access Certificate Program e l b a www.confederationc.on.ca/access avail

> Native Child and Family Services Diploma www.confederationc.on.ca/care

> Aboriginal Community Advocacy Diploma www.confederationc.on.ca/advocate

Apply at OCAS today. www.ontariocolleges.ca

Where will your story take you?

Change Your Life Through Learning

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

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

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

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

6

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Clearcuts planned for Grassy Narrows Rick Garrick Wawatay News

photo by Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Sandy Lake joins Wasaya Group Sandy Lake Chief Adam Fiddler signs on with Wasaya Group Inc. as Wasaya Group president and CEO Tom Kamenawatamin looks on during a March 23 ceremony at the Victoria Inn in Thunder Bay. Sandy Lake is the 12th community to sign on as a full partner with Wasaya Group.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with so many of our neighbouring First Nation communities in a variety of established businesses such as Wasaya Airways, and also to help grow some of the newer joint ventures that have been recently established,” Fiddler said.

Grassy Narrow is raising concerns about Ontario’s plans to proceed with large clearcuts in the Treaty #3 community’s traditional territory.

Ontario had agreed not to allow logging without the consent of the community in its territory in the Whiskey Jack Forest north of the English River while an 11-year legal action winds its way through the court system, but this past December the province made public without the community’s support a new Whiskey Jack Long Term Management Direction (LTMD) calling for large clearcuts in the community’s territory north and south of the English River over the next 10 years, according to a Free Grassy Narrows press release.

“The government is beginning to recognize that it is wrong to allow logging in our territory against our will,” said Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister.

“...it is wrong to allow logging in our territory against our will...”

– Chief Simon Robister

“But Ontario continues to make plans behind our backs for destructive clearcut logging on the lands we have always used and cared for. This must stop.”

A Ministry of Natural Resources spokeswoman said the Ontario Court of Appeal granted a stay order in Dec. 2011 and ordered that trees may not be harvested for commercial purposes other than firewood within the Whiskeyjack Forest north of the English River without the agreement of Grassy Narrows.

“We remain committed to working with local First Nations including Grassy Narrows First Nation to ensure management of this forest reflects their interests and protects Aboriginal

values,” said Michelle Novak, regional communication specialist with the MNR. Novak said the MNR is engaged in consultations on the long-term management direction of the Whiskeyjack Forest.

“The current forest management plan ends in April and the ministry is preparing a contingency plan until a new forest management plan is ready,” Novak said. “But no operations can take place on the Whiskeyjack Forest until the contingency plan is approved and no operations can take place north of the English River until the court case is settled.”

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice originally made a landmark judgment in August 2011 in favour of Grassy Narrows, finding that Ontario does not have the power to take away the rights in Treaty 3 by authorizing industrial activity including logging.

“We have struggled for many years to save our way of life in the face of clearcut log-

Sandy Lake chief leaving politics

NOTICE OF EXTENSION OF COMMENT PERIOD FOR REVIEW OF DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE This notification is to announce the extension of the comment period on the Cliffs Chromite Project Draft Terms of Reference to April 15, 2012.

Please read below for further information about the Project.

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

The provincial EA will assess the following three components of the Project: 1) The Mine Site, located near McFaulds Lake; 2) An Ore Processing Facility, co-located at the Mine Site; and 3) An Integrated Transportation System (ITS) to transport product/supplies and workers to and from the Mine Site.

The fourth component of the Project, a Ferrochrome Production Facility (FPF), will be assessed as part of the federal EA, and is not subject to the provincial EA process. As part of the planning process for the provincial EA and as required by the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, a draft Terms of Reference has been prepared by Cliffs. If approved, the Terms of Reference will serve as a framework for the preparation and review of the provincial EA. Community members, government agencies and other interested persons are encouraged to actively participate in the provincial EA planning process by reviewing the draft Terms of Reference and submitting comments and questions to the following Cliffs personnel: Arthur Moore, District Manager - Aboriginal Affairs 1159 Alloy Drive, Ste. 200, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6M8 Phone: 807-768-3012, Fax: 807-346-0778 Arthur.Moore@CliffsNR.com

Providing your comments on the draft Terms of Reference helps Cliffs to identify issues early in the planning process, and allows gaps to be corrected before the final Terms of Reference is submitted to the regulators for formal review. To take time to fully consider your comments, Cliffs is extending the comment period on the Draft Terms of Reference from March 17, 2012 to April 15, 2012. Cliffs is currently holding and/or scheduling Open Houses in or near your community. When dates are finalized, Open Houses will be advertised in local newspapers and/or on local radio stations, and through our Project website. Notice of the Open Houses will also be posted in Band Offices where newspaper advertisements may not be possible.

Documents Available for Review Copies of the draft Terms of Reference are available for review and comment electronically on the Project website at www.cliffsnaturalresources.com. Paper copies are available for review at the following locations during regular business hours: Ministry of the Environment Approvals Branch Floor 12A, 2 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto, M4V 1L5

Valley East Public Library 4100 Elmview Drive, Hanmer, P3P 1J7

Capreol Citizen Service Ministry of the Environment Centre & Library Thunder Bay District Office 1-9 Morin Street, Suite 331, 435 James Street South, Capreol, P0M 1H0 Thunder Bay, P7E 6S7 Brodie Resource Library Ministry of the Environment 216 South Brodie Street, Sudbury District Office Thunder Bay, P7E 1C2 Suite 1201, 199 Larch Street, Waverley Resource Library Sudbury, P3E 5P9 285 Red River Road, Ministry of the Environment Thunder Bay, P7B 1A9 Timmins District Office Elsie Dugard Centennial Ontario Govt. Complex Library Hwy 101 East, 405 Second Street West, South Porcupine, P0N 1H0 Geraldton, P0T 1M0 Greenstone Municipal Office Greenstone Public Library 1800 Main Street, Longlac Branch Geraldton, P0T 1M0 110 Kenogami, Thunder Bay Municipal Office 3rd Floor, 500 Donald Street East, Thunder Bay, P7C 5K4 City of Greater Sudbury Municipal Office 200 Brady Street, Sudbury, P3A 5P3 Timmins City Hall 220 Algonquin Blvd. East, Timmins, P4N 1B3

ging, which has contaminated our waters and destroyed our lands,” said Joseph Fobister, one of the Grassy Narrows trappers who initiated the legal action. “We cannot go back to the old way of business where decisions were imposed on our people and our land with devastating consequences for our health and culture.”

Grassy Narrows initially rejected the new LTMD this past December. The LTMD is part of a Forest Management Plan the MNR plans to put into effect on April 1.

Robert Janes, a Grassy Narrows lawyer, said the province’s agreement not to allow logging without community consent north of the English River was “a big departure from the usual government insistence on business as usual” during lengthy appeals.

“It speaks to the strength of Grassy Narrows’ stand against unwanted clearcut logging from a legal perspective and also from a moral, and political viewpoint,” Janes said.

Longlac, P0T 2A0 Beardmore Ward Office 78 Pearl Street, Beardmore, P0T 1G0 Nakina Ward Office 200 Centre Avenue, Nakina, P0T 2H0 Main Public Library Mackenzie Branch 74 MacKenzie Street, Sudbury, P3C 4X8

Timmins Public Library 320 Second Avenue, Timmins, P4N 8A4

A copy of the draft Terms of Reference has been mailed to the communities listed below. If you would like a copy of the draft Terms of Reference please contact Arthur Moore (please see adjacent contact information).

Aroland First Nation - Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation - Attawapiskat First Nation - Constance Lake First Nation - Eabametoong First Nation - Fort Albany First Nation Ginoogaming First Nation Kashechewan First Nation - Long Lake First Nation #58 - Marten Falls First Nation - Matawa Tribal Council - Métis Nation of Ontario - Mushkegowuk Council Neskantanga First Nation - Nibinamik First Nation - Red Sky Métis Independent Nation Temagami First Nation - Wahnapitae First Nation Webequie First Nation - Whitefish River First Nation

Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Environmental Assessment Act, unless otherwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property location included in a submission will become part of the public record files for this matter and will be released, if requested, to any person.

Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Sandy Lake Chief Adam Fiddler is leaving politics to study law at Lakehead University’s new law school.

“I’ve always wanted to go to law school and the law school opening up in Thunder Bay in 2013 really excites me,” Fiddler said. “I’m a firm believer in telling our young people — go after your dreams, go after your goals.

This is one way of showing that I mean what I talk about. I lead by example and I’d like to show the young people that there are opportunities out there.”

Fiddler told his community this past January that he would not be running for chief in the upcoming election, which is scheduled for March 30.

“It’s a real honour and privilege to serve the people in my community,” Fiddler said. “I put a lot of energy into it. I did the best I could and I leave on a good note.”

Adam Fiddler said that continuing his studies is a way to help his people in some form or capacity in the future.

“I don’t necessarily want to be a lawyer,” Fiddler said. “I was part of the First Nations gathering with the prime minister in January and there’s a lot of high-level discussions that we need to continue to have in terms of rights for First Nations.

By going to school and gaining that knowledge, I’m hoping that I can only help my fellow First Nations people.”

Fiddler is planning to complete his BA in Political Science to prepare for law school.

After working part-time at Wawatay Native Communications Society for a number of years, Fiddler worked at CBC Radio for four years before he moved back to Sandy Lake to serve his community.

“I was starting my family and I wanted my kids to establish their roots in the community,” Fiddler said. “That strong tie, that strong connection that I felt in my community and with the land and my people, I wanted my children to experience that.”

Fiddler became involved in politics after moving back to the community, beginning with the Sandy Lake Board of Education.

“I was elected to council in 2000,” Fiddler said. “It’s been 12 years since I was first elected. I’ve done my best; it’s been a long haul.”

Wawatay News

Kasabonika Lake stuck with sewage problem Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Kasabonika Lake First Nation Chief Eno Anderson says his community is still waiting on funding to upgrade their sewage treatment and diesel generation station.

Since 2004, the sewage treatment plant has been at nearly double capacity, resulting in sewage overflow into the lake and constant backups that endangers the health of the residents. Meanwhile, the diesel generation station has reached its peak generation limit on several occasions, and since 2008, the community has been on an “aggressive” conservation program where new connections can be made.

The connection restrictions and sewage treatment plant limitations have severely limited all development of existing infrastructure, and there are nine projects on hold that could generate $9 million in economic opportunity.

In an email to Wawatay News, an Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development of Canada (AANDC) spokesperson said that in addition to the $193,530 it provides annually to operate and maintain the sewage treatment plant, in December 2011 it budgeted $283,000 to assist the community with essential repairs and maintenance to the plant.

Despite the additional funding, Anderson said that’s not enough.

MARCH 29, 2012

7

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Moose Cree winter road south falls short Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Moose Cree First Nation’s plan to build a winter road leading south to Otter Rapids fell short by 17 kilometres as unseasonably warm weather ended the project on Mar. 15.

The First Nation officially closed the Moose Cree Wetum Road as contractor crews working from both the north and south ends failed to meet up in time to complete the 170-kilometre road.

Completion of the road would have enabled travellers from Moose Factory and the James Bay coastal communities to reach the Ontario highway system by connecting to Highway 634, which goes to Smooth Rock Falls, Ont. “If we had another month or so, we probably would have had at least two weeks use of the road, but that’s not the case,” Moose Cree Chief Norman Hardisty said.

This is the second year the First Nation has attempted to complete a winter road leading south. Last year, only 40 kilometres was cleared from the south side.

“We only had six inches of ice on the Abitibi River and we could not (cross it), so that’s why we couldn’t complete the road last year,” Hardisty said.

Since a rail line from Cochrane to Moosonee was completed in 1932, residents in the area have relied primarily on the train for travel south and to bring in goods and supplies. Furthermore, members of Moose Cree First Nation, which is located on Moose Factory Island, have to travel by boat in the summer or by vehicle in the winter to Moosonee to access the

train.

The semi-isolation of the community has increased the costs of groceries and goods and limited travel for the residents.

Constructing an all-season road south has been in Moose Cree’s strategic plan since the 1990s.

“I think especially when it comes to sports and recreation, we want our youth to have access for hockey tournaments, basketball tournaments,” Hardisty said.

“And certainly economy-wise, we want to take advantage of (lower) prices and so forth.”

