Lubicon lake newsletter

LUBICON LAKE BAND M A R C H 2 0 1 4

Minister Frank Oberle of Aboriginal Affairs Visits the Community February 10th 2014

I N S I D E It was an exciting day for Laboucan and took a THIS ISSUE: Lubicon Lake Band when brief tour of the com- the Honourable Frank munity. Discussions Traditional 2 Oberle, the Minister of were held regarding Land Use Aboriginal Affairs, Gov- the land claim pro- Labour Force 2 ernment of visit- cess, the needs for Survey ed the community. The emergency housing, New Band 3 visit was pre-planned community infrastruc- Manager with the assistance of ture as well as capaci- Strategic 4 Wendy Twin, who works ty building and eco- Minister Oberle receives a gift from planning with the provincial Min- nomic partnerships. Chief Laboucan Negotiations 4 istry as a community liai- The community was special thank you to the Training son. Upon arriving in the encouraged to seek ac- Minister and his staff for FNDF Fund- 5 community, the Minis- cess to the Economic visiting, we look forward ing ter met with Chief and Partnership Fund that to hosting you again in Council over a lunch the Ministry of Aborigi- Member 7 the very near future. training blessed by Elder Michael nal Affairs has in place. A

Our Vision:

The Lubicon Lake Band will be unified, self-sufficient and pros- Our Mission: perous through economic oppor-

tunities. Respecting our people Lubicon Lake Band is committed and the land while maintaining to successfully completing our Treaty Rights, culture, language Land Claim and respecting our and traditions. We honour our Traditions while promoting a Elders and continue to guide our Healthy environment in a uni- youth and future generations. fied community.

P A G E 2 Traditional Land Use and Occupancy Study (TLUSO) Has Started!

The TLUOS project will be of database records and made start of the TLUOS completed by LLB members maps that identify both project possible. LLB is cur- and be led by the newly historic and current tradi- rently negotiating sponsor- hired project coordinator. tional use of Lubicon tradi- ship from Industry partners Following project setup and tional lands. to secure additional fund- training, the Coordinator ing necessary for project Project results will be used will be busy completing work completion. to support negotiations and interviews with LLB mem- new working relationships bers to record their with Government and In- knowledge and use of the On-site technical training dustry. The project will also land. Continued project and support will be provid- create opportunities to research will include visits ed by Little River Company educate LLB youth about to and careful recording of Ltd. To learn more about their traditions and involve Chris Harrison important sites (e.g. home- the project and how you them in new efforts to care -Little River Company steads, cabins, camps, can participate or contrib- for their traditional lands. gravesites, medicine sites, ute to its success, call the moose licks). The project Generous sponsorship from LLB Office, 780-629-2356. will result in the develop- the Government of Alberta ment of a secure collection (Aboriginal Relations) has

Update: Labour Force Survey

Lubicon Lake band received funding from Alberta Hu- man Services to complete a Labour Force study within the community. The Lubicon Lake Band was able to successfully collect 120 surveys. The number of sur- veys were determined by the community population. Survey Results were broken into a number of catego- ries such as Education and Training Levels attained and desired by Members, as well as current Employment Skills and Abilities.

The survey captures information pertaining to the em- ployment interest of community members. This is just one area that was covered in the survey process. For information on the survey or to see the final report, please contact the Band Manager Yvonne Buc.

LUBICON LAKE NEWSLET TER LUBICON LAKE BAND P A G E 3 Meet the New Band Manager!

When did you start working Indian Regional Council, Native at the Lubicon Lake Band? Counselling Services, and as As Band Manager, I started at Band Manager ( the beginning of November, but Administrator) at Duncan’s First I have been working for Lubicon Nation. I’ve been in manage- Lake Band in one capacity or ment for about 15 years, and another for many years. I was a most of that has been with Ab- part of the first Student Sum- original communities. Yvonne Buc, Band Manager mer Employment program that ran in the community when I was 15, and I have served on Consultation Program, Social Assistance, and the Education Board, worked at You recently participated in a our Membership Program. We are also plan- the school, and been a partici- Strategic Planning workshop with ning for a number of events for this year, such the band, what are some of the pant in community meetings. as the Play-On in Edmonton, Sports and Treaty projects that the band will be Day Celebration, a Story-Telling Camp in July, focusing on in the next year? and the Recreation Committee keeps mention- What are some of the high- ing plans to have a Quad Rally this summer. lights of the job since you The Integrated Employment Pro- This is definitely an exciting time for Lubicon started? gram is going to be starting up, to Lake Band!

train a number of our community

Each day is an accomplishment members to prepare them for ap- and each day has its highlights. prenticeship programs. The Tradi- As the Band Manager what do you feel your There is something wonderful tional Land Use program just start- level of experience will bring to the band happening each day, whether it ed. Those two programs have two and what areas will you focus on? is arranging to get wood deliv- members working as Coordinators. ered for a community member, The Lubicon Lake Band Ventures is I would like to see 100% employment for all or getting a program up and now operational and we hope to be band members who want to work, opportuni- running, or sometimes even seeing some great progress from ties to help our band members with business just getting here in the morn- that area in employing band mem- startups, training and education opportunities ing. The thing I am happiest bers in the field. We have two Con- for our members, all the standard opportunities about is that there are commu- struction Managers, one of whom is for development that any of our members can nity members out working, also a fully qualified Safety Manag- have. Most of all, I would like to see our com- earning money, and doing more er. The Safety Manager is also fully munity heal from these past years and come than just getting by. I look for- qualified to give training for several together again, to work together again so that ward to the day when all of our certifications that are required in everyone can participate and benefit from all community members, not just the oilfield industry. There are a the programs and growth that our community all the band members, are number of projects in the works, will be seeing in the next few years. I would like working or training for a trade such as getting more housing, to see everybody happy and united toward a or job. getting some training in the commu- common community goal – growth, prosperity nity, and getting some workshops and development for all members. Mostly I into the community. Our Recreation would like to see a future for all community What is your past work expe- Committee is moving quickly to get members and their children that includes rience working with Aborigi- some fundraising and activities hap- equality and fairness for each and every mem- nal communities? pening. We have an Elder’s Council ber of the community, and an honest, fair and I have worked with Aboriginal and a Youth Council that will be in- transparent administration to guide its develop- communities all my life except volved with community activities ment. for a few brief periods. I have and who will be participating in the worked for Sagitawa Friendship negotiations. Of course, we have the Centre, Tillicum Haus Friend- programs that are already in opera- ship Centre, Lesser tion that are making progress; our P A G E 4 Strategic Planning Session Allows for Council to Focus on 2014/2015 Priorities The Lubicon Lake Band received funds from the department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to host two strategic planning sessions. One session took place in October of 2013 and the second took place in February of 2014. The 2nd session in February focused on infrastructure development, policies and procedures and program- ming for membership.

Photo: Band Manager Yvonne Buc works with Councillor Joe Auger and

Councillor Brian Laboucan on their priorities for the 2014/2015 fiscal year.

Chief & Council take Negotiations Training In February of 2013 the Lubicon Lake Band Chief and Council attended Negotiations Skills Training at the Banff Centre for a one week period. The course is timely for the Chief and Council, who have been negotiating with AANDC on a land claim settlement agreement. The Banff Centre offers this unique training to assist the many Aboriginal commu- nities and organizations that are in the negotiations process. The course offers information on preparing to negotiate important issues such as land claims, self-governance, fiscal arrange- ments, natural resources, co-management agreements, and business partnerships. Chief and Council enjoyed the training and hope to pursue the next level of training in the future. The course assisted them in understanding each step in the negotiation process through interest- based negotiation techniques.

Left: Chief Laboucan Right: Councillors Irene and Cheryl at the Negoti- ations train- ing in Banff.

LUBICON LAKE NEWSLET TER LUBICON LAKE BAND P A G E 5

Lubicon Lake Band Receives First Allocation for First Nations Development Fund (FNDF)

The Lubicon Lake band is now a recipient of the FNDF . The grant program is a Government of Alberta lottery grant pro- gram available exclusively to First Nations Band Councils in Alberta. The FNDF Grant Program is supported by a portion of revenues from government-owned slot machines located

in First Nation casinos in Alberta. The projects are focused on social, economic and community development pro- jects. The 2013/2014 budgeted projection for the FNDF Grant Program is $120 million. Lubicon Lake Band was ac- cepted in to the program late in the fiscal year and received a pro-rated allocation of $226,000 for the 2013/14 fiscal year. Some of the projects approved by Chief and Council included hiring an Executive As- sistant, moving a trailer that will be used for a classroom facility and offering social program training in the community for band membership such as ready to work ini- tiatives, young parenting programs and recreation programming for the youth. For more information on these programs and the upcoming dates for training contact Band Manager Yvonne Buc.

More Pictures from the Minister’s Visit!

x P A G E 6 Meet Casper!

Marina Gladue, our Executive Assistant, is fondly known as Casper. She started in this position in No- vember, 2014 with funding from the First Nation Development Fund. In that time, she has learned that Chief and Council are very busy: “I don’t know how they are able to han- dle so many meetings.” One of Casper’s jobs is to keep track of where the Chief and Council are, to make sure they get to their meetings, to make their travel arrangements, and to make sure they get the information that they need to get. In addition to that, we have found that Casper keeps track of us all, making sure we are reminded of meetings, events and happenings, and making sure that mes- sages and information get to the right people.

Morning for Lubicon Lake Band

LUBICON LAKE NEWSLET TER LUBICON LAKE BAND P A G E 7 MEMBERS OFFERED TRAINING

PAST & UPCOMING TRAINING/WORKSHOPS

Lubicon Lake Band has initiated some planned. training programs that will promote skill Also scheduled for May, is -Ative building and enhanced employability for Workforce Solutions, who will be presenting band members who participate. There are a weeklong seminar that focuses on prepar- several workshops that are being planned ing workers for optimal performance in the for interested community members. workplace. They will be offering information Several computer skills courses have been and interaction on Smart Work Ethics, completed: Computer Fundamentals Mod- which will include sessions on: Smart Com- ule 1, MS PowerPoint Module 1, and MS munication Skills, Attitude/Good Work Ethic, Excel Level 1. Further courses are sched- The Power of Your Image, Interpersonal uled: May 1 at 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Computer Communication Skills, Organizational Skills, Fundamentals Module 2; May 6 at 1:00 to and Personal Life Skills, along with a bonus 4:00 p.m. MS Excel Level 2; May 8 at 7:00 class in "When Life Gives you a Job - Make to 9:00 p.m. Computer Fundamentals Mod- Lemonade." ule 3; May 27 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. MS We are looking forward to having the new Excel Level 1; and May 29 at 1:00 to 4:00 Administration building ready for occupan- p.m. MS Excel Level 2. cy, as we are working on setting up the Inte- In March, a week long series of workshops grated Employment Training Program, was facilitated by Cheryl Watts of Timely which will prepare the participants with ex- Trends. She did presentations and interac- posure to various work opportunities and tions in Respect in the Workplace, Conflict the option of entering one of the trades in Resolution, System Thinking, Team Work an apprenticeship position. The program is and Lateral Violence. Also in March, Josie just awaiting the space that will come avail- Auger from Iyinaysiniwiwin Place of Learn- able, as there is currently not enough space ing presented a workshop on Grief and for classes. Loss. We are hoping to have both of these Lubicon Lake Band will also be starting a ladies back to facilitate further workshops. Headstart Program, which has been ap- We have already booked Cheryl Watts to proved and is currently in the planning stag- come in for a 3 day workshop on Lateral Vi- es. This is a part of Lubicon Lake Band ad- olence, to show where it originates and ministering the Health funding and pro- what the effects are in families, the work- grams. This is the first step to independ- place, and in the community. ence from the Co-management Agreement April 25 to May 1 was scheduled for Class 5 that we have been in for the past number of Driver Training. Some spaces that were left years. over were given to those signed up for We are like a new bloom unfolding to em- Class 7 training, but a full session devoted to Class 7 Driver Training will be scheduled brace the sun, with new programs, new op- for a date in the summer that has yet to be portunities and a rejuvenation in our exist- Lubicon Lake Band Box 1351 Community Gathering First Year Celebration St. Isidore, Alberta T0H 3B0 February 15, 2014 marked the first anniversary of the election of Chief Billy Joe La- boucan and the Council. Everyone in the community felt that it was an occasion to Office: (780) 629-2356 celebrate. For some, it was great to come together for a happy event, to be able to Fax: (780) 629-2473 relax and laugh and enjoy themselves. For others, it was an occasion to celebrate the hope they were feeling that the community would be able to see the land claim com- Chief and Council pleted and be able to see positive change for the community. Chief Billy Joe Laboucan The afternoon began with a prayer from Elder Michael Laboucan, and then the Metis Councillor Joe Auger dancers took over and gave a wonderful performance of various styles of jigging, with a jigging contest following. Starting with the youngest age group, Master of Ceremo- Councillor Brian Laboucan nies Charity Laboucan, wheedled, cajoled, threatened and bribed everyone to partici- pate. Prizes of toys went to the younger winners of their respective age groups. Older Councillor Irene Laboucan age groups competed for cash prizes for first, second and third place. An the dancing Councillor Cheryl McMann continued! After the jigging contest, there was a contest for various age groups in the hip-hop dance style, with prizes for first, second and third. Councillor Mike Ominayak Yvonne Buc then presented plaques of appreciation from the community to Chief and STAFF Council. The plaque for Chief Billy Joe Laboucan read: Yvonne Buc, Band Manager “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough Administration decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, Kristin Calliou but becomes one Marina Gladue by the equality of Edna Laboucan his actions and the integrity of his Martha Laboucan intent.” Consultation The name of the Chief Wayne Auger was printed below the Troy Laboucan quote, to denote the appreciation of his Janene Gladue leadership that the

community felt. Community Services

Alex Laboucan The Councillors each received a plaque that Vera Laboucan read: Betsy Ominayak “Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is Laurence Calliou no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful Project Staff leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”

Chris Harrison, TLU Each of the Councillor’s names was printed below the quote. Vacant, TLU Coordinator After the presentation, Elder Michael Laboucan said a prayer and it signaled the be- Denise Ominayak, IEP Coordinator ginning of a potluck supper that all community members had contributed to, with a large cake emblazoned with the Lubicon Lake Band crest completing the meal. Every- Health one spent the afternoon laughing, cheering on the dancers, watching the children Corinne Gladue play, and having a wonderful time just visiting. Many members commented on the good time they had and how it was a great gathering. Helen Calliou

Loretta Laboucan

Virginia Ominayak

Alice Lillian Laboucan