December 9, 2010

Memorial run delivers message of healing PAGE B1 Vol. 37 #25

Water woes continue for Constance Lake PAGE 17

Reggie ‘rifle’ Leach returns to Michikan PAGES 10 and 11 9,300 copies distributed $1.50

DECEMBER 9, 2010

Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

www.wawataynews.ca

Polar bear plans concern Fort Severn

Don’t forget Christmas

Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Fort Severn is concerned about Ministry of Natural Resources plans to establish buffer zones around polar bear dens.

“We understand there will be a certain buffer zone for where the denning areas are,” said Fort Severn Chief Matthew Kakekaspan. “For example, if there are 50 dens, that’s 50 areas that are going to be covered within our area.”

Kakekaspan said his community is not sure how large the buffer zones will be but polar bears have not been known to go very far inland up to now and they always go back to where they have denned before.

“What we’re concerned about is the MNR is creating little parks in our area,” Kakekaspan said. “They already have a big park which they created way back and we’re really concerned this will affect our way of life, our hunting and our trapping and our fishing if the protected areas are in place.”

Kakekaspan said polar bears also hang around certain areas along the coast from August to November before they go out onto newly formed ice.

“We’re concerned about that as well,” Kakekaspan said. “Will we be able to go into these areas?”

Kakekaspan recently attended an MNR-Nature Conservancy of Canada workshop Oct. 28-29 in Timmins proposing the development of a polar bear recovery strategy for the province. He has asked for the next meeting to be held in Fort Severn.

“We wanted it in our community so the recovery committee can hear some of the stories from our Elders, to hear their opinions,” Kakekaspan said. “What they’re saying is they have always lived with the polar bear and they don’t feel they are threatened.

The Elders are saying there’s a lot more bears, they don’t see a decline.”

Kakekaspan said the MNR put the polar bears on the list because their body fat levels are lower than in the past.

“They’re losing body fat,” Kakekaspan said. “Their body fat is not what it used to be.”

Lakehead University Centre for Northern Studies researcher Martha Dowsley attended the workshop to showcase a two-year Social Sciences and Humanities Research Councilfunded research project she is working on as principal investigator along with fellow LU Centre for Northern Studies researcher Harvey Lemelin.

The research documents Swampy Cree interactions with polar bears.

See MANAGE page 15

James Thom/Wawatay News

Staff and students at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School spelled out DFC in the schoolyard Dec. 2 as part of their annual Christmas message to supporters and family members in their home communities.

   

                                                           

Holiday Seat Sale

                                                         

                                                           ᑲᓇᐧᐊᐸᑕ ᐸᐢᑫᑭᓂᑲᐣ 15           TELL US WHAT YOU THINK  Send your comments to:  editor@wawatay.on.ca or send to:      Wawatay News  16-5th Avenue North     P.O. Box 1180      Sioux Lookout ON P8T 1B7   

Purchase your reservations until December 17, 2010 for travel before January 10, 2011 www.wasaya.com

1.877.4WASAYA

All reservations are non-refundable. NAV Canada, Insurance, and Fuel Surcharges are included. Sioux Lookout and Red Lake AIF and taxes are extra. Seating is limited at at seat sale fares and reservations are subject to availability and the number of seats is restricted by ight number. This means that seats may not be available for seat sale fares although there are still seats offered on the aircraft. If there are no seats available on certain ights, guests may choose another date and time or ight to travel. Changes and cancellations are subject to fees and upgrades as applicable. Reservation is non-refundable in case of no-show. Cash or Credit Card purchase only. Sorry, no account charges.

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2

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 9, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Pemmican shares residential school experience

James Thom/Wawatay News

Lac Seul’s Gordon Pemmican spoke about the abuse he faced at Pelican Lake Residential School from 1965-1970 during a Truth and Reconciliation Commision gathering in Thunder Bay Nov. 24-26.

James Thom Wawatay News

Gordon Pemmican has found solace in what happened to him at residential school.

The Lac Seul man no longer harbours anger about the abuse he endured at the Pelican Lake Residential School he attended from 1965-1970.

He has come to terms with it after many years of self-destruction.

Pemmican shared his story during the Tapachimoda (Let’s Tell Stories) Truth and Reconciliation Commission gathering in Thunder Bay Nov. 24-26.

“Unlike other kids, I was dropped off (at the school) by my mom,” Pemmican said, recalling the day, when he was five years old. “All I had in this world was my mom.”

He doesn’t blame his mother

for the bad things that happened to him. He now understands she was trying to give him a better life.

“She was a widow,” Pemmican said. “My dad died when I was one. My mom had a limited education and she was disabled.

“She did what she thought was best for me. She knew if I was in school, I would have a warm bed to sleep in, food in my stomach and clean clothes.

She didn’t know if she would be able to provide those basic needs to me herself.”

But Pemmican admits his life turned for the worst the day she dropped him off at the school.

“The first five years of my life were the healthiest and happiest,” he said. “During those years, I didn’t have a problem with how my mom looked or how she dressed. I was not ashamed of my people, the

cabin I lived in or my way of life.

I was not ashamed period. I was happy we lived in the bush.”

In many ways, Pemmican felt lost at residential school.

“Before I went to this place, I had no idea what a school was and how it would involved me,” he said.

His arrival at the school sounds like the plot from a movie. His mom took him to the school by taxi.

“She got out of the car and started talking to a group of people that were waiting,” he said. “I thought we were just making a stop so I got out and starting running around the building, looking around being curious. When I came around the other side, my mom was already in the cab pulling away.”

Pemmican said this was the first traumatic experience of his

young life.

“I was scared of being left behind, abandoned,” he said. “I thought I was being given up.

When no one explains things to you, your mind is your own worst enemy.”

It didn’t take long for the assimilation to begin.

“I was introduced to a new world and it was a world I did not want to be in,” Pemmican said.

That world included having his hair cut, wearing “their clothes”, having to eat processed foods, being spanked, hit and scolded and being racially put down by staff at the school.

“I was always open to new stuff so I didn’t mind the food … but all I really wanted to do was go home. I didn’t want to be there and I didn’t understand why they were doing those things to me.

“If I had known I was only 15-18 miles away from home, I never would have stayed. I could have followed the river back home.”

During his time at residential school, Pemmican was forced into learning a new religion.

“It gave me new spiritual beliefs,” he said of the new things he learned through the church like praying on your knees. “This brought us further away from our people and our spiritual beliefs.”

Around the time of his first Christmas at the school – a time when most of the other kids went home for the holidays but he had to stay behind because no one came for him – Pemmican began to be sexually abused.

“When bad things happen to kids, they black it out,” he said.

“What happened to me is too horrific to remember.”

It started with simple altercations where Pemmican was beaten up and soon turned aggressive and sexual.

“I had no place to go and no one to turn to,” he said.

He said it was like a jail and the staff were like jail guards and the older students were the seasoned criminals who had already been through initiation.

Both the staff and his peers remained his tormentors for as long as he was at the school.

When he finally did leave the

school, nothing was the same.

“The community was different then,” he said. “Because it seems like everyone had gone through residential school in the community, they had all been through that abuse.”

He said some, like himself, remained a victim of the abuse, while others were bullies in the community.

“The community members brought back violence from the residential school,” he said.

“The only difference between the abuse in school and in the community was that in school, there was staff there to stop the beatings.”

He said these beatings continued year after year and eroded away any trust he had in people – Aboriginal or not.

He finally reached a boiling point with all the anger and negativity around him and started to fight back. He became a fighter.

“I was ashamed of the colour of my skin,” he said. “I believed in what they said about me, calling me a primitive savage and that I had no place in the new world.”

Pemmican believed he had no value.

“I’m not white. So who am I? What am I? Where do I belong?

I was nothing. I was nobody and I was in great pain. I was confused and lost.”

In his late teens, he tried to return to school and complete his education but he was unable.

“I never lasted in a boarding home,” he said. “I always got kicked out. I rebelled so they sent me home.”

He turned to alcohol to ease his pain.

Pemmican said it was the alcohol and being drunk that helped him forget the past.

He also turned to religion, though he only had a limited understanding of it from his time in residential school.

“I prayed to God,” he said. “I said to him ‘Take me out of here or help me.’”

He asked for a sign and started walking across thin ice to get from Hudson to Frenchmen’s Head.

“I knew there would be nothing anyone could do to help me from either side if I went

through the ice,” Pemmican said. “Sure enough, I made it across. That told me it wasn’t my time to go.”

That continued his path to healing.

He spent a few days alone, collecting himself and trying to quit drinking. He hit rock bottom and went to the Sioux Lookout Zone Hospital.

He met a doctor at the hospital who helped him out.

“He asked me how far I was willing to go to get treatment,” Pemmican said.

He went to Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital in Thunder Bay for his treatment.

There were many relapses and halfway houses along the way but Pemmican slowly got his life together.

He eventually entered treatment in Winnipeg where he heard someone else’s story – their confession – and it woke him up.

“I stopped being worried about my drinking and started getting help for my pain,” Pemmican said.

Through a 10-day session at a trauma treatment centre in Fort Frances, Pemmican learned it was not the experiences that caused him pain but how he was dealing with the situations.

“I learned I was my own worst abuser,” Pemmican said.

“All those things that happened to me, happened as a kid. I was still dealing with that.”

Pemmican finally came to terms with his abuse when he appeared before a panel in Kenora about four years ago to determine his financial compensation for the abuse.

“It wasn’t until that hearing that I broke my silence. I realize now I was poisoning my soul by keeping all of that bottled up inside. As soon as I got it out, I started to feel better about myself.”

Pemmican said people need to start breaking the cycle of silence.

“Canada has apologized for what happened. It is up to us to do the rest.”

Pemmican has gone on to lead a full life. He is married with three sons and a daughter.

They are all in touch with their culture through drumming or dancing.

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Wawatay News DECEMBER 9, 2010

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Dennis Franklin Cromarty wanted the best for his people

James Thom/Wawatay News

Students made boards about their home communities so guest could learn specifics about each First Nation when they attended the Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School open house and 10th anniversary celebration Nov. 24. School student chief Darrin Fiddler, from Sandy Lake, shows off the handiwork of his community mates.

DFC celebrates 10 years James Thom Wawatay News

In the past 10 years, three names have become synonymous with First Nation education in Thunder Bay. Dennis.

Franklin.

Cromarty.

Or simply Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, with its namesake, the former grand chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

Education was important to Dennis Franklin Cromarty. Ten years of First Nation education was celebrated at the school Nov. 24 with an open house.

The late-Cromarty’s wife attended the ceremony and addressed the students.

“Dennis wanted the best for his people,” Helen Cromarty

said. “He knew how important getting an education was. Work at what you do. Keep working on what this man (Dennis) started.”

DFC student chief Darrin Fiddler, from Sandy Lake, also spoke.

“DFC is a really good place to go to school,” he said to a crowd of more than 150 people in the gym.

“There is never a dull moment. I always have something to do.”

Fiddler said what the students go through in Thunder Bay isn’t easy.

“There are great people working at the school. The boarding home parents do a lot to help the students. But we do have a lot of troubles. We face hard times leaving our fami-

lies behind. There are a lot of changes in life, having to catch a bus, waking up early and not being at home.”

Heather Lammers, one of two teachers at DFC who stayed from the inaugural faculty, addressed the assembled students and guests.

“Throughout the years, I have met many talented and creative students,” Lammers said.

“They have taught me many things and have certainly enriched my life. This has been and continues to be a challenging and rewarding job.”

Northern Nishnawbe Education Council executive director Jennifer Manitowabi also attended the open house.

“Fifteen years ago, I was going through high school,” she said. “We only wished we had

this facility.”

DFC principal Jonathon Kakegamic was thrilled with the open house.

“I’m really excited for First Nations people in general,” he said.

“I’m glad so many people took advantage of the opportunity to see our open house. We need to stop working in isolation. DFC and First Nation people aren’t going anywhere. Our students have the same hopes and dreams and want to be happy and successful like every other student in Thunder Bay.” Part-time school Elder Abe Kakepetum performed his hit song ‘Indian Time’ during the open house.

Following the open house, students performed in a battle of the bands.

A need existed to create DFC: principal James Thom Wawatay News

When Pelican Falls First Nation High School could no longer meet student volume, it opened up the possibility of creating an all-First Nation high school in Thunder Bay. “The educator up North, the education directors in the Sioux

Lookout district realized there was a need for another school,” said DFC principal Jonathan Kakegamic, during the school’s 10th anniversary celebration and open house. “Pelican wasn’t meeting the space need.

“Thunder Bay was a prime location because of resources and opportunities. It was the hub for travel.”

The school plays an important role, Kakegamic said.

He has been at DFC for nine years.

“Every culture, in order to sustain itself, needs its own people to teach itself,” Kakegamic said.

“Through incorporating Elders beliefs and wishes for us, we can make that happen.”

Kakegamic is proud of how the school can mix traditional knowledge with skills to help students succeed in an urban setting.

“We need to educate our youth to be productive students and members of society,” Kakegamic said, adding they must also understand the ways of the past.

James Thom/Wawatay News

Helen Cromarty speaks about her late-husband Dennis Franklin Cromarty during an open house and 10th anniversary celebration at the Thunder Bay school which bears his name.

James Thom Wawatay News

Dennis Franklin Cromarty spent his life working for the betterment of First Nations people.

He grew up in poverty in the shadow of a gold mine, realizing the inequalities of the province making money from resources but the First Nations getting nothing.

He wanted to help change it.

Cromarty attended Pelican Lake residential school, near Sioux Lookout, then went to high school in Sault Ste. Marie.

He spent 1967-1972 at Lakehead University working towards an economics degree.

“Dennis was always a very determined person,” said Helen Cromarty, his wife of many years. She made the remarks during an open house at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, marking the 10th anniversary of the school’s opening.

While getting an education was very important to him, Aboriginal rights were as well.

He made the decision to leave school and set up a court worker program in Toronto to assist Aboriginal people who were in trouble with the law.

“He had a choice to make ... and he opted to work for the

people,” Helen said.

He went on to work for Grand Council Treaty 9, which would ultimately become Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

He spent 1974-1976 helping establish the community and economic development program before serving as director of community development from 1976-1979.

He was elected grand chief and served from 1979-1981.

After his term as grand chief, Cromarty served as commissioner of NAN looking at the issues most affecting the people.

He would go on to serve two more terms as grand chief.

He spent his later years working as a private consultant and also served as president and CEO of Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund.

Cromarty suffered a fatal heart attack Feb. 3, 1993 but his legacy lives on.

His name lives on at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School in Thunder Bay, opened by Northern Nishnawbe Education Council in 2000.

“I stood up here 10 years ago talking about that man,” Helen said, adding it was a great honour for her family to have the school named after her late husband.

Teacher reflects about 10 years at DFC Ten years. Wow. It seems like just yesterday that we were cleaning out classrooms and then setting them up in anticipation of the arrival of our first students and our new classes.

It was so chaotic, but exciting at the same time. The building had been empty for many years and it was wonderful to have the halls alive again with the voices and laughter of so many students.

Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School was the fulfillment of a dream come true; the vision of an Aboriginal school in an urban setting, promoting, and preserving culture and beliefs; a place that students could call their own.

DFC is a positive learning environment where students can thrive and be proud of who they are.

That dream is still alive today through the caring staff here at DFC and the support of Northern Nishnawbe Education Council.

Each year we witness the looks of eagerness, anticipation and a bit of fear in the new young faces. It’s scary being away from your family for an extended length of time. The city is scary.

There are all kinds of new experiences waiting for them.

It is an amazing experience watching these students grow up and mature. I can think of so many that started in Grade 9 with us, graduate from DFC, and gone on to have fantastic careers. Some are employees of NNEC today and others have brought their skills back to their communities.

Often, we get visits from previous students and it is so nice to see them.

I love hearing what they are up to and meeting any new family members they may have. I really hope they continue to keep us updated on how they are doing.

Being a small school, we get to know the students and we’re like a big family.

The students care about each other too. I have never seen so many students be so kind to each other.

As in any family, we have our joys and sorrows. Joy for all the successes, even the little ones.

Sorrow over losses. We’ve lost students, during their time here and while they’ve been away.

Both were equally devastating.

A young life so full of promise: gone. It makes me feel like I lost a member of my own family and my prayers go out to their families.

We have also lost staff members, employed and past employed. All are in our memories and remain part of the school. I know I will never forget them. Some staff have taken another path and moved onto other opportunities. They also take with them a little bit of DFC. I guess once a DFC-er, always a DFC-er.

But we are here to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School and celebrate we should. There have been many that have passed through these doors and there will be many more.

The smiling faces of the students are evidence of our success.

Each graduating class confirms the decision to develop this school.

The dream is still alive and only growing stronger.

Nancy Currie one of two original faculty members still with the school

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Wawatay News

DECEMBER 9, 2010

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

MEDIA DIRECTOR Adrienne Fox MULTIMEDIA/NEWS COORDINATOR Brent Wesley

Commentary

‘Bring my brother home’ Joyce Hunter SEVEN YOUTH MEDIA

J

ust a little over 36 years ago my second oldest brother Charles “Charlie” Hunter died at residential school.

