February 28, 2019 n Northern Pride n Page 11

Meadow Lake News

Birch Narrows Buffalo River Canoe Narrows Clearwater River English River Flying Dust Makwa Sahgaiehcan Ministikwan Lake Waterhen Lake Nation Dene Nation First Nation Dene Nation First Nation First Nation First Nation Cree Nation First Nation

February 2019 Volume 2 • Issue 2

2019 Tony Cote ELDERS’ INPUT INVALUABLE Games athlete selection It’s been almost two full years since Flying Dust First Nation was awarded the 2019 Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games, and plans are soon to be underway for selecting Team MLTC. The Games take place July 14-19, 2019. As the host tribal council, Team MLTC will be comprised of more than 280 athletes from the nine Meadow Lake First Nations communities. “We’re going to be setting up tryout dates likely toward the end of May and early June in various communities within MLTC, and also within the City of Meadow Lake,” said Terrance Sylvestre, MLTC Youth Development An MLTC elders’ gathering took place Jan. 18 at the Meadow Lake Civic Centre program coordinator. “All teams have until June 14 to finalize their rosters. From there, team practices will get into full swing as they prepare for the Elders’ gathering focuses Games. Flying Dust has hosted the First Nation Summer on future of FN’s education Games once before, in 2003. On Jan. 18, the Meadow that will guide MLTC Education Ovide Wolverine, Gordon Tcho “We’re excited to host it again,” said Lake Tribal Council education and MLFNs on the path forward FDFN - Elizabeth Durocher, Percy chief Jeremy Norman. department held an elders’ in education. Some of the main Derocher Close to 3,500 athletes from gathering in Meadow Lake with themes that came from the event ILFN - Darlene Paddy, Shirley throughout Saskatchewan’s 74 First the Meadow Lake First Nations included: Pahtayken Nations are expected to participate in leadership and elders. • Treaty right to education MSFN - Frank Kytwayhat, Betty the Games, which will feature a variety The purpose of the gathering • Language revitalization Peepeekoot, Sidney Ben of sports from archery to athletics. was to establish a foundation • Land, language, relationship WLFN - Albert Fiddler, Cecilia Sylvestre added these Games are of First Nations law to guide the and culture curriculum - Fiddler, Martin Larocque about the young people, ages 13- development of a First Nations (holistic education to walk in Chiefs in Attendance: 18, making memories and building education collaborative model. The two worlds) BRDN - Eileen Morrison confidence. establishment of an educational • Community involvement and ERFN - Lawrence McIntyre foundation in First Nations law will engagement FDFN - Jeremy Norman provide a position and mandate • Administrative standards and WLFN - Carol Bernard as MLTC enters nation-to-nation procedures negotiations with the Government MLTC would like to to thank all Education Technical Working Group in Attendance: of Canada towards a collective of its elders and MLFN leadership Gordon Martell education agreement. who participated in this event. The Carl Nahachewsky All MLTC elders were invited along coming together and sharing of Randy Fox The Meadow Lake Tribal with two additional elders from histories and knowledge made this Council (MLTC) began each community as designated day an incredibly influential event. MLTC Board of Education in by the chief/education portfolio moving forward MLTC First Nations Attendance: in 1981 when the First holder/board of education director. will continue to work together and BNDN - Dorothy Sylvestre Nations of Northwest MLFN chiefs, board of education inspire one another in creating a BRDN - Lavina Catarat directors and education portfolio system that builds capacity within CLCN - Wilfred Iron Saskatchewan united holders were also invited to attend. communities for all children. CRDN - Shawn Montgrand Over the course of the day, elders ERFN - Russell Black to form the Meadow met to discuss a variety of topics Elders in Attendance: FDFN - Connie Derocher Lake District Chiefs Joint and questions directly related to the BNDN - Mary Maurice, Veronica MLTC in Attendance: treaty right to education, traditional Tobac, Ronnie Desjardin, Albert Larry Iron Venture. The Meadow teachings, educational governance Sylvester Heather Merasty Lake District Chiefs and administration, history of BRDN - Therese Billette, Joe Celia Deschambeault education, foundational beliefs and Billette, Lawrence Piche Jackie Buffalo became officially known values of education, First Naions CLCN - Delores Blackman, Mary Cheryle Herman as the Meadow Lake relationship with the Government Rose Morin, Peggy Iron John Cherian of Canada, and much more. This CRDN - Ronnie Lemaigre, Johnny Raquel Ross Tribal Council in 1996. event was filled with in-depth and Lemaigre, Moise Piche Tammy Dancy powerful discussions from elders ERFN - Vitaline Read, Rod Apesis, Leah Olsen-Bacon

