January 2017

Kinoomaadziwin Education Board of Directors. Back row: Vicki Ware, Lauri Hoag, Lisa Michano, Catherine Pawis, Judy Desmoulin. Sitting: Evelyn Ball, Nicole King, Janice Cada and Jeanne Naponse. Missing: Marianna Couchie and Elaine Stewart. assert jurisdiction over education

By Marci Becking Regional Education Council ing for unity moving forward. tively, an education system that is TORONTO – The 22 First Nations #3 (formerly #4) which includes “After being involved in the ed- uniquely suited to and responsive going forward with the Anishinabek Henvey Inlet, Dokis, Nipissing, ucation system imposed upon First to the needs and aspirations of our Education System made the selec- Wasauksing, Wahnapitae, Magne- Nations by the federal government, communities.” tion of the Kinoomaadziwin Educa- tawan and Moose Deer Point select- this new, innovative and self-direct- Request for proposals will be tion Board this week in Toronto. ed Marianna Couchie (Nipissing), ed agreement will be beneficial for going out to find out where the The decision was made to have Catherine Pawis (Wasauksing) and my grandchildren and those next Anishinabek Education System of- four Regional Education Councils Nicole King (Moose Deer Point). generations to come,” says Mayer. fice will be housed. The permanent with three representatives, making Regional Education Council #4 “There is still much work to do en- home for the Kinoomaadziwin Edu- the 12 representatives until April 1, (formerly #5) which includes Chip- sure there is on-going success of the cation Body staff will be required to 2018 until it is reviewed again. pewas of Rama, of AES in a cooperative and cohesive be in a First Nation that is in the An- For Regional Education Council Scugog, Chippewas of Georgina way and working in unity going for- ishinabek Education System. #1 which includes Biigtigong Nish- Island, Aamjiwnaang, and Mun- ward.” The next step for the First Na- naabeg, Long Lake #58, Pic Mob- see Delaware selected Evelyn Ball Judy Desmoulin, board director tions is to develop and ratify their ert, Red Rock, and Biinjitiwaabik (Rama), Lauri Hoag (Georgina for REC #1 says that she is happy to own Education Law by April 1, Zaaging Anishinabek selected Island) and Vicki Ware (Aamjiwn- move forward in education. 2018. Elaine Stewart (Pic Mobert), Lisa aang) as board members. “We are in a very exciting time,” Legal Counsel Tracey Michano (Biitigong Nishnaabeg) Board director Lauri Hoag has says Desmoulin. “All of our perse- O’Donnell reminds us that First and Judy Desmoulin (Long Lake high hopes for the Anishinabek Ed- verance, pushing and pulling over Nations have jurisdiction over edu- #58) were selected. ucation System. the years has come to fruition! We cation. Regional Education Council #2 “It is our hope to see an Anish- have come a long way and the base “The negotiations were about (former regions #2 and #3 com- naabe empowered body that can ef- is set. Now we can continue to build Canada to recognize the jurisdiction bined), which includes Atikamek- fectively and efficiently assist com- for increased success.” we already have,” says O’Donnell. sheng Anishinawbek, Mississauga munities smoothly transition to an Board director Catherine Pawis “Anishinabek First Nations have #8, Sheshegwaning, Aundeck Omni education self-government system says that the KEB is founded upon full authority to make decision of Kaning and Zhibaahaasing select- that will allow more meaningful and is empowered by the strong First Nation education. Education ed Janice Cada (Sheshegwaning), education programs and plentiful communities that it represents. is our responsibility for our mem- Jeanne Naponse (Atikameksheng) resources for our students.” “It will build upon the hard work bers. First Nations control the An- and Debbie Mayer (Mississauga Debbie Mayer, board director and accomplishments of the Anishi- ishinabek Education System, not #8) as board members from Mississaugi, says she is hop- nabek Nation in creating, collec- Canada.” JANUARY 2017