He was 13 years old on the day of his death. Had he lived, he would have celebrated his 14th birthday 12 days later on November 4. But it wasn’t to be.

Instead, our family later learned that he snuck off the grounds at St. Anne’s Residential School in Fort Albany with two other boys to go ice-skating on a nearby lake.

While we do have copies of the investigating officer’s notes, the police report and coroner’s report detailing my brother’s death, those documents don’t reveal more than the bare facts: where he died, that he Charles Hunter had snuck off with the two boys, who turned his body over to the investigating authorities and the cause of death.

The police notes we have don’t show who was his assigned supervisor and there are no notes that explain why he wasn’t being properly supervised in the moments leading up to and during his death.

No charges were ever laid for criminal negligence causing death against his caregivers. As well, the coroner who autopsied my brother’s remains did not see a need to call for an inquest to determine what the contributing factors were to my brother’s sudden, violent death so that recommendations could be made to ensure no deaths would happen in the future under similar circumstances.

My parents were in the bush on the trap line when they got the news days later that my brother had died.

The helicopter which carried the person bringing them this tragic news was good enough to fly them to Winisk as soon as they were told. From Winisk my parents flew to Moosonee via a flight my dad had to charter to meet my brother’s body as it was being sent for internment after being autopsied in Timmins.

My father later told me that he and my mother, who was eight months pregnant at the time, were consumed and numb with grief. During their ordeal, no one came to hug them, offer

them support, kind words, encouragement or even an apology. They were in a strange community hundreds of miles away from their families and traditional homelands, so they couldn’t even turn to family for those things.

No mental health supports existed yet in those days. My father said they struggled just to get through the funeral, that they didn’t know how to deal with their loss. He once said “no parent ever expects to have to bury their child.

It’s not something you ever think about as being a future possibility when you watch your child being born and there are no words to describe how painful it is to actually have to do it.”

Mechanically, as if in a nightmare that they could not wake up from, they went to the church and watched the service and internment proceedings unfold, never once having been approached for consultations about where they wanted their beloved son laid to rest.

I’ve watched my parents suffer in their later years.

They have so many burning unanswered questions for his caregivers, for the investigating officers, for the coroner as well as the government who legislated the residential schools into existence about their son. They want to know why my brother’s life mattered so little to them that they did not afford him proper care, or a proper and thorough investigation, or an inquest to protect other children who may end up in his position, and most of all, why they, the government responsible for his death, won’t return their child’s body to them. They have approached the different bodies responsible with these questions and they have been stonewalled at each attempt. My parents are now in the winter of their lives and want to pass into the next world knowing he’s home among family instead of buried in some strange community hundreds of miles away from his home and family. They want to be able to walk over to his grave and talk with him, lay wreaths at his plot or simply to be able to cry. I’ve gone in front of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, written to Indian Affairs and met with many others to express, as best I can, my parents and my family’s wishes, and I don’t understand why no one, especially the ones who are legally responsible for this, will correct this gross injustice.

It hurts. And I do cry over how coldly and callously my parents have been and are still being treated. How? How could they do this?

(Archives of Ontario C 330-14-0-0-152)

Hudson’s Bay Company clerk Martin Eva hunting ptarmigan at the treeline near Weenusk, February, 1955

Raising the flag is a shared vision Richard Wagamese ONE NATIVE LIFE

S

omeone put a flag up on the mountain. Standing at the edge of the lake it flaps and waves high up where they helicopter-logged a few years back.

It’s a sheer slope, rugged and heavily treed. Getting there must have taken some gumption and the flag, the scarlet and white of it hard against the green, is a statement to that grit.

It takes you back as everything out on the land has a tendency to do. Back to when you first saw the waving glory of it.

Victoria Day 1965. I’d been adopted and moved from northern Ontario to Bradford, then a small town an hour’s drive from Toronto. By the time that holiday rolled around I’d been in my new home about a month.

In the school where they sent me, I was the only Indian kid. In fact, I was the only brown face anywhere.

In the class photo from that year I stuck out in that sea of

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white faces like a fencepost in a field of snow. It was lonely but there was no one to tell. It was devastating.

There was a huge, gaping hole in me that I had once used the land to fill, wandering for hours dreaming childish dreams of being lifted up and out, set down in a marvelous world where no one ever left and time was elastic, stretching out forever.

I didn’t know how to move there. Everything, even the language, the colloquial urban schoolboy rap, was new and hard on the ears.

Then, one day, the teacher announced the upcoming Queen’s birthday as we called it then. She went on to explain that for the first time, Bradford would raise the new Canadian flag on the Friday before the holiday weekend. There would be a band, the mayor would speak and there was to be a special ceremony to mark the raising of the new Canadian symbol.

She said the school wanted someone very special to raise the flag. The principal and the mayor had chosen me.

She said my people represented the original face of Canada and they wanted to honor that by having me raise the

new flag. My classmates looked at me with a new respect.

But when the day came, I was nervous. There was going to be a news photographer there and my picture would be in the paper. There would be a big crowd. I was dressed in new clothes, my shoes shined and I was instructed very severely in how to behave. I sat in my chair barely able to listen to the speeches. Then they called my name.

The band struck up the first notes in Oh Canada. My hands grasped the lanyard. As the song began to swell I hauled on that rope and the flag inched up the pole then caught in the breeze, fluttered and began to wave. As I watched it gain the sky I felt honoured. I felt filled with a crazy sense of possibility like that flag could make anything happen.

Right then, I believed that Canada was a wish, a magic breath waiting to be exhaled.

I believed that the song was a blessing and the flag was its standard. I believed, as I had been told, that my people were special, that I was special and that the blessings of that song and flag fell equally on my shoulders too.

Well, life happens and the road of it led me through the

MEDIA DIRECTOR Adrienne Fox adriennef@wawatay.on.ca

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Matthew Bradley matthewb@wawatay.on.ca

MULTIMEDIA/NEWS COORDINATOR Brent Wesley brentw@wawatay.on.ca

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

FEATURE WRITER/EDITOR Bryan Phelan bryanp@wawatay.on.ca

SALES COORDINATOR Meghan Kendall meghank@wawatay.on.ca

EDITOR James Thom jamest@wawatay.on.ca

SALES/MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE Saturn Magashazi saturnm@wawatay.on.ca

WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Rick Garrick rickg@wawatay.on.ca ART DIRECTOR Roxann Shapwaykeesic roxys@wawatay.on.ca

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Steve Elliott stevee@wawatay.on.ca CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Mark Kakekagumick markk@wawatay.on.ca

length and breadth of Canada.

I have learned that the song is a dirge at times, a wail, a cry in the night. I have learned that its chorus excludes some voices and that the clamor of it, hidden in the thunder of the trumpets and the snap of the drums, is the holler of common voices, screaming to be heard.

The flag is a symbol of the separation between the red and the white. It’s hugely ironic because of that.

But I love this country. I love that flag. The majority of Native people do. Every land claim, every barricade, every protest is less a harangue for rights and property than it is a beseeching for the promise offered in that flag, represented by it. Equality. A shared vision, a shared responsibility.

A wish, a held breath waiting to be exhaled.

Someone struggled up that mountain to plant that flag.

Someone carried in them a wish for others to see this country as they do, for the flag to remind them that this land is a blessing and to live here an honour. It flaps in the breeze of this mountain morning, over everything, over every one.

It reminds us that there is hope, that there is a reward for the struggle toward equality.

TRANSLATOR Agnes Shakakeesic agness@wawatay.on.ca Vicky Angees vickya@wawatay.on.ca CONTRIBUTORS Joe Beardy Robyn Cassidy Nancy Curry John Cutfeet Gail Duiker Michael Gravelle Joyce Hunter Tommy Miles Peter Moon Richard Wagamese Guest editorials, columnists and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the views of Wawatay News.

Wawatay News DECEMBER 9, 2010

LETTERS

Your views from wawataynews.ca

Prescription drug abuse baffling leaders, health workers Dear Editor, Today, in our homes, in our communities, our leaders and frontline workers are baffled.

How did we get to this state?

What do we do?

I am not a leader, nor am I frontline worker, but have seen what pills can do, how they affect the children.

Everything begins at home, it all starts when we are babies, As a child, we see our parents.

How do they begin their days? Our parents ensure their child(ren) are fed, clothed, have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and all the other basics.

If the parents fail, the grandparents step in. Why? Simple, koo-patch-e-yah noosh-uk!

Parents claim they’re not hiding their addiction, but yet they tell a child, shhhhh don’t tell if someone asks you.

In most cases, this is when most of the troubles begin without our knowing or realizing it.

Communication is the key; our parent’s actions are a groove in the key, our grandparents are another groove in the key, our teachers are a groove, our community leaders are another groove and our peers are another groove in the key.

But nothing or no one will convince a child to go against his/her parents. That loyalty is something else. No one wants to be a rat. There is an unwritten code among friends that goes “shhhhhh don’t say anything or else ... .”

It has been an eye-opening experience to deal with pill addictions, my family and/or friends have taken their turn in asking for help or assistance, playing on my heart strings/

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emotions, playing me for a fool, only to turn around and steal from my home.

They sell what they’ve stolen to feed their addiction.

They’ll tell lies, they’ll make up excuses, think up some grand scheme or other to obtain a way to feed their addiction.

They eventually start abusing or taking away from their own children, if they have children.

Pretty soon, the child tax is spent on pills, any money coming in is spent on pills.

It’s happening. Elders are being abused, taken advantage of, lied too, emotional blackmailed. It is all for pills.

Another new one, grandchildren even grown children, are stealing groceries out of the cupboard to be sold for a fix.

Pills are affecting all walks of life, the youth, mid-life, parents, grandparents, Elders and professionals.

Symptoms are what we see, yet no one wants to talk about the elephant in the room, in our houses, in our closets, in our lives, probably because we’ve always been told “shhhhh don’t tell or else.”

Our skeletons are becoming our symptoms. We are a hurting nation, individually we are hurting, always the fear of what will happen if we start to open up and talk?

Too many times we cover up the real issues. We’re told to “shhhhhh” or shush our fears.

Sexual abuse comes in all walks of life, from your own family member, whether it be a father (a man who lost his identity, a man who lost his meaning of what a father’s role is = to protect and serve), a mother (a woman who lost her selfrespect, a woman who’s role is to nurture) a brother (a man

who too is lost, a man who lost his role) a daughter (a woman who is lost as well) and a grandmother or grandfather. The list goes on, no longer taught or spoken in our homes.

Sexual abuse happens when we’re growing up, in the safety of our homes, in the safety of our communities.

To each individual, pills provide or produce a different effect or reason why it’s used or snorted or transported.

We live in a world where every nation is losing identity or losing our vision in life. We need everyone to wake up. Do you honestly want your son or daughter, or granddaughter or grandson addicted to pills?

I see too many times, a child is born, as the child grows, parents complain the child is bad or spoiled. I tell the parents, that child wasn’t born bad or spoiled. He was raised that way.

Too many times we as parents, forget our children are the way they are because of those around them.

I feel I can go on talking, telling what I see, how there is a consequence for everything we do and say.

If we don’t live the life of example, there’s a consequence.

We have the answers, we are a strong nation, we just need strong, educated, supportive caring leaders.

I pray for our leaders; I pray for our Elders; I pray for all parents; I pray for all drug users, I pray for everyone affected by drugs.

Stand together, support one another, believe in one another, always put yourself in their shoes before judging them.

Re: Columnist Brent Wesley – Will our problems persist ‘Give credit where it’s due!’

While I agree with the majority of your article I feel that making broad statements such as: “There is a total lack of parenting skills among Aboriginal people that will only perpetuate the current state of affairs.” is problematic. I know many First Nation people who are great parents; they are educated, proactive within their progeny’s school career and strive to be great role models. There are many parents out there who are making strides to ensure a brighter future - give them some credit!

K. Cheechoo ‘So what’s the solution?’

Interesting views Brent. As hard as it is to do, there is significance in painting a picture so bleak.

To respond to the last post, unfortunately giving credit to all the wonderful parents out there will not do much to help us understand why the lack of parenting skills exists. The latter is outweighed in the current state of affairs. Chief Morris’ statement clearly depicts this. In the average first nation household, there are parents, even grandparents cohabiting with their children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. The lack of parenting skills that allows almost 100 per cent of households to be involved in drug-related activity screams out loud and clear. As one of the educated and proactive parents, it is easy for me to see. The question is, how do we pass on more effective parenting skills? Or better yet, individual lifestyle skills. We can only be truly responsible for ourselves.

Willow Fiddler Re: First Nation leaders salaries defended ‘Can’t justify $100,000’ I disagree with elected Chiefs of First Nations making high salaries when many of the First Nations communities are struggling with social and employment issues. For instance, if a Chief receives a salary of $100,000.00 or over and their community members are earning incomes near or above the poverty line, what happens? Also, if a family is struggling financially, how can a person who has been elected as Chief justify that an income of $100,000.00 or more when the community faces issues with housing, lack of employment opportuntities, violence, etc? There is no fairness in this process. Perhaps this would not be such an issue if the Chiefs making this sort of income have made visible contributions within their communities by creating employment opportunities, better housing options, addressing the violence, and investing in their community members (parents, Elders, children).

Robert Albany ‘God appoints chiefs’ I don’t even know why the topics of social and employment issues come up at all in this discussion. The topic is chief salaries. I can understand that you do not agree with them making high salaries, but to bring in these topics are much less the issue. Why do people put chiefs in power anyways? Why do people disagree with the salaries? They deserve to be paid the pay they receive. Would you vote for a person that you know would do a great job at running your community? I would. Remember, when something goes on in your life like losing a loved one and the first person you see coming to you and offering their sincerest sympathy is the chief. All else fades away and the complaining of getting paid too much goes out the door.

Leaders are appointed by God. If you come against the leaders, you come against God. Be careful at what you say about them.

Anonymous

Name and community withheld at request of writer

Wawatay Native Communications Society would like to wish Farewell to

a Warm Welcome to

RACHEL GARRICK

DAVID NEEGAN

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Best of luck on your future endeavors!

Thunder Bay Bureau 2nd Floor Royal Bank Building Suite 202 Victoriaville Centre, 620 Victoria Ave. E Thunder Bay ON P7C 1A9 Ph: 807-344-3022 Fx: 807-344-3182 Toll Free: 1-888-575-2349

We look forward to working with you!

Sioux Lookout Bureau P.O. Box 1180 Sioux Lookout ON P8T 1B7 Ph: 807-737-2951 Fx: 807-737-2263 Toll Free: 1-800-243-9059

Timmins Bureau 135 Pine Street South Timmins, ON, P4N 2K3 Ph: 705-360-4556 Fx: 705-360-1601 Toll Free: 1-877-929-2829

6

Wawatay News

Congratulations Brent & Kanina Wesley on their new bundle of joy, Delore.

All the best!

From the staff & board of Wawatay Native Communications Society.

DECEMBER 9, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Moving Mining Act modernization dialogue forward Michael Gravelle GUEST COLUMNIST

T

o remain at the forefront in a highly competitive global marketplace, we need to be open — open to change and open for discussion.

Ontario’s Mining Act modernization is an example of our government’s willingness to do both.

The Mining Act is introducing effective changes that will help keep our mining industry competitive and responsive.

These changes will help strengthen our mining industry while respecting Aboriginal and treaty rights, as well as the rights of individual property owners.

And, over the past year, we have been discussing with you how to adopt those changes into government regulations.

I cannot emphasize enough how important those discussions have been. Ongoing open dialogue is vital to the process of developing effective regulations. That’s why we have made that a priority.

We spent nine months meeting with over 500 members of industry, Aboriginal communities, non-governmental organizations, municipal representatives and private land owners.

Seeing an opportunity to build on this positive momentum, we also held six targeted discussion sessions across the province this fall.

We brought together 200 representatives from mining companies and associations, First Nations and Métis, and business and environmental organizations.

Discussions have covered a number of key topics — exploration plans and permits, mineral tenure, Aboriginal consultation, dispute resolution, private property rights and the protection of Aboriginal sites of cultural significance.

I want to assure you that we are listening.

Thanks to these open discussions, we have gained very constructive, practical feedback that will help us ensure we are developing the best regulations possible.

I want to thank everyone who participated in the discussions and submitted their feedback. The willingness of participants to exchange views in such a positive manner only reiterates my strong belief in the importance of open dialogue. Thanks to your input, we are closer to achieving the goals set out in the Act. But we are not finished yet.

Ongoing communication is critical to this process.

Our schedule of Aboriginal engagement continues. Discussions with First Nations and Métis communities have resulted in a deeper understanding of the mining sequence among Aboriginal peoples.

I encourage you to regularly visit the mines and minerals section of our website to stay updated about how we continue to modernize the Mining Act. These are very exciting times for the minerals sector.

Together, we will continue to stay open to change and build a strong minerals sector that reflects balance, certainty and opportunity for future generations.

Michael Gravelle is the Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry

Land-use plan can secure important territory John Cutfeet NOOPEMIG

Continued from previous column published in the Nov. 12 and 25 editions of Wawatay News.

