March 4, 2010 by Wawatay News

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March 4, 2010

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Mel Barber, centre, with Independent First Nations Alliance presents Philip Beardy and Deputy Chief Gary Beardy from Muskrat Dam First Nation with a Housing Innovation Award during the Northern Housing Conference in Thunder Bay.

Recognition for construction Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Muskrat Dam’s speedy construction of three bungalows was recognized during the 8th Annual First Nations Northern Housing Conference 2010 Feb. 23-25 in Thunder Bay. “We were being recognized for our work,” said Muskrat Dam Deputy Chief Gary Beardy, explaining his community’s three construction crews were recognized Feb. 24 during the Community Recognition Awards Ceremony for completing three houses in six weeks this past building season. “We work 10 hours minimum, and we work on Saturdays too. The only day off during the summer when we work is on Sunday. If we have to work on Sunday, we have to get permission from the Elders.” Beardy said he brought along a number of his community’s younger construction workers to the conference to gain experience. They also took part in the Builders Challenge, which involved four different competitions hosted by home improvement guru Jon Eakes. “Last year we built three houses,”

Beardy said. “We just bought six houses, they are small three bedrooms, and the majority of those three crews will build two houses each.” Beardy said the community uses a unique construction system, where they prefab the walls and other house parts ahead of time while they wait for the freshly-dug foundation to settle before beginning actual construction. “They will be like puzzles,” Beardy said. “Once we are ready, once we do the (foundation) form, there will be six piles of those houses and we just put them up.” Beardy is looking forward to returning to the next Northern Housing Conference. Bearskin Lake and Whitesand were also recognized during the Community Recognition Awards for their innovative housing designs. Bearskin Lake constructed a heated concrete slab system for two of their bungalows and a triplex unit while Whitesand constructed an eight-plex unit. see COMPETITION page 12

ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐣᐠ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᐧᐸᑕᐦᐃᐁᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᒥᑲᐃᐧᐣᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐸᑭᓇᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᕑᐃᐠ ᑫᕑᐃᐠ ᐊᐧᐊᐧᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ

ᐊᐧᒐᐢᑭᑯᓂᒥᐠ ᐃᐧᐸᐨ ᑲᑭ ᑭᔑᑐᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᓂᓯᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᑭᒥᑲᐃᐧᐣᒋᑲᑌᐊᐧᐣ ᐅᑕᓄᑭᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ 8 ᑕᓯ ᐊᐦᑭ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐃᐧ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐃᐧᐣ 2010 ᑭᔐᐱᓯᑦ 23 ᐊᑯᓇᐠ 25 ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓯᐠ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑕᐣᑐᕑ ᐯ. ᑭᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓂᑲᑌ ᐅᐁᐧ ᓂᑕᓄᑭᐃᐧᓂᓇᐣ, ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᒐᐢᑯᑯᓂᒥᐣᐠ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᓀᐢ ᑫᕑᐃ ᐯᔭᑎ, ᐁᑭᐃᐧᑕᐠ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᓂᓴᐧᔦᑭᓯᓂᐨ ᐅᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐣ ᐁᑭᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓂᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᐱᒪᓄᑭᑕᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᔐᐱᓯᑦ 24 ᑲᑭᐃᓇᑭᓯᐨ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧ ᑭᑭᓂᐊᐧᒋᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᑲᑭ ᑭᔑᑐᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᓂᓯᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᓂᑯᑕᐧᓯ ᐱᒧᑯᓇᑲ ᐅᑕᓇᐣᐠ ᑲᑭᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ. ᒥᑕᓯ ᑎᐸᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᓂᑭᐊᔭᓄᑭᒥᐣ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᒪᑎᓇᐁᐧᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᓂᑭ ᐊᓂᑭᒥᐣ. ᑲᐊᔭᒥᐦᐁᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᐁᐦᑕ ᓂᑭ ᐊᓄᐧᐁᐧᐱᒥᐣ ᑲᓂᐱᐠ. ᑭᐢᐱᐣ ᑕᐢ ᑲᐃᐧ ᐊᓄᑭᔭᐠ ᑲᐊᔭᒥᐦᐁᑭᔑᑲᐠ, ᐱᓇᒪ ᓂᑲᑫᐧᒋᒪᒥᐣ ᑭᒋᔭᐦᐊᐠ. ᐯᔭᑎ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᑭᐱᒋᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐊᓂᐣᑕ ᐅᐢᑲᑎᓴᐣ ᐅᒪ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒋᐅᐣᒋ ᐊᓂ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐁᐧ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᐣ. ᐃᒪ ᑲᔦ ᑭᐃᐧᒋᑕᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐠ ᑲᐃᔑ ᑲᑫᐧᒋᐦᐃᐣᑕᐧ, ᓂᐃᐧᐣ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᑲᑫᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑭᐊᔭᐊᐧᐣ ᐃᑫᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᓂᑲᓂᐢᑲᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᑐᐨ ᒐᐧᐣ ᐃᐟᐢ. ᐅᑕᓇᐠ ᑲᑭᐊᑭᐊᐧᐠ ᓂᐦᓯᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᓂᑭᐅᔑᑐᒥᐣ, ᐱᕑᑎ ᐃᑭᑐ. ᓂᑯᑕᐧᓯ

ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᓂᑭᐅᑕᐱᓇᒥᐣ, ᓂᓯᐣ ᓂᐯᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐣ ᑭᐊᔭᐊᐧᐣ, ᐅᑫᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐠ ᓀᓂᔑᐣ ᐁᐦᑕ ᐅᑐᔑᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ. ᐱᕑᑎ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᑕᔭᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᐱᒥᓂᔕᐦᐊᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧ ᐊᓂᑭᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ, ᐁᓂᑲᓂ ᐅᔑᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐊᔑᑕ̇ ᐦ ᑲᐧᐠ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᔦ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᒥᑎᑯᐣ ᑲᓇᐣᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᑭᐣ ᑫᓇᐣᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᑭᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᑕᒥᐱᐦᐅᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐊᐧᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᐃᔑᐸᑕᑭᑌᐠ ᐊᐢᑭᑭ ᒋᒋᑕᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᓂᑯᐠ ᑫᒪᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ. ᑐᑲᐣ ᓇᓇᐱᓂᑲᓇᐣ ᑕᐃᓀᐣᑕᑲᐧᓄᐣ, ᐱᕑᑎ ᐃᑭᑐ. ᐊᐱ ᑕᐢ ᑭᑲᐧᔭᐣᒋᔭᐠ, ᑭᐃᐢᑲᐧ ᐅᔑᑐᔭᐠ ᑫᐃᔑᐸᑕᑭᑌᐠ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ, ᓂᑯᑕᐧᓯ ᑕᐊᔭᐊᐧᐣ ᐃᑫᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᐃᐧ ᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐢ ᓂᑲ ᒪᒋᐸᑕᑭᑐᒥᐣ. ᐱᕑᑎ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᐸᑯᓭᐣᑕᐣ ᒋᑭ ᐱᔕᐸᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᒥᒋᑲᓂᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐊᐧ̇ ᐃ ᐟ ᓴᐣᐟ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᑭᒥᑲᐃᐧᐣᑕᐊᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᑕᓄᑭᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᑭ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᐃᔑ ᒥᓄᐧᔑᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑐᓇᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᓂᐊᐧ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᒥᒋᑲᓂᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᐅᑭᐅᔑᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᐊᓯᓂᐃᐧᓴᑲᓂᐠ ᑲᑭᔑᓯᑫᒪᑲᐠ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᓂᔑᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᓂᔓ ᐸᑫᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐊᐧᑭᐣ ᑲᒪᒪᐃᐧᓯᑭᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᔦ ᐁᔦᓇᓀᐤ ᑲᑕᓯ ᐅᑭᔭᑭᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᒪᒪᐃᐧᓯᑭᐣ. ᐊᐧᐱᔑᑯᐸᐠ ᒉᕑᐅᐟ ᑭ̇ ᐦ ᒋᐠ ᑭᒥᓇᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᐸᑭᓇᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᓇᓇᑯᒪᑲᓂᐃᐧᐨ ᐅᑲᐢᑭᐦᐅᐃᐧᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐁᑭ ᑭᔑᑐᐨ ᐅᑕᓄᑭᐃᐧ ᐃᐢᑯᓂᐃᐧᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᔦ ᐁᑭ ᐊᓄᑭᐦᐊᑲᓂᐃᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᐢᑲᐧ

ᐃᐢᑯᓂᐃᐧᐨ. ᓂᑭ ᒥᓂᑯᐸᓂᐠ ᐊᓂᑭᐃᐧᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐦᐱᑕ ᑲᐊᑯᑕᔭᐣ ᓂᑎᐢᑯᓄᐃᐧᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᓴᑦ ᐁᑭᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᐃᐧᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᐁᐃᔑᒋᑫᐊᐧᐠ, ᑭ̇ᐦᒋᐠ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ, ᐃᒪ ᑭᐃᔑ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑯᓯᐸᐣ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐱᑭᔑ ᑎᐯᓂᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᒪᒋᑕᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐊᐧᓂᓇᐊᐧᑲᐠ. ᑭᐃᓯᓭ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᐅᓇᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᓇᐣ, ᑎᐯᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧ ᐅᓇᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ, ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐅᓇᑕᒪᐊᐧᑲᓂᐃᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᐧ ᐃᔑᒋᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ, ᒥᓇ ᓇᓇᐣᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᔦ ᐅᔑᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐅᓇᑌᐠ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᑫᐱᒥᓂᔕᐦᐃᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐯᐸᑲᐣ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᐊᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ. ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓄᐧᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᐁᑭᑫᐣᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐁᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᔕᐠ, ᐅᐢᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᒥᓇ ᑭᒋᔭᐦᐊᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐱᑯ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐊᐧᐃᔭᐠ ᐸᑲᐣ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᑕᐊᐧᐨ. ᓂᒥᓇᐧᒪᐣᒋᐤ ᑲᑭᐁᐧᔭᐣ ᐁᐣᑕᓱᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᐁᑭᑫᐣᑕᒪᐣ ᐁᑭᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᑲᐧ ᐊᐧᐃᔭᐠ ᓇᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᐅᐣᒋ ᒥᓄᓭᐨ ᐅᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᔦ ᐊᐅᐣᒋ ᐃᐧᑯᐱᓇᑲᓂᐃᐧᐨ ᔓᓂᔭᐣ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐣᐠ. ᒪᐃᑯ ᒪᑫ, ᑲᐅᓇᓯᓇᐦᐊᑭᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᐊᓂᑲᑕᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᑕᑭᐣ ᐃᐧᐣᑎᑯ ᓂᐣᑕᑦ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯᐠ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐊᓄᑭᐨ ᓂᑯᐃᐧᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᑭᐅᐣᒋᐸᐣ ᑭᐃᐧᒋᑕᐧ ᑲᐅᓇᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐃᐧ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐃᐧᐣ, ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᑫᐃᓂᑭᑲᐧᐠ ᒥᐦᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᑭ ᓂᑲᓀᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᐃᒪ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐃᐧᓂᐠ, 175 ᐁᑭ ᑕᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᓇᐱᐣ ᐸᑭᑭᓂᑲᓂᐠ 13

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

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Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

High-speed Internet arrives on James Bay Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Newly installed high speed Internet services are a big hit on the James Bay coast. “The young people are excited about it,” said Western James Bay Telecom Network president Leo Friday. “In the evening, kids are chatting to each other through Facebook. A lot of news came out of it. Where I live in Moose Factory, I check it sometimes – I know what is going on in Moose Factory and in Attawapiskat. It’s faster than Wawatay.” Friday said health services would be improved with the completion of the new fibre optic and wireless Western James Bay Telecom Network, officially launched Feb. 23 with the symbolic splicing of a fibre optic cable to connect the three communities of Kashechewan, Fort Albany and Attawapiskat to each other and the World Wide Web. “People couldn’t see or access a doctor as soon as other people can do in Timmins or in Moose Factory or in any of those other big places,” Friday said. “With telemedicine … I think it will meet a lot of needs that are required in the northern communities.” Friday said the new Internet services will benefit many other people, including those who want to pursue their high school education as well as post-secondary education. “We haven’t had this kind of experience before or accessed these kinds of technology before,” Friday said. “I think it’s going to make a lot of difference for the community, especially with education and also with the Internet and e-mail service people are going to access.” Friday said the old system was difficult to use, with slow download speeds and loss of connections. “Residents have waited a long time to access reliable high speed Internet in our three communities,” Friday said. “We’re pleased that Mushkegowuk Council, the chiefs and councils of the First Nations communities, Five Nations Energy Inc., Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, FedNor,

submitted photo

A fibre optic cable is spliced at the Feb. 23 official launch of the Western James Bay Telecom Network in Kashechewan to symbolize connecting the First Nation communities, residents and health, education and businesses of Kashechewan, Fort Albany and Attawapiskat with Moosonee, Moose Factory and the World Wide Web through WJBTN’s fibre optic transport and high-speed Internet. From left to right are Morry Brown, project manager, WJBTN; Joe Gaboury, CEO of Five Nations Energy Inc.; Stan Louttit, Grand Chief of Mushkegowuk Council; Leo Friday, president and director of WJBTN and Deputy Grand Chief of Mushkegowuk Council; Robert Proulx, president of Xittel Telecommunications Inc., the ISP in the communities; and Chief Andrew Solomon, of Fort Albany First Nation. Health Canada and Xittel have all worked together and supported this important project to make today possible.” The $8 million fibre optic and wireless network was launched through $1.5 million in funding from Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, $500,000 from FedNor, $165,000 from Health Canada, $100,000 from Mushkegowuk Council and more than $150,000 from

Attawapiskat, Kashechewan and Fort Albany. “Mushkegowuk Council’s vision for the First Nations to own and operate an advanced fibre optic telecommunication network is now a reality thanks to the commitment, perseverance and dedication of the many First Nations, Five Nations Energy Inc. and community leaders who started this project in 2001 and, despite the chal-

lenges of securing the funding over the years, remained committed to the idea that our residents need advanced telecom services to live, learn, work and contribute in today’s society,” said Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Stan Louttit. In addition to medical and education services, the new fibre optic and wireless network will provide businesses, communities, industry and the public

sector with improved services in a cost effective manner as well as providing benefits from economic development opportunities in the Far North. Western James Bay Telecom Network leases the fibre optic cable from Five Nations Energy Inc., which installed the fibre optic cable during construction of the new transmission line to the De Beers Victor diamond mine 90 kilometres west of

Attawapiskat. The local fibre distribution networks were constructed in each community in 2009 with the assistance of the local power corporations. Wireless high speed Internet services were first introduced in Kashechewan and Fort Albany in Dec. 2009. Since then, community members have been surfing the net at lightning speeds.

Moving First Nations not the answer: Hall James Thom Wawatay News

Citing “obscene levels of suicide, addiction, marital breakdowns and violence,” in isolated First Nations Joseph Quesnel has written a policy paper suggesting non-viable First Nations be moved closer to urban centres. Quesnel said Kashechewan First Nation along the James Bay coast, is an example of a nonviable reserve, where isolation from the mainstream economy makes it impossible for the community to enjoy a meaningful, independent economy. In his report, Respecting the Seventh Generation: A voluntary plan for relocating nonviable Native reserves, Quesnel said when discussing the issues, policy-makers should bear in mind that a land base is not enough when building a viable economy. The land must be capable of being put to productive use. The community must also be able to produce a needed good or service that can be sold competitively in a global market. Kashechewan Chief Jona-

than Solomon said the Frontier Centre for Public Policy article, doesn’t necessarily look at the large picture. “We have to look at how we got here in the first place,” Solomon said. “Legislation and policies such as the Ontario Mining Act have forced many communities from benefitting from resources and development and that’s why we are in the situation we are in. First Nations should Hall have the opportunity to sustain themselves.” Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Hall was upset by what she read in the report; about the need to move communities. “A lot of the people in my community, if they did want to move our community, it would be to higher ground away from the flood plain,” Hall said. “They have no interest in moving south to the outskirts of an urban city.” Such a move would be crippling to First Nation cultures,

values and traditions, she said. “It costs about $1,200 round trip to fly to Timmins and back,” she said. Even with the possibility of more employment and higher paying jobs in the city, the cost to fly home for spring or fall hunts would be high. “There would also be problems with gear,” Hall said. “Where would people store their equipment? “This is our land, it’s what our people know.” Hall said Ontario’s Far North is really the last unexplored frontier, home to unknown and unseen possible treasures in mineral and possible gem form. Hall said it was government that put the First Nations in their present locations, but it now seems since it is no longer convenient, there is pressure to encourage the communities to pull up stakes and leave. She said the communities have every right to prosper where they are currently located. “We want to work with companies and sign agreements that will benefit our people,” Hall said.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy was critical of Quesnel’s report. “The comments from the writer indicate that there is no hope for some First Nation communities,” said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. “Historically, research says some of the reserve land is the most useless and yet provincial policies originally put communities where they are, away from hydro, agriculture and minerals. “Now, after being put out of the way from society and the economy, the writer suggests these ‘non-viable’ communities be put closer to urban centres? Beary said First Nations need to be afforded basic human rights enjoyed by everyone else in order to bring about positive change. “First Nation societies have a special relationship to the Creator and to the land. Once we are displaced from that understanding we become dysfunctional as the reserve system has displayed,” Beardy said. According to Quesnel, the report was an attempt to address the reality that rather than continually pumping money into

the most isolated, non-viable reserves, First Nations would be better served by focusing on reserves that are closer to urban centres and are in a better position to become viable if reforms are made to allow true Native economic empowerment.

“They have no interest in moving south to the outskirts of an urban city.” – Theresa Hall

He said despite the attachment of many First Nations people to their ancestral homes, the long-term interests of the community and its members’ human rights should come before that attachment. The report stems from federal appointee Alan Pope’s recommendation to move Kashechewan to an area outside of Timmins in 2006 in the wake of a series of incidents in the community. Facing chronic flooding, infrastructure issues and having dealt with an e-Coli out-

break the year before, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada appointed Pope to find options for Kashechewan. While the people of the community wanted to stay in the same area of their ancestral land, but in a higher, safer location, Pope recommended the community members move south. At the time, Pope said the isolated location of the reserve was actually the problem and new funding would not only make the problems persist, it would exacerbate them. Quesnel said First Nation leaders should work voluntarily with Ottawa in developing a strategy for the relocation of the worst non-viable reserves. “This could involve the creation of new reserves near urban centres as well as multiyear financial support for band members who opt to live in the city instead of an alternative reserve site,” Quesnel said. “This assistance would include employment, social assistance, housing and life-skills training in lieu of reserve funding, so the proposal is as revenue neutral as possible.”