While the community plans to build an all-season eventually, it will make do with a winter road for now, Hardisty said.

The James Bay communities experienced a winter road leading south several years ago when a road was constructed from Moosonee to Otter Rapids as part of Hydro One’s hydro-line project leading to Kashechewan First Nation.

“That was quite the experience because (for two or three weeks) people were able to jump in their vehicle at anytime and drive down south to take advantage of the more reasonable prices of goods and items,” Hardisty said. “So we already had a taste of it and certainly we want to again.”

While Hardisty was disappointed the Wetum Road failed to be completed this year, he remains optimistic for next year.

“I know it will be in next year, provided the weather holds up, of course,” he said.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for not only this community, but Attawapiskat, Kash and Fort Albany, and also the southern population who want to move north and come and see family.”

www.tikinagan.org New website features to communicate with you

“It’s the capacity, that’s the issue. It’s flooding all the time.”

– Chief Eno Anderson

“That’s not going to resolve the situation,” Anderson said.

“It’s the capacity, that’s the issue. It’s flooding all the time.”

He said that the treatment plant is becoming a concern for the community because of the impact on the water and the land. The community is in the process of trying to secure funding to test the lake, which is where the community gets its drinking water.

“Even if you confirm the water is contaminated, INAC doesn’t have any money,” Anderson said. “We’re kinda stuck.”

Anderson said his community also needs to build a lagoon on the mainland, and after a series of studies and proposals, no funding has been committed to build it.

No funding has also been committed to upgrade the diesel generation station.

AANDC said that the design phase of the project was completed in December 2011.

However, “the next phase, tendering and construction, will proceed when funds are available in AANDC’s capital budget. In the meantime, the community has electricity to meet its current needs, as the diesel generator produces enough power to supply the community’s essential services and existing homes.”

Anderson said that unless his community finds another source of funding for these projects, there’s little his community can do.

“All we can do is wait.”

A

A. Regular Tikinagan program & service updates B. New Jobs: 55 jobs currently listed by community

B

C. Harvey Kakegamic, board chairman, speaks about Tikinagan’s madate, its helping role & its Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin service model

E C

D

D. Mamow Oshki Pimagihowin prevention program activities in your community: 90 activities listed in March

E

E. Feature photos & photo galleries of Tikinagan’s service model in action – Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin: Everyone working together to raise our children

F

F. Resource & information links for strong families and communities

G

G. Keep informed with e-mail bulletins from Tikinagan

Tikinagan Child & Family Services

8

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

ARE YOU AN INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SURVIVOR? WERE YOU THE VICTIM OF SEXUAL ABUSE?

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Cree language being lost in migration to urban areas ‘It’s the equivalent of losing a limb,’ youth says of language Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

The INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT PROCESS allows Residential School survivors who experienced serious abuse to apply for compensation but you must do so before the SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 DEADLINE. We have been involved in Residential School litigation for 14 years.

We have three lawyers, two of whom are descendants of Residential School survivors, ready to help you every step of the way.

We can meet with you in your home community or at our ofÀce in Thunder Bay. If you don’t already have a lawyer, please call us.

RICHARD W. COURTIS LAW OFFICE 816-34 N. Cumberland Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4L3 Toll-free 1-877-266-6646

As more Mushkegowuk people leave their reserve to live in the city, the more the Cree language will be lost, says Anastasia Wheesk, Native Education coordinator at the Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre in Timmins.

“To me, seems like the Cree language is diminishing quickly,” Wheesk said. “The young people, especially here in the city, they speak a bit of the language, but they mix it with English. They, what I call, Indian-ize the English.

It’s becoming to be a common thing, mixing the languages, and because of that, the language is going down.”

Kiefer Friday, a 22-year-old who spent his childhood living between Peawanuck and Kashechewan, knows it all to well. He left the Mushkegowuk territory when he was 14 to move south with his parents.

Living in urban areas, Kiefer did not have many people to speak with in Cree.

“I think it’s ironic that I know more Latin and some French than Cree,” he said. “Which is sort of odd since Latin’s a dead language.”

Kiefer summed up the amount of Cree he knows with “pi-sheesh” – Cree for “a little.”

Despite it being spoken a lot at home and with his grandparents while he living on the reserve, learning Cree was never something he accomplished.

“I’d probably call it negative reinforcement, because every time I try to speak it, they laugh at me,” he said. “Apparently, I had a very atrocious accent.”

Like the time he was trying to say a certain species of fish, and after a few tries, his grandmother just laughed.

“She said something along the lines of ‘give it time, maybe you’ll learn,’” Kiefer recalls.

“... every time I try to speak it (Cree), they laugh at me...”

– Kiefer Friday

Moving to the city did not make it easier as he became disconnected from his culture.

His parents only spoke Cree to other Cree adults and rarely to him.

“It is very hard to find another Native speaker of my family’s dialect,” he said.

Wheesk had a similar experience when she moved with her family to Toronto more than 40 years ago. With no Native people around, Wheesk began to use English more.

“I spoke English to my kids and used English at home,” she said. “And then we moved to Attawapiskat, and at that time, the kids (in Attawapiskat) were speaking the language then but mine didn’t.”

Wheesk made efforts to speak the language at home

and her children began to learn it, but then they moved to the city again.

And though she acts as a translator as part of her job, Wheesk said she is not an “expert” at the language.

“Sometimes, I forget a word, so I call somebody,” she said. “I still need help, I still need guidance, so I call the Elders here in town or out of town, to tell them my problem.”

Wheesk said spending time listening to Elders was how she learned and how it should be taught.

“Listen to them, or talk to them and listen to how they use the language and their grammar structure,” she said.

Cree classes are offered in certain communities, but Wheesk believes they are often ineffective due to the curricular approach mandated by the government.

“Everything seems to be automated. The teacher talks, you listen. And, to me, that’s kind of boring,” she said.

Long ago, Wheesk said, the language was taught through action and demonstration.

“For example, the word ‘cup.’

You demonstrate by picking up the cup, you bring it to your month. And you say something like ‘me-ne-kwa-gan,’ (cup) ni-me-ne-kwa-gan,’ (my cup) ‘a-mii-ni-kway-an’ (I use a cup to drink). Things like that.

That’s the way the Elders used to teach.”

See LEARNING page 9

Are you searching for a family doctor ? If so, you should register with the Health Care Connect program offered by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

To register, simply call 1-800-445-1822, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You can also register online at www.ontario.ca/healthcareconnect.

Health Care Connect helps Ontarians without a family health care provider to find a family doctor or a nurse practitioner who is accepting new patients in their community.

A message from the Nord - Aski Family Health Team

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Learning by doing, keeping the language alive from page 8 It is an approach Kiefer agrees with.

“Every time I was taught it, it would come to my mind and it would slip away,” he said of his classroom lessons. “It was by actually talking with other youth and my grandparents, and whoever in general, is how it stuck.”

To aid in classroom teaching or for anyone wishing to learn or practice the language, Wheesk wants to create books in the Cree language.

“Doesn’t matter what level they are, they can pick up this book and practice it whenever they want to,” Wheesk said.

“People say computer is the thing nowadays, but to me I think computer is automation.”

In teaching Cree in schools, teachers are often too busy preparing lesson plans to create learning aids such as books, Wheesk said.

“They can’t really make little books for kids to read, but they gotta have something else they can grab from the shelf,” Wheesk. It is Wheesk’s goal to create these books, but she is often too busy in her day job to start.

“We need to have a library of Cree-written materials,” she said. “That’s my dream.”

In order to preserve and

learn the language, Wheesk said, everyone must speak the language.

“If you want to keep the language alive, use it,” she said.

“Speak it. Live it. That’s the bottom line.”

Kiefer plans on talking with his grandparents more in order to learn the language. It’s a goal he has set, as he feels like he is losing out on an important part of who he is.

“It’s the equivalent of losing a limb,” he said. “It’s something you never thought would be important in your life but the moment you lose it, you realize how much more your life was more fulfilling with it.”

March break camp

Director of EducaƟon for First NaƟons CommuniƟes Part II of the Director of EducaƟon for First NaƟons communiƟes is a professional development course that will be oīered for one week during July 2012. Directors of EducaƟon are challenged to enable principals, teachers and community to engage in the teaching/learning for their children in the First NaƟon Schools. The Directors of EducaƟon for First NaƟons CommuniƟes course is being oīered in support of this challenge.

Topics covered: • EducaƟon Document Review • EducaƟon Law • Reverse TuiƟon Agreements • Student Assessment • OrientaƟon for New Teachers • Special EducaƟon Funding • Raising the Standard • AlternaƟve Funding Sources • Know Yourself - Keirsey’s Four Temperaments • Case Studies Program Dates The Directors of EducaƟon Program is oīered in two sessions: Part I - July 16 to July 20, 2012 Who should aƩend: • Directors of EducaƟon • School board members • Principals of First NaƟon schools • Teachers of First NaƟon schools

Lenny Carpenter/Wawatay News

Four-year-old Stevie Raymond climbs around while Chelsea Frenette (left) and Raven Sault of Red Rock First Nation sew mini-birchbark canoes during a March break camp on Mar. 15 at the Weshkeday Native Educational Centre in Thunder Bay.

TuiƟon Fees $1,000 includes lunch, refreshments and shuƩle service from Brant Best Western, Branƞord No Prerequisites

Principal of First NaƟon Schools The Principal of First NaƟon Schools is oīered in partnership with Seven GeneraƟons EducaƟon InsƟtute.

The framework for the Principals of First NaƟon Schools program is modular based. Candidates will examine the areas of study as they relate to current educaƟonal policies and pracƟces for First NaƟon Schools.

Admission Requirements Proof of Ontario Teaching CerƟĮcate or a bachelor degree in educaƟon, with a minimum of two years of successful teaching in a First NaƟon community.

Candidates not meeƟng the admissions requirements may audit if they have an equivalent NaƟve Language Teaching cerƟĮcate from a recognized course with a minimum of two years of successful teaching a First NaƟon community, and are employed as the Principal of a First NaƟon school.

Program Dates Principals of First NaƟons Schools program is oīered in two parts Part I - July 9 to 27, 2012 TuiƟon Fee OpƟons: 1. TuiƟon fees of $1,000 per summer session, includes accommodaƟons, course binder, week-day lunch and refreshments.

2. TuiƟon of $150 per summer session applies to those who do not need accommodaƟons.

To Apply Submit completed Admissions ApplicaƟon Package along with: • All high school, college and university transcripts.

• Copy of Ontario Teaching CerƟĮcate and photo idenƟĮcaƟon

“Money when you need it, Anytime, Anywhere”

To apply to either program Call or visit Six NaƟons Polytechnic at 519-445-0023 to request an Admissions ApplicaƟon Package.

Funding Agencies • EducaƟon AuthoriƟes • Self-sponsor

9

10

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Submitted photo

Gail Lawlor of Five Nations Energy Inc. has been working on a project teaching students in Kashechewn, Fort Albany and Attawapiskat about energy conservation.

Saving energy and money on the James Bay Coast Shawn Bell Wawatay News

Building Aboriginal Women’s Leadership Project 2011-15 Goal: To increase women’s participation in leadership roles in their communities Activities: • Project begins Sept 2011 and ends March 2015 • Women’s Leadership Gathering Workshops in Sioux Lookout each year: Feb 2012, Feb 2013, Feb 2014 and Feb 2015.

• Equay-wuk Awards to be presented to women leaders/ role models at each Gathering.

• Women leaders and role models featured in a public education campaign.

• Youth Training Workshops - youth (age 18-29 years) will be recruited each year to train and co-facilitate leadership workshops in remote First Nation communities.

Youth will co-facilitate 2 workshops as part of the leadership training. Workshops will include “Breakfast with the Elders” and cover topics such as addictions, violence and cyberbullying.

• Community Workshops - Leadership workshops in remote communities starting in 2012. Four in-community workshops per year for 3 years. Community workshops will consist of mentoring, public speaking exercises, a mock election exercise, personal development skills and information on starting a women’s group.

For more info or to have a workshop in your community, contact: Darlene Angeconeb, Project Coordinator Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) Tel: (807) 737-2214 of Toll Free (800) 261-8294 Fax: (807) 737-2699 Email: equaywuk@bellnet.ca

Website: www.equaywuk.ca

Families along the James Bay coast are working on saving energy and cutting electricity bills, and their children are leading the way.