ᓄᕑᐅᐟ ᐊᒣᕑᐃᑲ ᐊᓂᑭᐃᐧᓇᐣ (1993) NAC ᒥᓇ ᐊᐧᑯᔑᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐃᐢᑯᓂᑲᐣ ᓂᓇᐣᑎᓇᐊᐧᐸᒪᒥᐣ ᐊᓂᑭᓇᑲᓇᐠ ᑫᐃᐧᒋᑕᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᒪ ᑭᒋᐊᓂᑭᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᒪᒋᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐅᒪ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ. ᓂᑐᐣᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᒥᐣ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐃᐧ ᐃᔑ ᐊᓂᑭᑕᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᓇᓇᑲ ᐊᓂᑭᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᒋᐅᐣᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᓱᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑲᔦ ᒋᐊᓂ ᑭᒋ ᑲᐢᑭᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑫᐃᓇᓄᑭᐊᐧᐨ. ᑭᐢᐱᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᒌᓀᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᓀᐣ ᐊᓂᑭᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐢ ᑲᔦ ᐃᐧᑕᑯᐧᐃᐧᔭᐣ ᐅᒪ ᑫᑭᐣ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐊᐃᐧᔭ ᒋᐅᐣᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᑕᐧ, ᓄᑯᑦ ᔕᑲᐢᑭᓀᐱᐦᐃᑫᐣ. ᒪᒪᐣᑕᐃᐧᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ ᐃᓇᐱᐣ www.WORKNAC.com ᓇᐣᑕ ᐸᐠᐢ: 519-821-1111 ᐊᐁᐧ ᑫᑲᓄᓇᐨ: ᑲᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐨ ᑲᓇᓇᐣᑕᐊᐧᓂᑭᐦᐊᑲᓄᐊᐧᐨ www.nacsworld.com

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A withdrawal order does not affect pre-existing mining rights and tenure such as mining claims, mining leases or licenses of occupation.

No mining claims may be staked or recorded on any land, “that is located in the Far North, if a community-based land use plan has designated the lands for a use inconsistent with mineral exploration and development.”

It will be interesting to see how this will play out for communities in and around the Ring of Fire. The only way for controversial claims to be cancelled is if companies voluntarily let them lapse.

It will also be interesting to see how the province defines Aboriginal cultural significance.

The Mining Act – Part XIV – Far North says: “The validity of any mining claims, mining leases, patents, and licenses of occupation for mining purposes located in the Far North

and any related approvals for mineral exploration and development activity shall not be affected by a community based land use plan or any amendment to such a plan that is inconsistent with mining purposes, if the consistent designation was made after the mining claims, mining leases, patents, and licenses of occupation for mining purposes or the related approvals for mineral explorations and development activities were issued.”

The active mineral exploration projects in northwestern Ontario and the 8,000 plus claims made by the mineral exploration companies are grandfathered as a result and will not be impacted by withdrawal orders or communitybased land use plans.

This is why it is critically important that if communities know where sensitive lands are now and where they wouldn’t want mining or exploration that they withdraw lands from staking.

This is one tool they can use to secure those lands. It hasn’t been used a lot in the last few years in the Far North but it is a tool communities could consider to secure their lands now.

This brings us to Bill 191, the Far North Act, which received royal assent Oct. 25.

The purpose of the Far North Act is to provide for

community based land use planning in the Far North that directly involves First Nations in a “joint-planning process” with Ontario, that “supports the environmental, social, and economic objectives for land use planning for the peoples of Ontario set out in Section 6; and (c) is done in a manner that is consistent with the recognition and affirmation of existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, including the duty to consult.”

A community-based land use plan means a plan that has been prepared under Section nine (9) and approved by that section.

Section 5 states the following objectives: • a significant role for First Nations in the planning; • the protection of areas of cultural value in the Far North and the protection of ecological systems in the Far North by including at least 225,000 square kilometres of the Far North in an interconnected network of protected areas designated in community based land use plans; • the maintenance of biological diversity, ecological processes and ecological functions, including the storage and sequestration of carbon in the Far North; and • enabling sustainable economic development that

benefits the First Nations.

Section 9 (1) states: if one or more First Nations having one or more reserves in the Far North indicate to the minister their interest in initiating the planning process, the minister shall work with them to prepare terms of reference to guide the designation of an area in the Far North as a planning area and the preparation of a land use plan for the purpose of this section.”

The community-based land use planning is to be led by the First Nations working with Ontario through their expression of interest to the Minister to initiate the planning process.

Once that interest has been expressed by the First Nations, the minister will work with them in a joint planning process,with equal representation of First Nations and Province to advise on land-use planning, who will develop the terms of reference that will address shared-goals and interests through a consensusbased, cross-cultural dialogue.

See the Dec. 23 edition of Wawatay News to read the final installment of this column.

John Cutfeet is from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug. He is the bilingual mining coordinator for CPAWS Wildlands League. His blog can be found at noopemig. blogspot.com

Sandy Lake awarded $72,000 in Trillium funding Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Sandy Lake has been awarded $72,000 for a youth media outreach project.

“Funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation contributes to building economic and social resilience in communities across the province by helping many charitable and not-for-profit groups build constructive partnerships and networks,” said Minister of Tourism and Culture Michael Chan.

Sandy Lake was awarded

$72,000 over one year to purchase equipment and hire professional artists to deliver a youth media outreach project, which will train youth aged nine to 18 in media arts. Participants will learn skills to work collaboratively on music and video projects that will help to engage the community in discussions important to youth.

OTF awarded $1,696,500 to 20 projects benefiting Aboriginal communities and community groups across Ontario, including $217,000 to five projects in northwestern Ontario.

“Charitable and not-forprofit organizations support their communities,” said Helen Burstyn, chair of the OTF Board of Directors. “They offer hope through initiatives for economic development and training for residents and volunteers.”

Muskrat Dam First Nation was awarded $50,000 over one year to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of a bridge over the Severn River, which would provide access to proposed hydropower developments and generate potential economic investment for the

community.

Dilico Children’s Foundation was awarded $65,000 over one year to hire staff to develop See Us, Hear Us, a photo voice project that will create awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by youth in First Nation communities in the Thunder Bay region.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute was awarded $15,000 over one year to purchase camping equipment to be used in leadership training programs for youth on First Nation traditional lands.

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Wawatay News DECEMBER 9, 2010

7

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

NAN supports Ontario’s long-term energy plan James Thom Wawatay News

Ontario has committed to a new power transmission line from the Dryden area to Pickle Lake under its Long-term Energy Plan.

The new transmission supply to Pickle Lake is a crucial first step to enable the connection of remote First Nation communities in northwestern Ontario, according to the ministries of Energy and Infrastructure.

“A new transmission line to Pickle Lake – one of this plan’s five priority projects – will help to service the new mining load and help future connections north of Pickle Lake,” according to the plan, which was updated Nov. 23.

“Subject to cost contributions

from benefiting parties, Ontario will focus on supplying Pickle Lake from the Ignace/Dryden area immediately. A line to serve the Nipigon area specifically will continue to be considered as the need for it evolves.”

Nishnawbe Aski Nation supports the transmission line.

“Investment in infrastructure in the Far North is essential to the growth and development of our First Nations and to the recovery of the financial health of Ontario in general,” Grand Chief Stan Beardy said. “We welcome the commitment by Ontario to immediately establish a new transmission line to Pickle Lake.”

Beardy said NAN First Nations in the surrounding area and beyond will have greater economic opportunities because

Couple match Mammography campaign donations James Thom Wawatay News

Harvey and Anna Friesen have agreed to match dollarfor-dollar up to $100,000 all new donations to Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre Foundation’s Mammography Fund.

The matching of funds will continue until March 31, the foundation said in a Dec. 1 release.

“The foundation wishes to thank Harvey and Anna Friesen and family for making this significant commitment,” it said in a release. “We encourage all donors to make a contribution and for those of you who have not yet given, now is the time to

make a difference.”

The foundation wants to see Meno Ya Win get the equipment it needs to become part of the Ontario Breast Screening Program.

“Being part of this program is essential to providing the best possible care for our patients,” the foundation said. Having the necessary equipment for both screening and assessment will result in timely diagnosis, treatment and improved prognosis for our patients.”

Currently, the hospital only has portable mammography service a few weeks out of the year. The new equipment, valued at $535,000, will be available five days a week eliminating wait times and travel.

of increased energy and ultimately this project will enable distributed generation and regional transmission owned and operated by First Nations.

“We will continue to lobby for a power supply that meets the needs of the North and look forward to having further discussions with the province to ensure electrical generation and transmission initiatives in NAN territory becomes a reality,” Beardy said.

The ministry is working to make the transmission lines – whose construction dates are pending consultation – as First Nation friendly as possible.

“Where new transmission lines are proposed, Ontario is committed to meeting its duty to consult First Nation and Métis communities in respect

of their Aboriginal and treaty rights and accommodate where those rights have the potential to be adversely impacted,” according to the plan. “Ontario also recognizes that Aboriginal communities have an interest in economic benefits from future transmission projects crossing through their traditional territories and that the nature of this interest may vary between communities.”

The province said there are a number of ways First Nations can participate in the project.

Where a new transmission line crosses the traditional territories of Aboriginal communities, Ontario will expect explored opportunities to: • provide job training and skills upgrading to encourage employment on the transmis-

sion project development and construction; • further Aboriginal employment on the project; and • enable Aboriginal participation in the procurement of supplies and contractor services.

The province will also encourage transmission companies to enter into partnerships with Aboriginal communities.

The transmission line could bring First Nations one step closer to ending reliance on diesel generation for power.

“Ontario’s remote First Nation communities currently rely on diesel generation for their electricity supply – but diesel fuel is expensive, difficult to transport, and poses environmental and health risks,” states the plan.

“According to analysis done

so far, transmission connection would be less expensive over the long-term than continued diesel use for many remote communities.”

The plan calls for the closure of all coal units by 2014, creating 50,000 jobs in Ontario’s growing clean energy economy; increasing Ontario’s power supply coming from renewable sources like wind, solar and bioenergy to 13 per cent by 2018, up from three per cent today; and building the largest expansion in hydroelectric power in almost 40 years with projects to get more power from Niagara Falls and the Lower Mattagami River.

Moose Cree First Nation will have up to a 25 per cent ownership stake in the Lower Mattagami hydroelectric project.

In a time when many of you are suffering, In a time when you think the hardships are never-ending, Know that there is hope.

Watch as the sun rises and watch as the sun sets, And when you think the sun will not rise again, Know that there is hope.

Watch and see the happiness around you, For it is always there, even in the little things, and Know that there is hope.

Now is the time of year to believe, and To be with family and friends, and Know that there is hope.

Believe in Santa Claus, Believe in sugar plum fairies, Believe in flying reindeer, Believe in Santa’s helpful elves, Believe in the child born to mankind, and

BDC’S FIRST-HAND ABORIGINAL EXPERTISE HELPS YOU GROW YOUR BUSINESS.

Know that there is hope.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Stan Beardy

Cheryl K. Watson Aboriginal Banking Representative 204 983-3993 cheryl.watson@bdc.ca

Grand Chief, Nishnawbe Aski Nation

8

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 9, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

WAWATAY NEWS presents

WINTER ROAD SPECIALS Purchases worth millions of dollars will be made during northern Ontario’s winter road season by first nations and first nation shoppers.

Promote your goods and services by taking advantage of specially discounted advertising prices in wawatay news!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL A SALES REPRESENTATIVE IN YOUR AREA TODAY! Saturn Magashazi

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minimum size of quarter page Offer ends April 1, 2011 HST applicable to all ads Not valid with any other offer

Issue Dates: December 23 January 6 January 20 February 13

February 17 March 3 March 17 March 31

saturnm@wawatay.on.ca Thunder Bay Bureau 2nd Floor Royal Bank Building Suite 202 Victoriaville Centre, 620 Victoria Ave. E Thunder Bay ON P7C 1A9 Ph: 807-344-3022 Fx: 807-344-3182 Toll Free: 1-888-575-2349

Meghan Kendall meghank@wawatay.on.ca Sioux Lookout Bureau P.O. Box 1180 Sioux Lookout ON P8T 1B7 Ph: 807-737-2951 Fx: 807-737-2263 Toll Free: 1-800-243-9059

Steve Elliot stevee@wawatay.on.ca Timmins Bureau 135 Pine Street South Timmins, ON, P4N 2K3 Ph: 705-360-4556 Fx: 705-360-1601 Toll Free: 1-877-929-2829

Wawatay News DECEMBER 9, 2010

9

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

1JDL VQ

BU UIFTF MPDBUJPOT

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

A group of Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School students helped package some of the about 3,500 bags of candies and an orange that will be shipped to Wasaya Airways’ 10 ownership communities during the annual turkey run.

Wasaya to distribute 2,700 turkeys Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Wasaya Airways will be distributing about 2,700 turkeys to its 26 service communities during the annual turkey run, including a turkey for each household in its 10 member communities.

“Usually we look at a seven to nine kilogram turkey,” said Tom Morris, president and CEO of Wasaya Airways. “As well, we do a candy run for the kids.

Usually when we land in a community, the school kids come out and we give them candy.”

A group of 20 Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School stu-

dents helped prepare some of the 3,500 bags of candy and an orange that will be distributed to the 10 Wasaya member communities during the turkey run, usually held during the second week of December.

“As well, we always have Santa Claus along on the flight so when the kids come down Santa Claus hands out the candies to the kids in the First Nation communities,” Morris said. “We’ve been doing this for more than 10 years.”

Morris said the turkey run is a unique event that allows Wasaya to demonstrate social corporate goodwill during the festive Christmas season “so at

least every family can have a Christmas turkey dinner.”

Some of the DFC students who were helping package the candies remembered when they used to receive the bags of candy.

“I used to get these candies before when I was a little kid,” said Michael Gray, a student from Deer Lake.

Carla Mawakeesic said the candy was usually handed out at a community feast.

Sponsors included Pelletier’s Auto Body and Powder Coating, Valhalla Inn, Business Development Bank of Canada, National Car Rental and the Township of Pickle Lake.

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

Wawatay News Sub Office 2nd floor Royal Bank Building, Suite 202 Victoriaville Centre, 620 Victoria Ave. East 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 Dawson 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 SacredHeartSchool Sioux Mountain Public School

5IVOEFS #BZ 0VUMFUT 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 401 N. Cumberland St.

4JPVY -PPLPVU 0VUMFUT 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

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

10

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 9, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Joe Beardy/Special to Wawatay News

Students from the Michikan Lake school Walk for Sobriety. The event took place during Health Week.

ART COMPETITION: $500 PRIZE FROM EACH CATEGORY Boozhoo! The Ministry of the Attorney General is looking for local artists to submit artwork to be incorporated in the new Thunder Bay Consolidated Courthouse.

We are looking for submissions in 1 or all of the 4 categories: 1) Your interpretation of the meaning of justice. Our Elders Advisory Committee has suggested ‘Gagiigimigo’isiwi’ning’: “A place where; positive, constructive, direction is provided to guide people through their journey of life”.

2) Your interpretation of the clan system (bear, caribou, sturgeon, blue heron etc). Specifically, clans in Northwestern Ontario.

3) Symbols that reflect Anishnawbe and Metis culture.

4) Your interpretation of strong, healthy communities (Circle of Life, Medicine Wheel, 7 Grandfather Teachings). *A prize of $500 will be given to the winner from each category. The artwork will be reflected in the design of the new courthouse.

(Not necessarily in the same format it was submitted).

Please submit your artwork by mail to: Jennifer Purves Ministry of the Attorney General, Northwest Regional Office 277 Camelot Street, 1st Floor Thunder Bay ON P7A 4B3 Please include your full name, mailing address, phone number and email address.

Questions? Please call Jennifer @ (807) 343-2757 or jennifer.purves@ontario.ca Submissions must be received by January 31, 2011. Miigwetch.

Joe Beardy/Special to Wawatay News

Former National Hockey League star Reggie Leach helped Michikan Lake raise awareness during the community’s Health Week. Leach laces up at the community’s arena. Seth Mckay, left, is the youth team’s starting goalie.

Wawatay News DECEMBER 9, 2010

11

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

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Reggie Leech earns points with the Michikan Lake youth hockey team.

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Former National Hockey League star Reggie Leach signs autographs for students in Michikan Lake.

Wawatay Native Communications Society is spreading the Christmas cheer in the next issue!

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12

Wawatay News DECEMBER 9, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Fort William favours claim

Parade lights up Thunder Bay streets

Rick Garrick Wawatay News

James Thom/Wawatay News

Dozens of Thunder Bay businesses and organizations participated in the 12th annual Parade of Lights Dec. 4. Among the participants were Thunder Bay Transit, Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, the Canadian Armed Forces, Thunder Bay Police and the therapeutic riding association.

GEORGE Cook Tow Truck Driver Artist Social Entrepreneur

“I Am Your Children’s Aid.” “I came under the care of Children’s Aid at fourteen.