1 n Page 12 February 28, 2019 n Northern Pride February 28, 2019 n Northern Pride n Page 13 February 2019 Volume 2 • Issue 2

Flying Dust benefits from Positive Flying Dust First Nation housing ~ Community Profile band-owned businesses changes Flying Dust First Nation is ready to much larger confectionery will also be “We’re getting away from the awful get gassy as their flare gas project gets available, similar to other PetroCanada cookie-cutter homes.” closer to reality. stations throughout Saskatchewan. That’s a statement Flying Dust’s new “One of the biggest projects we’ve The projected opening is slated for housing manager Wes Derocher is proud been working on for a few years now mid to late summer 2019. to say as his band is bucking the trend and is our power production of flare gas,” going a new direction. said Flying Dust councillor Richard “When I first started here in 2017 we Derocher, whose portfolio includes Gravel company didn’t have a housing manager in place, economic development. “We haven’t Another successful venture has and since then we’ve built 21 new homes, chosen a location yet, but that will be been the band’s gravel company. spent a lot of money on renovations and determined in the next few months.” “FDB Gravel company had a very retrofitting our existing houses,” Derocher After working on this the past four successful year, mostly due to the stated. “In the last year alone we touched years and inking the deal with Sask- cleanup on Railway Avenue as well 170 of our 230 units.” Power in 2018, Flying Dust is to supply as good gravel sales throughout the He said this couldn’t have been achieved gas to the Crown corporation to create year,” Derocher said. “We are hoping without a lot of support. electricity. for continued growth with this entity CHIEF JEREMY NORMAN “Hats off to the leadership because “We’ll be purchasing sour gas from in the coming year.” they’re the ones making sure there’s a gas company, but it has to be before During peak season there are 14 “This will include the land where the additional money so things are done well,” it gets cleaned,” Derocher added. “We people employed – from the first of NorSask and Mistik offices are situat- Derocher said, adding Indian and Northern have to burn it through generators April to the end of October. ed, meaning in about one year’s time, Affairs’ (INAC) annual allocated funding and, at that time, it gets added on to when it becomes reserve status, all for housing is outdated. “In the past, INAC the SaskPower grid. As for the timeline, Other ventures First Nation employees working there provided us with X amount of money and we have to have a finished proposal will benefit by not paying federal or that’s all you could build – basically a match Meanwhile, last fall, Flying Dust before SaskPower by June 30 of this provincial taxes on their employment box with a couple of doors and a bathroom year. “ purchased a large, 23-passenger com- income due to the fact they work on so to speak. Because the band is throwing Waterhen Lake First Nation’s newly-elected council from the band’s Dec. 12, 2018 vote. Standing (l-r) David Fleury, Dustin Ross Fiddler, Blaine munity van to be used to transport a reserve,” Derocher noted. “Once it’s in more money into their housing program Fiddler, Ableheza Ernest, Dean Martell, Karnella Fiddler. Seated is Chief Carol Bernard. FDFN has partnered with Genalta Power Inc. of Calgary, an expert and youth, elders and for community func- reserve land, Mistik and NorSask will we can now build 1,200-1,300 sq. ft. homes.” successful track record in this area hav- tions locally and out of town trips for pay property taxes to us rather than When you get a bigger house, Derocher ing built a number of these plants near large groups. Most recently the band the RM of Meadow Lake.” said, and nicely built, he believes people Peace River in northern . added a smaller, wheelchair accessible Derocher also said Flying Dust has are going to take pride in it, in terms of Reserve is home to new bison herd van for medical trips to and from the nine oil wells online and putting on ownership. bigger centres like two more this summer in the south- How has this happened? Earlier this month, Flying Dust First Nation re- and youth hunting trips. These include things such of the animal. New fuel station and . A third smaller van east corner of Saskatchewan. Derocher noted they work closely ceived 25 bison from Elk Island National Park (near as moose, deer, elk and fish... and soon bison.” During future Treaty Day celebrations, the band A new fuel station is currently under was also purchased for medical trips “In total we own nine quarters of with Canadian Mortgage and Housing Edmonton, AB) as part of the park’s bison manage- The new animals include two-year-old mature will serve bison meat to its members at the annual construction along Highway 55 to as well as for youth group outings. land, but there and only seven of Corporation, taking advantage of what’s ment program. Another six will be arriving in the bred cows, yearlings and some bulls. dinner. replace the existing FDB Fuels opera- Through Flying Dust’s economic them are in production,” he said. available. coming weeks. To make sure these animals had a proper home, Past Indigenous translocations of the Elk Island tion. development arm, Derocher said the Flying Dust Energy purchased those “CMHC has given us the opportunity “We saw a herd of buffalo on First the band purchased the improvements (fence and National Park bison include 89 plains bison calves “It’s been a cold winter, but there band’s own-source revenue (profits) lands on behalf of the band. to access all their programming,” he said. Nation (near Cochin) and we looked into having pasture) from an existing buffalo rancher on the to the Blackfeet Nation in Montana (2016) and 25 has been steady progress on this par- benefit the community. “That brings us a nice little royalty “We’ve applied for everything they’ve some on our land,” said Flying Dust chief Jeremy reserve as well as six of his remaining animals. wood bison to in 2018. ticular project,” Derocher said. “Petro- “The profits from our companies every month – both for Flying Dust got under the sun to provide for the First Norman. “The more we learned about the program, “Oneill Gladue had a buffalo herd here for about Canada will be the supplier of the fuel go to an array of places – elders Energy and Flying Dust First