Volume 18 Issue 1 Published monthly by the Union of Indians - Anishinabek Nation Single Copy: $2.00 March 2006 IN THE NEWS Little NHL good to go SUDBURY – Players on 118 teams from all across Ontario will be competing for new trophies donated by CTV/ TSN when the 35th annual Little Native Hockey League tourna- ment gets underway March 12- 16. More on Page 20. Status card case over NORTH BAY – Fraud charges have been stayed against mem- bers of The League of North American Indian Nations on con- dition they tell persons who pur- chase membership SACRED FIRE – Anishinabek Justice cards that they do Nation Grand Council Chief Stephen O’Neill not carry the same John Beaucage, centre, and rights or benefi ts as Certifi cates Elder Ray Rogers, left, joined of Indian Status issued by the members of the family of Dudley Canadian government. Justice George at a Feb. 20th sacred Stephen O’Neill, who began fi re at the . hearing the case over two years – Photo by Sue Reeve ago, was one of 120 people who London Free Press participated in a “reconciliation circle” at the local Indian Friend- ship Centre conducted by Algon- quin Elder William Commanda. Natives think Ipperwash Inquiry Fontaine runs again WINNIPEG (CP) – Phil Fontaine will seek re-election as head of the Assembly of has heard enough evidence this summer. The 61-year-old from FOREST, Ont. – As the Ipperwash “It is hard to achieve justice for mier in June of 1995. A 1994 located in his riding. Manitoba’s Sag- Inquiry headed into its 20th month, Dudley when the person with the Peterborough newspaper report “Despite a great deal of evi- keeng First Nation First Nations leaders in Ontario most power in the province repeat- quoted Harris – then leader of the dence to the contrary,” said Grand is the fi rst declared were confi dent that Commissioner edly cannot recall important con- provincial Conservative party – as Council Chief Beaucage, “the for- Phil Fontaine candidate in the leadership race, Sidney Linden had heard enough versations, and denies evidence saying: “Too many (natives) spend mer premier is in denial about the which could see ’s na- evidence to convince him that the of colleagues who do remember all their time on courts and lawyers impact his harsh attitudes about tional chief elected for the fi rst 1995 killing of Dudley George by them,” said Angus Toulouse, On- and they just stay home and do Native people had on subsequent time by all eligible First Nation an OPP sniper had political over- tario Re- nothing.” He police actions regarding the un- citizens, not just the country’s tones. gional told a small armed protesters in Ipperwash 633 chiefs. While they were disappointed Chief for meeting of Park. The George family has wait- that February’s four days of tes- the Chiefs tourism opera- ed over ten years for the truth to Blue Heron bans smoking timony by indicated of Ontar- tors that the in- come out about Dudley’s death, PORT PERRY – The Great Blue that the former premier is unwill- io. He was cumbent NDP and Mr. Harris’ conduct as a wit- Heron Charity Casino, owned by ing to accept any responsibility for referring government ness is disrespectful of their right the Mississaugas of Scugog Is- land First Nation, will George’s death, Native leaders felt to Harris’ was “willing to learn why he really died.” become smoke- his evidence had painted an accu- repeated to give away On the last morning of Harris’ free on June 1st rate picture of a government whose denials Northern On- testimony, a Debwewin Circle – or of this year. Chief leader did not respect aboriginal that he tario” to settle truth ceremony – was conducted Tracy Gauthier people or rights. told three aboriginal in a teepee outside the community said her commu- “It was incredible to hear the cabinet land claims. centre where the inquiry began in nity will be enacting former premier of Canada’s larg- ministers Harris said he April, 2004. About two dozen peo- similar non-smoking regulations est province say that the lpperwash and three disagreed with ple – including Dudley George’s as the province of Ontario on the crisis was only worth 5-10 min- high-rank- Mike Harris the article’s brothers and sisters – crowded into same date. utes of his time prior to attending ing OPP interpretation a teepee where a sacred fi re was day-long functions at the Canadian offi cers attending the crucial Sept. of his remarks, but could not recall lit. Open Golf Tournament,” said An- 6, 1995 afternoon meeting: “I just whether he requested a correction Less than a week after Harris’ The Rights-based ishinabek Nation Grand Council want the f****ing Indians out of from the newspaper. testimony, the man who shot and Agenda Chief John Beaucage. “He says he the park!” In November, former Harris’ response to accusations killed Dudley George died in a car What is it? cannot even remember who called attorney-general that he had an anti-Native agenda crash in eastern Ontario. Kenneth See Grand or who attended the critical meet- testifi ed that Harris did use those – his Conservatives moved quick- Deane, 45, was to testify within Council Chief ing eleven hours before Dudley’s words at that meeting. ly to cancel community fi shing weeks at the judicial probe into Beaucage’s death that left police with the im- During cross-examination, licences and impose a 20-per-cent George’s death when he was killed thoughts on Grand Council pression the premier wanted the Harris was repeatedly questioned “win tax” on Casino Rama profi ts in a car crash in eastern Ontario. Chief John Page 17. Beaucage Indians out of the park fast. Is this about his attitudes towards ab- – was to cite invitations he had abdication of responsibility or in- original people, both before and been given to attend fi sh fries in More about Ipperwash on Pages eptitude?” after his election as Ontario pre- Nipissing and Dokis First Nations, 4 and 9. Page 2 Anishinabek News March 2006 Anishinabek Veterans Laws and by-laws require resources By Fred Bellefeuille tive because there is a tradition of healing as a means Use of laws and by-laws for community development of addressing issues of community concern and be- vocal about vary widely within the 42 First Nations of the Anishi- cause, practically speaking, some small First Nations nabek. memberships have close family ties within the com- gravesites The Union of Ontario Indians conducted two munity and court prosecution for enforcement would By Kevin Schofi eld workshops late in 2005 in Thunder Bay and Rama greatly impact those family relationships. NIPISSING FN – First Nations concerning ways to effectively administer and enforce In southern areas of the Anishinabek, capacity for veterans are concerned that the First Nation laws and by-laws as a practical tool for by-law development is not as great an issue, although graves of fallen comrades are not community development. enforcement is. Many First Nations lack the capacity being properly marked. While First Nation laws and by-laws can be a to issue and prosecute by-laws, with issuing of infrac- Representatives of the newly- valuable tool for community development by bringing tions being the fi rst challenge. organized First Nations Veterans certainty to contentious issues, addressing community As a result of the problems with enforcement, by- of Canada met Jan. 30-31 with Alex Van Bibber problems and managing access to natural resources, laws in some cases are used more as a policy guide for representatives of the federal de- in the Northern regions of the Anishinabek, First Na- dealing with issues than as for rules having the force partment of Veterans Affairs to gram is in place to ensure that all tions have identifi ed signifi cant challenges in simply of law. Such is the case with some First Nation mat- personally address the concerns veterans receive proper recogni- developing by-laws. rimonial property by-laws that are used as guidelines they had as a group. tion for their contributions in life Resources for technical support for by-law de- for dealing with on-reserve family breakup, because Clarence Chabot, a veteran to the Canadian war effort and velopment are generally lacking and in some cases, currently the Family Law Act does not apply. Other from Maniwaki, Quebec, felt that that if any one knows of graves strengthening of governance structures is needed for First Nations have signifi cant capacity to develop and the concerns of First Nations vet- that are not properly recognized approval and legitimacy of by-laws. Some First Na- enforce by-laws through the use of by-law enforce- erans were not being respected by as that of Canadian veterans, then tions express the fact that enforcement in the form of ment offi cers and protocols with local courts for pros- the federal department of Veterans they should be contacted and each court prosecution would not be appropriate or effec- ecution. Affairs. individual case would be looked “First Nations contributions in into,” said Michael, noting that the Canadian military history are not Last Post Fund is in place to cover Laurentian plans spring pow-wow taught in school,” he told Veterans funeral and burial expenses of all Affairs spokesman Phil Michael, Canadian veterans. Lakehead University Native Student Association “particularly the fact that Ojib- The First Nation vets were also & the Oshki Anishnawbeg Student Association present Sumac way warriors assisted the Crown concerned about issues of protocol so readily at great cost during the during the recent trip to the battle- Annual Spring Pow Wow war of 1812 with the Americans. fi elds of Europe, the government- Honouring the Jingle Dress Without the support of First Na- organized Aboriginal Spiritual Creek Tipi tions fi ghters, Canada would be a Journey. The veterans said they part of the United States today.” were not allowed premium seating March 10-12, 2006 Location: Lakehead University, CJ Saunders Fieldhouse, Thunder Bay, ON Michael told the veterans in a and that dignitaries had the best Co. Grand Entry: Saturday 1:00 & 7:00, Sunday 12:00 pm meeting at the Elders Hall at the seats in front, while the veterans Union of Ontario Indians that the were told to sit on the side. MC: Ron Kanutski AD: Dave Simard Commonwealth Graves Depart- The veterans expressed hope Host Drum: Spirit Wind display ment would be able to ensure that that they will be included in the Invited Drums: Bear Creek & Chikeywissons proper markers would be placed upcoming anniversary of the Bat- on all graves of First Nations sol- tle of the Somme scheduled for For more information contact: Deanne Morrison/Aaron Genereaux diers. “The Federal Graves pro- 2007. (807) 346-7713; or Gabe Bird/Ian Crowe (807) 475-6207 2 x 3

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against Aboriginal women, including historical events, and the 12½”, the main picture being 12” x 12” with ¼” space left Alice planning quilt contemporary socio-economic status of Aboriginal people in around it for seam allowance. The design is yours; the colours Canada. are yours; the embellishments are yours; the materials you use The report includes stories about Canada’s missing and are your choice. Just make sure the blocks can be added and for Sisters in Spirit murdered Aboriginal women, and concludes: “In every used in the quilt. instance, Canadian authorities could and should have done “Please include: CURVE LAKE FN – Master quilter Alice Williams has another more to ensure the safety of these women and girls. 1. a story telling what your square is about; project in the works. “The purpose of this quilt is to provide an avenue whereby 2. your name and address; This time the renowned Curve Lake artist is soliciting we Indigenous People can express our horror, our pain, our 3. your e-mail address and; contributions of squares for the creation of a quilt to support anger, our fears and dreads, our extreme frustrations over the 4. your phone number. the “Sisters in Spirit” campaign and raise public awareness of unfair treatment and abuses suffered by our Peoples because of “I may need to ask you something about your square and I the alarmingly high rates of violence against Aboriginal women the values, attitudes, and policies of the Canadian government would like to keep you informed about the progress of the quilt in Canada. An estimated 500 Native women have gone missing and the general Canadian population,” says Alice, who hopes to and maybe even be able to send you a picture of the completed in Canada over the past decade. have all the blocks in her hands by June 21, National Aboriginal quilt.” In 2004 Amnesty International released a report Stolen Day. Blocks should be sent to Alice Olsen Williams, Curve Sisters: A Human Rights Response to Discrimination and “The project is to create a quilt comprised of the squares Lake First Nation, ON K0L 1R0. Telephone 705-657-3319, Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada. The report sent in to me by those Indigenous People who contribute a E-mail [email protected], or visit www.arts.knet.ca/crafts/ discusses factors that have contributed to the level of violence square depicting the theme. The squares should be 12½” x awilliams/ Teaching lodge planners ready to ‘blue-sky’ again By Cindy Crowe RED ROCK – Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism at Lakehead University received a visit from three individuals from Lake Helen First Nation in January to discuss a proposed teaching lodge to be established near Lake Helen and Nipigon. As part of their course requirement, the students have been examining how similar initiatives have been undertaken elsewhere. The intention of these overviews was to provide the students with a background facilitating the production of group reports examining the various components of establishing a teaching lodge. While the students Madame Justice Joyce Lynn Pelletier accepts a smudge from Elder Freda McDonald inside the Superior appreciated the previous overviews, it was the Jan. 20 visit which Court of Justice. provided a rationale and gave concrete substance to the proposal. One student summarized their experience in the following words: New Madame Justice ‘smudged-in’ “Now that we have met the proponents, we have a better understanding of what the teaching lodge concept is about.” With this new direction By Rick Garrick Affairs Canada offi cials thought back to university and apply. He and vision in mind, the students have been preparing for a community THUNDER BAY – As the smoke was best for her as a high school believed in me and gave me hope. meeting scheduled for March 10 at Nipigon Red Rock District High from Elder Freda McDonald’s graduate some 30 years ago. Sometimes that’s all it takes to School. smudge of the four sacred Although Pelletier had dreamed change the direction that a (person medicines drifted throughout the of being a lawyer since she was 16 is) headed in.” During the morning session, the Lakehead University students were Main Courtroom of the Superior years old, INAC discouraged her Pelletier then studied law at to present their draft fi ndings regarding facility development, fi nance, Court of Justice in Thunder Bay, dreams. Queens University, graduating in programming, marketing and centre management. They will be seeking Madame Justice Joyce Lynn “It wasn’t until I went through 1990, and was called to the bar input and suggestions to be incorporated into their fi nal reports due in Pelletier smudged herself and her some diffi cult times in my life and in 1992, 16 years after she fi rst April 2006. two eagle feathers soon after being the late Judge Lester gave me some dreamed about being a lawyer. Following a lunch provided by Elders and volunteers, project presented with her Ontario Court of hope,” Pelletier said, that she began A standing-room-only crowd participant will continue the “blue-sky thinking” session held Dec. 8, Justice gown. to feel encouraged about following of about 170 people, including 2005. “I’m really very proud to have her dream. “I said to him that I Chief Peter Collins of Fort William If you require transportation or more information concerning the one of our people on the bench,” thought about being a lawyer many First Nation, attended the Feb. 15 upcoming session, please contact either Norma Fawcett at (807) 887- McDonald said, after saying a years ago. He encouraged me to go swearing-in ceremony. 2205 or Cindy Crowe at toll free: 1-888-852-5856. prayer for Pelletier, a Fort William First Nation citizen and a lawyer since 1992, “to send her on her way Eagle feathers for on this new journey she’s taken.” Justice of the Peace Pelletier was appointed as a Justice of the Peace Debra provincial judge to the Ontario Huston, a citizen of Nipissing Court of Justice, effective Dec. First Nation, with fi ancé Rod Cox 28, 2005, by Attorney-General of the North Bay City Police, Michael Bryant and has since been at her swearing-in ceremony busy shadowing other judges in the area. in Ontario Court of Justice, “It’s for me to observe the other Brampton, Ontario, January 16, more experienced judges,” Pelletier 2006. Her Worship holds two said, noting that the experience eagle feathers, one given her by taught her how judges maintain Elder Richard Assiniwai. Debra order in the courtroom and gave was joined by sons Brendan and her a different perspective of the Tyson, father Albert Couchie, court and a “sense of the role of the mother Alice Gascon, and many Lakehead University students Tara McCarthy and Heather Gilmour judge.” friends and relatives for the are helping a group of First Nations residents plan a teaching lodge Pelletier’s new role is a far cry event. in the Lake Nipigon area. from what Indian and Northern – Photo by Mike Restoule Page 4 Anishinabek News March 2006 Maanda ndinendam