Growing up in foster homes, I learned early that part of healing would be about giving back. After graduating from art college, and earning a degree from university, I looked for a way to contribute to others. Working with a partner, we applied to the Children’s Aid Foundation, wrote a business plan and won funding for a DJ company that would employ young men like ourselves.”

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

Fort William First Nation band members voted 942 to 5 in favour of the Neebing Surrender Specific Claim settlement offer.

The vote on the about $22 million settlement offer was held Dec. 4. The government of Canada still needs to approve the settlement offer.

The Neebing Specific Claim relates to the surrender of about 6,400 acres of the western portion of the Fort William First Nation reserve in 1859. The lands were surrendered with an understanding that the property would be surveyed and sold for the use and benefit of the First Nation. The basis of this claim is that when the lands did not sell, Canada should have asked if the First Nation wished to have the lands returned. The Neebing Specific Claim was submitted in 2000 and negotiations began in 2007.

Fort William will also be voting Jan. 22 on a joint federalprovincial settlement offer of about $154 million for the Fort William First Nation Boundary Claim.

“Like all negotiations, there have been ups and downs, but we have worked tirelessly towards a resolution that will benefit present-day members and future generations, which our forefathers expected when they signed the Treaty in 1850,” said Fort William Chief Peter Collins about the Boundary Claim. “The settlement will also provide the resources that our First Nation needs to create businesses, employment and other opportunities for the long-term which will benefit our members and the entire Thunder Bay area.”

The proposed Boundary Claim settlement includes about $154 million in total financial compensation and the transfer of provincial Crown lands on two islands located in Lake Superior, Flatland Island and Pie Island, to Canada to be set apart as reserve for the Fort William First Nation.

“Today, we are taking a decisive step forward towards the resolution of a longstanding claim,” said Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians Minister John Duncan. “It is clear that working in partnership we can find common solutions that will deliver real results for the Fort William First Nation, create economic initiatives for northwestern Ontario and balance the interests of all Canadians.”

The Boundary Claim dates back to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850. The RobinsonSuperior 1850 community, which is located along the southern limits of Thunder Bay, claims the boundary of the Fort William reserve, as surveyed in 1853, does not reflect the First Nation’s understanding of the location and size of the reserve that was supposed to be set apart for their use under the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850.

The Boundary Claim was submitted to Canada in 1986 and to Ontario in 1987. After extensive research and legal reviews of the claim, Canada accepted the claim for negotiation in 1994 under its Specific Claims Policy. Ontario accepted the claim in 2000.

Wawatay News DECEMBER 9, 2010

13

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Funding issues remain for Aboriginal children’s aid agencies Rick Garrick Wawatay News

The Anishinabek Nation is calling for more resources to look after children in foster care.

“Other governments must put a stop to the harm that has been caused to thousands of our kids – first in residential schools, then in foster homes,” said Deputy Grand Chief Glen Hare. “They have to give us the resources our communities need to look after our own children; their welfare is more important than providing jobs for outside agencies.”

Hare noted that a Human Rights complaint was filed in 2007 by the Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada against Canada for its funding of First Nations child welfare agencies across the country. Funding was an average of 22 per cent less than the budgets of provincial agencies like Children’s Aid Societies.

“It’s proceeding along, of course slower than I would like given the vulnerability of the children,” said Cindy Blackstock, executive director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada. “But it does mark the first time in Canadian history that the federal government has been held to account for its current treatment of First Nations children.”

Blackstock said Canada knows it provides inequitable funding for First Nations children served by child welfare.

“It knows that inequitable funding is linked to growing numbers of First Nations children in foster care.

“Yet, instead of dealing with the inequality that has been documented by the Auditor General and their own internal reports and documents, they are fighting against the right for these children to be treated equitably,” Blackstock said.

“It just does not make sense to racially discriminate against little kids and their families.”

Hare also emphasized that the removal of children from one group of people to another is considered as one of the indicators of genocide under international law.

“Now that Canada has finally endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, it needs to understand that forcibly removing children from one group of peoples to another is considered genocide by the standards of international law,” Hare said.

Blackstock is waiting for Canada to act in accordance with

the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“Canada’s signing was so lukewarm, I said to people I will get excited when Canada acts in accordance with the declaration,” Blackstock said. “Politicians say many things about First Nations children, none of those make a difference unless they put them into action and meaningfully support the cultural based equity of these children.”

Grand Chief Stan Beardy said Nishnawbe Aski Nation chiefs are now pushing for jurisdiction over children’s care.

“Unless we have jurisdiction, we will never have a full say on what happens to children that might come into temporary care,” Beardy said.

Beardy said the childcare agencies are mandated through provincial legislation.

“That is a foreign legislation designed to take children away from their own setting and family unit,” Beardy said.

“To counteract that foreign concept, we need to have our authority, our jurisdiction recognized with the ability to make our own childcare laws to support the families in bringing the children up in a proper environment.”

Beardy said as of last December, there were about 1,000 children in care from NAN territory.

“We work very hard to ensure that children in care maintain strong family ties,” Beardy said.

Beardy said the whole purpose in establishing Tikinagan Child and Family Services, Payukotayno Child and Family Services and Kunuwanimano Child and Family Services is to influence how the children are looked after while in care.

“The plan within NAN territory is as much as possible trying to keep all of our children within NAN territory,” Beardy said.

An Indian and Northern Affairs Canada spokewoman said INAC does not deliver child and family services.

“Child welfare is an area of provincial jurisdiction,” said Geneviève Guibert, media relations public affairs INAC, in an e-mail message.

“Under the 1965 Welfare Agreement with the province of Ontario, INAC reimburses the province for a portion of provincial expenditures on First Nations child and family services for on-reserve status Indians. INAC does not fund agencies directly in Ontario.”

Guibert said the safety of all children is a priority for the fed-

eral government. “By focusing on prevention activities, child and family services providers are able to deliver appropriate services before problems escalate and become a matter for child protection,” Guibert said.

“It is unfortunate when children must be removed from their homes under any circumstance, but such action is taken only in accordance with provincial legislation.”

A Ministry of Children and Youth Services spokesman said the ministry is committed to improving services for Aboriginal children and youth on- and off-reserve to help them succeed and reach their full potential.

“Whenever possible, the children’s aid society will work directly with the parents or caregivers under a voluntary agreement to protect the child,” said Peter Spadoni, media relations and issues coordinator with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, in an e-mail message.

“We know there is more to do to help meet the needs of kids living on- and off-reserve across the province. Currently six of the 53 Ontario children’s aid societies are Aboriginal child protection agencies.

“This year’s funding to Aboriginal children’s aid societies recognizes and reflects the community’s unique challenges and will help Aboriginal children’s aid societies maintain a stable footing.”

Spadoni said the ministry is providing a total of $118.9 million to the six Aboriginal children’s aid societies in 2010/11, a two per cent increase from last year.

The funding includes $8.5 million in dedicated funding to meet their unique needs and $1.6 million based on child welfare transformation priorities.

He said the children’s aid societies will receive new lump sum funding for admission prevention services and kinship service agreements, legal custody agreements and customary care agreements and an eight per cent increase in funding for adoption services.

“Earlier this year, John Beaucage, former (Anishinabek Nation) grand council chief was appointed as the minister’s Aboriginal advisor,” Spadoni said.

“He is working to bring together community leaders and experts at a summit this spring to discuss Aboriginal child welfare and to find solutions. We are continuing to work together with the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs to help improve services for Aboriginal children.”

Call for Tenders The Wawatay Native Communications Society (WNCS) herewith issues a “Call for Tenders” to perform annual Audit Services for the fiscal years of 2010 and 2011.

Services required include the following activities: • Audit of WNCS’s Balance Sheet as of March 31st of each fiscal year; • Audit of WNCS’s Statement of Revenue and Expense for each fiscal year; • Provide recommendation, where required, of appropriate adjusting journal entries in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards; • Examine, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements; • Assess the accounting principles used; • Provide WNCS with 10 bound copies plus one electronic copy of the final financial statements by June 30, 2010 for publication in WNCS’s Annual Report; • Present the Auditor’s report at the Annual General Meeting; • Prepare annual income tax returns to Canada Revenue and Customs Agency; • Review the annual return for HST recovery to Canada Revenue and Customs Agency prepared by WNCS; • Prepare annual Registered Charity Return for WNCS; and • Preparation of T4 summary and T4 supplementary.

Tenders must be received by WNCS no later than 4:30 PM CST on January 14, 2011. For further information regarding WNCS please contact Barney Turtle, Finance Director, at 1-800-243-9059 or (807) 737-2951 ext.

2224 or by e-mail at barneyt@wawatay.on.ca PLEASE MAIL TENDERS TO: Barney Turtle Finance Director Wawatay Native Communications Society P.O.Box 1180 16-5th Avenue Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B7 All tenders must be postmarked no later than January 14, 2011.

Send letters to Santa editor@wawatay.on.ca Or fax to 807-737-3442

Aboriginal Health Care Conference 8Yfi`^`eXc ?\Xck_ Xe[ @ek\i^\e\iXk`feXc I\cXk`fej_`gj1 9l`c[`e^ X Jkife^ =lkli\ AXelXip (.# )'(( Jl[Ylip Join this Annual Conference for the opportunity to share in current community-oriented programs and services honouring Aboriginal values with Western models of care to reconnect the balance of health care knowledge. All with the vision of developing a stronger youth generation.

Highlights include: • Sacred knowledge from an elder • Health outcomes from the Wikwemikong Outdoor Adventure Leadership Experience (OALE) program • Diabetes in Aboriginal communities; care and support • Aboriginal Tobacco Program • Spotlight guest: Roberta Jamieson - the first woman to head Chief of Six Nations. =fi dfi\ `e]fidXk`fe# ZfekXZk C`eX Cfg\q Xk ccfg\q7f_X%Zfd fi ( /'' ,0/ /'') \ok% (*+(% Kf i\^`jk\i m`j`k nnn%f_X%Zfd&XYfi`^`eXc

14

Wawatay News

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

DECEMBER 9, 2010

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Cpl. Kim Cheena, nearest to camera, carries the Canadian Ranger flag during powwow’s Grand Entry.

2010/2011 HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURES Please note the following Municipal Department office closures over the holiday season. Please note that the closures are reflective of changes in regularly scheduled hours – Departments that would normally be closed on weekends will remain closed on weekends during this period: Airport Administration Offices December 27th, 28th, 31st Community Services Department (Arena/Recreation Centre) December 24th at 4:00pm through December 26th and January 1st Emergency Services December 27th, 28th, 31st Municipal Administration Offices (25 Fifth Avenue) December 27th through 31st (inclusive) Municipal Child Care Centres December 20th through December 31st (inclusive) Public Works Department – Emergency contact (Roads, Water, Sewer): 223-4666 December 27th, 28th and January 3rd Sioux Lookout Hydro (25 Fifth Avenue) – Emergency contact: 737-3806 December 27th through 31st (inclusive) Sioux Lookout Public Library December 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 31st and January 1st and 2nd

Booshoo 2 You! with Lewis Wesley Every Tuesday & Thursday at 3:00PM CST

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On WRN 89.9 or Bell TV Channel 962

Find online this week: NEWS: NEWS: NEWS:

Rangers make history at Aboriginal festival Peter Moon Special to Wawatay News

A female Canadian Ranger and four Junior Canadian Rangers, all from Moose Factory, made history when they participated in the annual Canadian Aboriginal Festival.

Corp. Kim Cheena became the first female flag carrier in the 17-year history of the event’s powwow. She carried the Canadian Ranger flag during the spectacular Grand Entry.

The Grand Entry featured hundreds of dancers in traditional regalia, who entered the arena to the beat of Aboriginal drums.

The large Canadian Forces Aboriginal contingent, which included four Junior Canadian Rangers in traditional Cree regalia, led the Grand Entry and danced to thunderous applause.

Powwow officials had to make a decision about whether Cheena could be a flag carrier, a position that has special significance in Aboriginal culture and one traditionally reserved for male warriors.

They decided it was appropri-

ate for a female soldier to carry a military flag at the event.

The festival, held over three days in Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum, attracted hundreds of dancers and thousands of spectators and is the largest celebration of Aboriginal culture in Canada.

“I was nervous when they started drumming for the Grand Entry,” said Cheena.

“It gave me goose bumps. But it made me proud to be carrying the Canadian Rangers’ flag.”

History was also made when the four Junior Rangers danced as part of the military contingent during the Grand Entry.

It was the first time Junior Rangers have participated in the festival. The dancers were Demi Cheechoo, 14, Darien Chum, 16, Skye Chum, 16, and Lora-Lee Hester. 16.

“Yes, I was nervous,” said Skye Chum. “But I love dancing and it was fun.

“It was the biggest powwow and the biggest Grand Entry I’ve been in. Everyone was very nice to us.”

A fifth dancer from Moose Factory who was unable to

dance at the last moment, Xena Echum, 13, helped escort children around a junior obstacle course that was part of the Canadian Forces exhibit at the festival.

“She did a good job,” said Capt. Rick Morse, unit information officer for 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, which commands the 500 Rangers in Northern Ontario.

“There was a lot of interest in the Ranger exhibit. We had people sitting on the snowmobile and ATV, going in the tent and asking a lot of questions.”

The Ranger exhibit was staffed by Warrant Officer Jason Dech, a Ranger instructor; Master Corporals Vicky Edwards of Fort Albany, Ryan Kaminawash of Sachigo Lake, and Savannah Neotapin of Constance Lake; and Rangers Beatrice EechumCheena of Moose Factory and Daniel (D.J.) Wesley of Constance Lake.

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

Meno Ya Win Grand Opening

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FIRST NATIONS LEADERS’ SALARIES DEFENDED LEADERS CALL FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF SISTERS IN SPIRIT FORT WILLIAM VOTES IN FAVOUR OF NEEBING SPECIFIC CLAIM

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Wawatay News DECEMBER 9, 2010

15

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

 ᐊᐣᑕ ᐅᒋ ᐸᐢᑫᑭᓂᑲᐣ 1

Tommy Miles/Special to Wawatay News

A polar bear in Fort Severn, November 2008.

                                             

                                              

                            

                                            

‘Share knowledge’: MNR From page 1 The research also documents historic interactions between the Cree and the Ontario government regarding the species.

“Polar bears are one of several species with very high subsistence and cultural value to the people of Fort Severn and Weenusk,” Dowsley said. “The goal of our project is to build capacity in the communities to manage these resources.”

An MNR spokeswoman said the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario assessed polar bears as a threatened species due to observed declines in the bears’ health, coupled with predicted future decreases in sea ice due to climate change.

To comply with the Endangered Species Act, 2007, the

MNR amended the Species at Risk in Ontario List in September 2009 to reflect the assessment.

“As a threatened species, the ESA requires us to prepare a recovery strategy within two years for polar bear (due next September) that will provide advice on how to protect and recover this iconic species,” said Emily Kirk, an MNR spokeswoman, in an e-mail message.

“We encourage Aboriginal communities to share their traditional knowledge and advice with us as we develop the recovery strategy. We understand that protection and recovery of polar bear is very important to these communities and we are seeking their participation to ensure that polar bear remain part of Ontario’s biodiversity for generations to come.”

BOARD MEMBERSHIP VACANCY NADF is a non-prot Aboriginal owned and operated nancial institution, providing business and nancial services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs and businesses in northern Ontario, including Treaty #9, Treaty #5 (Ontario portion), Treaty #3 and Robinson-Superior 1850.

NADF’s Board of Directors is representative of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation and consists of 12 members (9 Directors and 3 Members). A vacancy currently exists within our membersip and NADF is seeking to ll the vacancy from the Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) area.

NADF is inviting interested candidates from the KO area to submit their resume highlighting education, work history and experience related to business and economic development.

A strong nancial background is an asset.

Nominations for membership are also accepted.

Candidates holding a political leadership position are not eligible for membership.

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2011 Please mark all submissions ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ Submit nominations and/or resumes to: MAIL:

Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund Attn: Harvey Yesno 106 Centennial Square, 2nd Floor Thunder Bay, ON P7E 1H3

FAX:

(807) 623-1224

EMAIL:

hyesno@nadf.org

Community Futures Development Corporation

®

16

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 9, 2010

Healthy Lifestyles Book Submissions welcome to promote culturally appropriate nutrition and life choices! Send us your teachings, legends, stories, artwork, traditional lifestyles and healthy recipes!

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Video Promotions Campaign will address Misiwe Minoyawin’s 5 target issues through awareness videos that will be available online and distributed across northwestern Ontario.

T

he Misiwe Minoyawin project is holistic approach to healthy living aimed at demonstrating to Aboriginal people--especially youth--how healthy lifestyle choices can boost well-being. The project will focus on 5 target issues: substance/alcohol abuse, tobacco use, healthy eating, active lifestyle and mental health.

Submissions welcome! For more info or to submit to the Healthy Lifestyles Book contact: Chris Kornacki, Project Co-ordinator chrisk@wawatay.on.ca 807-344-3022 (phone) 1-888-575-2349 (toll free) 807-344-3182 (fax) Funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion through the Healthy Communities Fund

Ambassadors Of Health

Key Sharing Via Media

Campaign will select one representative for each of Misiwe Minoyawin’s 5 target issues. The Ambassadors will be available online in videos and forums to offer guidance to the youth and to promote a holistic healthy lifestyle.