Nation,” Nations.” the more we knew it would be a good fit for our 15-20 years, but decided to disperse the business, The difference we will be selling, but Flying Dust will expenses, youth programming, sports he added. “The biggest thing about Flying Dust has partnered with other community.” so we were fortunate this was already in place and Plains bison, or the ‘buffalo of the Wild West’, once independently own 100 per cent of and recreation, housing, cultural and economic development is some of our entities to train its members. In recent years, the band has taken a somewhat available to us,” Norman said. “Right now the ani- dominated the Great Plains in the millions and the fuel station.” treaty days, general donations and people don’t see what it does for our “Within the last two years, and the aggressive stance on food sovereignty. mals are roaming on 180 acres of natural grassland, used to roam in herds of 10,000 to 100,000 or more. Currently, FDB Fuels sells unleaded membership assistance,” he said. “Eco- community. They don’t see that the partnerships we have had with CMHC “When we started our market garden several but once spring hits, we’ll be increasing that to 500.” They can be identified by their defined shaggy gasoline and diesel. What will be of- nomic development also includes all profits we make how it improves our and SIIT (Saskatchewan Indian Institute years back, where we now grow a wide variety Even though bison have been roaming on Gla- ‘cape’, long beard, and the large, bushy hairstyle on fered at the new gas station will be a the buildings we lease out – the pro- community. The money we get from of Technologies) we currently have a of vegetables and potatoes, we realized by add- due’s ranch for years, Norman said there is a differ- their head. Plains bison have a full beard and hairy variety of fuels including premium, vincial building on Railway Avenue, the department of Indian Affairs is just workforce in excess of 30 construction ing bison it would be a great addition to this food ent feeling now a new herd is owned by the band. leg chaps. Their back hump is much rounder than mid-grade and bronze as well as SIIT and McCallum’s AutoBody as well $5-million, but Flying Dust’s annual workers, journeyman, apprentices and sovereignty,” Norman added. “Having the bison “They feel it’s something that belongs to them,” a wood bison’s and the highest point sits directly diesel. There will also be an RV sewage as many of the MLTC offices.” budget is $23-million. There is also sub-trades,” he added. “We do our own offers the chance to reconnect with our past too. he said of the membership. “They will see the over their front legs. Wood bison, meanwhile, are dumping station onsite for holiday Most recently the band has moved a health transfer amount, but about electrical, plumbing, drywall… you name it, They are such a beautiful animal and it brings a lot rewards of it, so – when it comes to harvesting time adapted for the colder climate of the North as their travellers heading north to and from forward in purchasing 7.81 acres at $9-million to $10-million is earned we have access to everyone who’s qualified of pride to our community. The community wanted – it’s the whole community that shares it.” habitat once ranged across Alaska, the Northwest the lakes in the summer months. A NorSask Forest Products. cash – profits from our own revenues.” to do our work and that’s one of the things a healthy food source, and thought bison would be Flying Dust also plans to incorporate the bi- Territories, as well as northern Alberta and British I pride ourselves on. Many of the workers a good fit for our diet. The band has a community son into the local school curriculum to teach the Columbia. Compared to plains bison, wood bison here have been put through the proper freezer filled by donations of community members younger generation about the cultural significance are about 15-25 per cent larger and taller. training – the five major safety tickets, a home builder program where we had nine Flying Dust First Nation has a unique history, its own extraordinary successfully complete the course. Now we’ve got another 11 taking their first-year FACTS & FIGURES landscape and numerous human resources and possibilities. apprenticeship level one ticket and plan on training for level 2. That’s one of the goals I Flying Dust First Nation is a Cree First reserve) the community has developed oped several business partnerships to have for next year.” Nation located adja- a reputation as a progressive and strong increase its business portfolios to Prop- Derocher is now a certified housing cent to the City of Meadow Lake. community. Facilities on-reserve include erty development, oil and gas and for- manager as he recently graduated from a It’s currently governed by chief Jeremy the Kopahawakenum School (K-4), a estry. It manages a 12,000-acre (49 km2) housing management course in Calgary. Norman and four councillors – Tyson health clinic, an elders building, an ad- farming, sand and gravel operation. “That’s a long time coming,” he remarked. Bear, Connie Derocher, Richard Derocher ministration building, a bank, a commu- Flying Dust is a treaty land entitlement “I think the government now realizes and Marie Gladue. Flying Dust is a mem- nity hall, a community church, a health band with the capability of purchasing housing’s got to change and training the ber of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council office, a radio station, a youth centre, 6,788 more acres of land. Flying Dust people who run the programs on-reserve… (MLTC) whose offices are located on the infrastructure/maintenance compound, has a long-standing partnership with that’s the best thing they could have done reserve. daycare, a hockey arena, gas station and the City of Meadow Lake and they have instead of continuously throwing money at With more than 1,250 members (512 convenience store. worked jointly on several major projects the First Nations and not having someone living on-reserve and 745 living off- The Flying Dust First Nation has devel- in the region over the last few decades. Students from Kopahawakenum Elementary School (K-4) on Flying Dust First Nation pose for a picture on the nearby sliding properly administer a program or know hill. Construction on the expansion to the existing school is currently underway and will include higher grades in the future. how to properly build.”

