Weehtamakaywin Newsletter Fall Edition

NEWLY ELECTED GRAND CHIEF & DEPUTY GRAND CHIEF TAKE OFFICE PAGE 1 issue no. 4 Grand Chief CONTENTS Jonathon Solomon Grand Chief Welcome pg. 1 Wahchee-yek, Greetings Deputy Grand Chief Welcome pg. 2 First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for giving Executive Director Report me the opportunity to be your Grand pg. 3 Chief of Mushkegowuk Council.

Employment & Training I am very humbled and blessed to be pg. 5 in this role. I would like to first thank my God for his many blessings in my Grand Chief’s Commit to a life, and this is one of them, to be your Better Working Relationship Grand Chief. pg. 6 I also would like to say thank you to Improving our Community Policing Services the most important people in my life, pg. 7 my wife Linda and my children for their support and also, you, the People of Mushkegowuk Aski for bestowing on Past Grand Chiefs Tribute me this honor. Gitchi meegwetch. pg. 8 For these past few days, I have been in office, I have read many of the briefing The Real Agreement As Orally notes on the many files that the previous Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Agreed To - Mushkegowuks Chief have been working and certainly they are important projects. As we Bottom Line move forward, there are many more issues that we will as a region will tackle. pg. 10 Foremost the well being of our People.

GIS Centre Activities There are many challenges and certainly there will be more but if we stay the pg. 11 course, I am sure we can achieve a lot. We need to be united. We need to stand together and we need to speak in one voice. It is only then we will begin to see Western James Bay Telecom the results. Network Update pg. 12 Our First Nation communities are diverse but with the same symptoms,such as poor living conditions, poverty, health issues etc. Recognizing and respecting Happiness & Prosperity Message the diversity, then can we move forward and progress for a better and healthy pg. 13 future and I look forward to being part of this.

Upcoming Events At this time I cannot comment on the issues before us as I am in the transition pg. 14 period of grasping the many files of the Grand Chief’s office.

I look forward to the Annual General Assembly that is scheduled on October 21, 22, 23 in the homeland of Missanabie First Nation. Cover Photo by Doug Cheechoo On a safe note. goose and moose hunting season is among us and I plea for you

1 WEEHTAMAKAYWIN | FALL EDITION to stay safe, handle your gun in a safety manner. Also if you and your hunting partner(s) or family are hunting with you and are traveling by boat, I urge you to wear your life jacket.

I, as your Grand Chief look forward to the future opportunity to work, advocate on your behalf. I made a pledge to work hard and commit to do my best to serve the People and the Council of Chiefs.

These are the wise words of late Elder James (Jeemis) Wesley that have stuck with you me for many years. “Do not be afraid. Do not hesitate. Do not Fear”. It is these wise words, as your Grand Chief, I will remember and use politically.

Gitchi meegwetch (Thank you very much) and God Bless You All.

Submitted By Jonathan Solomon, Grand Chief of Mushkegowuk Council

Deputy Grand Chief Rebecca Friday

It is with great honor to be your next Deputy Grand Chief of Mushkegowuk Council. I thank the Creator for allowing me to represent you all and the trust that is put upon me to serve you, to the best of my ability to do the work that is needed to be done.

I thank my husband Bertie and my children, for the greatest support they have given me during this time, and also believing in me to do the work I will be doing for the next four years.

I believe in working together, in unity for all nations, we can achieve much more. There is so many items that we need to work on and it has to start as soon as possible. As I have stated in my platform, we need to be proactive.

The first and foremost is our Treaty Rights.

During this transition, I will be briefing myself with the previous work that the Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Chief has done. These issues will continue to move forward with a lot of involvement with our Council of Chiefs and our people.

Have a safe Fall Hunt!

Meegwetch

Submitted by, Rebecca Friday, Deputy Grand Chief of Mushkegowuk Council

MUSHKEGOWUK COUNCIL NEWSLETTER 2 Executive Director Donna Seary

Summer is nearly over; and fall is just around the corner. Shortly families will be heading to their camps for the fall hunt.