The Anishinabek News is a monthly publication of the Union of Ontario cart at the A&P store a few blocks away. Indians (UOI). Views expressed are not necessarily the opinion or political What fl ag fl ies position of the UOI. No portion of this paper, including advertisements, artwork, photos and Suddenly around the corner of the deli coun- editorial content may be reproduced without written permission of the Anishi- ter came the familiar fi gure of former Ontario nabek News Editor or UOI Executive. will depend on premier Mike Harris, chomping on a pepperoni Readers are invited to submit letters, articles, and photos for publication. Please include your name, address and telephone number on all material stick, and selecting a bag of white curd to add submitted. All submissions will be reviewed for publication based on priority of to some other non-essential items in his cart, interest and edited for clarity of thought, taste, brevity and legal implications. Ipperwash including a pretty bouquet of fl owers. In a few Remuneration will be paid for submissions only if a written agreement with the weeks, I would be seeing him give evidence at Editor is made prior to publication. By Maurice Switzer the Ipperwash Inquiry, a judicial probe into the Sept. 6, 1995 killing by an OPP sniper of un- Editor: Maurice Switzer Our front windows frame a wall-to-wall view armed Chippewa protester Dudley George. of Lake Nipissing, the fi ve islands they call the Contributors: Jennifer Ashawasegai, Joyce Atcheson, Manitous, and a 20-foot-pole topped by a fl ap- Holly Brodhagen, Cindy Crowe, At the checkout counter I confi rmed that it ping red and white Canadian fl ag. Kathleen Imbert, Rick Garrick, Lynn Gehl, was indeed Mike Harris. Perry McLeod-Shabogesic, Christine Lois Provost, Laura Robinson Flags have always captured my interest. As a “Yes,” he paused. “How are ya!” a boy, I prized my card collection of the world’s Editorial Board: Fred Bellefeuille, Les Couchie, Cathie Favreau, 100 fl ags – there are al- Alan Ozawanimke “I’m fi ne …but Dudley George isn’t,” I re- most twice that many plied. Co-ordinator: Priscilla Goulais today – almost as high- ly as my stacks of base- My comment barely phased him. Telephone: (705) 497-9127 Toll Free: 1-877-702-5200 ball and hockey cards Fax: (705) 497-9135 e-mail: [email protected] that represented many Anishinabek News “Well, I’m fi ne too,” he said, fl ashing the long hours of laborious P.O. Box 711, Nipissing First Nation, North Bay, ON P1B 8J8 same defi ant demeanour that marked his politi- bubble-gum chewing. cal career. He gathered up his curd, and his pep- It was amazing to me peroni sticks – and his fl owers – and sauntered how pieces of bright- away. coloured fabric could represent entire na- Three weeks later, he was even more defi ant, tions, and the histories Maurice Switzer as I watched lawyers grilling him for four days Publishing Criteria and traditions of mil- about his role in the Ipperwash tragedy. GOAL lions of people. To publish a quality newspaper and related publications de- signed to foster pride and share knowledge about Anishinabek No, he insisted, he didn’t tell cabinet min- Most people resident in Canada see their red current affairs, culture, goals, and accomplishments. isters and senior OPP offi cers that “I just want maple leaf as a source of pride. After all, this is the f**king Indians out of the park.” And yes, he OBJECTIVES a country that for four years in a row was rated would do things exactly the same way if he had To provide information that refl ects the Creator’s four original by the United Nations as the best country in the it to do all over again. gifts to the Anishinabek: world. But not for everyone. Using the same UN socio-economic indicators, it was calculated that Respect: To welcome diversity and encourage a free ex- As much as I despise what he did and what – taken as a separate group – aboriginal people change of opinions that may differ without being disagreeable. he stood for, I couldn’t help but feel very sad for Fair and humourous comments are welcomed, but not ridicule living in Canada would rank 63rd in the world, Mike Harris whens he testifi ed that he spent two or personal attacks. right next to Borneo. of the three days before Dudley George’s death Honesty: Debwewin – speaking the truth – is the cornerstone playing golf and partying at the Canadian Open. Canada won’t truly be the best place in the of our newspaper’s content. Despite people like him, Canada is still the best world in which to live until residents of places country in the world in which to live. Sharing: Providing opportunities for people from the four like Kashechewan don’t have to pay $17 for a jar corners of the Anishinabek Nation to tell stories and record of Cheese Whiz and still be unable to drink water achievements, and to keep our citizens informed about activi- But, based on what I heard, if Ipperwash com- from their taps. ties of the Union of Ontario Indians. missioner Sidney Linden does not fi nd that the actions of former premier Mike Harris played a Strength: To give a voice to the vision of the Anishinabek Sometimes students or participants in cross- critical role in the events that led to the unneces- Nation that celebrates our history, culture and language, pro- cultural workshops, after discussions about the sary death of Dudley George, we will be hauling motes our land, treaty, and aboriginal rights, and supports the horrors of residential schools, the legacy of bro- development of healthy and prosperous communities. down the red and white fl ag that fl ies over our ken treaties, and injustices of stolen lands, ask lakefront home. NOTE: The Editor reserves the right to edit all submissions if I feel more Canadian or Native. I tell them for brevity, clarity, and suitability for publication. All formal that I won’t feel truly Canadian until this coun- comments and complaints must be addressed to Editorial try keeps its part of the bargains it made with Maurice Switzer is a citizen of the Missisau- Board c/o Anishinabek News. our grandparents, ancestors like Tecumseh who gas of Alderville First Nation. He serves as direc- helped settlers survive and defended their fl ags tor of communications for the Union of Ontario in battle. Indians and editor of the Anishinabek News. Advertising & News Deadlines Meanwhile, we’re still fl ying the Canadian The current circulation of the Anishinabek News is 10,000 copies, fl ag over a lakefront property on which we pay with 9,000 mailed and 1,000 distributed at various events. hefty municipal taxes, land that is actually part DEADLINES FOR APRIL ISSUE of the traditional territory of signatories to the Advertising 1923 Williams Treaty, including my community

Bookings: Mar. 20 of Alderville First Nation. The legalities of this Final Art: Mar. 24 “transaction” will eventually be determined by News the . News submissions: Mar. 20 Scheduled printing: April 5 Our home is like a cottage on the lake side, For more information or inquiries to the Anishinabek News and a city out of our back door, with grocery related to advertising and circulation issues please call our new stores, gas stations, and barbershops within easy toll-free number: 1-800-463-6408 walking distance. So a typical Friday evening in late January founding me fi lling up my shopping March 2006 Anishinabek News Page 5 Maanda ndinendam/Opinion Looking at things from the bear’s perspective Editor: bobcats, foxes, thundersticks “The plentiful berry stands and A recent article in the Thunder Bay wolves/coyotes, and metal traps fi sh stocks of the old days are gone, Chronicle-Journal described the eagles, hawks, and concern us all our home and habitat are going away, looming dangerous state of “The of course crows because we have erased by modern developments. We Bear Problem” at the town of Mara- and ravens, along learned these hear on the winds of the northern for- thon’s landfi ll site. with a lot of other things will only est that there are humans who want to I’ve taken a different view of the smaller critters. bring us harm. It kill even more of us and make their situation that is refl ective of my up- The solution is unclear to us business on the taking of our lives. bringing both in northern bush com- is not to destroy why the human in Too many of our young bears have munities and urban centres. Bears wildlife and its the box at the gar- been left without their mothers after have always been a part of this land entire habitat but bage dump stays a human’s thunderstick struck her and have been here as long as my to learn to live in it on site but never down. Too many young are orphaned Anishinabek ancestors have. We had in harmony. An- joins us in the and defenceless, not knowledgeable to co-exist knowing that both human ishinabek people feast. We would in the ways of the northern forest. and animal could destroy one another. have had a sa- welcome them They will die of starvation or fall prey That is why the Bear (Mukwa) holds cred role to speak after we have had to another predator. a place of importance in our cultural on behalf of the Humans set out smorgasbords for hungry bears. our fi ll; there is “The garbage dumps of the hu- teachings. animals, trees and enough for all to mankind feed many other animal I would ask the readers to look at plants, rivers and lake waters in hu- “We plead our case to the Anishi- go around. clans besides the bears, for often you it from another point of view, that it is man council circles. If any northerner nabek leadership and the MNR offi - “The Elders of our senior bear will see our little brothers/sisters the not a bear problem but a human prob- needs a reminder of what so-called cials who have taken on the husbandry council tell us about days gone by foxes, skunks, gulls, ravens, crows, lem. Most humans who live here in “controlled development” has done, role of natural environmental protec- when only the Anishinabek and a whiskey-jacks, and sometimes even Northern Ontario will see bears dur- visit southern Ontario where there tion and evolution. Help us to raise handful of newcomers roamed our brother wolf or the mighty eagle have ing their lifetime. Bears must be re- are no wilderness lands and free- our young in peace and harmony, as it bounteous homeland and we were come to the dumps for a tidbit of food spected as powerful animals that can roaming wildlife like we have in the was a hundred winters ago, when we as great in number as the stars in the when hunting has been scarce. All the maul and kill almost any unarmed hu- north. Many species have been eradi- did not have to forage in the remains night sky. It is said that some humans animal clans know of the human gar- man if they choose to attack. For the cated and now only small pockets of of human leftovers to feed ourselves. even named a group of stars after bage dumps because you can smell most part bears have become leery of wildlife live close to modern man’s Everyday the humans come and lay our kind but it seems now very few them downwind for miles and miles. human presence in their habitat but domain. Is this what is to happen to out a smorgasbord of foods that smell remember the sacrifi ce we made to Please help us and hear our words be- will always be attracted by food and our pristine northern lands and all its oh so tasty, …a smell no bear can feed and clothe the Anishinabek and fore it is too late for our kind.” the attractive smell it gives off over a diverse wildlife? Think before you resist and will walk miles to fi nd the the recent newcomers. For thousands So when you see bears in the gar- great distance. start shooting, digging, damming and source of such a fragrant morsel. of winters our two races lived in a bage dumps all across the North try People who live by lakeshores burning. I was taught if you speak in “Lately we have lived in fear peaceful existence taking only what and take a different view of the crea- and country homes know that if you Anishinabe the animals will listen and and had our biggest and bravest bear was needed for the day and leaving tures put here by the Great Spirit. It’s leave food, garbage, bird seed, gar- understand and we in turn must listen warriors cruise the perimeter of the the rest for another time. Sometimes not an animal problem. It’s a human dens and orchards and even small to them. dumpsites to protect our young with we would kill the humans, and some- problem. Enjoy them for what they pets out unprotected, these things will If the bears could speak and write their mothers and of course the senior times the humans would kill us but are. inevitably attract bears, skunks, lynx/ it might go something like this: bear elders. Our fear of the human never for sport or pleasure. Gerry V. Martin, Thunder Bay Morrisseau show ‘spiritual’ Bill to cover Editor: As I sat recently watching the national news, an image of an old hero and men- insulin pumps tor appeared on the screen. Norval Morrisseau, crippled and unable to speak, Editor: was being given a tour of his art exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada On December 1, a private member’s in Ottawa. bill proposing the extension of OHIP Morrisseau was one of the fi rst Native artists to bring spiritual images of coverage to include diabetes insulin his culture into the forefront of the mainstream Canadian art world. Unlike pumps and supplies passed its second other famous artists, he has lived long enough to witness his place in time. reading before the House in the On- The exhibition is running until April 30th, 2006 and should be seen by tario Legislature with unanimous sup- people of all cultures. This is not simple a spiritual experience but an educa- port from all parties. tional one as well. In Ontario, 706,500 people live Irvin Elwood Marshall, Sudbury with diabetes. Physicians may prescribe peo- ple with Type 1 diabetes an insulin Mom proud her son pump as the most appropriate deliv- ery method to better control glucose levels. Insulin pumps and supplies are knows ‘facts of life’ expensive, but are often not covered Editor: ally laid it on thick. But I hate it when by employer or private health insur- After reading your column in the he tells me he’s going out because I ance plans, and are not included on January/February issue of the Anishi- want to protect him from all those our provincial formulary. Bill 15 at- nabek News where you talked about outside infl uences that may damage tempts to address this access issue. the dangers of sexually-transmitted him and his future later. If you support this Bill, write im- diseases and the overwhelming effect He then turned to me and shocked mediately to your MPP requesting that the virus HIV/AIDS has on our me with this response. “ I don’t plan their support for Michael Gravelle’s youth, I could not help but share a on getting drunk and I won’t be mess- Bill 15 - An Act to amend the Health moment that may inspire the younger ing with any girls, I plan on keeping Insurance Act. Thank you for helping audience of the newspaper. I would it for my wife.” I just looked at him Ontarians living with diabetes. like to remain anonymous in order to and felt warm inside. I was so proud Mark DiLello, Regional Chair, North prevent the taunting and the teasing of that little statement “I’m keeping East Ontario Region, Canadian Dia- my 20-year-old son may endure due it for my wife” that I started to cry. betes Association to his mom sharing such a story. “What a beautiful gift to share with As he sat in our computer room your bride son – I am so proud of checking his e-mail and surfi ng the you.” He then said to me “I’m afraid Calling us ‘Indians’ creates identity crisis net I peeked my head in to see what of all the stuff that is out there mom Editor: All my adult life was troubled by the question, “who he was doing. I asked what his plans and I know too many friends who We are Anishinabe, we have always been Anishinabe, am I?” I was troubled in the sense of trying to understand were for that evening. He said that he have had venereal diseases or are and we seek recognition as Anishinabe. The terms, In- the history of my people. was going to “The Wall,” a local col- having babies and they are the same dian, Aboriginal, Native, and other such names in current What I do know is that I am not Indian, I am not Ab- lege hot spot. He and his friends were age as me. Sure, they tease me and use have degraded our people, developed resentment, original, I am not Native or any other such person type as heading up there to meet up with make gay jokes but I don’t care be- negative attitudes and confusion towards our culture for described in documents like “The .” It wasn’t some girls. cause that’s them”.” people trying to understand self-identity. until I learned of, “Anishinabek” a word from my own Instantly I said “Be careful son, I left that computer room on The Anishinabek culture developed Seven Grand- language being used to describe my people, a word given don’t leave your drink unattended, try cloud nine. father Teachings as guiding principles, basic teachings, by my people, that I began to truly understand who I am. not to drink too much and have you An anonymous but extremely proud which formed the foundation of how Anishinabek people I believe we are free to determine our identity. got a condom?” My goodness, I re- mom treated life, lived on the land and learned through time. Rodney Commanda, Nipissing First Nation Page 6 Anishinabek News March 2006 Pandemic planning underway Mno-bmaadziwin/Health The creation of supplemental cess may lend itself to a standard- plans to deal with the potential of ized and overall comprehensive pandemic fl u outbreaks in Ontar- plan(s) for all First Nations. Once io’s First Nations communities are plans are in place, tabletop exer- First Nations proposing specifi c now underway. cises will be held to test the validi- A successful lobby- ty of each community’s plan ing effort by individual and that preparations are wellness approach programs First Nations, Ontario complete to begin test- TORONTO – The Anishinabek Na- pressed disappointment that, since the Minister of Health and Long-Term PTOs and the As- ing in mock trials. tion is supporting a First Nations- McGuinty government instituted its Care, and The Hon. Mary Anne sembly of First Na- All community specifi c approach to health-care pro- New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs Chambers, Minister of Children and tions, has seen On- supplemental plans grams being delivered to its citizens policy in June 2005, First Nations, Youth Services both backed out of the tario First Nations are to be completed in Ontario. Métis and even non-governmental scheduled meeting at the last minute. receive a share of a by March 31, 2006 Grand Council Chief John Beau- service providers Discussions centred around $250,000 allocation and will become part cage joined a delegation of First Na- have been dealt concerns of the provincial Aborigi- from the First Nations of the community’s over- tions leaders who presented the First with in a “ho- nal Healing and Wellness Strategy and Health Branch all Emergency Preparedness Nations-Ontario Health Accord at mogenous” way. (AHWS), an initiative that funds (FNIHB). Plan. Queens Park Thursday. “The use of various community health and fam- Within Anishinabek Nation If you require further informa- “A jointly agreed upon Health the term ‘ab- ily violence programs across On- Territory, Area Health Boards will tion, please feel free to contact Accord is consistent with both the original’ has con- tario. First Nations leaders contend be taking the lead in this important your Area Health Board, your government-to-government relation- cerned all First that Ontario’s policy in dealing with project with additional technical Health Director in your commu- ship, the government’s policy of a Nations people,” AHWS is not consistent with a true New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs he said. “This government-to-government relation- support from Anishinabek Health nity or Tony Jocko, Health Policy John Beaucage Commission staff. Analyst at the Union of Ontario and ensures the continued protection new government ship. It is anticipated that this pro- Indians North Bay Offi ce. of our aboriginal and ,” policy and this homogenous term has “Although there have been some he said. been used as a “catch-all” to deal with successes, the continuation of the Ab- The proposed Health Accord con- First Nations and Métis issues. To original Healing and Wellness Strate- Washing hands best defence cept was endorsed by all First Nations group all aboriginal people in Ontario gy in its current form is no longer ac- With the height of the annual fl u season now upon us, the best defence in Ontario on February 10, 2006, and together, and refuse to deal with First ceptable,” Beaucage told the meeting. against this virus is an aggressive but simple offence. Regular and offers the province a “single-win- Nations on a government-to-govern- “From our perspective, signifi cant thorough hand-washing remains the number one preventative measure dow” approach to dealing with First ment basis is to show disrespect to change is needed.” He agreed with against the spread of the infl uenza virus. Nations governments in the areas of our people.” Minister Pupatello about the need for Studies now reveal that the virus can survive for at least 24 hours health and healing. It addresses First First Nations leaders from across increased accountability for health- on many common surfaces such as desks and counter-tops. This makes Nations concerns that the pan-ab- the province met with The Hon. San- care programs serving First Nations protecting yourself and others from the spread of this type of virus ex- original approach to administering dra Pupatello, Minister of Communi- citizens and for First Nations to have tremely important. First Nations and Métis programs is ty and Social Services, after learning a greater say on the design, delivery We’ve come up with an acronym to help you remember the impor- no longer acceptable. Beaucage ex- that The Hon. George Smitherman, and evaluation of them. tant steps in hand washing. S: Start with warm running water whenever possible. Soap, whether in a liquid form, hard bar, or waterless hand scrub. O: On all surfaces of the hands, wrists and forearms. Roll up your sleeves to expose all areas prop- erly. A: All proper sanitary proce- Win a photo! dures require time. Allow your- Here’s your chance to win a self enough time to generously colour action photo of NHL lather all surfaces of the hands, great Bryan Trottier. Make up wrists and forearms. When done your own acronym for hand- properly the washing/scrubbing washing and you could be our part of the procedure should take lucky winner. Send your en- NAHO at least 15 seconds. tries to health@anishinabek. P: Please remember to use lots ca before April 1, 2006. of soap and water and rinse your Please include your name, hands well after you’re done. Dry address, and phone number. Health ad hands well with a clean dispos- The lucky winner will have able towel, or rub vigorously un- their name and acronym pub- der an air dryer until dry ( about lished in the next issue of the 60 seconds) and use a clean paper Anishinabek News. towel to turn off the taps. 6” x 8”