2 3 n Page 14 February 28, 2019 n Northern Pride February 2019 Volume 2 • Issue 2 November 2018 Volume 1 • Issue 9

MLTCJordan provides’s Principle training on sentencing circles Police officers and lawyers alike principles of restorative justice, recentlyMental had an opportunity Health to gainSuppor examiningt the process/steps of a somePROGRAM new insight in G termsOAL of how sentencing circle, participating in they Toview ensure the legal First system. Nation children mockhave sentencingaccess to the circle ser dialoguesvices they need. Members of the RCMP, Crown and taking home the knowledge to prosecutors,Jordan’s LegalPrinciple Aid isworkers, a child- rst principletheir communitiesthat applies equally and utilizing to all F thisirst Nations children, whether resident on or o reserve. It covers health servic- as welles and as socialrepresentatives support for from First Nation restorativechildren in approach.situations where the child doesn’t have access to publicly funded programs. The Federal government the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of “I am very optimistic about committed up to $382 million over 3 years, starting in 2016 to March 2019 towards funding Jordan’s Principle. MLTC secured some funds through Environment, front line community sentencing circles and how useful workers,mental and health more ser werevices in for 8 MLFN’s communitiesthey can be,” f Smithor the continued.period of September 2017 to March 2018. Improving Mental health and healthier youth are attendancetwo of the for vae special top health training priorities according“There are to a MLHSD numberA’ sof 10 reasons year health I plan. Jordan’s principle is focused on children between the ages of 0 – 18 sessionyears on old. sentencing circles. feel this way, but most importantly HostedBelow by theare Meadowhighlights Lake of A Tribalctivities which– some have 150 been years coordinated ago or so – at a the First Nation Level through Jordan’s Principle funds (group activities, cultural Council (MLTC) through funding treaty was signed in which we activities and individual activities). For more information, contact Abdulrahman Araga at (306) 236-5817. Retired judge Linton received from Justice Canada, the agreed with each other to share Smith, who has been in event took place Jan. 23 at the the responsibility of administering attendance for several MeadowMental Lake CivicHealth/T Centre andher wasapy Supporjustice. Tot me, sentencing circles are hundred sentencing led byPROJEC retired Tjudge NAME Linton Smith. an excellentDESCRIPTION means of doing what circles, led the recent “I’ve done a few of these in the we were obliged to do when that training session. past,”Land Smith Based said. “ThisCultural time, Ac MLTCtivities treaty wasCultural signed.” teachings and other Cultural activities: i.e., beading, sewing, working with hides, leather, etc. put on a program for Meadow Lake SentencingLand based circles sur promotevival skills using elders as teachers for hunting, animal tracking, trapping, snaring, shing, and other communities within the community re mak buildinging, food and preser healingvation, Creeof aboriginal cultural camps people. and These gathering cultural medicine It requires etc. offenders to take Meadow Lake Tribal Council region. those affected by crime, and those practices held the person in question responsibility for their actions and I was there to share my experiences, who haveHonoring committed Our Y aouth crime. Round It Danceresponsible – ceremonies for their, round actions dance in, mental self-foresteem, the harm team they building have caused.” etc. as I have been in attendance for is aboutThe repairing youth are relationships; being counseled asfront man ofy arehis/her still valuedhurting community