Congratulations to the two successful candidates for the positions of Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Chief.

On behalf of the Council of Chiefs and staff we congratulate and welcome our new Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon and Deputy Grand Chief Rebecca Friday. We look forward to the next four years and to the positive changes that will be made in our organization and the Mushkegowuk communities.

This is the first time we have had a female in the position of Deputy Grand Chief. We look forward to working with the Deputy Grand Chief and the issues that are important to her and to the region.

After many years at Mushkegowuk Council it is with a saddened heart that we say goodbye to our Deputy Grand Chief Leo Friday; and at the same time congratulate Leo on his successful candidacy in his community of Kashechewan as Chief. We wish Chief Leo Friday all the best and look forward to working together.

Administration and Financial Update

We are finalizing our 2014/15 fiscal year. This was Mushkegowuk Council’s first year under the new Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) Tier 3 budget of $500,000. We suffered a 60% cut in funds. We expect to be in a deficit this year but at this point in time we are not sure how much. The audit will be finalized shortly. We continue to keep an eye on our spending as much as we can.

Orientation Manual is a work-in-progress. The manual will be provided to all new staff and current staff. All necessary information, forms, etc., will be accessible and at every staffs’ fingertips. Examples of all forms are also included. This will be made available to the First Nation community offices.

Microsoft in-house training has started. Barb Duffin is providing the training. The goal is to have all staff trained (new and existing). (Microsoft: Word, Excel, REMINDER Outlook, Power Point) Training is also available to our communities.

All Resolutions are available for Our ‘Go Paperless’ initiative is underway. Our goal by 2016 is to have everyone review on our website at accessing and using the on-line “shared drive” templates. These templates www.mushkegowuk.com include travel, leave, p.o.’s etc.

3 WEEHTAMAKAYWIN | FALL EDITION Another template we will be utilizing is the Attendance Mushkegowuk Office Building – Moose template. Staff will be able to track their own leave Factory throughout the year and be responsible for keeping tabs on their leaves. At some point in the near future the rest of the building will require renovations – new roof, new windows, new The Finance staff is setting up the Attendance template electrical panel to name a few. The cost will be quite for each employee and is being trained to utilize it so that substantial and until we can afford it we will not be their time is spent efficiently. proceeding. However what we are doing is freshening up the building by painting and cleaning the building. We are also looking into adding the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). At this stage we are currently exploring Special Mamowihitowin of the Omushkegowuk additional benefits of dental and health (eye glasses, dental, and prescription drugs). A Special Assembly will be held in Missanabie Cree First Nation, at Dog Lake, October 20, 21 and 22, 2015. Due to We continue to review, revise and update existing and the funding cuts MC business will be held outdated policies and procedures. over two or three days for cost saving measures.

On-line training for the staff is to be provided and Western James Bay Telecom Network (WJBTN) completed by April 2016 - Occupational Health & Safety, Violence in the Work Place and Sexual Harassment. I continue to be the Mushkegowuk Council representative for WJBTN. Sally Braun, WJBTN General Manager provides Election for Grand Chief and Deputy Grand an update in this newsletter. You can also find them Online Chief Positions at www.wjbtn.com

November 2014 the cost of the by-election was Mushkegowuk Council Website approximately $25,000. This year’s election, the costs are approximately $35,000.00 to $40,000.00. To keep costs Jon Kapashesit, Communications Officer, has made great down we took over some of the responsibilities and costs. changes to our website, such as updating the department information, job postings, and regular site maintenance. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC)/Mushkegowuk Council (MC) Copies of the Newsletter are sent out to all our First Nation communities. To save costs the Newsletter is printed in Work Plan house and distributed by our staff. You can also view our newsletter on our website at www.mushkegowuk.com. The 2015/16 MC Work Plan was approved at the AGA in January 2015. A copy of the Work Plan is on our website. Just a reminder to all Mushkegowuk , Jon is available to your First Nations to provide website training The Work Plan did not change from the previous year. The and assist with communication issues. funding of $500,000 has stayed the same; and these funds are not enough to carry out everything in the Work Plan. Northern College – Board of Governors (BOG) We are waiting to hear from AANDC whether or not we have I continue to be the Board Of Governors representative been approved for a two-year block funding agreement. for Mushkegowuk. I represent our northern communities. Even if we enter into a two-year block funding agreement Please contact me should you require any information or this does not prevent us from having our Core funds of have any issues. $500,000.00 being further reduced. Submitted by: The activities for this year are to visit as many communities Donna Seary, Executive Director as we can, provide four newsletters per year, hold two COC meetings per year and the MC Annual General Assembly.