Bidaaban Healing

4” x 4.5” March 2006 Anishinabek News Page 7 Mno-bmaadziwin Diabetes walkers take fi rst step NORTH BAY – Regional support- came available. There’s a lot that ers of the Juvenile Diabetes Re- has to go right if you’re looking at search Foundation (JDRF) took the a whole organ transplant.” fi rst step in the 2006 Walk to Cure “The importance of stem cells,” Diabetes with a kick-off breakfast Mr. Hindle says, “is that I was, and for volunteers, supporters, and civ- still am, the only one in Canada to ic dignitaries. have had this transplant of a living Bob Goulais, JDRF Nipissing’s kidney with a pancreas. It is urgent Corporate Co-Chair and chief of to pursue the full potential of mak- The Ontario First Nation HIV/AIDS Education Circle launched its Red Ribbon education campaign at the political staff for the Union of On- ing a cure available to so many Canadian Aboriginal Festival in Toronto’ SkyDome in November. Campaign organizers, from left: Jody Cotter tario Indians welcomed the gather- other diabetics.” (Union of Ontario Indians), Christina Wheatley (Independents), Doris Peltier (UOI), Lyndia Jones (Indepen- ing and spoke of the Anishinabe JDRF Nipissing is under the dents), Elly Antone (AIAI), Mariah Blackhawk (Treaty 3). The poster, created by Jennifer Bellaire, promotes way of life, and the importance of umbrella of the National Capital the new “Knowledge for Today and Hope For Tomorrow” DVD that addresses HIV/AIDS and First Nations. caring for the world’s waters. He Region Chapter based in Ottawa. thanked the dedicated area volun- The Regional Manager was also teers, families and young diabetics in attendance to speak to future of Circle launches red ribbon campaign who have helped raise $500,000 in Nipissing. “The growth of Nipiss- By Jody Cotter to a ribbon. The Red Ribbons will be displayed at the past eight years to support dia- ing from a volunteer walk site to The Ontario First Nation HIV/AIDS Education Cir- various booth displays to promote awareness. betes research. staffed site with more and more cle (OFNHAEC), representing First Nations across The biggest misconception about HIV/AIDS Goulais announced that the communities wanting to join the Ontario, has launched a Red Ribbon campaign for among First Nations is that it doesn’t exist in our 2006 goal for Nipissing area Walks fi ght is remarkable. The future HIV/AIDS. communities and that it is a disease that only affects to Cure Diabetes is $200,000. will see a North Eastern Ontario The Red Ribbon campaign is designed to cre- gay people. Because people are under the impression Special guest Anthony Rota, Board of Directors to help with this ate awareness and understanding that this disease that it won’t happen to them, many still practice un- Liberal MP, congratulated the growth.” affects everyone, and is an epidemic in First Nation safe sex. Current statistics indicate that from one to JDRF volunteers and staff for a Bain encouraged the guests that communities and Canada as a whole. Visitors to the three Aboriginal people are infected with HIV each job well done and passed on his the most “fun and inspiring way to OFNHAEC booth during November’s Canadian Ab- day. wishes for their continued success. help raise money for JDRF is by original Festival in Toronto had the opportunity to For further information, contact Gwen Medicine, Both Goulais and Rota are Type 2 participating in the Walk to Cure write a message or prayer on red ribbons in memory Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (1-807-623-8228), Mariah diabetics and have supported JDRF Diabetes.” This walk is the largest of someone who has passed away from HIV or some- Blackhawk, Grand Council Treaty 3 (1-807-543- for several years. in the world in which over 45,000 one living with the disease. The ribbon currently has 1065), Elly Antone, Association of Iroquois and Al- JDRF Nipissing Co-Chair Mac Canadians come out, raise funds, over 250 messages on it and new messages are wel- lied Indians (1-519-434-2761), or Jody Cotter, Union Bain, a North Bay City Councillor, and celebrate the fact that we all come from anyone who wants to add their message of Ontario Indians (1-705-497-9127). spoke of “exciting times in diabe- just took one giant step closer to tes research.” realizing the JDRF goal of a cure “The cure is being developed for this disease. in JDRF-supported laboratories Some $128,000 was raised in throughout the world. We are lit- 2005 walks in North Bay, Mattawa erally in the homestretch of a his- and Temiskaming. The 2006 North toric achievement – the fi rst-ever Bay walk will be June 4, and the cure for a chronic human disease.” Mattawa event will be May 27. Bain’s wife has Type 1 diabetes, and he described how the joy of becoming grandparents was miti- Antibiotic gated by concerns that their grand- child might inherit the condition. warning Keynote speaker Robert Hindle, OTTAWA – Health Canada is Ministry of Health JDRF board chair, praised local advising diabetic patients, as a fund-raising efforts, and predicted precaution, not to use the anti- that stem cell research “could open biotic Tequin due to concerns up a potential cure for all diabet- about blood glucose disorders. ics,” Hindle, a Montreal business- This advice is based on recom- man, developed diabetes at age 11. mendations submitted to the Despite taking good care of department by the manufac- 6” x 7” himself – eating properly, exercis- turer of the drug, Bristol-My- ing regularly and controlling his in- ers Squibb. sulin – his kidneys began to fail in Tequin is an antibiotic pre- his mid-40s as the disease attacked scribed for the treatment of his circulatory system. A kidney respiratory infections, urinary donation from a brother saved his tract and bladder infections, life and “it was a fl uke that the and sexually transmitted dis- same day a compatible pancreas eases.

Bob Goulais, left, and Mac Bain, corporate co-chairs of JDRF Nipissing, and corporate cabinet member Angela Johnston. – Photo by Priscilla Goulais Page 8 Anishinabek News March 2006 Anishinabewin/Culture

Over 10,000 beads sealed Ojibway-British covenant By Paul Williams Sir William Johnson began plan- would be a Breach of treaty and faith The wampum belt used in ceremonies ning the Niagara Congress and the to cut off the presents to people who and for public education purposes by wampums to be given there in early lived on the American side. After the Union of Ontario Indians is a re- 1764, after receiving a copy of the Assiginack’s death, it seems that Mo- production, made in about 1980 by Royal Proclamation of 1763. Much komanish was the keeper, and then the North American Indian Travel- of the material concerning this is in after him Louis Tekawadjiwon, and ling College, of the Covenant Chain Vols. 2, 4 and 13 of the Johnson Pa- then the trail gets a little murkier. It’s belt given by Sir William Johnson, pers. Also documented in that series possible the so-called “Assiginack the Imperial Superintendent General is his actual delivery of this Cov- wampum belts” were destroyed in of Indian Affairs, to the “Western” or enant Chain belt and the words that the fi re that burned the Queen’s Hotel “Lakes” Confederacy at the Niagara accompanied it. in Manitowaning in the early 1950s. Congress in July, 1764. We know what the Covenant In 1981, the Covenant Chain belt The belt is one of two wampum Chain is because the Haudenosaunee reproduction was taken to England belts given to the Ojibways at Macki- made that relationship with the British by Aundeck Omni Kaning Chief nack to keep on behalf of the West- in 1677, and because it in turn origi- Pat Madahbee, then Grand Council ern or Lakes Confederacy. The other nates in the symbolism of the Great Chief of the Anishinabek, together belt, depicting 24 men holding hand Law of Peace, where the Chiefs join with Chief James Mason of Saugeen with a rock at one end and a ship at their arms together so fi rmly that not and myself. the other, symbolizes the promise a falling tree nor the thunder might The British Foreign Offi ce wasn’t that the King would send presents to separate them: they have become one impressed with our effort to show his Indian allies (there were 24 na- family, brothers. that Canada shouldn’t assume au- tions represented at Niagara) every Johnson intended to make an al- thority over its constitution without year as long as the sun shines and the liance with each confederacy against being fi rmly bound by the treaties. waters fl ow and the British wear red the other, just in case. It’s not clear he Algonquin Elder William Commanda reads a wampum belt for Trent Uni- coats. That belt is well-documented, did that at Niagara. Paul Williams is a lawyer prac- versity student Lynn Gehl. The belt with three fi gures represents French, too. He gave the same nations, at the The original belt would look very ticing at Six Nations, and former staff British, and Indian nations, and is called the “sharing belt” – referring same time, the belt with the 24 men much like the replica, only the purple member at the Union of Ontario In- to the fundamental treaty principle that Canada continues to violate in on it. beads would probably have been dians. contemporary land claims settlements. The original two belts are miss- darker, and the belt would have like- ing, probably destroyed in the ly been on sinew rather than leather Queen’s Hotel fi re in Manitowaning, straps. Like the replica, the original though it’s possible they were buried would have been about six feet long. in 1916 with Louis Tekawadjiwon, In those days, the more important and it’s also possible that one or more the promises and events, the larger of the belts survived. the belts. What does the Covenant Chain The Covenant Chain wampum belt mean? was easy enough to reproduce: there It means that the British have en- was a rubbing made of it at Wik- tered into a Covenant with the west- wemikong by an amateur anthro- ern nations, and the symbol of it is pologist, who also provided an ac- that their arms are joined, as brothers, curate count of the number of beads and that they are bound together so – 10,076. tight that they cannot be separated. It Artist Paul Kane made a pencil means that the enemies of the British sketch of the four wampum belts are the enemies of the nations; and kept by the Ojibways at Mackinack that the enemies of the nations are in 1807. The sketch is now in the the enemies of the British. It means, Stark Foundation in Texas. in a very real sense, that they have In addition to the 24-nation “pres- the kind of relationship that exists ents” belt described above, there was between the nations of the Iroquois a later wampum from Sir John John- Confederacy: that they are meant to son, Sir William’s son and eventual help one another, wherever they can. successor. It has the same design of This belt is the symbol of the the chain and the two men, with “Sir Covenant Chain between the British I I BT” on one end (for “Sir John Conference Registration and the western Indian nations. Each Johnson Baronet,” and on the other of the hexagons (octagons) represents the year 1786. That is obviously a Information: Fee: a link of the chain, and the horizontal renewal of the fi rst commitment from lines between them are links (viewed the Crown, after the American Revo- Call: Joyce Johnson $250.00: Standard sideways). This belt bears displays lutionary War and the Treaty of Paris. the year it was presented – 1764. It A fourth belt was from Lieutenant Conference Co-ordinator $100.00: Elders / Students ID was not uncommon from 1764 to Colonel Robert McDowall, com- $75.00: Daily Rate about 1820 to have words and dates mander of the Glengarry Fencibles, 1-800-997-9991 on wampum belts. Others include the military unit that had control of Anishinaabemowin Teg the 1786 Sir John Johnson belt, and Mackinack in the War of 1812. ph: (705) 859-2273 fax: (705) 859-2593 4 Peltier’s Trail an 1806 belt, probably delivered by The four belts can be traced to e-mail: [email protected] Wikwemikong, Ontario P0P 2J0 William Claus since it bears the ini- Drummond Island in 1818, after tials “W.C.” But many of them have Mackinack was transferred to the disappeared. (The Cherokees have Americans, and eventually to Wik- Registration form available at: www.anishinabek.ca/uoi/ one with men holding hands and wemikong by the 1830s, when Jean “A.M.” on it, which is probably from Baptiste Assiginack was their keeper Alexander McKee in the Ohio Coun- and read them to Sir Francis Band try in the early 1790s.) Head in 1836, persuading him that it March 2006 Anishinabek News Page 9 Harris didn’t Ipperwash pull the trigger By Maurice Switzer Mike Harris did not intend that Dudley George die from an OPP sniper’s bullet in Ipperwash Provincial Park on the evening of Sept. 6, 1995. Justice Sidney Linden’s task as the Ipperwash Inquiry enters its 20th month is really to determine whether the former Ontario premier has to accept responsibility for contributing to an environment where such a tragedy became almost inevitable. The real issue isn’t whether Harris used salty language in browbeating cabinet ministers or plainclothes police offi cers into seeking quick resolution to what he claims was a simple trespass issue. Or whether it was appropriate to spend two of the three days immediately prior to the participat- ing in events at the Canadian Open Golf Tournament, in his words, “trying to hit the ball as far as Freddie Couples.” The Ipperwash Inquiry will decide whether governments, their lead- ers and agencies should be accountable for their actions, which in this case led to the death of an unarmed Native protester. This inquiry can no more prove that Mike Harris ordered an OPP sniper to shoot Dudley George than the Gom- ery Commission could prove that Jean Chretien personally slipped taxpayers’ dollars to some Liberal-friendly advertising executives. In assessing the former premier’s impact on the Ipperwash tragedy, Commissioner Linden will be considering evidence that Mike Harris did not have high regard for Native people and their special constitutional rights. As the inquiry’s 100th witness, Harris repeatedly tried to fend off suggestions that the Conservatives’ Common Sense Revolution was decidedly anti-Native in style and substance. Attempting to minimize his concern or involvement with Native is- Sam George mobbed by journalists outside the Ipperwash Inquiry investigating the 1995 shooting death of his sues, Harris testifi ed that he was unaware before the fateful Labour Day week- brother Dudley. Second from left is Pam Matthews, who played sister Caroline in the movie “One Dead Indian” end of 1995 that there was an inter-ministerial committee to deal with aborigi- and who is doing a fi lm documentary on the tragedy as her M.A. thesis. nal emergencies, or that anyone on his staff was assigned responsibilities to Former Ontario deal with aboriginal issues. Native issues were so low on his personal totem premier Mike pole that, by his own estimation, he only spent a total of about 30 minutes dis- Harris was cussing Ipperwash before Dudley George was shot and killed. the Ipperwash But cross-examining counsel painted a different picture, suggesting Inquiry’s 100th that the series of events that led to Dudley George’s death were set in motion witness. before Harris became premier that June. During his four The previous October, a Peterborough newspaper reported that the days of testimo- then-leader of the provincial Tories told a meeting of tourist operators that “Too ny in February, many (Natives) spend all their time on courts and lawyers and they just stay Harris denied home and do nothing.” The same article quoted Harris saying that the incum- responsibility for bent NDP government was “willing to give away Northern Ontario” to settle sending a police aboriginal land claims. tactical unit into Within three months of being elected, the Harris Conservatives uni- Ipperwash Park laterally cancelled community fi shing licences issued to First Nations by the Sept. 6, 1995, previous NDP government, a move that led to a peaceful occupation of Serpent which eventually Mounds Provincial Park south of Peterborough on the same Labour Day week- led to an OPP end as a group of 30 Chippewas occupied Ipperwash Park just north of Sarnia. sniper shooting The Harris government launched a series of public consultations in- and killing Dud- viting industry and special interest groups like the Ontario Federation of An- ley George. glers and Hunters – Harris told the inquiry he wasn’t sure if his membership was paid up – to invite proposals for alternate uses for Crown lands, regardless of their status under claim by First Nations across the province. When Harris told Chiefs of Ontario counsel Bill Horton that his party did not campaign on reducing Native rights, but to make land claim processes more inclusive, the lawyer asked him if he didn’t see that First Nations might regard it as patronizing to have their rights be subject to consultation and ap- proval by non-Native interest groups. In 1996, the Tories unilaterally imposed a 20-percent “win tax” on Casino Rama profi ts, reneging on a deal negotiated by First Nations in On- tario with the Rae government. First Nations communities use their share of the proceeds to pay for things like fi re trucks, school computers, and cemetery maintenance. Harris’ response to repeated suggestions that he was no friend to Na- tive people was to mention that he had been invited to fi sh fries at Nipissing and Dokis First Nations, both situated in his political riding. Justice Sidney Linden gets to decide whether it is likely that, with his track record, Mike Harris might have emphatically told cabinet ministers and senior police offi cers at a meeting 12 hours before Dudley George was shot and killed that he wanted the Indians out of Ipperwash Park. The commissioner’s evaluation of that meeting could be infl uenced by a recorded telephone con- versation immediately afterward in which OPP Supt. Ron Fox called Harris a “redneck” and a “gun-lover” who could not give a “s**t less about Indians.” Mike Harris did not need to pull a trigger to have some responsibility for Dudley George’s death. Neither does the fact that he didn’t personally poi- son Walkerton’s water supply with e-coli bacteria four summers later absolve him from any blame in the deaths of seven of the town’s citizens. One piece of evidence not presented to Justice Linden is the web- site of an organization calling itself the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, which praises the tenure of the former Ontario premier. Toronto Star journalist Peter A group of university students trav- “Throughout his public life,” it reads, “Mike Harris showed time and Edwards has followed the elled from Toronto to protest during again that he was on the side of everyday people…by making government more Ipperwash story from the former premier Mike Harris’s testimo- accountable and effi cient.” start. A made-for-television ny at the Ipperwash inquiry. Aramara Mark “Moon” George, Stoney Pointer movie “One Dead Indian” Miranda, 19, a recent émigré from and fi rst cousin to Dudley, attends Maurice Switzer is a citizen of Alderville First Nation, and director of com- was based on his best-sell- Mexico said she “never thought such Ipperwash Inquiry hearings accompa- munications for the Union of Ontario Indians. ing book of the same name. things happened in Canada.” nied by his “Crooked Stick.”

Page 10 Anishinabek News March 2006

Native Studies Full page ad

10.25” x 14.25” March 2006 Anishinabek News Page 11 Kinoomaagewin/Education ONECA Training Literacy makes for healthy families By Christine Lois Provost the people and Bay. . . . his wife Tania Cordoba, Nancy Cooper, and TORONTO – The “Building Bridg- watches, waiting for him to return other Aboriginal graduate students. es, Connecting Communities” Lit- . . .” Provost noted that she subse- Planning for Phase III – taking 4” x 4.5” eracy Conference was hosted by quently heard a non-Native version Aboriginal Literacy international Frontier College and Frontier Col- falsely portraying the Sleeping Gi- – will begin shortly. lege Students for Literacy at Uni- ant as an abusive husband. Listen- The Final Report on Adult Ab- versity of Toronto’s Scarborough ers told their own stories and said original Literacy in Ontario (2003) campus Feb. 11. the music and stories helped them is online at www.nald.ca/fulltext/ Mary Anne Chambers, Ontario understand the challenges Aborigi- aboriglt/fi nlrprt/fi nlrprt.pdf. Minister of Child and Youth Servic- nal Literacy learners face between es, spoke to the connection between oral and written tradition and also M.C.L. Provost is a woman of literacy for learners of all ages and in overcoming stereotypes. Taino Nation of the Antilles. A writ- for healthy families and society. Af- Professor Antone and Christine er, storyteller, Tahkina and Storying terwards, she was greeted by Pro- Lois are working on a volume of Artist in the schools, she is pursuing fessor Eileen Antone (Oneida of the fi rst-person interviews with On- her Ph.D. at University of Toronto Thames) and Christine Lois Pro- tario (adult) Aboriginal Literacy in intergenerational family health vost (Taino Nation of the Antilles), practitioners. The research team and education. She can be reached who later presented an Aboriginal in Phase II, Canada-wide, includes at

ANISHINABEK NEWS Subscribe by calling: 1-800-463-6408 Anishinabek citizens: $0 (FREE) Canada: $25 (Can. funds) USA: $25 (US funds) International: $50 (Can. funds) Page 12 Anishinabek News March 2006 ‘Education should Kinoomaagewin/Education reinforce identity’ By Kathleen Imbert nisced on how his childhood was WIKWEMIKONG – “Striving a bilingual and a bicultural experi- for Education Excellence in First ence. While attending school, he Nation Communities,” the theme had to deal with expectations from of Wikwemikong Unceded In- the Ontario Department of Educa- dian Reserve’s fi rst annual educa- tion in Toronto, while his tradi- tion conference gave community tional values of his grandparents members and visitors a lot to think shaped him. He summed up this about during the weekend of Feb- experience as “striving for excel- ruary 3-4. lence in both worlds.” Four keynote speakers intro- “Our education has to reinforce duced by Chris Pheasant, vice- our true identity and not the images principal of Wasse Abin High of the media,” he concluded. “We school, and 19 workshops kept ev- have survived as unique people, let eryone busy. The weekend, how- us not be the generation that lets ever was not all work – comedian our children forget who we are.” Joe Moccasin’s gift of laughter was James Cummins, Ph.D, pro- a lighter agenda item. fessor of Curriculum, Teaching Dr. Cecil King, Ph D, profes- and Learning Department, OISE, sor at the University of Saska- University of Toronto, encouraged Chief Robert Corbiere, Wikwemikong Unceded , thanks keynote speaker Dr. Cecil King and toon and prominent community First Nation efforts in bilingual or Dominic Beaudry, Wiky education director for their roles in staging an education conference. Wikwemikong band member, was immersion programs to ensure that – Photo by Melanie Debassige honoured for his accomplishments adverse effects are outweighed by PhD from Laurentian University in the realm of education from his the long-term effects of revitalizing gave a talk on sharing the gifts of home community and received a language. “Bilingualism without our people as a teaching for pride. letter of recognition and admira- tears” was his overall assessment And Dr. James Price PhD, from tion for his contributions to Native of immersion environments where the Aboriginal Education Pro- education in First Nations signed students at the end of the term did gram at the Faculty of Education, by Paul Martin, former Prime Min- well. Nipissing University provided the ister of Canada. Sara Peltier, fi rst “Language loss is not an issue student’s point of view, citing re- Wiky Board of Education director of language, but an issue of power search showing what students from was also honoured and received a and identity,” he noted. “Academic across Canada think works in the singed letter from the former prime diffi culties are part of a pattern of classroom. minister. discrimination and teachers’ low- The awards ceremony honoured Dr. King’s keynote speech gave ered expectations.”. community members’ contributions avid listeners an earful of what he The two days of concurrent to education. Among them, Annie Kenjgewin Teg hoped to be “good medicine for workshops and two other illustri- Peltier, long-time Wikwemikong all.” He explained “I had to face ous keynote speakers gave confer- bus driver, was honoured for her 30 both worlds, our aboriginal world ence-goers more than enough food years of dedication and transporta- Education and the western world.” He remi- for thought. Dr. Pamela Toulouse, tion of the community’s children. 4” x 8.75”

Kenjgewin Teg Education

6” x 6” March 2006 Anishinabek News Page 13 Binoojiinyag/Children Self-care fi rst step for child care-givers By Joyce Atcheson (CAPC), Canada Prenatal Nutri- Working for the People begins with tion Program (CPNP), Aboriginal self-care. Healthy Babies and Healthy Chil- Addressing the historical chal- dren, Akwe:go, and Mental Health lenges, “evident in the terrible statis- Workers. tics, this work is often emotionally Helping others begins with us; charged, but in this room there is we must make choices as to how we hope. Others will benefi t from your respond, whether we help or enable skills and expertise,” said Ontario’s people to remain in unhealthy pat- Minister Mary Anne Chambers from terns said Sylvia Maracle, Executive the Ministry of Children and Youth Director of the Ontario Federation Conference participants energize by doing the Unity Stomp, a rousing dance from the Cree Nation. Services. of Indian Friendship Centres in her She addressed over 150 partici- keynote address. when it’s startled. Eventually the Creator told the as me; we grew up together.’” pants attending the three-day For “I will begin with a story. Our It was once a magnifi cent bird of porcupine it would no longer have Working for the People is an the Children V conference on self lives begin with a story, the Creation colourful beautiful feathers with a magnifi cent feathers and excellent honour, a gift, Maracle says, even if care for caregivers, children and Story, but this is the story of a great sweet voice and eyes that challenged eyesight, but it would be a great often “we may look all together on parents. teacher,” said Maracle. the eagle’s ability to see. However, teacher. Today porcupine has soft the outside but hurt on the inside. Attendees included off-reserve Her story was how the porcupine it got very full of itself and bragged parts, representing easy-to-learn, The People who come to us, over- Aboriginal workers from Commu- came to be a creature of poor sight ‘I’m good, look how beautiful I comfortable lessons. However, the whelmed with their crisis are hurt- nity Action Program for Children that scrambles to the top of the tree am…’ pricks are the lessons that happen ing, want everything NOW. They when someone tells you something never think that we might have our that gets your attention because it own problems.” doesn’t feel good. It is up to us to do what we need “Even as we help others, our to do to heal so we can help others; families pull us back. They say we cannot help others until we can Media Buying Services ‘you’re no expert, you’re the same help ourselves. First Nations fi ght Order of Ontario for child-care funds By Karen Linklater Committee is working with the The current over-representation of Native Child and Family Services Aboriginal children and youth in Agencies of Ontario and treaty the child welfare system is well- organizations like the Union of 6” x 9” documented. Ontario Indians to address these Cultural differences, opposing long-standing issues as a means to worldviews and poor social condi- advance First Nation control over tions on reserve play a role in the child and family services, and to frequent apprehension of First Na- ensure a community-driven ap- tion children. proach. Also contrib- A number of strategic sessions uting to in- have been held, resulting in pre- creased appre- sentations to the Ontario Legisla- hensions is the ture opposing Bill 210 – (an Act to fact that pro- amend the Child and Family Ser- vincial govern- vices Act) – by Ontario Regional ment does not Chief Angus Toulouse, Grand recognize the Council Chief John Beaucage, importance of First Nation Chiefs and represen- the Native pro- Karen Linklater tatives of First Nation Child and visions within Family Service Agencies. the Child and The presentations included the Family Services Act (CFSA). recommendation that the govern- At times, Children’s Aid Soci- ment actively pursue a substan- eties do not comply with the Native tial commitment of resources so provisions within the CFSA and that the original intent of the Na- simply overlook the signifi cance tive provisions within the CFSA of Native culture and identity. – including the role of the Band A chronic shortage of on-re- Representative – become reality serve child welfare services is the instead of mere words on paper. direct result of decades-long dis- They also spoke to the need for putes between federal and provin- First Nation involvement in child cial governments over who should welfare reform, pointing out that fund these services. the responsibility for child welfare These are only a few of the matters on reserve must rest with challenges that First Nations face Chief and Council and the people when dealing with the complex is- of their community. sue of Native child welfare. These recommendations speak The Chiefs of Ontario estab- to real and positive change that lished a Chiefs Committee on must occur at all levels, from the Child Welfare which has been individual to the collective, be- meeting with the Ministry of Chil- cause without our children our Na- dren and Youth Services to ensure tion will cease to exist. the provincial government begins to respect and recognize First Na- Karen Linklater is Director of tion authority and jurisdiction over Social Services for the Union of child welfare matters. The Chiefs Ontario Indians. Page 14 Anishinabek News March 2006 Urban Rez Bannock bake-off NORTH BAY – A bannock bake-off was held at the North Bay Indian Friendship Centre in February, crowning Simone Twain as the Carlotte Funnel 2nd place; Val 2006 Bannock Queen. Pilon 3rd Place; and the 2006 Bannock Queen, Simone Twain. While the new North Bay Bannock Queen was unwilling to share her secret recipe, the Anishinabek News offers one for our readers. Bannock 2 Cups Flour 3 tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 2 tsp brown sugar ½ cup shortening ¾ cup milk Mix dry ingredients together. Cut in the shortening and then stir in milk. Roll into a square about 2 inches thick. Bake in 350 Farenheit degree oven for about ½ hour. (Substitute whole wheat fl our for a healthier version, and experiment by adding nuts, fruit, spices, sunfl ower seeds, wheat germ, dried berries, sage, garlic, ginger – anything to your own taste.)

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4” x 4.75” Thunderbird Theatre: dancing with the demons of addiction. Dancers defy youth stereotyping By Joyce Atcheson olds. However it was younger ones ing up to no good. We want to break TORONTO – Sitting on the stage who tried out and they are the ones the stereotype, we know what’s go- at the For the Children V confer- who dance. ing on, more than people know,” ence, Natasha Elie, 20 introduces “It is a voice to deal with the she adds. the Thunderbird Dance Theatre, a stereotyping of young people as be- Her words are echoed in three group of 13 youth between the ages dances performed by the Theatre of 7-12 years. – racism: setting red against white; Elie says she began dancing drugs: a young pregnant woman four years ago with her brother dances with the demons of addic- Mark, 17, who has fetal alcohol tion; and the stomp: a synchronized syndrome (FAS). movement, a dance completed with “People often think having a two days of practice. brother with FAS is awful, but it’s not, it’s great. He is so full of love,” she says. “Me and him have been togeth- er since day one. Being with him Natasha Elie was hard as a kid, but that’s why NAAF I started reading to learn more, to deal with it, to fi nd ways to help him. “It’s a magnifi ed relationship. Scholarship Every emotion you feel is stronger Island with him. When he’s angry, he’s really really angry. When he’s sad, he’s really really sad. It’s full blown Funeral emotion. “If I got hurt he would use all 6” x 6” his power to make sure I didn’t stay that way. If I fell and scraped my Home knee he’d stay with me, he’d clean it, wipe my tears away and make sure I was okay.” Obit. Mark doesn’t live in Toronto and they don’t dance together now but he had fun with dance, just as he had fun doing the dishes with bubbles. He’d serve plates of bub- bles, but now he cooks and “he cooks better food than I can,” Elie 2” x 5.25” says, laughing. She says the dance troupe she began with Mark four years ago restarted in October 2005 with the help of her cousin, Robert Robin- son who was part of the original group of three. It’s part of the recreation pro- gram provided by Native Child and Family Services (of Toronto) and was supposed to be for 13-16 year March 2006 Anishinabek News Page 15 Urban Rez Centre serves homeless OTTAWA – The Shawenjeagamik (House of Compassion) Drop-In Centre servicing Ottawa’s homeless Aboriginal population opened its doors to the needy on February 6, 2006. Outreach worker William “Bill” Brant, one of 14 staff members who will share duties at the Centre, said” “For now our doors will be open from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday. Once our funding is in place we will then be open between the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Breakfast, lunch and supper will be served to our clients and they will have access to laundry facilities as well as showers.” The Shawenjeagamik staff have a genuine sense of compassion for their clients. “We extend a hand of friendship to the homeless. Some are real char- acters but are talented in many ways. We will provide them with a safe warm place to work on crafts and paintings,” said Brant. The Shawenjeagamik Drop-In Centre was named by Algonquin Elder Wil- liam Commanda, and is located at 510 Rideau Street in downtown Ottawa.

