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NewsletterSeptember 2020 Edition COVID-19 UPDATE

A BREAKDOWN OF THE NATION’S RESPONSE AND HOW WE MANAGED TO STAY COVID FREE (AND HOPEFULLY KEEP IT THAT WAY)

2 5 7 10 In Depth Community News Departments Community Support - CLFN’S COVID-19 - Cenovus Housing Project - Department Calendars - Toy Drive Response Breaks Ground - Family Mini-Golf - Breaking Down The - In-Person Band Meetings - CLAWR Hunting Update - FASD Awareness Day Numbers Resume - Moving Forward - Land Skills Training Program Newsletter 1 In-Depth CLFN’s COVID-19 Response

March 15, 2020 is day that this generation will remember for the rest of our lives. This is the day that sweeping federal lockdowns essentially stopped the world from turning. It’s been 165+ days of the 15 days it was going to take to flatten the curve and the COVID-19 pandemic is still far from behind us. We’ve accomplished a lot in the last several months and the massive efforts the nation and the EOC took to keep our community virus free, have worked so far.

Cold Lake First Nations were a dedicated web site and call center lockdowns. Not surprisingly, Treaty quick to respond to the incoming for all information COVID related. Days was also cancelled and the pandemic, within days of the first Newly announced federal funds grounds were closed in accordance cases appearing , Chief were utilized to provide emergency with AHS guidelines. and Council declared a local state food assistance to members that of emergency and the Casino and were displaced or out of work. The As the months went by and the all band buildings were closed to first of several was a food voucher numbers went down, the Provincial the public. It seemed to be an over system that was utilized until a food Government began relaxing it’s reaction but the next day the city of hamper project could be initiated. restrictions. Shortly after “phase Cold Lake recorded its first active With Primco taking the lead one” the decision was made to case. and several days of volunteer efforts, remove the security check points and 500+ food hampers were packaged, reopen Band Buildings to the public. assembled and distributed to community members who were Life on Cold Lake First Nations has most in need. The hampers would slowly been returning to normal include all the basic necessities that since then. Events with limited a family would require until store capacity and social distancing rules shelves began to replenish. After are the norm, we can all visit our the logistics were sorted out, a gift card program was launched to assist community members that were living off reserve or in urban areas. This ~ A computer generated image of the SARS-CoV-2 virus program was accessed by members With the newly assembled right across Canada and abroad. Emergency Operation of Command (EOC) the Nation began the Securing the Nation was essential to overwhelming task of securing the keeping the virus at bay, federal community and mitigating the risk of funds allowed for 24/7 security ~ The now removed closed sign at the English Bay Entrance. the virus to our members. checkpoints to be set up at all Nation relatives and camp where we want, entrances. Non essential access was the Casino is back open (we even The power of the Internet was restricted and all entering an exiting snuck in a drive in movie while it utilized to reach out to our members had to provide information was closed) , and the kids are finally nearly 3000 members that found to be used for “contact tracing” (if going back to school, so as long as themselves locked in their homes, and when) an out break was to occur. we follow the current guidelines and some without work and all with fear The enhanced security also provided keep vigilant, we should be able to of what was to come. Daily video a major temporary employment keep our community safe and free updates were released through the boost for members who needed from COVID-19. Nation’s Facebook page, as well as work or were out of work due to the

2 Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter In-Depth Breaking Down The Numbers

Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter 3 In-Depth Moving Forward

Timeline of new cases in Alberta, source: https://www.alberta.ca/stats/covid-19-alberta-statistics.htm