MUSHKEGOWUK COUNCIL NEWSLETTER 4 Employment & Training Bill Louttit

Though we no longer receive summer student funding, METS continued the summer program for 2015 creating 55 positions out of its regular funds. Carol Turner is coordinating the program as another extra duty tacked on to her very capable hands.

A look at the statistical side, indicates that 147 clients have participated in funded programs; broken down into 78 female and 69 male participants on various projects. Just recently 2 of our apprentices wrote their EXAMS, one electrician and one carpenter. The electrician is now certified and the carpenter who recently wrote has not received word at ‘press time’. Another electrician, now a Master electrician, certified some years ago, was seen around town working on various projects. He has his own electrical business based out of North Bay. The STATISTICS person is a member of .

147 Total Clients for various funded Mention must be made of the METS staff. There are 4 project officers (3 projects within Employment & specifically titled ‘Community Development Officers’) and 1 ‘Career Development Training. Broken down into 78 officer’. Clara Wheesk is based out of Timmins, working with TTN, Chapleau Female and 69 Male participants. Cree and Missanabie Cree. She also provides service to the urban clients. Linda Carey (who knows everything) in working with Attawapiskat First Nation, and ; Virginia Kamalatisit working with and Fort Albany First Nation. Kathy Small is the Program Assistant based out of Moose Factory. She does all the data entries, contracts; her passion is ‘martial arts’ and practically runs the office (she thinks). In partnership with Employment , METS also operates the Resource Centre, the office manager is Bertha Linklater and the Program Assistant is Juanita Wabano. All jokes aside, we really have a great team that works well together in bringing training opportunities to our Mushkegowuk communities.

Up to July 30th things have been purposely quiet as we contemplate and discuss the coming priorities, one of those under discussion is updating the program’s strategic plan and to then incorporate it into the overall Mushkegowuk Council’s strategic plan.

Until next time, Bill Louttit, Director of Employment & Training

5 WEEHTAMAKAYWIN | FALL EDITION Grand Chief’s Commit to a Better Working Relationship

(L - R) Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Jonathon Solomon and (L - R) Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Jonathon Solomon; Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, August 26, 2015. Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox; Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum; Mushkegowuk Deputy Grand Chief Rebecca Friday; Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief On Wednesday, August 26, 2015, Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s Alvin Fiddler, August 26, 2015. Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox and Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum Housing, Governance, People’s Inquiry (report on suicides traveled to Moose Factory to meet with Mushkegowuk’s in the Mushkegowuk area), Child Welfare, Sport and Grand Chief Jonathon Solomon and Deputy Grand Chief Recreation. Rebecca Friday. Chief Norm Hardisty Jr., Deputy Chief Earl Cheechoo and Chief Jason Gauthier also participated in Both Grand Chiefs agreed that this was a very good this meeting. meeting and that UNITY will be critical to our success and achievements. NAN committed to provide support to help Among the many issues discussed between NAN Mushkegowuk advance their files and likewise, Grand and Mushkegowuk were Health Care, Unity, Treaty Chief Solomon and all Chiefs greed to work together. Implementation, Treaty Curriculum for Schools, Policing,

MUSHKEGOWUK COUNCIL NEWSLETTER 6 Work Continues on Improving Our Community Policing Service