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Bill Brant and Albert Dumont relax in Ottawa’s Shawenjeagamik drop-in centre. 4” x 5”

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6” x 9.25”

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4” x 5.5” Page 16 Anishinabek News March 2006

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Lifetime Achievement Awards March 2006 Anishinabek News Page 17

THE RIGHTS-BASED AGENDA First Nations demand justice as our right, not someone else’s charity By John Beaucage the Prime Minister, attended by the Grand Council Chief First Ministers of each Province, What is the “Rights-based agenda”, and participated in by the First Na- and why do First Nation Govern- tions people of Canada. ments want to pursue it so vigor- While First Nations have our ously? opinions about the treaty and ab- The four pillars of the Rights- original rights we feel are protected based Agenda are: by Section 35, the meaning of the  The inherent right to govern phrase “existing rights” creates un- ourselves and survive as nations in certainties that frequently force us our own way; to seek non-political interpretation  Recognition by other sovereign of rights that are regarded as funda- nations that we are nations; mental to us as human rights are to  Recognition of our rights with- others living in Canada. in Canada’s Constitution 4. Court defi nition of Rights  The on-going defi nition of Despite Canada’s constitutional rights by the Supreme Court. obligations to protect the interests 1. Inherent rights of First Nations, its unwillingness An understanding of a Rights- to recognize our inherent rights of- based agenda begins by under- ten forces us to turn to the courts standing the foundation origin of to support our views. Many of the all rights and responsibilities. The cases – such as Sparrow – deal rights that we enjoy as the fi rst with our traditional rights to hunt, peoples First Nation people enjoy fi sh, and harvest – while others like are derived in several ways; fi rst Chiefs of Ontario’ regional Chief Angus Toulouse and Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage Delgamuukw and Haida/Taku deal and foremost they are rights and were surrounded by reporters during breaks in February Ipperwash Inquiry sessions. with our claims to traditional terri- responsibilities provided to us by tories by virtue of the fact that “we the Creator. While our creation of the Anishinabek Nation demand by the British Crown in 1763 was governments did not continue to were here fi rst”. stories may vary slightly from Na- justice as a right, not simply as a that we were Nations and were to recognize the inherent rights and Some of these landmark cases tion to Nation across Turtle Island, response to our material needs, to be treated as such, a decree that nationhood of their First Nation al- go all the way to the Supreme Court the basics principles are universal meet Canadian standards of living, formed the basis of subsequent lies, and the original links of mutu- of Canada – the highest court in the are very similar. The Creator gave on charitable grounds, or simply common law to which all subse- al respect and sharing began to tar- land – resulting in decisions that instructions to the original man/ as “the right thing to do” when our quent treaties adhered. This in- nish. Waves of immigrants settled support the First Nations position woman meant to ensure survival standard of living is embarrassing cludes the Robinson-Huron and in Canada, and, as the this concept that being here fi rst gives us certain and prosperity for descendents of to Canada’s federal government. Robinson-Superior treaties, as well of mutual sharing and respect pow- rights that other governments can- the original men. These instruc- A rights-based approach rec- as all treaties created after the Roy- er of the British Crown grew, their not unilaterally take away, and that tions gave roles and responsibili- ognizes the non-tangible quality of al Proclamation and Canada’s 1867 reliance on their First Nation allies treaties agreed upon two centuries ties to the clans, as well as provid- dignity, and creates a foundation of Confederation. diminished. The effects of disease ago still carry the weight of the ing guidance on how he/she related legitimacy and respect. This foun- In 1764 the Treaty of Niagara decimated many of First Nation “rule of law.” to relate to the rest of creation. dation includes recognition that was drafted and presented to 24 populations across Canada, and the Regardless of the outcome As Nations developed we also First Nations peoples deserve the Nations at Niagara Falls. An esti- respect shown to the First Nations of these court cases – the cost of developed government structures same opportunities as Canadians to mated 2,000 First Nation people by the British Crown turned more which can run into millions of dol- and processes that worked for us. enjoy basic quality of life, and liv- were present to hear Sir William to into an attitude of colonialism lars that would be better spent by (The rules of government and the ing standards that will not change Johnson read the aloud the treaty, and a policy of assimilation. Canada helping educate our chil- rights of our peoples were essential at the whim of different govern- which has often been described as First Nations peoples contend dren, care for our sick, and build for the continued existence of our ments or court rulings. a “New Covenant” between Britain that our covenant with the Crown our economies – First Nations are nations. Our structures and laws A legal obligation begins with a and the Indian Nations of North in Canada still exists, and that we not comfortable with a scenario were not backward, but sophisti- moral obligation. The “rule of law” America. A number of promises still continue to honour the concept that requires us to submit inherent cated enough, for example, that means that laws apply to all citi- were made by the British Crown to of mutual respect and sharing in a rights to interpretation by another the framers of the United States zens and their governments. But, ensure peaceful co-existence, one Nation-to-Nation relationship. nation’s courts. Even Supreme Constitution used the Great Law of without respect for their treaty or of these being an annual gift-giv- 3. The Canadian Constitution Court justices have urged Canada the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) as a aboriginal rights, the Canadian rule ing ceremony which was carried Repatriated in 1982, the Cana- to “negotiate, not litigate” their guide to developing their fi rst gov- of law is meaningless for First Na- out for over 100 years. dian Constitution is a modern-day concerns about aboriginal and trea- ernance model. tions peoples. Most Canadians do The treaty also signifi ed mutual pillar of the rights-based agenda. ty rights. Every time there is a Su- Our Nations were strong and in not grasp the fundamental injus- respect and sharing between the Section 35 states that: preme Court decision or a self-gov- order to maintain peace, European tice of this situation, which results Crown and Indian Nations. This “The existing aboriginal and ernment agreement is signed, the nations entered into treaties with in strained relations and localized obligation was considered a key treaty rights of aboriginal peoples rights-based agenda can change, us. Neither these treaties nor any disputes between First Nations and element of the treaty, and ensured of Canada are hereby recognized shifting to another place in time to subsequent legislation took away other groups over hunting, fi shing the allegiance of the Indian Nations and affi rmed.” a more defi nitive concept of what it our rights to form governments or and land rights. to the British cause in the War of These provisions are normally is and what it is not. to continue to govern ourselves as 2. Recognition by other 1812. The belief by leaders like considered in context with Section What is the First Nations rights- nations. This is one of our rights Nations Tecumseh that they had a moral 91(24) of the British North Ameri- based agenda? that is inalienable, it is inherent The second pillar of the rights- obligation to be allied with their ca Act, which stipulates that Can- It is much more than a political – it can never be taken away, and based approach to First Nations is- treaty partner ensured a British vic- ada’s federal government assumes strategy. Its strength lies in the col- it cannot be legislated to alter it in sues entails recognition that we are tory, and the future independence fi duciary responsibility of the lective awareness of our histories, any way. It can be thought of as one nations by other sovereign nations, of the Canadian nation. Crown with respect to treaties and our cultures, and our belief sys- of the foundations of our rights- which became a reality with the is- Unfortunately, that sense of dealings with First Nations people. tems. It represents the promises we based agenda. suing of the Royal Proclamation of honour implicit in the treaties was Any changes to Section 91(24) can made to respect, support, and share A rights-based approach/agen- 1763. not reciprocated. Subsequent Brit- only be considered during a consti- with others and the promises they da means that First Nations people The rule of law as established ish colonial and Canadian federal tutional conference convened by made to us in return. Page 18 Anishinabek News March 2006 Intergovernmental Affairs In Brief Traditional ecological knowledge more than an exercise Help protect Ontario’s By Doug Belanger For First Nation peoples tradi- land use development agreements of data that can be manipulated in natural heritage – The term traditional ecological tional ecological knowledge is not within our territories. Federal and the same way scientifi c fi eld data is, report resource abuse knowledge itself is a concept that just about understanding the land- Provincial agencies began to listen it became easier for them to use. was coined by western scholars/ scape within they exist but the ac- to what First Nations were saying However, a re-occurring theme The new toll-free TIPS- academics to describe the fore- tual interaction with their landscape and fi nding it was as good as or bet- remains in the fi eld of traditional MNR reporting line, 1-877- mentioned knowledge held by our on a daily basis. ter than what they were saying. ecological knowledge; that is the TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667), communities relating to the envi- Tied to this is the spiritual rec- Even though Federal and Pro- domination by western scholars/ provides a direct line for the ronment. These scholars/academ- ognition that the actual interaction vincial agencies were/are skeptical academics who are considered the public to report resource viola- ics are considered to be the experts is the realization that we are not of the storytelling format of tradi- experts and whose job is to obtain tions to the ministry 24 hours and have the job to obtain informa- greater than Mother Earth, but a tional ecological knowledge; when information/knowledge from indig- a day, seven days a week from tion/knowledge from our commu- recognition that we have relation- some First Nations collected and enous peoples for public policy. anywhere in Ontario. nities and exploit it through public ships with Mother Earth and that distilled the knowledge into a form (First in a series) Award-winning policy. our well being is inseparable. aboriginal journalism Under this western concept, tra- First Nation peoples need to Turtle Island Native Net- ditional ecology knowledge is not consider is a plan of action, which Naveau feels right at home work is an award-winning unique to as protects the holistic approach to we often defi ne ourselves but has learning and using traditional eco- Boozhoo! My name is Barbara Naveau, Forestry news and information network Unit Assistant for the Union of Ontario Indians – a contribution to the growing evolved to be used to defi ne any logical knowledge and the context group of peoples who lived within of spirituality that gives traditional within the Intergovernmental Affairs Depart- world of aboriginal journalism ment. I am originally a member of the Mattagami specifi cally ‘Net’ or ‘Cyber’ a localized region within the land- ecological knowledge its human scape for a number of generations. face through a deep connection First Nation, and currently reside in North Bay. journalism. It provides a place My responsibilities as Forestry Assistant is to for politics – and to exchange A generation is considered 70-80 with Mother Earth. years in length. As a fi eld of study traditional provide administrative planning, scheduling and news, information, perspectives information management to support the Forestry and expertise on the compelling Simply put, traditional ecologi- ecological knowledge has come un- cal knowledge is an ever-evolving der fi re from a growing number of Coordinator in day-to-day activities, and in addi- issues facing Native Peoples. Barbara Naveau tion, assist with other Intergovernmental Affairs Also, to provide an internet body of knowledge about the envi- indigenous peoples. Nonetheless, ronment and its relationship with there is still an interest in tradition- Department personnel. source for easy access to valu- Before moving to North Bay I worked as a Social Services Ad- able resources related to the human beings that is passed down al ecological knowledge and what through generations. Traditional it can offer in terms of increased ministrator for eight years, and I was a board of directors member for issues affecting our lives and the Ontario Native Welfare Administrators Association for two years. I those of our families, friends ecological knowledge not only ac- involvement and control over im- quires knowledge from the past, portant environmental and natural also held political offi ce as a Band Councillor for two years, which was and communities. a very rewarding experience for me. They showcase the many but also updates this knowledge ac- resources decision-making in our cording to its own methodologies. territories. I am honoured to be working for an organization with a good di- achievements of the people. Traditional ecological knowl- Within our territories there has versity of people from different First Nations, which makes the Union They honour our culture, tradi- edge is similar in many respects to been a number of initiatives under- a special place to work! I look forward to working with my fellow co- tional and contemporary - the the long-term observational data taken such as the workers, who have made me feel right at home. Meegwetch! languages, stories, education, that has been referred to as natural Lake Superior First Nations music, business, to name just a history. Natural history has con- Development Trust which has part- few of the features. tributed to the formation of envi- nered with First Nations for over nd ronmental science, ecology, biol- ten years to collect, protect and pro- 2 Annual Scotiabank Staff ogy, geology and geography. mote traditional ecological knowl- There is a major disconnect oc- edge. Anishinabek Youth Allan Dokis curring within the current approach “First Nations have a record of Director with ourselves being a round peg their cultural values and other land [email protected] that public policy is attempting to information which forms a vital Achievement Awards Jason Laronde put in a square hole. planning component that contrib- Resource Management Council For First Nation peoples region- utes to biodiversity and sustainable CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Coordinator ally and throughout the world, the management,” said David Mackett, [email protected] use of traditional ecological knowl- Traditional Ecological Knowledge Is there a youth that has achieved success, has overcome edge is more than an exercise, which Coordinator, Superior First Nations barriers and continues to strive to succeed? This is your Sandra Restoule sees humans as a superior life form Development Trust. “ By under- Treaty Research Clerk chance to honour them with a nomination for their efforts. with an inherent right to control and standing and integrating traditional [email protected] exploit nature. This way of think- and scientifi c knowledge into plan- CRITERIA Nadine Roach ing would say an individual pos- ning will help us recognize how 1. The youth must be between the ages of 16 and 29 before Forestry Coordinator sessing their (western) scientifi c integral traditional knowledge is March 31, 2006. [email protected] evaluation tools is better equipped to understanding how ecosystems 2. They must be from one of the 42 First Nations of the to make decisions than First Nation function.” Yves Chenier Anishinabek Nation. Policy Analyst peoples who have lived within the Other examples may be found [email protected] landscape for thousands of years. in forestry, commercial fi shing and 3. Has demonstrated outstanding commitment and/or ability in one of the fi ve award categories. Barb Naveau Forestry Assistant Fur Harvesters post record sales CATEGORIES [email protected] The Fur Harvester Auction Inc. posted its best sale in 15 years this 1. Academic Achievement Kerry Colnar month. 2. Community Involvement Operations Support Offi cer A high demand for fur in the Asian and European markets are dou- 3. Athletic Excellence [email protected] bling prices of animal pelts like fi sher, marten, mink and muskrat. 4. Arts/Performing Arts The Seattle sale netted $7.1 million for the local auction house, com- 5. Culture Website pared to $4.4 million the same time last year. “Fur is defi nitely in de- mand,” said Mark Downey, chief executive offi cer for Fur Harvesters Nomination Deadline is May 31, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. Auction. “This is the fi rst time in 15 years where all species doubled in price For further information or to obtain a nomination form visit compared to last year,” he said Monday. “The Asian… and Russian mar- the UOI website at www.anishinabek.ca or contact Sandra kets are taking a huge quantity of our fur and even furs that are having a Restoule or Cathy Favreau at (705) 497-9127 or (877) 702- tough year, such as raccoon did well.” 5200 also by email at [email protected] In 2005, fi sher pelts sold for $43 compared to this month where pric- http://www.nafaforestry.org/ Awards will take place in conjunction with the 2006 Unity es were more than $106. Beaver pelts posted an average price of $37 Gathering and Grand Council Assembly. National Aboriginal compared to $26 last year. Forestry Association Downey said inviting more buyers has also had a favourable effect Proudly Sponsored by: on sales. More than 290 buyers from around the world were in atten- Check out this website for upcom- dance. He added heavy rain in the west last fall and the amount of snow ing events, publications, as well in Northern Ontario this winter has made it hard on trappers. “About 70 as different programs available to per cent of our production comes from Ontario trappers. A lot of produc- First Nations relating to forestry. tion in places such as Quebec, Minnesota and Michigan wasn’t what it was.” March 2006 Anishinabek News Page 19 Intergovernmental Affairs Drinking water quality still a problem on 76 First Nations Health Canada reports that 76 First nities in 2001. tion system to fi x a long-standing quality specialist from the Univer- will make sure they know what Nations communities remain under  Sixty-two per cent of water- health hazard – dangerous levels of sity of Alberta, can’t understand they’re doing, but that doesn’t an advisory to boil their drinking system operators serving native arsenic in the water. why First Nations still lag behind seem to be happening, and I can’t water. communities aren’t properly certi- “We are now down under the non-Native communities when it tell you why.” That’s despite the fact the fed- fi ed. guidelines,” he said. “With our comes to safeguarding water. Canada’s commissioner of the eral Department of Indian and  Some of the 76 reserves still new process, we hope to take all of “Often facilities are designed environment and sustainable de- Northern Affairs has spent almost under boil-water advisories, about the arsenic out of the water. But for and put in place by people who velopment, Johanne Gelinas, re- $2 billion to upgrade systems in 10 per cent of all First Nations re- all those years... I’ve had questions don’t have to operate them,” he cently called for stricter controls the past fi ve years. serves in the country, have been in I can’t answer.” said. and monitoring of how Indian and CBC News fi led access-to-in- that position for years. People are Pratt says he needs another “They leave behind a manual Northern Affairs Canada is trying formation requests to obtain wa- forced to rely on bottled water for year of training. This is an ongoing and they leave town.” He points to fi x the problems. ter audits on reserves in 2001, and drinking, cooking and brushing struggle for water systems opera- out that bureaucrats in Ottawa There are still no laws or regu- compared that data with current their teeth, and some residents say tors. Nationally, only 40 per cent of seem to understand that you have latory standards similar to those information. the water is too dirty even for bath- operators have full certifi cation. to put trained public health nurses in non-native communities, when Among the fi ndings: ing. “The focus, it seems to me, in the communities. it comes to drinking water for  Drinking water in two-thirds Bob Pratt, water manager for [has] been on equipment, rather “Why can’t you put trained wa- the about 325,000 residents of of First Nations communities re- the Gordon First Nation in southern than on personnel,” Pratt says. ter operators in there? Obviously Canada’s First Nations reserves, mains “at risk,” compared to Saskatchewan, says his commu- Steve Hrudey, a professor of [you] have to pay them, and you Gelinas, who works in the auditor three-quarters of all such commu- nity has just installed a new fi ltra- environmental health and a water- have to invest in a program that general’s offi ce, pointed out. Tribal councils and the myth of self-determination There are very few territories across Canada that are not included in the management regimes of a Tribal Council as well as a limited number of First Nations that do not currently or have in the past belonged to a Tribal Council. There are currently 102 Tribal Councils registered with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Tribal Councils and the other methods of aggregation of Band Coun- cils that are utilized by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada are all used as a means of devolving responsibility for programs and services down to regionally-representative bodies, while reducing the administrative bur- dens that the bureaucracy places on itself. Although Tribal Councils are portrayed as a means of achieving self determination, in most cases they only create a further reliance by First Nations on the federal purse and also on the administrative arm of the government. Aggregating the administration of programs and services should logi- cally create a more centralized model of governance and better program Dean Assinewe, Professional Forester from Sagamok Anishnawbek. He works for the North Shore Tribal Council. delivery; this has not been true in many cases to date. There are cases where this aggregation has created further opportunities for member First Nations, but without some enhanced level of cohesiveness between the Graduates of forestry programs elected leadership and board representatives, these successes are fl eeting and seem for the most part to be anomalies in the system. This is not to say that the development of Tribal Councils could not needed to maintain good stewardship be of great benefi t to First Nations, it is only meant to acknowledge the OTTAWA – Pro-active and imme- portunities available in the for- encourage individuals including inherent problems that are clear in the current Indian and Northern Affairs diate attention is needed in order to est sector. Forestry is a vibrant, women and aboriginal people who Canada policy on Tribal Councils. ensure the next generation of forest modern, technologically advanced are under-represented, to pursue The funding levels for Tribal Councils have not been increased since practitioners and other qualifi ed, sector focused on stewardship to post-secondary education in forest- 1985, and even though Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has recently trained modern forest workers are sustain the whole forest resource ry leading to a career in that sector. completed a program review on the funding levels, it has yet to imple- available for the workforce. Ac- sector. A dedicated cross-sectoral team ment the recommendations that came out of the review. cording to Alex Drummond, pro- A report entitled “The Crisis from across Canada representing The review of the Tribal Council policy did include input from First fessor at the University of Alberta, in Post-Secondary Enrollments in post-secondary forestry schools, Nation Organizations, the recommendations have not led to any changes the large number of retirements in Forestry Programs: A Call to Ac- industry, government, professional to the policy nor have they contributed to the potential successes that the forest sector coincidental with tion for Canada’s Future Forestry bodies and the Canadian Institute could be realized by aggregation. lowered enrollment has created an Professional/Technical Workforce” of Forestry is currently seeking In order for Tribal Councils and aggregation to be truly effective, the employment gap. (http://www.cif-ifc.org/english/ broad commitment and support to fi nancial resources and fi scal independence of these organizations must Enrollment in the over 25 post- e-recruiters-white-paper.shtml), address these critical issues. be realized. The funding levels that are available must be increased to secondary forestry programs at identifi es the issues in declining A professional and technical acknowledge the current costs of operating these organizations and pro- technical/technologist and univer- enrolment and seeks solutions. It forestry workforce is needed. The viding services to their member First Nations. sity levels has been in dramatic states “While it is important for future of sustainable forestry in Also, the regional disparities that exist for many of these organiza- decline for the last decade. A crisis post- secondary institutions to Canada depends on it. tions along with the geographic locations of member First Nations must will soon be in our forests, if the maintain our Canadian forestry The Canadian Institute of For- be refl ected within the funding formulas. It is almost impossible for an supply of professional and techni- programs and the high quality of estry is a national voice of forest organization to provide one universally effective program or service when cal forest practitioners managing our professional forestry curricu- practitioners. The Institute repre- its member First Nations are divided by hundreds of kilometres. Canada’s forests continues to de- lum, there is a broader issue in the sents members who are foresters, The best way for the policy on Tribal Councils to be truly effective cline. wider community. forest technologists and techni- would be to scrap the current policy and provide an opportunity for First “The forest sector plays an If undergraduate and career cians, educators, scientists and oth- Nations, Tribal Councils, Provincial Territorial Organizations and also important role in the stewardship technology forestry programs are ers with a professional interest in National Organizations the opportunity to develop and implement poli- of Canada’s forests as well as its discontinued, it will be increasing- forestry. cies that are conducive to the individual needs of each First Nation com- modern and technologically ad- ly diffi cult to fi nd the next genera- For further information: munities and the organizations to which they belong. vanced outlook, a role that is often tion of forest practitioners and oth- Mr. Alex Drummond, Univer- The human intellectual capacity within First Nations Peoples needs to misunderstood. There is also a mis- er qualifi ed, trained modern forest sity of Alberta, (780) 492-2056 be given the opportunity to develop policies and legislation that meets the conception about jobs and career workers to maintain the important (work) or (780) 914-6816, alex. goals and aims of First Nations. opportunities in forestry,” noted economic standing of the forest in- drummond(at)ualberta.ca; Mrs. The myth of self determination that has been created through Indian Professor Drummond. “Graduates dustry in Canada”. Roxanne Comeau, R.P.F., Cana- and Northern Affairs policy need not dictate to First Nations what they of forestry programs are needed The report calls for collab- dian Institute of Forestry - Ottawa, are capable of achieving. Once we have realized our potential to succeed, and, in demand”. orative partnership with industry, Ontario, (613) 234-2242, cell (613) and our ability to stand alone as a Nation of peoples who share a common In fact, there are tremendously government, professionals and the 220-0639, rcomeau(at)cif-ifc.org; goal, the paternalistic policies of the government will no longer be an diverse and rewarding career op- post-secondary forestry schools to http://www.cif-ifc.org/ impediment to our people. Page 20 Anishinabek News March 2006 Dnakmigziwin/Sports Little NHL players must produce status cards By Jennifer Ashawasegai “we had no problems using the each player on the team”, but last that all the participating players tournament last year. WASAUKSING FN – Some parents’ status cards” for register- year’s tournament rule book merely were not band members, but were “The frustrating thing is that off- Wasauksing First Nation parents ing players on Wasauksing teams, requires players to be “affi liated allowed to attend, “as long as they reserve they [her daughters] deal are wondering why the Little NHL and questions why the Little Native with a First Nation.” had letters from Chief and Council with issues because they are Na- Hockey Tournament is requiring all NHL executive did not enforce the Elder Aileen Rice, who has at- to support them.” tive,” and are now facing discrimi- participating players to have status rule through host communities in tended most of the 34 previous Band member Elizabeth Taylor nation from the Native community. cards to be registered in this year’s previous years. As many as seven Little NHL tournaments, says the didn’t know if her two daughters She says her daughters have always event. Wasauksing youngsters may not be whole purpose of the event is for would be allowed to play this year. been accepted by their community Wasauksing First Nation Little allowed to play this year because “Aboriginal kids to get together and She says Sheema and Naomi were and are proud to be a part of it, and NHL committee chairperson Mary they do not have their own status get to know one another”. She says hoping to be a part of the fi rst senior have not experienced any “status” Ann Pawis says the tournament, be- cards. that was the intent by Leonard Sels girls’ team to represent Wasauksing issues until now. ing held in Sudbury March 12-16, Pawis says she received a memo who was a minister and worked for First Nation. Taylor says her daugh- Taylor says her daughters have a has been allowing participation by from the Little NHL executive com- Indian Affairs at the time the tour- ters have previously participated suggestion of their own. They think non-status community members for mittee Feb. 24 indicating that “upon nament was initiated. with support letters from Wasauk- the new rule could be enforced for years. registration copies of birth certifi - Throughout the history of the sing’s chief, and also represented new players, but not those who have She says that in previous years cates and status cards are needed for tournament, Rice says, she knew Ontario in a national Native hockey previously played in the tourney. Cape skiers bring home the bronze By Laura Robinson OFNTSC CAPE CROKER – Cape Croker El- ementary School’s 16 skiers pulled off a bronze-medal performance in the 20-team Bluewater District Nor- dic Championships, a major feat Allysha Wassegijig, 13-year-old Orillia Channel Cats swimmer. since their school has fewer students – under 100 – than the number of 4” x 10” Allysha swims in six events ski team members of at least one ORILLIA – When Allysha Wassegijig hits the water in Colorado, she’s of the schools they were competing knows she’s going to have to be fi erce. The 13-year-old Orillia Channel against. Cats swimmer was one of the youngest members named to Team Ontario Heavy snowfalls postponed the for the 2006 North American Indigenous Games. meet twice, but the third try was a “I’m nervous, but really excited,” said Wassegijig, adding she’s charm for Tianno Fillo, who captured looking forward to representing her province in Denver in July. “I’ve her fourth gold medal in a row for the wanted to go ever since I fi rst heard about the games. I’ve been training Nish Nobbies, the last two racing in since last year.” the senior girls’ 2 km. event. She fi n- NAIG, a sport and culture celebration held every four years, show- ished a minute ahead of the runner- cases the talent of aboriginal people ages 13 and older from across Can- up, while Cape Croker’s Doug Jones ada and the United States. won a silver medal in his fi rst senior Wassegijig, an Odawa, is one of 13 swimmers representing Ontario boys’ race, fi nishing one second be- at the games. She will compete in the bantam division at the NAIG in six hind the winner. Sheyanne Ross was events; the 50- and 100-metre freestyle, 50- and 100-metre breaststroke, 5th in Sr. Girls, while Mireya Nadji- 50-metre butterfl y and 200-metre individual medley. wan was 7th. In Junior Boys, Cody Campbell, a Grade 4 student, racing against the Grade 5 and 6’s, took 4th place, Steve Nadjiwan, in Grade 3, placed 5th, while Kirkland Jones, in Grade 5, placed 6th. The night before Kirk- land rescued his family, who were caught in a blizzard in their car, by running 2 km in the dark for help.

