First Nation Communities Will Be Prioritized for the COVID-19 Vaccine

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Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974 Blending Tradition with Technology 6000 copies distributed December 18, 2020 Vol. 47 No. 12 www.wawataynews.ca

Bushby found guilty First Nation communities will be over death of Barbara Kentner Rick Garrick prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine Wawatay News Brayden Bushby, 21, was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Rick Garrick comes that are serious. The health care the late Barbara Kentner on Dec. 14 by Wawatay News professionals that are working on the Ontario Superior Court Justice Helen ground delivering these vaccines have M. Pierce. The sentencing hearing is Indigenous people will be priori- all the information — that’s part of the scheduled for Feb. 9, 2021. tized for COVID-19 vaccinations after review process, making sure we have “On the facts of this case I find that the initial rollout of the Pfizer-BioN- all the information necessary so peo- the Crown has proven beyond a reason- Tech COVID-19 vaccine is provided ple are well supported when they are able doubt that there was no interven- to long-term care home residents and administering the vaccines and they ing act that displaces his responsibility staff and medical professionals. know how to assess people and watch in law on Ms. Kentner’s injuries and “(For) prioritization there are some for those kind of outcomes.” assumed death,” Pierce says. “Conclud- guidelines at the national level — prov- Hajdu says she has already spoken ing, for the foregoing reasons I find inces and territories will further refine with Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler about that the Crown has proven beyond a that,” says federal Minister of Health the vaccine. reasonable doubt that by an unlawful Patty Hajdu, Thunder Bay-Superior “There are always concerns about act Brayden Bushby injured Barbara North MP. “Essentially it will be peo- making sure Indigenous people have Kentner, accelerating and causing her ple in long-term care homes, it will be access, for one,” Hajdu says. “But obvi- death, and further that the Crown has people who work in long-term care ously the other concern will be just met the burden to disprove interven- homes and medical professionals. The making sure there are enough staff ing causes. Therefore I find Brayden idea being that first of all we want to submitted photo people to be able to administer the vac- Bushby guilty as charged of the offence save lives and then we obviously want Federal Minister of Health Patty Hajdu says Indigenous people will be prioritized for cine.” of manslaughter.” to stop the spread and then as we start COVID-19 vaccinations along with other vulnerable populations and essential work- The Public Health Agency of Canada Bushby had pleaded guilty to one to get more options Indigenous people ers after long-term care home residents and staff and medical professionals are announced that they are implement- count of aggravated assault and not are prioritized, so are other vulnerable initially vaccinated. ing a pan-Canadian no-fault vaccine guilty of manslaughter at his judge- populations and those kinds of folks injury support program for all Health only trial from Nov. 2-5 in Thunder Bay that are essential workers.” “For other vaccines, we don’t need the same way. Canada approved vaccines, in collabo- at the Courthouse Hotel. Hajdu says it is important to vacci- the same level of cold storage so those “Those ones will be able to be dis- ration with provinces and territories, “We welcome today’s verdict and nate staff in hospitals and long-term will be more easily transported into tributed in much easier ways,” Hajdu on Dec. 10. stand with Barbara’s sisters, their care homes in order to keep them func- Indigenous communities, for example says, “(such as) for example, flu vac- “Our publicly funded health care families, and the community of Wabi- tioning. thinking about Moderna, which is kind cines at pharmacists.” system is a source of pride, and this goon Lake Ojibway First Nation as “If we see spread in a hospital set- of next in line for a decision from the Hajdu says vaccine recipients will be program will make it even better,” they receive this news,” says Grand ting or even in a long-term care setting regulators,” Hajdu says. “This (Mod- asked to report any side effects from Hajdu says. “Canadians can have con- Chief Alvin Fiddler. “It is encouraging and you have a bunch of employees erna) vaccine is also a newer tech- the vaccines. fidence in the rigour of the vaccine that Justice Pierce rejected the victim- that get sick, then it stops the function- nology but it doesn’t need to be held “We want to even know about the approvals system, however, in the blaming presented by the defence and ing of these critical centres that we at that same really cold temperature, mild ones, a sore arm, fatigue, some of rare event that a person experiences saw this case for what it was – a delib- need,” Hajdu says. so it is more stable and can be moved the things you might expect after get- an adverse reaction, this program will erate act with a foreseeable outcome. Hajdu says the initial rollout of the around.” ting the flu shot,” Hajdu says. “We’ve help ensure they get the support they This case is a stark reminder of the sys- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine Hajdu says there are two more vac- got a very sophisticated surveillance need. I will work with my provincial temic racism and violence perpetrated will be in 14 sites across the country cines under review, from Janssen and system that already exists for vaccina- and territorial counterparts to set this against Indigenous Peoples in Thun- but that will be expanded over time to AstraZeneca, that are more traditional tions all across the country to monitor program in place quickly.” der Bay and across this country. Many about 200 sites. vaccines that don’t need cold storage in for any kinds of other adverse out- recent acts of violence are raising fear that Indigenous lives are held at lesser value, and that the normalization of anti-Indigenous racism sees victims held responsible for their own deaths.” ᐁᑲᑫᐧᐊᒋᐃᐧᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐁᑲ ᒋᔭᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᓂᐱᒥᐊᐧ Kentner, a 34-year-old Wabigoon ᕑᐃᐠ ᑲᕑᐃᐠ ᑲᒥᓇᑲᐧᒥᓂᐠ ᐅᓂᐱᒥᐊᐧ ᐱᓇᒪ ᒋᐅᓴᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᐠ ᑭᓀᐧᐡ ᒋᐱᒥᐱᑌᑭᐣ.” ᐁᑲ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᓯᓭᓂᐠ ᐊᔓᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ Lake citizen and mother of one who ᐃᐧᔭᐸᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ, ᐊᔑᐨ ᐃᒪ ᓀᐡᑲᐣᑕᑲᐠ ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐯᕑᐃ ᐯᓫᑲᕑᐟ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᒋᑕᐃᐧᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᔕ ᑭᓀᐧᐡ ᑲᑭᐸᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ ᐁᑲ lived in Thunder Bay, was hit in the ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐊᐢᑭ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧ ᐱᒧᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᓂᑲᑌᐃᐧᓂᑕᐧᐸᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᐊᐧᐊᐧᓀᑕᒥᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᓇᑕ ᒋᒥᓂᑲᐧᑌᐠ ᓂᐱ ᐊᓂᐅᒋᒋᓭᐠ ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ abdomen by a trailer hitch thrown by ᐅᑭᑲᓄᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᒥ ᐊᔕ ᒋᑭᑲᑫᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐅᐱᒪᐊᒧᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ ᐁᑲ ᐊᐱᐣ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐁᑲ ᑲᓇᑫ ᑲᑭᑲᐡᑭᑐᓂᐨ 2021. Bushby from a moving vehicle in Janu- ᑭᐸᐦᐃᑲᑌᑲᐧᐸᐣ ᐅᓀᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐯᔑᑯᔕᑊ ᑭᓀᐧᐡ ᑲᑭᐊᓄᑭᒪᑲᓂᑭᐸᐣ ᑲᐅᒋᐱᒥᐱᑌᓂᐠ ᒋᑭᑭᐸᐦᐊᐠ ᐅᓀᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐊᔕ ᑭᓀᐧᐡ “ᐊᓇᐃᐧᐣ ᓂᒥᓀᐧᑕᐣ ᔓᓂᔭᐃᐧᑭᒪ ᒥᓫᐅᕑ ary 2017. She had emergency surgery ᐱᒥᓂᔕᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧ ᐅᓇᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᑲ ᒋᒥᓂᑲᐧᑌᐠ ᓂᐱᑫᐃᐧᓂ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑭᔭᓂᐳᓴᑲᒥᑕᒪᑲᓂᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐱᒥᓂᔕᐦᐃᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐁᑲ ᒋᒥᓂᑲᐧᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᐃᐧᑕᐠ ᐱᒪᓄᑭᐃᐧ ᔓᓂᔭ ᐁᐸᑭᑎᓂᐨ, ᐊᓂᐡ to repair a ruptured small intestine ᓂᐱ ᐃᒪ ᑕᓇᐱᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐊᐱ ᐊᐁᐧ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᑐᐸᓂᐠ. ᐅᓂᐱᒥᐊᐧ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᐊᓂᐅᒋᒋᓭᓂᐠ ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ ᐊᒥ ᐅᐁᐧ ᐯᔑᑫᐧᐠ ᐅᒋ ᑲᐅᒋᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᐠ caused by the trailer hitch injury, but ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪ ᑲᑭᐃᐧᑕᒪᑫᐸᐣ 2021 ᐁᑲ “ᓇᐱᐨ ᑭᒋᒥᔑᐣ ᑕᓇᐱᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐅᒪ 2021. ᐃᐧᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒋᐅᓯᑲᑌᐠ ᓂᐱ (BWA) died in July 2017. ᐃᑐᐠ ᐊᐱᐣ ᒋᑭᑐᒋᑲᑌᐠ. ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐊᐢᑭᐠ ᑲᑭᒋᐊᓂᒥᓭᑭᐣ ᐅᐁᐧ “ᑲᐃᐧᓂᐣ ᑲᐧᐣᑕ ᑲᐅᒋ ᒐᒋᔐᐣᑕᒥᐦᐃᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐅᒋᐱᒥᔭᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑕᓇᐱᐃᐧᓇᐣ, “Barbara Kentner was loved and ᑭᐊᔓᑕᒪᑫᐸᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ 2015 ᑲᔭᑭᐊᐧᓂᐠ ᐅᒋ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᐱᐟᓫᐊᕑ. “ᐊᓂᐊᐧᑫᐃᐧᑲᐸᐃᐧᒪᑲᐣ ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᐧᑕᒥᓂᐨ ᐊᔕ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᑭᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᐣ ᓇᐣᑭᐸᑭᑎᓂᐨ ᔓᓂᔭ valued – she should still be with us,” ᐊᔕ ᒋᐯᑲᑲᒥᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᓂᐱ ᑲᒥᓂᑲᐧᑌᑭᐣ ᑕᓇᐱᐃᐧᐣ, ᐃᒪ ᐃᓀᑫ ᒥᓄᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒥᓇ ᓂᔭᓄᔭᑭᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐅᒋᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐨ, ᐊᐱᐣ ᑫᑭᐅᑎᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐅᐡᑭ ᓂᐱᑫᐃᐧ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓇᐣ says Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa. ᒥᑭᓯᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 2021 ᐊᐦᑭᐊᐧᐠ. ᒪᒥᑐᓀᒋᑲᓂᐠ.” ᑲᑭᐸᓇᐦᐊᐠ ᑲᑭᐃᔑ ᐊᔓᑕᒪᑫᐸᐣ ᒋᐅᒋᒪᑕᑫᐨ ᑫᐱᒥ ᒥᓇᐧᓄᑭᒪᑲᑭᐣ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᕑᒋᐸᐧᓫᐟ. “I hope this verdict provides Barbara’s “ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᑯ ᒐᒋᔐᐣᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐅᑎ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᐟᓫᐊᕑ ᐃᑭᑐ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐅᒋᐊᓄᑭᒪᑲᐠ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑕᓇᐱᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒋᒥᓂᑕᐧ “ᓂᑭᑲᑫᐧᒋᒪᐸᐣ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪ ᒋᐃᐧᑕᓄᑭᒥᐁᐧᐨ family, loved ones and community with ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᑲᐱᒥᓇᑭᐡᑲᒪᐠ ᑭᒋᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᓂᐱᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᓇᑕᐁᐧᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᑫᐅᒋᒥᓄᐊᓄᑭᒪᑲᐠ ᓂᐱᑫᐃᐧᓂ ᒋᐸᔭᑲᑲᒥᓂᐠ ᓂᐱᓂ ᐅᒪ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑕᓇᐱᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐊᐧᐃᐧᑕᒪᐃᐧᐨ some amount of closure. But the cir- ᑯᐱᐟ - 19 - ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᐁᑲᑲᓄᓇᔭᑭᑕᐧ ᒋᐅᑕᔑᑲᐃᐧᒋᑲᑌᐠ. ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᐯᓫᑲᕑᐟ. “ᐊᓇᐃᐧᐣ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᐱᐡᑭᑫᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ cumstances that made Barbara’s death ᑭᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᒥᓇᓂᐠ ᑫᔑᐊᐧᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᓱᐊᐧᐨ “ᒥᑕᐡ ᐁᔑᐃᐧᑕᒪᐊᐧᔭᐠ ᐊᑐᐊᐧ ᐅᑭᒪᐅᐣ ᐸᐸᑭ ᐅᑭᐱᓇᑯᑐᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᐱᔑᐊᔓᑕᒪᑫᐨ ᑲᐃᐡᐸᐠ ᑲᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐃᐧᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ at the hands of Brayden Bushby pos- ᒋᐅᒋᒥᓄᔭᐊᐧᐨ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐅᐁᐧ ᑲᐱᒥᔭᒪᑲᐠ ᒋᔑᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᐱᑯ ᑲᐃᓇᓄᑭᒪᑲᐠ ᓄᑯᒥᑫ ᐅᑕᓇᐠ, ᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᑲᐧᓂ ᐁᑲ ᒋᐅᓯᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᓂᐱ ᑕᓇᐱᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐅᒪ ᑲᐊᐱᒐᐠ sible have not changed. Neither has the ᑭᒋᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᓇᔑᓀ ᑲᑲᓯᓂᒋᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᓂᐱᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᒥᓇ ᒋᐊᐣᒋᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᔑᓇᑯᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑭᐱᐅᐣᒋᑎᐱᑐᑕᐠ. ᓂᒥᓀᐧᑕᐣ ᓄᑯᑦ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ. ᓂᐃᐧᑲᑫᐧ ᑫᒋᓇᐊᐧᑐᒥᐣ broken justice system that led to the ᒋᒪᒥᓂᑫᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᓂᐱᓂ ᐁᑲ ᒋᐅᓴᒥᐸᓱᐊᐧᐨ ᑫᐃᓇᓄᑭᒪᑲᓂᐠ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐅᓀᓂᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᓂᐠ ᑲᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᐠ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᐁᐧ ᑲᓇᑫ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᒋᔑᒥᓂᑕᐧᐸᐣ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧ downgrading of the charges against ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᒋᐸᔦᑭᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᑎᑲᒥᐠ ᑫᓂᐊᓄᑲᑕᒥᓂᐨ ᐅᓀᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᓂᐱᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ,” ᔓᓂᔭᐃᐧᑭᒪ ᒪᕑᐠ ᒥᓫᐅᕑ ᒋᐸᑭᑎᓂᐨ $1.5 ᒪᐡᑲᐃᐧᓯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐁᑎᐸᑕᒪᐃᐧᑕᐧ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ Mr. Bushby from second-degree mur- ᐅᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ, ᒥᐅᓀᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐱᐟᓫᐊᕑ. “ᓇᑕᐁᐧᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᒋᐅᑎᓂᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐱᓫᐃᔭᐣ ᒋᐱᒥᔭᓄᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑭᒋᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ.” der to manslaughter, and continues to ᐅᐃᐧᑕᒪᑯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᑫᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᓇᑕᐁᐧᑕᑲᐧᑭᐣ ᑲᐃᓯᓭᑭᐣ ᑲᓇᓄᑌᓭᑭᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᔓᓂᔭᐃᐧᑭᒪ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐃᒪ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ fail Indigenous people.” ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐊᓫᐱᐣ ᐱᐟᓫᐊᕑ. “ᒥᑐᓂ ᑕᐡ ᒋᐊᐸᑕᑭᐣ ᑫᓂᐱᒥᐊᓄᑭᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᓂᐱᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑕᓇᐱᐃᐧᓇᐣ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᓂᐱᒥ ᐸᑯᓭᓂᑦ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐊᐧᐸᐣ Mamakwa says the killing of Bar- ᐊᓂᒪᐣ ᒋᑭᐱᒥᓂᔕᐦᐃᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐅᓀᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᒋᔑᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᒋᐱᒥᔭᓄᑭᒪᑲᑭᐣ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᒋᐊᓂᐱᒥ ᐊᓄᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐊᓂᓂᑲᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᑭᔭᓂᒧᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᓂᐱᓂ ᑲᓂᐳᓇᑭᓱᓂᐨ bara Kentner is not a single incident, ᐅᓇᑕᒪᑯᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᐁᑲ ᐊᔭᔭᐣ ᑲᐸᔭᑲᑲᒥᐠ ᒋᔑᑲᐧᔭᒋᒋᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᒪ ᐃᓀᑫ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧ ᒋᐊᐧᐁᐧᔑᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐁᑲ ᑲᑭᒥᓂᑲᐧᑌᐠ ᓂᐱ ᑲᐡᑲᑎᓄᐱᓯᒧᐣ ᐃᒪ ᓇᐣᑕ 75% ᑭᔭᐱᐨ 59 but part of a pattern of several cases in ᓂᐱ.” ᑭᑭᓄᒪᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ, ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᒋᑲᐧᔭᑕᑌᑭᐣ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᐅᒪ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ.” ᑲᑭᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᑲᐧᐸᐣ ᐊᔕ ᑭᓀᐧᐡ ᑲᐅᒋᑕᑲᐧᐠ Thunder Bay, and throughout Ontario ᐱᐟᓫᐊᕑ ᐃᑭᑐ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐅᐁᐧ ᓄᑯᑦ ᒥᓇ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᐊᐸᒋᒋᑲᓇᐣ ᑫᐱᒥᐊᐸᑕᑭᐣ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᕑᐅᐢᐊᐣ ᐊᕑᒋᐸᐧᓫᐟ ᐁᑲ ᒋᒥᓂᑲᐧᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᓂᐱᒥᐊᐧ ᐅᒪ ᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃ involving the murders and disappear- 14 ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐊᐢᑭ ᑕᓇᐱᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᐁᑲ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᐱᒥᐊᓄᑭᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᓂᐱᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᐅᒋ ᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᑭᐃᐧᑕᐣ ᐅᒋᔐᐣᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ. ances of Indigenous people. 2 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Politics First Nation leaders welcome UNDRIP legislation Rick Garrick introduced in Parliament in garde. “The AFN has been given Wawatay News 2016. Bill C-262 was passed by a clear mandate from our chiefs the House of Commons in 2018 to advocate for federal legisla- First Nation leaders recently but did not get through the Sen- tion that builds on the founda- welcomed the federal govern- ate before Parliament was dis- tions of Bill C-262 and is every ment’s Dec. 3 introduction of solved. bit as strong as Bill C-262 in its Bill C-15 to advance implemen- “I just want to acknowledge respect for our rights. The bill tation of the United Nations leaders like the former MP tabled today meets that test.” Declaration on the Rights of Roméo Saganash for all of his Bellegarde says Bill C-15 Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). work and leadership on this,” contains key elements that The United Nations Declara- Fiddler says. “Now that we are the Assembly of First Nations tion on the Rights of Indigenous sort of in this next phase of it I has long sought to ensure that Peoples Act was announced by think we owe it to people like Canada meets its obligations to David Lametti, minister of Jus- Roméo for leading the way — respect and implement UND- tice and Attorney General of it wouldn’t have happened if it RIP. Canada, and Carolyn Bennett, weren’t for people like Roméo “The UN Declaration is a minister of Crown-Indigenous Saganash.” crucial tool for addressing sys- Relations. temic racism and closing the “It’s not 100 per cent what gap in quality of life between First Nations were hoping for First Nations and Canadians,” but it’s a good start,” says Grand “The UN Declaration Bellegarde says. “The new bill Chief Alvin Fiddler. “Now that is a crucial tool for provides a much-needed frame- the government has presented work to put the declaration into Rick Garrick/Wawatay News it to Parliament, I think it is a addressing systemic practice.” Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says Nishnawbe Aski Nation will be closely monitoring the progress of the fed- promising development but we racism and closing the Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol eral government’s recently introduced legislation, Bill C-15, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of just need to make sure it follows gap in quality of life Mamakwa also called on the Indigenous Peoples Act. through and that it does in fact provincial government to become law across the land.” between First Nations implement UNDRIP on Dec. Fiddler says NAN will be and Canadians...” 4. Mamakwa previously intro- closely monitoring Bill C-15’s duced Bill 76, the United progress. – National Chief Perry Nations Declaration on the “We’re also being mindful of Bellegarde Rights of Indigenous Peoples the political climate nationally Act (UNDRIP), in the Legisla- (as) this current government is UNDRIP, which was adopted tive Assembly of Ontario in in a minority position,” Fiddler by the UN General Assembly in 2019. It passed second reading says. “They will need the coop- September 2007, recognizes the and was ordered referred to eration of other parties to make collective rights of Indigenous Standing Committee in 2019. this happen.” peoples living in Canada includ- “There is no excuse to wait NAN previously supported ing inherent rights to tradi- any longer — Ontario and Abitibi—Baie-James—Nun- tional lands and territories, self- Canada have a responsibility to avik—Eeyou MP Roméo Saga- determination and recognition fully recognize and respect the nash’s private member’s bill, of culture and language. rights of Indigenous peoples,” Bill C-262 An Act to ensure that “Passing federal implementa- Mamakwa says. “Minister Rick- the laws of Canada are in har- tion legislation will be a positive ford and the Ford government mony with the United Nations step toward healing the wounds must act now and move my Declaration on the Rights of of racism and injustice,” says bill to implement UNDRIP in Indigenous Peoples, that he National Chief Perry Belle- Ontario forward without delay.”

