A FORT MCKAY FIRST NATION PUBLICATION

JUNE 27, 2012 VOLUME 02 :: ISSUE 11

In Honour

LATE BERTHA GANTER HONOURED On May 22 about 100 people protection that helped make the air currently gathered at the site of the Fort monitoring station a reality.” Brenda McKay Air Monitoring Station on a Ganter, Bertha’s daughter, said, “She beautiful sunny day for a ceremony believed that one person could make SUPPORT SERVICES to celebrate the late Bertha Ganter a difference. And it was her voice that Check out page 8 for more by renaming the station in her rang out through the community.” information about the many honour. Bertha’s family, Fort McKay services available at Fort community members and Elders alike The Fort McKay Sustainability McKay’s Family Support enjoyed the weather, the food and Department (formally the IRC) worked Centre. the music to celebrate the memory with the Wood Buffalo Environmental of Bertha who was instrumental Association (WBEA), Bertha’s family in establishing the air monitoring and community members to properly station. honour Bertha and recognize her for environmental advocacy work. “I am so pleased to be here to celebrate my mother’s memory,” said (Continued on page 9.) Bertha’s son Stephen Ganter. “It was her dedication to environmental

WORKING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.FORTMCKAY.COM MESSAGE FROM CHIEF AND COUNCIL Elder Town Trips FMFN LEADERSHIP TEAM The Fort McKay Métis Nation has generously donated their time and bus to the Fort McKay Elders Center to offer Jim Boucher, Chief trips to town on the FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. The bus will leave Fort McKay at approximately Raymond Powder, Councilor 10:00 am, and will return in the afternoon. These trips can be used for shopping, errands, visiting the hospital or a David Bouchier, Councilor day out of the house. To reserve a seat on the bus, please phone the Elders Center at 780.828.4650. Gerald Gladue, Councilor

Larry Hewko, Director, Finance/ CFO/COO WORD SEARCH SWEET THINGS ADMINISTRATION DEPT Dorothy McDonald Centre Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, General Delivery forwards or backwards. Fort McKay, AB T0P 1C0 Phone: 780.828.2430

Hours of Operation: AMBROSIA JELLY BEAN With summer upon us, we’ve been issuing a special publication—in Mon -Thurs (8:30 am – 4:30 pm) BLANCMANGE JUNKET enjoying all of the many activities and the form of a Community Update— Friday (8:30 am – 2:00 pm) BON BON LOLLIPOP events in our community as they get very soon that provides an updated BRITTLE MARSHMALLOW underway. Together as a community, summary of all of these initiatives and BUTTERSCOTCH MARZIPAN we kicked the summer off in great more that have occurred in the last EDITOR/SUBMISSIONS & CANDY MOLASSES style with Treaty Days. And it was number of months. Stay tuned for ADVERTISING CANDY APPLE MOUSSE an incredible success! We wish to further details! Editor: Kerry Bezzanno CANDY FLOSS NECTAR thank everyone who volunteered and CARAMEL NONPAREIL sponsored Treaty Days this year. We We wish everyone a safe and fun If you have any story ideas or CHEWING GUM NOUGAT also thank all of those who attended summer break! And we look forward articles to share with us, please CHOCOLATE PRALINE from the community and surrounding to rolling up our sleeves when we contact Kerry by email at: CONFECTION ROCK areas, and hope that you all had a return from holidays to continue [email protected] CONFITURE SACCHARINE fantastic time! The entertainment and working together in channeling our CREAM SUGAR food was fabulous again this year, efforts both at the leadership and COMMUNITY INFO LINE: DESSERT SWEETMEAT and we can’t wait for next year. community levels for our shared 780.828.2442 FONDANT SWEETS prosperity. FUDGE SYRUP In terms of our work, our First Nation GUMDROP TOFFEE has a number of initiatives and HONEY TREACLE projects currently on the go, including the negotiation of Long-Term ICE CREAM Sustainability Agreements (LTSAs) with industry, the Moose Lake Buffer project, the Territory-Wide Traditional - PUZZLE CHOICE©) (WWW.PUZZLECHOICE.COM Use study, Community Information System, long-term care facility as well as the Incubator Park, which is now complete. As such, we will be

2 WORKING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.FORTMCKAY.COM 3 CELEBRATING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AIR QUALITY INDEX (Continued from page 4.)