The Five Nations Energy Inc. (FNEI) held energy conservation fairs in Fort Albany, Kashechewan and Attawapiskat earlier this March, where students in each community taught their families what they learned on energy conservation in school.

The fairs capped an eightweek school program, where over 400 students from grades 5 – 10 participated in hands-on workshops on energy conservation.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with how the educational program and Community Energy Conservation Fairs went,” said Lucie Edwards, CEO of FNEI.

www.wawataynews.ca

“The students were engaged in the activities and having parents and others from the community get involved helped to bring home our energy conservation message.”

The education program is just one aspect of an ongoing energy conservation program FNEI has been conducting along the coast. FNEI is trying to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy use in each home in the three communities.

The program started a year and a half ago.

Gail Lawlor, the project manager of the FNEI Conservation program, said that the idea is to have everyone in the community have the tools to save energy at home and cut the cost of their energy bill.

Lawlor pointed to one aspect of the program, that has provided homeowners with energy saving products such as pipe-wrap insulation,

low-flow shower heads, block heater timers and power bars that prevent the loss of phantom power from appliances and electronics.

“We have tried to enhance energy savings opportunities in each home by giving products to families that will make a real difference on their energy bills,” Lawlor said.

The program has also involved education outside of schools, from mailing out tips for energy saving to making a 2012 calendar with artwork from local students featuring tips for energy savings.

The FNEI Conservation Program is a partnership between FNEI, Ontario Power Authority and Mushkegowuk Environmental Research Centre.

The program has also launched a contest on its Facebook page where it will give away a pair of locally-made moccasins.

Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

Big News from Wawatay Native Communications Society!

As of April 26, 2012 Wawatay News will become a weekly newspaper.

This exciting change is being implemented to better serve your needs as our valued readers.

Funded by:

Government of Ontario - Ontario Women’s Directorate

visit us online at

www.wawataynews.ca keeping you informed as the news happens

Thanks for your continued dedication. We look forward to delivering the news to you on a more frequent basis.

Meegwetch, The Wawatay News team

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

11

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

Oji-Cree, Ojibwe languages healthy Rick Garrick Wawatay News

While older youth seem to be using their languages less frequently, especially in urban centres, more elementary school children are learning Oji-Cree and Ojibwe and that has instructors optimistic for the future of the languages. “It’s coming back full blast in the school system, where there’s a variety of choices to take either French or our First Nation language,� said Nathaniel Moses, the BIWAASE’AA youth outreach worker at Our Lady of Charity School who has worked in the public school system in Thunder Bay for the past nine years. “I think it’s going to bloom from there.�

Moses has seen a significant change among students over the past nine years regarding their heritage, being proud of who they are and achieving success for themselves. “The native language program we have in our school assists them in all ways,� Moses said.

Moses didn’t learn Ojibwe when he was growing up, but he has been learning more as an adult from the children at school and on the powwow trail. “They didn’t really speak it to us when we were growing up,�

Moses said. “Being First Nations and a dancer for almost four decades, my challenge is with my speech and with the dance it is the language I use.�

Gull Bay’s Casie Mathewson said many youth have lost their language in the Nipigon area. “I can understand words but I’m not fluent in it, which is part of the reason behind my opinion that the language is being lost,� said the Grade 11 student at St. Patrick High School in Thunder Bay. “I know people from my reserve, especially the older people like my mom can speak it and understand it, but as for my friends from around the area I am from and even my friends here on the Mission (Fort William), I can’t see any of them that can speak fluently.�

Webequie’s Amanda Suga-

“...it is OK to speak Anishinabemowin, it is OK to be who you are.�

-Stan Beardy

The Sioux Lookout Meno-ya-win Health Center developed a set of medical dictionaries for staff to use with patients. naqueb was a fluent Oji-Cree speaker when she moved to Thunder Bay about three years ago for a better education but she barely speaks her language now. “It’s a problem,� said the Grade 9 student at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Thunder Bay. “A lot of kids lose their language, and that leads them to losing their culture sometimes too.�

Suganaqueb said it is different living in the city because most people speak

English first instead of OjiCree. “You feel like you’re all alone,� Suganaqueb said.

Webequie’s Matilda Suganaqueb finds it “kind of hard� to speak Oji-Cree while living in Thunder Bay. “Back in the community (Webequie), I speak OjiCree to my friends, family and everyone else,� said the Grade 11 student at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Thunder Bay. “Sometimes I speak English

over there, but not really.�

Matilda said there should be more language programs for native youth who want to learn and keep their language in the city. “I’m losing a little bit of my language,� Matilda said. “I understand it but I can’t speak as well as before.�

Grand Chief Stan Beardy said the Indian Act put very little value on First Nations culture. “We need to decolonize using techniques from Maori people and other people that have survived in spite of obstacles and challenges,�

Beardy said, noting his recent trip to India for the 4th International World Conference of Elders of Ancient Traditions and Cultures opened his eyes to some of the challenges Nishnawbe Aski Nation is facing. “The Maori people have

agreed to come in and share their techniques. You focus on cultural identity, you focus on your language, you focus on your history.�

Beardy said Oji-Cree and Cree are land-based languages that describe activities on the land. “The communities that focus a lot on land-based training concepts are where the language is becoming strong again,� Beardy said. “But in the last five years, a lot of the younger people that have gone to secondary institutions for learning begin to realize that to be fully functional in today’s society that’s integrated, they need to be very strong culturally.�

Beardy said people need to be able to speak their language and understand their history and culture. “What I want to focus on is trying to create that awareness to young people that it is OK to be a native person, it is OK to speak Anishinabemowin, it is OK to be who you are.�

30,000 Ojibwe words translated into English for online dictionary Rick Garrick

“In order to speak my language, I went to work helping others learn.�

Wawatay News

An online Ojibwe-English dictionary — the Ojibwe People’s Dictionary — is now up and running thanks to the University of Minnesota American Indian studies department and a group of Ojibwe Elders.

The dictionary expands on a current printed dictionary, which has only 7,000 words.

The new online dictionary already has 30,000 words. “Language is important because we are losing it,�

Elder Leona Wakonabo said in the online dictionary. “We must teach the language to the little ones. So one of the things I do is work with the teacher of the K-6 students.�

Wakonabo is one of nine Ojibwe Elders who will be honoured for their work on the dictionary at a launch party Apr.2.

Elders Gerri Howard and Wakonabo both kept their language alive by teaching Ojibwe and speaking only Ojibwe

Leona Wakonabo

Gerri Howard

with each other. They are both Ojibwe language teachers at the Niigaane Ojibwe Immersion School on the Leech Lake Reservation in Minnesota and help at a weekly language table at the Deer River High School in Minnesota. “In order to speak my language I went to work helping others learn,� Howard said in the online dictionary. “And I do it because I never taught my children. I work with the teacher of K-6 students.�

Available at http://ojibwe. lib.umn.edu/, the searchable, talking online dictionary features the voices of Ojibwe speakers and a gateway into the Ojibwe collec-

tions at the Minnesota Historical Society. “This sets the standard for how indigenous languages will be learned and preserved into the future,� said James A. Parente, Jr., dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

In addition to providing translations for words, the dictionary also provides context for words. For example, the entry for wild rice includes audio clips of four Ojibwe Elders speaking the word manomin, photos from the collections of the Minnesota Historical Society and Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, and snippets from texts, includ-

Notice to General Public Emergency Department renovations are now underway.

The expected completion date is early April 2012.

During the construction period, the public access doors ER-1008 will be CLOSED. The temporary entrance will be through the Ambulance garage.

Security staff are posted in the temporary entrance to help clients, visitors and staff get through the construction area safely.

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre thanks everyone for their patience and cooperation during the renovations.

ing meeting minutes, reports and research manuscripts dating from 1922.

Brenda Child, chair of the Department of American

Indian Studies, said objects “are in conversation with the language� within the dictionary.

Described as both casual and scholarly, cutting edge and useful to Native people who speak the language, the dictionary merges the academic expertise of university scholars with the visual resources of the historical

society and other collections.

The dictionary received funding from Minnesota’s Historical and Cultural Heritage Fund and the project has just been awarded another grant to support phase 2 of the dictionary, which will incorporate feedback from users, enhance the virtual museum and add youth-friendly features.

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Are you looking for an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others? If so, consider volunteering with Ah-shawah-bin Sioux Lookout / Lac Seul Victim Support Services. People of all skills and abilities are welcome to apply, but you must be over 18 years of age.

Volunteers work in pairs aiding police and other community partners in providing immediate emotional and practical support for victims of crime and tragic circumstance.

Comprehensive training is provided using a new e-learning tool.

If you are interested in becoming involved or would like more information, please contact Shauntell at 737-1700 or 582-9800.

To Advertise with WAWATAY call us at 1-800-243-9059

12

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Homesickess adds to struggles of northern students Homesickness is a common topic when discussing student life. Maybe it comes when the student gets in the car to leave home for the first time, or maybe it comes later on, with family troubles or school difficulties.

The problem is especially acute for many northern students, for whom the idea of going home when things get tough is not an option.

Christian Quequish Special to Wawatay News

photo by Christian Quequish/Special to Wawatay News

For northern students like Aaron Trimble who move south for postsecondary school, homesickness adds to the burden of studies and can cause serious issues in a student’s life.

For Andrew Gliddy, a 26-year old film and television student at Humber College in southern Ontario who grew up in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, his first year at college was not too bad.

Gliddy said he was used to being away from home, having spent five to six years on his own.

The difficulties came in his second year, when a day after frosh week celebrations, he received news that his cousin

Aboriginal Educational Assistant Programs Your Path to Becoming an Educational Assistant starts here!

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Native Classroom Assistant Diploma Program Native Special Education Assistant Diploma Program Each program consists of: x x

Three consecutive summers at Nipissing University Two in-school placements

Family Support Activities x x

Children’s Day Camp Aboriginal Science Camp

Did you know? Successful completion of either classroom assistant program will qualify you for admission into our Aboriginal Teacher Certification Program, making you qualified to become a certified Ontario elementary school teacher.

CLASSES START JULY 2, 2012 FOR MORE INFORMATION: ABORIGINALPROGRAMS@NIPISSINGU.CA

was murdered.

“That kind of set the tone for what was about to happen.

I just really couldn’t focus on school too much,” said Gliddy.

Gliddy said that not being able to go home and properly grieve while handling a full school load in a “demanding program” got to him in a very negative way.

“In terms of dealing with the losses, I numbed myself, because even that following October, another of my cousins passed on,” said Gliddy.

He said he got homesick for the majority of his second year.

Gliddy’s case is not unique.

First Nations students attending school far from their communities often deal with issues of homesickness, especially when trauma affects family or friends back home.

Unlike their peers who live in the south, it is not often possible to just hop on a plane and fly home when home is thousands of kilometres away.

For Gliddy, returning to his home community halfway through his fourth semester was necessary in helping him deal with the losses of family.

“Being home in my community has helped me in connecting with the losses that affected me, my family, and my community,” said Gliddy.

Gliddy said he felt a sense of closure in returning home.

He has plans on returning to Humber College to continue his program in Fall 2012.

Dr. Bob Chaudhuri is a psychiatrist who specializes in trauma, psychotherapy, and suicide prevention among other things. He taught for five years at the medical school in Thunder Bay. “Homesickness is an important factor for those coming into a large city, especially if they’ve never been there before,” said Chaudhuri.

He said that in psychology, separation anxiety at the university or college level can be traumatizing because students aren’t usually near family – their main support network.

“For First Nations students, having parents up north while they’re in the city can be challenging,” Chaudhuri said, adding that even with modern technology connections are difficult for someone living so far away.

“The thing is, it’s not as effec-

tive as say, a mom hugging her son,” said Chaudhuri.

“What can happen is they isolate themselves from other people,” Chaudhuri added.

“The thing about anxiety that worries me is that since most students can drink legally, some students may take up drinking as an escape.”

His advice?

“Call your parents, it’s the easiest thing in the world, and make a concerted effort to call at least once a week.”

Aaron Trimble, 21, was in the graphic design program at Humber College, and like Gliddy, found family problems at home conflicted with his concentration at school.

“Before I even started my first year of college at Humber, both my mother and sister were afflicted with different types of illnesses,” said Trimble.