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Hot coffee on a cold day 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. MEDIA DIRECTOR Brent Wesley EDITOR James Thom

Commentary

Rewatching ‘Field of Dreams’ Richard Wagamese ONE NATIVE LIFE

ou could not dream this place. In the hard glint of early morning everything is over exposure and shadow. From the cabin the land takes itself to the lake lazily, a long ambulation of switch grass, wild rose, fir, pine, aspen and cultured lawns beaten out of the semi-desert heat. The gravel roads looks plunked down, an after thought almost, as if an attachment to the outside world was a hasty addition. The lake itself sits like a patch of sky against the prickled skin of the mountain. The trees above it are mostly fir, many surrendering to bud worm, so that there’s a reddish tint to the mountainside. Some nights when the breeze dies away there are two moons here, the water so calm you feel as though you could fall up or down, away so easily. Like Peter Pan’s world beckoning. In the high heat of the day it descends into a sepulchral quiet. Even the birds cease their flit and flap between trees. Only when the workers return does the sound of the modern world return here. Then it’s a small crescendo of motors, kids, dogs, music and greetings yelled across an acre of space. Afterward, evening pulls everything downward into ease and there is only the breeze, only space reasserting itself. When I became a novelist in 1993 I wanted to build a place like this in my mind and in my words. There was a grand tale to be told in a setting like this. I believed that if I worked long enough and hard enough at the craft of writing I would one day write that story, set it down in a resonant place, populate it with hardy, eccentric characters and bring a sense of reality to a fictional world. I came to that naturally enough. The writers I admired had all managed to effect that in their work and I had an unassailable list of influences. I’d read and loved Dickens, of course, followed Dante into hell, sailed with Ahab after the great white whale and gleaned the gentrified manners of the 1920s with Tennessee Williams. In my reading I’d been to Russia, Sweden, Africa, Asia, Latin America, Germany and to the top of the Himalayas. But nothing ever captured me as much as the swelter and dust of Yoknapawtapha County. When William Faulkner set his

characters down in that rural south I found a world I never wanted to leave. He wrote fifteen books about the place and each one was like a doorway to my sense of self. A Mississippi of the soul. After I read Sartoris I had to go back. Now, I wasn’t a poor white, an under educated black or had any experience at all like the Restoration era immediately after the Civil War. Those years leading right up to the Depression gave Faulkner the material he needed to create a people and a place that was layered with the dust of history, labour and strife. But it was an amalgam of people displaced by the writhing of a country coming to terms with itself – and I could understand that. Faulkner wasn’t always an easy writer to get. His writing sometimes was as dense as a hawthorn thicket. His language was filled with allegory, symbolism, multiple narrators and the particular chips and chinks of regional talk. His sentences sometimes could meander like the broad snake of the Mississippi itself. But he painted a picture nonetheless and my world grew because of it. It was the late 1970s and I’d just become a writer, a professional, earning a wage with words. Faulkner awoke the storyteller in me and I wanted to create worlds like Yoknapawtapha County. But I was a journalist then, telling other peoples stories, restrained by facts but growing in appreciation of my new abilities. Fiction was still the joy of a lamp and a chair. Then came Shoeless Joe. W.P. Kinsella wrote the preeminent book on baseball and when I read it in 1982 I was snared as easily as a lazy fly ball in an oversized fielder’s mitt. Kinsella was no Faulkner but he knew how to spin a tale and the mix of magic, spirituality and baseball was irresistible. Here was an Iowa that I’d never visited but could see as clearly as an infield under the lights. From Kinsella I learned that spirituality, magic and dreams are all a part of our day to day reality. Because of that they could be sewn into a story and cause it to become haunting and unforgettable. Still, I was writing in another form and fiction was a dream in itself. Then the movie Field of Dreams came out in 1989. It was the film version of Shoeless Joe and the story that came alive on the screen was close to the way I’d seen it in my mind. I loved that movie as I’ve loved no other. I have it on my shelf in DVD now and I watch it again every year or so.

Wawatay News archives/photo by Liz Thunder

A calm photo of the Bearskin Lake coffee shop shows a warm retreat from the winter elements, 1982.

High speed, sigh of relief Xavier Kataquapit UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY

ttawapiskat is on its way to having better access to the information highway. A recent announcement by the Western James Bay Telecom Network, a community based entity that was established to bring broadband service to the James Bay coast, has stated that a new fibre optic cable has been launched to connect the remote First Nations of the Mushkegowuk territory to a reliable and affordable high speed Internet service. Funds for this modern service amounted to $8 million to provide necessary equipment and installation of about 500 kilometres of fibre optic cable. This cooperative effort was made possible through the support and contribution of Mushkegowuk Council, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, FedNor, Health Canada and the First Nation communities of Attawapiskat, Kashechewan and Fort Albany. This announcement is a great relief for people along the coast who have had to deal with unreliable Internet service for many years. Most people used dial up Internet service without much success and during the past decade,

many households and businesses were connected to shared satellite Internet access. It has been a regular complaint with many people along the coast that there just was not enough Internet service for their communities. I have heard of individuals who stayed up late at night or into the early morning waiting for the right time when fewer people used the Internet and the connection would speed up. It got to be a bit of a joke because many people kept monitoring the connection waiting for the right time to use the Internet. It meant late nights for many people and a constant roller coaster ride in terms of scheduling. Over the past decade people have experienced less than perfect Internet service and that has frustrated many computer users. Let’s face it, these days anyone interested in the Internet needs a fast high speed connection to really take advantage of what the World Wide Web has to offer. A decade ago, we were amazed to be able to download high quality digital images and view graphics on Internet pages. Currently the trend is moving towards providing videos, sound clips, high end graphics and digital media presented in more complicated formats. On a routine basis we receive alerts from all of the software companies that provide our programs. These alerts demand that we download updates and that neces-

sitates a fast connection. If we want to keep our computer running at an optimum speed with few glitches we must obey corporations such as Norton, Windows, Adobe and Firefox just to name a few. I recall a few years ago when I was on dial up and dealing with the frustration of scheduling my update downloads before I went to bed at night with the hope that they would be finished in the morning.

...these days anyone interested in the Internet needs a fast high speed connection. This new development for everyone up the coast is one more bit of evidence that things are getting a little better for our remote communities. I recall when cable television arrived in Attawapiskat in the early 1990s. Our community did not feel so small or remote once we had access to such a vast window to the world. I am sure that once the high speed connection is made fully available to every household in Attawapiskat, Fort Albany and Kashechewan people will feel a little more connected to the outside world. A better connection to the World Wide Web has a lot to offer to people who are physically isolated from the rest of the world. Not only is this type of connection capable of presenting new information and

ideas, it will also allow individuals to interact and communicate with others around the world. The First Nations leadership who led this project did so with the intention of providing people an opportunity to access affordable education, employment, medical and telehealth services through the information highway. I know that my family members who run their own businesses will be very happy to be able to take advantage of everything that reliable high speed connectivity represents. My young nieces and nephews will broaden their horizons through all that the World Wide Web has to offer. The only downside I see to all of this wonderful development has to do with that fact that more people will be spending so much time sitting in front of a monitor. As First Nation people we already are experiencing a big problem with diabetes for all kinds of reasons related to genetic predisposition, diet and inactivity. The more time we spend on the Internet could translate into tragic results. Sometimes it might be a good idea to turn off the computer, unhook from the World Wide Web and step out the door for a long walk and some fresh air. Maybe it is time for someone to invent a computer system that will only work if we peddle a bike type generator to provide electricity to run it. Are there any mad inventors out there? www.underthenorthernsky. com

MEDIA DIRECTOR Brent Wesley brentw@wawatay.on.ca

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Javier Espinoza javiere@wawatay.on.ca

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Mark Kakekagumick markk@wawatay.on.ca

Office Hours: 8:30-4:30 CST Phone: 1-800-243-9059 737-2951 (Sioux Lookout) Fax: (807) 737-3224 or (807) 737-2263 344-3022 (Thunder Bay) Office Hours: 8:30-4:30 EST Phone: 1-888-575-2349 Fax: (807) 344-3182

EDITOR James Thom jamest@wawatay.on.ca

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Pierre Parsons pierrep@wawatay.on.ca

TRANSLATOR Vicky Angees vickya@wawatay.on.ca

Publications Mail Registration No.0382659799

WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Rick Garrick rickg@wawatay.on.ca REPORTER/MULTI-MEDIA PRODUCER Debbie S. Mishibinijima debbiem@wawatay.on.ca ONLINE EDITOR Chris Kornacki chrisk@wawatay.on.ca ART DIRECTOR Roxann Shapwaykeesic roxys@wawatay.on.ca

SALES CO-ORDINATOR Meghan Kendall meghank@wawatay.on.ca SALES/MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE Saturn Magashazi saturnm@wawatay.on.ca ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Steve Elliott stevee@wawatay.on.ca

CONTRIBUTORS James K. Bartleman Xavier Kataquapit Johanna Martel Peter Moon Richard Wagamese Guest editorials, columnists and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the views of Wawatay News.

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

LETTERS

ONLINE

Suicide can’t continue to be a dark secret

Hypocrisy at its finest

RE: Funding for Aboriginal diabetes programs at risk

would like to make some comments in regards to an article “ Suicide Issues Growing in Remote North” (Jan. 21, 2010) by Rick Garrick. Thank you Mr. Garrick for this article, we have lost too many of our young and adults to suicide, but yet we still attempt to keep this issue one of our secrets. I have been to many First Nation communities within the NAN area, and a handful outside of the province. This is not a new concern. In the 80s, we lost many of our young to suicide, which resulted with a group of commissioners (NAN Youth Forum on Suicide) being formed to conduct hearings in 13 communities in 1994. These are just one of the “studies” that have been conducted within the last 20 years. It is a positive response to an issue, but yet it is my view that very few of the recommendations from these studies have been implemented and enforced. I remember going into one community shortly after a suicidal death. All the students were sent home and school was closed for three days. I did not see any debriefing or supports in place for those young people that lost one of their peers, their friend, their brother, someone they loved. They were sent to go and deal

with their pain on their own. What are we saying to our children when we react like this? Most of our communities do have “Crisis teams”, which is a good thing. But I feel we would be more effective if we also begin to have “proactive” processes, such as “self-esteem and self-identity” within the curriculum of our schools and any other place that we can reach our youth. Spirituality is important component of life, whether we choose Anishnawbe spirituality or Christianity, our children should have these choices available in the community. Parenting classes that would be mandatory within the realms of Ontario works, Child welfare or probation orders. I someday hope that every one of our communities will have protocols in place to deal with sexual abuse cases and suicide attempts and deaths; specialized counseling services for youth and grief/loss; that each school have trauma units. And that we could obtain funding to have all these programs, it is certainly possible, these programs are available elsewhere, why not where it’s been identified over and over again that we have that need, I believe it exceeds the definition of need, it is a MUST. This past summer, we attempted to raise awareness

and empathy of this issue, a small group of us walked from Thunder Bay to Chapleau Cree (Walk for Youth Healing) to make our plea to the delegation at (Nishnawbe Aski Nation) Keewaywin Conference. There were a total of 15 of us, including my 5 children and 2 granddaughters. There hasn’t been an opportunity to measure the impact, but for the participants and sponsors, it certainly was a worthwhile venture. My children are actually looking forward to our next campaign. The prescription drug abuse issue is a concern for the whole country. I say this because it is not just a “First Nation” issue. It is another way to numb the pain; it’s a coping mechanism that is more accessible and very addictive. I am not very pleased with the medical professionals that would hand out these prescriptions and not be accountable of the consequences of addiction. Please note that the views and opinions presented are from A. Betty Achneepineskum, as a mother and grandparent, not as a representative of the organization that I am employed with. Betty Achneepineskum Thunder Bay

Questions need answers about hydroelectricity RE: Muskrat Dam explores building a hydroelectric facility Who is really going to benefit from this project in the upcoming years to come? And define a little clearer reducing environ-

mental impacts in the surrounding areas? And how much millions is it going to generate and who is really going to CASH IN on this sustainable deal?

Submitted by: Don http://www.wawataynews. ca/node/19177

Trade on a fresh Bombardier or let us refurbish yours!

Rick Prior

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What will the federal government do you say? Just watch and see: the extermination of Aboriginal Canadians, one at a time. Didn’t the Conservatives forget who voted for them? I

COMMENTS mean the Aboriginal population was under the feet of the Liberals for far too long. Give the Conservatives a chance for once in the leader’s seat, and what do you know? Hypocrisy at its finest. I call on every Aboriginal Canadian and let’s bring down

the Conservatives. It’s better to have been under the feet of the liberals for another 12 years. At least they were moving forward. Submited by: George http://www.wawataynews. ca/node/19278

Affordable, healthy foods the long-term solution RE: Funding for Aboriginal diabetes programs at risk What represents the cause of diabetes? Cheap junk food, which is the only food affordable. I have, when questioned

by Manitoba Health, (suggested) to prepay all food and guarantee southern prices. It is cheaper to keep Natives healthy than flying them south for treatment. Clean up your act,

Manitoba and Ottawa. Submitted by: Hart Oldenburg http://www.wawataynews. ca/node/19278

Mining development good for future of NAN youth RE: No resource development without consent: Beardy I don’t think you people realize the negative impact this will have on all northern communities if it doesn’t happen. This is a chance for the young people of northern communities to get an education, on the job training, and a chance at a career. Young

people won’t have to move away to bigger cities, families will be able to stay together, and maybe the young people that have had to move away will be able to return home. Right now the time is running out. If a decision isn’t made soon the big guys will be soon long gone. Once again we

will be left struggling to make ends meet. The suicide rate and drug addiction will continue to increase, and the cycle will continue from generation to generation. Submitted by: Paula Young http://www.wawataynews. ca/node/19282

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Money is still the driving force RE: Marten Falls, Webequie set up blockade in Ring of Fire It’s sickening, and sad, to see how these companies still only regard money as their driving force, trying to keep the shareholders happy with no regard for the environment or the original peoples. Hopefully the First Nations can still shut the doors.

A leader even at a young age

We are all too familiar with dealing with the white man and foreign governments. Perhaps an equitable payment should be demanded, up front, that will make the community members as rich as the companies who are poised to prosper from this development. They know how much they have to gain from

RE: Robert Horton continues political activism journey

mining in this region, and after all these years, they are still trying to offer trinkets and beads to our people.

I first met this young Anishinaabe man near Ponemah when he was on the board of directors for the MN (Minnesota) Indian Education Association board of directors. His First Nation chief, a writer, was the keynote speaker there and did a spectacular job. Rob, he couldn’t have

Submitted by: Mohawk in the north http://www.wawataynews. ca/node/19091

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Community meeting not enough RE: Study to identify possible routes for James Bay area allseason road I’ve just stepped out of one of alleged consultation meetings held in my hometown community of Attawapiskat First Nation. During the meeting a few people spoke, and the attendance was at best poorly attended, as I counted less then 30 people out of its 1700 band membership attended. The meeting wasn’t announced nor advertised properly, given the momentous adventure this all weather season road is to be undertaken. People don’t realize once you decided on the route and build the road, you can’t go back and say ‘ohh I made a error in judgment, lets move the road over here instead.’ Once the road is built it will be there for long generations to come. At our meeting there were proposed options presented as suggested routes. I questioned as we the Attawapiskat people was just introduced to the idea, I question who suggested those. I felt there wasn’t much choice other then to decide what was already on the table. Routes suggested covering other peoples lands but when it came to our lands, it was just branching out of others lands, and we’re not to have a say. That to me is not right. If you are truly consulting with people, the first question would where you want the road yourselves. And why. There are hundreds of burial grounds along any given lands to observe, there are still lands used for substance hunting and there are still lands subject to seasonal flooding and there are lands that are already provincially protected. At the meeting, there were little leadership present during the duration of the meeting, a few First Nation band councilors turned out and neither our First Nation chief nor First Nation deputy chief was ever present. The provincial government and their respective agencies announced there is funding for four consultation meeting per affected community. I wonder how many meetings are still left for our community which number did I just attended, was either the first or the last, this wasn’t properly done. I beg a question: what’s to come when a handful of people only turned out for such meetings and who then will decide where the road shall be if not us? I am not opposing building such a road, I know very well its potential affects it will do for the region along the isolated communities, I just want this done right from the onset. I have not heard what other communities are saying if they already had their consultation meetings. Wondering if they fared better then us, Attawapiskat people. Submitted by: Joseph Louttit http://www.wawataynews. ca/node/18790

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Wawatay News

Spark social change for Ontario’s north James K. Bartleman GUEST COLUMNIST

Address by the Honourable James K. Bartleman to graduating students at the University of Guelph, Feb. 17.

remember, as if it was just yesterday, the speech delivered by Jean Lesage, the then premier of Quebec, at the University of Western Ontario spring convocation in June, 1963. The old Quebec that had remained largely unchanged for some 200 years, he told the members of my graduating class, was in rapid transition, and if it did not obtain its proper place in Confederation, then Canada would split apart. I was enormously impressed for I had no idea that the turmoil in Quebec was so profound and that the future of our country was at risk. Fortunately, prime ministers and premiers in the years that followed dealt with the matter with the urgency it deserved and Canada remains a united country. Now almost five decades later, I would like to draw your attention to another crisis looming on the horizon: the challenge of meeting the aspirations of First Nations youth – a crisis which is particularly important to me as a Native person growing up in the Ontario of the 1940s and 50s. In Canada we tolerate third world conditions on First Nations that are out of sight and out of mind. In the fly-in reserves of northern Ontario, whose wonderful people I have come to know so well, unemployment can be as high as 70 per cent or higher, transportation costs are prohibitive, milk in some communities is $13 for three litres, schools in some places are filled with disease-causing mould. Up to 50 per cent of Grade 1 children in many schools are special needs students. This is not because they are inherently not as intelligent as non-Native youth, rather it is because they have not had access to books, libraries and other intellectual stimulants we take for granted elsewhere in the province. On my first trip to the area, I visited Kashechewan on the

James Bay. And as my aircraft landed and we taxied down the runway, another aircraft waited for clearance to take off. The distraught chief later told me the outgoing aircraft was carrying out to Thunder Bay, for an autopsy, the body of a 14year old girl who had just killed herself. “Why, “ I asked the family. She had no hope, they told me. Not long afterwards, my good friend Grand Chief Stan Beardy asked me to accompany him to the Wunnumin Lake First Nation to do what we could to comfort the families of three young people who had suicided, including a 12-year old girl who had hanged herself on a tree in front of her school as her classmates arrived to begin classes. Their families likewise told me their children had no hope. They lack hope because they live in poverty, have few job prospects, lack self esteem, receive a quality of education inferior to white kids, live in overcrowded houses, suffer from diabetes, sense the racism of white society, live with the lingering effects of the residential school abuse of their parents and grandparents, and believe no one cares about them. My approach, together with others of goodwill, was to demonstrate that many people do in fact care. Operating on the principle of no blame, no guilt I sought to find pragmatic solutions to problems. Together with the Grand Chief, and with the support of the Chiefs of Ontario, I launched four initiatives to improve opportunities for Native youth in Ontario’s north. First, Ontarians were invited to donate gently used books and the response was heart warming! We collected 2.3 million books to create libraries in First Nation communities in the north and in most of the other First Nations throughout Ontario. Next, we built bridges of understanding in the School Twinning Program by linking 150 Aboriginal schools with non-Native schools across Ontario and Nunavut. The third initiative was to establish 39 summer reading camps in 26 fly-in First Nations communities. see next page

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MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Earn Your Degree in a Supportive Environment

Specialization & Access Programs Department of Indigenous Learning (IL) Native Nurses Entry Program (NNEP) Native Access Program (NAP)

Aboriginal Education Lakehead University is committed to helping Aboriginal people further their aspirations. Aboriginal programs at Lakehead offer academic, research, and cultural support services tailored to Aboriginal needs. Office of Aboriginal Initiatives http://aboriginalinitiatives.lakeheadu.ca 807-766-7219

Honours Bachelor of Education (Aboriginal Education) (HBEd) Native Teacher Education Program (NTEP) Native Language Instructors Program (NLIP)

Administrative & Support Services Of¿ce of Aboriginal Initiatives (AI) Aboriginal Cultural & Support Services (ACSS) Lakehead University Native Student Assoc. (LUNSA) Nanibijou Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement (NAGE) Aboriginal Alumni Chapter Elders Program

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Inspection PUBLIC NOTICE APPROVED 2010-2011 ANNUAL WORK SCHEDULE CARIBOU FOREST Public Inspection of Annual Work Schedule The Sioux Lookout District of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has reviewed and approved the AbitibiBowater Inc. April 1, 2010 – March 31, 2011 annual work schedule (AWS) for the Caribou Forest. Availability The AWS will be available for public inspection at the AbitibiBowater Sioux Lookout Office, MNR’s Sioux Lookout District Office and the Ministry of Natural Resources public website at ontario.ca/forestplans beginning March 17, 2010 and throughout the one year duration. The Ontario Government Information Centre at 62 Queen Street, Sioux Lookout 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 AbitibiBowater Inc. is responsible for tree planting on the Caribou Forest. Please contact John Lawson at (807) 475-2440 for information regarding tree planting job opportunities. For information on the locations of and license requirements for obtaining fuel wood for personal use, please contact the MNR’s Sioux Lookout District Ofce at (807)737-5038.For commercial fuelwood opportunities, please contact AbitibiBowater at (807)7377280. 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: Tara Pettit, R.P.F. Area Forester Ministry of Natural Resources Sioux Lookout District Ofce 49 Prince Street, PO Box 309 Sioux Lookout, ON, P8T 1A6 Phone: (807)737-5040 Fax: (807)737-1813 Please call for an appointment.