When talking about his cabin and trapping, Joe said he would like to take young people out to the bush. He believes that working with him out there will give them an idea of the kind of work it takes to trap.

He still remembers when he was young quitting school to go trapping because at the time there were no jobs in the area. “It was hard in those days,” Joe said. “Life was tough but we were happy. We would live off the land eating chicken, ducks, beaver and moose.” Joe further added good-heartedly, “Martha and I would love to share that experience with the young people of Fort McKay now that we have time.”

His 35 years with Syncrude, his family as well as his desire to share the trapping culture with youth is indeed a rare demonstration of loyalty. A Rare Demonstration of Loyalty - Wayne Courchene

Joe Grandjambe did not seek the Not many will remember 35 years track and shovel but ended up on limelight or the high profile lifestyle. ago but Pierre Trudeau was Prime the bucket wheel—an iconic symbol That’s because he prefers being in Minister of , Warren Alland, (massive shovel)—for 25 years. the bush and working on his cabin Minister of Indian Affairs, and Peter on trapline #400 about 25 miles west Lougheed, Premier of . Joe recalled there were so many of Fort McKay as the crow flies. “It’s That was the same year road signs Fort McKay community members a dream I have been building since changed from miles to kilometers. that lasted on the project as long as 1998,” said Joe Grandjambe with a he did. He was aware of other First broad easy smile. Joe worked first on small equipment Nation employees but they may and loaders while eventually have moved on. “When I first started Joe is looking forward to spending graduating to larger pieces of working, my son was born only a few more time at the cabin because he is equipment. One of his memories is of months after I got started,” remarked nearing retirement. By August 9, Joe walking the conveyer patch, a part of Joe. His two sons, Randy and JJ, are will have been working at Syncrude the machinery that had him walking both employees with the company as fully for 35 years. He plans to make up and down a huge conveyer well. July 18 his last day at work and take belt that carried oil sands. He job the last of his holidays. shadowed on the drag line and (Continued on page 5.)

4 WORKING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.FORTMCKAY.COM 5 FUNDRAISING EVENT

VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT During the weekend of June 2, the Young Moms joined forces with Fort McKay’s Recreation Department to hold another fundraiser to raise money to cover the veterinary bills of an abused dog that had been found. The fundraiser involved an outdoor volleyball tournament, which was a double elimination tournament, and a barbecue.

The winning team was Queen B that included team members Hermaline, Ryan, Felix and Merl. In second place was Serves It Right (Crystal, Harvey, Earl and Maureen) followed by Team Alice (Alice, Gage, Justin and Carolyn). Other teams included Graham Crackers (Graham, Shauna, Janice and Christian), Team Coconuts (Cort, Reba and Shawn) and Team Hard Balls (Garnet, Joanne, Jon and Natalie). Everyone played steady from 10:00 am until 7:30 pm—it was a super long day but lots of fun!

birthdays!

6 WORKING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.FORTMCKAY.COM 7 FAMILY SUPPORT CENTRE LATE BERTHA GANTER HONOURED (CONT.)