He said his sister had anorexia and bulimia, and his mother had a rare auto-immune disease.

His sister overcame her diseases, but his mother was not as fortunate.

“My mom had to go through some experimental procedures that weren’t really done too often on people, and it was done as a means of forcing the disease to be put into remission,” Trimble said.

Trimble said he suffers from a panic disorder, something he has struggled with all his life.

“I worried myself to death about them, which ended up making me sick too. It made my disorder really bad, sparking up a lot of restlessness and lack of sleep for days.”

He said this caused him to barely get through his first year of college.

His second year, he moved into a house with a few of his roommates from residence.

He said that budding disinterest in his program along with the growing responsibilities of living on his own caused an “after wave” of what he went through in first year.

“The same issues weren’t there anymore, but for whatever reason a lot of the symptoms from my panic attacks were still prevalent,” said Trimble.

Trimble has not yet made up his mind to return to school. He dropped out at the end of his second year.

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705-474-3450 EXT. 4368

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

IS

MAY 1, 2012

Become a Foster Parent for Tikinagan Child & Family Services

Tikinagan Child and Family Services is looking for foster parents to provide stable foster homes. Open your heart and home to a child during a time of crisis and change.

As a foster parent, you will guide and support your foster child every day. By your actions, you can help children and their families cope with the challenges that life brings.

You will receive training and payment based on the child’s needs. You can meet and get to know other foster parents, and agency staff will give you support.

You can make a difference in a child’s life!

Qualifications: We are looking for people who are patient, loving and able to provide a safe, nurturing home. You must be willing to learn about the needs of the child and receive training. Most important is being able to open your heart and home to a child who may need special attention and guidance.

For additional information please contact: Tikinagan Child and Family Services 1-800-465-3624 or (807)737-3466

Wawatay News

Wequedong Lodge opens 110-bed facility Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

After years of placing medical service clients in Thunder Bay hotels due to a lack of lodgings, Wequedong Lodge has opened a new facility in the city that can accommodate up to 110 people.

The non-profit boarding home organization admitted its first client on Mar. 20 into its new 52-room, 110-bed facility located at 435 Balmoral St. Wequedong Lodge executive director Charles Morris said the new facility grew out of a need to accommodate a growing number of clients that usually had to be placed in a hotel or motel.

“We have been renting, leasing, purchasing various small facilities in town,” Morris said.

“The occupancy at the hostels we had weren’t sufficient to our increasing clientele.”

Established in 1984, Wequedong Lodge provides accommodations and support services for members from small communities in northwestern Ontario who travel to Thunder Bay for medical appointments.

Prior to the new facility’s grand opening, Wequedong had 42 beds spread between two lodges. Since Wequedong usually receives about 140 clients per week, up to 100 clients had to be put up in motels or hotels.

“We’ve been so reliant on hotel and motels that it’s eating away at our budget significantly, so this is a big relief for us,” Morris said.

Plans for obtaining a single building began in 2001 when Wequedong recognized the need in its strategic plan. After feasibility study that began in 2007 was completed, Wequedong received $4 million in March 2011 to embark on the project.

Once an unused building was

purchased, renovations were completed. The new two-storey facility includes three common areas, a kitchen, dining room, laundry facilities, baggage storage room, and playground.

Each room is equipped with a TV, mini-fridge for medication and lockers. All the rooms and showers are wheelchair accessible.

In designing the new facility, Wequedong made efforts to avoid the appearance of a hospital or other institutions. The bedding and paint colours are often homely and vibrant in nature, Morris said.

The new facility complements the other services provided by Wequedong, such as transportation to and from the airport, bus station and appointments.

Wequedong also provides translation services. Morris said that based on client satisfaction surveys, two-thirds of the clients prefer to be spoken in their own language. “We provide translation services in Ojibwe, Oji-Cree and we have one Swampy Cree community that we provide services to, Fort Severn,” Morris said. “It becomes a juggling act for us on occasion.”

Clients who come to Wequedong are often referred based on a central referral system out of Sioux Lookout. Usually, a doctor visits to the community and determines whether an appointment is necessary or not.

With the opening of the new facility, Wequedong closed its 12-bed Lodge 1 site. The organization will continue to use its 30-bed Lodge 3 site.

Morris is relieved to have a single building as a base of operations. ”From hereon, very little, if any, overflow will go to hotels or motels,” he said. “I’m just happy to see that this day has finally arrived.”

Announcement

MARCH 29, 2012

13

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS HEAD ELECTORAL OFFICER Every three years, the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Chiefs-in-Assembly elect their Executive Council, consisting of a Grand Chief and three (3) Deputy Grand Chiefs. The elections are held in a NAN First Nation during the annual summer Keewaywin Conference. The election this year is set for August 14, 15 & 16, 2012. The election procedures for NAN require that an Electoral Officer be in office at least 2 months before the election date.

This Request for Proposals is for the position of Head Electoral Officer and the responsibilities include: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

To carry out the duties of the Head Electoral Officer as defined in the NAN Election Code (copies are available from Nishnawbe Aski Nation for your review and information); The implementation of and ensuring all parties and candidate’s adherence to the NAN Election Code; Issue the notice of the election date and location; Receive and verify validity of all nominations; Verify voters’ list and proxies; Prepare ballots; Attend the Keewaywin Conference and preside over the voting process; Deal with all matters relating to and arising out of the election process; Count ballots, conduct recounts if necessary; Announce the results of the election; Investigate protests and complaints; Monitor campaign spending; Destroy ballots after the election; Submit a written report of the election process and results to the Chiefs following the election; Stay in office for two (2) weeks following the election.

Timeframe: The timeframe of work to be carried out is from June 1 to August 29, 2012.

Requirements: * as per the NAN Election Code The Head Electoral Officer shall be an independent, impartial person acceptable to the Chiefs Finance Committee of NAN. The Head Electoral Officer shall not be an employee of NAN, a First Nations Council, a NAN First Nation or a NAN organization.

The Head Electoral Officer can have no direct or indirect relationship, be it professional or personal, with any candidate. In the event that the Head Electoral Officer is found to be related to any candidate, he/she shall declare an immediate conflict of interest and remove him/herself from office.

Travel Required: The Head Electoral Officer will be required to travel to Kashechewan First Nation for the dates of August 14, 15 & 16, 2012 to complete the duties as required.

Proposal Deadline: Proposals should include expected fees and expenses.

Proposal deadline is March 31, 2012 at 5:00 pm EST. Proposals will be accepted by mail, email or fax to the following address: NISHNAWBE ASKI NATION 100 Backstreet, Unit # 200 Thunder Bay, ON P7J 1L2 Fax: (807)623.7730 Email: ibeardy@nan.on.ca Or by courier to:

Glenn Cheechoo

710 Victoria Avenue East 3rd Floor Thunder Bay, Ontario P7C 5P7

Sales Representative Half-Way Motors Nissan Thunder Bay is pleased to welcome Glenn Cheechoo to our new and used car sales department. Originally from Constance Lake First Nation near Hearst, Ontario - Glenn has been a resident of Thunder Bay for over 25 years. He has worked in the customer service field for over 15 years including the last 8 years as a sales consultant at Home Depot. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, hunting and billiards.

No telephone calls please. Only those short-listed will be contacted.

Please contact Glenn if you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle toll free at 1-800-665-7207 or email glenn@halfwaymotors.com

Information Package Contact: (NAN Election Code, Logistical Questions etc.)

940 Memorial Avenue, Thunder Bay halfwaymotors.com

David Fletcher Executive Director NISHNAWBE ASKI NATION 100 Backstreet, Unit # 200 Thunder Bay, ON P7J 1L2 Email: dfletcher@nan.on.ca

14

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

NAN elects new Youth tell stories through film women’s council Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Council sets out to reinforce traditional role of women as counsel Linda Henry Wawatay News

Nine extraordinary Anishnawbequek, including a female youth, were elected into Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s (NAN) Women Council at a two-day forum, Mar. 10-11 in Thunder Bay. The newly elected NAN Women Council consists of: EAST Jackie Fletcher, Missanabie Cree First Nation Rebecca Friday, Kashechewan First Nation Lillian Hookimaw, Attawapiskat First Nation Skylene Metatawabin, Fort Albany First Nation WEST Lisa Beardy, Muskrat Dam First Nation Chief Lorraine Crane, Slate Falls First Nation Annie Oskineegish, Nibinamik First Nation Beulah Wabasse, Webequie First Nation Oskaatisak Youth Appointment Karla Kakagamic, Keewaywin First Nation

Their term will cover a period of three years and will meet four times yearly.

There are no specific dates with which the women will meet. However all women will be allowed to sit in on Chiefs’ meetings but will not be allowed to vote on issues. They will sit in, listen in and offer suggestions to the chiefs at a time when needed.

In addition, the women will ensure they have ways to express their concerns, be the voice of the women of NAN’s 49 communities at a political level by taking their concerns to the NAN chiefs, lobby/advocate on behalf of the service agencies that empower these women so they can deliver vital programs/activities, advocate for additional funding resources and further support, strive to reinforce the traditional role of women as counsel and be the voice for women to NAN Chiefs.

This is the third Women Council for NAN.

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Three youth found an outlet for their stories when they took part in filmmaking workshops as part of the imagineNATIVE Northern Ontario Film + Video Tour 2012.

The eighth annual northern tour travelled to 13 communities in Ontario over seven weeks, screening a youth program of eight films and a feature presentation of the animation film Wapoose Bay in each community.

Tour coordinator Violet Chum, a Moose Cree member, said the tour is a way for residents of the north to view films made by Aboriginal filmmakers.

“We’re just trying to get it more accessible to northern communities for those who can’t make it to the festival every year,” Chum said.

As part of the tour, youth filmmaking workshops took place in several communities, including Thunder Bay, where the tour stopped on Mar. 14-16.

The workshop had the youth learn about screenwriting, shot planning, shooting, and editing over two days and their final products were screened as part of the tour’s youth program.

“I really enjoy it, going out and taking pictures,” said Martin McKay, a 16-year-old who is a member of Sachigo Lake First Nation. “It gave me a place to talk about my Native experience.”

McKay made a film about the social stigma he perceives of being an “urban Native” compared to a “reserve Native.”

In a voiceover, he talks about how he has never lived on his reserve and does not speak the Oji-Cree language and how he

photo by Lenny Carpenter/Wawatay News

Erland Missewace, Martin McKay and Angel Desmoulin laugh at a film during a screening in Thunder Bay. is mocked by those living on the reserve.

“It’s about the same people separating each other from each other,” McKay said of the story. His main message was: “Accept each other. We’re all the same people.”

It is a sentiment shared by 20-year-old Erland Missewace of Eabametoong First Nation. He also did not live on the reserve, and in his film, he talked about a friend who discriminated against him because of his urban upbringing, which was reflected in the way he talked and dressed.

“I felt like it was an important story to tell because racism isn’t a good thing,” Missewace said.

“The main message is that you should be more open-minded and accepting of where they’re raised, how they’re raised and where they come from, and what they bring to the table.”

For 25-year-old Angel Desmoulin of Pic Mobert First Nation, she wanted to educate her people on Aboriginal history. Using archival photos and photos she shot herself, Desmoulin talked about the Indian

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WRN is also distributed nationally on Bell TV Channel 962.

Act, Canada’s constitution, and how Aboriginal children were sent to residential schools.

“Our people should understand these things in order to feel more drive to changes within themselves,” she said.

“Because I want our people to start changing and bringing back our heritage.”

The workshop proved to be educational of the filmmaking process, as the youth had to write, edit and shoot within a span a two-days.

“The editing is so much more intense more than I thought it would be,” Missewace said.

“Doing it as a hobby, I can just do it as I want and leave it as is, but I wanted make it to perfection because this is something for the public.”

All three youth were nervous as their films were about to be screened.

“I was shy, I wanted to run away,” Desmoulin said.

In the end, it proved to be satisfying experience for all three.

“I felt great that somebody watched it other than me or my parents,” McKay said with

a laugh.

“I felt good after knowing it’s going to get out there and there’ll be people seeing it,” Desmoulin said.

Missewace said he enjoyed taking part in the workshop.

“This has been the first time I’ve done something like this,” he said. “I know that film production is something I want to pursue as career. It opened my eyes.”