Community driven healthy lifestyles awareness ads developed around Misiwe Minoyawin’s 5 target issues.

Ads will be judged and winners will be awarded prizes and used in Wawatay’s communication services!

Wawatay News DECEMBER 9, 2010

17

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Constance Lake forced to buy water Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Constance Lake has been forced to purchase additional supplies of water for community members due to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s recent cut in supplied bottled water.

“The band is still giving that 4.5 (litres of bottled water per person) even though INAC indicated they will reduce it to 1.5 (litres),” said Constance Lake Chief Arthur Moore.

“I’m hoping that they will reimburse us the full amount for whatever we distribute.”

Moore said the bottled water shipment costs about $50,000 for a population of 900 onreserve band members for a period of about four months.

A recently drilled well should be connected to the community’s water distribution system by the end of January or early February so bottled water would no longer be needed.

“I don’t think we’re asking anything astronomical at this

time,” Moore said. “It’s something realistic that we need to deal with.”

Moore said INAC’s supply of 1.5 litres of drinking water per person is unrealistic when cooking and food preparation is considered.

“We all know that we need more than 1.5 (litres of water) as individuals,” Moore said.

“It’s basically telling us that we don’t have to eat or boil water for cooking.

“We need that water to clean salads and vegetables and the meat before we cook it.

“If we use the tap water, it is still not safe.”

To date, the community remains under a boil water advisory.

An INAC spokeswoman said the bottled water supply has been reduced from four litres to 1.5 litres per person per day.

She says it’s because the community now has access to a consistent water supply via a truck that meets the additional water requirements of residents on a daily basis.

“INAC has committed $203,000 to truck water from a local co-generation plant that filters and treats water drawn from the Kabina River,” said Susan E. Bertrand, manager of communications north for INAC. “While the co-generation plant does not treat the water for drinking, once the water is delivered to Constance Lake’s water treatment plant, it is disinfected using a procedure developed by the plant operators and the Ontario Clean Water Agency.”

Bertrand said the disinfected water meets both Canadian and Ontario guidelines according to regular Health Canada analysis.

But because the water sometimes appears cloudy, a boil water advisory has been recommended to provide added protection.

“During the times of very high turbidity in the water obtained from the co-generation plant, the First Nation purchases and hauls water from the Town of Hearst,” Bertrand said.

Health Canada indicates guidelines for the amount of water required during an emergency are as follows: 1.5 litres per day for drinking water purposes for an adult, one litre per day for drinking water purposes for a child and 4.5 litres per day of additional water needed for personal hygiene.

Moore said doctors recommend healthy adults consume 2.2 litres of water per day.

“That doesn’t include those that are active, have poor health conditions and pregnant women,” Moore said.

“I continue to fear that the lack of clean water will lead to despair and ill health for the people of Constance Lake First Nation.”

The community has been without a viable source of water since early summer.

That’s when a thick layer of algae formed over the lake that was the main water supply for the community.

The water treatment plant was unable to filter the algae bloom.

Business Development Director JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY Wawatay Native Communications Society serves the communications needs of the people and communities in Northern Ontario. The Society does this through the provision of a variety of multimedia services, including but not limited to: a biweekly newspaper, daily native language radio programs, weekly television programming, audio streaming and regularly updated website. These services help to preserve and enhance the languages and culture of the Aboriginal people in Northern Ontario.

RESPONSIBILITIES: • Monitoring, overseeing and evaluation of all revenue generation activities and related expenses of the organization; • Generate and monitor budgets for each prot sector of the organization; • Develop systems and process for ow and reporting of revenues / expenditures and receivables related to prot sectors of the organization; • Revenue generating activities included but not limited to the following Wawatay products and services: - Advertising for newspaper - Radio commercials - Online sales and website development - Newspaper circulation - Print services - Paid programming/live broadcasts - Translation services • Research and development of new products and services to drive prots for the organization; • Develop marketing / promotional tools; • Participate in partnership development and joint venture opportunities; • Participate in the monitoring of market and business industry trends; • Participate in the planning, developing and implementation of marketing and business strategies, public relations campaigns, externally and internally; • Supervise staff and delegate duties to designated staff; • In consultation with the Management Team, plan and develop annual operational budgets; • Provide functional management and leadership to revenue generating staff; • Write reports as required; • Maintain high quality customer service to all clients; and • Other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS: • Education in business, administration or related elds and/or previous experience in a management position for at least 5 years.

• Must have excellent verbal and written communications skills.

• The ability to communicate in Ojibway, Oji-Cree or Cree considered an asset.

• A high degree of initiative, motivation and the ability to observe strict condentiality is essential.

• Excellent time management skills, including multi-tasking.

• The candidate must be willing to work overtime and travel as required.

• The candidate must provide a criminal records check.

• A valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required.

ACCOUNTABILITY: The Business Development Director is accountable to the Chief Executive Ofcer.

PLEASE SEND COVER LETTER, RESUMEAND 3 REFERENCES TO: David Neegan, Chief Executive Ofcer 16-5th Ave, P.O. Box 1180 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B7 807.737.2951 ext. 2231 or 1.800.243.9059 ext. 2231 davidn@wawatay.on.ca Deadline to apply is Friday, December 10, 2010 at 4:30 PM CST

Send letters to Santa editor@wawatay.on.ca Or fax to 807-737-3442

Items Wanted

For Sale

Saturday December 4, 2010 Fur pickup Schedule - Fur Harvesters Auction. Savant Lake-Savant Lake School 10:00 to 11:15am, Mile 50-Lawrence Necan’s Residence 11:00 to 11:15am, Osnanburgh-Band Office 10:00 to 12:30pm, Laureen’s Grocery 12:45 to 1:15pm, Pickle Lake-Northern Store 1:45 to 2:15pm

THE CEDAR CANOE; WHAT HAPPENED TO RYAN? BY KATHY TETLOCK. $20.00 EACH. A MOTHER SEARCHES FOR ANSWERS TO HER SON’S DEATH BY SUICIDE/COCAINE OVERDOSE IN RED LAKE, ONTARIO. ORDER BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO thecedarcanoe@ live.com OR ON FACEBOOK.

_

Secvices

Cosco Tech Garett J Cosco

Cell: 807-738-TECH (8324) Email: gjc@coscotech.ca Web: www.coscotech.ca • Computer Repairs/Upgrades • Network Setup • Virus Protection/Removal • Conference/Seminar Support • Satellite Installations/Repairs

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

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

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Nodin Child & Family Intervention Services (NCFI) MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLOR Internal/External Posting Permanent Full Time Location: Bearskin Lake First Nation

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY Nodin Child & Family Intervention Services (NCFI) MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLOR Internal/External Posting Permanent Full Time Location: Mishkeegogamang

This full time position reports to the Clinical Supervisor. The Mental Health Counsellor will be responsible for providing direct Clinical Intervention and Prevention Services to referred clients in the Child and Family Intervention catchment area of Bearskin Lake and the communities of Weagamow and Sachigo Lake.

This full time position reports to the Clinical Supervisor. The Mental Health Counsellor will be responsible for providing direct Clinical Intervention and Prevention Services to referred clients in the Child and Family Intervention catchment area of Mishkeegogamang.

QUALIFICATIONS • Degree in Social Work/Psychology with relevant clinical/ counselling experience is preferred; • Minimum two years experience in the health services environment; • Specialized courses in specific areas of mental health; • Experience with video counselling technology an asset; • Travel is a requirement of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS • Degree in Social Work/Psychology with relevant clinical/ counselling experience is preferred; • Minimum two years experience in the health services environment; • Specialized courses in specific areas of mental health; • Experience with video counselling technology an asset; • Travel is a requirement of the position.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY • Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone is an asset; • Ability to manage a case load independently; • Familiarity with working in acute care situations; • Knowledge of community resources; • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007.

Experience with a Client Database (e.g. CIMS), Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) & Brief Child and Family Phone Interview (BCFPI) an asset; • Excellent time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently; • Experience working with youth, a definite asset; • Education assistance and training available dependent upon applicant’s qualifications and in accordance with SLFNHA Policies and Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY • Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone is an asset; • Ability to manage a case load independently; • Familiarity with working in acute care situations; • Knowledge of community resources; • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007.

Experience with a Client Database (e.g. CIMS), Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) & Brief Child and Family Phone Interview (BCFPI) an asset; • Excellent time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently; • Experience working with youth, a definite asset; • Education assistance and training available dependent upon applicant’s qualifications and in accordance with SLFNHA Policies and Procedures.

Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal Reference Check with a Search of the Pardoned Sexual Offender Registry to:

Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal Reference Check with a Search of the Pardoned Sexual Offender Registry to:

Charlene Samuel, Human Resources Manager Human Resource Department Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority P.O. Box 1300, 61 Queen Street Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B8 Phone: (807) 737-1802 Fax: (807) 737-2969 Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com

Charlene Samuel, Human Resources Manager Human Resource Department Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority P.O. Box 1300, 61 Queen Street Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B8 Phone: (807) 737-1802 Fax: (807) 737-2969 Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com

Closing Date: December 17, 2010

Closing Date: December 22, 2010

The Health Authority wishes to thank all applicants in advance.

However, only those granted an interview will be contacted.

The Health Authority wishes to thank all applicants in advance.

However, only those granted an interview will be contacted.

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

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

18

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 9, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

SPORTS

James Thom/Wawatay News James Thom/Wawatay News

Thunder Bay Storm defeated the Bullies in a spirited 9-2 game to clinch the team’s third straight Sportsman Cup championship. Despite the loss, Bullies goalie Ryan Davis was the star of the game making several outstanding saves while trying to keep his team close on the scoreboard.

Thunder Bay Storm celebrate a 9-2 victory over the Bullies to win the Sportsman Cup. Fourteen teams participated in this year’s tournament, played Nov. 26-28 at Fort William First Nation Arena. Sioux Lookout defeated the Fort William First Nations Young Guns 3-1 in the B-side final.

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Wawatay News DECEMBER 9, 2010

19

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Sandy, Moose Cree have Right to Play James Thom Wawatay News

Youth in Sandy Lake and Moose Cree First Nations will be hitting the ice this winter to receive hockey lessons and compete in hockey games.

The youth will be participating in the Promoting Life-skills for Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) pilot project under the Right to Play program. The program was announced Nov. 29.

“Promoting Life-skills for Aboriginal Youth is making a positive impact in the lives of young people in these First Nations communities, helping them improve their health and gain the life skills they need to succeed,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister Chris Bentley.

“We are very fortunate to be working with Right To Play and our other partners to deliver this innovative program.”

The program aims to help Aboriginal youth improve their health, self-esteem and leadership skills through participation in sport and play activities.

A key component of the program is building leadership through volunteer work.

It also encourages relationship building with other members of the community.

“We are very inspired by the success of this program so far,” said Johann Olav Koss, president and CEO of Right to Play.

“The Promoting Life-skills for Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) program has already engaged nearly 500 First Nations youth

thanks to the leadership of the communities where we are working.

“We are seeing a generation of young leaders and active community members develop and we are excited to be able to bring a sport as Canadian as hockey into the fold.”

The PLAY program was introduced in Moose Cree and Sandy Lake First Nations in July 2010. Both communities report increased participation among youth and fewer incidents of vandalism and suicide since the program started.

During the ceremony, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn was also welcomed as the newest of 350 athlete ambassadors for Right to Play.

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Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy had the opportunity to meet hockey great Bobby Orr Nov. 29. Beardy was at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto for a Right to Play press conference and the Boston Bruins legendary defenseman just happened to be at the arena as well.

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20

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 9, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Our Board of Directors and Staff of Northern Nishnawbe Education Council, Pelican Falls Centre and Thunder Bay Student Support Services Program Wish you a

* Happy* New Year! and

Miigwetch, Thank you to all who are very instrumental in promoting First Nations Educational goals and Aspirations OUR YOUTH ARE OUR FUTURE WWW.NNEC.ON.CA Listen to Wahsa Radio 91.9 FM ~ Bell TV 972 ~ Wahsa Online Radio for staff greetings and Christmas music.

From the Students & Staff at Wahsa Distance Education Centre From the Students & Staff at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School From the Students & Staff at Pelican Falls First Nations High School Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

SECTION B

DECEMBER 9, 2010 Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

Running to remember a friend, move on Bryan Phelan Wawatay News

Thomas Wesley found another way to honour Casey Noon after delivering the eulogy at his funeral 20 years ago.

Wesley coached Noon as a runner for four years before his untimely death, when he was still in his late teens.

A Sandy Lake band member, Noon competed in high school track meets and marathons in Manitoba as part of the Red Lake Native Youth Running Club.

“When we lost Casey, that changed my life,” Wesley said Nov. 30, a day after the 20th anniversary of Noon’s death. “It affected our whole youth group.”

Wesley still thinks of Noon. “He was a very good runner,” said Wesley, a Cat Lake member. “He was something special. I thought … ‘How can we honour the memory of (him)?’ ” Wesley called an old running club friend, Johnny Mamakeesick of Keewaywin. Together they had participated in a Sacred Run across much of Canada in 1991. Now Wesley proposed a relay run of more than 300 kilometres, from Pelican Falls to Red Lake, in memory of Noon.

Mamakeesick agreed to co-ordinate the run and approached Casey’s mother, Tinia, with the idea. It would be the right thing to do, she agreed.

While remembering Noon “and all other youth we have lost through residential school, alcohol and drugs,” the run would at the same time represent breaking free of the past; “to put closure on the whole residential school issue and to move on with our lives for the benefit of future generations,” said the organizers.

“Most of us are intergenerational survivors of residential school,” explained Wesley, whose father David attended the former Pelican Falls Indian Residential School. “We’ve seen the cycle of abuses.

“The young people of today have to look beyond that,” he advised. “It’s all right to remember the past, to give us the strength to say we can overcome and still survive, but there’s a time when you can’t just survive any more.

“The last 20 yrs of my life I’ve been surviving. But this run, it’s about thriving.”

Henry Baker of Mishkeegogamang set out from Pelican Falls at dusk.

After a pipe ceremony, smudging and a hand drum song, Wesley had passed Baker a staff to carry as the first runner. The staff, bearing ribbons of the four sacred colours, would be

passed from one runner to the next.

“There’s a lot of people praying for us out there right now,” Wesley told Baker and two other Mishkeegogamang youth present for the start of the journey, Allison and Donovan Mekanak. “So when you carry the staff, hold it with pride and respect. This is a sacred event.”

Indigenous people traditionally ran to carry messages over long distances, said Wesley.

“We’re born natural runners; running is in our blood. We’re strong.”

Wesley found it fitting to first pass the staff to Baker, a recent graduate of the ‘new’ Pelican Falls First Nations High School and a North American Indigenous Games medalist in track.

Baker’s long stride covered the entire six-kilometre Pelican road, more than the planned two kilometres at a time.

Halfway to Dinorwic, Robert Sandberg of Wabaseemoong and Turry Wesley from Kenora joined the relay. The team of runners and its support vehicles reached Wabigoon the first night.

“I just didn’t want to run into any wildlife,” Baker said of running in the dark, when highway traffic is lightest.

Mamakeesick expressed relief just to survive that first night.

“I haven’t run for long time, probably over 15 years, because I was always drinking; I always got drunk,” he explained. “When I was running the first kilometre, I felt like I was going to die … I thought I was going to have a heart attack. But I thought in my mind ‘At least if you’re going to die from something, die from doing something really good, something that’s meaningful.’

“When I saw those young people running, it gave me the drive, the inspiration to keep on going.”

The group rested in Vermilion Bay the next night, welcomed Red Lake’s Shawn Mason to the running team in Ear Falls and overnighted again in Wabauskang.

Pressing on despite minor injuries, exhaustion, icy roads and blowing snow impressed people they met along the way, even those who thought they were “crazy” for running in those conditions.

“One family in Wabauskang invited us for supper and we didn’t really know them,” noted Wesley.

“One person said he lost his son not too long ago, and he was touched we were running to deliver (our) message.”

When it was time to leave Wabauskang the following morning, the runners found snow had piled up and the

Bryan Phelan/Wawatay News

Casey Noon Memorial Relay Run participants before departure from Pelican Falls: from left, Johnny Mamakeesick (co-ordinator), Thomas Wesley (coach) and Henry Baker. They were part of an eight-member relay team that ran 317 kilometres to Red Lake. road wasn’t plowed. They were stuck for more than an hour.

Wesley had expected the group to cover the 317 kilometres to Red Lake in at most three days. Now it would take four.

“There’s something about the number four that’s sacred – the four directions, the four colours,” he said. “It had to be that way.

The run ended with a police escort into Red Lake and a supper and sharing circle at the local friendship centre, where the running club Casey Noon belonged to started.

“I encourage you not to use any

drugs or alcohol because there’s a lot of that nowadays on every reserve and it’s killing our youth,” Baker said. “I lost two cousins in the past year due to that kind of stuff.