COVID-19 is proving to be a virus On the bright side, the death rate our numbers substantially lower. that will linger around the globe for of COVID-19 which was originally most of the foreseeable future. estimated to be 4%, is shaping up Here in Alberta, Premier Jason to be somewhere around 0.3% (far Kenney openly stated we will not No county has manged to stamp less than originally predicted) and be able to weather the economic it out completely, we hear in the the hospitalization rate has gone fall out of another lock down, so for news that some places have no down substantially as well. now, even with fluctuating numbers “communal spread” and than the and no vaccine, Alberta will remain following week there is a “flair up”. New therapeutics and anti-viral open for business. Some places have second and third drugs are coming on the market rounds of lockdowns or “enhanced regularly and the race for a vaccine After all we have learned in the restrictions” when cases see a small seems to be making major headway. past several months, it appears up-tick in numbers and there is Russia announced that they that the most effective way to currently no time line as to when this have launched the first successful protect yourself from this virus and pandemic will be over. COVID-19 vaccine in humans and to slowly eradicate it, is to follow has began to administer it to their the basic steps of hand washing, It’s safe to say that “two weeks to people. In Canada we have had less social distancing and if you have to, flatten the curve” has become an success but we have also managed wearing a mask. incredible understatement. through strict lockdowns, to keep

4 Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter Community News Cenovus Housing Project Breaks Ground

Construction of the Cenovuus The investment, the company says, is Nation, Cold Lake First Nations, Housing Project has broken ground a way to “contribute to reconciliation Conklin Métis Local 193 and Heart and is moving along swiftly. with Indigenous peoples.” Lake First Nation.

In January, Cenovus Energy Inc. The funding was broken down into “We can’t solve the Indigenous pledged $50 million to build homes a $10-million yearly contribution for housing crisis by ourselves, but in six Indigenous communities near five years to build about 200 homes through this initiative, we have the its oilsands projects in northern in the communities of Beaver Lake opportunity to significantly improve Alberta. Nation, Chard Métis Local the lives of many families currently 218, Prairie Dene First living in overcrowded and unsafe

~ Roger Marten, Cold Lake First Nations Chief, speaks at a news conference regarding a major housing investment by Cenovus on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. Azin Ghaffari/Postmedia conditions,” CEO Alex Pourbaix announcement came to fruition as Along with the funding for homes said in a press release. the trees were cleared, the utility from ISC, Cold Lake First Nations lines were ran and the foundations and Cenovus, have taken the first This past month, that initial of the first five homes began to take steps to help remedy a housing shape. crises that befalls most First Nation communities. These homes are being built with guidance from community An ideal relationship with industry leadership, and involve training would see more oil and gas programs to pass on skills that can companies step up and contribute to be used to maintain the homes in the degee that Cenovus has. Almost the future. Should the program all major companies profit from oil be successful, Cenovus says, the and gas reserves that are largley company will consider extending extracted from traditional land use the commitment to $100 million over areas and unceded lands. 10 years. ~One of the initial five foundations being poured.

Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter 5 Department Updates In-Person Band Meetings Resume

Several “In-person” Band Meetings will be taking place over the next month. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, all Alberta Health guidelines will be followed and capacity will be limited. Live streaming will be utilized where available.

ENGLISH BAY RESIDENTS MEETING SEPT 02, 2020 ~ 11AM ENGLISH BAY CENTRE LUNCH PROVIDED

URBAN MEMBER BAND MEETING SEPT 21 ~ 5 PM EDMONTON INN 11834 KINGSWAY AVE, EDMONTON PRE-REGISTRATION WILL BE REQUIRED

COMMUNITY BAND MEETING SEPT 3O, 2020 ~ 5PM CLFNS COMMUNITY HALL DINNER AT 5PM, MEETING AT 6PM

6 Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter Department Updates Summer Student Program a Great Success!

We at Employment & Training are happy to announce that the 2020 Summer Student Program was a great success! The program ran from June 29 to August 21, during this time we had 1 Program Coordinator, 1 Supervisor and 10 students successfully complete the 8 week program.