The tour began Feb. 21 in Timmins and travelled to the northern and urban communities of Moosonee, Moose Factory, Wikwemikong, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie. It concludes Apr. 3-5 in Fort Albany First Nation.

Chum said the tour has been a successful and continues to grow each year.

“Before we started the tour, we’ve been getting requests from people wanting us to come to their community and other stops, but usually they have to book in advance,” she said.

“It’s been great visiting the communities and meeting new people, and working with the youth.”

ATTENTION MOMS-TO-BE! Improve your child’s wellbeing by fighting Baby Bottle Tooth Decay through participation in the Baby Teeth Talk Study.

You are invited to participate if you are: • Pregnant • Self-identify as First Nations or other Aboriginal group • Live in the Thunder Bay area or Sioux-Lookout area Benefits of Participating: • Moms will get a FREE dental check-up and basic treatment during the check-up!

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Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

Square dancers a hit in KO communities Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Square dancing was a hit during the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Secondary School Services square dancing club’s Feb. 24-28 tour of Pelican Falls and four KO communities.

“It was great — they enjoyed watching us perform,” said Ricky Bushie, a Grade 11-12 Dennis Franklin Cromarty First Nations High School student from Poplar Hill. “Even my grandpa was there too. He was proud and he said it was one hell of a show.”

Bushie shared his feelings during the tour about his brother Reggie, who passed away while attending DFC in 2007. Robyn Harper’s mother also spoke about her daughter, who also passed away in 2007 while attending DFC. “I knew her (Robyn),” Bushie said. “I went to school with her back then at Northern Eagle High School. I could tell my feelings too, what she (Robyn’s mother) was talking about.

That kind of got to me. I blame myself but some people (tell me) it is not my fault.”

The square dancing club visited Pelican Falls First Nations High School on Feb. 24, Poplar Hill on Feb. 25, North Spirit Lake on Feb. 26, Deer Lake on Feb. 27 and Keewaywin on Feb. 28.

“It was a very good visit,” said Keewaywin Councillor Jason Kakegamic. “It left a really good feeling with the community. They seemed to join in as they watched.”

Kakegamic said each square dancer picked one person from the crowd to dance with at the end of the performance.

“They were showing them the two-step,” Kakegamic said.

“Three students out of the dance group shared their personal struggles and how square dancing kind of encouraged them in their own personal life.”

Kakegamic even overheard a teenager from the community saying he should start square dancing.

“One father was feeling pretty proud of his daughter,” Kakegamic said.

Bushie said the group had some trouble with the van they rented for the tour, including a

flat tire.

“We called it the bad-luck van,” Bushie said. “It went into the ditch three times too.”

Bushie said the drive between communities was “kind of long.”

“I was reading the book I’m reading right now,” Bushie said.

But Bushie also met some old friends on the tour that he hadn’t seen for some time.

Kyle Skead, a Grade 9 DFC student from North Spirit Lake, was impressed with the reaction from his own family and community.

“They really liked it and they liked the message we sent to the younger kids,” Skead said.

“I haven’t been there for seven years so it was a nice surprise for them.”

Skead joined the square dancing club in November after he was asked by Goyce Kakegamic, education coordinator with KOSSS and his grandmother’s brother.

“I didn’t think much of it at first but when I started getting more involved in it, I really liked it,” Skead said.

Although Bushie didn’t join the square dancing club the first and second time he was asked, he eventually joined and hasn’t looked back.

“That’s when I started doing activities,” Bushie said. “I go to counselling — I need help with my drinking addictions.

It keeps me away from alcohol and stuff.”

The square dancing club usually meets twice a week to practice their moves.

Bushie said the square dancing club is a good opportunity for students to try something new with their lives.

“Soon you’ll start to have fun if you go around to your communities to perform,” Bushie said. “You make positive friends. They don’t drink now.

You stay positive with your education.”

Bushie said alcohol and drugs are “just not worth it.”

“Just say no to drugs and alcohol,” Bushie said. “It will affect everyone around you — your friends, family, even your (partner), if you have a partner like a girlfriend or a boyfriend.”

Goyce Kakegamic said the square dancing club would continue next year.

15

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The Keewaytinook Okimakanak Secondary School Services square dancing club shows off some of their moves in early March at Dennis Franklin Cromarty First Nations High School in Thunder Bay.

CD H:8JG>IN 9:EDH>I# (% G:;:GG6A 9>H8DJCI ID 8DCC:8I 6 ;G>:C9# L: 688:EI 86H= A>C@ E6NB:CIH 6I 6AA <G:6I CDGI=:GC HIDG:H

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16

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Crossing generations with residential school knowledge Shawn Bell Wawatay News

The residential school intergenerational workshops hosted

by Equay-wuk over the past two months are being lauded a success by organizers and participants alike, even as funding for the one-year program is set to expire and the future of the workshops remains in doubt.

Equay-wuk’s residential school workshops brought grandmothers and youth together for two sessions, one in February and one in March.

The events were an opportunity for Elders to share their stories and experiences from residential school with youth, while also getting information on settlement payments for the residential school experience.

Elder Juliette Blackhawk of Sioux Lookout participated in both workshops. Blackhawk said that the events were

essential in getting youth to understand what went on in the residential schools.

“They have to hear all these stories in order to really believe what happened in the past, and to really care about their Elders,” Blackhawk said.

Blackhawk was one of the Elders who attended the workshops from all over northern Ontario. For some, it was their first chance to share some of the trauma that they suffered in residential schools and have been holding ever since.

Hana Beitl, the Kookum project coordinator for Equay-wuk, said the event was moving on many levels, especially in the sharing of the Elder’s stories.

“It was unpredictable in a sense,” Beitl said. “We were dealing with residential school survivors who had never disclosed their stories before, and some who were reconnecting with classmates that they had

Youth and elders worked together to explore some of the lasting effects of residential schools at two workshops hosted by Equaywuk. not seen in over 50 years. It was essential for First Nations as a very powerful.” whole to heal from the residenBesides the sharing of sto- tial school trauma. ries, everyone agreed that the “It is so important for youth chance to have youth involved to have role models who are and learning about the past was also kookums, and for the koo-

kums to share the stories that are slowly disappearing,” Darlene Angeconeb of Equay-wuk said. “These kind of things ensure that the knowledge is not being lost.”

The residential school program was funded as a pilot project in 2011. It is not known if the funding will be extended for another year, something all of the organizers believe would be extremely valuable for the people of northern Ontario.

Part of the importance of gatherings like these is the education of survivors about the residential school settlement agreements, since applications for the settlements are closing at the end of 2012.

Another benefit was the education of non-native participants. The Sioux Lookout workshops featured participants of Katimavik, a national student volunteer organization, who had very little understanding

of what went on at residential schools or the effect the schools had on First Nations.

Beitl said the Katimavik youth were shocked by what they learned at the workshops.

“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recently came up with recommendations for what needs to happen for residential school educations, and many of them we are already doing,” Beitl said, noting the education of non-native people about the schools.

The organizers are now looking for funding to extend the program, hopefully enabling them to bring workshops like the two in Sioux Lookout to communities around northern Ontario.

That vision is something Blackhawk fully supports.

“It would be really good if that kept up,” Blackhawk said.

“I’m really looking forward to healthy youth coming out of these kinds of workshops.”

ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᑭᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐊᐊᐧᐠ ᒋᓂᓯᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᑲᑭᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᔕᐠ ᔕᐧᐣ ᐯᓫ ᐊᐧᐊᐧᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ

ᑭ ᐸ ᑭ ᑎ ᓂ ᑲ ᑌ ᐊ ᐧ ᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐁᑭᔭᓂᒧᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᔕᐠ ᑲᑭᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᑫᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᐱᒧᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐊᓄᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑭᓂᑲᓂᐡᑲᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᓂᔓᐱᓯᑦ ᑲᑭᐱᒥ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᑭ ᑭᒋᐃᓇᑐᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᑭᔭᐱᒋ ᒥᓄᓭᓂᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᒧᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐱᑯ ᑲᑭᐃᔕᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᔕᑯᐨ ᐯᔑᑯᔭᑭ ᐁᑕ ᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇ ᔓᓂᔭ ᐅᐁᐧ ᒋᑐᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᒥᑕᐡ ᐊᔕ ᑫᑲᐟ ᐁᐅᒋᒋᓭᐠ ᒋᐃᐡᑲᐧᓭᓂᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᑫᒋᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐊᓂᓂᑲᐣ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᐁᐧ ᒋᑭᐱᒥᑐᒋᑲᑌᑫᐧᐣ. ᐃᑫᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᑭᓇᑐᒪᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᑯᒥᒪᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ

ᓂᔕᐧ ᑲᑭᐅᑲᐧᐱᐦᐃᑎᓇᓄᐊᐧᐠ, ᐯᔑᑲᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑭᔐᐱᓯᑦ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐯᔑᑲᐧ ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ. ᑭᑕᐃᐧᓇᒪᐊᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᑭᒋᔭᐦᐊᐠ ᒋᑕᑎᐸᒋᒧᑕᐊᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐣ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᑭᐱᔑᓇᑭᐡᑲᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᑭ ᑲᓇᐁᐧᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ, ᐯᑭᐡ ᑲᔦ ᐁᑭᐅᒋ ᐊᐧᐃᐧᑕᒪᐃᐧᑕᐧ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᔑᐱᒪᓄᑲᑌᐠ ᑎᐸᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑭ ᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ. ᐅᑭᒋᐦᐊᐃᐧᐡᑲᒪᑫ ᒍᓂᔭᐟ ᑊᓫᐊᐠᐦᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᐧᓂᓇᐊᐧᑲᐠ ᐁᑲᐯᔑᐨ ᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑭᐊᔭ ᑕᓴᐧ ᑲᑭ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ. ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑕᐡ ᓇᐱᐨ ᐁᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᑭᐣ ᐅᓄᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐃᔑᒋᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑫᑭᐅᒋ ᑐᑲᐣ ᓂᓯᑐᑕᒧᓂᑕᐧ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᑭᐊᐃᓯᓭᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᔕᐠ ᑲᑭᒪᒪᒋᓂᔕᐦᐅᑕᐧ. “ᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᒋᓄᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᓄᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒋᔭᓂ ᑌᐯᐧᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐁᐧᐸᐠ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐃᒪ ᒋᔭᓄᒋ

ᑭᒋᓀᓂᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑭᒋᐦᐊᒥᐊᐧᐣ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑊᓫᐊᐠᐦᐊᐧᐠ. ᒥᐦᐊᐁᐧ ᐯᔑᐠ ᑲᑭᒋᐦᐊᐃᐧᐡᑲᒪᑫᐨ ᑲᑭᐃᔕᐨ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᑌᑎᐸᐦᐃ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑭᐱᐅᐣᑐᓭᐊᐧᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᑎᐟ ᑲᑭᐱᔕᐊᐧᐨ, ᐊᒥ ᐁᑫᐧᓇᐠ ᐁᑭᑎᐸᒋᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᐣᑎᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᑲᐯᐦᐃ ᐁᑭᑕᔑ ᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ. ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᑕᐡ ᐦᐊᓇ ᐯᑎᓫ, ᑯᑯᑦ ᐃᐧᒋᐃᐧᑎᐃᐣ ᑲᓂᑲᓂᐡᑲᐠ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐃᑫᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᐱᒧᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ, ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᐁᐧ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᒋᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᑭᑐᑭᓂᐁᐧᒪᑲᐣ, ᐃᒪ ᐅᑎ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑭᒋᔭᐦᐊᐠ ᑲᑭ ᑕᑎᐸᒋᒧᐊᐧᐨ. “ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᓂᔭᑲᓇ ᒋᑭᐅᒋ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᔭᓂᓯᓭᐠ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐯᑎᓫ. “ᑕᐱᓇᑲ ᐣᑭᐃᐧᑕᐱᒪᒥᐣ ᐅᑯᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᔕᐳᐡᑲᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑎᓯᓭᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᑲᑭᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ

ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐁᑲ ᐃᐧᑲ ᑲᑭᐱᐅᐣᒋ ᑎᐸᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑎᓯᓭᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐊᑎᐟ ᐸᐢᑲᐣ ᐃᑯ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᐁᐊᐧᐸᒥᑎᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᑲᐟ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ ᓂᔭᓄᒥᑕᓇ ᑕᓱᔭᑭ. ᒥᑐᓂ ᐱᑯ ᑭᒪᐡᑲᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᐣ.” ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᑲᑭᑕᑎᐸᒋᒧᑕᑎᐊᐧᐨ, ᑲᑭᓇ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᐊᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᐊᔑᑎᓂᑕᐧ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᒋᐅᐣᒋ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᑭᐊᐃᓯᓭᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᒋᔭᐊᐠ ᐅᑕᓇᐠ ᒥᐦᐅᐁᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᒋᐅᒋ ᑭᐁᐧᒥᓄᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᔑ ᑲᑲᐧᑕᑭᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᔕᐠ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᑲᑭᒪᒪᒋᐃᐧᓂᑕᐧ. “ᓇᐱᐨ ᐁᑭᒋᓀᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᒋᑭᑭᐅᐱᑭᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᐱᒥ ᐊᓴᐧᐸᒥᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᓂᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᐅᑯᒥᒪᐃᐧᓂᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑯᒥᒪᐠ ᒋᑕᑎᐸᒋᒧᑕᐊᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᔕ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑲᔭᓂᐊᐧᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑕᕑᓫᐃᐣ ᐊᐣᒋᑯᓀᑊ ᐃᑫᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᐊᓄᑭᐨ. “ᒥᐅᓄ

Transitional Coordinator

Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre in Sioux Lookout, Ontario is seeking a STUDENT LEARNING ASSESSMENT LEAD The Student Learning Assessment Lead acts as a support in the development of the student assessment system for the Sioux Lookout district as part of the First Nation Student Success Program (FNSSP).