The Child Well-Being Working Group met on January 18-19 to share and discuss ideas and strengthen child well-being in the Anishinabek Nation. It’s important that families stay connected: Madahbee By Marci Becking spirit. This working group work is more and need to be more social. We a Band Council Resolution stating AUNDECK OMNI KANING – The very important,” says Madahbee. aren’t talking anymore. The family that their First Nation is ready to Child Well-Being Law Working There is probably no one who is broken down. We need to maintain move forward with the Child Well- Group met Jan. 18-19 to share ideas hasn’t been impacted by Children’s our family connectivity. We need Being Law. and strengthen child well-being in Aid Societies and colonialism in to keep our families intact. CAS These communities are: our communities. general. Colonizers did a few things takes the kids out of the community. Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, Anishinabek Nation Grand to anywhere they uneducated, Children who have been away for , Nipissing Council Chief Patrick Madahbee kept them in poverty and took the many years don’t know who they First Nation, and . says that the word Biinoji doesn’t children. ‘Get the Indian out of are. They come back with baggage Meetings are being booked now just mean “child”. the Child’ that is all the policy and coming out of care. Our Child Well- for any community who would like “The Creator placed a Little legislation has gotten us.” Being Law is a good solution to our to hear more about the law. To Spirit here on Mother Earth and “When you know who you are child well-being needs,” reminds book, call Social Services Director that it takes everyone – aunties, and where you are from, you grow Grand Council Chief Madahbee. Adrienne Pelletier at 705-497- uncles, parents, grandparents and up as a stronger person. Identity is So far, there are four 9127 or email Adrienne.pelletier@ the community – to raise that important. We need to go visiting communities who have submitted anishinabek.ca Ready to pow-wow? It’s that time of year! Please submit your community’s upcoming pow-wow information to [email protected] to by April 15 to ensure that your community’s pow-wow makes it into the 23rd Annual Great Lakes Pow-wow guide! Pow-wow listings are free so get your committee together and send your information to us! JANUARY 2017 Mino Mshkiki – Maawnjidwing– ‘Good Medicine’ By Lynne Brown health and suicide,” noted Chief SAULT STE. MARIE—“Many is- Syrette. “Our communities need to sues affect our communities today,” find strategies to help our young shared Garden River Chief Paul people.” Syrette in his welcoming remarks Chief Syrette thanked the del- to delegates attending the three-day egates for the hard work they do in Anishinabek Health Conference each of their communities to ensure 2017 in Sault Ste. Marie, , community health and community from January 24-26, at the Quattro healing. Hotel & Convention Centre. Grand Council Chief Patrick The annual health conference Madahbee also welcomed the over Anishinabek Health Conference 2017 opening morning address by Grand brings together health care workers 150 conference delegates. GCC Council Chief Patrick Madahbee in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, January 24. from across 40 First Nation commu- Madabhee shared with attendees nities of the Anishinabek Nation. that he took on the Health Portfolio ties to network and dialogue with The conference logo, ‘Mino “Employment, education, hous- several years ago with The Chiefs of colleagues working in the field of Bmaadzid’, is a beautiful design by ing, health, food security, and basic Ontario. health services,” added GCC Ma- artist Darlene (Dolly) Peltier. Peltier amenities are issues of importance,” “As I travel around, health is- dahbee. is an Kwe from Wik- stated Chief Syrette. “You will be sues are the predominant issue Madahbee shared that he has wemikong Unceded Territory and learning skills to take back home to that I hear when visiting all of our mixed feelings about the legaliza- illustrator for the Wikwemikong your communities to put strategies communities,” he stated. “We have tion of marijuana. Board of Education. in place to address these issues; is- concerns about mental health and “Companies have been coming “The ‘Good Health’ logo image sues that are of great importance to the issues that impact our communi- around trying to solicit our First Na- is about medicine picking with fam- each of us here today.” ties as a result of mental health. It tion communities to see if they will ily and expresses the mind, spirit, Chief Syrette encouraged del- can leave us with a helpless feeling get into growing legalized marijua- emotions, and physical teachings of egates to pay special attention to sometimes when trying to cope with na,” noted GCC Madahbee. the medicine wheel,” shared Peltier. youth. these issues.” Marijuana legalization was one Master of Ceremonies was Bob “Our youth struggle with many “With the theme of ‘Good Med- of the topics discussed during the Goulais from Nipissing First Na- issues. Issues of addictions, mental icine’, you will have opportuni- first morning of the three day health tion. conference.

Heroes in Health Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee; JoAnne Michano of ; Heroes in Health Award recipients Erica Perkins of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and John Mattson of Alderville First Nation; and Nora Sawyer of Alderville First Nation. Missing: Pamela Johnston from Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, recipient of this year’s Heroes in Health Award.