This year’s program consisted of the students working in a small group setting with respect to COVID 19 rules to complete projects for the housing department beautifying our community:

• Working alongside the supervisor, the students completed lawn care around the departments including: Band Office, Hall, Elder’s Lodge, Lands & Resources, E-Bay Center, Health Center, Dene Wellness, Daycare, Headstart, Legoff School, Skating Rink, and Baseball Diamonds. (twice throughout program). They also did a beach cleanup at the treaty grounds, raking the sand and removing all the large debris. • Community beautification consisted of the students revamping a few areas throughout the departments and local community area: painting the guard rails at the Band Office, painting the fire hy drants, painting the sheds at the daycare (adding a pop of color for the kids), and also painting the large CLFN sign in front of the Hall. They also used the pressure washer and washed the outside of the daycare building. • Elder’s Lawn Care: the students and supervisor assisted the Housing department in completing a list of elder’s lawns as needed. • The students also participated in the following activities throughout the program: • Employment Readiness - where the students completed a career investigation and created resumes to help them with preparation to their great careers and bright futures. • Class 7 Learner’s Training & Testing - in which 1 student received their learner’s permit. • Safety Tickets - students received the following tickets through Astec Safety and Tital Safety: First Aid, Fire Safety, Food Safe, CSTS 2020, Bear Awareness, Zero Turn Mower, Fall Protection, and Elevated Work Platform, which they can utilize in their everyday life as well as for after school employment. • Cultural Camp – students were designated as camp counsellors and assisted staff with traditional teachings which included: dene language, hunting, fishing, gathering berries & plants, cleaning and stripping hide, cleaning & smoking fish, birch bark crafts, fish scale art, and beading. The students also got to participate in boat safety, bear safety, and basic survival skills.

The importance of the cleanliness and wellbeing of our community is shown with our summer students working very hard and taking great care in making sure our community looks the best as we all know it is. With all the hard work and effort put into the tasks they were given each student as well as soaking up the learning imparted to them by our own community members and businesses each summer student has gained valuable knowledge and training that will enhance their future employment opportunities. We would like to congratulate all students on their success in the program and wish them the best in their future endeavours. If you see them in the community, thank them for what they do because they earned it!

Great Job Summer Students!! Masi chok!

Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter 7 Department Updates Summer Student Program a Great Success! (cont)

A collection of pictures from the summer students community beautification project.

8 Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter Department Updates

Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter 9 Department Updates Lands Skills Training Program Launched

This past month the Lands and Resources Department worked with the Language and Culture Department to deliver land skills training to some CLFN members. This was a pilot designed to help deliver better programming at culture camp. The crew spent three weekends out on the land with a survival instructor learning and practicing skills as well as how to teach them. The second part of the program involved training everyone as a canoe instructor. The crew then put on 4 days of canoe training for youth. Feedback from the crew was positive, and we are thinking about how we could expand and change the program.

The following week, the Language and Culture Department department hosted a beading workshop. Beatrisha Grandbois shared her many skills with those who attended. They made earrings and lanyards. Thanks, Beatrisha!

10 Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter 10 Department Updates CLAWR SPECIAL ACCESS GRANTED FOR BURNT LAKE

Lands and Resources have set up a second 24/7 access area with DND for part of the fall hunting season at Burnt Lake. It is open from yesterday to September 25th with the possibility of extension.

This area is a recent burn and has good berries and likely good moose hunting. The area is also a very high value archeological site with a really long record of use by people. It was an important stop over point on the trail to Heart Lake.

The department will work to put some access trails in, but it’s going to be foot/ATV access for the foreseeable future. This is one of the sites that we have identified for future sundown cabin construction. The trail should be clear with some muddy spots.

Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter 11 Department Updates

If you are planning on entering the area, follow all protocols as stated in the letter and keep a copy of the letter and the map with you either in digital or printed form.

12 Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter 12 Department Updates Kilometers 5 CNRL Primrose Plant 2.5 1.25 0 Old GSAR Camp GSAR Old BURNT GATE BURNT

Burnt Lake Fall 2020 Access Area Access 2020 Fall Lake Burnt ^ ]