RESPONSIBILITIES • Conduct research on the assessment of student learning to encompass both classroom assessments and standardized system wide testing • Contribute expertise and knowledge to the development of a student assessment framework for the District • Develop elements of the student assessment framework including processes, instruments and protocols • Provide ongoing monitoring of student assessment processes across the District and suggest strategies for improvement • Establish and maintain liaison with First Nations • Establish liaison with external experts and possible partners • Develop assessment materials specific to the Bilingual/Bicultural curriculum • Develop communication materials about the system, testing cycle and requirements and coordinate their distribution • Maintain communication with parents and communities • Organize the development and delivery of training for teachers, administrators and others as required • Coordinate the cycle of assessment and assessment process • Develop annual work plan for the Student Learning Assessment components of the FNSSP QUALIFICATIONS • a working knowledge of student learning assessment and the development of student learning assessment systems and tools • Bachelor of Education degree • Administrative and project management experience • Knowledge of First Nations education • Planning, organizational and coordination skills • A demonstrated ability to work with First Nations or in a culturally diverse community setting • Self-motivated, organized, able to work in a team setting • Interpersonal, communications and computer skills • Fluency in Ojibway, Oji-Cree or Cree an asset • Able to travel to district First Nations communities To apply: Please submit a resume, three recent employment references with written permission to contact, and a covering letter via email to: Eugene Southwind, Human Resources Officer Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre Email: esouthwind@kerc.ca Criminal Reference and Child Abuse Registry check required at time of interview.

Closing date for applications: April 30, 2012 Kwayaciiwin thanks all those who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Independent First Nations Alliance (IFNA) is comprised of Kitchenuhmaykoosib, Muskrat Dam, Pikangikum, Lac Seul and Whitesand First Nations. IFNA will be administering its own secondary support services program. This requires transferring the program from the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council to IFNA. It is looking for a Transitional Coordinator to oversee the process.

Job Requirements The Transition Coordinator will be required to: 1. Develop the administrative system for the implementation of the Secondary Support Services Program (SSSP).

2. Review policy guidelines and handbooks related to parents, boarding home parents, students and the SSSP. 3. Travel to the IFNA First Nations to explain the SSSP. 4. Ensure the cooperation and assistance of Indian Affairs and the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council in the transfer process.

5. Recruit staff for the implementation of the SSSP. 6. Gather and research information for the effective transfer and administration of the SSSP. Qualifications 1. Counsellor training with experience as a Student Services Counsellor or teacher.

2. Minimum Grade 12 but B. Ed preferred .

3. Good communication skills, especially writing.

4. Ability to complete tasks in a limited time frame.

5. Ability to communicate in Ojibway (Anishinabemowin) or OjiCree (Anishininimowin).

6. Must be an effective team worker and an ability to work alone.

7. Must be willing to travel.

8. Must be flexible and willing to work overtime.

Salary: IFNA provides excellent pension and benefits to all employees. Salary will be commensurate with the qualifications.

Please include three references with the resume, two of which must be from the most recent employers in similar positions, and a letter of permission to contact the references. The nature of the job will require a Criminal Reference Check and a Child Abuse Registry Check.

For a full job description, more information or resumes, please direct them to; Richard Morris, Education Advisor Independent First Nations Alliance P. O. Box 5010, 98 King Street, Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1K6 Phone: 807-737-1902 Fax: 807-737-3501 Email: richardmorris@ifna.ca or receptionist@ifna.ca.

Deadline: April 14, 2012 4:00 PM Starting Date: Immediately IFNA wishes to thank all interested applicants but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

ᑐᑲᐣ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᒪᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐁᑲ ᑫᑭᔭᓄᒋ ᐊᐧᓂᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ.” ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᐁᐧ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᓂᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᒪᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᑲᓄ ᔓᓂᔭ ᒋᑯᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ 2011 ᑲᔭᑭᐊᐧᐠ. ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᑭᑫᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᒋᐸᑭᑎᓇᑲᓄᑫᐧᐣ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᓂᔭᑭᐊᐧᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᐱᒧᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᐁᐃᓀᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑌᐯᐧ ᐱᑯ ᐁᑭᒋᓀᐣᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ. ᐯᔑᑲᐧᔦᐠ ᑕᐡ ᑲᐅᒋᑭᒋᓀᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᐅᓄᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᒪᐊᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐁᐅᒋ ᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᐃᐧᑕᐧ ᑲᑭ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᐱᒥ ᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᑎᐸᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᐣ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᒥ ᐊᔕ ᑫᑲᐟ ᒋᑭᐸᑯᓭᑭᐣ ᑎᐸᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐊᐱ ᐊᓂᐳᓂᓭᐠ 2012 ᐊᐦᑭᐊᐧᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᐣ ᐁᑭᐅᒋ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐃᐧᑕᐧ ᐁᐧᒥᑎᑯᔑᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᐃᔕᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᒪ

ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᑭᐃᔕᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᑭᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑎᒪᐱᐠ ᑲᐃᓂᑕᐧ ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᑲᓇᑕ ᑲᐸᐸᒥ ᒧᒋᐊᓄᑭᑕᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑎᐡᑯᓂᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᓇᐱᐨ ᒋᑭᐅᒋ ᑲᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᑐᑲᐣ ᑲᑭᐱᐃᓯᓭᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᔕᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑲᑭᒪᒪᒋᐃᐧᓂᑕᐧᐸᐣ ᓇᐣᑕ ᒥᓇ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᔑ ᒪᒋᑐᑕᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᔑᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᐃᐧᓂ. ᑲᑭᐅᓇᑐᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐅᑕᓄᑲᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐁᓇᓇᑕᐃᐧ ᔓᓂᔭᐁᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᐁᐃᐧᔭᓄᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓇᐣ, ᐁᐸᑯᓭᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᒋᐅᒋ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᑐᑲᐣ ᐊᔕ ᓂᔕᐧ ᑲᑭᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᓇᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᐧᓂᐧᐊᓇᐧᑲᐠ ᑌᑎᐸᐦᐃ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᒋᐱᐅᐣᑐᓭᐊᐧᐨ. ᒥᑕᐡ ᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑊᓫᐊᐠᐦᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᔑᐃᐧᒋᑲᐸᐃᐧᑕᐠ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᑲᐃᔑᐸᑯᓭᐣᑕᑲᐧᓂᐠ.

Tikinagan Child & Family Services Founded by our Chiefs and Elders, Tikinagan continues to focus services and staff positions in the First Nations we serve. We believe our role is to be there in the communities, mentoring young parents, supporting families and protecting children. Our work is guided by the Tikinagan service model – Mamow Obiki-ahwahsoowin (Everyone working together to raise our children).

We invite applications for the following jobs, which are open until filled unless a closing date is indicated: Bearskin Lake – Prevention Services Co-ordinator, Secretary/Receptionist Big Trout Lake – Residential Care Worker, Child Care Worker, Family Services Worker, Kitchen Cook (part-time), Traditional Life Skills Educator (male), Residential Counsellor (female, term to July 5, 2012), Maintenance Worker, Residential Counsellor (male) Cat Lake – Family Services Worker, Prevention Services Co-ordinator, Child Care Worker (term to May 22, 2012 with possibility of full-time) Deer Lake – Prevention Services Co-ordinator, Family Services Worker Fort Hope – Prevention Services Co-ordinator, Direct Services Supervisor (Child Care) Fort Severn – Child Care Worker Kasabonika – Family Services Worker, Secretary/Receptionist, Child Care Worker Keewaywin – Child Care Worker Kingfisher Lake – Secretary/Receptionist Lac Seul – Casual Relief Workers Marten Falls – Prevention Services Co-ordinator Mishkeegogamang – Child Care Worker Muskrat Dam – Maintenance/Janitor (part-time) Neskantaga – Prevention Services Co-ordinator North Spirit Lake – Prevention Services Co-ordinator Pikangikum – Intake/Investigation Worker, Child Care Worker (March 30 closing date) Poplar Hill – Prevention Services Co-ordinator Red Lake – Child Care Worker (serving Poplar Hill, term to Jan. 2013), Family Services Worker (serving Pikangikum, term to April 13, 2013), Family Services Worker (serving Pikangikum, March 30 closing date), Child Care Worker (serving Pikangikum) Sioux Lookout – Network Support Technician (one year term, with possibility of becoming permanent), Casual Relief Workers, Service Data Analyst, Janitorial Services (contract, March 30 closing date), Finance Supervisor (March 30 closing date), Trainer (April 3 closing date), Intake/Investigation Worker (April 3 closing date), Data Entry Clerk (1 year term, March 30 closing date), Family Services Worker (serving Cat Lake, April 3 closing date) Slate Falls – Prevention Services Co-ordinator Summer Beaver – Prevention Services Co-ordinator, Family Services Worker Wapekeka – Direct Services Supervisor, Child Care Worker Webequie – Prevention Services Co-ordinator For more information about these jobs, you can: * Visit our website, www.tikinagan .org, under “New Jobs” * E-mail hr@tikinagan.org to request details * Call Christina Davis, human resources secretary, at: (807) 737-3466 ext. 2249 or toll-free 1-800-465-3624

www.tikinagan.org

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

Lindaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Culture Corner They knew the baby was coming. An Elder had already dreamt of a name for this child before he arrived.

A great occurrence happened during the birth of his coming into the world.

This is where his name came from. She came bearing gifts of tobacco, food and cloth. She was already a woman. She asked an Elder to seek out a name for her from the spirit world.

A sweat lodge ceremony is where he asked for a spiritual name.

This is one of the various ways one can receive a Nishnawbe name.

An Elder once inquired of me what my name was. I replied, Linda. He smiled and said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you go to meet our Creator, is that what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to say?â&#x20AC;? I wondered about it for years.

It was not until my late thirties did I finally catch on.

Therefore, I went through the latter two processes. I entered a sweat lodge ceremony. I offered tobacco, gifts and food.

The thunderbirds came and blessed me with a name. I was once told not to inter pret my name in English. So I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. I use my name with great pride. The reason why I do so, because the spirits I speak with will know who I am.

17

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

WRN Broadcast of the Kookum and Youth Circles Workshops ??; N[ $A5m# [=$A7 )W )

PART I: April 5 from 1-4pm & April 7 from 11am-6pm; PART II: April 19 from 1-4pm & April 21 from 11am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6 pm.