“Somebody has got to take leadership on the reserve,” he said. “Be that leader.”

It’s the reason he took up the challenge of the relay run when asked, and finished it with a sore knee.

“Coming back (into Red Lake), I remembered Casey and that hurt,” Wesley said.

Wesley said for him the run did bring closure to past hurts.

“It was probably the best experience in my life,” he said.

“The best thing is we rose up to the occasion, we completed the run and we delivered the message. I’m so proud of those young people.”

He recalled being on the road the last night of the run.

“We were running in a blizzard and the highway was closed. But the pavement was so soft, it was as if we were gliding; as if something was carrying us.”

–with files from Wawatay TV producer Victor Lyon

B2

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 9, 2010

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

á’Ľá“Żá? á?§ ᑲá?…á?Łá’‹ ᑲᑍá?§ á?ƒá?§á’‹á?Śá?Šá‘˛á“„á?¨ á?ƒá’Ş Holistic approach to ᑲá?ƒá”‘ á‘Žá?Żá“‚á’Ľá‘Żá?¨ á’Şá’‹á’Şá?˘á‘­á‘­á‘Ťá?ƒá?§á?Ł recognizing drug abuse ᒉᒼá?˘ á‘•á?§á‘Ś á?Šá?Šá?§á‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?ƒá?§á“‡á?Ł

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á‘­á“‚á’?ᓂᔼ á? á?Šá“‚á’Şá’?á?ąá‘Œá? , ᑲᑭá?ąá‘•á‘Ś á?ƒá‘­á‘?. á?Šá’Ľ á? á?ƒá‘­á‘Žá?¨ á’Şá’‹ á’Şá?˘á‘­á‘­á?Ł ᑲá?Šá?¸á‘•á‘­á?Ł á? á?˘á‘˛á‘Ś á?Šá?ƒá?§á”­ á?ƒá”‘á”­ á? á?Śá?Šá“„á’Ľá‘­á?¨ á?ƒá?§á”­á?ƒá?§á?Łá? . á?Šá“‚ ᑭᓇᑭᓯ ᒼᓇ á?Šá“‚ ᑲᑲá?˘á‘­á?ąá“‚á‘Žá“ą ᑲᔌ. á?Šá?ƒá?§á”­ ᑲá?…á“‚á‘­á?Śá?ƒá‘Żá’Şá?ƒá?§á?¨, á’Ľá? á?ƒá”‘ᓇᑲá?§á? ᒋᓇᓇá?Łá‘•á?ƒá?§ á‘­á‘Ťá?Łá‘•á’Şá“‚á?Ł ᑍᑯᓇá?Ł... ᒼᓇ ᑲᔌ ᒋᓇᓇᑲᒋá‘?á”­á“‚á?Ł ᑲá?Šá“‚á?ƒá”‘á”­á?¨ ᓇᓇá?Łá‘?á? ᑍᑯᓇá?Ł, ᑲᑭá?ąá‘•á‘Ś á?ƒá‘­á‘?. á? ᑲá?§ á‘•á?˘ á?ƒá?§á?Ł á?ƒá’Ş á?…á’Şá’Ľá‘Žá“€á?Łá’‹á‘˛á“‚á? , ᒼᔑᓇᑎᓄá?Ł ᑍᑯᓇá?Ł ᑲá?ƒá”‘á”­á?Šá?§á?¨, á?ƒá‘­á‘?. á’Ľá?Šá”• á? á?ƒá“Żá“­á? á’Ľá“Żá? á?§ ᒋᓇᓇá?Łá‘?ᓇᒪá? á?Šá“‚á?Ł á‘Ťá‘­á?ƒá”‘ á?ƒá?§á’‹á?Śá?ƒá‘˛á“„á?Šá?§á?¸á?Ł á?…á?ąá’Şá‘Žá“Żá?ƒá?§á“‚á?Šá?§. – á?ƒá?¸ ᑲᑭá?ąá‘•á‘Ś

á’Şá?Šá?§á?¨ ᑲᔌ á? á‘­á’‹ ᑭᔓá?Šá?§á“Żá?¨ ᒼᓇ á? ᓇᑯá‘?á?¨ á?…ᑭᔓá?Šá?§á“Żá?ƒá?§á?Ł, á? á‘­á’‹ ᓂᔼᑍá?Łá‘•á‘Żá“Żá?¨, á? á?Śá?Šá”­á?Šá?§á’‹á?Ł á‘Żá‘•á‘­á”­á?Ł ᑲá?…á?˘á‘­ á?…á‘?á‘Œá’Ľá?¨ ᒼᓇ á? ᑲ á? á?Šá“‚ á?ƒá?§á’‹á?Šá?§á’‹á?Ł á?…á‘?á‘Œá’Şá?Ł ᒼᓇ á?…á‘Žá?Żá?Łá’‹á‘Ťá?ƒá?§á“‡á?Ł ᑲá‘?ᑕᒧᓂá?¨ á? ᑲ

á? á?¸á?ąá?˘á‘Ťá?Łá‘•á’Şá‘Ťá?¨. á? á?˘á‘˛á‘Ś á?…á?Łá’‹ á‘­á’‹ á?…á‘?á‘Œá’Ľ á? ᑲá?§ á‘•á?˘ á?Šá?ąá?Ł á?…á?Łá’‹ á‘­á’‹á’Şá’‹á”­ ᒼᓇ ᑭᔓá?Šá?§á“Ż, ᑲᑭá?ąá‘•á‘Ś á?ƒá‘­á‘?. á‘Żá‘•á? á‘Ťá‘Żá?Ł á?ƒá? á?§ á?Šá?ƒá?§á”­ á?…á’Ľá‘Žá“€á?Łá’‹á‘˛á“‚á? , á? ᑲ á‘Ťá‘Żá?Ł ᑲá?§á”­á? á? á‘­ á’Şá’Ľá‘Žá“€á?Łá‘•á?Łá? , á? ᑲ á‘Ťá‘Żá“‚ á? á‘­á’‹á? á?§á?Łá‘•á?Łá? , á?¸á‘˛á?Ł ᑍᑯᓇá?Ł á? á“„á’‹á?Śá‘?á’‹á?Ł ᒼᓇ ᑲᔌ á?…ᑕᓇá?Łá? ᑲᑭá?ąá?Šá”Śá?Łá‘?ᑕᑲá?§á?¸á?Ł ᒼᓇ ᓇá?Śá”‘á“€ á’‹á‘­á?¸á‘˛á?§á?Śá?…á‘Žá“Żá?¨. ᑲᔌ á? ᑲ á?Šá?ąá“‚á‘Ż á?ƒá‘Ťá?§á“‚á?Šá?§á?Ł ᑲᓂᓴá?Żá?Łá‘•á‘­á?Ł á?…á‘Žá?˘á‘Żá“„á?ƒá?§á“‡á?Ł ᒼᓇ á’‹á?ƒá?§á?Łá‘•á’§á“‚á?¨ ᑲᑭᑭᓄá?Śá?Šá’Şá‘Żá?¨ á? á?Šá“‚ á’Şá”­á‘­á”­á?¨ á?Šá? á?§ á?…á?˘á‘˛á‘Žá?˘. á?Šá’?á‘Żá?ąá’Şá‘Žá“Żá?ƒá?§á?Ł ᑲá?ƒá’‹á‘˛á‘Œá? á’Ľá?Śá?ƒá’Ş á?Šá?ƒá?§á”­ ᑲá?…á?Łá’‹ á?ąá’Şá‘Žá“Żá?¨, ᑲᑭá?ąá‘•á‘Ś á?ƒá‘­á‘?. á? ᑲá?§ á‘•á?˘ á?Šá?ƒá?§á”­ ᑲᑎá?Żá“‚á’Ľá‘Żá?¨ á’Şá’‹á’Şá?˘á‘­á‘­á‘Ťá?ƒá?§á?Ł ᒼᓇ á’Ľá“‚á‘Ťá?ƒá?§á?Ł, á?…á‘•á’?á‘Żá?ąá’Şá‘Žá“Żá?ƒá?§á?Ł ᑲá?ƒá?§á?Ł á?Šá?¸á?Ł ᒋᓇᑲá?§á“‚á? , á‘­á?ƒá‘­á‘?. á?ƒá‘Ťá?§á“‚á?Šá?§á? ᑲᑎá?Żá“‚á’Ľá‘Żá?Šá?§á?¨ ᑍᑯᓇá?Ł á?Šá’Ľ á? á?ƒá“€á“‚á’Ľá‘Žá“ąá?Šá?§á?¨ á’Şá?Šá?§á?¨ á? ᑲ á‘Ťá‘Żá?Ł ᑲᑲá?˘á‘­á‘?á?¨ á’‹á‘?á‘•á?Łá? . á’Şá?Šá?§á?¨ ᑲᔌ ᒪᒉᓂᒼᑎᓯá?Šá?§á? á?ƒá? á?§ ᑲá‘?á‘•á’§á?Šá?§á?¨. á?…á?Łá’‹ ᑲá?˘á‘­á‘Žá?ąá‘Ťá“‚á’§á?Šá?§á? á?ƒá’Ş á?…á‘•á’?á‘Żá?ąá’Şá‘Žá“Żá?ƒá?§á“‚á?Šá?§. ᒼᓇ ᑲᔌ á? ᑲ á? á“‚á“Żá? á‘•á? á?§á?Łá‘•á’§á?Šá?§á?¨ á? á“´á‘­á?Śá?ƒá‘Żá?ƒá?§á“Żá?Šá?§á?¨ ᒼᓇ ᑲᔌ á’Şá?Šá?§á?¨ á? ᑭᒋ̇ᓀá?Łá‘•á‘Żá“Żá?Šá?§á?¨.

ᑯᑕᑭᔭ� ᑲᓇᑲ�ᑭ� ᑲᑎ�ᓂᒼᑯ��� ᒪᒋ ᑍᑯᓇ� * * * * *

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Inspection

James Thom Wawatay News

From dilated pupils, to lack of hygiene and a general look of being lethargic, there are many physical signs someone may be becoming an addict.

There are also telling emotional, mental and spititual signs, said Eva Kakepetum, drawing on 31 years in the counselling and addictions field including time with Community Counselling and Addictions Services in Sioux Lookout. “We need to take a holistic approach to health,� Kakepetum said. “As a parent, if you are concerned your child may be addicted, look at all the signs. “When you look at someone who is beginning an alcohol or drug addiction, there are obvious physical effects.

Do a checklist of what your children are doing.�

These include general tiredness, dark circles appearing under the person’s eyes and too much sleep or lack thereof. “As it progresses, you may notice your child’s teeth may be starting to rot,� Kakepetum said.

She said drug abuse can also cause lesions and sores on the body. These can typically lead to itching and scratching. “As a parent, you may have to be a detective ... and look for combinations of the symptoms,� Kakepetum said.

When it comes to the emotional

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Dryden Forest Management Co. (DFMC) and the Dryden Local Citizen Committee (LCC) would like to advise you that the 2011-2021 Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the Dryden Forest has been approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources Regional Director and is available for inspection.

The Planning Process The FMP takes approximately 2 years to complete. During this time, ďŹ ve formal opportunities for public and Aboriginal involvement are provided.

The fourth opportunity (Stage 4) for this FMP occurred on July 22, 2010 when the public was invited to review and comment on the draft forest management plan. This “Stage 5� notice is to advise you that the Ministry of Natural Resources -approved forest management plan will be available for inspection for 30-days.

FMP Inspection - Final Opportunity During the 30-day inspection period, you may make a written request to the Director, Environmental Assessment Approvals Branch, Ministry of the Environment for an individual environmental assessment of speciďŹ c forest management activities in the FMP. A response to a request will normally be provided by the Director, Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch, Ministry of the Environment after the completion of the 30-day inspection period.

The Ministry of Natural Resources -approved forest management plan and forest management plan summary are available for inspection during normal ofďŹ ce hours for 30-days December 15, 2010 to January 14, 2011 at the following locations: • Dryden Forest Management Co. OfďŹ ce: 28A Earl Avenue, Dryden ON. Contact: Jack Harrison at 807-223-7216 • Ministry of Natural Resources public website at ontario.ca/forestplans. (The Ontario Government Information Centre in Toronto and the appropriate communities of the Ministry of Natural Resources region, district and/or area ofďŹ ces provide internet access.)

Interested and affected persons and organizations can arrange an appointment with the Ministry of Natural Resources staff at the appropriate Ministry of Natural Resources district or area ofďŹ ce to discuss the forest management plan.

For further information, please contact: Don Armit, R.P.F. Jack Harrison, R.P.F. Paul Heayn MNR, Dryden District Dryden Forest Management Co. LCAC Box 730 28A Earl Ave. 41 Clearwater Crescent Dryden, ON P8N 2Z4 Dryden, ON P8N 1X5 Dryden, ON P8N 3H8 Tel.: 807-223-7526 Tel.: 807-223-7216 Tel.: 807-223-6824 The approved forest management plan will be available for the ten-year period of the forest management plan at the same locations listed above.

Ministry of Natural Resources is collecting your personal information under the authority of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act. Any personal information you provide (address, name, telephone, etc.) will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Your personal information may be used by the Ministry of Natural Resources to send you further information related to this forest management planning exercise. If you have questions about the use of your personal information, please contact Patti Mittleholt at 807-223-7557.

Renseignements en français : Sylvie Gilbart, tÊl. : (807) 934-2262.

Other signs of addiction • money missing from your home • valuables missing from your home • you catch your children lying, cheating and stealing • medication is missing • be mindful of what is being prescribed to your children and how they are taking it

D3: dump, ditch, diversion Robyn Cassidy

Forest Management Plan Inspection Dryden Forest 2011- 2021 Forest Management Plan

side, several signs are common, she said.

These include violent outbursts and displays of anger, mood swings, new friends and withdrawal from friends and family activities. “They could change from being nice and respectful to rude and angry,�

Kakepetum said.

Other factors include decreasing success in school and possible comments from teachers or peers about how the youth has changed.

Spituality is what makes people alive, Kakepetum said. “When time is being devoted to drugs and alcohol, a person’s spiritual side is gone,� she said. “People who are addicted come to believe they are losers. Some hate themselves for what they are doing. It clouds their spirit.

They are not aware that they are precious, that they are winners.�

Special to Wawatay News

“It’s time to save the planet,� say local Kashechewan youth as they scurry around town in a race to pick up pop cans.

Over the past few months, a tremendous change has taken place within the community. One can at a time, the youth are making an environmental stand by cleaning up their community.

This phenomenon has started because of the high hopes and good will of Francine J. Wesley Secondary School teacher Haydn George.

Because of George, D3 has faithfully been able to rely on the youth and community members of Kashechewan to collect their cans and bring them to

the school.

Once George and the youth have collected enough cans they will be shipped to Timmins to be properly recycled. As of November the program has collected more than 20,000 cans.

To help promote this D3 program and raise awareness within the schools and community, many other St. Andrews School and FJWSS staff have done their part to promote the program.

One great example is teacher Bonnie Brown who organized the first town clean up for both schools to take part in. The entire day was filled with smiles, dirt, laughter, garbage and small competitions for different crazy items classes collected. Brown’s clean up collected more than 120 bags of garbage.

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Wawatay News

Claude Chum new NAPS chief of police

DECEMBER 9, 2010

B3

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Province recognizes youth writers

Submitted photo

Luc Vincent, left, manager of the Honours and Awards Secretariat of Ontario, S. Brenda Small, chairwoman of the selection committee, and André Morriseau, present Michikan Lake’s Vanessa Trimble with her James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award Nov. 27 in Toronto. Sandy Lake’s Erik Fiddler and Thunder Bay’s Nakita Guillet also received awards. Each received a certificate and $2,500 award.

Ontario Energy Board Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Claude Chum, Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service’s new chief of police as of Jan. 1, plans to do everything in his power to stop drug abuse. “If you’re doing drugs, you are breaking the law,” he warned “I’m going to do everything in my power to stop you.”

Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service’s new chief of police wants to deliver more community-oriented policing to deal with social problems in the NAPS communities.

“The police can only do so much in dealing with these problems,” Chum said.

“I think most people agree that a lot of these problems are community problems, not policing problems.”

Chum was hired on at NAPS Dec. 1 and is scheduled to take over as chief of police Jan. 1. He has been in policing for more than 21 years, beginning his career as a constable with the Ontario Provincial Police’s First Nations Program in western Ontario in 1989 and the Anishinabek Police Service in 1996.

He has since worked his way up to sergeant, detachment commander, detective staff sergeant, director of operations for the Central Region and deputy chief of police with Anishinabek Police Service.

Chum wants NAPS to work with the communities through a committee, whether it’s a policing committee or another form of committee, to identify the issues causing social disorder in their community and develop action plans.

“Hopefully through these action plans we start putting in programs, putting in preventive measures,” Chum said. “It could be youth being bored, it could be alcohol abuse, it could be domestic abuse, it could be drugs. What’s causing these problems?”

Chum said community-oriented policing is a long-term program that will not solve problems overnight.