Matthew Penasse and coach Michelle Leigh. Matt skating without stick NIPISSING FN – Matthew Penasse’s skates took him in a different direc- tion from his hockey-playing dad. When parents Mike – a long-time professional hockey player – and Louise registered Matt in fi gure skating it was to improve their son’s hockey skating skills. But Matt had been fascinated watching sister Jody practice her fi gure-skating routines, and tried imitating her jumps at home on the fl oor, on one occasion putting his heel through the drywall. Heading into high school Matt’s parents felt it would be too diffi cult for their son to juggle hockey, fi gure skating and schoolwork, and Matt made his choice – fi gure skating. The 17-year-old placed seventh in his short program and ninth overall in the novice division at February’s Junior Nationals in Moncton. He is currently training full-time at the National Training Centre known as the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie with coaches Michelle and Doug Leigh, whose pupils include former Canadian champions Elvis Stojko and Brian Orser. Jessie Stanish, 28th in Junior Girls 2 km. March 2006 Anishinabek News Page 21 Restoration of Jurisdiction More support for Governance AIP By Mary Laronde is that the federal government a timely and fair fashion. Stable First Nations across the recognizes that we are going to governance institutions increase Anishinabek territory continue be limited by fi nancial and human investor confi dence and help create to back the Anishinabek Nation resources. I would think there will economic opportunities for our Agreement-in-Principle with be provisions for the Anishinabek communities.” The Union of Ontario Indians Restoration of Jurisdiction project is respect to Governance (the Nation and the participating First According to Lorraine George, hosting three workshops, with each focusing on a key area of Capacity Governance “AIP”) because it is Nations to raise revenues.” First Nations Administrator at Kettle Development. The main goal of the workshops is to increase existing a move toward their vision of self- Pic River, recognized across the and Stony Point, the Governance capacity in key areas within individual First Nations and the Anishinabek government and self-suffi ciency. Anishinabek territory as a leader in AIP supports “the vision of self- Nation as a whole, prior to the completion of the Education and Governance Chief Dan Couchie of the social and economic development, government embarked on by the Final Agreements. Ojibways of Pic River says his has operated a successful hydro Council over the last four years.” Council supports self-government development project on the Black “The Governance AIP supports Political Leadership, Band Managers, Program Directors support staff and and the governance initiatives River for twenty years and another moving forward and First Nations- youth at the First Nation, Tribal Council or other First Nation Organization attached to the AIP. project is near completion. As Chief led decision-making,” George level would benefi t greatly from the discussion and participation at each “Pic River is a pilot community Couchie says, “Past successes said. “A lot of decisions we make of these dynamic workshops. for constitution development has made Pic River an attractive are not based on the Indian Act and we have also attended the business partner.” and lots of times, if it doesn’t fi t, Reading and Analysis of Financial Statements workshops on appeals and redress Attracting investment and the answer [from the Minister of Wikwemikong, March 22-23, 2006 and enforcement training. In all business is one of the key benefi ts Indian Affairs] is always ‘no.’” Workshop Facilitator: White Cedar Management & Development of this is a fi rm belief in self- of the Governance agreement Like Pic River, Kettle and Services government. If we’re serious about highlighted by R. Martin Bayer, Stony Point is also a constitution Workshop Overview: this, it’s time to get on with it.” Anishinabek Chief Negotiator, in development pilot community This workshop will provide participants with practical skills in interpreting Chief Couchie expressed some his presentation of the Governance and has also signed onto the and analyzing fi nancial information. The ability to read and analyze concern about a fi scal transfer AIP to Chiefs and Councils. First Nations Land Management fi nancial information is a key component of governance, accountability arrangement (FTA) that would be “Investors need to know Act that recognizes limited First to First Nation citizens and funding agencies, and for decision-making attached to a Final Agreement on governance institutions such as Nation jurisdiction over land purposes. Anishinabek Nation Governance. appeal and redress mechanisms are management on First Nation lands. “Self-government is a huge task in place so that potential problems “All this goes hand-in-hand in the Resource material will include a case study and workbook comprised to take on. Of utmost importance and disputes can be resolved in move forward to self-suffi ciency of fi nancial policies, fi nancial information, fi nancial ratios, a series of and a sustainable economy for our questions, scenarios and role-playing designed so that participants community,” George said. develop their skills in interpreting, analyzing, presenting, making Bayer is continuing to schedule recommendations, policy making and decision-making. presentations for Chiefs and Councils. So far 16 First Nations Reading and Analysis of Financial Statements have submitted Band Council Pic River, March 28-29, 2006 Resolutions (BCRs) in support Workshop Facilitator: White Cedar Management & Development of the AIP and in support of Services continuing negotiations toward a Workshop Overview: See above Final Agreement on Governance. To book a presentation, please Band Administrator Orientation call the Governance Administrative Sault Ste. Marie, March 30-31, 2006 Assistant, Adrienne Pelletier Workshop Facilitator: Tracey O’Donnell at 1-877-702-5200 or email at Workshop Overview: [email protected]. Not all of the qualifi cations required to be a Band Administrator is set Adrienne Pelletier, Governance Administrative Assistant and R. Martin out in the job description or covered in the orientation, if an orientation Bayer, Anishinabek Chief Negotiator. if provided. Generally, there is no mention of the requirement for a fl uid vision of the Band administration as an organization; a chameleon-like adaptiveness; an unwavering set of values; an obsession with innovation; OSR – always talked about, never resolved and, a strong sense of community. By Mary Laronde to Ontario students generally. to the point and that discussions At a joint table meeting Feb. 21-22 Both sides seem to agree that of a new fi scal relationship, such The purpose of this workshop is to provide an overview of the additional at the UOI head offi ce, Nipissing the potential to raise revenues as the one proposed by Grand qualifi cations; to review the realities of working as a Band Administrator First Nation, Canada’s negotiators from education is virtually non- Council Chief John Beaucage, were and present some best practices in managing time, human resources, reported that though the federal existent. O’Donnell suggested that required. The Grand Council Chief’s priorities and community expectations and developing effective leadership policy on Own Source Revenue for the purposes of the education proposal is for a new, sustainable skills. (OSR) is in comprehensive agreement, OSR be an item for approach to fi scal relations that agreements in which lands and negotiation at some future time. would work in much the same way resources and revenue generation “Lots of work needs to be done to the federal-provincial transfers There is no cost to participate in any of the workshops. Lunch, capacity are included, how to include advance best arguments and arrive take place – with priority focused refreshments and resource material will be provided to each OSR in “sectoral” agreements is at principles for a discussion of on First Nations need rather than participant. Travel, accommodations and expenses will be the unclear. “Sectoral agreements” OSR.” the priorities and business plans responsibility of each individual workshop participant. basically means not comprehensive Some negotiators were of the and ‘A’-base budgets of Indian and and is used describe the governance opinion that OSR capacity was more Northern Affairs Canada. To register, or for further workshop information including and education ‘sectors’ now being detailed workshop brochures, please contact negotiated between Canada and the Jamie Restoule, Self-Government Project Manager, Anishinabek. at 1-877-702-5200 or [email protected]. Legal Counsel Tracey O’Donnell pointed out that the positions are still at “opposite ends of the Restoration of Jurisdiction refers to the self-government negotiations pole.” O’Donnell said that with the with the federal government that will restore and reclaim the law- education negotiations completing making authority of the Anishinabek Nation. The Anishinabek in a few months, there needs to be Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat some movement. Canada says OSR in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate and secretariat for 42 First must be in the agreement and the Nations across Ontario. Anishinabek say they cannot simply accept OSR as a principle in the education agreement. Gaps between The Restoration of Jurisdiction website has been updated! education costs and funding aside, Tracey O’Donnell, Anishinabek Legal Counsel; Bernadette Marasco, Give us your feedback on the Anishinabek Nation draft constitution, the Fred Bellefeuille, Anishinabek Education Administrative Assistant; and Merle Pegahmagabow, Head proposed Anishinabek Education System and more… Visit the website Legal Counsel at the Governance Anishinabek Negotiator (Education); Mike Restoule, Constitution at www.anishinabek.ca/ROJ The site is continually being updated with table suggested that results are what Development Coordinator; and Wayne Wong, Indian and Northern Affairs NEW information. This is your quickest way to updated information on mattered and if First Nation students at a joint table meeting held Feb. 21-22, to discuss the year ahead and events and news about the Restoration of Jurisdiction Project. are achieving at levels comparable issues of common concern. Page 22 Anishinabek News March 2006