(Note: the workshops were held at the Sunset Inn in Sioux Lookout on Feb 14-16 & March 6-8, 2012) * Warning - the content of the workshop discussions may be disturbing to some listeners or may cause triggers for former Indian Residential students. Please listen with care and contact mental health services if you feel you need to talk with someone.

PROGRAM: (Oji-Cree Translator for both workshops: John Cutfeet of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug) Kookum Workshop 1 (Feb 14-16, 2012) Day One: â&#x20AC;˘ Opening - Elders Juliette Blackhawk & Emily Gregg â&#x20AC;˘ Welcoming Remarks - Kelly Anderson, Board Chair & Darlene Angeconeb, Project Manager â&#x20AC;˘ Introductions - Hana Beitl, Project Coordinator â&#x20AC;˘ Sharing Stories, Group Activities - participant groups â&#x20AC;˘ Film: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Long Journey Homeâ&#x20AC;? - Nishnawbe Aski Nation â&#x20AC;˘ Residential School Historical Overview - Sam Achneepineskum, NAN Residential School Coordinator â&#x20AC;˘ Sharing Stories, Group Activities continued â&#x20AC;˘ Closing - Elders Juliette Blackhawk & Emily Gregg

This cute little guy received his â&#x20AC;&#x153;nishâ&#x20AC;? name at Wauzkau Onigum First Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2011 summer pow wow from the Thunderbirds through Elder Clillford Skead. His father, Jide` Henry gave the elder offerings of food, tobacco, money and gifts.

The Creator knows who is speaking to him, who is asking for good affairs from him and who is saying prayers

for others. I now understand why the elder asked what my name is. So that when I go to meet him, he will know me.

INSPECTION Inspection of Approved 2012â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2013 Annual Work Schedule Martel Forest The Chapleau District of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has reviewed and approved Tembecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s April 1, 2012â&#x20AC;&#x201C;March 31, 2013 Annual Work Schedule (AWS) for the Martel Forest.

Availability The AWS will be available for public inspection at the Tembec office and the MNR public website at ontario.ca/forestplans beginning March 15, 2012 and throughout the one-year duration. The Ontario Government Information Centre at the Chapleau District Office provides access to the Internet.

Scheduled Forest Management Operations The AWS describes forest management activities such as road construction, maintenance and decommissioning, forestry aggregate pits, harvest, site preparation, tree planting and tending that are scheduled to occur during the year.

Tree Planting and Fuelwood Tembec is responsible for tree planting on the Martel Forest.

Please contact Tembec for information regarding tree planting job opportunities.

For information on the locations and licence requirements for obtaining fuelwood for personal use, please contact the Chapleau District Office.

For commercial fuelwood opportunities, please contact Tembec.

More Information For more information on the AWS or to arrange an appointment with MNR staff to discuss the AWS or to request an AWS operations summary map, please contact: Mike Liukko, RPF Sarah Sullivan, RPF Management Forester Planning Superintendent Ministry of Natural Resources Tembec Chapleau District Office 175 Planer Road 190 Cherry Street Chapleau, ON P0M 1K0 Chapleau, ON P0M 1K0 tel: 705-864-3021 tel: 705-864-3173 fax: 705-864-0681 Renseignements en français : 705-864-1710

Day Two: â&#x20AC;˘ Opening - Elders Juliette Blackhawk & Emily Gregg â&#x20AC;˘ Impact of Residential School on Aboriginal Life - Hana Beitl â&#x20AC;˘ Update on Indian Residential School Settlement - Hana Beitl â&#x20AC;˘ Sharing Stories, Group Activities continued â&#x20AC;˘ Drug Addictions & Youth - Film: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Life You Wantâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;˘ Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health: Menopause - Dr. Madden, Assistant Professor.

Division of Clinical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) â&#x20AC;˘ Wellness - Rachel Garrick, Domestic Violence Training Facilitator â&#x20AC;˘ Closing - Elders Juliette Blackhawk & Emily Gregg â&#x20AC;˘ Dinner & Evening Entertainment - featuring local musicians Nick Sherman & Natasha Quequish Day Three: â&#x20AC;˘ Opening - Elders Juliette Blackhawk & Emily Gregg â&#x20AC;˘ Healing Initiatives, Sharing Stories, Public Awareness - Hana Beitl & Darlene Angeconeb â&#x20AC;˘ Focus on Aboriginal Youth, Education, Connections & Resources - Allyson Lucas, Weechiwaygamik Student Counsellor, Queen Elizabeth District High School â&#x20AC;˘ Focus on Aboriginal Youth: Empowerment & Initiatives - Naomi Hoppe, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority â&#x20AC;˘ Open forum â&#x20AC;˘ Closing - Elders Juliette Blackhawk & Emily Gregg Kookum Workshop 2 (March 6-8, 2012) Day One: â&#x20AC;˘ Opening - Elders Juliette Blackhawk & Emily Gregg â&#x20AC;˘ Welcoming Remarks - Sadie McKay, Board Member & Darlene Angeconeb, Project Manager â&#x20AC;˘ Introductions - Hana Beitl, Project Coordinator â&#x20AC;˘ Sharing Stories, Group Activities - participant groups â&#x20AC;˘ Residential School Historical Overview & Sharing - Maggie Chisel, NAN Residential Schools â&#x20AC;˘ Sharing Stories, Group Activities continued â&#x20AC;˘ Closing - Elders Juliette Blackhawk & Emily Gregg Day Two: â&#x20AC;˘ Opening - Elders Juliette Blackhawk & Emily Gregg â&#x20AC;˘ Update on Indian Residential School Settlement - Hana Beitl â&#x20AC;˘ Sharing Stories, Group Activities continued â&#x20AC;˘ Film: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Life You Wantâ&#x20AC;? (Doris Slipperjackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggle with addiction) â&#x20AC;˘ Drug Addictions & Youth - Dixie Angees, Wunnumin Lake â&#x20AC;˘ Health Care: Presentation & Questions - Helen Cromarty, Special Advisor for First Nations Health, Meno Ya Win Health Centre, Sioux Lookout â&#x20AC;˘ Sharing Stories, Group Activities continued â&#x20AC;˘ Closing - Elders Juliette Blackhawk & Emily Gregg â&#x20AC;˘ Dinner & Evening Entertainment (Karaoke with Volt Entertainment/Jason Bailey) Day Three: â&#x20AC;˘ Opening - Elders Juliette Blackhawk & Emily Gregg â&#x20AC;˘ Perspectives on the National Gatherings - Esther Wesley, Anglican Healing Fund for Healing and Reconciliation, Anglican Church of Canada, Toronto â&#x20AC;˘ Slides & Sharing, Project Future Plans - Darlene Angeconeb â&#x20AC;˘ Youth Engagement & Community Connections Katimavik, National Group of Youth Volunteers â&#x20AC;˘ Healthy Relationships: discussion & activities - Rachel Garrick, Domestic Violence Training Facilitator â&#x20AC;˘ Open forum â&#x20AC;˘ Closing - Elders Juliette Blackhawk & Emily Gregg Equay-wuk (Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group) would like to thank to the following organizations for their generous support: Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, Sioux Hudson Literacy Council, Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Center, Nishinawbe Aski Nation, North South Partnerships & Provincial Center of Excellence for Child & Youth Mental Health, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Rose Pogoda, Allyson Lucas, Roy Morris.

Equay-wuk (Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group) would like to send a heartfelt thank you to all participants, Kookums and Youth, who attended the workshops. Chi-Miigwech!

Summary: In attendance - total of 40 participants in both workshops.

Funded by the Advocacy and Public Information Program Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

18

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Youth brings skating ability to Kap Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Moose Cree’s Sheehan Moore was six or seven when he first learned to skate.

“My grandpa had an outdoor rink I used to skate on all the time,” the 16-year-old recalls.

When he was 11, Sheehan moved to the Cree Nation of Mistissini in Quebec where his mother found employment. He played in rec leagues there until he was 13, when his cousin recommended he try out for the Sudbury Wolves of the Northern Ontario AAA Bantam Hockey League.

“I wasn’t really expecting to make the team, but I got selected to play and they asked if I wanted to play, so I said yeah,” Moore said. “I moved in with (my cousin) and my uncle.”

Making the move to Sudbury away from family proved to be a challenge for Moore.

“It was a big change for me because the year before I lived in Quebec,” he said. “I guess I got homesick a few times in Sudbury. I talked to my mom a lot (on the phone).”

After a while, Sheehan got sick of the city. When a friend suggested he try out for Kapuskasing Agrium Flyers of the Great North Midget League, he jumped at the chance.

“It’s a lot closer to Moose Factory,” he said. He also reunited with four friends whom he grew up playing with along the James Bay coast.

Also on the Flyers’ roster were Braden and Cameron Etherington, and Brennan Nesrallah of Moosonee; and Tanner Cheechoo of Moose Factory.

When Moore, a defenceman, tried out for the Flyers, one

aspect stood out for head coach Glen Denney.

“One of the biggest things I can say about Sheehan is his ability to skate,” Denney said.

“For me, his agility and flat-out speed and power on a pair of skates is pretty phenomenal.”

Moore’s favourite NHL player is defenseman Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators, who currently leads all defensemen in points. While Sheehan says he likes to use his speed to carry the puck and join the rush like Karlsson, he considers himself more of a defensive defenseman and says he is often on the penalty-kill.

His skillsets aside, Denney said there was a bit of an adjustment for Sheehan to play on his team. “(There are) new systems, new guys around, and a new community as well, so it took him a while to get used to it,” Denney said.

There were also adjustments to be made off the ice. The Flyers often hit the road for games, more than the other teams, Moore believes.

“I was trying to balance school and hockey,” he said.

“Sometimes I’d ask the coach to not go to practice, like if I had test coming up or if I missed a day or two.”

After 22 games, Moore had seven assists but had yet to score any goals. It was frustrating for the defenseman, especially with his teammates teasing him.

In a Dec. 16 game against the New Liskeard Cubs, the Flyers were leading 3-0 when Moore carried the puck in the Cub zone and went around a defender. He fired a shot that when off a defender’s shin-

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photo by Roxann Shapwaykeesic/Wawatay News

photo by Lenny Carpenter/Wawatay News

Sheehan Moore, 16, of Moose Cree First Nation, played defence for the Kapuskasing Agrium Flyers last season where he had 10 points. pad. The rebound came back to Moore and he “swung at the puck.”

“I wasn’t even sure if I scored,” Moore said. “I just hit the puck and went back and everyone came to me, ‘Oh, you scored!’”

Denney recalls that moment from the bench and felt relief for his defenceman.

“He finally buried that puck, and a lot of guys go out there cheering and yelling, for him he was just so happy to get the monkey off his back,” Denney said. “I was so proud and so happy that he got that. And once he did, that comfort level and trust in himself and selfconfidence got so much better.”

In the end the Flyers finished third in the league with a 25-71-1 record. In the playoffs, they swept the Timmins Majors in three games in the first round

before being eliminated by the Sault North Stars in four.

Moore has mixed feelings on how his season went.

“I wasn’t really at my best, but I had a lot of fun,” Sheehan said. “That’s all that matters.”

Sheehan’s perception of himself is something Denney believes he can work on.

“Really, for Sheehan, I think the biggest thing is believing in himself,” Denney said. “A lot of young men are hard on themselves, and he was really hard on himself, and that’s one of the things we worked on this season.”

In the long-term, Moore aspires to play as high as the Junior B level in hockey so he can focus on education.

“Probably after midget, I’ll just go to school,” he said. “I’ll probably go into one of the trades.”

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ABOVE: Tony McGuire, president and owner of Theymedia, enthusiastically speaks to teammates during a break at the 5th Annual United Way Dodgeball Tournament Mar. 24 at the Sports Dome in Thunder Bay. Wawatay Art Director Roxann Shapwaykeesic doubled a visit to the Sioux Lookout Wawatay Bureau during the Northern Bands Hockey Tournament as a pledge raising opportunity for the 5th Annual United Way Dodgeball Tournament. The incredible generosity of nearly every single staff at Wawatay (Timmins, Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout) was overwhelming. Co-workers, ex-coworkers, clients, friends and near strangers pledged $5, $10 or even $20. A high number of pledges were also collected from the offices surrounding the Thunder Bay Wawatay Bureau.