Mushkegowuk Council is trying to push for better and • The federal government has refused talks and is trying more stable funding and support for Nishnawbe Aski to play legal “hard ball.” That is, they are throwing up Police Service (NAPS) and for improved policing in our legal hurdles every step of the way. They have tried, communities. Our ultimate goal is to improve the policing but failed, to have the complaint thrown out and have that NAPS can provide, which would benefit all of the raised numerous legal technicalities. The complaint is Mushkegowuk First Nations and, in fact, all of the First now in the later stages of the process. Nations of Nishnawbe Aski Nation. • The provincial government, on the other hand, has been more willing to have discussions regarding ways to improve policing in our communities. Key Priorities

There are many issues relating to the policing in our communities. For now, we are focusing on these priorities

• Housing: One key focus area at this stage is housing for officers. This is critical because NAPS cannot keep talented officers if the housing for officers continues to be as terrible as it is. This is a difficult and complicated problem, which is why it has continued so long, and why it needs careful thinking about real, practical, and Human Rights Complaint detailed long-term solutions. Housing needs to be available for officers just like it would be for nurses or • Mushkegowuk Council filed two human rights legal other necessary service providers. challenges several years ago about inadequate policing in the Mushkegowuk communities. One is against the • More officers: Another important area is more officers. provincial government (at the Human Rights Tribunal of We believe that more officers are needed to deal with Ontario). The other is against the federal government the policing problems we face. (at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal). • Local officers: Far too many of our officers arefrom • The goal is to help increase support and funding for down south and live down south. This puts a lot of NAPS, which will improve policing in the Mushkegowuk stress on the officers to go back and forth between First Nations and all NAN First Nations. home and work. It means many quit after a few years. It also means that our officers know less about the • The complaints do not “blame” NAPS or NAPS officers. communities and are less experienced. We strongly We support NAPS and our officers. believe that more officers should be recruited from the communities and more officers should live in the • The complaints are based on the principle of equality communities no matter where they are from. and that policing in the First Nation communities should be at least as good as policing in nearby cities These are just some of our focus areas. There are and towns. The complaints say that Mushkegowuk many other issues and concerns that we hear from our policing is far worse than policing in non-native community members on day-to-day basis that we hope to communities address.

7 WEEHTAMAKAYWIN | FALL EDITION A Tribute to Our Past Grand Chiefs

In this portion of the newsletter, we would like to pay tribute to the leaders that guided Mushkegowuk Council in the past.

David Fletcher Fred Wesley Munro Linklater George Hunter Chairman Chairman Chairman (Acting) Chairman 1983-1984 1984-1985 1986 1986-1987

Norm Wesley Alex Spence Stan Louttit Rosanne Archibald Chairman Chairman Chairman Chairman 1987-1988 1989-1991 1992-1994 1994-1995

Ernie T. Sutherland Lawrence Martin Ignace Gull Chairman Grand Chief Grand Chief 1996-1997 1998-2000 2001-2002

MUSHKEGOWUK COUNCIL NEWSLETTER 8 Grand Chief Tribute continued

Ernest Beck Stan Louttit Lawrence Martin Grand Chief Grand Chief Grand Chief 2002-2003 2004-2014 2014-2015

PHOTO UNAVAILABLE

Oliver Wesley Mike Carpenter Jonathon Solomon Leo Friday Deputy Grand Chief Deputy Grand Chief Deputy Grand Chief Deputy Grand Chief 1998-2001 2001-2004 2004-2006 2006-2014