John Bastone, R.P.F. Operations Coordinator Abitibi Bowater Inc. 34C Front Street, PO Box 568 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1A8 Phone: (807)737-7280 Fax: (807)737-7281 Please call for an appointment.

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

PUBLIC NOTICE All band members of Sandy Lake First Nation A General Band Election has been called for the offices of Chief, Deputy Chief and eight Councillors of Sandy Lake First Nation to be held on Friday, March 26, 2010. Toll-free phone-in voting will be permitted for off-reserve band members at 1-866-450-8399. Number only operational on Election Day Friday, March 26, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For further information on procedures contact Zack Kakegamic (807) 774-1275 or Monias Fiddler (807) 774-3421.

Wawatay News file photo

In his address to the students, James Bartleman spoke about his work with Stan Beardy.

Make a difference in life

Inspection

from previous page

Public Notice Approved 2010 – 2011 Annual Work Schedules Dryden Forest, English River Forest, Wabigoon Forest Public Inspection of Annual Work Schedule The Dryden District of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has reviewed and approved the 2010-2011 annual work schedules (AWS’s) for the Management Units listed above. Availability The AWS will be available for public inspection at the respective Sustainable Forest Licence (SFL) holders offices and the Ministry of Natural Resources public website at ontario.ca/forestplans beginning on or about March 17, 2010 and throughout the one year duration. Ontario Government Information Centres at the Ministry’s Dryden District Office and the Ignace Area Office provide 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 The SFL holders below are responsible for tree planting on the listed Forest. Please contact the SFL holder for information regarding tree planting job opportunities. For information on the locations of and license requirements for obtaining fuelwood for personal use, please contact the ministry offices below. For commercial fuelwood opportunities, please contact the respective SFL holder.

KITCHENUHMAYKOOSIB INNINUWUG

More Information For more information on the AWS or to arrange an appointment with Ministry of Natural Resources staff to discuss the AWS or to request an AWS operations summary map, please contact: Ministry of Natural Resources Dryden District Ofﬁce 479 Government Street, P.O. Box 730 Dryden, ON P8N 2Z4 Fax: 807-223-2824

This program is administered by Frontier College and many wonderfully enthusiastic college and university students travel north each year to participate as counsellors. And, the Club Amick Program, run by the Southern Ontario Library Service, provides 4,000 young people in the fly-in First Nation communities with a brand new book every four months, together with an activities-oriented newsletter so that they will know the pleasure and treasure of owning their own books. This set of four literacy programs is being augmented by an annual Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award that celebrates and rewards the writing skills of six Native young people from across the province. And, I am pleased to note that the Aboriginal literacy programs are being continued by my successor, the Honourable David C. Onley. In turn, I work as a volunteer in implementing a computer literacy program he has initiated to put laptop computers in the hands of disadvantaged Native children in Ontario’s north. The tremendous response to each of these initiatives demonstrates that individuals and non-governmental organizations can make a big difference. And, it further proves that their efforts can complement the work of governments. A coalition of diverse, but like-minded organizations, like teachers federations, power companies, universities, colleges, trade unions, DeBeers, the Ontario Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, and thousands of individual Ontarians can all work together to

spark significant social change for young Aboriginal people growing up in isolated places in the north who have few educational and job opportunities. Though their communities are considered ‘separate but equal’ in the eyes of the government, their schools are chronically under-funded and they are in effect being penalized for being born Indian. If action is not taken now to find some way to accommodate the aspirations of these youth, they will continue to live lives of desperation, never achieve their dreams and, potentially, be a burden on their communities. And, the situation will soon reach crisis proportions because the Aboriginal population is the fastest growing in the country. Between 1996 and 2006, the Native population exploded by almost 50 per cent. It is time we spent more effort in granting equal social and economic rights to Native peoples in Ontario’s north. It is time for civil society – for ordinary Canadians, white and Native alike to do something to head off this crisis. The time has come to create a youth corps, modelled on the partnerships we have forged with the Native people of Ontario’s north and to expand these initiatives across Canada. And I hope you, as newly minted university graduates, will participate. Before launching out on a career, students like you have a real opportunity to make a difference. Become a volunteer in Canada’s north while you are young. You will have a chance to see third world conditions in your own country and your contribution can literally change your life as well as those of Canada’s marginalized Native youth.

Ministry of Natural Natural Resources Ignace Area Ofﬁce Corner of Hwy. #17 & 599, P.O. Box 448 Ignace, ON P0T 1T0 Fax: 807-934-2304

For more information on each AWS or to request an AWS operations summary map please contact (between 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.): Dryden Forest Don Armit Area Forester, MNR Tel.: 807-223-7526 E-mail: Dj.armit@ontario.ca

English River Forest John Coady Area Forester, MNR Tel.: 807-934-2255 E-mail: john.coady@ontario.ca

Wabigoon Forest Leo O’Driscoll Area Forester, MNR Tel.: 807-223-7584 E-mail: Leo.odriscoll@ontario.ca

Jack Harrison Dryden Forest Management Co. 28A Earle Ave. Dryden, ON P8N 1X5 Tel.: 807-223-7216 Fax: 807-223-7229 E-mail: dfmc@shaw.ca

Dave Legg Planning Superintendent AbitibiBowater Inc. 145 Third St. West Fort Frances, ON P9A 3N2 Tel.: 807-274-5311, ext. 1215 Fax: 807-274-8202 E-mail: david.legg@abitibibowater.com

Gary Wearne Operations Forester Domtar Pulp & Paper Products Inc. Dryden Forest Lands Ofﬁce within Dryden Mill Tel.: 807-223-9626 E-mail: Gary.wearne@domtar.com

INTERDENOMINATIONAL GOSPEL JAMBOREE APRIL 1ST ,2ND ,3RD & 4TH, 2010 Big Trout Lake, Ontario

WAWATAY LIVE BROADCAST Services as follows: Thursday 7-12 Midnight Friday 7-12 Midnight Saturday 7-12 Midnight Sunday 7-12 Midnight

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EVERYONE IS WELCOME Luke 19:38 “Blessed be the king that cometh in the name of the lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest”

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Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Yellowbird still dreaming big Debbie Mishibinijima Wawatay News

Shane Yellowbird has come a long way from a youngster with a severe stuttering problem to singing onstage at country music’s greatest stage, The Grand Ole Opry. For the Samson Cree Nation member from Hobbema, Alta., life as a child had its challenges. He was bullied and teased by other children because of a severe stuttering problem. Eventually, he started regular sessions with a speech therapist, who suggested he sing out his sentences. “I took a deep breath and formed a sound – it was easier for me to speak,” he says. The breathing exercises he practiced taught him how to hold a note. The son of a rodeo father, Yellowbird was often around cowboys and exposed to country music at a young age. To this day, rodeo riding and roping is a passion Yellowbird enjoys in his free time but hopes

to one day compete. From rodeo to karaoke, Yellowbird was encouraged by friends to take his singing talents to the karaoke stage. Eventually, he began entering karaoke contests and winning. And then came the transition of becoming a Canadian recording artist. Life is Calling My Name, his first album, was released in 2006. The album produced four Top 10 Canadian radio and video hits. Yellowbird also won several music awards following the release of his debut album. He was named rising star of the year from the Canadian Country Music Awards, captured best country recording at the Native American Music Award, and was named Aboriginal entertainer of the year at the Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards. Today, Yellowbird has a hectic schedule, often on the road promoting his second album, It’s About Time, released in November.

The first single, Barefeet on the Blacktop, became his fifth Top 10 hit. Yellowbird says it’s the song he has the most fun performing live. Yellowbird has indeed been living the dream. One of his most memorable moments came in November when he performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. “It was an absolutely amazing feeling – just knowing the history of it,” he excitedly said. “It was magical like I stepped into a story book.” Backstage at the Opry, he met one of his mentors, country crooner Mel Tellis. Much like Yellowbird, Tellis also had a stuttering problem. CMT plans to air a behind the scenes documentary on Shane’s experience at the Opry. As for remembering his roots, Yellowbird enjoys performing for Aboriginal audiences. “When I have an Aboriginal crowd, I tell different stories using Indian humour,” Yellowbird says. “Humour runs in my families so I like teasing.”

submitted photo

Aboriginal country music artist Shane Yellowbird is now touring to promote his second album, It’s About Time, which features the single, Barefeet on the Blacktop. ntary Complime

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The distribution date for the next magazine is scheduled for April 2, 2010. To meet this deadline, our ad booking and material deadline is March 4, 2010. Sagatay subscriptions are now available, if you would like a copy of this magazine, please contact us and we will send one to you for your enjoyment. If you have any questions, or would like to book an ad, please feel free to contact us. To advertise in Sagatay contact: Advertising Department Toll: 1-888-575-2349 Fax: 1-807-344-3182 Email: saturnm@wawatay.on.ca 2nd Floor Royal Bank Building Suite 202 Victoriaville Centre, 620 Victoria Ave. East Thunder Bay, ON P7C 1A93

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

2008 Chevrolet Silverado LT Crew Cab 4x4

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Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Congratulations to the 2010 Ice Fishing Derby Winners!

Freeman Ningewance - Lac Seul Derby - Jan 16th Winner of a new 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4!

Liz Kakegamic - Muskrat Dam Derby - Feb 13th Winner of a new 2010 GMC Sierra 4x4!

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Stanley Tait - 2nd Place - Sachigo Lake Derby - Feb 20th Winner of a new 2009 Pontiac Montana SV6!

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Competition a learning experience from page 1 Lac Seul’s Gerald Kejick also received an award for achievement and successful completion of an internship and being hired on after the internship. “They offered me the position to be hired on after my internship about halfway through my internship … because I was doing so well,” Kejick said, who interned at Independent First Nation Alliance in Sioux Lookout. He said the program involved scheduling construction projects, property managing, government reporting procedures, and research and

development of a resource tool for starting up a housing regime in affiliated communities. “It feels awesome knowing what you are doing will benefit the children, the youth and the Elders and everyone in the other communities. I feel good everyday going home knowing I helped in some way towards bettering the housing conditions and keeping the money flowing into the communities.” Michael McKay, an architectural technologist and housing co-ordinator with Windigo First Nation Council originally from Bearskin Lake who helped organize the Northern Housing Con-

ference, said capacity building was the main goal of the conference, which attracted about 175 registered delegates from eight tribal councils. “Our celebrity, Jon Eakes, he provides that technical, the practical, hands-on (knowledge),” McKay said. “Hopefully they will bring those construction practices back to the community. And we provided our other presentations, all the programs that are out there for funding.” McKay said there were 36 registered booths with a variety of products and services, such as new construction materials,

building suppliers and information booths. Kingfisher Lake’s Eddie Mamakwa and Kasabonika’s Eddie Anderson won the first Builders Challenge competition, which involved valley and eave protection on the roof. Anderson, a construction foreman in his community, said splitting the first shingles in half was a new technique he will be taking back to his community. “You get to learn new ways to prevent water from penetrating the houses,” Anderson said. The conference also provided networking opportunities which Attawapiskat band manager

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Ignace Gull took advantage of. “It is very costly doing housing up there (in Attawapiskat) because of transportation to a remote community,” Gull said. “There is never enough financing available or even materials. You have to move everything by barge; in winter it is expensive by air.” Gull said it was great to see the different presenters and information available at the different booths at the conference. Wincrief Forest Products president Marvin McDonald said he had plenty of visitors to his booth at the conference. “We’ve had a lot of interest,”

McDonald said. “We had about 10 or 15 people just drop by for the first time to talk to us.” McDonald said the company has recently sold 10 homes for affordable housing in Kenora and there is interest from another Kenora organization for 10 more homes. “We’re just going to work out something with Lac Seul,” McDonald said. “They want to build something for the new school – teacherages.” McDonald said they will be posting information about their modular homes online at a new website: wincrief.ca, which will be up soon.

Encouraging youth to share their stories James Thom Wawatay News

The Historica-Dominion Institute is calling on Aboriginal youth to write short stories about defining moments in Aboriginal history for a chance to win cash prizes, earn national recognition and a trip to Regina for a special awards ceremony attended by Aboriginal leaders. “I’m honoured to be included once again this year as a jury member on the Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge,” says jury member and recent Giller Prize winner Joseph Boyden. “Young indigenous voices from across Canada dazzled last year and we believe that this important contest will continue to discover more and more talented Aboriginal authors.” Other judges will include Tomson Highway, Rachel Qitsualik and playwright Drew Hayden Taylor. Many First Nation leaders have come out in support of the challenge. “The Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge is an important program that ensures new voices can share and pre-

serve Aboriginal stories, culture, experiences and history,” sad Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo supports the program. “I am proud to support the Challenge, and I encourage Aboriginal youth from across Canada to showcase their talent and share their perspectives by submitting a story to this wonderful program,” Atleo said. The writers are expected to submit original pieces that reflect on defining themes in Aboriginal Canadian history. Winners will be selected from two age categories - ages 14-18 and 19-29. Each first place winner will receive a cash prize of $2,000 and a trip to the awards ceremony. Their entry will also be published in the magazine Canada’s History. The top 10 in each category will also receive cash prizes. The deadline to enter is March 31. Youth and educators interested in learning more about the contest should visit www. our-story.ca or call (toll free) 1866-701-1867.

PUBLIC NOTICE ALL BAND MEMBERS OF KASABONIKA LAKE FIRST NATION

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Winter Chiefs Assembly March 30 - April 1, 2010 Travelodge Airlane Thunder Bay, ON Resolution Deadline: Tuesday March 30, 2010 @ 4:00 p.m. Email to: sbrown@nan.on.ca and/or lhunter@nan.on.ca

A General Band Election has been called for the ofces of Chief, Deputy Chief and ve (5) Councillors of Kasabonika Lake First Nation on March 18, 2010. Phone-in voting will be permitted for off-reserve band members at: (807) 535-1183 on Election Day Thursday, March 18, 2010. For further information on procedures contact: Rose M. Anderson (807) 535-2547 ext 265 or 535-9033

Wawatay News

ᑲᑫᐧᐸᑭᓇᑎᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᐣᒋ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑎᒪᑲᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐅᒋ ᐸᑭᑭᓂᑲᓂᐠ 1

ᑲᑭᐱᔕᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐁᐃᓇᓀᐤ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᑭ ᐅᐣᑎᓭᐊᐧᐨ. ᐊᐁᐧ ᑲᑭ ᑭᒋᓀᐣᑕᓀᓯᐨ, ᒐᐧᐣ ᐃᐟᐢ, ᐅᑭ ᐃᐧᒋᑕᐧᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ, ᐁᑲ ᓇᐱᐨ ᑲᐊᓂᒪᑭᐣ, ᑲᐁᐧᐣᑌᑕᑲᐧᑭᐣ (ᑭᑫᐣᑕᒪᐃᐧᐣ), ᒪᑫ ᐃᑭᑐ. ᓴᑫᐣ ᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᑕᐃᓯᓭ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᑐᑕᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑕᑭ ᑭᐁᐧᐅᑕᐱᓂᑲᑌᐊᐧᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐊᔭᑭᐣ ᒋᐅᐣᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ. ᓂᑭ ᐸᑎᑭᑎᓇᒥᐣ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᓂᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ, ᑲᑭᓇ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᐊᔭᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᔓᓂᔭᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᐸᑭᑎᓇᑲᓂᐃᐧᐨ. ᒪᑫ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ 36 ᑭᐊᔭᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᐊᒋᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᑲ ᐊ ᐧ ᐸ ᐣ ᑕ ᐦ ᐃ ᐁ ᐧ ᐊ ᐧ ᐨ ᐅᑕᐸᐦᒋᑕᑲᓂᐊᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐱᒥᐸᓂᑕᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᐣ, ᑐᑲᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᐊᐸᒋᑕᑲᓇᐣ, ᑲᐅᐣᑎᓂᑲᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᐸᒋᑕᑲᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐊᒋᑫᐊᐧᐨ. ᑭᐢᑭᒪᓂᓯᐊᐧᐳᐃᐧᓂ ᐁᑎ ᒣᒣᑫᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐊᓴᐸᓇᑲᐃᐧᓂ ᐁᑎ ᐊᐣᑕᓴᐣ ᑭᐸᑭᓇᑫᐊᐧᐠ ᓂᑲᐣ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᐅᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐠ ᑲᑯᒋᐦᐃᑎᐊᐧᐨ, ᑲᐃᔑ ᓇᑲᐧᐠ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᐱᒪᔭᐠ ᐊᐧᑭᑕᑊᐦᐸᐠ. ᐊᐣᑕᓴᐣ, ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᑭᒪ ᐅᑎᐢᑯᓂᓇᓂᐠ, ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑲᐊᐱᑕᐊᐧᐱᓂᐣᑕᐧ ᐊᐸᑲᐧᓇᐠ ᓂᑭᐅᐢᑭ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐢ ᓂᑲᑭᐁᐧᐃᐧᑐᐣ ᐅᐁᐧ ᑲᐃᔑᑭᑫᐣᑕᒪᐣ ᓂᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃ ᑫᑯᐣ ᑲᑭᑫᐣᑕᓇᐣ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᑐᑕᒪᐣ ᐁᑲ ᒋᔕᐸᐧᐸᐁᐧᑭᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ, ᐊᐣᑕᓴᐣ ᐃᑭᑐ. ᐅᐁᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᓇᐊᐧ ᑫᐃᔑ ᒪᒪᐤ

ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᒪ ᐊᑕᐊᐧᐱᐢᑲᐟ ᐸᐣᐟ ᐊᐧᐱᐢ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᓂᑲᓂ ᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᑕᑭᐣ ᐃᐠᓀᐢ ᑯᓫ ᑲᑭ ᐅᑕᐱᓇᐠ ᐁᐃᐧ ᐊᐸᒋᑐᐨ. ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃ ᒣᑎᓂᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧᓄᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ (ᐊᑕᐊᐧᐱᐢᑲᑐᐠ) ᐊᒥᑕᐢ ᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᐃᓯᓭᐠ ᑲᐱᒥᐃᐧᑌᑭᐣ ᐊᐸᒋᑕᑲᓇᐣ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐁᐊᐣᑭᑌᑭᐣ, ᑯᓫ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ. ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᐧᑲ ᑌᐱᓭᓯᓄᐣ ᒋᑌᐸᐱᑭᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧ ᐊᐸᒋᑕᑲᓇᐣ. ᑭᒋ ᒋᒪᓂᐠ ᐁᐦᑕ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐱᒥᐃᐧᑌᑭᐣ; ᑲᐱᐳᐠ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐣᑭᑌ ᐱᒥᓭᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᐱᒥᐃᐧᑌᑭᐣ. ᑯᓫ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᒥᓄᐧᐁᐣᑕᐣ ᒥᔑᐣ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐣ ᐁᑭᐊᐧᐸᒪᒋᐣ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᑲᐱᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᑫᓂᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑲᔦ ᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᐊᔭᑭᐣ ᐃᒪ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᐃᐧᐣᑭᕑᐃᑊ ᒥᑎᑯᑫᐃᐧ ᐊᐸᒋᑕᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᒋ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐨ ᒪᕑᐱᐣ ᒪᐠᑕᐧᓄᓫᐟ ᐃᑭᑐ ᒥᔑᐣ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐣ ᐁᑭᐱᓇᓯᑲᑯᐨ ᐃᒪ ᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᔑ ᐊᐧᐸᑕᐦᐃᐁᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐊᐱᐨ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᒥᔑᐣ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐊᔭᐊᐧᐟ ᑲᒥᓴᐁᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐁᐧ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐃᐧ ᑫᑯᐣ, ᒪᐠᑕᐧᓄᓫᐟ ᐃᑭᑐ. ᑭᐊᔭᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᑕᓯ ᓇᐣᑕ ᓂᔭᓄᔕᑊ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᓂᑭᐱᓇᓯᑲᑯᓇᐣ ᐁᑭᐱᐊᔭᒥᐦᐃᑯᔭᐣᐠ. ᒪᐠᑕᐧᓄᓫᐟ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᒪᒋᑕᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᔭᑕᐊᐧᑫᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᑕᓯ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᑭᓄᐧᕑᐊ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐊᔭᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᑲᒥᓴᐁᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᓄᐧᕑᐊ ᒥᑕᓯ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᓇᐣᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ. ᓂᑭ ᐊᐣᑐ ᐊᓂᑭᑕᒪᑫᒥᐣ ᐅᐱᔑᑯᑭᐸᐣᐠ, ᒪᐠᑕᐧᓄᓫᐟ ᐃᑭᑐ. ᐅᐃᐧ ᐅᔑᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐅᑎᐢᑯᓂᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐊᐧ ᐅᑎᐢᑯᓂᐦᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᐃᔑᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ. ᒪᐠᑕᐧᓄᓫᐟ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᑲᐸᑭᑎᓇᓇᐊᐧ ᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᐊᑕᐊᐧᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ: wincrief. ca, ᓇᑫ ᓇᐊᐧᐨ ᑕᔭᒪᑲᐣ.