“It’s going to take a few years before you actually see results but we can’t be reacting all the time,” Chum said. “We’ve got to get it out of our minds we’re a reactive police service.”

“We’ve got to start looking at more of a proactive approach on everything that we do in policing.”

As for the prescription drug problem in many communities, Chum said the development of policing or other committees in the communities will be a “big help.”

“We have to identify what the root cause is before we can actually solve a problem,” Chum said. “We can’t keep putting a bandage on everything we are doing. Prescription drugs are a big problem shared by the communities.”

Chum wants community members to step forward with any information or evidence to help stop the prescription drug abuse problem in their communities.

“Once we get them on board, hopefully they will understand that we’ve got to deal with this as a community approach, not just a policing (approach),” Chum said. “We have to help our police solve this problem. The police can only do so much — it is up to the rest of us to do the rest.”

Chum said the current chief of police Robin Jones has taken an aggressive approach on prescription drugs.

“My job is to continue with that and obviously I am going to explore more options in the area of the enforcement plan they put together where I can improve upon it and make it more aggressive,” Chum said. “If you’re doing drugs, you are breaking the law. I’m going to do everything in my power to stop you.”

Commission de l’énergie de l’Ontario

NOTICE OF APPLICATION AND HEARING HYDRO ONE BRAMPTON NETWORKS INC. AND HYDRO ONE NETWORKS INC.

EB-2010-0331 EB-2010-0332

2011-2014 BOARD-APPROVED CONSERVATION AND DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS Hydro One Brampton Networks Inc. (“Hydro One Brampton”) and Hydro One Networks Inc. (“Hydro One”) have each filed an application with the Ontario Energy Board (the “Board”), dated November 1, 2010 seeking an order granting approval of funding for six individual conservation and demand management (“CDM”) programs.

The Board has assigned file number EB-2010-0331 to the Hydro One Brampton application and file number EB-2010-0332 to the Hydro One application.

The application has been filed pursuant to the Board’s CDM Code that was issued on September 16, 2010. The CDM Code was developed by the Board in response to a Directive from the Minister of Energy dated March 31, 2010.

Both Hydro One Brampton and Hydro One have filed for approval of the same suite of CDM programs. The programs for which they are seeking approval are: Community Education, Neighbourhood Benchmarking, Monitoring and Targeting, Small Commercial Energy Management and Load Control, Municipal and Hospital Energy Efficiency Performance, and Double Return Plus. Hydro One Brampton seeks approval for a total of $7.9 million and Hydro One seeks approval for a total of $32.0 million. Both Hydro One Brampton and Hydro One also seek approval of a variance account to record the difference between the funding awarded for Board-Approved CDM Programs and the actual spending incurred to carry out the programs. If approved, the CDM programs will be funded by all provincial ratepayers through the Global Adjustment Mechanism, which is a part of the “commodity” line item on a standard residential bill.

How to see Hydro One Brampton Network Inc.’s and Hydro One Network Inc.’s Applications and Pre-filed Evidence Copies of the applications and the pre-filed evidence in support of the application will be available for public inspection at the Board’s offices and at both Hydro One Brampton Network Inc.’s and Hydro One Network Inc.’s head offices.

Hearing Pursuant to its powers under section 21(5) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, the Board will combine these hearings. The Board has not determined whether it will hold an oral or written hearing for this application and welcomes parties to include their recommendation for the type of hearing the Board should hold when filing for participant status. Any submissions recommending the type of hearing the Board should hold in this matter must be received by the Board and copied to the applicant within 10 days of the publication or service date of this notice.

How to Participate If you would like to participate in this proceeding, please specify the applications’ Board File No. EB-2010-0331 and EB-2010-0332.

You may participate in this proceeding in one of three ways: 1. Become an Intervenor Intervenors participate actively in the proceeding (i.e., submit written questions, evidence, and arguments, and cross-examine witnesses at an oral hearing).

A request for intervenor status must be made by letter of intervention and be received by the Board no later than 10 days from the publication or service date of this notice. A letter of intervention must include: (a) a description of how you are, or may be, affected by the outcome of this proceeding; (b) if you represent a group, a description of the group and its membership; and (c) whether you intend to seek an award of costs and the grounds for your cost award eligibility.

You must provide a copy of your letter of intervention to the applicant.

Everything an intervenor files with the Board, including the intervenor’s name and contact information, will be placed on the public record, which means that all filings will be available for viewing at the Board’s offices and will be placed on the Board’s website.

If you already have a user ID, please submit your intervention request through the Board’s web portal at www.errr.oeb.gov.on.ca. Additionally, two paper copies must be submitted to the address set out below.

If you do not have a user ID, visit the Board’s website under e-Filing Services and complete a user ID/password request form. For instructions on how to submit documents and naming conventions please refer to the RESS Document Guidelines found at www.oeb.gov.on.ca/OEB/Industry, e-Filing Services.

The Board also accepts interventions by e-mail, at the address below, and again, two additional paper copies are required. Those who do not have internet access are required to submit their intervention request on a CD in PDF format, along with two paper copies.

2. Send a Letter with your Comments to the Board If you wish to comment on the proceeding without becoming an intervenor, you may submit a letter of comment to the Board Secretary.

All letters of comment sent to the Board will be placed on the public record, which means that the letters will be available for viewing at the Board’s offices and will be placed on the Board’s website.

Before placing the letter of comment on the public record, the Board will remove any personal (i.e., not business) contact information from the letter of

comment (i.e., the address, fax number, phone number, and e-mail address of the individual). However, the name of the individual and the content of the letter of comment will become part of the public record.

A complete copy of your letter of comment, including your name, contact information, and the content of the letter, will be provided to the applicant and the Hearing Panel.

Your letter of comment must be received by the Board no later than 30 days from the publication or service date of this notice. The Board accepts letters of comment by either post or e-mail at the addresses below.

3. Become an Observer Observers do not participate actively in the proceeding but receive documents issued by the Board in the proceeding. There is no fee for observers to receive documents issued by the Board.

A request for observer status must be made in writing and be received by the Board no later than 10 days from the publication or service date of this notice. The Board accepts observer request letters by either post or e-mail at the addresses below.

All letters requesting observer status will become part of the public record, which means that the letters will be available for viewing at the Board’s offices and will be placed on the Board’s website.

Before placing the request for observer status on the public record, the Board will remove any personal (i.e., not business) contact information from the request (i.e., the address, fax number, phone number, and e-mail address of the individual). However, the name of the individual and the content of the request for observer status will become part of the public record.

Observers may also request documents filed by the applicant and other parties to the proceeding but must request these documents directly from the relevant party. Observers may be required to pay for the costs of reproducing and delivering the material.

Most documents filed in this application will also be available on the Board’s website.

Need More Information?

Further information on how to participate may be obtained by visiting the Board’s Web site at www.oeb.gov.on.ca or by calling our Consumer Relations Centre at 1-877-632-2727.

How to Contact Us In responding to this notice please reference Board file number EB-2010-0331 and EB-2010-0332. It is also important that you provide your name, postal address, telephone number and, if available, an e-mail address and fax number.

All communications should be directed to the attention of the Board Secretary at the address below, and be received no later than 4:45 p.m. on the required date.

For your convenience, the Board accepts letters of comment by either post or e-mail. Our e-mail address is BoardSec@oeb.gov.on.ca. Please include the application file reference number in the subject line of your e-mail.

IMPORTANT IF YOU DO NOT FILE A WRITTEN SUBMISSION OBJECTING TO A WRITTEN HEARING OR DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE HEARING BY FILING WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS NOTICE, THE BOARD MAY PROCEED WITHOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION AND YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO FURTHER NOTICE IN THIS PROCEEDING. Addresses Ontario Energy Board P.O. Box 2319 2300 Yonge Street, 27th Floor Toronto, ON M4P 1E4 Attention: Ms. Kirsten Walli Board Secretary Tel.: 1-877-632-2727 (toll free) Fax: 416-440-7656 E-mail: BoardSec@oeb.gov.on.ca

Hydro One Brampton Networks Inc. (Head Office) 175 Sandalwood Pkwy. West Brampton, ON L7A 1E8 Attention: Mr. Scott Miller Regulatory Affairs Manager Tel.: 905-452-5504 Fax: 905-840-1915 E-mail: smiller@HydroOneBrampton.com

Hydro One Networks Inc. (Head Office) 8th Floor, South Tower 483 Bay Street Toronto, ON M5G 2P5 Attention: Ms. Anne-Marie Reilly Senior Regulatory Coordinator – Regulatory Affairs Tel.: 416-345-6482 Fax: 416-345-5866 E-mail: Regulatory@HydroOne.com DATED at Toronto, November 19, 2010 ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD Original Signed By Kirsten Walli Board Secretary

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Wawatay News

ONTARIO POWER GENERATION

ART ROB PLANT MANAGER NORTHWEST HYDROELECTRIC John Murphy, Executive Vice President, Hydro, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Art Rob as Plant Manager, Northwest Hydroelectric Plant Group. Mr. Rob replaces Mike Martelli, who was recently appointed Plant Manager of OPG’s Niagara Hydroelectric Plant Group.

Mr. Rob received his Bachelor of Engineering from Lakehead University and is a graduate of its Management Leadership Program. Since joining OPG, he has worked in various capacities in both the thermal and hydroelectric divisions of the company.

The Northwest Plant Group, headquartered in Thunder Bay, operates 11 hydroelectric generating stations across Northwestern Ontario with work centres in Kenora, Ear Falls, Cameron Falls (Nipigon) and Thunder Bay. Ontario Power Generation Inc. produces about two-thirds of the province's electricity. With 12,000 employees working at 73 power plants across Ontario, our focus is on producing reliable, low-priced electricity in a safe, open and environmentally responsible manner.

CHRIS FRALICK PLANT MANAGER NORTHWEST THERMAL Frank Chiarotto, Senior Vice President, Thermal, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Fralick as Plant Manager, Northwest Thermal. Mr. Fralick is responsible for OPG’s Atikokan and Thunder Bay generating stations. He replaces Derrick Brooks who will be retiring from OPG at the end of 2010.

A Chemical Engineering graduate from the University of Waterloo, with an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University, Mr. Fralick joined OPG in 2000 in the Graduate Engineer Training Program. Moving to Nanticoke Generating Station in 2002, he held a number of technical, supervisory and management positions before being appointed Production Manager at Thunder Bay Generating Station in 2009.

Ontario Power Generation Inc. produces about two-thirds of the province's electricity. With 12,000 employees working at 73 power plants across Ontario, our focus is on producing reliable, low-priced electricity in a safe, open and environmentally responsible manner.

opg.com

DECEMBER 9, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Wesahchechak and the women’s fancy: a Christmas story Gail Duiker Special to Wawatay News

Christmas time drew closer.

Somehow, the days seemed to be brighter and the night sky seemed bluer.

Wesahchechak wondered about Christmas. Was it special because people hoped … hoped for something to happen on that day? Was it because people remembered something that happened on that day? People wanted to be with other people at Christmas.

And all the people loved Christmas parties.

He walked from the small camp he called home to the North of Sixty, a store on the Enock reserve. An ad on the bulletin board read ‘Come to celebrate Christmas at the Friendship Centre in Edmonton.’

Wasahchechak put his sunglasses on top of his black fedora, still reading.

‘Really cool, a Christmas dinner and mini powwow Dec. 23.

He did a small dance. ‘Maybe they will have donuts.’

“Oh, oh, we’re going to have a parteee…!’ he sang (like Marvin Gaye) to himself.

Lately, he had taken up the habit of talking to himself.

‘Old boy, I should say, old man, what exactly will be required of you, to make an appearance at the party.’

The old coyote had read there would be crafts. He had read there would be drumming but he wasn’t good at that either.

And then, he said to himself ‘there must be something that you are really good at, dear old boy, Wesahchechak.

‘How about eating food?’

But sadly, he realized he had no money to buy a ticket to the supper.

‘There must be a way to get included in the dinner,’ he said to himself.

As he was walking by some houses, he saw Christmas trees were set up. Smaller kids were playing while their kokums made cookies. Some bigger kids playing were playing with snowballs but they did not notice as he took a closer look at the kokum who looked very efficient.

He wished he was a kokom for then everyone would love him and want his company.

As he looked back at the house, his eyes were sad and droopy.

That was when he noticed something hanging on the porch railing. It was a beautiful patch-work blanket was draped neatly on the railing.

Wesahchechak took a good look at it. Quickly, he scooped up the blanket and ran into the trees. He heard the kokom call out “Now, what happened to my blanket? You kids better not be taking stuff to play with in the snow.”

He could hear the protests of the children saying “but we didn’t take it,” as he kept walking, When he got back to his camp, Wesahchechak hung the blanket up on a tree branch.

‘Why, I will just borrow the blanket, that is all,” he said to himself.

He went to bed happy that

night. No one would refuse to let in old, old kokum at a Christmas party, he thought.

The next morning though, he had a sober thought as he stared at his hairy feet and toes. Why, he needed boots.

Finally, he went to the band office. In the hallway, there was a nice pair of boots. He made a coyote jump for them and gathered the boots up. And he ran all the way back to his camp.

The day of the party came and he hung around the store called North of Sixty. He hopped in the back of the pickup. As luck would have it, the Indians were headed back to Edmonton.

At Jasper Avenue, Wesahchechak hopped off the back of the truck.

He was pretty cold and he walked to Concordia College and straight to the men’s washroom. When he put on the blanket and the boots, he looked in the mirror. His tail was hanging out of his blanket and he took off a shoe-lace and tied his tail to his leg.

Suddenly, the door opened.

“Oh, sorry, ma’am,” the man said and went outside to check the sign.

As Wesahchechak left the bathroom, he gave the man a dirty look.

The evening was mild and the coyote whistled as he began walking to the friendship centre. When he got there, people were lined up already. But no one seemed to question that he was not a kokum.

Downstairs, a young woman with long hair squinted at him.

“Are you here for the dinner?”

“Why yes, Nemsis. I forgot my ticket.”

Wesahchechak pretended to look under his blanket.

“Oh-Oh. lost my purse.

Maybe, I left it in the 7-11,” he said.

“I will go see if there is anything we can do,” the girl said.

She came back with good news.

“Kokum, don’t worry. We will not charge you and you can have a supper, too.”

“Thank you, darling … I mean, dear,” he said.

Wesahchechak almost walzed into the large room until he remembered his kokum dignity.

He sat himself closest to the large table. His mouth watered as he admired the bannock and the berry jam which he especially liked. But where was the usual Tim Horton’s box of donuts?

Suddenly, a fellow sat down.

“Hello there, granny,” the man said.

Wesahchechak moved his chair. “Cheeky old guy” he mumbled.

Finally, the emcee welcomed the guests. An Elder thanked everyone and offered a prayer of thanks. No sooner had the Elder sat back down, a lone voice was heard.

“Amen. Mooshum. Lets eat,” Wesahchechak exclaimed.

And Wesahchecak did just that though he did not see donuts. He ate until the tables were cleared right away.

The emcee checked his mike.

“One-two. One-two.”

Then he said. “Welcome. All

you Indians and other guests… those that are from out of town.

We are honoring the women here, what work they do at Christmas. So here is the women’s honor dance as advertised.

Now, you women, come on up.”

“Aren’t you going to dance, sister?” the man sitting besides Wesahchechak asked.

If I was a woman, why would I not be up there, I wondered.

“Old coot,” Wesahchechak mumbled.

The emcee heard.

“Why, don’t be shy Kokum.

Let’s hear a round of applause to help bring Kokum up.”

Wesahchechak walked slowly to the centre of the room.

There, he became conscious of the drum.

Ka-boom. Ka-boom. Kaboom.

The other women were moving slowly. Some carried eagle feathers and were looking so dignified. Wesahchechak copied their movements. Move slowly, regal-like. Bounce on your toes.

Turn a little, he told himself.

But as the drumming grew louder. Coyote bounced just a little more. As he was bouncing, he didn’t notice that the shoelace that tied up his tail to his leg had come loose. His bushy coyote tail swung up free and out of his blanket.

Some country people began whispering. The old woman was Coyote.

But Wesahchechak was having the time of his life. He swung with his blanket a little to the left, a little to the right.

Silver strands of tinsel swung across his long Coyote nose.

The emcee coughed.

“Ho-kay, Kokum. Heh-heh.

Take it easy now. We wouldn’t want you to show up everyone.

Heh-heh!”

“Better tell the drummers to pack it up in four minutes,” the emcee said to another man.

“The kokum may have been into the berry juice before that one came here!”

He made a few motions as if he were having a drink.

“Thank you to all the women,” the emcee said as the drumming stopped. “And wouldn’t we all want to know what Indian country that kokum hails from? But stick around, people. There is still lots of tea, coffee and donuts.”

Wesahchechak was sorry about his lack of dignity, but only because he was having to miss out on his favorite thing, Tim Horton’s donuts.

The emcee seemed disappointed.

“It appears that kokum has left the building.”

And it was true as Wesahchechak had already boarded the No. 5 bus and was headed towards the west-end of town.

About the author and story.