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. “ - John C. Maxwell

9 WEEHTAMAKAYWIN | FALL EDITION The Real Agreement As Orally Agreed To Mushkegowuks Bottom Line

Treaty No. 9, as understood by the promises. Decades later, descendants Our grandfathers recognized good ININIW / ILLILIW-UK (Cree), was orally and relatives of the original treaty will. They respected gift-giving. One agreed upon, and the promises that signatories learned that Scott’s words man, William Goodwin, thanked the the Crown made to our grandfathers of explanation were intended to be commissioners for visiting his people, were carefully considered - and misleading. The document that was gathered at Albany Island – or, as he committed to memory - before they signed said our grandfathers agreed explained, oota nistaskiinak (here in signed their names as an indication of to “cede, release, surrender and yield our land). They would have agreed to consent or respect in 1905, 1906 and up, forever” all our lands and rights. modestly sharing our land and water 1930. The document said that we could not – if they had been asked. They were hunt or trap or fish – could not sustain accustomed to sharing – so long as it These Constitutionally-protected ourselves - on lands that might enhanced their wellbeing and didn’t promises must be respected and be “taken up” for towns, railroads, interfere or threaten their way of life. must guide all development within forestry or mining. This is not what the Mushkegowuk region, now and in Scott offered to our grandfathers, and That’s still our position today, here in the years to come. this is not what they accepted. They our land, in the northern half of this agreed to hearing what we would province that still echoes with the Here’s how Duncan Campbell Scott, today call our indigenous rights, promises made to our grandfathers the Crown’s spokesman in 1905, handed down since time immemorial, in 1905. We will consider requests for explained it to the interpreters: We being confirmed and protected. sharing from people of good will. We have been sent by the King. The must be partners in any developments King wants you to be happy and The oral promises are legally binding. within our homeland, now and in the prosperous. As a sign of his good They are the oral terms of our future. Our wellbeing, now and in the will, after you sign your names, each treaty. They carry the same legal future, must be enhanced spiritually, man, woman and child will be given a force as the misleading words in culturally and materially. That’s our present of eight dollars now, and four the document. The general rules of bottom line. dollars each year, forever. This year, treaty interpretation apply to the oral he will supply you with food for a terms: they must be interpreted as feast. If you choose a chief, he will be they would have been understood given a flag as a symbol of the King’s by our grandfathers; they cannot be protection. You will continue to follow dissected in minute detail or subjected your custom of hunting, fishing and to modern rules of construction; and trapping where you please, without ambiguous terms must be resolved in interference, just as you have always a manner favorable to our people. No done. government can act on the basis of the written document alone, when to The document that was signed – after do so would violate the oral promises. the oral explanation, interpreted so our Any violation of the oral terms is grandfathers could fully comprehend an infringement of our substantive what was being asked - contradicted treaty rights. the treaty commissioners’ sacred

MUSHKEGOWUK COUNCIL NEWSLETTER 10 Geographic Information System (GIS) GIS Centre Activities

The Mushkegowuk GIS Centre has been working for the We are working with Tech Services for GIS component past year on positioning ourselves as a ‘go-to’ destination for the All-Season Road project and created a Collector for GIS/GPS and training needs for First Nations and Application for iPad to assist them gather information for Ontario business. As of April 2015, the GIS Centre is a “fee- housing inspections and build reports. We are building for-service” department. Our combined expertise allows relationships with other Ontario First Nations and us to deliver quality work and training in GIS/GPS solutions, businesses to create opportunities with them as well. thematic mapping, TEK collection and mapping methods We had the knowledge of student, Willy Metat for the and Microsoft Office training. Our primary support isto summer to assist in building our GIS Centre marketing our member First Nations and any requests that come strategy which has included branding, focus areas, logo to us through our Council departments. We offer very and name: competitive rates and look forward to working with others to develop mapping and information needs to support CreeGeo - Mushkegowuk Information wise decision-making. Services.

We continue to support Lands & Resources programs We held a logo competition in (Land Use Planning, the Mining Exploration Application July/August and we are pleased process, Ring of Fire, Infrastructure) and others. We are to announce that Ryan Astle from currently working with our Education department and First Missanabie Cree First Nation is the Nation schools to build a program to bring GIS and GPS to winner of the contest. Ryan created the classrooms starting in Sept 2015. Kim Rozon has taken a logo that is easy to read, depicts on the position of GIS Education Specialist. You will see her mapping, location and “turtle” in the communities, working with the schools in bringing island. Congratulations Ryan! GIS technology to the classes. Ryan Astle, Missanabie Cree First Nation member

GIS Centres’ New Logo created by Ryan Astle, Missanabie Cree First Nation member.