ANCU Credit Union

Full page ad - Colour March 2006 Anishinabek News Page 23 Anishinabek Nation Credit Union

ANCU Offi cial Opening Attending the offi cial ribbon cutting on Nov. 15, 2001 from left Daryl Desmoulin, board member; Allan Moffatt, Business Development Offi cer, ANCU; Linda Chiblow, chair, board of directors; Lyle Sayers, Chief, Garden River First Nation; Joe Hare, former Grand Council Chief; Vernon Roote, Grand Council Chief; Kenton Eggleston, General Manager; Lewis Debassige, vice chair; James Maness and Felix Stonypointe, board members. Anishinabek still putting their money where their nation is GARDEN RIVER FN – Anishi- ing long-term sustainable deposits. nabek continue to put their money With deposit insurance coverage of where their nation is. $100,000 per member and a prov- The Anishinabek Nation Credit en track record, this should not be Union – the fi rst on-reserve credit an issue, but it still remains a chal- union ever to be granted a Charter lenge. by the Province of Ontario – con- In addition to hearing a pre- tinued to give its members good sentation of audited fi nancial news at the Annual ANCU Gen- statements, board elections, and eral Membership meeting. The 40 awarding of door prizes, members members in attendance at the Feb. in attendance were also treated to 23 meeting learned that, for the a sneak peak of the credit union’s second year in a row, the ANCU new marketing strategy . has turned a small profi t, and both “ANCU has struggled over the deposits and loans are continuous- years with creating an image for ly growing. itself and promoting its services,” With assets over $5 million, the Moffatt said. “By letting the credit credit union has loaned out $4.3 union tell ‘its own story’ to per- million to its First Nation members, spective members, they may real- and the ANCU loan delinquency ize that this is more than a place to rate of less than 1% is better than borrow money or conduct bank- Anishinabek Nation Credit Union board members, from left: Daryl Desmoulin, Pic River; James Maness, Sar- the industry average. ing.” nia; Lewis Debassige, M’Chigeeng; Kim Sissenah, Sagamok; Alan Ozawanimke (at large); Wilma Bissiallon, Mississauga, chair; Margaret (Peggy) Belleau, Garden River. “We continue to grow at dou- Plans include the introduction ble-digit rates each year and have of the much-anticipated Internet the idea of opening their own fi - crossed the point of self-sustain- banking. A feasibility study is nancial institution in 1994. Seven ability,” said ANCU General Man- nearing completion, and thus far years later, in November of 2001, Maness leaves chair ager, Allan Moffatt, whose report all signals indicate the likelihood the ANCU held its grand opening By Allan Moffatt highlighted his participation on of implementation later this year. at Garden River First Nation. Immediately following the Annual General Membership meeting a scholarship to attend the World Two board seats were up for Since opening, the credit union of the Anishinabek Nation Credit Union, the board of directors Credit Union Conference in Rome. renewal at the meeting and Wilma has served over 1200 members, elected their executive committee for the new fi scal year. “It was a year unlike any other.” Bissiallon was re-appointed as the granted loans in excess of $4.3 It was with some reluctance and a great deal of understanding Chairman James Maness of representative from Mississauga million and has serviced deposits that the board accepted the fact that long-time chair, James Maness Aawmjinaang (Sarnia) expressed First Nation, while an interim of $4.7 million. The Deposit Insur- of Sarnia, wished to relinquish this position due to the illness of the ANCU board’s pride in the member from Sagamok Anishnaw- ance Corporation of Ontario insures a member of his immediate family. A founding member, Maness scholarship award. “Recognition bek will be chosen in the near fu- all of the deposits with the ANCU agreed to continue to serve on the board. from our peers in the industry rein- ture to replace Kim Sissenah, who up to $100,000 per member. The returning board member from Mississauga First Nation, forces the fact that this small credit decided not to run for re-election For further information about union is a real player in the indus- due to other employment commit- the Anishinabek Nation Credit Wilma Bissiallon, was elected chair for the coming year. Alan Oza- try, he said. ments. Her presence on the board Union, or to become a member wanimke, the “at large” board member from Sagamok Anishnaw- Both Moffatt and Maness will be missed. please contact the offi ce toll-free bek was elected as vice-chair. Margaret Belleau, the representative stressed that continued growth is The leadership of the Union of at 1-866-775-2628, or locally at from Garden River First Nation, will serve as corporate secretary very much dependant upon attract- Ontario Indians embarked upon (705) 942-7655. for the coming year. Page 24 Anishinabek News March 2006 A’ki/Land Land claim deals have paid pittance for huge acreages

By Lynn Gehl as education, claim area of The contemporary land claims PETERBOROUGH – Many are al- social services 24,000 square and self-government process seems ready aware that the Algonquins of and the right to kilometres. designed to force Indigenous peo- Ontario are currently in the process defi ne their own Although not ples to sell their Earthly Mother for of attempting to negotiate a land membership. constitution- a mere pittance in return for small claims and self-government agree- While such ally-protected, parcels of land, as well as the extin- ment with the provincial and federal cash settlement the Nisga’a guishment of – or in the case of the governments. numbers look also received Nisga’a – complete defi nition of their The land base, as illustrated in big in isolation, one-fourth of land rights. With the exception of the the accompanying map, consists of when broken the Nass fi sh- Inuit of Nunavut who achieved some 34,398 square kilometres. Many are down the agree- ery as well as jurisdiction similar to the provinces beginning to ask questions such as, ment actually a share of the – possibly because they are the ma- ‘What’s in it for Algonquin people?’ means that the forest industry. jority population in their homeland As a proud Algonquin-Anishinabe Cree and Inuit In addition, the – in these settlements Indigenous Kwe, I want to share my research accepted a mere Nisga’a agreed peoples merely achieved municipal- of what various scholars have had to 79 cents per to phase out style governments with minimal ju- say regarding three major land claims acre for the vast their sales and risdiction over areas such as educa- and self-government settlements. tract of tradi- income tax ex- tion, social services, policing, culture The James Bay and Northern tional territory billion in fi nancial compensation as emptions. and establishing membership. In fact Quebec agreement, established they surrendered. well as the transfer of some federal In agreeing to accept title to 7.9 the Nisga’a fi nal agreement merely in 1975, was the fi rst to resolve a In 1991, the 18,000 Inuit citizens government jurisdiction. The latter per cent of their traditional territory, entrenched the Indian Act’s existing contemporary comprehensive land of Nunavut negotiated a new territo- is vulnerable in that these self-gov- the Nisga’a were actually accepting system of government. claims settlement simultaneous with ry in their settlement agreement and ernment rights are not constitution- $44 an acre for some of the most The Algonquin and other First negotiating self-government. The achieved jurisdiction in certain areas ally-protected. resource-rich land in the British Co- Nations should surely be establishing Cree and Inuit received 5,544 and that resemble provincial jurisdiction. Once again, headlines made the lumbia interior. new relationships with the Crown 8,151 square kilometres of fee-simple They agreed to accept fee-simple $1 billion compensation sound huge, Contemporary cash settlements through treaty-making on a nation- land respectively – or 1.17 % of their title of 18.4% – some 350,000 square but the deal actually meant that the in land claims and self-government to-nation basis. original land base of 1,165,286 square kilometers – of the 1,900,000 square Inuit were being paid about $2.61 per negotiations fall well below real es- kilometers. In addition, the Cree and kilometres of the land they claimed, acre for territory to which they relin- tate market values. When these cash Lynn Gehl, Algonquin, Turtle Inuit agreed to accept $225 million as well as mineral rights to one- tenth quished title and control. settlements are broken down they Clan, is a second year Indigenous in compensation, but no subsurface of this land base and the right to hunt, In 2000, the Nisga’a, with a mem- don’t look much better than the pal- Studies Ph.D. student at Trent Uni- or mineral rights to their lands, along trap, fi sh and participate in land man- bership of 5,500, settled for 1,900 try annual payments of $3 or $4 giv- versity where her thesis topic is the with municipal-style self-govern- agement of Crown lands. The Inuit square kilometres and $240 million en to citizens whose ancestors signed contemporary comprehensive land ment with limited jurisdiction such of Nunavut also received over $1 in fi nancial compensation for their the historic . claims and self-government process.

Cossette Media Canada Revenue

10.25” x 7.25” March 2006 Anishinabek News PagePage XX25 Eshki-bmaadzijig/Youth Turtle Concepts offers ‘role-modelling’ skills to help Native youth By Kevin Schofi eld like Toronto’s Canadian Aboriginal GARDEN RIVER FN – Jamie Cor- Festival, often in front of large audi- ston credits Turtle Concepts with ences, but Jones says there are still helping her come out of her shell. misconceptions about how his pro- “I was so shy,” says the Humber grams work with young aboriginal College photography student. “Turtle people. Concepts has made me realize that I “Some people think I am a mod- can impact other people’s lives. They eling agency; I tell them that I am a focused me and made me realize that role-modeling agency. My program my character does not have to change teaches the youth to just feel good when I become confi dent. I am not about themselves and the most im- afraid to be who I am and face chal- portant part of the whole process is lenges now. The program has not so that we challenge the youth to make much impacted me but rather made their confi dence public. They are not me realize the impact I can have.” going to just do it in their homes. We Since launching Turtle Concepts have to realize that’s its okay to be in 1999, Dave Jones has presented public about our confi dence.” Native youth learn self-confi dence on stage at the Canadian Aboriginal Festival in Toronto’s SkyDome. hundreds of workshops on self-es- Angela Lewis recalls being afraid – Photo by Priscilla Goulais teem, confi dence and self-awareness, to show her self-confi dence for fear teaching an estimated 3,000 Native of being laughed at. “It’s a struggle because the com- don’t understand why we as a people he emphasizes. “Just because you youth how to make good choices “When I went through Dave’s munity does not know where the sud- do not celebrate what we tell our kids look beautiful and try to appear confi - while being happy with who they are. program I felt safer to be confi dent,” den confi dence comes from. They to do, which is to be smart and con- dent, or speak with a Canadian accent, His new “Get Some Guts” program says the 22-year-old from Cutler, fi nd confusion between confi dence fi dent and try hard. But if they do it does not mean you are going to lose teaches youth how being fearless now employed by Turtle Concepts and conceit. To me confi dence means that, they get ridiculed. We negate your culture. Jonathan Cheechoo still leads to a better life. as an Empowerment Offi cer. “I fi nd you know who you are and what you them and remind them where they goes Moose hunting and knows how “When you have confi dence, you with this program you have to do it are capable of. Conceit means you come from and put them down be- to call a goose.” are able to make better decisions,” yourself. You absolutely must be- somehow think you are better than cause they think they are so good.” Now 41, Jones describes himself he says, “and I try to help kids make come confi dent. It teaches youth others. And that is not what Dave Jones feels that the common Na- as a “confi dent but shy” teenager, healthier decisions.” that. Before I was afraid of breaking teaches at all.” tive practice of teasing and joking whose parents told him “never to Turtle Concepts arranges fashion the mould but I realized it only takes Jones says his training is “cur- can actually undermine youth con- peek over the fence, but to climb over shows and modeling exhibitions for one person to affect others in a posi- riculum-based. “The students are fi dence. “Part of my research sug- it and go see.” Initially a teacher, his participants at high-profi le events tive way. involved with some pretty intense gests that there has been a lot of “just fi rst professional exposure at confi - training workshops. They must sit kidding” pro- dence-building came in accepting a down and write. I’m not just telling moted in our contract to work with youth in Moose them not to be shy – I’m teaching communities, Factory. them how to become less shy.” so kids fi nd it “I wanted to be able to pass on Some program participants say hard to be vali- to children what I knew about confi - they experience diffi culties adjusting dated. If you dence, so that some day they would when they return home to their com- offer sincere do the same. I would never have munities. “In our culture if you are compliments dreamt that this is what I would do proud of yourself you are considered to youth they but I love the work. “ conceited,” says Jones. “So I fi nd don’t know He has taken Turtle Concepts ways to teach children that confi dence the true factor. training as far afi eld as Ireland and is not conceit.” He believes that the Because they Alaska, and his vision is to have sat- way we communicate with children have been “just Dave Jones ellite branches all across Canada and leads to many of the problems they kidded” since the United States. have with self-esteem and how they they were little. This whole “just kid- “For me it’s all about the kids. view themselves. “Why are some ding” part of our culture allows us to And I think the Creator wants me to pulling others down because they are say mean things to each other if we do this. I’d like to thank those who celebrating the fact that they believe say ‘just kidding” afterwards.” have publicly supported my work they are beautiful? Because they He sees no contradiction between – they provide me with the desire to dress nice? Because they started to the training his students receive and continue.” excel? “ their connection to their Native heri- For more information visit www. Jamie Corston: ‘I can impact other people’s lives.’ He is concerned about the “mixed tage. turtleconcepts.com or www.get- messages” Native youth receive. “I “That’s their personal decision,” someguts.com