(Continued from front cover.) The celebration continued at Bertha’s The tribute to Bertha Ganter on the camp where everyone enjoyed plaque reads: A commemorative station sign, prayers, traditional pow wow songs designed and carved by Shawn from the Fort McKay drummers and a “Bertha loved Mother Earth. She McClure, was unveiled during the feast prepared by Evelyn Bouchier. loved, too, the gifts Mother Earth ceremony. A memorial plaque made shared with the people of Fort McKay by Rick Grandjambe for the Elders WBEA would like to thank the including the land, the animals, the Center was also unveiled. community of Fort McKay, and fish, the plants and the air that gives Bertha’s family in particular, for life. She worked tirelessly to protect An opening prayer was said by the honour of renaming the Fort these precious gifts. Thus this honour Flora Grandjambe. After hearing McKay Air Monitoring Station in is greatly deserved. Well done, from the President of WBEA, recognition of Bertha. Bertha’s Bertha.” Ann Dort MacLean, members of work with WBEA was invaluable, Bertha’s family and WBEA Executive and it dovetailed with her lifelong Totem Horoscopes Director, Kevin Percy, as well as interest in the environment. Stephen - Wayne Courchene and representatives of the Fort McKay Ganter said, “She really enjoyed Melissa Pennell Woodpecker (June 21 - July 21) Emotion: Romantic, motherly, fatherly Work On: Forgive, agility, intuition Sustainability Department—Dan work that involved protecting the (With contribution by Water Sympathy, sensitive, emotional Avoid: Possesion, self-pity, envy Element: Personality: Stuckless and Wayne Courchene— environment.” Brenda Ganter Cort Gallup) Assimilation Colour: Roseate Positive: Imaginitive, thrifty, affectionate Life: made some comments. Ken Shipley added, “Environmental work meant Sub Desires: To live in the here and Negative: Moody, possessive, resentful Best Days: Thursday of Shipley Management Services Ltd everything to her; it was her life.” now Goal: Development of feelings was the emcee.

8 WORKING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.FORTMCKAY.COM 9 IN THE COMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER

WELLNESS CENTER UPDATES! On Wednesday, May 30, 2012, the Wellness Center and Shell Canada held an RCMP meet and greet to promote FORT MCKAY TRADE SHOW! the Positive Ticketing Program. We enjoyed an evening of pizza and snacks. What is the Positive Ticketing Program exactly? The Positive Ticketing Program was initiated in May 2008, and is sponsored by Shell Canada in partnership The Fort McKay Trade Show, held on May 24, was a resounding success. There was a turnout of 163 with the Fort McKay Wellness Center and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). It was developed to promote people with a consistent flow of attendees and lots of networking! Exibhitors emarkedr that the event a positive relationship between the RCMP and the children and youth of Fort McKay, as well as to promote positive went very well and the food was excellent. We wish to thank the following sponsors: Fort McKay behaviour. When a child in Fort McKay is ‘caught’ doing a good deed by an RCMP officer, they are issued a Positive Business Incubator, Fort McKay Group of Companies, the Fort McKay First Nation and the Fort McKay Ticket, which can then be redeemed at the Wellness Center for a prize. Some examples of positive behaviour include: Métis Community. Wearing a helmet while biking or quadding, holding a door open for someone, helping an Elder or smaller child, cleaning up litter and many more! Be creative and make sure you get CAUGHT!

On Friday, June 1, the Fort McKay Wellness Center took 26 children and youth to the Howard J Pew Memorial Park in Waterways for an evening of fun. The children enjoyed running through the spray park, playing on the swings and other activities such as soccer, catch and tag! We would like to thank Shell Canada for providing us with this opportunity!

PLEASE NOTE: The center will be closed from Friday, June 29 to Wednesday, July 11 for our Annual Youth Cultural Excursion.

10 WORKING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW VISIT US ONLINE: WWW.FORTMCKAY.COM 11 KIDS’ CORNER

Can you fit thebold, underlined words correctly into the grid? PUZZLE One letter has already been entered to get you started. VERSE

How many does it take? by Duncan MacKellar

We’ve got to change this lightbulb, A daunting task indeed. There’s me and you, that makes two, How many more ants do we need?

Look inside that hollow log, I’ll check behind this tree. Find a troop or even a group, Then send them over to me.

There’s no such thing as impossible, We work together as one. Ants are strong, we march right on, Until the job is done.

Oh good, you’ve found the others, This job won’t be so tough. A thousand and three including me,

That should be more than enough. Brain Teasers

At times like this a proverb, Is a useful kind of perk. So remember that old saying, “Many ants make light work.” - PUZZLE CHOICE©) (WWW.PUZZLECHOICE.COM Three Bears Three girls of different ages own the 3. Barney isn’t the bear pictured at C. bears pictured below. Each bear has 4. Julie is younger than Janet. a different name. Can you match the position of each bear (A, B, C) with its name, each girl’s name and age?

1. Jenny is older than the girl who owns the bear pictured at B and younger than the girl whose bear is named Bobby.

2. Bruno belongs to the youngest girl.

WORKING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW