Annual Report 2015-2016
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Table of Contents 3 Mission Statement 4 Dene Law 5 Message from the Chiefs 6 Message from the Chief Executive Officer 7 Yellowknives Dene First Nation Councilors – Current 8 Yellowknives Dene First Nation Councillors – 2011 – 2015 9 Department Reports: Wellness Division 10 Land & Environment 23 Aboriginal Head Start 30 YKDFN Housing Division 32 Administration - Human Resources 35 - YKDFN Organizational Chart 38 - Finance – IBA Funds 2014/2015 39 Det’on Cho Corporation 40 Acknowledgement 43 Mission Statement FIRST NATION MISSION To assert our Weledeh Dene Rights, as long as the sun rises, the rivers flow, and the grass grows FIRST NATION VISION Our vision is to be a Healthy and Sovereign Weledeh Dene Nation with Excellent Governance VALUE STATEMENTS We the YKDFN Chiefs and Council are guided by the following values: Weledeh Culture – we practice and promote our traditions, culture, language and spirituality Integrity – we are caring, respectful and honorable to all people Well-being – we live a healthy, balanced life that relies on nature Accountability – we are accountable and transparent to our people First Nation Summary (can be used as background information for proposals) The Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) is part of the Akaitcho Territory Government. It is one of five main Dene groups that live in the NWT and is governed by a Chief and Council which has offices in Dettah and Ndilo. Overall, the YKDFN Chiefs and Council affirm our sacred obligation to serve our people and our commitment to live balanced contemporary lifestyles with culture and traditions important to our community, to speak our traditional language, and protect our natural resources and treaty rights. For Chiefs and Council to lead the YKDFN to a prosperous future requires the support of our members. We will work cooperatively and in partnership with all members, YKDFN administration and legal entities to achieve our proposed outcomes to improve the well-being of all our members. Message from the Chief(s) On behalf of Council, we are proud to share the key initiatives and accomplishments of the 2014-2015 YKDFN fiscal year. We encourage you to read through this year’s Annual Report, it outlines all the work Council and our dedicated staff have undertaken to ensure we remain healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities. The election of YKDFN Dettah Chief and Dettah and Ndilo Councilors was held in the beginning of 2015-2016 fiscal years. Dettah Councilors: Gordie Liske and Randy Baillargeon replaced Alfred Baillargeon and Peter D. Sangris. Ndilo Councilors: Lena Black and Chief Edward Sangris Catherine Lafferty replaced Roy Erasmus Sr. and Cecilie Beaulieu. We would like to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and commitment that the former councilors have conducted within the last 4 years. In the current fiscal year the YKDFN will complete our Election Code and Membership Code. Completing the Election Code and Membership Code will help assure that YKDFN is completing its governance structure. Akaitcho Process Negotiations: The Akaitcho Process Negotiations is 95% completed. Although in many cases the last few steps are always challenging, such as Land Quantum and Taxation. Chief Ernest Betsina Devolution: The question of Devolution still lingers for Akaitcho. That is an important decision that Akaitcho will have to undertake prior to March 31, 2016 Deadline. Community Infrastructure: YKDFN is negotiating with GNWT on the priorities of Community Infrastructure for the communities of Dettah and Ndilo. To date, we are pleased with the progress and accomplishments of Yellowknives Dene First Nation and we will continue to work with the CEO, Council, Program Managers and Staff to do whatever is necessary in carrying out Yellowknives mission statement and values in order to reach Yellowknives goals and objectives. __________________________ __________________________ Chief Edward Sangris - Dettah Chief Ernest Betsina – Ndilo Michael Cheeks Chief Executive Officer Message from the Chief Executive Officer I am pleased with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation’s accomplishments over the past fiscal year, 2014-2015. The Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) Administration and Departments have undertaken a number of important projects and initiatives that have undeniably benefited the membership. Success is owed to the drive and commitment of all of our Department Managers and staff, and the active participation of the Yellowknives Dene members. The YKDFN is fortunate to have a strong and talented team of dedicated service providers and partners. I want to personally thank all of the management and staff for their time, dedication and I also want to thank Chief and Council for their direction and adherence to good governance best practices. Opportunities are abundant in Chief Drygeese Territory, and the Administration will continue to champion the initiatives that support the will of membership. We will endeavor to promote and implement the Yellowknives Dene First Nation Readiness Plans and strategies throughout the Chief Drygeese Territory for the current and future generations. Chief Drygeese Territory has the potential to be a vibrant economy, with an abundance of natural resources, and an indefatigable spirit. This annual report provides highlights of our 2014-15 achievements and lays out the goals for the coming years. Working together ensures the future prosperity of our region, and the health and wellbeing of all citizens. We believe in building strong relationships and supporting cooperative partnerships. Current Chief and Councillors 2015 Chiefs Edward Sangris Ernest Betsina Councillors Jonas Sangris Bobby Drygeese Napoleon Mackenzie Philip Liske Mary Rose Sundberg Randy Baillargeon Lena Black Catherine Lafferty Gordie Liske Paul Betsina Wellness Division Afterschool Program The Chekoa Afterschool Program was delivered in Ndilo and Dettah from April to June and September to March. The program runs from 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. The program provides a supportive, safe place for children and youth to go after school and engage in various educational and wellness oriented activities. Gym Program Margaret Erasmus The community wellness gym program runs seven days a week and Director has scheduled sports and activities. Our programmers carry out Community Wellness activities such as fitness/circuit training, volleyball and soccer. The adult participation has grown substantially this year. Family Night Family nights were delivered in April, October, November, December, January and February. Each event had a different theme with activities for the families to participate in. For example, one activity was to let the parents recognize that communication between the parent/child is significant and it needs to happen more than you think. Family nights were held in both Dettah and Ndilo with supper included. Spring Carnival A spring carnival was hosted in Ndilo and Dettah during the first weekend of April. The carnival consisted of a talent show, children’s events, youth events, adult events, a community barbeque and drum dance. Everyone was welcome to attend. Photo Credit Wellness Division Photo Credit Melissa Mackenzie Clara Hughes Big Ride Presentation As part of Clara’s Big Ride, the six time Olympic medalist pedaled across Canada and stopped in 95 communities in 110 days going the distance for mental health to help end the stigma surrounding mental illness. On May 5th, Clara came to the Chief Drygeese Government building in Dettah. The leaders welcomed Clara into our community and Clara made a presentation in promoting mental health and healthy active living. Elders, youth, children, families and community members came out to the event. The children from the Afterschool Program decorated and they did an awesome job. Caribou stew was served and the event ended with a drum dance. Mother Day May 10, 2015 Father Day June 21, 2015 Photo Credit Wellness Division Photo Credit Wellness Division Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Celebrations On May 13 we hosted a Mother’s Day barbeque at the Weledeh site. The fathers and the men did the cooking. The food was delicious. Father’s Day celebrations were held on June 13th at the Weledeh site with the mothers and women doing the cooking. Again the food was delicious! Career Fair Wellness staff assisted the Career Fair Committee in delivering the Career Fair on May 15th. They picked up information as resources for clients on employment, career development and other resources that are available. Staffs were also stationed at the main table in charge of prizes and attendance. National Aboriginal Day June 21, 2015 Photo Credit Wellness Division National Aboriginal Day Celebration Many people from all ages (First Nations, Metis, Inuit and non-Dene) came out to celebrate National Aboriginal Day on June 21st at the Weledeh Site. Various traditional cultural activities took place followed by a drum dance. Summer Culture Camp Our Community Wellness Program delivered an on the land camp at our Weledeh site from August 17-23, 2014. The purpose of the camp was to teach our youth traditional skills, physical activities and learning about our Wiilideh history. The camp accommodated youth ages 11-6 staying overnight at the camp, however, the camp was open to families for the day. There was also a Dene Games competition during the camp. Photo Credit: Nora Taylor Summer Programs Community Wellness provided scheduled activities during the afternoon for children and youth age 10 and up. Every day they were engaged with various outings and activities in the communities. During the evening the gyms were open with various sports played. Baseball was very popular in both communities – there was a team entered into the recreation slow pitch league. Community Beautification During the summer 4 summer students were hired to implement the beautification workplan to beautify Ndilo and Dettah. The students learned construction skills. Volunteer Appreciation Community Wellness hosted a volunteer appreciation dinner in April. The volunteers were invited to dinner and were presented with a gift. A second volunteer recognition event was held in February in conjunction with a Family Night supper.