Collaboratively implementing Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel

We invite you to learn more. Please visit our website: www.nwmo.ca Find us on @nwmocanada /company/nwmocanada Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 3 Politics NAN calls for the elimination of water advisories

Rick Garrick homes, all the public health that are necessary to run these ada,” Bellegarde says. “While funding, as this is only one of Wawatay News measures that everyone else ..There are currently water treatment plants in the there has been significant prog- the reasons that Boil Water has been getting,” says Grand way they are designed to be ress in recent years, it clearly is Advisories (BWA) continue in Nishnawbe Aski Nation is Chief Alvin Fiddler. “It’s very 14 NAN communities run, so that means investing in not enough. I welcome today’s First Nations, increased and calling for the elimination of difficult to follow those public under boil-water training, in additional equip- announcement by (Indigenous sustained funding for mod- 11 long-term drinking water health measures if you don’t advisories, including ment and supplies that will be Services Canada) Minister ern and reliable infrastructure advisories in its communities have access to clean safe drink- needed to run and sustain the (Marc) Miller of $1.5 billion to will remain a key solution,” after the federal government ing water.” Neskantaga which was operation of these water treat- continue to close the infrastruc- Archibald says. “I have asked acknowledged its March 2021 Fiddler says there are cur- forced to evacuate in ment plants in the long term.” ture gap faced by many First the minister to work with First deadline would not be met. rently 14 NAN communities National Chief Perry Bel- Nations, and I remain hope- Nations to identify the barriers The federal government com- under boil-water advisories, October... legarde says First Nations are ful it will be followed up with that have resulted in Ontario mitted to ending all long-term including Neskantaga which frustrated that the federal gov- concerted efforts in the com- having the highest number of on-reserve water advisories by was forced to evacuate in Octo- ernment is not able to lift all of ing months to fix the drinking BWAs remaining in Canada. We March 2021 in 2015. ber due to a shutdown of the the long-term drinking water water situation across Canada want to ensure that this basic “It’s a disappointment espe- water system over an oily sheen system needs to be considered advisories across the country by once and for all.” human right is met for Ontario cially while we are still in a in the reservoir. from source to tap. March 2021. Regional Chief RoseAnne First Nations.” global (COVID-19) pandemic “So we are talking about a “So what we’re telling “First Nations have good Archibald also expressed her Indigenous Services Canada — we’ve been telling our com- huge number of communities in Ottawa is they need to look at reason to be disappointed disappointment that the com- indicated at the Assembly of munities in order for them to NAN that are impacted by this,” the whole system and they need by the federal government’s mitment to end all long-term First Nations Water Summit in remain healthy and safe during Fiddler says. “It takes a toll on to change how they design and announcement that after more drinking water advisories by late November that about 75 this pandemic that they need the community, with their construct and award contracts than five years in office, it will March 2021 would not be met. per cent of the 59 long-term to wash their hands frequently overall health and their mental to build these water treatment miss its own target to provide “While I welcome Minis- drinking water advisories still in and to drink water to stay health.” plants,” Fiddler says. “You safe drinking water to all Indig- ter Miller’s announcement for effect across the country were hydrated (and) to clean their Fiddler says the entire water need to invest the resources enous communities across Can- Operations and Maintenance located in Ontario.

ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᑐᑕᐱᓇᓇᐊᐧ ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᑭᒋᐃᐧᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᑌᐸᑫᑕᑯᓯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑲᐣ

ᕑᐃᐠ ᑲᕑᐃᐠ ᒋᓇᑌᓂᐠ ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᐠ.” ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᑭᒋᐃᐧᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᒪᒪᐃᐧᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑭᒪᐊᐧᒋᐦᐃᑐᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᑲᑯᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ.” ᒣᒣᑫᐧ ᓄᑯᒥᑫ ᐅᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᓇᐸᐣ ᐱᐟᓫᐊᕑ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐅᑌᐸᑫᑕᑯᓯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐧᑌᐸᑲᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 2007, ᐯᓫᑲᕑᐟ ᐃᑭᑐ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑲᓂ ᐱᓫ 76, ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐠ ᐊᐢᑭ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᐯᔓᐨ ᐅᑲᐱᒥ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑲᐣ, ᑲᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᑭᐸᐣ ᐅᑭᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᓇᐊᐧᐨ ᓇᓇᑲ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑲᐣ ᐱᓫ ᓯ - 15 ᐊᑌᐊᐧᐣ ᑭᒋᐃᐧᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᑌᐸᑫᑕᑯᓯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᓄᑯᒥᑫ ᐅᑭᐅᑕᐱᓇᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᓇᑕ ᓇᓇᑲᒋᑐᐣ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᐱᓫ ᓯ - 15 ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑌᐸᑫᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᐊᔕ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ (UNDRIP), ᐃᒪ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪ ᑲᑭᐅᐡᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᐠ ᐱᓫ ᓯ ᑫᔭᓂᔑᐱᒪᓄᑲᑌᓂᐠ. 2016. ᐅᐁᐧ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑲᐣ ᐱᓫ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ, ᐊᔑᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑭᐱᐅᒋ ᑲᑫᐧᒋᒪᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐅᑭᒪᐣ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ - 15 ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒪᑯᔐᑭᔑᑲᐣᐱᓯᑦ 3 “ᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᔦ ᓂᑐᒋᐱᒥ ᓯ - 262 ᑭᔕᐳᓂᑲᑌᐸᐣ ᐅᒪᓂᑐᒥᓂᑯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᒋᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᐱᒥᓂᔕᐦᐊᒥᓂᐨ ᒋᑭᒋᓀᑕᐠ ᒥᓇ 2019. ᐁᑲᐧ ᓂᔕᐧ ᑭᐊᔭᒥᒋᑲᑌ ᑲᐃᓇᑭᓱᐨ ᒋᔭᓂ ᒪᒋᔭᓂᒧᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᑕᒥᐣ ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ 2018 ᔕᑯᐨ ᐅᑕᑭᒥᐊᐧᐠ, ᒋᐅᓀᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑫᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᐠ ᐅᐁᐧ UNDRIP. ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᑕᐡ ᑭᐃᐧᐣᒋᑲᑌ ᐅᐁᐧ ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᑭᒋᐃᐧᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᐱᒥᐡᑲᒪᑲᐠ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᒋᔕᐳᐡᑲᒪᑲᐠ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᐠ ᒋᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓂᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᐅᑎᓇᑎᓯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ “ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᒪᒪᐃᐧᓄᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᔑᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᑲᑲᐧᔭᒋᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧ ᐅᑌᐸᑫᑕᑯᓯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᓂᐡ ᑲᔕᐳᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᓇᔓᐁᐧᐃᓂ ᐁᒪᐧᔦ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑎᔑᑭᔐᐧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ. ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᒥᐦᐅᐁᐧ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐱᑕᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ 2019. (UNDRIP). ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᐁᐧ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑲᐣ ᐅᐁᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᔑᓇᑲᐧᐠ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᑲᓯᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ. “ᐊᐱ ᔕᐳᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᑲᑭᔑᐅᓇᑌᐠ ᐁᑭᒋᓀᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᒋᐊᔑᒋᐊᐸᑕᐠ “ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᑫᑯᐣ ᒋᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᑫᑯᓀᐣ ᐅᑭᐃᐧᑕᐣ ᑌᐱᐟ ᓫᐊᒣᑎ, ᑲᓇᑕ ᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᒪᐡᑲᐃᐧᓯᐃᐧᐣ “ᓂᑐᒋᒪᒥᑯᒪᐠ ᑲᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐁᐧ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᑕᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᒪᑲᐣ ᐊᐱ ᐊᓂᒧᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᒪᒉᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ ᑫᑭᐅᒋ ᐱᐦᐅᓇᓄᐊᐧᑭᐸᐣ, ᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᑭᒪ ᒥᓇ ᑭᒋᐅᑕᔭᒥᑕᑫ, ᒋᔑᐱᒧᓭᒪᑲᐠ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᐱᐟᓫᐊᕑ. ᑐᑲᐣ ᐊᐁᐧ ᑲᑭᐱᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐸᐣ ᕑᐅᒥᔪ ᑫᓄᒋᐱᒥ ᑭᑫᒋᑫᒪᑲᐠ ᒥᓇ ᓄᑌᓭᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑕᑲᐧᑭᐣ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᒥᓇ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐅᑭᒪᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑫᕑᐅᓫᐃᐣ ᐯᓀᐟ, “ᐅᑲᓇᑕᐁᐧᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᐸᐸᑲᐣ ᓴᑲᓇᐡ ᒥᓂᑯᐠ ᑲᑭᐱᐊᐃᓇᓄᑭᐨ ᑲᑭᐱᒪᒋᑐᒋᑫᒪᑲᐠ ᒪᒉᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᑫᑭᐅᒋᒥᓄᐱᒪᑎᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒥᑯᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᐊᓄᑲᑕᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᒋᐃᐧᒋᑲᐸᐃᐧᑕᑯᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᑲᑭᐱᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐨ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᒥᓇ ᐊᐧᓂᑐᑕᑫᐃᐧᐣ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᐱᐨ ᐃᐧᐣ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᒋᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᐧᓇᐣ. ᑫᑭᐅᒋ ᑲᐡᑭᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐅᐁᐧ.” ᐅᒋ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᐱᐟᓫᐊᕑ. “ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐯᕑᐃ ᐯᓫᑲᕑᐟ. “ᑲᓇᑕ ᑲᓀᑎᔭᐣᐢ ᑲᐃᔑᒥᓄᓭᐊᐧᐨ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᒋᑭᑌᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ “ᑲᐃᐧᓂᐣ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᐃᐁᐧ ᒪᔭᑦ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐊᐢᑭ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᔕ ᓇᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᓂᐅᑎᑕᒪᐠ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᑭᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᐅᑭᐸᔭᑌᐃᐧᑕᒪᑯᐊᐧᐣ ᐯᓫᑲᕑᐟ. “ᐅᐁᐧ ᐅᐡᑭ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑲᐣ ᐅᑌᐸᑫᑕᑯᓯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ,” ᐃᑭᑐ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐸᑯᓭᑕᒧᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᓄᑯᒥᑫ ᐅᑭᐃᐧᑕᓇᐸᐣ ᒋᔭᓂᒪᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᒥ ᐁᓀᑕᒪᐣ ᐅᑐᑭᒪᑲᓂᒥᐊᐧᐣ ᑫᐱᒥᓂᔕᐦᐊᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐣᒋᑕᒪᑫᒪᑲᐣ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᓇᑕᐁᐧᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᒣᒣᑫᐧ. “ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧ ᐅᓄᑭᓇᑲᓇᐠ ᔕᑯᐨ ᒥᓇᐧᔑᐣ ᑲᓂᔑᒪᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ,” ᐁᐃᐧᒋᑲᐸᐃᐧᑕᐠ ᐊᐱᑎᐱ - ᐯᔾ - ᑭᑕᑭᓇᓇᑯᒪᒥᐣ ᐅᑫᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑐᑲᐣ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑫᓂᔑ ᐱᒥᑲᓄᒋᑫᑕᒪᑫᔭᐠ ᐅᓇᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᑫᒪᑲᐠ ᕑᐃᐠᐳᕑᐟ ᒥᓇ ᐸᐧᕑᐟ ᐃᓯᓭᓂᐸᐣ ᐃᑭᑐ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐊᓫᐱᐣ ᐱᐟᓫᐊᕑ. ᒉᒥᐢ - ᓄᓇᐱᐠ - ᐃᔪ ᐅᑭᒪᐅᓂ ᕑᐅᒥᔪ ᑲᑭᐱᔑ ᓂᑲᓂᐡᑲᒪᑫᐊᐧᐨ - ᐃᒪ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᑫᐱᒥᔭᐸᑕᐠ.” ᔐᒪᐠ ᒋᑭᒪᑕᓄᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᒥᓇ “ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᐸᑭᑎᓇᐠ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᐣ ᕑᐅᒥᔪ ᓴᑲᓇᐡ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᑕᑭᐅᒋ ᐊᐧᐸᑕᒥᓇᐸᐣ ᐅᐁᐧ ᑫᐅᒋᐅᐱᑲᐸᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐱᓫ ᓯ - 262 ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᓂ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᐣ ᒋᔕᐳᓇᒧᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑲᐣ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ, ᐊᒥᐁᓀᑕᒪᐣ ᐅᑎᐱᓇᐁᐧ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑲᐣ, ᐱᓫ ᓯ ᑭᐡᐱᐣ ᐁᑲ ᑭᐱᐊᓄᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᒥᓇ ᒋᐃᐧᔭᓄᒋ ᒪᐡᑲᐃᐧᓯᒋᑫᒪᑲᐠ ᓴᐧᓫ ᒣᒣᑫᐧ ᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᑭᑲᓄᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᐅᓇᑐᔭᐣ ᒋᒪᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ UND- ᒋᔭᓂᐅᔑᑲᐸᐃᐧᒪᑲᐠ ᐁᑲᐧ ᔕᑯᐨ - 262 ᐅᐁᐧ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑲᐣ ᐃᓇᑌ ᐅᑫᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑐᑲᐣ ᕑᐅᒥᔪ ᓴᑲᓇᐡ.” ᐃᒪ ᐃᓀᑫ ᑭᑌᐸᑫᑕᑯᓯᐃᐧᓂᓇᐠ. ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐅᑭᒪᐅᓇᐣ RIP ᐅᒪ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐁᑲ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ ᑲᓇᓇᑲᒋᑐᒥᐣ ᑫᒋᓇᐨ ᑌᐯᐧ ᑫᒋᓇᐨ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐅᑐᓇᑯᓂᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᐁᐧ UNDRIP, ᐁᑲᐧ ᓄᑯᑦ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᒋᐅᑕᐱᓇᒥᓂᐨ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑲᓂ ᒋᐸᐧᑕᐃᐧᑐᒋᑲᑌᐠ.” ᒋᔭᓂᔕᐳᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᐅᓇᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᒋᐃᐧᒋᐃᐧᑎᒪᑲᓂᑭᐣ ᑲᐃᓇᑌᓂᑭᐣ ᐅᑭᐅᑕᐱᓇᓇᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐃᐧᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᑕᓇᑲᐧᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᒪᑯᔐᑭᔑᑲᐣᐱᓯᒧᐣ 4.

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RCMP’s toy program a success despite COVID

16-5th Avenue North P.O. Box 1180 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B7 Serving the First Nations in Northern Ontario since 1974. Wawatay News is a politically independent monthly newspaper published by Wawatay Communications Society. ᓂᐢᑕᑦ ᑲᑭᒪᑕᓄᑲᑌᐠ 1974 ᐁᐅᒋᐊᓄᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑭᐧᐁᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑕᐃᑦᔑᑫᐧᐃᓇᐣ. ᑕᓱᓂᔓᐱᒥᑯᓇᑲ ᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐧᐃ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐧᐃᐣ ᐅᓇᔓᐧᐁᐧᐃ ᑲᓇᐧᐊᐸᒋᑫᐧᐃᓂᐠ ᒋᐃᔑ ᐸᐸᒥᓯᒪᑲᐠ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓂᑫᐧᐃᓇᐣ.

Commentary Pandemic Christmas 2020

Xavier cloud to the holidays. Everyone Kataquapit had hoped that our northern region could be spared from UNDER THE the infections but positive cases submitted photo NORTHERN SKY for Covid19 have been slowly Santa Claus met North Star Air pilots in Pikangikum First Nation to help with the delivery of toys. Over 2,500 toys were received creeping into every commu- through the Toys for the North campaign. nity. My home community of Attawapiskat, as remote as it is, has now identified positive hristmas has never been cases in the population and a normal affair for me that is cause for concern for Cmy entire life. This year it everyone. In a remote north- seems that no one will be able ern reserve like Attawapiskat, December 2020 Winter Updates to call this a normal Christmas. where many families are forced I was born and raised in to live in overcrowded homes, Attawapiskat on the James Bay an outbreak is far too easy to The time of November 3-11 with melting conditions on months tied or were the warm- coast and my family’s ideas occur. Local leadership and Graham was unseasonably warm. Many several days and near-record est in records dating back of Christmas were very far medical personnel are doing Saunders maximum temperature records temperatures on December 8 to 1880. When December is removed from the norm. From their best to test and trace cases were set throughout the region and 9th in Thunder Bay. Dry added, 2020 will be tied with the perspective of a young boy and trying to convince every- WEATHER and many locations, especially conditions continued into the 2016 or the warmest year for who was born into all this, one to quarantine at home and in the Northeast recorded top second week. planet Earth. Other information Christmas was a confusing to contain the risks of further temperatures of 20° C and such as a record tropical storm mixture of Catholic ideas, mass spread. slightly higher. Some places season in the Atlantic Ocean media marketing and commer- Throughout northern crossed this 20° C for the first Outlook for and delays in ice formation in cialization all served to us by Ontario, we consider ourselves time. An example is Moosonee, the Arctic Ocean support instru- our traditionally minded Cree lucky that we are not as densely t is different to avoid talking with a high of 20.5° C (Nov.5). December ment measurements. parents who were doing the populated as our southern about winter at this time This was the longest and most The World Meteorological best they could. We celebrated neighbours in the cities and Iof the year, especially in a pronounced November mild Temperatures so far have Organization noted in its provi- the birth of Jesus at church, larger towns but we all still have column about the weather. spell on record. However, been well above average and sional 2020 State of the Global sang praises to a guy in a big red to be careful. We have to con- Technically, if we pay attention November 2016 kept its status this month is predicted to finish Climate report that the past six suit at school and decorated a tinue practicing safe distancing, to calendars, winter has not as the warmest November on 2 to 3° C warmer than average. years, 2015 to 2020, make up tree in our living room for some staying at home as much as pos- begun yet. record in most places. Some low-pressure systems at all six of the hottest years since reason. No one ever asked why, sible, washing hands and wear- The Winter Solstice on It was a dry month in most mid-month are likely to break a modern records began. My we just followed what the rest ing masks in public. Hope is on December 21st announces the locations in the Northwest. snow drought in the Northwest simple summary of the Report of the country was doing and the horizon with the continued first day of winter, although Kenora and Thunder Bay had and likely add to precipitation is that trends to more warming that was fine by us. announcements of vaccines this conflicts with northern about half of their average totals in the Northeast. contribute more energy in vari- The best thing that I recall and we may get them in early realities. precipitation typically recorded This year has featured a ous Earth systems. The United from the holidays was the never spring. Thankfully the federal November often makes a during November. The North- range of monthly temperatures Nations Secretary-General ending spread of food that my government is relying on their good argument to be included east had near average precipita- in Northern Ontario. January, Antonio Guterres said the 2020 mom Susan produced for all medical and science experts in winter. Usually a blanket tion. Most locations had one June, July and November were report spells out “how close of us. My dad Marius worked to ensure the vaccines are safe of snow on the ground is evi- or two snowfall events of 5 to considerably warmer than typi- we are to climate catastrophe. tirelessly to keep the kitchen and that they can be distributed dent across Northern Ontario. 10 cm. cal, October was considerably Apocalyptic fires and floods, stocked, the house warm, the across the country. Some ice formation typically Lake Superior water levels cooler, other months were close cyclones and hurricanes are kids busy and he helped with Cases in Canada are increas- has taken place by month end. continue to be well above the to normal and December is left increasingly the new normal”. the cooking when he could. We ing at an alarming rate as are This year, in contrast to Octo- long-term average. It is normal to be counted. We will not know He concluded his speech at had European foods like turkey, deaths and after Christmas it ber, November was very much for water levels of Lake Supe- averages and totals until early Columbia University in New ham, beef, pastas, salads and is expected there will be a con- warmer than normal across the rior and all of the other Great January 2021 but it is likely that York, “Humanity is waging gravies mixed in with tradi- siderable surge. Governments region. Weather stations from Lakes to decline in the fall and annual temperatures around war on nature. This is suicidal. tional foods like Canada goose, and public health organizations Kenora to Timmins to Sudbury winter seasons. The decline of 1.5° warmer than long-term Nature always strikes back – snow goose, moose stew and have claimed from the begin- reported an average monthly Lake Superior during October, averages. and it is already doing so with caribou. ning of this pandemic that the temperature from 1.2 to 3° C November and into December growing force and fury”. While it looked like we were key to managing it was to test above normal. In Thunder Bay, was slightly more than typical This is the final “Weather” having a Disney like Christmas, and trace. However, this has November was 2.4° C warmer and beaches expanded. Global warming column of 2020. Be safe during we were also living through not been done to a great extent. than average and ranked Main weather features the social events in the com- some dark periods of chaos and I am hopeful that testing in among the top 7 warmest in of November extended into concerns ing weeks and we can catch up confusion brought about by schools, colleges and universi- Thunder Bay weather history December. Temperatures con- on the weather that ushers in alcoholism and addictions. Mom ties will become the norm after (dating back to 1878). tinued to be well above average At the global scale many 2021. and dad did the best they could Christmas so we understand to keep these demons at bay but just how many cases we are the chaos was never far away. dealing with and conduct the Christmas in 1990 repre- necessary tracing to manage sents the most terrible tragedy Covid 19 while vaccines arrive. for myself and my family. We The trick is stay healthy CONTACT US lost my older brother Philip for as long as possible and we Kataquapit, who was only 16 can all avoid the worst of this Sioux Lookout CEO/PUBLISHER CIRCULATION/PRINTING Guest editorials, columnists and letters to the editor do not at the time. On Christmas day pandemic. Stay well and you Office Hours: 8:30-5:00 CST John Gagnon Safeguard Business Systems [email protected] Thunder Bay, ON necessarily reflect the views of through a series of unfortunate can tell your children, your Wawatay News. events he became stranded grandchildren and even great Phone: ...... (807) 737-2951 MANAGING EDITOR and alone on the winter road grandchildren what this Christ- Toll Free: ...... 1-800-243-9059 Chris Kornacki TRANSLATION Disclaimer: All submissions to Vicky Angees between Attawapiskat and mas was like years from now. Fax: ....... (807) 737-3224 [email protected] the Managing Editor must be [email protected] in a Microsoft Word document, Kashechewan. He died alone Stay well and mindful to protect ...... (807) 737-2263 double spaced, and must adhere on the Kapiskau River in the those elders around you so that NORTHERN LIGHTS BANNER DESIGN AND LAYOUT to Canadian Press style. freezing cold and it took me, they can share the same stories Timmins Dan Russell Through the Sky Studio Wawatay reserves the right to my siblings and our parents as well. Office Hours: 8:30-4:30 EST http://NorthernLightsNow.com refuse to publish any unsolicited many Christmases before we I wish you all a safe and CONTRIBUTORS submissions. Rick Garrick could feel like celebrating the Merry Christmas and a Happy Phone: ...... (705) 360-4556 SALES REPRESENTATIVE Xavier Kataquapit holidays again. What should be New Year. If we follow the rules, Toll Free: ...... 1-877-929-2829 Tom Scura Kevin McCue a festive time of the year for me stay two meters apart, wear Fax: ...... (705)360-1601 Phone: 807 622-6000 Peter Moon is mired in the memory of my masks in public buildings and Fax: 807 622-6010 Graham Saunders beautiful, witty, humorous and wash hands often we can all [email protected] Tara Sloss intelligent brother’s passing. enjoy Christmas next year. This year, a pandemic Christmas has added another www.underthenorthernsky.com Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 5 Commentary Opioids Are Killing Our Loved Ones opioid is being illegally pro- phine. This makes the risk of duced in the black market to be accidental overdose extremely Xavier sold to those willing to buy it. high. It is odourless and taste- Kataquapit The sad part of the less. You may not even know ADVOCACY * INCLUSION * OPPORTUNITY * GROWTH opioid story has to do with you are taking it. It can be UNDER THE pharmaceutical companies like mixed with other drugs such as NORTHERN SKY Purdue and how they originally heroin, cocaine, psychedelics marketed oxycontin. Over and ‘party’ drugs or made into JOIN US TODAY! the years all of this marketing counterfeit pills that are made Membership Benefits became a success and gradually to look like prescription opioids. the medical community began The signs of a fentanyl over- Information: We provide information sessions and he opioid crisis in Canada to prescribe opioids like oxy- dose could include: person is networking events targeting relevant topics and projects has resulted in many contin for pain more easily than unresponsive, slow, shallow for business expansion in Northern Ontario. Tthousands of deaths over made sense. People became breathing, gurgling sounds or the past decade. Personally, this addicted and many lives were snoring, cold, clammy or bluish Guidance: We develop best practices for major First crisis has affected me from the ruined. skin and severe sleepiness or Nations development projects and non-First Nations people I’ve known who have According to an article in loss of consciousness. A person businesses related to procurement policies and human fallen into this dark well of October 2020 by the National can simply take the drug on resource polices focused on inclusion. addiction. We all know people Observer, in Canada there have a whim at a party and end up Brian Davey in all of our communities across been over 16,000 deaths from dead. Most of the people that Enhanced Communications: Members will have better Board Director Canada that have either been opioids from 2016 to 2020 with die are unsuspecting users who access to economic buyers and key decision makers Moose Cree severely damaged or killed by over a third occurring in west- were simply experimenting or in Northern Ontario through our business directory and First Nation the use of opioids. ern Canada. In the US about ‘looking for a high’. Most of the time these drugs 470,000 have died as a result If you think someone has special events and conferences. are linked mainly to fentanyl of opioid use over the past two overdosed on an opioid call 911 VIP Privileges: Members will be the first to know about but they have an interesting decades. immediately for emergency special discounts on all events and access to new and tragic history. In December The irresponsible marketing medical assistance and use nal- 2016, Grant Robertson and and promotion of these drugs oxone which is a drug that can programs for doing business in Northern Ontario. Karen Howlett of the Globe has caught up with Purdue temporarily reverse the effects For more information or to become a member, visit and Mail published a long and and the medical community of the overdose and naloxone detailed article on the history and recently in the US, several wears off in 20 to 90 minutes, www.anishnawbebusiness.com, email info@anishnaw- and background of the origins major settlements have been so it is important to seek further bebusiness.com or call 807-357-5320. Tony Marinaro of oxycontin, an opioid medi- awarded to pay for the damages medical attention and give the Board Director cation that went on to cause done. Legal battles are also tak- person another dose of nalox- Serving Treaty 3, Treaty 5, Treaty 9 and Robinson Superior and Naicatchewenin so much destruction. If you ing place here in Canada. one if signs and symptoms do Robinson Huron areas. First Nation have ever wondered about the In more recent years much not disappear or if they reap- origins and effects of this drug, of the increase in deaths have pear. this article is definitely required to do with fentanyl that came Naxalone should be readily reading. from legal prescriptions and available in all communities. Although opioids were cre- from black market varieties sold Communities in Northern ated for use as powerful mod- on the street. Ontario have been hit hard with ern pain medications, they are Fentanyl is a potent opioid this crisis. Anyone can become also very addictive and deadly and just a few grains can be a victim of these opioids and it at high doses. The demand for enough to kill a person. The is up to all of us to inform our these drugs has meant that problem is that this drug is eas- children, friends and neigh- Jason Rasevych Ron Marano Steven McCoy Rachael Paquette Jason Thompson those caught in the addiction ily available and is often mixed bours of the danger lurking President Vice President Board Member Vice President Secretary/Treasurer lie, steal and cheat their way to in with other drugs. right around the corner or at Ginoogaming North Caribou Lake Garden River Mishkeegogamang Red Rock finding legal prescription drugs. It is 20 to 40 times more the next party. First Nation First Nation First Nation First Nation Indian Band Over the past decade, fentanyl, potent than heroin and 100 which is also another powerful times more potent than mor- www.underthenorthernsky.com 6 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Education

screenshot screenshot Mexican poet and essayist Jorge Cocom Pech speaks during his virtual Lakehead University Global Indig- University of Minnesota Duluth assistant professor Wendy Smythe. enous Speaker Series presentation. Lakehead hosting Global Indigenous Speaker Series

Rick Garrick nity to look among our global versity in northern Australia.” open and people stayed for Learning at Lakehead University, offering students and faculty Wawatay News Indigenous communities in the Baxter says the three speak- about half-an-hour more just to says Smythe spoke about the across disciplines inspiration, areas of resiliency, sustainabil- ers that spoke so far, Jorge talk about how her lecture con- importance of two-eyed seeing. creativity and paths forward in Lakehead University held ity around philosophies, struc- Cocom Pech, from Mexico; nected to work that was hap- “Two-eyed seeing came from uncertain times. the third of five virtual Global tures and systems and provide Wendy Smythe, from University pening in their communities.” a Mi’kmaq context about how “Part of what this series is Indigenous Speaker Series pre- another way to garner knowl- of Minnesota Duluth; and Juan Baxter says Pech has many can we actually see with the doing is it’s trying to tackle sentations by Indigenous speak- edge, to think about the world Illicachi Guzñay, from Univer- different kinds of roles in his strengths of both knowledge these critical issues of our time, ers from around the world on from different world views.” sidad Nacional de Chimborazo country, including being one of systems,” Ray says. “So she pro- like climate change,” Ray says. Dec. 2. The series began this Baxter says information in Ecuador; are all top in their the top poets in Mexico. vided examples of the depth “But climate change isn’t just an past October and continues about the 90-minute presenta- field but spoke about very dif- “So he read his poetry in of knowledge and the theories intellectual issue, it’s a complex until March 2021. tions are posted at: www.lake- ferent areas. Mayan because he writes in that exist within our own sto- issue and there is a spiritual “The focus of the lecture headu.ca/indigenous/global- “So people had a chance to the Mayan language,” Baxter ries and how those could actu- component to that, and I think series is on the global imagining indigenous-speakers-series, listen to them speak, they had a says. “He talked a lot about his ally be a framework for helping largely because that spiritual possibilities through knowledge including videos of the com- chance to ask questions,” Baxter relationship with his Elders, us to think through some of component has been negated, systems,” says Denise Baxter, pleted presentations. says. “We had about 20-30 min- his grandfather, spending time these global issues.” that is probably part of what vice provost of Indigenous Ini- “On February (3) we have utes of questions so there was a with his grandfather, the con- Hosted by the Office of Indig- has gotten us into trouble to tiatives at Lakehead University. a scholar, her name is Rauna lot of comments and questions. nection to the land. In addition enous Initiatives, Department begin with with the current “Since we’re in the middle of Kuokkanen, she is Sami from When Dr. Smythe spoke we had to his poetry, he is also an essay- of International and the Depart- state of our climate.” a pandemic, climate change, Finland,” Baxter says. “In the people from her community ist and has worked in the aca- ment of Indigenous Learning, Ray says the talks were well those are really challenging the spring, March (3), we have a that were on the Zoom, we had demia as well.” the series highlights the theory, attended and interest in the current state of affairs so we speaker from Australia, Linda Inuk people from the north, so Lana Ray, assistant professor research and practice of inter- next two sessions is continuing thought this was an opportu- Ford from Charles Darwin Uni- we actually just kept the Zoom in the Department of Indigenous national Indigenous scholars, to grow. Make A Difference. Become A Foster Parent in Thunder Bay.

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Learn more at tikinagan.org. Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 7 Education ONWA launches education resource development program for parents Rick Garrick land-based activities for fami- based on the current success is designed not to create any Wawatay News lies with children ranging from and reception from the commu- additional pressure or stress to Junior Kindergarten to Grade nity. Topics will include Indige- parents. Immediate supports The Ontario Native Women’s 8,” Bagnall says. “The unique- nous learning, land-based activ- are available to connect par- Association recently launched ness of the program ensures ities and exercises, math, read- ents and participants who may the Education Resource Devel- that families and participants ing, writing and art sessions be struggling, for example with opment for Parents program to can sign up to sessions that fit that can be done with everyday isolation, fear, anxiety, depres- help parents with children from their schedules as each session items in the home.” sion and additional family well- Junior Kindergarten to Grade day and time vary to support Bagnall says ONWA has ness needs.” 8 in virtual learning, blended both working parents and stay opened the program to Indige- Bagnall says the program is learning or other home-based at home parents.” nous and non-Indigenous fami- an opportunity to invest in the learning programs. lies in the community with this next generation. “ONWA developed this pro- specific need for educational “It allows for parents, fami- vincial program to support par- support. lies and community to under- ents who are currently work- “Topics will include “The inclusivity of this pro- stand the education that is ing from home with children Indigenous learning, gram creates a safe space being delivered to our children, or who have children who are land-based activities for learning,” Bagnall says. to reconstruct Indigenous learn- attending online schooling dur- “Parents and participants are ing into our children’s aca- ing the COVID-19 pandemic,” and exercises, math, encouraged to connect to ses- demia and further builds Indig- says Cheryl Bagnall, director of reading, writing and sions to ask questions, request enous women’s leadership and community services at ONWA, art sessions that can support on how to keep on top safety as we move through this in an email reply. “The response of online schooling and to lis- unprecedented time together as has been quite successful and be done with everyday ten and participate in lessons, a community,” Bagnall says. the program will continue to items in the home...” workshops and activities to get The program sessions be adapted to parents and chil- ideas, understand learning con- include two parts, a presenta- dren’s needs.” – Cheryl Bagnall cepts and to build a support sys- tion, lesson or workshop and The program launched on tem. Parents are able to suggest a question and answer period Nov. 23 with program ses- lessons for upcoming sessions where parents will have the sions occurring every Monday Bagnall says it is important — this is truly where were can opportunity to ask questions. to Friday via the Zoom virtual to note that this is a “living build on the needs of families.” Some of the topics are: platform. Participants can sign program” that will be adapt- Bagnall says the educator Ontario’s educations system: submitted photo up for the program through the able to the needs of Indigenous is able to assist with locating who decides what’s happen- Ontario Native Women’s Association director of community services ONWA calendar at www.onwa. women, their families and the resources that parents might ing; understanding curriculum; Cheryl Bagnall has seen a good response to the Education Resource ca. community as a whole. need. talking to the teacher, how do Development for Parents program. “The program goal is to “The program will continue “And she can review cur- children learn; what are the deliver educational supports to March 31, 2021 and will be riculum with parents to work “big ideas” of math; helping finding science in everyday education: how to keep your and tools with a specific focus reassessed for need,” Bagnall through any challenges parents your child with reading; help- activities; small motor skill child active. on Indigenous based program- says. “However, ONWA has and children might be facing,” ing your child with writing; activities; how to include visual Parents can attend either ming, learning concepts and plans to continue the program Bagnall says. “The program helping your child with math; art in learning, and physical part or all of a session. 8 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Education Sandi Boucher hosts video seminar

Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Seine River author and motivational speaker Sandi Boucher recently launched The PATH Away from Lateral Violence seminar to provide participants with a clear PATH to a better future. Boucher launched the seminar on Nov. 30 at: sandiboucher.com/seminars/. “I designed it because I was getting First Nation communities requesting that I do the work so the response has been excellent,” Boucher says. “Most of them that have reached out to me however don’t have the Internet access to access it online, so they’re ordering it on USB so they can just play it in their community.” Boucher says the seminar is about highlighting the true causes of lateral violence and how to change it. “It’s not our fault — these are learned behaviours and they screenshot screenshot can change,” Boucher says. “But Seine River’s Sandi Boucher launched her new The PATH Away from Seine River author and motivational speaker Sandi Boucher is now offering her seminars and other offer- it starts with us, it’s not about Lateral Violence seminar on Nov. 30 on her sandiboucher.com web- ings online at sandiboucher.com due to the COVID-19 pandemic. waiting for someone else to site. change how they behave and then you’re going to respond. world and by messages people Boucher says. why you feel so bad about your- mistakes,’ which is a totally dif- an empowering message every You have to go first. For the say to themselves that are caus- Boucher says the first step self,” Boucher says. “And then ferent way to communicate. Monday to people on her email sake of your family and the next ing them harm. she took towards healing was to the secret is changing what you And just by doing something list, which is available for free generations, it has to start with “So in my work what I do is follow her Elder’s advice to pay say. So now instead of saying: like that, you don’t need to tell on her website. you.” help people repair their feath- attention to how often she said ‘Wow Sandi, that was really stu- anyone you are doing it, it can “I came up with Personal Boucher says the Repairing ers, whether it’s learning how something negative to herself. pid,’ I will say things like: ‘OK be incredibly private and per- Power Principles, these were Feathers section of her web- to handle what’s going on in “And that’s really where the Sandi, you’re rushing, you’re sonal, you can start to literally 12 principles that I lived my life site, sandiboucher.com, focuses the outside world in a healthy journey starts — when you real- starting to make mistakes’ or feel better about the person you by,” Boucher says. “They really on repairing damage caused way or how to change those ize you’re doing this five, 10, 20 ‘OK Sandi, maybe you’re getting are.” pulled me out of that low self- by messages from the outside messages we say to ourself,” times a day, you start to realize tired, you’re starting to make Boucher says she sends out esteem, those dark days of my past to where I am now as a successful entrepreneur. So starting in January, every month I am going to be focusing on one of the 12 principles.” Now Accepting Applications! Boucher says she chose to work in this field after her You can obtain a post secondary education mother passed on. certifi cate, diploma, or degree at our “She was always such a positive, encouraging person,” Thunder Bay campus. Our special delivery Boucher says. “She always model allows you to remain in your home wanted people to smile and community for the majority of your program. feel better about themselves, so when she passed away I really Continuous Intake felt it was my turn to continue • Security Guard Certifi cation (100% online) that legacy.” Boucher says she has January 2021 received “phenomenal feed- back” about her seminars and • College Access Certifi cate books over the years. May 2021 “I’m all about celebrating our resilience,” Boucher says. • College Access Certifi cate “I’ve heard everything from • Personal Support Worker Certifi cate young women realizing that they could have an amazing • Practical Nursing Diploma* future, young men coming into July 2021 my seminar and walking out feeling proud of who they are, • Indigenous Classroom Assistant Diploma women learning how to com- *Admission requirements may apply municate more with their partner. It’s an amazing career and I love it because the community matters to me, these are our families.” To speak to someone about enrolling in one Boucher has travelled across A Start to New Beginnings of our exciting programs please contact: the country for her work as well as to Finland. Phone: 1-807-626-1897 Email: [email protected] www.oshki-wenjack.ca Toll Free: 1-866-636-7454

CHANGE YOUR LIFE THROUGH LEARNING

confederationcollege.ca Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 9 Health DGC’s Fox and Smallboy deliver COVID updates

Rick Garrick 19 vaccines continue to be Wawatay News under development. “Janssen Inc. recently sub- Deputy Grand Chiefs Derek mitted its vaccine to Health Fox and Jason Smallboy high- Canada for approval — unlike lighted the upcoming COVID-19 the previously announced can- vaccines and importance of fol- didates from Pfizer, Moderna lowing COVID-19 protocols dur- and AstraZeneca, this vaccine ing their recent WRN (Wawatay can be administered in one Radio Network) updates. The dose,” Fox says. “Both Moderna updates are posted online at: and Pfizer vaccines have shown nancovid19.ca/?cat=62. about 95 per cent efficiency “The prime minister has and the AstraZeneca vaccine announced the first COVID- has shown about 90 per cent 19 vaccine will be available efficiency. Both the Moderna soon,” Fox says during his Dec. and Pfizer vaccines require 8 update. “It was indicated two doses given about a month that 249,000 doses of the vac- apart. Trials of the AstraZeneca cine will go to 14 urban sites to vaccine show it was most effec- immunize vulnerable popula- tive when a half dose of the vac- tions. The federal government cine was followed by a full dose has indicated that Indigenous a month later.” communities will be prioritized Fox says the Sioux Lookout for deployment of the vaccine.” First Nations Health Authority Fox says Health Canada (SLFNHA) and Northwestern reviews all vaccine submissions Health Unit recommend that to determine if the vaccine is people avoid non-essential safe and will work. travel to Manitoba, especially “NAN (Nishnawbe Aski Winnipeg, due to the high num- Nation) is advocating for First bers of COVID-19 cases. Nation communities to be prior- “SLFNHA also considers itized for COVID-19 immuniza- Thunder Bay and Kenora to be tion and for NAN communities high-risk areas and recommends to have a voice at all decision- that community citizens return- making tables,” Fox says. “This ing from these cities get tested includes ensuring the right when they return, self isolate infrastructure is in place to for the full 14 days and be tested safely transport and store any again seven to 10 days after they submitted photo Deputy Grand Chiefs Derek Fox and Jason Smallboy, pictured with Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Long Lake #58 Chief Judy Desmoulin and Deputy safe and effective COVID-19 return to the community,” Fox Grand Chief Walter Naveau in 2019, delivered WRN updates on COVID-19 vaccines and protocols in early December. vaccine.” says. “SLFNHA considers Sioux Fox says Regional Chief Lookout, Dryden and Red Lake RoseAnne Archibald has been to be medium-risk.” ever to do everything we can to are getting information from a 19 website (nancovid19.ca) to Smallboy says. “You do not appointed as one of nine mem- Smallboy says the NAN keep ourselves and our commu- credible source such as a local provide leadership and citizens have to throw away your cur- bers of the provincial govern- executive council and staff nities safe,” Smallboy says. “I health authority, a tribal coun- with regular updates and infor- rent masks or face coverings ment’s Ministers’ COVID-19 have been working “around the would like to remind our (citi- cil or a medical professional.” mation on how to protect them- but should consider using Vaccine Distribution Task Force. clock” to make sure up-to-date zens) that some of the informa- Smallboy says NAN cre- selves. three-layered masks instead. It “NAN will be working closely information is available to the tion people post on social media ated the NAN COVID-19 task “Canada’s chief public health is better to wear some face cov- with Regional Chief Archibald leadership and communities is inaccurate, and this can be team of medical professionals officer Dr. Theresa Tam recom- ering than none. Masking is an to ensure that their concerns during his Dec. 1 WRN update. very harmful and cause confu- to provide the best advice so mends that people wear three- important action that (citizens) and considerations are appro- “Now that the second wave sion and anxiety. So when you decisions can be made with the layered masks of two layers can take to protect themselves, priately addressed,” Fox says. of the (COVID-19) coronavirus are looking for information on best information available and of tightly woven fabric with a their families and others in the Fox adds that several COVID- is here it is more important than COVID-19 please check if you they created the NAN COVID- filter-type layer in between,” community including Elders.” Matawa Health Cooperative providing COVID support

Rick Garrick site of Anishnawbe Mushkiki at Wawatay News the Chapples Building. We’ve taken over one of the floors In addition to providing there so we could be set up as a COVID-19 testing for Matawa clinical service.” citizens and staff, the Matawa Wesley says the nursing staff Health Cooperative is also part- currently provide COVID-19 nering with the Thunder Bay swab testing Monday to Friday International Airport and Nish- at the Matawa First Nations nawbe Aski Police Service to do Management building on Court COVID-19 testing. St. “We’re partnering with the “We take up to 30 every airport to do COVID-19 test- morning — all the tests we’ve ing — we’re just finalizing the done were negative,” Wesley partnership agreement,” says says. “We work with the com- Frances Wesley, executive direc- munities to provide the COVID- tor at Matawa Health Coopera- 19 testing for the contractors tive, during a phone interview. that have to travel. And for “And we’re also partnering with some of the First Nation (citi- Nishnawbe Aski Police Ser- zens) who go live in the com- vice to provide COVID-19 test- munity or who have to come ing for the officers that travel here for whatever reason, we to the northern communities. will give them a test before they People are hearing more about go back home.” the work of the Matawa Health Wesley says the Matawa Cooperative and want to be a Health Cooperative has been part of our team and do some funded to purchase a trailer partnership work with us.” to do COVID-19 testing at the Wesley says the Matawa Matawa First Nations Manage- Health Cooperative received ment building. a new COVID-19 rapid test “You can’t come into the machine for the nurses to use (building for testing),” Wesley for testing people. The rapid says. “Half of our staff will be test provides people with test moving (to the Chapples Build- Rick Garrick/Wawatay News results in about 10 minutes. ing). Some will still continue to The Matawa Health Cooperative plans to provide rapid COVID-19 testing soon after receiving a COVID-19 rapid test machine. “We are going to train our do COVID-19 testing on Court nursing staff first before we St. once we get our trailer set launch that project,” Wes- up.” First Nation communities will busy since COVID-19 struck us Health Cooperative also set up says. ley says. “The training is very Wesley says the Matawa go fishing and then they will eight months ago,” Wesley says. a brown bag program to deliver The Matawa Health Coop- important. All our nursing staff Health Cooperative has also bring down the fish and just “In fact, I think we’re busier about 50 bags of food to home- erative has also provided PPE will be participating in virtual been providing Elders with give it out to the people.” than ever. Over the summer less people every second week supplies to the Matawa commu- training on how to utilize that personal protective equipment The Matawa Health Coop- months they’ve travelled exten- in Thunder Bay. nities and support for Matawa machine. I don’t think we will (PPE) and traditional foods. erative also set up a toll-free sively to the First Nation com- “Every other week we will citizens in Thunder Bay with be providing that service until “Over the summer months line for clients to call for clinical munities, all except for Webe- prepare brown bags and sand- food security and PPE supplies. after Christmas because we are we gave out fish and wild tradi- and/or mental health services. quie and Neskantaga.” wiches and we will take them to going to be moving to the old tional foods,” Wesley says. “Our “Our staff has been really Wesley says the Matawa the homeless people,” Wesley 10 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Community

A group of Lac Seul citizens at a campsite prior to 1929. A group of Lac Seul citizens pose with a flag and a drum prior to the 1929 flooding of Lac Seul for the Ear Falls hydro dam. Lac Seul case goes before the Supreme Court

Rick Garrick everything, 80 homes went Wawatay News under, sacred grounds, rice fields were gone. It was com- Lac Seul had the appeal of its plete devastation and damage claim against the Government to the First Nation.” of Canada for the illegal flood- Bull says he has seen the ing of more than 11,000 acres remains of graves that have of reserve land heard by the been washed onto the shoreline Supreme Court of Canada on due to ongoing erosion from Dec. 8. the Lac Seul Reservoir. “We’re hopeful that closure “I’ve seen skulls, I’ve seen will finally come to our com- bones on the shore,” Bull says. munity as a result of this appeal “So that is still ongoing, the ero- and we’re granted a new trial sion.” or a negotiation table,” says Lac The flooding also divided Seul Chief Clifford Bull. “We the communities of Kejick Bay were encouraged by the pro- and Whitefish Bay by separat- ceedings — this is a case that ing them with water. Although is extremely important to Lac the community’s lands were Seul. We feel our trial lawyers used to generate power, they did very well in presenting our did not receive electricity on points of view and we are hope- the reserve until 1982, about 50 ful that in six-to-seven months years after construction of the when the justices come back dam. we’ll get a favourable response “Our First Nation has suf- from them.” fered from this illegal flooding Two Lac Seul citizens harvest manomin (wild rice) prior to 1929. Lac Seul’s land was flooded for almost 100 years,” Bull says. after the federal government “We hope that the Supreme approved construction of the Court’s decision will bring our than $500 million in equitable to court and we managed to have not been resolved so we when considering rights and Ear Falls Dam in 1928 at the lengthy pursuit of justice and compensation. win our court case. We call it are hopeful the Supreme Court obligations in the context of outlet of Lac Seul. The dam reconciliation to its final chap- “We went through the spe- a partial victory because were will grant us perhaps a new trial Crown-Indigenous relation- raised water levels on Lac Seul ter. Our people need closure cific claim process for I believe able to get $30 million, but we or a negotiation table,” Bull ships. by 10 feet and flooded the and to continue building for our 13 years, around 1995 to 2007,” felt that the first trial judge says. “At which time we would “The role of treaties in cases Treaty #3 community’s homes, future.” Bull says. “And then a new (fed- got it wrong and we needed to finally see closure to this long such as this has often been crops and manomin (wild rice) The federal government paid eral) government was elected revisit the way the compensa- saga.” overlooked by the courts and as well as nearly eradicating fur- Lac Seul $50,263 in compen- and they arbitrarily came to tion of loss of use, of loss of land Grand Council Treaty #3 an injustice felt by one commu- bearing animals on the shores sation for the flooded lands in the community and said we are was arrived at.” held intervener status at the nity in Treaty #3 is felt by all of of the reserve. 1943. Lac Seul later filed an going to give you an offer of $7 Bull says there were 19 inter- hearing to highlight the role of us,” says Treaty #3 Ogichidaa “There was a lot of damage,” action against the federal gov- million. That was rejected by veners that participated in the treaties in assessing equitable Francis Kavanaugh. “I want the Bull says. “We lost pretty much ernment in 1991 seeking more the (community) and we went Supreme Court hearing. compensation and the impor- people of Lac Seul to know the “There are a lot of flooding tance of applying established Nation stands with them.” issues right across Canada that treaty interpretation principles Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa also stood in solidar- ity with Lac Seul. Waddle you learn online “Indigenous people and our ancestors sacrificed a great deal in the treaty process and still, this winter? we have to beg the provincial and federal governments to uphold their treaty responsibili- ties,” Mamakwa says in a Dec. 7 press release. “The people of Lac Seul have been waiting more than 90 years for a resolution. Without honesty, fairness and respect from Ontario and Canada, what we have is not a relationship. It is abuse.” Mamakwa says that is why he does not stand for the royal anthem or the Canadian Call 1-877-999-9149 or e-mail anthem at Queen’s Park. “I stand for respect and fair [email protected] treatment,” Mamakwa says. “I stand for our ancestors: to Get your degree, diploma or certificate or upgrade your skills online demand respect for the treaties WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR COMMUNITY. they signed. I stand for the fair treatment of Indigenous people so that our children can access STUDYONLINE.CA education, clean water and safe housing.” Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 11 Community

submitted photos A wide range of Christmas gifts were gathered this year for children in Thunder Bay and district through Dilico Anishinabek Family Care’s 12th Annual Christmas Wish campaign. Dilico’s 12th Christmas Wish campaign a success

Rick Garrick 19 pandemic — individuals, it’s important to keep doing this made this successful every year out everybody being engaged Wish bags were distributed by Wawatay News families, businesses and orga- because there is a lot of need in we’ve done it is the participa- and all the partners and com- the Dilico elves to children in nizations were able to sponsor a the city,” Dixon says. “It’s hard tion and the kind of volunteer munity coming together and Thunder Bay and throughout Dilico Anishinabek Family bag, which the Dilico elves then with the poverty levels the way work from staff, community actually contributing and work- the district. Care’s 12th Annual Christmas filled. they are in our community. It’s partners and (others) that are ing as a group to get this done Last year’s Christmas Wish Wish campaign was a success “With the challenge of the nice to just give those children all coming together to make this in a short a period of time every campaign filled about 1,050 with 700 wish bags filled with pandemic, this year’s campaign something nice to wake up to happen,” Dixon says. “It’s not year.” bags of gifts for the children. a variety of essential items, had an entirely different for- every year.” something that happens with- Dixon says the Christmas toys, books, warm clothing and mat but despite the changes the Each Christmas Wish bag learning tools. community came through for was individualized for a child, “We have a very giving com- our families and children,” says with a special tag provided to munity this year and we’ve Darcia Borg, executive direc- each participant that highlights been filling quite a lot of (wish) tor at Dilico. “We know this is details such as the child’s age, Hot Cups of all kinds! bags,” says John Dixon, direc- a very giving community and interests and Christmas wishes. tor of Child Welfare Services at it was amazing to see everyone “This might be the one Dilico. “And the bags are kind embrace the Christmas spirit gift they receive at Christmas of unique too because they to make the holiday season and they are very thankful for actually individualized for each brighter for our children. This them,” Dixon says. “The fam- child.” year we saw one individual ily is very thankful for it too The children’s wishes are knitting hundreds of hats to because it is hard when you’re usually identified by Dilico staff contribute, a group of busi- making a decision between during meetings with the chil- nesses challenging each other buying food and buying a gift. dren and families. to make an $11,000 donation, Sometimes you have to pri- Made from biodegradable “We take those and we put along with so many staff mem- oritize food and that’s hard for renewable resources them into age ranges and inter- bers volunteering their time to people when they want their Compostable and Biodegradable est ranges and put them all into shop in local stores to fill the kids to have an equitable Christ- groups and then send them out bags — it’s beyond heartwarm- mas experience to everybody to people that are able to do ing.” else.” some of the shopping,” Dixon More than 6,700 Christmas The Redwood Park Church, says. Wish bags have been gifted to which has participated in the Dilico provided a third option babies, children and youth Christmas Wish campaign for this year for people to par- since the campaign began in the past five years, filled 175 ticipate in the Christmas Wish 2008. Christmas Wish bags this year. campaign due to the COVID- “This is our 12th annual and “One of the things that has

ONE LID FITS ALL STYLES OF OUR CUPS

SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR OUR COMPLETE LINE OF PRODUCTS! Toll Free 1-800-465-3930 Bazaar & Novelty 612 Squier St Thunder Bay, On Dan Peever www.bazaarandnovelty.ca 12 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Community Cat Lake wins Tbaytel’s Good Community award

Rick Garrick apply for this grant and see if Wawatay News we could win it, and it turned out we could so the plan is to The Cat Lake Hockey Rink replace the hockey rink boards project in Cat Lake recently with 2x6s instead of going the received one of two $5,000 plywood route just to give it a Tbaytel for Good Commu- little more strength. And we’ll nity Fund prizes on Nov. 30 put plywood at the bottom so for repairs to the outdoor rink when we flood the water won’t boards. run out.” “It’s a great rink and every- Klockenga says the commu- body loves the location,” says nity does not have an arena so Matt Klockenga, a missionary it is important to keep the out- in Cat Lake. “But as far as the door rink open. boards go that they used to build the rink, they’re on their screenshots last legs. So we thought we see RINK on page 16 Cat Lake will be replacing the boards on its outdoor ice rink next summer thanks to a $5,000 Tbaytel for Good Community Fund prize that was would reach out to Tbaytel and announced on Nov. 30.

REVIEW Review of Proposed Draft Jack Pine Budworm 2021 Insect Pest Management Program – Red Lake, Kenora, Dryden and Sioux Lookout Districts – Stage 1: Information Forum Red Lake, Trout Lake, Whitefeather, Kenora, Whiskey Jack, Dryden, Wabigoon, English River, Lac Seul and Caribou Forests. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) invites you to review, and comment on, the proposed insect pest management program and draft project proposals for specific aerial insecticide project(s) to control the jackpine budworm infestation on the Red Lake, Trout Lake, Whitefeather, Kenora, Whiskey Jack, Dryden, Wabigoon, English River, Lac Seul and Caribou Forests in the Red Lake, Dryden, Kenora and Sioux Lookout Districts. Based upon the analysis of the available insect pest management options, the MNRF is proposing a course of action that includes aerial application of insecticide on selected forest stands. The Information Forum related to the review of the proposed insect pest management program will be held via individual or group remote meetings which may be arranged by calling the individual listed below during the review period from February 1, 2021 to February 15, 2021. Remote meetings with representatives of the interdisciplinary team that developed the insect pest management program can also be requested at any time during the review period. Reasonable opportunities to remotely meet the program development team members during non-business hours will be provided upon request. If you require more information or wish to discuss your interests with a program development member, please contact the individual listed below. How to Get Involved To facilitate your review, the following information can be obtained electronically on the Ontario government website: https://www.efmp.lrc.gov.on.ca/eFMP/ viewExtension.do?language=en. • insect infestation information and population forecasts; • a portrayal of areas eligible for insect pest management; • the current version of values information for the affected management unit(s) in the MNRF district(s); • the evaluation of management options; During the planning process there is an opportunity to make a written request • the selected course of action, with reasons; to seek resolution of issues with the MNRF Regional Director using a process • draft project proposals for specific aerial insecticide projects, and associated described in the 2020 Forest Management Planning Manual (Part D, Section 7.5.4). information products (e.g., maps); and The last day to request issue resolution is March 2, 2021. • the results of the district insect pest management program for the same The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is collecting your personal insect species in the previous year (if any) information and comments under the authority provided by the Forest Comments on the proposed insect pest management program and associated Management Planning Manual, 2020 approved by regulation under Section 68 of project proposals must be received by the MNRF contact individual listed below the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994. Any personal information you provide by February 15, 2021. (home and/or email address, name, telephone number, etc.) may be used and shared between MNRF and/or the sustainable forest licensee to contact you The final date to request issue resolution with the Regional Director is March 2, 2021. regarding comments submitted. Your comments will become part of the public For more information on the Insect Pest Management Program, please contact: consultation process and may be shared with the general public. Your personal information may also be used by the MNRF to send you further information Red Lake District: Sioux Lookout District: MNRF Red Lake District Office MNRF Sioux Lookout District Office related to this forest management planning exercise. If you have questions about 227 Howey Street 49 Prince Street the use of your personal information, please contact: P.O. Box 5003 P.O. Box 309 Red Lake District: Sioux Lookout District: Red Lake, ON P0V 2M0 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1A6 Kathy Crampton Julie Berard tel: 807-727-2575 / fax: 807-727-2861 tel: 807-737-5053 / fax: 807-934-2304 MNRF Red Lake District Office MNRF Sioux Lookout District Office Dryden District: Kenora District: 227 Howey Street 49 Prince Street MNRF Dryden District Office MNRF Kenora District Office P.O. Box 5003 P.O. Box 309 479 Government Street, Floor 1 808 Robertson Street Red Lake, ON P0V 2M0 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1A6 P.O. Box 730 P.O. Box 508 tel: 807-727-1332 tel: 807-737-5027 Dryden, ON P8N 2Z4 Kenora, ON P9N 3X9 Dryden District: Kenora District: tel: 807-223-7526 / fax: 807-223-2824 tel: 807-468-2501 / fax: 807-468-2736 Trevor Davis Shannon Diehl MNRF REGIONAL CONTACT: MNRF Dryden District Office MNRF Kenora District Office 479 Government Street, Floor 1 808 Robertson Street Michelle Nowak P.O. Box 730 P.O. Box 508 Regional Outreach Specialist Dryden, ON P8N 2Z4 Kenora, ON P9N 3X9 MNRF Northwest Region tel: 807-223-7522 tel: 807-468-2501 / fax: 807-468-2538 435 James Street South, Suite 221, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S7 tel: 807-475-1116 Renseignements en français : 807 475-1251. Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 13

T O L L - F R E E P H O N E : ( 8 8 8 ) 2 6 9 - 0 2 3 7 E M A I L : A D M I N @ D R S U L L I V A N . C A W E B : W W W . D R S U L L I V A N . C A

VIRTUAL LEARNING & MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS FOR CHILDREN & TEENS

COVID-19 has created many challenges since the During the past 15 years, we have been proud to middle of March, including challenges related to provide assessment services in over 30 different learning and mental health difficulties. Indigenous communities in Ontario. An assessment can help to identify difficulties with: And with the introduction of Jordan’s Principle, we've Learning had the opportunity to visit many different Indigenous Attention communities during the past few years. Behaviour Development However, with travel restrictions in place in many Mental Health communities, we are happy to continue providing assessment services virtually through Zoom. Assessments are important as they can help identify issues and establish recommendations or If you are interested in booking an assessment, please accommodations to help manage whatever contact our Assessment Coordinator, Sairine Manebo, challenges a child or teen might be facing. at (888) 269-0237 or at [email protected] 14 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

100 Back Street, Unit 200 Thunder Bay, ON P7J 1L2 Tel: (807) 623-8228 Fax: (807) 623-7730

Message from the Grand Chief

Booshoo! Wacheya! On behalf of the Executive Council, I am pleased to present the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Summarized Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending March 31, 2020. NAN’s Financial Statements and the Auditor’s Report for the 2019-2020 fiscal year were accepted and approved by Chiefs-in-Assembly on October 20, 2020, at the NAN Chiefs Virtual Fall Assembly. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges but we have continued to advance the priorities mandated to us by NAN Leadership in these different times. We remain fully committed to the advancement of the interests of all communities and citizens, and will continue to adapt to the new realities we are faced with.

Miigwetch, Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler

For the complete consolidated financial statements visit www.nan.ca Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 15

100 Back Street, Unit 200 Thunder Bay, ON P7J 1L2 Tel: (807) 623-8228 Fax: (807) 623-7730

Message from the Grand Chief

Miigwetch, Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler

For the complete consolidated financial statements visit www.nan.ca 16 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Community

screenshot The Cat Lake outdoor ice rink, which features LED lighting, will have its boards replaced next summer thanks to a $5,000 Tbaytel for Good Community Fund prize. New rink will provide enjoyment and entertainment for Cat Lake from page 12 the lumber suppliers in the area they’re on their last legs,” Klock- ect at Keewatin Public School and then to transport the lum- enga says. “Some of the boards in Keewatin also received a “It provides a lot of entertain- ber over the winter road. are already breaking this year, $5,000 Tbaytel for Good Com- ment and activity,” Klockenga “We’ve got to try to make there’s a couple of holes in munity Fund prize for the pur- says, noting the rink is located that $5,000 go as far as pos- them. We’ll patch them up as chase of 50 sets of snowshoes. in a central location. “It’s got sible,” Klockenga says. “With much as we can to make it work “We cannot express our nice LED lights on it so it’s lit lumber prices going up this year for this year but definitely next thanks enough to Tbaytel and up over night with a timer so with the virus, we’ll probably summer is when we’ll start to everyone who voted for us people can flip on the lights and try to delay our purchase as replacing the boards.” — because of your efforts, and screenshot play even when we have early long as we can to give the lum- Klockenga says the commu- because of Tbaytel’s generos- A group of hockey players enjoy a game at the Cat Lake outdoor ice sunsets here in December.” ber industry a little bit of time nity rallied together to support ity in supporting community rink. Klockenga says this year has to recover.” the project. projects like ours, every stu- been challenging to get the rink Klockenga says they have “We got over 22,000 votes,” dent at Keewatin Public School the kids are going to have a also received $2,000 Tbaytel for prepared due to the COVID-19 estimated that the $5,000 will Klockenga says. “We are really is going to be snowshoeing this great time adventuring on their Good Community Fund prizes. pandemic and mild weather enable them to purchase just thankful on just how (Tbaytel) winter,” says Shayla Smith, co- brand new snowshoes.” The Tbaytel for Good Com- conditions. enough 2x6s to go around the had their eyes on giving back chair of the Keewatin Public The A Mile in My Mocs proj- munity Fund has provided “Temperatures have been perimeter of the rink. to the communities. It’s a great Schools Parent Council. “Our ect at Pope John Paul II School $232,342 in funding for 86 really mild,” Klockenga says. “We’re looking ahead recog- community fun thing to be able staff, students and parents are in Thunder Bay and the Musi- unique community-based proj- “But we’re getting close.” nizing that the current boards, to do.” so excited that we’re able to add cal Instruments for Safe Bed ects in 18 communities across Klockenga says they plan to while they are going to make it The Snowshoes for Keewatin this activity to our Forest School project at the Canadian Mental northern Ontario since it was purchase the 2x6s from one of through this year and be good, Public School Students proj- programming, and we know Health Association in Kenora established in 2013.

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Open for virtual, phone, and in-person services. Financial Concerns

544 Winnipeg Ave. Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3S7 • T: (807) 684-1880 • tbaycounselling.com Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 17 Community First Nations Housing hosts series of webinars

Rick Garrick “Wood stoves are the main Campaign in 2016 to increase “We hope to see this fund- the appliance or system then third visit and inspections dur- Wawatay News source of home heating in the fire safety, including the goals ing opportunity continue in the we will never see another house ing the fourth visit to the com- majority of NAN First Nations,” of providing every home with future so we can continue to fire in a community caused munity. The First Nations Community McKay says. “Upgrading to a smoke detector, developing improve energy efficiency and by chimney fire or an appli- The Self-Isolation in an Over- Housing Webinar Series fea- high-efficiency, low emission partnerships for the campaign fire safety and protection for the ance,” Nagtegaal says. “With crowded House webinar was tured presentations on Improv- models is an important action and increasing fire safety edu- First Nations we service.” the advanced combustion stove delivered by Dr. Lloyd Douglas, ing Woodstove Safety in First that remote communities can cation and awareness, includ- Nagtegaal says the WETT and proper fuel use with proper physician consultant at Inde- Nations and Self-Isolation in undertake to reduce the impact ing supports for certification in students conducted a complete moisture content in the fuel you pendent First Nations Alliance. an Overcrowded House in early of climate change and also cre- wood burning systems and fire wood stove installation along should see no smoke coming “The Public Health Agency December. ate a healthier indoor environ- prevention services. with their instructor during out of the chimney. If you see of Canada recommends that The Improving Woodstove ment and support local econ- “The four pillars of our cam- the hands-on training, where smoke coming out of the chim- people isolate at home if they Safety in First Nations webinar omy. Not only do the high-effi- paign is education, training, they learned what the different ney, the burning practice is not may have COVID-19, however was delivered by Mike McKay, ciency stoves provide relief for partnership and capacity build- components of the system are, good by the user and the chim- this public health advice is infrastructure and housing environment, with less reliance ing,” McKay says. what their purpose is and how ney is expelling pollution and difficult to adhere to in over- director at Nishnawbe Aski on diesel generator systems, it The high-efficiency wood to install the system. creosote and soot will be form- crowded homes on First Nation Nation (NAN), and Henry Nag- increases fire safety efforts in stoves were installed in six “When the appliance, chim- ing in the venting system.” reserves,” Douglas says. tegaal, a WETT (Wood Energy the community by reducing the NAN communities through ney, flue pipe and ember pad Nagtegaal says maintenance The First Nations Community Technology Transfer) instructor chance of accidents.” $2,532,000 in federal govern- are installed correctly, and is very important, noting that Housing webinars are posted at Winnipeg Chimney Services, McKay says NAN also intro- ment funding to replace existing those living in a home do not the WETT students are taught online at: firstnationshousing- on Dec. 9. duced the Amber’s Fire Safety wood stove heating appliances. put combustibles around or on about maintenance during the community.com/webinar.html.

REVIEW Review of Proposed Operations Kenora Forest 2022-2032 Forest Management Plan The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), Miisun Integrated Resource Company and the Kenora Local Citizens’ Committee (LCC) invite you to participate in the review of proposed operations. This review is being held as part of the detailed planning of operations for the ten-year period of the 2022-2032 Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the Kenora Forest. The Planning Process The FMP takes approximately three years to complete. During this time, five formal opportunities for public consultation and First Nation and Métis community involvement and consultation are provided. The second opportunity (Stage Two) for this FMP occurred on July 6, 2020 when the public was invited to review and comment on the proposed Long-Term Management Direction (LTMD). This ‘Stage Three’ notice is: • To invite you to review and comment on - the planned areas for harvest, renewal and tending operations for the 10-year period of the plan; - the proposed corridors for new primary and branch roads for the 10-year period of the plan; - the proposed operational road boundaries for the 10-year period of the plan; and • To request contributions to the background information to be used in planning. How to Get Involved To facilitate your review, the following information can be obtained electronically on the Ontario government website www.ontario.ca/forestplans or alternatively, on the Natural Resources Information Portal – https://nrip.mnr.gov.on.ca/s/fmp-online • a summary of the MNRF regional director preliminary endorsed LTMD; and • a portrayal of: - the planned areas for harvest, renewal and tending operations for the 10-year period of the plan; and - the proposed corridors for new primary and branch roads which are required for the 10-year period of the plan. In addition to the most current versions of the information which was available at Stage Two of public consultation, the following information will be available electronically on the Ontario government website: Information available as described in the 2020 Forest Management Planning Manual (FMPM) (Part A, Section 2.3.3.3) https://files.ontario.ca/mnrf-forest-management-planning-manual- en-2020-07-08.pdf The detailed proposed operations can be made available electronically for review and Stay Involved comment by contacting the Miisun Integrated Resource Management Company’s office and/or MNRF Kenora District Office contact listed below, during normal office hours for a Further information on how to get involved in forest management planning period of 30 days, January 27, 2020 to February 26, 2020. Comments on the proposed and to better understand the stages of public consultation please visit: operations for the Kenora Forest must be received by Kyle Myschowoda of the planning https://www.ontario.ca/document/participate-forest-management- team at the MNRF Kenora District Office, by February 26, 2020. ontario/how-get-involved-forest-management The Information Forum related to the review of Proposed Operations will be held via The tentative scheduled date for submission of the draft FMP is August 18, individual or group remote meetings which may be arranged by calling the individuals 2021. There will be two more formal opportunities for you to be involved. listed below during the review period. Remote meetings with representatives of the These stages are listed and tentatively scheduled as follows: planning team and the LCC can be also requested at any time during the planning process. Reasonable opportunities to remotely meet planning team members during non-business Stage Four - Review of Draft FMP August 18, 2021 hours will be provided upon request. If you require more information or wish to discuss your Stage Five - Inspection of the MNRF-Approved FMP December 8, 2021 interests with a planning team member, please contact one of the individuals listed below: If you would like to be added to a mailing list to be notified of public involvement opportunities, please contact Shannon Diehl Kyle Myschowoda, R.P.F. Kurt Pochailo, R.P.F. at [email protected]. MNRF Kenora District Office Miisun Integrated Resource 808 Robertson Street Management Company The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is collecting your Kenora, ON P9N 3X9 510 Ninth Street North, Kenora, ON P9N 2S8 personal information and comments under the authority provided by the tel: 807-468-2559 tel: 807-467-3351 Forest Management Planning Manual, 2020 approved by regulation under e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Section 68 of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994. Any personal information you provide (home and/or email address, name, telephone Dean Caron number, etc.) may be used and shared between MNRF and/or the sustainable c/o MNRF Kenora District Office forest licensee to contact you regarding comments submitted. Your comments 808 Robertson Street, Kenora, ON P9N 3X9 will become part of the public consultation process and may be shared with e-mail: [email protected] the general public. Your personal information may also be used by the MNRF During the planning process there is an opportunity to make a written request to seek to send you further information related to this forest management planning resolution of issues with the MNRF District Manager or the Regional Director using a exercise. If you have questions about the use of your personal information, process described in the 2020 FMPM (Part A, Section 2.4.1). please contact Shannon Diehl at [email protected]. 18 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Community

photo submitted by Canadian Rangers photo submitted by PO2 Kevin McCue photo submitted by PO2 Kevin McCue Taking a quick snack between Ranger duties are, from left, Petty Offi- Ranger Clayton Peters prepares to cut wood for the few residents left Corporal Eli Owen and Ranger Nadine Strong loading wood. cer Second Class Kevin McCue, an instructor, Corporal Sandi Moose, in Neskantaga and for contractor employees in the First Nation. Ranger Clayton Peters, and Corporal Eli Owens. Canadian Rangers overcome the challenges of COVID-19 in 2020 Peter Moon been getting on with our rou- During 2020 Rangers lated First Nations with Rang- Rangers from eight First ting wood for fuel, transporting Special to Wawatay News tines and the Rangers have assisted in the partial evacu- ers in them have been closed to Nations have been assisting on waste to the dump, distribut- answered the call to everything ation of Eabametoong when outsiders since March, making a rotating basis in Neskantaga ing water from the lake, feed- The Covid-19 crisis of 2020 we’ve been requested to do.” it was threatened by an out- it difficult for the army to get First Nation which has been ing dogs left in the community, has been a major challenge for 3CRPG is the largest army of-control forest fire and con- supplies to them and provide evacuated for several weeks clearing snow, and assisting in the Canadian Rangers of North- reserve unit in Ontario. Its ducted river watch patrols training. “We’ve had to cancel because of issues with its drink- food preparation for other sup- ern Ontario but it has not pre- headquarters are at Canadian along the Hudson Bay and quite a bit of training,” Colo- ing water. The issues are being port workers. vented them from serving their Forces Base Borden, near Bar- James Bay coasts during the nel McArthur said, “and that’s worked on while about two “The Rangers have been communities, according to their rie. Almost half of the Rangers spring break-up season. More where our challenge lies. We dozen residents remain in the doing a fine job,” Colonel McAr- commanding officer. in the unit are female. than 170 volunteered to go have not been recruiting and community. The Rangers are thur said. “It was amazing how “We have not ceased in any “The Rangers are an opera- on active service for up to five training in the manner that we working alongside a small num- many Rangers from many com- way from performing our duties tional unit that works 24-7, 365 months to provide a wide range would like to.” ber of workers from respond- munities volunteered to help in and completing our tasks,” days a year, ready to respond of full-time supports for their Training, provided by army ing agencies. The Rangers also Neskantaga. It was impressive said Lieutenant-Colonel Shane to an emergency requiring our First Nations during the early instructors who travel from worked with a small number and showed the willingness of McArthur, the Canadian Army help,” he said. “We will have part of the Covid-19 crisis. CFB Borden to the north, has of soldiers from the southern- the Rangers to serve their com- officer who commands the 3rd staff at our headquarters pre- “So far this year we have con- resumed in some First Nations. based Arctic Response Com- munities.” Canadian Ranger Patrol Group pared to react throughout the ducted 22 ground or marine And some Rangers have been pany Group who provided assis- (3CRPG), which has almost holidays, even on Christmas search and rescue operations,” able to attend courses in swift tance in the community for a (Sergeant Peter Moon is the 600 Rangers in 29 First Nations Day, if we are called upon to Colonel McArthur said. “Basi- water rescue training as well as period of time. public affairs ranger for the 3rd across the Far North of Ontario. assist a First Nation or any of cally, that equates to saving 33 search and rescue training pro- The Rangers continue to Canadian Ranger Patrol Group.) “Although we’ve been under their residents who are in dis- lives.” vided by the Ontario Provincial provide a range of supports for the challenges of Covid we’ve tress or need our aid.” Most of the remote and iso- Police. the community, including cut-

On behalf of Wawatay’s Board of Directors and entire staff we wish everyone a safe holiday season, especially during these trying times. We also humbly thank all who have supported us during our historic past, and are grateful for the continued support into the next generation.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 19 Community Canadian Rangers rescue overdue Peawanuck ice fisherman

Peter Moon Special to Wawatay News

A small Canadian Ranger search party found an overdue ice fisherman who was having trouble returning to his home in Peawanuck, a small Cree community near Hudson Bay. “We don’t think he would have survived the night,” said Sergeant Matthew Gull, com- mander of the Peawanuck Canadian Ranger patrol, who led the rescue. “We think he submitted by Sergeant Peter Moon would have perished for sure.” Lieutenant-Colonel Shane McArthur commands the Canadian Rang- Sergeant Gull and two other ers of Northern Ontario. Rangers – Master Corporal Mike Koostachin and Corporal Maurice Mack – were told the man had called a relative on a satellite phone but his message could not be understand. Canadian Rangers The relative feared the man was in difficulty of some kind. The man had told a friend before he left the community by go on active duty snowmobile that he was going ice fishing and gave a descrip- tion of where he might be going. When he did not return for Attawapiskat as expected his family asked the local Nishnawbe Aski Police for help. The request was passed to the Canadian Army which authorized the use of local COVID crisis Rangers to go to the man’s aid. Rangers are part-time army reservists. Peter Moon officer who commands the 3rd The three-man search party Special to Wawatay News Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, found the fisherman about 30 which commands almost 600 kilometers east of Peawanuck Members of the local Cana- Rangers in 29 First Nation and had difficulty in getting dian Ranger patrol have communities across Northern him to return with them to been placed on active duty in Ontario. Peawanuck. His behavior was Attawapiskat First Nation to “The elders cannot move unusual and unpredictable and provide assistance during the around easily during the lock- caused difficulties for the Rang- community’s Covid-19 crisis. down. The Rangers will ensure ers. “We had to go back three The small Cree community they have water and food and times and get him to join us,” near the James Bay coast is in wood for heat, as well as other Sergeant Gull said. “It took a lot lockdown with no passenger help when it is needed.” of time.” flights allowed without the The Rangers will liaise with When the Rangers got him chief’s permission. On Decem- the chief and council on behalf back to the community the man ber 4 there were five confirmed of the army. “They will work refused to go to the nursing sta- cases of Covid-19 within one with the community to support tion and went home. The Rang- family. Three of the cases are the current situation,” Colonel ers notified the local police he still active and are self isolating. McArthur said. had returned. “In the end he The chief and counsel Rangers are also assisting was pretty appreciative some- requested military assistance in Neskantaga First Nation in body had come out looking for and the Canadian Armed Forces Northern Ontario. The com- him,” Sergeant Gull said. “I’m authorized the use of local munity has been evacuated for glad we got him.” Canadian Rangers, who are several weeks while its tainted The temperature at the time part-time army reservists. water system is being repaired. was about 23C with brisk winds “The Rangers will be assist- making the wind chill around- ing elders in the community (Sergeant Peter Moon is the 30C. during the lockdown,” said public affairs ranger for 3CRPG “It’s the first time we’ve been Lieutenant-Colonel Shane at Canadian Forces Base Bor- photo submitted by Tara Sloss called on to find someone this Sergeant Matthew Gull arrives at his home after completing the rescue. He is holding a satellite phone McArthur, the Canadian Army den) winter,” Sergeant Gull said. and a food hamper. “Ironically, it was also the first really cold day, too. It was cold out there on a snowmachine.” public affairs ranger for the 3rd “The Rangers are always a senior army officer. “That likely, given the conditions, the Canadian Ranger Patrol Group ready to respond to an emer- becomes increasingly important Rangers saved a life.” at Canadian Forces Base Bor- gency in their communities,” as temperatures start to drop in den.) said Major Charles Ohlke, Northern Ontario. More than (Sergeant Peter Moon is the Season’sSeason’s GreetingsGreetings

Happy Holidays from everyone at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre.