and grieving familyDerocher and friends said who it also were allows lost several hundred sentencing circles allowingdue victims to suicide and .perpetrators members. Those who did wrong for a sentence to be given that is in and around the Regina area.” to reconcile and heal as part of the were supported or guided in a satisfactory to the victims, while also Land Based Youth Programs & After School Activities MLTC hopes, by providing the outcome of a criminal incident. positive direction, which gave them allows the offender to make amends recent training session, it will bring Traditionally,Land based many cultural aboriginal camps focusedthe on opportunity healing the to cultural make amends. way, healing throughand to be ceremonies reintegrated, sweats back ,into and the the formal legal perspective and communitiesfeasts. Landhave basedused the hunting talking trips to “Itidentify is a different the cultural way aspecof thinkingts missing incommunity. the community amongst the aboriginal perspective into circle asthe a wayyouth; of bringingcooking mealspeople with of whatabout they crime found and in our the response bush. Teaching to the youthAs for the the 4 recent aspec trainingts of life session,and local justice programs. The goal all agesbalance together (mental, for the spiritual, purposes ph ysical,crime,” and notedemotional) Christine through Derocher, cultural medicineSmith wheel said it lessonswas very. well attended. was to educate and incorporate of teaching, listening, and learning. senior director of programs for MLTC. “There must have been about 100 the aboriginalTherapist perspectiveServices when TalkingChildren circles, peacemaking at risk between the ages“It 3 focuses-18 years on old repairing received the both harm mental healthpeople assessments there,” he said. and “Everybody utilizing and facilitating sentencing circles,p orrofessional healing circles therapist are deeply services counsellingcaused by ascrime needed. and reducing These ser futurevices direcgottly right addressed into it trauma,and really abuse showed, a circles by understanding the core rootedsuicide in the traditional ideation, attempts practices and threatsharm ,through anxiety, crimedepression prevention. etc. lot of interest.” Elder Support Services Traditional mental health teachings through engagement of the youth and elderly ex: Gender role spirituality and the teaching of belonging, meaning, purpose and hope. Mental Health Human Resources A youth mental health position was created to work with the youths, families and community prevention workers. The goal of the initiative was to work with all stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for the youth either through a family case plan or other methods. This position under the guidance of an elder and therapist will push to empower youth. Mental Health Related Events Cyber bullying workshop addressing the impacts of bullying on children & youth. The workshop taught them coping mechanisms. There were workshops on youth addictions and impacts on mental health.

At the 2018 MLTC Leadership Conference, Nov. 19 and 20 in Saskatoon, two Meadow Lake First Nations individu- als were acknowledged for their past tribal leadership of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council. Eric Sylvestre of the Birch Narrows Dene Nation who rst served as MLTC Vice-Chief for a number of years and then Tribal Chief from 2010 - 2018, was honoured. Also recognized was former MLTC Vice-Chief Dwayne Lasas of the Waterhen Lake First Nation who held the position from 2011 - 2017. March 13-15 SASKATOON INN & CONFERENCE CENTRE SASKATOON, SK www.mltcfullcircle.ca

Former Vice-Chief Dwayne Lasas (left), and former Tribal Chief Eric Sylvestre were recognized in Saskatoon Nov. 19.

4 4