The ‘Dodge Mauls’, who included Wawatay Editor Shawn Bell, Thunderstone Pictures Michelle Derosier and Theymedia Tony McGuire (who also sponsored $150 for the team registration fee) raised an additional $750 in pledges for the event.

Team costumes were popular this year as men wore dresses, people carried swords or light sabers, and others had well coordinated uniforms. Wawatay’s zombie team captained by Roxann outfitted themselves in bandages and fake blood painted on the head and body.

The 10-person roster began the battle at 10 a.m. and fought through four teams in five games. Each game lasting up to seven matches in a best out of seven bout. After coming out on top in the division, the day ended after 6 p.m. in a fierce battle. The exhausted ‘Dodge Mauls’ fell in the seventh round of a close game, ending a fun-filled day of camaraderie between all 32 teams who participated in this years event.

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Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

19

Lac Seul wins again Rick Garrick Wawatay News

The Lac Seul Eagles won their second straight Northern First Nations Hockey A-Side championship with a 5-4 comeback win over the Michikan Mavericks.

“Probably one of the best championship games in NFNHT history!” said NFNHT in a March 18 comment on the Northern First Nations Hockey website.

The Eagles beat the Bushtown Jets to win the A-Side crown last year after losing to the Screaming Otters in the 2010 final.

This year the Eagles stormed back from a 4-2 deficit with three unanswered goals from Kyler Ackewance, Clinton Kejick and Derek Jones with the game winner during the March 18 A-Side championship game.

Chester Gallant opened the scoring for the Mavericks before

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Jeremy Schenderling tied the game at 1-1 in the first period.

Kevin McKay then scored his first goal in the second period to stake the Mavericks to a 2-1 lead, which was answered

by Jeff Schenderling to tie the game at 2-2 before Jade Windego scored for a 3-2 Mavericks lead after two periods.

McKay scored his second goal of the game to put the Mavericks up 4-2 in the third period before the Eagles stormed back with three straight goals to win.

Kejick took five minor penalties for the Eagles while Windego took one penalty and Gallant two penalties for the Mavericks.

The Sandy Lake Chiefs took home the B-Side championship with a 9-8 win over REZ 64, with Josh Kakegamic scoring the game winner for the Chiefs.

Kurt Atlookan and Clint Atlookan both scored three

goals for REZ 64 while Brent Loulette scored three goals for the Chiefs.

The Bamaji Ice won the C-Side championship with a 7-4 win over the Pikangikum Moose, with Matt K. Mitchell scoring the game winner as the Ice stormed back from a 4-1 deficit.

“Good run Pikangikum Moose wish we could of been there to cheer you on,” said Allstar Outreach in a March 18 comment on the Northern First Nations Hockey website.

Freddie Sakakeesic and Mitchell both scored three goals for the Ice while Torrey Turtle scored two goals for the Moose.

McKay led all scorers during the tournament with 24 points, nine goals and 15 assists; Schenderling scored 21 points; and Mitchell and Turtle both scored 20 points.

Photo by Adrienne Fox/Special to Wawatay News

Bamaji ice goalie Kyle Spence gets a little help from his defence as he rushes back to the net during his team’s C-side victory over Pikangikum Moose. Bamanji, like A-side champions Lac Seul, had to overcome a big deficit to emerge victorious.

20

Wawatay News

MARCH 29, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

sgdn Assessing the Safety of a Site

Canada’s plan for the long-term management of the country’s used nuclear fuel requires that used fuel be safely and securely contained and isolated in a deep geological repository in a suitable rock formation. The NWMO is committed to implement Canada’s plan in a manner that protects human health, safety, security and the environment.

Q. A.

What studies will be conducted to assess the safety of a site?

The safety of any potential site will be assessed using a thorough site evaluation process and a comprehensive list of site evaluation criteria that are both technical and social in nature. It is expected that it will take between seven and 10 years to complete all the site evaluations and studies that are necessary to confirm the suitability of a site.

The site will be assessed in a series of steps. Each step is designed to evaluate the site in greater detail than the step before. A site may be found to be unsuitable at any stage of evaluation, at which point work at that site would cease and the site would no longer be considered for a deep geological repository.

Évaluation de la sûreté d’un site

Le plan de gestion à long terme du Canada pour le combustible nucléaire irradié prévoit que le combustible irradié sera confiné et isolé dans un dépôt géologique en profondeur dans une formation rocheuse appropriée et ce de manière sûre et sécuritaire. La SGDN s’engage à mettre en œuvre le plan du Canada d’une manière qui protège la santé de la population, la sûreté, la sécurité et l’environnement.

Q. R.

These studies will be conducted only in communities that have expressed an interest.

Q. A.

What are the initial screening criteria?

Any site will need to first meet a minimum set of initial criteria in order to be considered. t The site must have available land of sufficient size to accommodate the surface and underground facilities. t This available land must be outside protected areas, heritage sites, provincial parks and national parks. t This available land must not contain known groundwater resources at the repository depth that could be used for drinking, agriculture or industrial uses. t This available land must not contain economically exploitable natural resources. t This available land must not be located in areas with known geological and hydrogeological characteristics that would prevent the site from being safe.

Ces études seront menées uniquement dans les collectivités qui auront exprimé un intérêt.

Q. R.

t First, ensuring safety – that is, the ability of the site to protect people and the environment, now and in the future. t Second, beyond safety – the effect of the project on the sustainability and well-being of the host community.

Les sites potentiellement appropriés qui satisferont ces critères initiaux feront l’objet d’une évaluation progressivement plus détaillée dans deux domaines principaux : t Premièrement, considérer la sûreté – c’est-à-dire l’aptitude du site à protéger la population et l’environnement, maintenant et pour l'avenir. t Deuxièmement, au-delà de la sûreté – les répercussions du projet sur la viabilité et le bien-être de la collectivité hôte.

What will detailed studies examine?

Detailed studies will focus on the following questions: 1. Are the characteristics of the rock at the site appropriate to ensuring the long-term containment and isolation of used nuclear fuel from humans, the environment and surface disturbances caused by human activities and natural events?

2. Is the rock formation at the site geologically stable and likely to remain stable over the very long term considering geological and climate change processes such as earthquakes and glacial cycles?

3. Are conditions at the site suitable for the safe construction, operation and closure of the repository?

4. Is human intrusion at the site unlikely, for instance through future exploration or mining?

5. Can the geological conditions at the site be practically studied and described?

6. Can a transportation route be identified or developed by which used nuclear fuel can safely and securely be transported to the site from the locations at which it is stored?

A robust safety case will be developed. The preferred site will be in a rock formation with desirable characteristics (geological, hydrogeological, chemical and mechanical). The rock formation must support containment and repository performance that meet or exceed the regulatory expectations of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the guidance of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the experience in other countries with nuclear waste management programs.

Quels sont les critères de présélection?

Tout site devra d’abord satisfaire à un ensemble de critères minimaux pour être considéré. t Le site doit disposer de terres de superficie suffisante pour accueillir les installations de surface et souterraines. t Les terres doivent être situées à l’extérieur de toute zone protégée, tout lieu patrimonial ou tout parc provincial ou national. t Les terres ne doivent pas contenir de ressources connues en eaux souterraines qui pourraient être consommées ou utilisées à des fins agricoles ou industrielles, à la profondeur du dépôt. t Les terres ne doivent pas contenir de ressources naturelles qui sont économiquement exploitables. t Les terres ne doivent pas se trouver dans un secteur dont les caractéristiques géologiques ou hydrogéologiques empêcheraient le site d’être sûr.

Potentially suitable sites that meet these initial criteria will be the subject of progressively more detailed studies in two primary areas:

Q. A.

Quelles études seront menées pour évaluer la sûreté d’un site?

La sûreté de tout site potentiel sera évaluée selon un processus approfondi et une liste exhaustive de critères pour l’évaluation d’un site, qui sont tant de nature technique que sociale. Il est prévu de prendre entre sept à 10 ans pour compléter toutes les évaluations de sites et les études qui sont nécessaires pour confirmer l’aptitude d’un site. Les sites seront évalués suivant une série d'étapes. Chaque étape est conçue pour examiner le site plus en détail qu'à l'étape précédente. Un site pourra être jugé inapte à toute étape de l'évaluation; les travaux cesseraient alors sur ce site et il ne serait plus considéré pour un dépôt géologique en profondeur.

Q. R.

Sur quoi porteront les études détaillées?

Les études détaillées se pencheront sur les questions suivantes : 1. Les caractéristiques de la roche du site sont-elles aptes à assurer le confinement et l’isolement à long terme du combustible nucléaire irradié des humains, de l’environnement ainsi que des perturbations de surface causées par l'activité humaine et les événements naturels?

2. La formation rocheuse du site est-elle géologiquement stable et est-il vraisemblable qu’elle le demeurera à très long terme considérant les processus écologiques et changements climatiques tels que les séismes et cycles glaciaires?

3. Les caractéristiques du site sont-elles appropriées à la construction, à l’exploitation et à la fermeture sûres du dépôt?

4. L’intrusion humaine, par exemple par l’exploration ou l’exploitation minière, est-elle peu probable?

5. Les conditions géologiques sur le site peuvent-elles être étudiées facilement et décrites?

6. Est-il possible de déterminer un itinéraire par lequel le combustible nucléaire irradié pourra être acheminé de manière sûre et sécuritaire vers le site depuis les emplacements où il est actuellement entreposé?

Un dossier de sûreté solide sera élaboré. Le site de prédilection devra se trouver dans une formation rocheuse avec les caractéristiques favorables (géologiques, hydrogéologiques, chimiques et mécaniques). Cette formation rocheuse devra assurer le confinement et la performance du dépôt afin de satisfaire les exigences réglementaires de la Commission canadienne de sûreté nucléaire, les orientations données par l’Agence internationale de l’énergie atomique et l’expérience acquise dans d’autres pays qui mènent un programme de gestion des déchets nucléaires, ou les dépasser.

Dr. Mahrez Ben Belfadhel is the Director of Used Fuel Repository Geoscience at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. His team is responsible for assessing the geoscientific suitability of potential host sites. Dr. Ben Belfadhel has more than 25 years of combined multidisciplinary experience in areas related to geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. With the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, he worked as a geoscience and safety assessment specialist for 11 years, during which he also assumed the responsibility of Acting Director of the Waste and Decommissioning Division. He has maintained an active involvement in the international nuclear waste community, mainly through his work with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Dr. Ben Belfadhel has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from École Polytechnique of Algiers, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from Université de Sherbrooke in Quebec. He is also a registered Professional Engineer.

“Ask the NWMO” is an advertising feature published regularly in this and other community newspapers to respond to readers’ questions about Canada’s plan for managing used nuclear fuel over the long term and its implementation. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization welcomes your questions. Please forward your questions to askthenwmo@nwmo.ca.

For more information, please visit: www.nwmo.ca/sitingprocess_overview9 Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez visiter :

M. Mahrez Ben Belfadhel est directeur des géosciences du dépôt de combustible irradié à la Société de gestion des déchets nucléaires. Son équipe est responsable de l’évaluation de l’aptitude géoscientifique des sites hôtes potentiels. Il a plus de 25 ans d'expérience multidisciplinaire dans des champs reliés au génie géotechnique et géoenvironnemental. Il a été, durant 11 années, spécialiste en géoscience à la Commission canadienne de sûreté nucléaire, où il a aussi assumé la responsabilité de directeur par intérim de la division des déchets et du déclassement. Il demeure impliqué auprès des instances internationales qui se préoccupent des déchets nucléaires, plus particulièrement en travaillant avec l'Agence internationale de l'énergie atomique. M. Ben Belfadhel détient un baccalauréat ès sciences en génie civil de l’École Polytechnique d’Alger, ainsi qu’une maîtrise et un doctorat en génie géotechnique de l’Université de Sherbrooke au Québec. Il est également ingénieur agréé.

« Demandez-le à la SGDN » est un encadré publicitaire qui paraîtra régulièrement dans ce journal et dans d’autres journaux de la collectivité pour répondre aux questions que se posent les lecteurs sur le plan canadien de gestion à long terme du combustible nucléaire irradié et de sa mise en oeuvre. La Société de gestion des déchets nucléaires attend vos questions. Veuillez envoyer vos questions à demandez@nwmo.ca.

www.nwmo.ca