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n e K Sources: Esri, Airbus DS, USGS, NGA, NASA, CGIAR, N Robinson, NCEAS, NLS, OS, NMA, Geodatastyrelsen, Rijkswaterstaat, GSA, Geoland, FEMA, Intermap and the GIS user community, Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community USGS, © OpenStreetMap NOAA, Rijkswaterstaat, GSA, Geoland, FEMA, Intermap and the GIS user community, Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NCEAS, NLS, OS, NMA, Geodatastyrelsen, N Robinson, Sources: Esri, Airbus DS, USGS, NGA, NASA, CGIAR, SOUTH GATE ^ ] No Hunting- Occupied Areas Occupied Hunting- No Potential Access Trails Access Potential Burnt Lake Access Area Access Lake Burnt Road Access Important Boundary Fire 2015 DND Targets 3nm Zone 3nm Targets DND Areas Occupied Lines Siesimc Landmarks DND Gates Trail Bush CLAWR Roads Roads Class ^ ] This access area is open from August 28th to September 25th 2020. Outside this time frame, contact the lands office. No access old GSAR This access area is open from Burnt Lake. If you want to trap, please come talk the office first. Map shows no hunting zones around occupied camp on the south side of buildings. You are required to follow provincial regulations for firearms safety eg: don’t shoot along or across a road, unless you are outside the ditch or 20 ft from part of road where vehicles travel if there is no ditch. The Lands department does not agree with these restrictions on rights prac tice but you can be banned if break the rules. You are responsible for knowing rules CLAWR. If in doubt, come get a new briefing. You can be banned from the CLAWR for breaking rule that you didn’t know about.

13 Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter 13 Department Updates

Denı́e Ɂełk’enáde Zae Rutting Moon September 2020

Denesųłiné Language and Culture

Rutting Moon

NOTE: Covid-19 protocols will be adhered to in all of our activities, such as physical distancing, hand sanitizing, temperature taking upon arrival, time in/out, and face masks and gloves will be provided.

OFFICE HOURS: Mon – Thurs 8:30 am- 4:30 pm Fri 8:30 am -2:00 pm Telephone: 780-594-7168; Cell: 780-545-9073 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Dzįk’e Dzįk’ere Nakedzįne Tahdzįne Dįdzine Łuets’eldeli Dzįt’azi Dzine 1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 HOLIDAY – LABOUR DAY

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

CULTURE CAMP WEEK @ BERRY POINT

27 28 29 30

14 Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter Department Updates

Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter 15 Community Support

Donating new and gently used toys for all ages All donations will be donated to the children at:

Accepting donations until Sept. 30th Other items on the wish list: Sheets (double and single) Towels Self-care items for the women (eg: face masks, bath bombs) PJs (women, youth, children) Undergarments (women, youth, and children) Bathrobes Grocery cards

Drop off locations: Jacknife Oilfield Services Office: 6904 44th Ave, or Bonnyville Red Apple: 4719 50 Ave, Bonnyville

Together we can make a difference

For More Information: Please call Jacknife Oilfield Services at 780-826-3392

16 Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter Community Support

So far in 2020, the Lakeland Centre for FASD has served 600+ people through their Outreach Program, 2nd Floor Recovery Centre, Mothers to be Mentorship Program, Diagnostics, and Counselling.

We are here to help. Lakeland Centre for FASD | 780 - 594 - 9905 September 9th - FASD Awareness Day

Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter 17 Emergency Contact List

HEALTH LINK CLFN Health Centre DIAL 811 780-594-2473

POLICE EMERGENCY CALL 911 Dene Wellness 780-594-1471 Cold Lake R.C.M.P. 24 Hours 780-594-3301 PUBLIC WORKS Office Hours 780-594-3302 780-594-1073

Victims Services Dangerous Goods Dave Zimmerman 780-594-3302 ext.3 24 Hours 1-800-272-9600

Cold Lake Ambulance Authority Poison Centre 24 Hours 780-594-6674 1-800-332-1414

Cold Lake Healthcare Centre CANADA SUICIDE PREVENTION 780-639-3322 1-833-456-4566 OR TEXT 45645

Bonnyville Health Centre Power Outages Atco Electric 780-826-3311 1-800-668-5506

CLFN Emergency Management Gas Emergencies Northeast Gas Roy Dell 780-594-7184 780-826-4002

18 Cold Lake First Nations Newsletter