MARCH 4, 2010

Casuals’ Casuals ’ ’ Convenience

“Everything is casual, except the service.”

OPEN 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM daily • Gas • Hot food • Groceries • Homemade sandwiches,soups, baking and much more available. In-store specials daily. ATM, debit, mastercard/visa Come check us out in the heart of Pickle Lake (previously The Norwin)

928-2848 Have a casual day!

Muskrat Dam explores hydroelectric facility The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) is supporting efforts by Muskrat Dam First Nation to explore the costs of building a one-megawatt hydroelectric power plant at Windigo Falls. NOHFC is providing $100,000 to this project through their Northern Energy Program, which aims to help northern businesses and organizations

capitalize on energy opportunities. “Muskrat Dam’s proposal is a great example of how Ontario and First Nations are working together to plan for a cleaner, greener, more sustainable future,” Chris Bentley, minister of Aboriginal affairs, said in a Feb. 16 press release. The facility could create10 jobs during construction. –CK

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

FOR SALE Complete sign business inventory: • Six signs steel frames mounted on trailers • Single & double axles • 1000 Coreplast letters in 3 colors and sizes • 250 Plastic letters all one size, color assortment • One portable steel sign frame 8` x 4` • Several wood `sandwich board sign frames • A variety of other directional metal sign frames

Interested in selling the complete inventory no partial purchases For enquiries call (807) 467-4639

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Inspection PUBLIC NOTICE APPROVED 2010-2011 ANNUAL WORK SCHEDULE LAC SEUL FOREST Public Inspection of Annual Work Schedule Legend

The Sioux Lookout District of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has reviewed and approved McKenzie Forest Products Inc.(MFP) April 1, 2010 – March 31, 2011 annual work schedule (AWS) for the Lac Seul Forest

Community Road First Nation Community Slate Falls

Municipality of Sioux Lookout

Availability The AWS will be available for public inspection at the Green Forest Management Inc. ofce, MNR’s Sioux Lookout District ofce and the Ministry of Natural Resources public website at ontario.ca/forestplans beginning March 17, 2010 and throughout the one year duration. The Ontario Government Information Centre at 62 Queen Street, Sioux Lookout provides access to the internet.

Ear Falls

ul Fores Lac Se t

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.

105

516

Lac Seul

Tree Planting and Fuelwood Buchanan Woodlands Inc. (BWI) is responsible for tree planting on the Lac Seul Forest. Please contact BWI staff at (807)737-2522 Ext. 33 for information regarding tree planting job opportunities. For information on the locations of and license requirements for obtaining fuel wood for personal use, please contact the MNR’s Sioux Lookout District ofce at (807)737-5038 .For commercial fuel wood opportunities, please contact BWI staff at (807)737-2533 Ext.22.

Sioux Lookout Hudson

642 72

5 10

Kilometers 20 30

Silver Dollar

More Information For more information on the AWS or to arrange an appointment with MNR to discuss the AWS or to request an AWS operations summary map, please contact: Arne Saari, Area Forester Ministry of Natural Resources Sioux Lookout District Ofce 49 Prince Street, PO Box 309 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1A6 Phone: (807)737-5053 Fax: (807)737-1813 Please call for an appointment.

Alan Brailsford, RPF Green Forest Management Inc. HWY 516, PO Box 428 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1A5 Phone (807)737-2522 Ext. 29 Fax (807)737-2395 Please call for an appointment

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Roofing demonstration shows installation

Place your business ad here 1-800-243-9059 Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Michael McKay, an organizer of the 8th Annual First Nations Northern Housing Conference 2010, helps home improvement guru Jon Eakes install a roll of self-sticking roofing paper during a demonstration of the proper way to install valley and eave protection on a roof. The conference was held Feb. 23-25 in Thunder Bay.

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Wawatay News

Anishinaabe Abinooji Family Services and Kunuwanimano Child and Family Services have now assumed responsibility for child and family services in Constance Lake First Nation. The transfer of services was marked by a signing ceremony Feb. 16, which saw Jeanne Sauve Family Services hand over control to Anishinaabe Abinooji and Kunuwanimano. Originally planned for June 2009, Constance Lake Chief Arthur Moore said there is a “spirit of collaboration” between the agencies and the obstacles faced in the process of transferring services were simply opportunities for further growth. “This new transfer of services is an important step towards ensuring the safety and well being of Aboriginal children in Constance Lake,” Moore added. The community was originally under the services of Jeanne Sauve Family Services, who provides child welfare services in the area. But in the summer of 2009 the band council of Constance Lake passed a resolution banning all members of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services from their traditional territory. Moore said First Nations culture and rights were not being considered when children’s aid societies dealt with Aboriginal child welfare matters. He felt it was time his community assumed control. Anishinaabe Abinooji Family Services, based in Kenora, Ont., will act as a mentoring agency for Kunuwanimano, which has yet to be mandated to provide child protection services. Dean Lessard, director of capacity development for Kunuwanimano, expects the organization will be designated as an official child welfare agency in spring or early summer. Once Kunawanimano receives its designation it will assume full control of services for Constance Lake.

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Integrated Community Sustainability Planning 101: Education to Engagement – Please Join Us!

The Workshops are scheduled for:

March 3, 2010 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Best Western Inn, 2 Sturgeon River Rd,

Sioux Lookout

March 4, 2010 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Lost Lake Drop-in Centre, 21 Second Street, Hudson

The Municipality’s Economic Development Commission and Environment Committee will be hosting community workshops to provide information on the ICSP development process and to encourage community involvement. For more information, please contact Brian MacKinnon, Community Development Coordinator at (807) 737-2700, ext. 2243 or by e-mail at bmackinnon@siouxlookout.ca. Or visit the Municipality’s website - www.siouxlookout.ca - and click on the ICSP icon on the homepage. The ICSP will be a long term plan providing direction for the community to realize sustainability objectives for the cultural, economic, environmental and social dimensions of its identity for many years to come. Please come out to learn about and contribute to this pivotal initiative.

Michael Fox discusses sustainability issues Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Weenusk’s Michael Fox illustrated the difficulties of sustaining diesel-powered communities during the Sustainable Communities in the North Conference 2010. “These communities up north are limited,” said the president of Fox High Impact Consulting, explaining there are 26 dieselpowered communities located across northern Ontario. “You can only do so much. We’re so embedded in our civilization that there are things we take for granted, Blackberry’s and cellphones, that need power.” Fox said the 26 diesel-powered communities face micro challenges and micro complexities stemming from their need for diesel fuel. Fourteen of the communities are subsidized by Ontario’s rate payers through the Rural Remote Rate Protection mechanism so they have generally have the same rate as other Ontario residents while the other 12 communities receive no subsidies. “The average range, depending on where they are located, they pay $0.25 to about $1.40 per kilowatt,” Fox said. “Somehow they have to figure out a sustainable business model to generate power. (The dieselpowered generating station) is on 24/7 365 days a year, other-

wise they have no power.” The 1st Annual Sustainable Communities in the North Conference 2010 was held Feb. 2526 at Confederation College and Lakehead University to address sustainability issues faced by communities across northern Ontario. The conference provided a forum for constructive dialogue about the unique challenges faced by northern Ontario’s communities. Fox also spoke about how dependent northern Ontario’s remote communities are on 2,800 kilometres of winter roads for bringing in the bulk of their fuel, food and building supplies at a reasonable cost. “You used to have a good solid eight weeks of usage of the winter roads,” Fox said. “If they don’t use the winter roads, they have to fly it in – if they fly it in you’re looking at 25 to 30 per cent increase on that cost.” Fox said the communities are considering the creation of allseason roads by realigning their winter roads to higher ground and building bridges across rivers so they will be less dependent on a changing climate. “The ice has to be a certain thickness or the trucks won’t cross,” Fox said. “They’re trying to avoid as much water crossings as possible.” Fox also pointed out potential alternative energy projects

across northern Ontario. “Ontario Power Authority identified all kinds of opportunities,” Fox said, pointing to a map of northern Ontario. “In the green, all these little triangles are potential hydro sites. Up here, the policy says the only applicant recognized, the only people that can actually apply for sites in the Far North are First Nations.” Fox said while all the best wind sites have been applied for, the problem is there are no transmission lines into the Far North to deliver the power to market. “Despite all the commercial first-class wind in the Far North, they’re stranded opportunities,” Fox said. Fox said a number of interested companies, including global engineering companies, are currently looking at building transmission lines further north. “Do we create community-scale power for the diesel dependent communities, looking at one mega-watt or two mega-watt micro-hydro (projects) or one little (wind-power) tower, or do we go big and create jobs,” Fox said. “That is a decision point for each community that wants to either get off diesel or do we facilitate larger scale 40-year hydro contracts and create jobs.”

Place your business ad here 1-800-243-9059

MARCH 4, 2010

Wawatay News

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Sachigo youth get job-ready James Thom Wawatay News

The government of Canada has launched a local employment project in Sachigo Lake First Nation. Kenora MP Greg Rickford announced the funding to help youth who face barriers to employment get job-preparation training and work experience. The funding, announced on behalf of Human Resources

and Skills Development Minister Diane Finley, was delivered Feb. 22. “In today’s environment, it is more important than ever that youth develop the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Rickford. “By supporting this project, we are helping Sachigo youth develop the skills, knowledge and work experience they need to reach their full potential.”

The $100,000 in funding will support the Youth-Skills LinkProject to help 10 youth develop life and job skills to ease their transition to work or to return to school. Skills Link is an employment program that works with youth such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, young people with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school.

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Mohawk language teacher Margaret Peters spoke about the importance of encouraging children and youth to speak the language during Matawa First Nations 3rd Bi-Annual Education Conference: “It doesn’t matter how many fluent speakers you have in your community if you can’t get the next generation of your children and grandchildren speaking that language, your language is pretty much going to be gone.”

Storage Tank System Owners/Operators

Propriétaires et exploitants de systèmes de stockage

You must have a storage tank system identiﬁcation number from Environment Canada by JUNE 12, 2010, or fuel delivery may be refused.

Vous devez avoir un numéro d’identiﬁcation d’Environnement Canada pour votre système de stockage d’ici le 12 JUIN 2010, sans quoi on pourrait refuser de vous livrer le produit.

To obtain an identiÀcation number: • Visit www.ec.gc.ca/rÀss-Àrsts/secureprotege/ LoginEntree.aspx • Call Environment Canada at 819-934-2991 and request that the required form be mailed to you For more information: Talk to your fuel supplier Call Environment Canada at 613-949-8278 Send an email to tankregistry@ec.gc.ca Visit www.ec.gc.ca/st-rs

Pour obtenir un numéro d’identiÀcation : • Visitez le www.ec.gc.ca/rÀss-Àrsts/secureprotege/ LoginEntree.aspx? • Téléphonez à Environnement Canada au 819-934-2991 et demandez que l’on vous envoie le formulaire requis par la poste Pour de plus amples renseignements : Discutez avec votre fournisseur de produits pétroliers Téléphonez à Environnement Canada au 613-949-8278 Envoyez un courriel à l’adresse tankregistry@ec.gc.ca Visitez le www.ec.gc.ca/st-rs

•

• • •

The Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations (SOR/2008-197) apply to owners/operators of the following systems on federal and Aboriginal lands: • all underground storage tank systems • all above-ground storage tank systems, except systems that have a capacity of less than 2500 litres and are connected to an emergency generator or a heating appliance

Disclaimer: This notice is issued for information purposes only and should not be considered to be legal advice and may not include all legal requirements. In the event of any inconsistencies between the information in this notice and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations, the Act and Regulations take precedence.

Classes and ible Groups are Elig for Additional Prizes

Le Règlement sur les systèmes de stockage de produits pétroliers et de produits apparentés (DORS/SOR/2008-197) doit être observé par les propriétaires et exploitants des systèmes suivants installés sur des terres fédérales et autochtones : • tous les systèmes de stockage souterrains • tous les systèmes de stockage hors sol, sauf les systèmes qui ont une capacité inférieure à 2500 litres et qui sont reliés à un groupe électrogène de secours ou à un appareil de chauffage

Avertissement : Cet avis, diffusé à titre de renseignement, ne devrait en aucun cas être considéré comme ayant valeur d’avis juridique et n’énonce pas nécessairement toutes les exigences légales. Dans les cas où les renseignements donnés dans cet avis ne correspondraient pas à ceux contenus dans la Loi canadienne sur la protection de l’environnement (1999) et le Règlement sur les systèmes de stockage de produits pétroliers et de produits apparentés, la Loi et le Règlement prévaudraient.

Language immersion does work Rick Garrick Wawatay News

“Immersion – it works.” Those were the words of Mohawk language teacher Margaret Peters as she shared a music video featuring two youth singing in the Mohawk language during Matawa First Nations 3rd Bi-Annual Education Conference. “We use a lot of language, a lot of our music in our curriculum,” said Peters, who teaches in Six Nations. “The two students seen here in our video are actually from non-speaking homes, their first language is English. They were in an immersion program from the Grade 34 level. It just shows immersion – it works and it can be fun. Peters said her community had to fight to get immersion programming for their students. “We had to fight, not the government mind you, we had to fight our own people,” Peters said. “We had to fight our own people to convince the board of education that we needed an immersion program. It came

from a grass-roots effort – parents said we want an immersion program. “We want our students taught in our own languages. You, the education system, you took it away from us; it’s up to you to give it back to us.” Peters, who sang a fun song in Mohawk about buying coffee at Tim Hortons during her keynote speech Feb. 18, said it doesn’t matter how many fluent speakers you have in your community. “If you can’t get the next generation of your children and grandchildren speaking that language, your language is pretty much going to be gone,” Peters said, explaining that her community is currently providing immersion language programming. “We found immersion is actually the only way to go. We have full-immersion programming in a lot of our communities. We find that is the best way to get our students speaking.” Peters said the English language is here to stay but if First Nations people do not do anything to strengthen their

language programs, their languages will be gone. “Our languages could be gone within a matter of two decades, within a matter of four decades,” Peters said, explaining that three of her children and two of her grandchildren are the only ones in her whole family who still speak fluent Mohawk. “That is really rare across Mohawk territory to see children speaking the Mohawk language.” Peters said three of her children are now teachers in the immersion program at the Akwesasne Freedom School. “For some people who think that immersion programs you are only learning your first languages and it will hurt your academics, you are wrong, you are totally wrong,” Peters said, explaining two of her children went on to honour roll and national honour societies and other students from Mohawk immersion programs have gone on to study at universities in the United States, including Cornell University and Syracuse University.

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Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Rhonda Koster (centre-right), Kristine Metansinine (right) and Red Rock Coun. Omer Belisle (far right) accept Lakehead University’s first annual Aboriginal Partnership Research Award from Beverly Sabourin, vice-prevost (Aboriginal initiatives), Tim Pile, chair of Lakehead University’s Aboriginal Management Council, and Rui Wang, vicepresident (research).

Studying Native tourism Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Two Red Rock Indian Band members and two Lakehead University researchers took home the university’s first annual Aboriginal Partnership Research Award. The team developed two research projects on rural capacity building and regional tourism networks in northern Ontario. “We developed a handbook in which to build capacity within the community, identify different issues with developing tourism in our community, how we can build capacity in that area with regards to our community members and different training aspects they can take to build that capacity,” said Red Rock band member Kristine Metansinine. She shared the award with Red Rock Chief Pierre Pelletier and researchers Dr. Rhonda Koster and Dr. Harvey Lemelin. The award was presented Feb. 24 to Metansinine, Koster and Red Rock Coun. Omer Belisle during Research & Innovation Week 2010, Feb. 20-26 in Thunder Bay. Building Capacity in Rural Communities through Appreciative Inquiry and Rural Tourism in Resource-based Communities: An Examination of Regional Tourism Networks in Northern Ontario, were selected for the award because both have vastly improved understanding of tourism and regional economic development. “We were trying to figure out a way that we could look at positive benefits that exist in the community and build on them to build tourism,” Koster said, adding they started off with experiential tourism workshops. Metansinine said they held three workshops in the local area, including an Ojibwe language workshop at a historical site on Lake Nipigon, a porcupine-quilling workshop at the Nipigon Museum and a traditional teachings workshop.

“The idea was to try to … illustrate there are all kinds of really amazing opportunities available within Aboriginal culture and also with the actual physical location of Lake Helen,” Koster said, explaining they identified traditional crafts such as porcupine quilling and traditional foods as being potential opportunities which people from outside the region find amazing. “So what you have in your own backyard you can utilize as a tourism endeavour,” Metansinine said. Belisle said a recent survey of American tourists indicated they wanted to see more of the First Nations culture in the Lake Nipigon area. “The majority of the comments that came back was they didn’t really see the Native culture in our area,” Belisle said. Koster said they are trying to figure out a way to capitalize on that interest, noting Lakehead University hosted an international tourism conference last year in the region and received plenty of positive comments about Lake Helen from people around the world. “The tourism opportunities they (Lake Helen) provided were second to none,” Koster said, sharing the conference participant’s comments. “They could not believe the amazing experience they were able to have that was provided by the community.” The two research projects demonstrated strong community involvement, solicited funding support for the community, generated jobs for local citizens and helped to determine a local plan of action for tourism. Lemelin and Koster have since developed several publications, papers, conference proceedings and technical reports for Parks Canada, all of which have included communitybased co-authors. Their research also generated undergraduate and graduate student involvement, as well as ongoing community relations.

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New style fiddle dancing a hit at Ranger recovers Great Moon Gathering body of missing Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Barbara Cheechooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new fiddle dancing styles were a hit at the 2010 Great Moon Gathering. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is what seems to grab the interest of a lot of the audience, doing the fancy footwork you do with the pattern dancing,â&#x20AC;? said the Grade 7 teacher at Delores D. Echum Composite School. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of the dances I learned were from out west, so I brought those here. This is actually my first year back after 30 years.â&#x20AC;? Cheechoo picked up the different dancing styles while she was teaching out west in Saskatchewan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We introduced different fiddle pattern dancing,â&#x20AC;? Cheechoo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I introduced the basic steps you would use in fiddle dancing, which is the waltz, the fox trot and the two step.â&#x20AC;? Cheechoo said she gradually added different patterns to the basic steps during her Feb. 19 dancing workshop; now many of the educators who took part in her workshop have invited

her to visit their communities to share the new dancing styles with their community members. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I find it is a positive way of bringing family together,â&#x20AC;? Cheechoo said, explaining that fiddle dancing has been part of her family for many years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of the older people here in the community saw the dancing and now they want me to teach it as an evening program.â&#x20AC;? Cheechoo said she is also planning to do fiddle dancing classes for youth in Moose Factory. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I notice in the communities we have a lot of children that are obese and there is a lot of diabetes,â&#x20AC;? Cheechoo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Implementing these types of extracurricular activities with the dancing helps these children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of them are interested in the dancing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I have a class of 19 and out of the 19 I have 12 who dance with me.â&#x20AC;? Cheechoo said the gathering enabled her to meet many educators from across the region; she also picked up some lessons on the ukulele and the harmonica.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was good to meet a lot of people and find out the different talents they have,â&#x20AC;? Cheechoo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody just enjoyed learning together.â&#x20AC;? Mushkegowuk Elders also shared stories and teachings with youth during the 2010 Youth & Elders Gathering Reclaiming Our Traditions For Future Youth Success, which was held in conjunction with the Great Moon Gathering. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Elders say they are happy to sit with the youth and youth are very proud to have been asked to sit with the Elders and listen to the stories they tell,â&#x20AC;? said Dayle Turner, youth co-ordinator with Mushkegowuk Council. She said youth and Elders from eight communities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Moose Cree, Kashechewan, Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Chapleau Cree, Taykwa Tagamou, Missanabie and Weenusk â&#x20AC;&#x201C; were in attendance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had about 50 youth (and) about nine to 10 Elders.â&#x20AC;? More than 300 people attended the Great Moon Gathering, which featured about 50 workshops such as the two Storytelling and Legends workshops delivered by Weenuskâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Louis Bird on both days of the Feb. 18-19 gathering. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had about 50 facilitators so we had a whole variety of workshops,â&#x20AC;? said Shanna Lesage-Cheechoo, the Great Moon Gathering co-ordinator. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Friday morning was geared towards cultural workshops only so everyone, even the facilitators that came down to do literacy or numeracy workshops or even health and wellness workshops, were able to take part in the cultural workshops. Everyone got to take part in the cultural aspect of the Cree.â&#x20AC;? The conference was geared towards educators within the communities, including daycare staff, early childhood educators, support staff, custodians, educational assistants, teachers, principals and board members. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was geared towards professional development trying to keep in line with the province,â&#x20AC;? Lesage-Cheechoo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to offer literacy and numeracy workshops â&#x20AC;Ś as well as the differentiated instruction, assessment evaluation. We also offered a lot of health and wellness workshops.â&#x20AC;?

Fort Severn man Peter Moon Special to Wawatay News

A 68-year-old Fort Severn man late returning from a trip to cut wood was found dead by a Canadian Ranger who went searching for him. When the man was late returning home Feb. 6 his wife phoned Sgt. Tommy Miles, who went looking for the man by himself. He left Fort Severn at 10:30 p.m., travelling alone because of the high price of gasoline in the community, Ontarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most northerly settlement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had shown him where we were cutting wood so I knew where to go looking for him,â&#x20AC;? Miles said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But when I found him he was hunched forward on his snowmobile and he was dead. He must have been dead for a couple of hours.â&#x20AC;? The dead man had died from natural causes. Miles returned to the community and assembled a body recovery team, consisting of

Tommy Miles Master Cpl. Chris Koostachin and community members Ernest Thomas, Alfred Bluecoat, Ryan Fair and Johnny Miles. They brought the body and the manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s snowmobile back to the community at 5.30 a.m. the next day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, it was sad,â&#x20AC;? Miles said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But it was the sort of thing the Rangers do in our communities.â&#x20AC;?

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Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Fisher heads Faith City Church Listen Live! WRN 89.9FM Sioux Lookout Bell ExpressVu Channel 962 Support your favourite team or teams by sponsoring a game to bring the action to your home. See page B3 for sponsorship information.

James Thom/Wawatay News

Long Lake #58’s Roma Fisher is the new head of Spirit Alive, a faith-based television show. Roma Fisher has a lot on his plate. He’s the pastor of Faith City Church in Thunder Bay, he’s the personal career development teacher at Confederation College and he’s the president and executive of Spirit Alive, a television-based ministry. “I’m very proud of the work we’ve been doing with Spirit Alive,” Fisher, a Long Lake #58 member, said. “It is incredible to be a part of this.” In August 2008, Fisher was selected to carry on the leadership of Spirit Alive, a First Nations focused television ministry. After 20 years, Ross Maracle, the pioneer and host of the program retired to pursue other endeavors. “I was a frequent guest on the show before taking it over,” Fisher said. The Spirit Alive headquarters were relocated to Thunder Bay and production of programs started in September 2008. Between sound mixers, camera crews and other duties, Fisher said it takes about six people to produce an episode of the television show. “We have great people who work with us and help us out,” Fisher said of the group who are all volunteers. More than just a religious program, Fisher said the show tackles issues facing today’s youth. Past programs have looked at mental health, motivation and education. “We like to tackle issues and make people aware they can get help, that help is out there,” he said. While following in the footsteps of Maracle, Fisher said he’s working on building the show’s audience, specifically youth from 14 to 24 years of age. “Those are the people who need the motivation. We’re trying to develop them as our niche,” Fisher said. “The existing audience (when he started) was older. We’re trying to keep them and get more youth involved.” Spirit Alive airs on several networks including Miracle Channel Saturdays at 5 p.m., VisionTV Thursdays at 7:30 a.m., CHEX TV Sundays at 6:30 a.m., CKWS TV Sundays 6:30 a.m. and on Thunder Bay Television Sundays at 11 a.m.–JT

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GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR CHILDREN’S AID. GO TO USEYOURVOICE.CA Photography: Robert Popkin. Creative: stcworks.ca

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

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A military videographer shoots Ranger Master Cpl. Albert Duncan showing Junior Canadian Rangers how to set rabbits snares.

Muskrat Dam Rangers star in video shoot Peter Moon Special to Wawatay News

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Junior Canadian Rangers from Muskrat Dam will feature prominently in two Canadian Forces videos that will promote the national Junior Ranger program. A team from the Canadian Forces’ Combat Camera unit spent four days in Muskrat Dam videotaping several aspects of Junior Ranger training, including snowmobiling, ice fishing and snaring. “I enjoyed myself,” said Junior Ranger Nathaniel Kakagamic. “It was fun. The best part was having to act. It’s the first time I’ve done anything like that.” In one scene, he and another Junior Ranger, Thomas Beardy, had to perform first aid on Junior Ranger Sarah Remus

and carry her to safety out of the bush. “I thought they were going to drop me, but they didn’t,” said Remus. Because the video team was on a tight time schedule many of the scenes had to be improvised, using a rabbit and a martin that had already been trapped and a walleye that was in a community resident’s freezer. The fish had to be thawed before it was placed on a fish hook and repeatedly lowered in and out of an ice fishing hole for the videographer. “Faking the ice fishing was the best part of it,” Remus said. “It looked funny but I guess it had to be done for the video.” The video team worked with two Canadian Rangers, Master Corporals William Barkman and Albert Duncan, and two Ranger instructors from Cana-

dian Forces Base Borden, Warrant Officer Mark Kendall and Sgt. James Doherty. “It’s been an amazing experience,” said Duncan. “I’ve really enjoyed the last two days. I never thought I’d be in a video before. Yes, you could say: ‘Join the Rangers and become a film star.’ But it’s fun, specially working with the kids. I love showing them how to hunt, trap and fish.” It was Kendall’s first visit to Ontario’s Far North. “This has been a great experience for me,” he said. “Working with the Junior Rangers is great. They were good kids for this video shoot.” In addition to the Junior Rangers in Muskrat Dam the two Canadian Forces videos will feature Junior Rangers from Quebec and Labrador.

ᑕᑯ ᑫᐧᐃᓇᐧᐊ ᐊᓂᓯᓂᓂᐧᐃ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᒪᐧᐃᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐊᑭᐠ ᐁᐃᓀᑫᓭᐠ ᑭᑭᓇᐊᒪᑫᐧᐃᐣ

Bachelor of Education Program Including Indigenous Knowledge and Land-based Curriculum A Joint Initiative of Northern Nishnawbe Education Council and Brock University Accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers When? Next Intake-September 2010 Where? Lac Seul First Nation Territory Program content? Accredited program to train Primary/Junior teachers

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Grade 12 or GED Diploma and Application Form Member, Sioux Lookout Area First Nation

June 30, 2010

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Closing the education gap, and shaping the world according to our cultural values.

SECTION B

March 4, 2010 Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

Playing hockey for the love of the game Debbie Mishibinijima Wawatay News

The Mushkegowuk Challenge Cup was held in Timmins Feb. 26-28 with 28 teams playing for trophies, medals, and bragging rights. Many of the teams for the minor league hockey tournament came from the communities of Fort Albany, Moose Factory, Kashechawan, Moosonee, and Timmins. The motto: playing for the love of the game. From the excitement of hockey moms, dads, siblings and grandparents, it was obvious the fans love the game. The Cree language spoken among the players was very noticeable. The strong use of language was great to hear. Playing in the three-day tournament were the teams from novice, atom, peewee, bantam, junior girls and midget divisions. The tykes division had an exhibition championship game. There were also several lighthearted exhibition games including the Moose Factory Wolverines playing against the Timmins Police, and the Mushkegowuk Chiefs, who challenged staff from the City of Timmins Fire Department. The final exhibition game pitted the Mushkegowuk Chiefs against the Moose Factory Wolverines. The game ended up with a tie of 7-7. The tournament took place at two different venues – the Sportsplex and the McIntyre arena. All the championship games took place at the McIntyre arena on Sunday afternoon. In the atoms division, the Moose

Debbie Mishibinijima/Wawatay News

The Moose Factory Scrappers of the junior girls division won the championship over Kash Stars at the Mushkegowuk Challenge Cup. The final score was 4-2. Cree Warriors won 4-3 against the Snipers—which consisted of players from Matagami and Timmins. The novice division saw the Moosonee Braves go head to head against Kash Leafs with a 3-1 for the Braves. The DC Moose beat out the Oilers (Timmins) in a 3-1 match in the Pee-

wee division championship game. The bantam division had an intense game between Moosonee and the DC Moose in the final. With the score tied after regulation, it would take two overtime periods before a winning goal was made by Moosonee in a 4-3 victory. The DC Moose are also made up of players from Moosonee, but reside

in Timmins. The Moose Factory Scrappers beat out the Kash Stars in a 4-2 upset in the junior girls division. Twelve-year old Summer Butterfly of Fort Albany played centre. Butterfly had words of encouragement for other girls wanting to play the game. “Try hard, keep skating, try your

best, and don’t give up,” she said. In the midget division championship, the Moose Factory Canadiens defeated Attawapiskat in a 7-0 defeat. The Attawapiskat team donned some really cool camouflage team uniforms. The trophy for the midget division championship was stolen, said tournament organizer, Terrence Hardisty.

WAWATAY Native Communications Society would like to Welcome all hockey players, fans and their families to the… Ch

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Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

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Debbie Mishibinijima/Wawatay News

An exhibition game was held between the Mushkegowuk Chiefs and the Moose Factory Wolverines at the Mushkegowuk Challenge Cup held in Timmins Feb 26-28. The teams walked away in a dead heat with the final score 7-7.

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

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WAWATAY Radio Network 89.9 FM

Sioux Lookout, Ontario

SPONSORSHIP FORM 2010 Northern First Nations Hockey Tournament The NFN Hockey Tournament is once again happening from March 15 to the 21st, 2010 in Sioux Lookout. Wawatay Radio Network will, once again, be broadcasting live play-by-play coverage of this Big Event. Only because of your generous sponsorships are we able to broadcast the Tournament. Please support your favorite team or teams from your area. WAWATAY Radio Network is pleased to hear of your potential sponsorships. In order to proceed will you please take a moment to ﬁll out the form below and fax it to (807) 737-3224 or (807) 737-1403. Yes, I wish to sponsor live play-by-play action of the NFN Hockey Tournament for: ____________________________________________________ Game/Hour at $150.00 per team. For Community: _________________________________________________________________ Team Name: _________________________________________________________________ # of games: _________________________________________________________________ Name of Sponsor: _________________________________________________________________ Send the invoice to: _________________________________________________________________ (your address) _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Or payable to: Wawatay Radio Network (Sponsorships) Play by Play Hockey Live Coverage c/o Wawatay Native Communications Society P.O. Box 1180 Sioux Lookout, Ont. P8T 1B7 AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________________________ Purchase Order # (If applicable): ______________________________________________________

You may listen to the live play-by-play action on

89.9FM or across Canada on Bell ExpressVu Channel 962 or online at www.wawataynews.ca, streaming it LIVE!

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Negahneewin students gather sports donations for Cat Lake Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Cat Lake’s Titotay Memorial School will soon receive bags of sports equipment, thanks to nine Negahneewin College students. “Our goal is to send hockey bags full of sporting equipment, including hockey skates, baseball equipment, soccer equipment, up to Cat Lake’s Tototay Memorial School,” said Nicole McKay, a student in Negahneewin’s Aboriginal Law and Advocacy program. “We have been going into the Thunder Bay community and picking up

Listen Live! WRN 89.9FM Sioux Lookout Bell ExpressVu Channel 962 Support your favourite team or teams by sponsoring a game to bring the action to your home. See page B3 for sponsorship information.

equipment – those are the people that share their input. They want it to go to someone that will make good use of it.” A number of businesses and organizations in Thunder Bay are helping out with the sports equipment drive, including Winmar, Wasaya Airways, Oshki Anishnabe Student Association, NAN Decade for Youth, Thunder Bay Minor Hockey Association, The Sports Dome, Thunder Bay Chill SC, Boston Pizza, Ming, McFit, Student Union of Confederation College Inc., and the Thunder Bay Boys and Girls Club. “Their school burned down a

few years ago, so all their sports equipment went up in the fire as well,” McKay said. “We have about two hockey bags of equipment so far.” Sports equipment can be dropped off at The Sports Dome and outside the SUCCI office at Confederation College. Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Negahneewin College Aboriginal Law and Advocacy student Nicole McKay, right, and a number of her classmates recently held a sports equipment drive at Confederation College and around Thunder Bay for donations to Cat Lake’s Titotay Memorial School.

Welcome all Northern First Nations Hockey Tournament players, fans and family to Sioux Lookout! Good luck to all teams! Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce 737-1937 www.siouxlookout.com

Wawatay Radio Network presents... Live play~by~play action of the

2010 Northern First Nations Hockey Tournament Monday, March 15th to Sunday, March 21st

Volunteers are needed. If you are a youth who needs to make up volunteer hours, contact Randy Moskotaywenene at randym@wawatay.on.ca or at (807) 737-2951 Listen Live! WRN 89.9FM Sioux Lookout Bell ExpressVu Channel 962 Online streaming and updated scores at www.wawataynews.ca

Reservoir Ice Dogs ready for Northern tourney Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Men’s hockey teams from across the north are pumped up for another round of the Northern First Nations Hockey tournament. “The team is all pumped up and ready to go,” said Gerald Kejick, coach of the Lac Seul Reservoir Ice Dogs. “We’re one of the three teams representing Lac Seul First Nation.” Kejick said his team, which is sponsored by Lac Seul, has been preparing for the tournament by scrimmaging at the community’s outdoor rink and the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena. “Since mid-November, ice was booked at the Sioux Lookout Arena once a week Saturdays for an hour and a half,” Kejick said. “We have two players coming in, one from Saskatchewan, Jason Bull, and another player coming from North Bay, Peter Quedent, so we have some off-reserve representation.” Kejick listed forward Jordan Ross and Quedent, a defenceman who has played on a Little NHL midget championship team, as players to watch, but noted the team is still looking for another goalie. “(Quedent) is a ‘AA’ midget

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Lac Seul Reservoir Ice Dogs coach Gerald Kejick recently spoke about his team’s preparations for the 10th Annual Northern First Nations Hockey tournament. player so he should be pretty good,” Kejick said, adding that only two of his players are new to the tournament, and that Lac Seul’s close location to Sioux Lookout is an advantage for the team in the tournament. “I’d say it’s an advantage,” Kejick said. “The cost is not so great because we can travel from Lac Seul to the hockey tournament every day for our

games.” The 10th Annual Northern First Nations Hockey tournament is scheduled for March 15-21 at the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena, with 36 teams registered to play. Last year’s action featured 34 teams, with Eabametoong’s Bushtown Jets beating Lac Seul’s Obishikokang Islanders 5-1 to win the A-Side championship. The Michikan Mavericks beat the Mishkeegogamang Falcons 6-3 to win the B-Side championship while the Lac Seul Blizzard beat the KI Strikers 5-4 to win the C-Side championship. Tournament organizer Margaret Kenequanish said tournament organizers may have to adjust game times or use another arena on March 17 to accommodate the four extra entries allowed to play this year and a regularly-scheduled Sioux Flyer hockey game midway through the week. Kenequanish said the tournament does not specify how many teams are allowed to enter from each community; teams are accepted into the tournament on a first-come first-serve basis upon full payment of the $2,000 entry fee. The deadline for registering teams was Feb. 25.

NNEC welcomes all fans and hockey teams to the 10th Annual Northern First Nations Hockey Tournament March 2010 Wishing everyone a pleasant stay and “good luck” to all hockey teams! From the NNEC Board of Directors, staff and students!

Northern Nishnawbe Education Council Head Office: Frenchman’s Head Band Office, Lac Seul First Nation, Ontario Mailing address: P.O. Box 1419, Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B9 Tel: (807)582-3245 Fax: (807)582-3865

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Home improvement guru Jon Eakes, right, helps two competitors during the first Builders Challenge competition at the 8th Annual First Nations Northern Housing Conference 2010.

NAN working to address housing crisis Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Lacking infrastructure in NAN communities is contributing to a major housing crisis in Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) territory says NAN Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit. “We have a major crisis in housing – this has been happening for the past few years,” Louttit said during the 8th Annual First Nations Housing Conference Feb. 23-25 in Thunder Bay. “As I speak, we have a backlog of almost 5,000 homes, 4,752 to be precise based on information we got from the INAC (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada) database.” Based on estimates from

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Louttit said $1.2 billion is needed to immediately fix the housing problem in the NAN territory. “That is the challenge we are faced with, including associated infrastructure, water, sewer, roads and hydro,” Louttit said. “I just came back from Kasabonika. “They can’t even hook up one new house because their diesel plant is overextended to the max right now. They can’t build any new facilities or new houses because they just don’t have enough power.” Louttit said other NAN communities are in similar situations regarding their infrastructure.

“NAN, the political organization, can only lobby and advocate on behalf of our First Nations at the political level,” Louttit said. “What we are going to do is treat this housing crisis as an industry and as a business opportunity, an economic development venture.” Louttit said NAN is planning to work with off-reserve partners to build houses for members who currently live off reserve, noting that more than 50 per cent of NAN’s band members are currently living off reserve. “We are hoping to get the entity incorporated this spring,” Louttit said. “We will be concentrating more on consolidating

some of these projects to take advantage of scale and scope. There will be a lot of cost efficiencies that go with that.” Louttit said the Canadian demographic is pyramid shaped, while the First Nation demographic is larger in the middle. “Because we have a great Louttit population of youth from the ages of 15 to 25,” Louttit said, “that presents a lot of pressures on First Nations communities to provide housing for new family formations, single mothers, elderly, handicapped, special

The Mayor and Council of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout wish to thank the organizers of the

All hockey players, fans and families to

The 10th Annual First Nations Hockey Tournament in Sioux Lookout! Greg Rickford, MP

10th Annual Northern First Nations Hockey Tournament for all the hard work and dedication that went into bringing this event to Sioux Lookout. A big welcome to all the players and supporters who visit Sioux Lookout. Phone: Fax: Email: Website:

ing he worked on about 2,000 houses, including infrastructure, over a four-year period in northern Quebec. “Similarly, in the NAN territory we are planning on undertaking a similar strategy. We will be using housing as an industry and as a business.” Louttit said NAN is currently assisting First Nations in applying for more housing. “We hope to begin to meet some of the requests that we have been getting from our First Nations in NAN territory to start working with them at the ground level,” Louttit said. “Hopefully, we can start reducing the backlogs that are happening in our communities.”

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needs. This trend is continuing.” Louttit said by 2019 over 8,000 homes will be needed in NAN territory and in 20 years the backlog will be about 12,000 units. “These (figures) are from the INAC website, so we need to do something about it.” Louttit said NAN has been challenged to do something about the housing shortage as their population continues to increase. “I have been working in housing since 1975 – I have developed housing projects right from scratch to completion in many communities, both in northern Quebec and northern Ontario,” Louttit said, explain-

807- 737-2700 807- 737-3436 admin@siouxlookout.ca www.siouxlookout.ca

Shibogama First Nations Council welcomes and wishes good luck to all the teams of the 2010 Northern First Nations Hockey Tournament. Shibogama First Nations Council Kingfisher Lake First Nation Kasabonika Lake First Nation Wapekeka First Nation Wunnumin Lake First Nation Wawakapewin First Nation PO Box 449, 81 King Street Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1A5 Phone (807) 737-2662 Fax:(807) 737-1583 www.shibogama.on.ca

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

New elementary school for North Spirit Lake

Street-level marketing

North Spirit Lake First Nation is getting a new kindergarten to Grade 9 school in the community. The $15 million project will accommodate over 90 students and construction of the school is to be completed in 2011.

“The new school will improve the educational outcomes for the community’s students.” – Rita Thompson

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win’s Janet Napash held a program information booth Feb. 25 Victoriaville Centre in Thunder Bay for people interested in taking classes at the centre Feb. 25 at the. Dozens of people stopped to inquire about the Oshki.

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre extends a warm welcome to All Northern First Nation hockey players, fans, and their families to Sioux Lookout!

Greg Rickford, Kenora MP, made the announcement Feb. 26. “Our government believes First Nation youth deserve the best possible facilities in which to learn and thrive,” he said.

Cindy Tait wins truck in Sachigo Lake derby James Thom Wawatay News

Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre wishes everyone their personal health, wellness, well being and wholeness! Remember, hockey is a game, and everyone wants to be a champion! We are all champions when we play the game in the spirit of mino de’ewin, (a good heart). We can all be winners in preventing infections by handwashing regularly!

WASH YOUR HANDS! Hand washing is the most effective way to stop the spread of illness. Wash your hands often! Working Hand in Hand with our communities to build a healthier future.

www.slmhc.on.ca

North Spirit Lake Chief Rita Thompson is optimistic the new school will contribute to student success. “The new school will improve the educational outcomes for the community’s students. The school represents hope for our young people, who will one day be our leaders,” Thompson said. The new school in North Spirit Lake is part of the $200 million for new schools and major renovations included in the $1.4 billion investment for Aboriginal people under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. “Our government is working in partnership with North Spirit Lake to ensure its youth will attend classes in a healthy and safe environment and build life skills for a strong future. Our government’s Economic Action Plan is creating local jobs and helping to stimulate the economy,” Rickford said. –CK

When the last fish was reeled in, Cindy Tait came out on top. The catch of the day in this case wasn’t tuna, marlin or sturgeon, it was a GMC Sierra crew cab truck. Tait won the 2010 vehicle in Sachigo Lake First Nation’s annual ice fishing derby Feb. 20. Other winners included Stanley G. Tait who won a 2009 Pontiac Montana SV6 for placing second. John Fiddler won three allterrain vehicles for placing third in the annual contest. A 50-inch plasma TV and surround-sound system went

to Jason Cutfeet for placing fourth. In fifth place was Brent Simms, who earned an HP computer system. In sixth place was Don Chikane, who won Tim McGraw concert tickets and $1,200 in cash. A $700 Cabela’s gift certficate went to seventh place winner Ella Barkman. Fred Barkman won $700 worth of meat for placing eighth in the competition. Sonny Fiddler won a Stihl chainsaw and accessories for placing ninth. Morley Tait placed tenth and won a $500 gift certificate to Al’s Sports.

Welcome All Players Lac Seul

Pikangikum

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug

Muskrat Dam

Whitesand

Independent First Nations Alliance IFNA wishes good luck to all the teams! HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE TOURNAMENT 98 King street, Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1K6 PH: (807) 737-1902

From Sioux Lookout

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Under attack Elder recalls incident with wolf Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug’s Stanley Bluecoat recent encounter with a wolf was told to Josie McKay, who retold the story on the Wawatay Radio Network. Here are some highlights of the story. The story is translated from Oji-cree. There was a wood trail into the bush that goes quite a ways. All the wood has been taken out, it had all been chopped out. There is nothing to be seen where the wood used to be. And they had made a trail and they are still getting wood. He said he had taken one load out of the bush, down to the lake, or wherever he piled them. He used a Ski-doo. He had dropped some wood off that main trail. When he went for another load, while he was loading the wood onto his sleigh, he said he sensed something. He was feeling something. “When I looked behind me, I saw a wolf standing there facing me, and he jumped on me,” he said. “I gave him an elbow and knocked him off of me and he attacked me again. I grabbed the wood that I was putting on my sleigh and I hit him with that,” he said, to get him away from him so it doesn’t bite him or fight him. He (the wolf) ran off into the bush, he said. That he was able to thwart the attack, and that is what is so dangerous here – the wolves, that are around, and I wanted to give this what happened to this man while he was loading up the wood on the snowmobile. That while he was working and when he turned to look behind him he saw this wolf standing behind him and the

wolf attacked him after that. The wolves are very dangerous. And that is what I think, living here. That is my wolf story as clear as it happened for all the First Nations people to understand how this wolf came up to this man, this wolf was trying to kill him. That is what I know. The children are always running around. They don’t sit still. I had mentioned to the chief maybe we shouldn’t allow the children to play at night. They are playing hockey. There is an arena here in Big Trout and some of them do get rides home after they go skating because it is so dangerous right now because of what is happening. I said we should try to curb our activities during this time, but of course, nobody listened to when they have something important to say that could help us during these times. Trying to help ourselves from having bad things happen to us. There was another young person, I didn’t ask that person, Stanley Bluecoat, was the one that told me this story, but there was another young man that had been attacked by the wolf as well over at the garbage dump, in much the same situation. I did see where he was bitten on his leg by the wolf. I don’t know what that young man did because young people don’t understand us speaking in our language, so I didn’t ask him because I don’t know his phone number, but I did hear the wolf did leave a bite mark on his leg. I went out on the lake yesterday with my wife to go and check my net.

And I told her to watch out for the wolf. She said: “Oh there they are, far away, on the ice, along the shore.” He was talking about him and his wife seen the wolves coming out on the ice along the shore quite a distance away. There were four of them at least, and we did take a gun along in case they came after us so that I would have something to shoot them with. This morning, I didn’t see anything. There was wind on the lake and it blew snow over, so there were no tracks. Take care of the children, to get the children in the house and to take good care of them. That is what is so dangerous what the wolves are doing. These are not the small ones – these are the big timber wolves. However, I did hear in the past how the smaller wolves were very dangerous back then. Those ones, they travel in packs, and it is true that they would probably kill somebody who was by themselves and if they didn’t have anything to defend themselves with. But here in our community, the police go looking around to make sure that there are no wolves. They do keep an eye out for them. I hope that they check all the other homes because there are homes that are quite far apart and away from the main part of the community. The full transcript of the transcript of the interview can be found online at www.wawataynews.ca/radio. An audio recording of the interview in Oji-Cree is also online.

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Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Webequie gets new diesel station Chris Kornacki Wawatay News

Webequie First Nation has been granted funding for a $16.4-million diesel generating station. The one-megawatt facility is expected to meet the current and future electrical needs of Webequie. Greg Rickford, MP for Kenora, made the announcement Feb. 25 in the community on behalf of Indian and North-

ern Affairs Canada. “Our government believes investing in a reliable generating plant is fundamental for building strong and self-reliant First Nation communities,” Rickford said. Materials for the new diesel station are expected to be shipped using the current winter roads and construction is anticipated to begin in the spring. “Sustainable and reliable electrical generation is crucial

Reforming Team Ontario

to the future economic growth and development opportunities for the community of Webequie,” Chief Cornelius Wabasse said. “It is vital to improving our self reliance.” The new facility will have three generator machine bays, a waste storage and mechanical room and a main control room. It will be located near Webequie’s airport and will include an access road, step-up transformers and bulk fuel storage tanks.

International Women’s Day

March 8, 2010

Roxann Shapwaykeesic/Wawatay News

Almost 20 volunteers for Aboriginal Team Ontario met in Toronto Feb. 20 to restructure the Provincial Aboriginal Sports Body. When the previous sports body dissolved in 2007, Team Ontario was almost not able to participate in the 2008 North American Indigenous Games. Organizers now have an open call for coaching staff and athletes to identify themselves to the Aboriginal Team Ontario NAIG Committee. Corrine Fox of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Lynn Lavallee of Metis Nation of Ontario, Judy Pike of Ministry of Health Promotion, Gina Doxtator of Oneida First Nations, Kris Johnson of Six Nations and Marvin Assinewai, president of Little NHL discuss the recommendations outlined in the Final Report of the 2008 Aboriginal Sport & Recreation Environmental Scan.

Celebrating Women’s Talents Sunset Suites 6:30 - 11:00 pm Free Appetizers and Cash Bar There will be items for sale

Come out and watch the show

We are here to celebrate women on this day This event is free of charge - everyone welcome Anyone interested in participating in this event please call Carmelia at First Step Women’s Shelter 737-1438

Resource development will not progress without consent: Beardy Chris Kornacki Wawatay News

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy says any development in the area known as the Ring of Fire will be halted without the consent of First Nations. Beardy is reacting to Ontario’s Liberal government proposed five-year plan, Open Ontario, that includes plans to develop a large chromite deposit in the Ring of Fire area. “The province can make any promises they want but at the end of the day there will be no

resource development happening on our homelands without consent by First Nations,” Beardy said. The Ring of Fire is an area between Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations, about 500 kilometers northeast of Thunder Bay. It is the subject of an ongoing blockade by Marten Falls and Webequie that began Jan. 18. “We are not against the development, however, we want a guarantee that we will have meaningful participation and economic benefits from the development or we will have

no choice but to halt it,” Beardy said. Marten Falls and Webequie have outlined a list of ten issues and have presented them to both the government and mineral exploration companies. Currently, ice landing strips at both Koper Lake and McFaulds Lake have been closed to prevent further mineral exploration and development from continuing in the Ring of Fire area until the outlined issues have been resolved. Open Ontario will be unveiled March 8 in a throne speech.

Welcome Hockey Players, Fans & Families Convenience Store • Large Souvenir Collection • Snacks & Sandwiches • Fireworks • Gas Bar • Laundromat • Stuffed Animals • Aboriginal CD’s & Tapes Starting Tuesday, March 16 - Monday, March 22, 2010 Breakfast Buffet: March 16 - 22 From 7:00 - 11:00 AM Lunch Buffett: March 16 - 22 From 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Dinner Buffett: March 16 - 22 From 5 PM - 10:00 PM Closed Monday, March 22 at 10 PM Pizza, Chicken & Wings: Daily at 11:00 AM

67 Wellington Street , Sioux Lookout • Phone 737-4030

SECTION C

March 4, 2010 Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

Be creative; share the language Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Best practices in teaching First Nation students was the primary focus of the Matawa First Nations 3rd BiAnnual Education Conference. “The message we (shared) was to be creative, share the language and provide opportunities to learn in a fun and engaging environment,” said Kathy Beardy, who facilitated a number of workshops, including Best Practices in Native Language Learning and Teaching, during the Feb. 16-18 conference in Thunder Bay. “We went through different language activity games using flash cards. We talked about best practices, classroom settings, things you can do in (the classroom) to help students learn the language.” Beardy said the educators also shared some of their own ideas for teaching language to their students. “Quite a few of them said they (picked up) some ideas they could add to their current language methods,” Beardy said. Bruce Beardy, who co-facilitated with Kathy Beardy, said the educators learned how to create language files and slides on their computers. “It can be simple words like simple nouns but it can be also complex using

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Algonquin Avenue Public School vice-principal and teacher Darren Lentz showed a number of educators how to make a birch bark container during his Traditional Technologies workshop at the Matawa First Nations 3rd Bi-Annual Education Conference in Thunder Bay. The conference was held Feb. 25-26. sentences with nouns and verbs,” Beardy said. “They were very excited about that, that they are able to produce their own slides .”

Beardy said the educators were also interested in the new Matawa Education website that was announced during the conference.

“Many of their resources and curriculum will be included in that website under languages,” Beardy said. Murray Waboose, Matawa Educa-

tion’s education advisor, said the conference was a success with considerably more participants than expected. “We targeted everybody within the school,” Waboose said. “We had training for board members, we also had training for operations and maintenance workers. They got real certificates out of it – WHMIS, Emergency First Aid, and Facility Management.” The conference featured about 16 workshops per day on a variety of topics, such as new online toolkit, effective administration practices, digital storytelling engaging literacy projects through technology, aboriginal arts and culture in the classroom, building a safe school, engaging boys in literacy Grades 7-10 and land based programs. “For the teachers we wanted to make sure they had relevant workshops that focused on better teaching strategies, differential training, classroom management … as well as curriculum development,” Waboose said. “We also infused language and culture into the conference. We wanted to support our native language teachers by providing them with an opportunity and we wanted to get their feedback because we want to establish an advisory committee for our Matawa language area.” see next page

ᓇᓇᑲᐤ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᒋᐊᐃᐣᑐᑕᒪᐣ, ᒋᔭᐸᒋᑐᔭᐣ ᑲᔦ ᑭᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧᑭᔐᐃᐧᐣ ᕑᐃᐠ ᑲᕑᐃᐠ ᐊᐧᐊᐧᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ

ᓂᐦᓴᐧ ᐊᔕ ᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌ ᐅᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᓂᔕᐧ ᐯᔑᑯᔭᑭ ᑲᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᐅᑯᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᒪᑕᐊᐧ ᑲᐅᒋᑎᐯᐣᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᐊᓂᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᑭᐃᔑᒥᓄᓭᑭᐸᐣ ᑲᐱᒥ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ, ᒥᐦᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᒪᔭᑦ ᑲᑭᐱᒥᔭᓂᒧᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ. ᐣᑭᐊᐧᐃᐧᑕᒪᑎᒥᐣ ᓇᓇᑲᐤ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᒋᐊᐃᐣᑐᑕᒪᐠ, ᒋᔭᐸᒋᑐᔭᐠ ᐣᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᐤᑭᔐᐧᐃᐧᓂᓇᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐃᒪ ᒋᑕᐃᐧᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᑫᑕᔑ ᒐᒋᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᐱᒥ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐃᐧᑕᐧ, ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑲᑎ ᐯᕑᑎ, ᑲᑭᐱᒧᑐᐨ ᐊᑎᐟ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐃᒪ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᐠ, ᐊᔑᐨ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᑫᐃᔑᒥᓄᓭᑭᐸᐣ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᔭᓂᔑᓂᓂᒧᐃᐧᑭᔐᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐱ ᑭᔐᐱᓯᑦ 16 ᒥᓇ 18 ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑕᐣᑐᕑ ᐯ. ᒥᔑᐣ ᐸᐸᑲᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᒧᐃᐧ ᒣᑕᐁᐧᐃᐧ ᐃᔑᒋᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐣᑭᑐᑕᒥᐣ ᐁᑭᔭᐸᒋᐦᐊᑭᑕᐧ ᑌᐦᐊᒪᓇᐠ ᑲᐃᔑ ᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᑭᐣ

ᑫᑯᓇᐣ. ᐣᑭᐊᐧᐃᐧᑕᒪᑎᒥᐣ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᑐᑕᒪᐠ ᑫᐃᔑᒥᓄᓭᐠ ᐣᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂᓇᐣ, ᑫᐃᔑᓇᑯᑐᔭᐠ ᑲᑕᔑ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᔕᐠ, ᐊᓂᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑫᑭᑐᑕᒪᐸᐣ ᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᑕᐧ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐱᒋᓂᑭᑫᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᔑᑭᔐᐧᐃᐧᓂ. ᐯᕑᑎ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐠ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᑭᐃᐧᐣᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᓂᐣ ᐁᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᒧᐃᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐊᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᔕᐣ. ᒥᔑᐣ ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᑭᐅᒋ ᑲᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᐃᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᒥᑕᐡ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᑫᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐱᒥ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ, ᐃᑭᑐ ᐯᕑᑎ. ᐱᕑᐅᐢ ᐯᕑᑎ, ᐊᒥᐦᐊᐁᐧ ᑲᑭᐅᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐨ ᑲᑎ ᐯᕑᑎ, ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᑭ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐊᐧᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐠ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᐃᔑᐸᐱᑭᓯᔭᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᔭᓂᔑ ᑲᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᒐᑲᑌᓯᒋᑲᓂᐊᐧ ᐃᒪ ᐅᒪᒪᐣᑕᐃᐧᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᒥᐊᐧ. ᑭᔭᒥᑯ ᑲᐁᐧᐣᑕᑭᐣ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᐧᓀᓴᐣ ᑐᑲᐣ ᐊᐃᐧᔭ ᑲᐊᓂᒧᒥᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᔕᑯᐨ ᒥᓇ ᒋᐃᔑᔭᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᓇᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᔭᓂ ᐊᓂᒪᑭᐣ ᑐᑲᐣ ᐊᐃᐧᔭ ᑲᐊᓂᒧᒥᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑕᐱᐡᑯᐨ

ᑫᑯᐣ ᑲᑐᑕᐠ, ᐃᑭᑐ ᐯᕑᑎ. ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᑯ ᐅᑭ ᑭᒋᓀᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ, ᐁᑭᑲᐡᑭᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐱᑯ ᐁᑭᐅᔑᑕᒪᓱᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᒐᑲᑌᓯᒋᑲᓂᐊᐧ ᒥᓇ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᐡᑯᓄᐦᐊᐊᐧᐨ. ᐯᕑᑎ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐠ ᑲᔦ ᐅᑭ ᑭᒋᓀᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᑭᐅᐡᑭ ᐅᓇᒋᑲᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᒪᒪᐣᑕᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ ᒪᑕᐊᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧ ᐁᐧᑊᓴᔾᐟ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐁᐃᐧᐣᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐁᑕᐊᐧᑯᓯᐠ. ᒥᔑᐣ ᐃᐡᑯᓄ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑕᔭᒋᑲᑌᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᔑ ᑭᑭᓇᐊᐧᒋᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧᑭᔐᐧᐃ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ, ᐃᑭᑐ ᐯᕑᑎ. ᒪᕑᐃ ᐊᐧᐳᐢ, ᒪᑕᐊᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᐃᔑ ᑭᑭᓄᐡᑲᒪᑫᐃᐧᔭᓄᑭᐨ, ᐃᑭᑐ ᒥᑐᓂ ᑭᒥᓄᓭ ᑲᑭᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᒥᓇ ᓇᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑭᐅᒋ ᒥᔑᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᓄᑯᑦ ᐊᐱᐨ ᑲᑭᐃᓀᒋᑲᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ ᒋᑕᓯᓄᐊᐧᐨ. ᐣᑭᑲᑫᐧ ᑌᐱᓇᒥᐣ ᑲᑭᓇ ᑲᐊᓄᑭᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ, ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᐳᐢ. ᑭ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐊᐧᑲᓄᐸᓂᐠ ᑲᐊᐱᑕᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐸᒥᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑲᓯᓂᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ. ᐱᓂᐡ ᑲᔦ ᑭᔭᓂᑌᐱᓇᒪᓱᐊᐧᐠ ᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᓀᓯᓂ ᐊᐱ ᑲᑭᔑᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ, ᑐᑲᐣ

ᑫᐃᔑ ᐊᔭᑲᐧᓂᒥᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ, ᑫᑕᑕᐁᐧᐣ ᑫᑯᐣ ᑲᐅᒋᐃᓯᓭᐨ ᐊᐃᐧᔭ ᑫᐃᔑᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᑫᐃᔑᑲᓇᐁᐧᑕᐠ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᓂ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᐁᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᒪᐤ 16 ᑭᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᐊᐧᐣ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐯᔑᑯᑭᔑᑲ ᑐᑲᐣ ᒪᒪᐣᑕᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ ᑫᐅᐣᑎᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐃᐧᐣ, ᑫᐃᔑᓇᐦᐃᓭᐠ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᐣ, ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᑎᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ, ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐃᔑᒪᒋᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᑎᓯᐃᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ, ᑫᐃᔑᐱᒧᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᒋᐸᔭᑕᑭᓭᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᐠ, ᒋᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐃᐧᑕ ᓇᐯᓴᐠ ᐊᔭᒥᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ 7 ᐊᑯᓇᐠ 10 ᑲᐊᐱᒋᑭᑫᑕᓱᐊᐧᐨ, ᐱᑲᐧᑕᑭᐠ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧ ᐃᔑᒋᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ. ᐣᑭᑲᑫᐧᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᒥᐣ ᐅᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐠ ᐊᓂᐣ ᒪᔭᑦ ᑫᑭᐅᒋ ᑲᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᒋᐃᓯᓭᓂᐠ ᐅᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ, ᐸᐸᑲᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᑲᑭᑭᐦᐊᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ, ᑫᐃᔑᐱᒧᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐱᒥ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐧᐅᔑᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᐃᔑᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ, ᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᐳᐢ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐣᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᒥᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᒪ ᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᐁᐃᐧᐊᓱᐡᑲᐊᐧᑭᑕᐧ ᑲᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧᑭᔐᐧ

ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᑕᐃᐧᓇᒪᐃᐧᑕᐧ ᒋᐃᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᐃᔑᓂᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᒋᐅᓂᓇᑭᑕᐧ ᐃᒪ ᒋᐃᔑᐊᐱᑕᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᑕᐊᐧ ᐃᓀᑫ ᑲᐃᔑᑭᔐᐧᐊᐧᐨ. ᐊᐧᐳᐢ ᐃᑭᑐ ᒪᑕᐊᐧ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᐅᑭᓇᐣᑭᐊᑐᓇᐣ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᑫᔭᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᒧᐃᐧᑭᔐᐧ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ. ᐣᐸᑯᓭᐣᑕᒥᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᑲᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ, ᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᐳᐢ. ᐊᒥᐦᐅᐁᐧ ᑲᔦ ᑲᐃᐧᑲᑫᐧ ᑭᐁᐧᑲᒋᑎᓇᒪᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᑭᑭᔭᐸᑕᐠ ᐊᔕ ᑲᔦ ᐣᑕᔭᒥᐣ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᐅᒪᓯᓇᐦᐅᑎᓱᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᐃᓯᓭᐸᐣ ᒋᑭᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᒥᑐᓂ ᓇᓇᑲᑕᐊᐧᐸᑕᒪᑭᐸᐣ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᑫᑭᐃᔑ ᐃᐧᒋᑲᐸᐃᐧᑕᐊᐧᑭᑕᐧᐸᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ. ᑌᕑᐊᐣ ᓫᐁᐣᐢ ᐃᔑᓂᑲᓱ ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᑲᓂᑕ ᐃᐧᑲᐧᓯᒋᒪᓂᑫᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᑭᐱᐃᐧᐣᑕᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᑲᐡᑭᑐᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐃᔑᒪᒋᐨ ᑲᐃᐧᑲᐧᓯᒋᒪᓂᑫᐨ ᐊᐱ ᐃᐡᑲᐧᔭᐨ ᑲᑭᔐᐸᔭᓂᐠ ᑲᐊᓂ ᐃᐡᑲᐧᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᓇᓄᐊᐧᓂᐠ. ᐃᓇᐱᐣ ᐸᑭᑭᓂᑲᓂᐠ 4

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Constance Lake artist John Ferris described the Great Rivers Education Project during a session of the Matawa Regional Committee on Education Meeting on the final day of the Matawa First Nations 3rd BiAnnual Education Conference

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from page C1 Waboose said Matawa has posted more online resources for their language teachers at Matawa’s newly reconfigured education website. “We hope that will help by providing online resources to teachers,” Waboose said. “Language is something we want to try to revitalize – we have a chiefs resolution and I think we need to look at and explore better ways of supporting our language teachers.” Birch-bark canoe builder Darren Lentz shared his birchbark knowledge and construction techniques with a group of educators on the final morning of the conference. “It is truly an amazing tree,” said the Algonquin Avenue Public School vice principal and teacher. “It has great potential for teaching students because it is definitely a metaphor for life. It is a tree of life and it really brings life into the students and the different activities you can do with it.”

Lentz showed the educators how to make birch-bark baskets, pin and ring games using evergreen boughs as the ring, bark sgraffito – which involves scraping birch bark to leave a design, and hand drums. “I always tell people to remember those teachings – culture, language, land and community – with every group,” Lentz said. “A community comes together to build a canoe, so community is in these crafts inherently. You can really build a sense of community in your classroom if you bring these in and set them up as a centre for the students to do these kinds of activities.” Constance Lake artist John Ferris spoke about a proposal to develop the Great Rivers Education Project during a session of the Matawa Regional Committee on Education Meeting on the final day of the conference. “The Great Rivers Education Project will explore the historical backgrounds and traditional customs of three First

Nation communities situated on the main river systems that flow north into James Bay: the Attawapiskat, the Albany and the Moose Rivers,” Ferris said. “For First Nations children and youth in the many communities along these rivers that flow northeast into James Bay, learning should incorporate the history, culture and values of the people.” Ferris said the project would provide teaching resources for the communities as well as others across the country. “We would like to get more feedback from the Elders that are still living today and capable to speak with us today,” Ferris said. “With these stories and the art aspect of it, I would like to get 10 different artists with 10 different styles so we can incorporate these stories onto canvas.” Keynote speakers included Dr. Emily Faries, Constance Lake Chief Arthur Moore, Dr. Seth Agbo, Brenda Small and

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Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

One century of Promoting women in leadership Training session works to raise self-esteem Hollywood’s ‘Reel Injun’ Debbie Mishibinijima Wawatay News

Debbie Mishibinijima REVIEW

inally, there is a movie about Hollywood’s strong influence on the portrayal of Aboriginal people. Many of us are familiar with the stoic, strong, man. Then there is, of course, that same strong man being the savage. And the one that shapes many people’s consciousness – the drunken Indian. The film, Reel Injun, is Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond’s documentary into the past, present and future of North American Native people being depicted on the big screen. The documentary style film was captivating from beginning to end. The images we see are thought provoking and even downright humorous. Well known, and lesser known actors, filmmakers, artists and activists are interviewed. There is a narrative by Adam Beach about the systemic racism that has plagued the screens from the beginning of cinema in the late 18th century. We even get to see a movie clip of Beach from the movie Flags of our Fathers, where he portrays a young Ira Hayes – a decorated veteran. The young warrior wants to have one more visit with his mom before he goes off to fight in battle. Great, famous war chiefs are featured as well. Chief Sitting Bull is credited with being the last chief to fight to stay on his traditional homelands. The price he and his tribe had to pay was a shocking massacre of 300 elders, men, women, children and babies. A descendent of Chief Sitting Bull is thankful that the true story of his great-grandfathers murder is truthfully told in this movie. The longest era of cinema featuring North American Native people was the evolution of western movies – cowboys versus Indians. The cowboys were always victorious. However, during the years of the depression, moviegoers had lost interest in westerns. That is until John Wayne came along. Wayne was nice

to people in those movies, but moviegoers idolized him. In the 50s, there was a time of social change – the civil rights movement. Hippies were influenced by the fashion of the North American Native. Thus, we have the time of the groovy Indian. Sasheen Littlefeather was in San Francisco in those days. Littlefeather spoke a strong message in her one minute of television exposure. The speech she delivered came from heart—spoken gently. Littlefeather was approached by actor Marlon Brando to represent him at the 1973 Academy Awards. Upon Brando’s win for the Godfather, Littlefeather delivers a shocking, but mesmerizing ‘acceptance’ speech on behalf of Marlon Brando. She is dressed in full traditional regalia upon the stage – then she shocks the Hollywood community when she announces that Brando regrets that he would not be accepting his Oscar. It was Brando’s stance to bring awareness of the ongoing mistreatment of Aboriginal people. The Academy warned Littlefeather not to read Brando’s carefully worded speech. Not surprisingly, a media frenzy unfolds, and death threats are uttered to Littlefeather. Occupiers at Wounded Knee saw the speech on television, while they were in a confrontation with Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and the military in Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Just when the American Indian Movement members were down and out, the speech gave them a much needed boost and their pride was uplifted. Diamond’s journey exploring the world of cinema ends in the extreme North where Inuit filmmakers are capturing Elders using contemporary ways of telling and passing on down their stories. That is the future of filmmaking, according to closing message delivered by Diamond. Reel Injun is definitely a movie worth watching, worth owning, and worth showing in the classrooms across North America. It tells the honest, truthful history of a nation of people who have been misrepresented to millions of people.

Sixteen women sit in the room, listening attentively, filled with their own dreams and visions. The strong contingent of women were attending the Women in Leadership workshop held Feb. 16-18 by Equaywuk Women’s Group in Sioux Lookout. Each day, an inspiring mentor would share her story of the challenges and the rewards of becoming an Ogitchidaa-Kwe – a woman of chieftainship. Darlene Angeconeb of Equaywuk organized the three-day workshop. “We had some great guest speakers,” Angeconeb said, which included NDP candidate Tania Cameron, Lorraine Crane, chief of Slate Falls, and Donna Orr of the NAN Women’s Council. In addition to speakers, each day involved participants engaging in fun, interactive workshops as well. The most engaging workshop was the public speaking workshop. Each woman was

asked to write a random topic on a piece of paper. Next, each woman drew out one of the papers to choose the topic that she would speak about in front of the group for one minute. For all but one woman, the feat of public speaking in front of strangers, with having no chance to prepare was difficult. Some participants managed to stumble out three sentences. However, one veteran public speaker kept on talking after her one minute time limit was up. The other women applauded her. Angeconeb gave the women a brief overview of Aboriginal political history starting from the 1763 Royal Proclamation to the present day. A model showing the sovereignty of Aboriginal governments with federal and provincial governments was discussed. Participants were asked to pair up to work on an election campaign. “They have been doing campaign teams – how to run a candidate, looking after public relations, the finances, the vol-

unteers – everything that goes into running for an election,” Angeconeb stated. On the last day, the women presented their campaigns to the rest of the women to get a feel of how a real campaign occurs.

“I have been nominated for councillor but I turned it down because I felt I was not ready for it yet.” – Sheena Loon

As women in leadership, it was stressed how crucial it is for a female leader to have a strong sense of self. Self esteem is crucial in helping to deal with the negativity a woman may experience from others not in support of her position of leadership. One of the young future leaders attending the training was 25-year-old Sheena Loon of Slate Falls. “It’s a really good learn-

ing experience for me because I used to be really shy and it helped me to open up,” she said. Loon said that she was asked to run as a councillor for her community. “I have been nominated for councillor but I turned it down because I felt I was not ready for it yet.” But Loon has not discounted the possibility of running in an election someday. “I would like to be a positive role model and leader someday. I am still young and I have got a ways to go,” said Loon. Angeconeb was happy with the conference. “I think everybody has been having fun. We have had a lot of laughs. I think everybody is pretty happy with what they are learning,” she said. Angeconeb will be taking the women in leadership training to 15 remote communities in the Sioux Lookout area during the two-year project. In the fall of 2010, Equaywuk plans to hold a gathering to give out awards to recognize women leaders and role models from the communities.

Pelican Falls First Nations High School

10th Annual Pow-Wow April 16, 17, 18, 2010 Honorariums paid to the Drummers and registered dancers. Cultural Awareness Committee: Lola G., Sharon N., Sandra M., Margaret D. + Solomon K. Email: Lola (lgoodwin@nnec.on.ca), Sharon (snewman@nnec.on.ca) Website: www.pffnhsannualpowwow.myknet.org *You are responsible for the own expenses.

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Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

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at these locations Aroland First Nation Band Office Atikokan Atikokan Native Friendship Centre Attawapiskat Northern Store Balmertown Diane’s Gas Bar 41 Dickenson Balmertown Keewaytinook Okimakanak 127 Mine Road 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 Band Office Cat Lake Northern Store Chapleau Cree First Nation Band Office Chapleau Value Mart Cochrane Ininew Friendship Centre Collins Namaygoosisagon Band office Collins Post Office Couchiching First Nation Band Office Couchiching First Nation Gas Bar Deer Lake Northern Store Dinorwic Naumans General Store Dryden A & W Dryden Beaver Lake Camp Dryden Greyhound Bus Depot Dryden McDonalds’ Restaurant Dryden Northwest Metis 34A King St. Dryden Robin’s Donuts Dryden Tim Hortons Ear Falls The Pit Stop Emo J & D Junction Flying Post First Nation Band Office Fort Albany Band Office Fort Albany Northern Store Fort Frances Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre 1460 Idylwild Drive Fort Frances Sunset Country Metis Fort Frances United Native Friendship Centre Fort Hope Band Office Fort Hope Corny’s Variety Store Fort Hope John C. Yesno Education Centre Fort Severn Northern Store Geraldton Thunder Bird Friendship Centre Ginoogaming First Nation Band Office Grassy Narrows J.B. Store Gull Bay Band Office Hornepayne First Nation Band Office Hornepayne G & L Variety Store Hudson Grant’s Store Iskatewizaagegan 39 Independent First Nation Band Office Kapuskasing Indian Friendship Centre 41 Murdock St.

Kasabonika Chief Simeon McKay Education Centre Kasabonika First Nation Band Office Kashechewan Francine J. Wesley Secondary School Kashechewan First Nation Band Office Kashechewan Northern Store Keewaywin First Nation Band Office Keewaywin Northern Store Kenora Bimose Tribal Council 598 Lakeview Dr. Kenora Chefield Gourmet, Kenora Shoppers 534 Park St. - ON SALE Kenora Chiefs Advisory Kenora Migisi Treatment Centre Kenora Ne-Chee Friendship Centre Kenora Sunset Strip Husky - ON SALE Kingfisher Lake Omahamo Hotel Complex Kingfisher Lake Omahamo Store Kocheching First Nation Band Office Lac La Croix First Nation Band Office Lac Seul, Kejick Bay Lakeside Cash & Carry Lake Nipigon Ojibway First Nation Band Office Lansdowne House Co-op Store Lansdowne House Northern Store Long Lake #58 General Store Mattagammi Confectionary Michipicoten First Nation Band Office Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation Band Office Missanabie Cree First Nation Band Office Mobert Band Office Moose Factory Echo Lodge Restaurant Moose Factory GG’s Corner & Gift Store Moose Factory Northern Stores Moose Factory Weeneebayko General Hospital Moosonee Air Creebec Moosonee Airport Moosonee Native Friendship Centre Moosonee Northern Store Moosonee Ontario Northland Railway Moosonee Polar Bear Lodge Moosonee Tasha’s Variety Moosonee Tempo Variety Moosonee Two Bay Enterprises Muskrat Dam Lisa Beardy Muskrat Dam Muskrat Dam Community Store Musselwhite Mine Naicatchewenin First Nation Band Office Naotikamegwanning First Nation Band Office Nestor Falls C & C Motel Nestor Falls Onegaming Gas & Convenience Nicikousemenecaning First Nation Band Office North Spirit Lake Band Office North Spirit Lake Cameron Store Northwest Angle #33 Band Office Northwest Angle #37 Band Office Ochiichagwe’Babigo’ Ining First Nation Band Office Ogoki Trappers Store Ojibways of Pic River Nation Band Office Osnaburgh Band Office Osnaburgh Laureen’s Grocery & Gas

Pawitik Pawitik Store Pays Plat First Nation Band Office Peawanuck General Store Pickle Lake Frontier Foods Pickle Lake Winston Motor Hotel Pikangikum Band Office Band Office Pikangikum Education Authority Pikangikum Northern Store Poplar Hill Northern Store Poplar Hill Poplar Hill Band Office Rainy River First Nation Band Office Red Lake Couchenour Airport Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre Red Lake Video Plus Red Rock First Nation Band Office Rocky Bay First Nation Lar’s Place Sachigo Lake Brian Barkman Sachigo Lake Sachigo Co-op Store Sandy Lake A-Dow-Gamick Sandy Lake David B. Fiddler, Band Office Sandy Lake Northern Store Sandy Lake Education Authority Sandy Lake Special Education Class Saugeen First Nation Sault Ste. Marie Indian Friendship Centre 122 East St. Savant Lake Ennis Grocery Store Seine River First Nation Band Office Shoal Lake #40 First Nation Band Office Sioux Narrows Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawang Slate Falls Band Office Stanjikoming First Nation Band Office Stratton Kay-nah-chi-wah-nung Historica Summer Beaver Nibinamik Community Store Taykwa Tagamou Nation, New Post First Nation Band Office Timmins Air Creebec Timmins Timmins Indian Friendship Centre 316 Spruce St. S. Timmins Wawatay N.C.S 135 Pine St. S. Wabaskang First Nation Band Office Wabigoon First Nation Community Store Wabigoon Green Achers of Wabigoon 10695 Hwy 17 Wahgoshing First Nation Wapekeka Wapekeka Community Store Washaganish Band Office Wauzhusk Onigum First Nation Band Office Wawakapewin 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

401 N. Cumberland St. Wawatay News Sub Office 216 South Algoma St. Wequedong Lodge Lodge 1. 228 S. Archibald St. Lodge 2. 189 N. Court St. Lodge 3. 750 MacDonnell St. Fort William First Nation: Bannon’s Gas Bar / R.R #4 City Rd. Fort William First Nation / Band Office K & A Variety THP Variety and Gas Bar/606 City Rd. Hulls Family Bookstore 127 Brodie Street South Quality Market 146 Cenntennial Square

Quality Market 1020 Dawson Rd. Mark Sault 409 George St. Metis Nation of Ontario 226 S. May St. John Howard Society Of Thunder Bay & District/132 N. Archibald St. The UPS Store/1020 Dawaon Rd. Redwood Park /2609 Redwood Ave. Confederation College: 510 Victoria Ave. East 778 Grand Point Rd. 1500 S James St. 111 Frederica St.

Mascotto Marine Meno-ya-win Health Centre, Activity Centre Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Centre Northern Store Pelican Falls First Nation High School Rexall Drug Stores Queen Elizabeth D.H.S. Darren Lentz Queen Elizabeth D.H.S. Native Studies Robin’s Donuts Shibogama Tribal Council 81 King St. Sioux Lookout Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre, Nursing Flr. Sioux Lookout Public Library Sioux Lotto Sioux Pharmacy

Sioux Travel Slate Falls Airways Sunset Inn Sunset Suites Travel Information Centre Wasaya Airways Wellington Inn William A. Bill George Extended Care Unit 75 - 5th Ave N Wilson’s Business Solutions Windigo Tribal Council Sacred Heart School Sioux Mountain Public School

Thunder Bay Outlets An Eagles Cry Ministry 100 Simpson St. Central News 626 Waterloo St. - ON SALE Dennis F. Cromarty High School 315 N. Edward St. Ka-Na-Chi-Hih Treatment Centre 1700 Dease Street Lakehead University Aboriginal Awareness Centre / 955 Oliver Road, Room SC0019 Native People of Thunder Bay Development Corp. / 230 Van Norman St. Negahneewin College of Indigenous Studies C 106. 1450 Nakina Drive Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre

Sioux Lookout Outlets Sioux Lookout Airport Interpreter’s Desk Al’s Sports Excellence Best Western Chicken Chef D.J’s Gas Bar Drayton Cash & Carry Fifth Avenue Club First Step Women’s Shelter Forest Inn Fred & Dee’s IFNA 98 King St. Johnny’s Food Market L.A. Meats Linda DeRose Lamplighter Motel

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ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

ᑲᑭᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑭᔭᓂᒧᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᔭᐡ ᑲᑭᐱᐃᓯᓭᐠ, ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑭᐱᑭᒋᓀᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐅᒋ ᐸᑭᑭᓂᑲᓂᐠ C4

ᑌᐯᐧ ᒪᒪᑲᓯᓇᑯᓯ ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᑐᑲᐣ ᒥᑎᐠ, ᐃᑭᑐ ᑲᐊᓂᑫ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑭᒪᐅᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐃᐡᑯᓄᐦᐃᐁᐧᐨ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐊᓫᑲᐧᐣᑭᐧᐣ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑎᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ. ᑕᑭᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᒋ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐃᐧᑕᐧᐸᐣ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐊᐧᑲᓇᐠ ᐊᓂᐡ ᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐃᓀᑫ ᐁᐃᔑᐊᐸᑎᓯᒪᑲᐠ. ᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᓂᐃᐧ ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᒥᑎᑯᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑐᒋᐱᒪᑎᓯᐡᑲᑯᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᑎᐡᑯᓂᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐸᐸᑲᐣ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑭᑐᒋ ᑐᑕᓇᐣ ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᒥᑎᐠ ᑲᐊᐸᒋᐦᐊᐨ. ᓫᐁᐣᐢ ᐅᑭᐊᐧᐸᑕᐦᐊᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᐊᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐠ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᔑᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐧᑲᓯᓇᑲᓂᑫᐃᐧᐣ, ᒣᑕᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᐊᐸᒋᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᔑᑯᐱᔭᐣᑕᑯᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᒪᑌᐧᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᑲᐅᔑᐦᐃᑕᐧ. ᑕᓴᐧ ᓂᐃᐧᑕᒪᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᒋᑲᓄᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ, ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ, ᐃᔑᑭᔐᐧᐃᐧᐣ, ᐊᐦᑭᐠ ᒥᓇ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᑭᓇ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐅᑲᐧᐱᐊᐧᐨ, ᐃᑭᑐ ᓫᐁᐣᐢ.

ᑲᑭᓇ ᐃᒪ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᐊᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᐊᐧᑐᐡᑲᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᐃᐧᒋᒪᓂᑫᐊᐧᐨ, ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑕᐡ ᑭᐅᒋᒪᑲᐣ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᐃᔑᒪᒋᓇᓄᐊᐧᐠ. ᐊᒥᐦᐃᒪ ᑲᔦ ᐁᐅᑎᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᒪᒪᐤ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐃᐧᐣ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᑲᑕᓯᓇᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑕᔑ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᔭᐣ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᐱᑐᔭᐣ ᐅᓄᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᑕᔑᑲᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑎᐡᑯᓂᐠ. ᐁᐧᑎ ᑲᐧᐣᐢᑎᐣᐢ ᓴᑲᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᐁᐅᒋᐨ ᒐᐧᐣ ᐯᕑᐃᐢ ᐅᑭᐃᐧᐣᑕᐣ ᐁᑭᑲᑫᐧᑌᐧᐨ ᒋᑭᐅᓇᒋᑲᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧ ᒪᒋᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒪᑕᐊᐧ ᐅᑕᐱᑕᒪᑫᐠ ᑲᑭ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐱ ᒪᒋᐨ ᑲᔭᓂᒪᐊᒋᐦᐃᑎᓇᓄᐊᐧᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᐁᐧ ᒪᒋᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑕᐃᓇᓄᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᒋᒪᒣᒋᑲᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑲᔭᐡ ᑲᑭᐱᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑭᐱᐃᔑ ᐱᒪᑎᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᒪ ᓂᐦᓯᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐃᒪ ᒪᔭᑦ ᑲᐃᔑᓯᐱᐊᐧᑭᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ ᑲᐅᒋᒋᐊᐧᐠ ᒉᒥᐢ ᐯ, ᐊᑕᐊᐧᐱᐢᑲᐟ, ᐊᓫᐸᓂ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᒧᓱᓯᐱ, ᐃᑭᑐ ᐯᕑᐃᐢ. ᐊᑎᑲ ᑕᐡ ᐅᑯᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᔕᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐅᐡᑲᑎᓴᐠ ᒥᔑᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᑕᔑᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᓇᓀᐤ

ᓯᐱᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᒋᐊᐧᐠ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐊᐧᐸᓄᐠ ᐃᓀᑫ ᒉᒥᐢ ᐯ, ᐊᒥᐦᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᔦ ᑫᑭᐃᔑ ᐅᓇᒋᑲᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᒋᐃᔑ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᐃᐧᑕᐧ ᑲᔭᐡ ᑲᑭᐱᐃᓯᓭᐠ, ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑭᐱᐃᔑ ᑭᒋᓀᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ. ᐯᕑᐃᐢ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐅᐁᐧ ᒪᒋᑕᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑲᑫᐧ ᒪᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᑕᑭᐅᑎᓂᑲᑌᐸᐣ ᑭᑭᓄᐦᐊᒪᑫᐃᐧ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᒋᐊᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᑯ ᐊᐣᑎ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᐊᔭᑭᐣ ᑌᑎᐸᐦᐃ. ᓂᐃᐧᑲᑫᐧᒋᒪᒥᐣ ᑲᔦ ᑲᑭᒋᐦᐊᐃᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᑲᐱᒪᑎᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑲᐡᑭᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᑭᐊᔭᒥᐦᐃᑯᔭᑭᑕᐧ, ᐃᑭᑐ ᐯᕑᐃᐢ. ᐯᑭᐡ ᑲᔦ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐊᐸᑕᓂᑭᐣ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᒪᓯᓂᐱᐦᐃᑲᓂᐊᐧ. ᐣᑕᓇᑕᐁᐧᓂᒪᐠ ᒥᑕᓱ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᑲᓂᑕᒪᓯᓂᐱᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᑕᓴᐧᔦᐠ ᒋᐃᔑ ᐸᐸᑲᓂᐱᐦᐊᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᒪᓯᓂᐱᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐃᒪ ᒋᐃᔑᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ. ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᑎᐸᒋᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᒪᓂ ᐯᕑᐃᐢ, ᑲᐧᐣᐢᑎᐣᐢ ᓴᑲᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐊᕑᑐᕑ ᒧᕑ, ᓭᐟ ᐊᐠᐳ, ᐯᐧᐣᑕ ᐢᒪᐧ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒪᑲᓇᐟ ᐱᑐᕑᐢ.

CALL FOR TENDERS

(Cleaners) The Wawatay Native Communications Society (WNCS) herewith issues a “Call for Tenders” to perform annual Cleaning Services for the fiscal year of 2010-11. Description of building located in Sioux Lookout at 16-5th Avenue: Three floor office building; 5,700 square feet. SERVICES REQUIRED INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: CLEANING TWICE A WEEK: • Vacuum all offices and studios as needed; • Vaccum all floor mats; • Sweep mop and dust the entire lobby and stairwell including behind the doors (remove and clean foot shelf as well); • Clean toilets and sinks in bathrooms; • Empty all garbage cans and replace garbage bags; • Place all recycling in container provided for pick up; • Place all garbage in bags to be disposed of in garbage bin; • Refill soap dispensers, paper towel , toilet paper, etc. as needed;

CLEANING WEEKLY: • Sterilize and clean all doorknobs, railings faucets and light switches; • Light dust all ofﬁces and studios; • Sweep and mop all bathrooms, studios and tile ﬂoors;

CLEANING ONCE A MONTH: • Remove any obvious ﬁnger prints, scuff and dirt marks from walls, doors and windows (or as needed); • Dust then damp wipe around windowsills, doorjambs (overtop as well) and Stairwell railings (or as needed); • Remove all carpet protectors from under ofﬁce chairs and vacuum including corners. Wash the carpet protector; • Sterilize all phones;

CLEANING TWICE A YEAR: • Steam clean all carpets;

CLEANING ANNUALLY: • Strip and wax ﬂooring; • Wash all windows;

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES: All the materials and supplies needed for the execution of the tasks described above including detergents, toilet paper, paper towels, etc. will be provided by the Wawatay. The cleaning machine and tools used by the contractor must meet Canadian standards and comply with Canadian health and safety regulations. All products necessary for the cleaning and maintenance will be the sole responsibility of the contractor. A storage room for these materials will be accessible to the contractor who will be responsible for it. Flammable and dangerous goods will not be stored. Tenders must be received by WNCS no later than 4:30 p.m. CST on March 19, 2010. For additional information regarding the Call For Tenders, call Rachel Garrick, Interim Chief Executive Ofﬁcer, at 1-800-243-9059 or (807) 737-2951 ext. 231 or by e-mail rachelg@wawatay.on.ca.

PLEASE MAIL TENDERS TO: Rachel Garrick Interim Chief Executive Ofﬁcer Wawatay Native Communications Society P.O.Box 1180 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B7 All tenders must be postmarked no later than March 19, 2010.

Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Rangers big attraction in Ottawa Peter Moon Special to Wawatay News

Six Canadian Rangers from across northern Ontario were a big hit for thousands of visitors to the Canadian Forces exhibit at the annual Winterlude festival in the nation’s capital. Their part of the military exhibit was the largest and featured a tipi and displays of Ranger equipment, including a wall tent, snowmobile, sled, allterrain vehicle, and a canoe. Winterlude is held on three weekends in February and is one of the biggest winter festivals in the world, with Ottawa’s Rideau Canal becoming a huge ice rink. The Canadian Forces exhibit was in Jacques Cartier Park, opposite the Parliament Buildings, in Gatineau, Que. “French was not a problem,” said Cpt. Mark Rittwage, deputy commanding officer of the Canadian Rangers in northern Ontario. “The Rangers simply greeted people by saying: ‘Bonjour, hello.’ If someone asked if they spoke French they said they spoke English and ‘my own language.’ Their own language is Cree, Oji-Cree or Ojibway.

“The Rangers are very proud of where the come from and proud about what they do as Rangers. Winterlude was an opportunity for them to tell people about their valuable contribution to Canada as members of the Canadian Forces. They did a great job.” It was the fourth successive year Canadian Rangers from northern Ontario have represented the Canadian Rangers across Canada at Winterlude. “I found people don’t know much about Aboriginal people,” said Ranger Savannah Neotapin of Constance Lake. “They learn stereotypes from the movies. We had to keep telling them we were not from Nunavut. “They had lots of questions. Do Aboriginals still live in tipis? What kind of clothing do we wear? Do we have vehicles? You get the weirdest questions. But people were friendly and they wanted to know about us. Some of them were very surprised at the high number of women in the Rangers in northern Ontario.” Ranger Doris Gillies of Fort Albany was surprised at the large numbers of people who

visited the Ranger exhibit. “I have talked to thousands of people,” she said. “It was the first time many of them had seen a tipi, a snowmobile or an ATV. They were fascinated by them.” Some of the Rangers participated in impromptu contests with members of a visiting group of Inuit from Nunavut. Ranger Daniel (D.J.) Wesley, Jr., of Constance Lake, took part in a head-pulling contest in which a belt is looped around the two contestants’ heads and they engage in a tug-of-war. “My head’s still aching,” he said long after the contest was over. Sgt. Robert Bottle of Mishkeegogamang impressed the Inuit when he easily won wristpulling contests with both his right and left wrists. The other Rangers at Winterlude were Master Cpl. Stanley Stephens and Ranger Neil Bear, both from Constance Lake.

Stone Ashton

Sgt. Peter Moon is the public affairs ranger for 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group at Canadian Forces Base Borden. See www.canadianrangers.ca.

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E-FILE Revenue Canada Phone: (807) 737-2184 Sgt. Peter Moon, Canadian Rangers

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LEFT: Ranger Doris Gillies of Fort Albany, left, and Master Cpl. Stanley Stephens of Constance Lake, prepare a display inside the Canadian Ranger tipi at Winterlude in Ottawa.

stone@bellnet.ca 59 King Street, Sioux Lookout, ON Back Entrance

ABOVE RIGHT: Ranger D.J. (Daniel) Wesley Jr. of Constance Lake, left, in an Inuit head-pull contest with Randy Kataluk of Coral Harbour, Nunavut.

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Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Webequie signs exploration deal with Tribute Minerals Bend property, which is part of its Ring of Fire property package in the James Bay Lowlands. The agreement has a term of five years. During this time Tribute will pay Webequie 1.5 per cent of its exploration budget on mining claims within the ancestral, traditional and customary lands

Chris Kornacki Wawatay News

Webequie First Nation has signed an exploration agreement with Tribute Minerals Inc. Feb. 8. Tribute will begin drilling immediately on its Sunday Anomaly targets on the South

look forward to a long business relationship and to the betterment of both parties,” said Chief Cornelius Wabasse. Ian Brodie-Brown, president of Tribute added: “This agreement will allow Tribute’s exploration to move forward in an organized and cooperative fashion.”

of the First Nation on an annual basis. The company will also issue 394,751 warrants to purchase common shares of Tribute at $0.12 per share to fund a Community Sustainability Fund for Webequie. “I would just like to say that we look forward to working with Tribute Minerals Inc. and

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The Koper Lake blockade deadline has been extended while a memorandum of understanding is developed for mining firms wanting to work in the area. “The deadline was not met so we extended it,” said Marten Falls Chief Elijah Moonias about the Feb. 18 deadline. “There has been some progress – we are working on it.” Moonias said his community and Webequie have received responses from some of the mineral exploration companies and are currently working on a memorandum of understanding for delivery by early March. “We are working with Webequie,” Moonias said. “We went there earlier this week.” Moonias said one of the reasons for setting up the blockade was to stop the lakes from being used as landing strips and to move the exploration camps from unsuitable locations. “We wanted to blockade these runways to bring attention to and try to get the (landbased landing) strip so airplanes

can land there instead of on the lake,” Moonias said. Marten Falls had been involved in the construction of a land-based landing strip in the Ring of Fire area near Koper Lake for use by exploration companies. However, construction was halted in 2009 after complaints over environmental concerns. “What’s happening now is there have been complaints about the (land-based landing) strip,” Moonias said. “Environmentalists have complained about it that there might be a disturbance of caribou herd migration routes and other concerns. Because of that they wanted the environmental screening of the proposed airport site. That is what precipitated this action, originally the actions of the environmentalists.” Moonias said if they are concerned about the caribou migration routes and caribou wintering sites, the communities are also concerned about the damage to the lakes and lands where the camps are located.

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Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Communities seek MOUs from previous page “We are concerned too about the lakes, about the use of the lakes, about the pollution that is being done there the last eight years on one of the lakes,” Moonias said. “With the grey water they discharge into the lake, the spillage they have done there with fuels and the toilets they have had there right on the bubble, right on the muskeg right beside the water. We wanted to do an environmental audit and do the cleanup and have compensation to our Aboriginal concerns regarding the environment in that area. Since you are so concerned about the caribou, well, we are concerned too.” Moonias said there are other issues involved in the situation, such as the potential corridor being developed to the Ring of Fire area. “With the corridor, for instance, we want to study the land first under the Far North Act and do a proper study where the corridor should go – not just go ahead and cut it like they are doing now,” Moonias said. “From what I am hearing, I think there has been some stoppage of these activities and there have been some positive responses as I said.” Moonias said the two communities are currently developing the actual memorandum of understanding they want signed. “There should be an MOU for each of the parties,” Moonias said. “We will sign those and then we will open for traffic again.” Moonias said some companies have expressed concerns that the blockade has seriously curtailed their plans due to a shortage of fuels. “But this could have been

Wawatay News file photo

Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse, Marten Falls Chief Eli Moonias and a group of Webequie and Marten Falls protesters man the landing strip blockade Jan. 20 on Koper Lake in the Ring of Fire. prevented if they had worked with us in the beginning,” Moonias said. “If they had said okay, we will use your airport or our winter road to bring the fuel there. If they had worked with us in the beginning, things would have been more smooth. But they contracted everything to be flown in by aircraft.” Marten Falls and Webequie set up the landing strip blockade with the support of four other First Nation communities Jan. 18 on Koper Lake, which is located in the Ring of Fire mineral exploration area about 128 kilometres north of Marten Falls. Noront Resources Ltd. announced Jan. 18 it supports the actions of the Marten Falls at the Ring of Fire, including maintaining a close relationship with Marten Falls.

A Ministry of the Environment spokesperson said no significant environmental concerns were discovered during a spring 2009 visit to some of the Ring of Fire exploration sites. CPAWS Wildlands League, Ecojustice and Mining Watch Canada expressed concerns in late 2009 that development in the Ring of Fire is exploding due to inadequate control under the Mining Act, calling the situation a “Wild West free for all.” The Ring of Fire is considered one of the largest potential mineral reserves in Ontario, covering more than 1.5 million hectares by some estimates. More than 35 junior and intermediate mining and exploration companies are now active in the Ring of Fire, making it the recent hotbed of mining activity in the Far North.

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Wawatay News

MARCH 4, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