11 WEEHTAMAKAYWIN | FALL EDITION Western James Bay Telecom Network (WJBTN) Update on Our Services

WJBTN Board of Directors. (L-R) Sally Braun, General Manager; Director and Treasurer Donna Seary, Mushkegowuk Council, Director and Secretary Richard Grom, Town of Moosonee; Director and Vice-President Lucie Edwards, Five Nations Energy; Director and President Leo Friday, Mushkegowuk Council; Director Archie Solomon, Fort Albany First Nation; Director Peter Spence, Kashechewan First Nation; Dave Wheesk, Assistant General Manager and Director Douglas Keebokee, Attawapiskat First Nation.

The Western James Bay Telecom Network strives to provide Kashechewan Ball Hockey Tournament, Creefest, the a high standard of reliable fibre internet service to our Mushkegowuk Cup, the Great Moon Gathering and the customers. Our late Grand Chief Dr. Stan Louttit worked Delores D Echum Composite School Bursary program. hard and negotiated hard to bring reliable fibre internet The staff at Western James Bay Telecom Network (WJBTN) service to our communities and the standard he set is the would like to thank our customers for continuing to place standard WJBTN follows. their confidence in our services. The staff would also like to Our fibre internet clients are the hospitals, schools, thank our Board of Directors for all of their hard work and airports, band offices, ambulance bases and businesses in guidance over the past year. Attawapiskat, Kashechewan and Fort Albany. Additionally, We would like to wish all of our customers a safe and we ensure that community-based technical service pleasant summer. is provided to 475 Xittel residential wireless internet customers living in these communities. Sally Braun, General Manager for WJBTN We are pleased to have contributed this past year to the St. Andrew’s School Senior Kindergarten Graduation, the If you have any inquires or comments, please contact:

Sally Braun, General Manager Western James Bay Telecom Network Box 188, Moose Factory, ON P0L 1W0 P: 705 658 2287 | F: 705 658 2405 | Toll-free: 1 855 658 2287 [email protected]

MUSHKEGOWUK COUNCIL NEWSLETTER 12

THE JAMES BAY TREATY

TREATY NO. 9

“Happiness an d Prosperity”

An ORAL TREATY offered by the After agreeing to the Crowns (Canada and Ontario) to interpretations and promises the ININIW / ILLILIW-UK made, and the explanation that (Cree/Mushkegowuk) and Ojibway we would share and prosper, a Nations in 1905-1906 with document often mistaken for the adhesions in 1929-30. real TREATY was signed.

We all understand and are committed to build upon and maintain an open dialogue based on mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.

The Region covers close to 2/3rds of the province of Ontario and everyone on our TREATY lands and waters are respectfully reminded that WE ARE

ALL TREATY PEOPLE IN CANADA and we are all bound and protected by these historic oral agreements.

Mushkegowuk Council

13 WEEHTAMAKAYWIN | FALL EDITION Upcoming Events

30th Annual Mamowihitowin of the Omushkegowuk Annual General Assembly October 20 - 22, 2015 | Missanabie Cree First Nation

For more information, please contact Donna Seary, Executive Director at (705) 658-4222 or by email at [email protected]

Kashechewan First Nation Annual General Assembly POSTPONED September 14 - 18, 2015 | Kashechewan Arena STAY TUNED TO OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS “We Can Make A Better Future For Our Children” Kashechewan First Nation

Youth Suicide Summit: #LoveLife September 16 - 19, 2015 | Fort Albany First Nation

View Draft Agenda at www.mushkegowuk.com under events.

For information on these and future upcoming events, please visit the Mushkegowuk website at www.mushkegowuk.com

MUSHKEGOWUK COUNCIL NEWSLETTER 14 We wish you a Safe and Successful Fall Harvest

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