Media Buying Services Ministry of Health

10.25” x 3.5” Page XX26 Anishinabek News March 2006

Aboriginal OntarioOpen for Business www.aboriginalontario.com A Special Report on Economic Development by and Pipeline dividing Mackenzie Natives TSIIGEHTCHIC, N.W.T. (CP) “It’s talked about every day,’’ – Shrone Vanloon, 17, perches on says town maintenance worker top of his snow machine in a tiny Abe Ross, 43, who favours the de- aboriginal community holding velopment. “It’s a constant thing at hearings into a proposed $7-billion the coffee table.’’ natural gas project and says build- A survey prepared for the ing a pipeline down the Mackenzie Gwich’In Renewable Resource Valley spells opportunity. Board last December shows how “I think it’s pretty good,’’ he divided the communities of Fort says, before adding he’s already McPherson, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic signed up for training courses that and Inuvik are. Stan Beardy, Grand Chief of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, Alvin Fiddler, Deputy Grand Chief, board member could lead to a career. But down A slight majority of people Chief Peter Moonias from Neskantaga, and Charles Fox stand with two crew members beside one of the street, Abe Bonnet Plume, 27, said they wanted the pipeline to North American Charters’ Pilatus aircraft. has drawn different conclusions. be built within the next fi ve years, “I’m against it,’’ he says. “It’s with the strongest approval com- good without (the pipeline). It’s so ing from the 40-54 age group at 59 First Nations airline employs 123 peaceful without it. per cent. Still, between one-quarter By Rick Garrick high number in business terms. We had a mandate of “It’s supposed to be lots of and one-third of respondents op- THUNDER BAY– North American Charters LP has about 20-percent, so we exceeded our mandate.” work, but that doesn’t matter to posed the project outright. And the been expanding non-stop since it fi rst took to the air North American Charters has since led the way me. It’s hurting Mother Earth.’’ largest group of all, at 44 percent, in 2000. by lowering ticket prices and fl ying more direct The two young men typify the said the Gwich’In were not ready The First Nation-owned airline’s latest expansion routes, which eventually resulted in a 30 to 40 per- divisions in communities up and for it. Nearly twice as many wom- project is a $3.5-4 million hangar/offi ce complex cent reduction in transportation costs and the imple- down the Mackenzie Valley that en as men expressed that opinion. now under construction at the Thunder Bay Airport mentation of comparable routes by two competing would be most affected by the proj- Most people, the survey suggested, and scheduled to be completed by May 2006. and larger airlines. ect, which would almost certainly didn’t know if the pipeline would “We started in 2000 with around $1 million” in The company is currently fl ying six Pilatus nine- open the entire region to energy improve their lives. ticket and charter sales, says Tom Meilleur, direc- seaters and one King Air nine-seater to 15 isolated and other industrial development. Gabe Andre, who lived in the tor of operations for North American Charters LP, First Nation communities in northwestern Ontario Northerners are caught between bush around nearby Travaillant which is owned by the fi ve northern Ontario First and northern Manitoba from bases in Thunder Bay, the future promise of jobs and Lake for 60 years, scoffs at sug- Nations of Eabametoong, Neskantaga, Webequie, Sioux Lookout and Winnipeg. Plans are in the works prosperity and their concerns over gestions the pipeline would benefi t Sachigo and Sandy Lake. Over the past fi ve years to expand within the year by purchasing a 19-seat environment and social impacts es- ordinary people. the airline has expanded sales by about $2 million plane to use on existing routes. pecially in light of their experience “How many times do white a year, reaching a total of $12 million during this “There is a perception out there that unless the during the last boom of the 1970s man say they are going to do some- current year. government is behind it, there is no success story,” when the current gas fi elds were thing for Indian people? We never “We have a bright future ahead of us,” Meilleur Meilleur says. “The First Nation communities that discovered, and environmental and see it!’’ he cried at the hearings in says. “We’re only targeting a small percentage of the started this airway did so with little government sup- aboriginal concerns were felt to be Tsiigehtchic on Monday. communities transportation needs. We’re looking to port.” Since beginning operations, North American given short shrift. “I wish that pipeline would go expand at a steady growth.” Charters has only received $210,000 from the gov- Tsiigehtchic is a hamlet of about through so I could get some mon- The airline has also increased its workforce, from ernment. 200 perched on bluffs overlooking ey.’’ a total of 11 when it fi rst took off, to its current to- He attributes North American Charter’s success the confl uence of the Mackenzie Ross says concerns about the tal of 123 full-time and part-time employees, almost to the service its staff and pilots have provided since and the Arctic Red rivers. The oc- pipeline’s social impacts are over- half of whom are First Nation citizens. the beginning. Back then the fl ight crew doubled as casional freshly skinned bear pelt blown. “The social impacts are al- “We’re achieving around 47-percent First Na- the sales staff at the airports, and on days off they hangs on a balcony, and concern ready here,’’ he says. “The drugs, tions employment,” Meilleur says, “which is a fairly worked the ramps. over the proposed pipeline is never the booze and all that stuff is al- far from people’s thoughts. ready here. Idealist knocks on doors to promote vision of Native job bank By Maurice Switzer in both worlds. Outcomes of group of mentors and friends who online” she says. “The ultimate ARLINGTON, Tex – A Montreal- employability will drive Indian support the work of Ludmer-Li’s goal is to see Indigenous peo- born woman is trying to fi nd oth- economic initiatives to new direc- 4 Corners Consultants. Others in- ple become more economically ers to buy into her dream of creat- tions such as improving housing clude Blackfeet Elder Carl Cree sound, and, at the same time help ing a job bank for Native North standards and marketing Indian Medicine, Navajo hospital CEO corporate America create a deeper Americans. crafts not previously sold.” Dr. Franklin Freeland, and or- talent pool of skilled workers.” After attending 10 universities She also sees increasing the ganic gardener Jay North, who Ludmer-Li’s idealism has and learning institutions, earn- number of Native Americans in was adopted by the Blackfeet. been met, at times, with suspicion, ing several degrees, and working the workforce as having other To date Ludmer-Li has put disdain, and mistrust – by Natives as an international consultant on intangible benefi ts, by eliminat- thousands of miles on her red and non-Natives alike. But she is issues she describes as “humani- ing stereotypes and enhancing mini-van – often with her four- nothing, if not tenacious. tarian concerns,” Frances Lud- understanding of traditional Na- year-old twins in the back seat “I know that there have been mer-Li found herself promoting tive knowledge while increasing – criss-crossing the American government initiatives in Canada the operation of a food bank for shareholders’ value for compa- Midwest trying to fi nd corporate and the U.S. that are designed to destitute members of the Black- nies wanting to demonstrate good leaders – including railway, fast deal with Native poverty and eco- feet Nation in Montana. Then she corporate citizenship. food, information technology, pe- nomic development,” she says, hit upon another idea that would “Our objective is to design, troleum, and newspaper industry “but I don’t see the need for help offer more of a “hand up” than a implement, and improve com- executives – to buy into her vi- getting any smaller.” “handout.” munication and understanding sion for job creation for Native Individuals, corporations, “This (the job bank) will al- between Native people and the Americans on both sides of the or non-governmental organi- low Indians to be gainfully em- corporate world,” she says, credit- Canada-U.S. border. zations interested in learning ployed,” she says, “in turn, affect- ing her friendship with Blackfeet “The intent is to get Indians more about or contributing to ing positive relationships between tribe member Jim Bird with help- employed year round, to improve the Native American Job Bank the Indian people and corporate ing her understand the traditional skill sets, and to make an earnest project can contact Li by e- America through the creation of Native value of sharing with oth- living beyond minimum wage. mail at fran112701@yahoo. exchanges, mentorship, and the ers less fortunate. Many Natives do not have the com or e-mail Jim Bird at rock_ Frances Ludmer-Li support of community members Bird is one of a diverse little means to go to jobsites or apply [email protected]. March 2006 Anishinabek News PagePage XX27

Cossette Media

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worker’s efforts. And some may hold a sincere belief that only those Rabbit and Bear Paws who have experienced their pain or frustration can truly understand their issues. It all boils down to freedom of choice, having an open mind, and being honest with yourself and your counsellor. ASK HOLLY To be honest, I can see both BY HOLLY BRODHAGEN sides of this argument. I imagine that an overweight individual does not want to have a diet consultant Can you talk about how easy it is to lose weight if that person has never weighed over 120 pounds. Nor preach would I want someone who has never undergone surgery to tell me without that my operation won’t hurt a bit. But I also don’t think that the only people who can help others practising? are those who have “been there Do you practice what you preach? and done that.” A drug and alcohol The question arose in a discus- worker does not have to go on a sion about the appropriateness of three-week bender or try intrave- social workers working as treat- nous drugs to understand the harm ment counsellors. Was it right for these activities can cause, or how a person to “preach” about matters to treat someone indulging in them. they have not experienced? Proper training can help counsel- This is an interesting but com- lors provide the proper support plex question that can be applied to without being condescending, dis- many fi elds of work. honest or “preachy”. My opinion is that – if you do So the next time you think “how not misrepresent yourself to those would he or she know?”, give that you are helping – then you are do- person a chance to explain their as- Anishinabek Crossword #10 ing what you were trained to do. sessment, and then be honest with It is the worker’s responsibility to them about your feelings. If you hammer out a solid foundation for pouch sticks and ball not “preach” about what they don’t 51. Characterized by careful thought; understand but to share what they working together, you as the client deliberate know as professionals, whether the will get the help you need and the 52. Kiawak ___, Carver, received a knowledge was acquired through worker is able to help you, even National Aboriginal Achievement practice or education. if that means fi nding someone else Award for his continuing contribu- At the same time, workers who can better meet your needs. tion to Inuit sculpture should understand a client’s reluc- 53. Widely recognized or employed as tance and suspicions about work- a model of authority or excellence ing with someone who has never Holly Brodhagen, Dokis First Nation, welcomes suggestions or DOWN experienced what they are going 11. Spiritual awareness; illumination through. Some clients may not be- questions for future articles. If you 12. Group of people living in the same lieve that a worker is capable of have anything you want to talk locality helping them, or don’t really want about please contact Holly at the 13. Feeling of agitation and anxiety help and try to sabotage their case- Anishinabek News. 14. Offi cial mark, design, or seal 16. ___ Trottier, one of the greatest players in the NHL 18. Two-wheeled, horse-drawn vehicle Mouse-click used to tow a fi eld gun or a caisson 10. Affect, guide, or arouse by divine infl uence results in 11. Disease, a disorder 12. Act, occupation, or sport of catch- ing fi sh romance 17. Express strong disapproval By Kevin Schofi eld 18. Feeling of appreciative, esteem 24. Skill in doing or making something, GARDEN RIVER FN – At least as in the arts two of the 16,000 registered users 25. Imperfection that mars or impairs; a of RezFox on-line dating service emotions in a vivid and imaginative fl aw or defect have something to show for their ACROSS 26. George ___, Musician 11. Probably way experience. Nodin 28. Kateri ___, “My Heart is a Stray 13. Behalf; interest 15. Mental image produced by the Bullet” “We met each other and found 14. Physical dimension, proportion imagination 29. in accordance with culture we were exactly what the other was praying for in every way, recalls Carrie 15. Place one’s signature on a contract 16. Hunt for birds’ nests 30. Pursue for food or sport Singer, whose RezFox connection with Jim Kewukundo led to the birth last to indicate approval 19. Know or identify from past experi- 33. Offspring Nov. 24 of newborn son Nodin. “We never would have believed we would 17. A non-regulatory document that ence 34. Despotic and oppressive communicates risk information to 20. Related to the weasel with slender have met online. But we did. And now we are committed and going to be 35. fi erce and strong animal about the those who may have to make risk body, bushy tail, and soft fur starting a new family. “Without RezFox, my beautiful boy wouldn’t be size of a bear cub management decisions 21. Necessary but encumbering equip- here.” 36. John ____, Politician 19. Something that is passed down ment on a ship Andy Rickard is surprised at the success of his on-line dating service, 37. Sensitivity to very small changes; from preceding generations 22. Point or respect in which things offering Native subscribers a chance to connect with the click of a computer precision 13. Notable act or deed differ 39. Great or plentiful amount mouse, instead of feeling compelled to make the bar scene. 14. Verbal composition designed to 23. Merged into one; unite 45. Public room or building for gam- “It’s surreal,” he says. “Sometimes we can’t believe it. The reaction convey experiences, ideas, or 27. Relieve or cure is huge. We offer a good service to allow Native people to go online and 31. Insistent or importunate bling and other entertainment meet other Native people. We have managed to change the way Native 32. Capture or seize 46. Ground cover for lawns 38. Conversation between two or more 48. Animal with thick brown fur, people meet.” To register on RezFox one visits the website and establishes webbed hind feet, a broad fl at tail a no-charge account. Those looking for unlimited access to the site pay a people 40. Disturb or anger fee starting at $15. 41. Form of hurt, damage, or loss Five letter Hidden Word (pictured): “We know of several babies being born where the parents have met 42. Slight indication or intimation on RezFox,”says Rickard. “ Our territory is so vast and people of different 43. Intermittent gleam of light tribes just don’t get together but now people are traveling across the country 44. Agreement; harmony to meet friends they have met on RezFox. It opens up a whole world of 47. Long-eared, short-tailed, burrowing Prize for Puzzle potential friends.” mammal All completed crosswords sent Andy takes his role as matchmaker all in stride. “Our main focus was 49. Favorable regard; commendation to us by March 31 will be entered to use the Internet to bring our people together. If life-long matches result, 50. Game played on a rectangular fi eld into a draw for a Miniature Digital with long-handled that has a webbed Camera courtesy of Anishinabek all the better.” JAN / FEB’S SOLUTION Nation 7th Generation Charities.