This is a modern day story about Wesahchechak, the coyote-man. The story is not a traditional (passed down) story but a modern day story written by the author.

Many cultures have trickster figures. And lessons are learned about what is acceptable or not acceptable behavior by laughing at the actions.

Gail Duiker is a Cree writer and artist born on Red Pheasant reserve in Saskatchewan.

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 9, 2010

B5

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Millions of Minutes Reading Challenge

The Millions of Minutes Reading Challenge is open to everyone and runs from: Wednesday, December 1, 2010 to Monday, January 31, 2011.

How does the challenge work?

You can read what you want, when you want, where you want. You can read with a friend, or with your kids, or by yourself. You can read when you are shopping, when you’re at work or even when you’re relaxing! Mark down the minutes you’ve read on the Minute Form and drop it back to the library. Your minutes along with all other minutes submitted will be totalled and then added to the thermometer on display at the Post Office.

Let’s see just how much this community can read!

Forms and more information available at the Public Library – 737-3660.

This event is part of Sioux Lookout’s Ninth Annual Literacy Festival

Literacy Festival 2011—My Sioux Lookout!

Without a Home Phone?

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1-866-287-1348 Proudly serving Ontario and all of Canada Reasonable rates Friendly Service No Credit Information Required

Wasaya Christmas Celebration photos by Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

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TOP: Wapekeka’s Jordan Baxter plays a video game while awaiting his meal at Wasaya’s annual Thunder Bay Christmas banquet, held Dec. 4 at the Port Arthur Ukrainian Prosvita.

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LEFT: Wasaya Airways president and CEO Tom Morris, left, celebrated another year of operations at the Port Arthur Ukrainian Prosvita.

BOTTOM: Wapekeka Chief Norman Brown deposited some of his draw tickets into the Landmark Inn overnight hotel stay draw bag at the party.

Start your New Year off right by saving $$ We want YOU to see our new pillow top mattresses, at screen TV’s and bigger breakfast!

Clip & save* in January & February, 2011

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Call

1-800-465-3844

to make a reservation

Free deluxe continental breakfast every morning!

Free movies & the BEST Water Park in the Northwest!

B6

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 9, 2010

á?§á?Šá?§á?Šá‘Œ á?Šá’‹á’§á?§á?ƒá“‡á?Ł

Moosonee’s Dorothy Wynne honoured Rick Garrick Wawatay News

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Moosonee’s Dorothy Wynne has contributed more than her share of the more than 800 million hours Ontario residents volunteer annually.

For those efforts, she was a recent recipient of the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship. “I got the award for all the volunteering work I did with the Ontario Native Women’s Association at the community level,� said the voluntary board member of the Ontario Native Women’s Association. “I have been on their board since 1980, so it’s been 30 years.�

Wynne helped start up a local chapter of the Ontario Native Women’s Association in Kapuskasing in the mid-1970s. “I got involved with the provincial organization in 19791980,� Wynne said. “It was the Kapuskasing Native women that started working towards establishing a Native friendship centre there.�

Wynne has also been involved with the local school board and volunteered her Native-language interpretion services with the local children’s aid society and the courts in Kapuskasing. “If I got paid a penny for every time I interpreted, I would have a little nest egg,�

Wynne said. “But when you’re a volunteer, you don’t look for that. You’re there to help your people.�

Wynne, who is currently

involved with the Moosonee Native Friendship Centre and the MoCreebec Council of the Cree Nation, was among a group of 12 other people from across Ontario who received the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship for their exceptional contributions to their communities during a Nov. 23 ceremony hosted by Lt.-Gov. David C. Onley at Queen’s Park. “I’m only one of (the) women working hard like this across the province and to be recognized is great,� Wynne said. “It was quite an honour for me to be nominated by my president (Dawn Harvard, ONWA president). I’m not the only woman in the province that does this work, there are others.�

Wynne has devoted her career and volunteer efforts toward preserving the cultural teachings and traditions of the Cree Nation as well as advocating for improved and culturally sensitive health and legal services within Northern Ontario communities.

Wynne also continues to pursue traditional craftwork in her spare time. “I’m making a white pair of moose hide slippers, home tanned,� Wynne said. “They’re for sale because a friend of mine wanted to buy a pair.�

The Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship was created in 1973 to recognize people who have made exceptional long-term contributions to the quality of life in the province.

Kids! Don’t forget to send us your letters to Santa! We will be sure to publish them in Wawatay News!

Please send your letters to: editor@wawatay.on.ca -or- fax to 807-737-3442 Santa is waiting to hear from you and so are we.

Don’t forget to include your age and home community.

Letters to Santa must be received no later than Dec. 15, so get them in as early as you can.

Merry Christmas!

Wawatay News

DECEMBER 9, 2010

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

B7

“Save Our Languages” Fundraising Campaign Wawatay Native Communications Society is a self-governing, independent community-driven entrepreneurial Native organization dedicated to using appropriate technologies to meet the communication needs of people of Aboriginal ancestry in Northern Ontario, wherever they live. In doing so, its founders intended that Wawatay would serve their communities by preserving, maintaining and enhancing Indigenous languages and culture.

THE CAMPAIGN: The Campaign helps support the continued delivery of the many valuable Aboriginal language services and programs that Wawatay continues to provide including bi-weekly newspaper production and distribution, daily radio programming, television production services, regularly updated website, print services, translation services, and SEVEN Youth Media Network.

How You Can Help: Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Treaty #3 First Nation communities are members of Wawatay Native Communications Society and are urged to send in their Annual Membership Fees of $500.00 to our Sioux Lookout Bureau to the attention of Grant Chisel and note the payment is for “Membership Fee”.

We are looking for volunteers for our radio-a-thon which we are hoping will garner support in the following ways: a) b) c)

membership drive (member First Nations to pay their annual membership fee) generate donations from individuals, businesses and organizations create awareness of our products and services and generate support.

Contact Evange Kanakakeesic at our Sioux Lookout Bureau or e-mail her at evangelinek@wawatay.on.ca. We are seeking volunteer hosts, musical talent, storytellers, comedians, etc.

If you would like to make a donation, please send it to our Sioux Lookout Bureau to the attention of Grant Chisel or check out our “Donate” button on www.wawataynews.ca Please make any cheque or money orders payable to “Wawatay” and note it is a donation for the “Save Our Languages” Campaign or for “SEVEN Youth Media Network” (if you would like to support our youth initiatives). Wawatay is a charitable organization and can provide receipts. Unless requested, a receipt will not be issued for donations of less than $20.00.

WAWATAY RADIO NETWORK Box 1180, 16 Fifth Avenue, Sioux Lookout, ON, P8T 1B7 • 1.800.243.9059 toll free • (807).737.2951 phone • (807).737.3224 fax

Wawatay Native Communications Society

www.wawataynews.ca

ᐊᐧᐊᐧᑌ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯᒧᐃᐧᓂ ᐊᔭᒧᐃᐧᓂ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᓇᐣ

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Wawatay News

Volunteers Needed Are you looking for an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others? If so, consider volunteering with Ah-shawah-bin Sioux Lookout / Lac Seul Victim Support Services.

People of all skills and abilities are welcome to apply!

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

If you are interested in becoming involved or would like more information, please contact Sioux Lookout office (807) 737-1700 or Lac Seul office (807) 582-9800 ᐊᓐᑕᐧᐁᓐᑕᑯᓯᐧᐊᒃ ᐊᐧᐃᔭᒃ ᒋᐱᐧᐊᐧᐃᑐᑲᑫᐧᐊᒡ ᑭᓇᓇᑐᓇᓐ ᐃᓇ ᐊᓂᓐ ᑫᑭᐃᔑ ᐧᐊᐧᐃᒋᐃᐧᐁᔭᐸᓐ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐊᓐᒋᓭᓂᒃ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐧᐃᓂᐧᐊ ᑲᐊᓐᑕᐧᐁᑕᒧᐧᐊᒡ ᒋᐧᐃᒋᐃᐧᑕ. ᑭᔥᐱᓐ ᐅᐧᐁ ᐧᐃᐃᔑᒋᑫᔭᓐ ᑭᑕᑭ ᓇᓇᑲᑕᐧᐁᑕᓐ ᒋᑭᐱ ᐧᐊᐧᐃᒋᐃᐧᐁᔭᐸᓐ ᐅᐅᒪ ᐊᔕᐧᐊᐱᓐ ᐧᐊᓂᓇᐧᐊᑲᒃ ᑲᔦ ᐅᐱᔑᑯᑲᒃ ᑲᑭᒪᔑᓭᐧᐊᑦ ᐅᐧᐃᑐᑲᑯᐧᐃᓂᐧᐊ ᑲᐃᔑᓂᑲᑌᒃ. ᑭᓇᑐᒥᑯᓇᐧᐊ ᐊᐧᐁᓀᓐ ᐃᑯ ᐊᓂᓐ ᑲᐃᔑᑲᔥᑭᐅᒡ ᒋᐱᓇᓇᑐᑭᑫᑕᒃ ᐧᐃᐱᐧᐊᐧᐃᒋᐃᐧᐁᒡ. ᐱᒥ ᓇᓂᔓᐧᐃᑕᓄᑭᒥᑎᐧᐊᒃ ᐁᐅᒋ ᐧᐃᒋᐊᐧᐊᒡ ᑕᑯᓂᐧᐁᐧᐃ ᐊᓄᑭᐊᑲᓇᒃ ᑲᔦ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᒃ ᑕᐧᐃᓂᒃ ᑲᑕᓇᓄᑭᑕᒪᑫᐧᐊᒡ ᐁᐊᓄᑭᑕᒪᑫᐧᐊᒡ ᐃᐃᒪ ᐃᓇᑫ ᒧᔑᐅᐧᐃᓂᒃ ᑲᔦ ᑲᐧᐃᑐᑲᑫᒪᑲᓂᑭᓐ ᐧᐃᒋᐃᑯᐧᐃᓇᓐ ᑲᑭᒪᓐᔑᑐᑕᐧᐃᐧᑕ ᑲᔦ ᑲᑭ ᑭᒋᒪᓐᔑᓭᐧᐊᒡ. ᑕᑭᑭᓄᐊᒪᐧᐊᑲᓂᐧᐃᐧᐊᒃ ᑲᔦ ᐃᑭᐧᐁᓂᐧᐊᒃ ᑲᑭᐅᑕᐱᓂᐧᑕ ᒋᐱᒥ ᐧᐊᐧᐃᑐᑲᑫᐧᐊᒡ. ᑭᔥᐱᓐ ᐃᑕᔥ ᒥᓴᐧᐁᑕᒪᓐ ᒋᐱᐧᐃᒋᐃᐧᐁᔭᓐ ᑫᒪ ᑫᔭᐱ ᐧᐊᓂᓇᐧᐊᑲᒃ ᐅᔑᐱᐃᑫᐧᐃᑲᒥᑯᒃ (807) 737-1700 ᐅᐱᔑᑯᑲᒃ ᐅᔑᐱᐃᑫᐧᐃᑲᒥᑯᒃ (807) 582- 9800

Send letters to Santa editor@wawatay.on.ca Or fax to 807-737-3442

DECEMBER 9, 2010

NEWS

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

IN BRIEF

Pikangikum named as Outside Looking In participant Pikangikum First Nation was one of three communities selected to participate in the Outside Looking In (OLI) program.

“The board and I are thrilled to have Pikangikum returning for their third year in a row,” said Tracee Smith, founder and CEO of Outside Looking In, a program designed to provide opportunities for self-expression to Indigenous youth through the arts.

“The first thing we look for is capacity within the community to run the program. The second requirement is the will and motivation to carry it through.

“Since Pikangikum has retained great staff and teachers who are enthusiastic and have run the program in the past, we know that with their help, we can make this year another memorable one.”

The teachers and staff of Pikangikum First Nation began their official orientation program in mid-November.

It was run by OLI staff.

Teachers and community staff go through a six-week orientation program.

Orientation includes attendance policies for youth, fundraising, and rewards and recognition programs.

Parents of the youth will also learn ways to support their children through the OLI program and ensure they understand how vital they are to the success of their youth.

“We had a youth from Pikangikum, Kerrie Peters, graduate from high school,” Smith said.

Peters was in the programs for the first two years Pikangikum participated.

“Now, there will be other students on their way to graduating in the near future,” Smith said.

“Now in our fourth year, we are seeing the benefits our pro-

gram is having when communities continually apply and participate year after year.

The sense of empowerment and pride is something very hard to describe with words.”

The main goal the youth are striving for is to maintain in good academic standing and attending all of their OLI rehearsals in order to travel to downtown Toronto from their home communities to perform in front of sold-out audiences in June 2011, Smith said.

The other communities involved for 2011 will be Lac La Croix First Nation and the Natuashish Innu. –JT

remain involved.

When pressed on who the partners were, he said: “I’m not at liberty to discuss the partners. Details of the agreement won’t be available until the end of January. Our lawyers are continuing to work on the legal documents.”

Regardless of the details, Kamenawatemin is excited about what bringing helicopters into the Wasaya fold will mean.

They will be available for use in the mining, construction,

geophysical, environmental and tourism industries.

“Remote communities sometimes require emergency help,” Kamenawatemin said, indicating the units could be used for search and rescue operations if necessary.

When the business launches in February, it will start with one chopper. Two others will join the fleet shortly after the launch, he said, making the enterprise a multi-million dollar operation. –JT

the meals are heavily subsidized.”

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Vice-Chief Morley Watson said the Canadian Taxpayers Federation’s recent report is misleading, noting the report compares First Nation leaders’ salary and travel expenses to the prime minister’s salary alone without including other benefits such as pensions.

“It’s an unfair assumption,” Watson said.

“To us what is jaw dropping is that our chief and councils can serve for years in their community and do not receive benefits/pensions once their term has expired.

Unlike, MP’s (Members of Parliament) and MLA’s (Members of Legislative Assemblies) who receive lifetime benefits for their services.”

Watson said First Nation leaders often go above and beyond the call of duty for their citizens.

“For example, when there’s an accident or fire in a First Nations community, the first people to be called are the chief and the councils,” Watson said.

“When an accident occurs within the province, the premier and his MLA’s have an abundance of staff and agencies to respond to these types of situations.” –RG

Wasaya to launch helicopter service When northerners look way up in the sky in the next few months, there could be something besides birds and planes in the air.

Wasaya Group Inc. (WGI) plans to launch a helicopter service and have it operational by February, WGI president and CEO Tom Kamenawatemin said Dec. 3.

Wasaya was set to fully announce its partners in the joint venture during a press conference in its Fort William

First Nation office boardroom but issues, which weren’t fully disclosed, arose prompting questions.

“One of the partners was not available,” Kamenawatemin said.

A press release distributed before the news conference listed original Wasaya Airways LP partner Frank Kelner as a partner in the helicopter business.

Kamenawatemin was coy about whether Kelner would

First Nations leaders’ salaries defended Nishnawbe Aski Nation chiefs do not receive the high salaries reported in a recent publication by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

“I never hear a concern regarding a NAN chief,” said Grand Chief Stan Beardy.

“The chiefs in NAN territory are very conscious about accountability and transparency so that is why they always direct NAN to publish our audit on an annual basis.”

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation report alleges 82 First Nations politicians were paid more than the prime minister, 222 First Nations leaders were paid more than their

respective premiers and more than 700 received an income over $100,000 off reserve in 2008/2009.

Beardy said most of the chiefs in NAN territory place the people first before themselves.

“They’ll make sure somebody else gets a new house before they do,” Beardy said.

Beardy also noted that federal and provincial leaders receive plenty of other benefits besides their paycheque.

“The premier, and I imagine the prime minister, get body guards, limos, residences subsidized and meals subsidized,” Beardy said.

“I know on Parliament Hill,

Sandy Lake awarded $72,000 in Trillium funding Sandy Lake has been awarded $72,000 for a youth media outreach project.

“Funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation contributes to building economic and social resilience in communities across the province by helping many charitable and not-for-profit groups build constructive partnerships and networks,” said

Minister of Tourism and Culture Michael Chan.

Sandy Lake was awarded $72,000 over one year to purchase equipment and hire professional artists to deliver a youth media outreach project, which will train youth aged nine to 18 in media arts. Participants will learn skills to work collaboratively on music and video

projects that will help to engage the community in discussions important to youth.

OTF awarded $1,696,500 to 20 projects benefiting Aboriginal communities and community groups across Ontario, including $217,000 to five projects in northwestern Ontario.

“Charitable and not-forprofit organizations support

their communities,” said Helen Burstyn, chair of the OTF Board of Directors. “They offer hope through initiatives for economic development and training for residents and volunteers. By creating new opportunities for success, these local organizations are effective agents for positive change in their communities.” –RG

Join fishing hosts Jerry Sawanas and Neil Michelin in...

on APTN (North)

Wawatay Kids TV

Shoomis’ Legends

Wednesday’s and Friday’s at 7:30 a.m.

Tuesday’s at 9:30 a.m.

Cry of the Loon: Fishing Adventures Monday’s at 2:00 p.m. & Saturday’s at 12:30 p.m.

All times central. Check local listings.