We hope your holiday season Excellence Every Time and the new year are filled with joy, peace, and good health.

www.slmhc.on.ca

Wawatay News- December 2019 issue 4col x 40 agate line (6.75’ x 2.86”) - black and white SLMHC Christmas greeting $144 + HST 20 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Arts and Entertainment

submitted photos Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation staff member Cheryl Suggashie created a range of face masks and other items during the COVID-19 pandemic, including masks and scrubs for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Cheryl Suggashie recognized for her mask artwork

Rick Garrick Suggashie says she created Wawatay News her own mask design after trying out different types of Pikangikum’s Cheryl Sug- designs. gashie was recognized for her “Some patterns are a bit efforts to make masks and more complicated and required other items for the Thunder Bay a bunch of supplies and materi- Regional Health Sciences Cen- als, but I just had to use what I tre during the COVID-19 pan- had,” Suggashie says. “At that demic. time all the shops were closed “Since the lockdown I had down. They’re still low on sup- more time to sew so I made plies so I just had to use up masks and I made scrubs for what I had.” the hospital,” says Suggashie, Suggashie says she had a public legal education and good response to her masks communications coordinator over the summer. at Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Ser- “I still get requests once in a vices Corporation. “They were while for children when school low on supplies at that time in started,” Suggashie says. “I early COVID-19 so I donated a made a whole bunch of chil- bunch to them and they sent me dren masks in September.” a thank you letter, which was Suggashie says she usually pretty cool.” helps people without masks Suggashie says it felt good to by giving them one when they serve the community during a need to go into a store or public time of need. building. “On the one hand it’s good “It’s just so sad to see, espe- to serve your community but cially with the youth,” Sug- on the other hand it should be gashie says. “I see them going free for everyone,” Suggashie into stores using their sweat- “One of the teachings I got Ontario, noting that her family past summer for people who “Those were a really big hit,” says. “Sometimes I do sell ers as masks or whatever they for jingle dresses is when you members are big sewers who wanted to protect their new- Suggashie says. them if there is a big demand. have.” have scrap material, don’t make their own dresses, coats, born babies from mosquitos. Suggashie says her long-term After I started posting them, I Suggashie usually uses her throw it away — you’ve got curtains and other items. “Those were big in demand goal is to open her own space to had a lot of requests for masks sewing skills and materials to to use it some how so I used a “I just wondered: ‘Can I make this year because the mosquitos share her skills in Thunder Bay. with Navajo prints and Indig- create jingle dresses and other lot of that for masks because one of those,’” Suggashie says. were bad up north,” Suggashie “I do this (sewing) in my enous prints. Sometimes I regalia pieces. She facilitated they’re smaller,” Suggashie “So I started from there and says. spare time, the weekends,” gave (masks) to them if it was the first two annual Welcoming says. “So I used up all my small then just intertwined my rega- Suggashie also noticed that Suggashie says. “I love doing a nurse. Or security guards at of Dennis Franklin Cromarty pieces, which is great.” lia with skirts and bonnets, the kokum scarves were a big it, it’s not a chore for me, I love Mishkeegomang, they needed First Nations High School Jingle Suggashie began making because bonnets were still a big item this year, so she made designing, I love sewing, I love masks so I just shipped them for Dress Dancers events in Thun- regalia after seeing different hit in my family.” masks, baby bonnets and creating and just working with free.” der Bay. regalia designs in southern Suggashie made bonnets this kokum skirts from the scarves. the materials.” Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 21 Arts and Entertainment

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News Ontario Native Women’s Association held a virtual 5th Annual Poetry Night with guest poets Duke Redbird, Al Hunter and Trivena Andy. ONWA holds 5th Aroland annual poetry Webequie Bearskin Lake Cat Lake Lac Seul night via Zoom Deer Lake Saugeen Eabametoong Koocheching Nibinamik Rick Garrick Day of Elimination of Violence Wawatay News Against Women, and then the Fort Severn KeeWayWin 16 Days of Activism ends on The Ontario Native Women’s Dec. 10, which is the Interna- Kasabonika Lake Pikangikum Association (ONWA) held its tional Human Rights Day.” Kingﬁsher Lake Marten Falls 5th Annual Poetry Night with Collin Graham, commu- guest poets Duke Redbird, Al nity development manager at Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Hunter and Trivena Andy shar- ONWA, says the virtual Poetry ing their poetry over the Zoom Night was incredible. McDowell Lake Mishkeegogamang platform. “It was intimate, it was warm Muskrat Dam Neskantaga “Al and Duke (are) some- — I felt connected and I think what well-known poets and I the entire room felt connected, North Caribou Lake North Spirit Lake would say iconic poets in terms which was incredible,” Graham of Indigenous poets, so their says. “We were able to create an Poplar Hill Sachigo Lake Sandy Lake poetry was really Indigenous atmosphere even though it was Wapekeka Slate Falls Wawakapewin storytelling — it was really a on a virtual platform that truly connection to our Indigenous set the tone for everyone to be Wunnumin Lake Ear Falls Atikokan Dryden way of being,” says Michelle able to feel confident about Solomon, community develop- being vulnerable together. We Fort Frances Ignace Kenora Rainy River Red Lake ment manager at ONWA. “And created a safe space in a virtual Trivena, her poetry was really setting and we had some beau- Sioux Lookout Pickle Lake Savant Lake Allanwater around the colonial violence tiful and amazing moments experiences that she’s had or together.” that other people have had Graham enjoyed listening to locally here in Thunder Bay.” the poetry of the three guest Solomon notes that Redbird poets. ᓂᓇᐃᐧᐣᐟ ᐅᒪ ᑎᑭᓇᑲᐣ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᔕᐠ ᒥᓇ ᑎᐯᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ began doing First Nations litera- “I love Al Hunter’s poetry — ᐱᒧᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᑕᐱᑕᒪᑫᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐊᓂᑭᓇᑲᓇᐠ ᑭᑐᐣᒋ ture in the 1960s. Redbird won it’s phenomenal,” Graham says. the Silver Hugo Award at the “And Duke Redbird’s poetry ᐊᐧᒋᔦᒥᑯᓇᓂᐊᐧ ᒋᐃᐧ ᒥᓂ ᒪᑯᔐᑭᔑᑲᓂᔑᔦᐠ ᒥᓇ Chicago Film Festival in 1969 was so incredible. It was more and represented Canada at the than just poetry — he was able ᒋᒥᓄᓇᑭᐡᑲᒣᐠ ᐅᐡᑭ ᐊᐦᑭ Valmiki World Poetry Festival in to combine the power of his India in 1985. He completed his poetry or his writing of story- Master of Arts in Interdisciplin- telling along with music in what ary Studies at York University in was like video poetry.” 1978 and received an honorary Graham says Andy did sev- Doctorate at OCAD University eral readings during the Poetry Wishing you a a in 2013. Night. “We certainly acknowledged “There’s something magical him as a trailblazer in this work when we are allowing and giv- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year of poetry, painting and theatre,” ing space for young people to Solomon says. express their healing,” Graham Solomon says the virtual says. “So Trivena was able to do from the Tikinagan Child and Family Services Board and Staff Poetry Night was attended by that.” people from across the country, Graham says ONWA would including from B.C. and Que- like to recreate the virtual event bec. again to encourage the commu- “Even being virtual, it was nity to stay connected during really wonderful to connect the COVID-19 pandemic. with so many people and be “We are moving forward able to have that space for peo- through this pandemic together ple to share their spoken words, and we would like to be able their poetry, their songs,” Solo- to create spaces where we can mon says. “It was really beauti- all learn and heal and love all ful.” together,” Graham says. ONWA holds the annual Graham says the four pre- Poetry Night to raise awareness vious volumes of the Strong of violence against women in Hands Stop Violence poetry support of the United Nations books from 2016-2019 were International Day of Elimina- posted for people to read on the MAMOW OBIKI-AHWAHSOOWIN tion of Violence Against Women ONWA website at: www.onwa. Everybody working together to raise our children campaign. ca/strong-hands-stop-violence. “Poetry Night at ONWA ONWA’s Strong Hands Stop kicks off the 16 Days of Activ- Violence project also featured ism for the Elimination of Vio- a Strong Hands Stop Violence tikinagan.org lence Against Women,” Solo- collective art project kit that mon says. “So it starts on Nov. was mailed to participants who Follow Our Stories on Facebook 25, which is the International registered by Nov. 24. 22 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Arts and Entertainment

submitted photo Ed-Digenous Traditions owner John Ferris recently added moccasin kits to the range of Indigenous Learn- ing Kits he produces in Thunder Bay for schools and other groups. Ed-Digenous Traditions marketing new learning kits Rick Garrick together or for homeschooling who studied art at the Ontario Wawatay News purposes. College of Art and Design and “I’m going to be introducing graphic design/advertising Ed-Digenous Traditions it to retail so people can buy at George Brown College in owner John Ferris is now mar- my kits individually through Toronto. keting his Indigenous Learn- my website (www.ed-dige- ing Kits in individual packs for noustraditions.ca),” says Ferris, families and children to put an artist from Constance Lake con’t on next page Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 23 Arts and Entertainment Wishing you and your family Art helping with home schooling peace and joy throughout the from page 22 holidays, and into the new year. “Also we are going to be approaching some other retail stores as well too.” ᑭᐸᑯᕋᓂᒥᑯᓇᐘ ᐸᔦᑕᑫᐣᑕᒧᐏᐣ Ferris says the kits include tikinagans, birchbark canoes, teepees, miniature drums, rat- ᐁᑲᐧ ᒧᒋᑫᐣᑕᒧᐏᐣ ᒋᐊᔭᔦᕁ tle shakers and pouch bags. He currently has about 20,000 kits in stock. ᑲᐏᐊᓂᒪᑯᕋᑭᕈᑲᕁ ᐁᑲᐧ “We’ve added two different Ed-Digenous Traditions logo. pouch bags,” Ferris says. “We ᑲᐏᐊᓂᐅᐢᑭᔭᐦᑭᐘᕁ have one for the older kids and with a newborn baby. we have one for the junior kids “I haven’t really done too from JK to Grade 3. It takes much for the last couple of about 30-45 minutes to put years but I do get commissions John Ferris. together for the kids.” once in a while,” Ferris says. Ferris says two new kits are “Some people in Timmins com- is interested can contact Ferris also ready for sale: moccasins missioned me.” through his website or by phone and mukluks. Ferris, who began drawing at at: 807-939-1425 or 807-633- “Mitts will be coming out about four-years-old in Pagwa 6232. soon,” Ferris says. River, says he has always had a Ferris says the arts and Ferris says the COVID-19 passion for art. crafts sale began with about pandemic had an initial impact “Our family bible had a lot 32 artisans in the first year and on the sales of his Indigenous of the illustrations of the old expanded to more than 250 educational kits, which are masters depicting scenes of the artisans in 2019. handmade by Indigenous peo- bible and that’s where I began “It’s been a wonderful time ple at his studio on May St. in drawing,” Ferris says. “To this working with them,” Fer- Thunder Bay for use at schools, day I still draw that way. So that ris says. “I’ve really enjoyed art camps and conferences. is kind of my style.” working with the Elders. We “It did have an impact on Ferris notes that this year’s all know each other — it’s like my business in regards to sell- Aboriginal Fine Arts and Crafts a big family. We have a lot of ing to the schools at the begin- Gift Show and Sale was can- people coming from all over, ning, but now the schools and celled due to the pandemic. from the Montreal area down other Indigenous groups are “It would have been our 19th to Toronto, Ottawa, Manitoulin ordering,” Ferris says. “For year this year,” Ferris says. “But Island, some people from the instance, we had orders from what I may be doing is some States and Winnipeg, and we Philadelphia and California and online selling for (the artisans) have popular artisans from the also from Alaska from an Inuit if they wish to have me sell for northern communities. There’s group there. We are also get- them through my website.” a lot of young people coming on Sol Mamakwa ting our orders from the east Ferris says some gift shops, board as well too that are learn- coast in Nova Scotia with the gas stations and other busi- ing beadwork and moccasin MPP Kiiwetinoong Mi’kmaq.” nesses have also reached out work, traditional art forms and Ferris says he also recently to him that they are looking with fashions as well, like ear- 73 King St, Unit 104 • Sioux Lookout completed a commissioned for supplies of Indigenous arts rings and jewellery, wonderful 807-737-2210 / 1-888-444-1723 graphite portrait of a family and crafts to sell. Anybody who pieces of work.” [email protected]

ᐅᒪ ᓂᓇᐃᐧᐟ ᑌᓇᐢ ᐸᕑᐊᑭᓫᐃᐣ Merry Christmas and Best ᑲᕑᐊᒧᕑᑎ ᑭᒋᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐅᑎᐡᑯᓂᐠ Wishes for the New Year from nder Haw Thu ks ᒥᓇ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᓇᐠ ᑭᑐᐣᒋ ᒪᑯᔐᑭᔑᑲᓂ the students and staff at Dennis ᐊᐧᒋᔦᒥᑯᓇᐊᐧ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐃᐧᒥᓄ Franklin Cromarty High School ᐅᑎᓴᐸᐣᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᐃᐧᔭᓂ ᐅᐡᑭᐊᐦᑭᐊᐧᐠ 24 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Arts and Entertainment Claudette Penagin This holiday passing on beading skills season needs Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaa- to be diﬀerent. bek’s Claudette Penagin usually tries to pass on her knowledge about making beaded lanyards by holding sessions for people The safest way to celebrate indoors who want to learn. “What I was taught about is only with the people who live in crafting, they always taught your home. People who live alone us to pass on your craft,” Pena- gin says. “So in my own home can get together only with one I invite people interested and willing to learn and we show other home. them how to bead lanyards. And that is our way of giving back.” Gatherings with friends and Penagin learned how to bead lanyards a couple of years ago extended family can carry an and has since been focused on creating them and teaching increased risk of getting and submitted photo people how to make them. Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek beader Claudette Penagin has been spreading COVID-19. Consider “When we invite people to busy creating lanyards and teaching people how to make them since my home to teach the lanyards, learning the technique a couple of years ago. we give them a list of what to celebrating outdoors or virtually buy,” Penagin says. “You need rope, it’s important to find a lions,” Penagin says, noting she bought up all my stock.” with others that are not part good rope. We always tell them that her partner usually creates Penagin says her mother of your household. which one we buy so when the medallions. “A lot of orga- taught her how to do bead- we’re teaching them they will nizations order their logos and ing when she was about 10-12 have something to begin with.” some First Nations get their years old. Know the gathering limits in your Penagin says she has noticed baseball teams done up. I see a “She was mostly into loom that everyone has their own lot of people with their hockey work,” Penagin says. “She did area before you choose to entertain style of beading and choice of team beaded up.” a lot of crafting — she made colours, such as dark colours or Penagin says her partner jingle dresses, men’s traditional with family and friends indoors. shiny colours. recently made a medallion for shirts and all kind of regalia.” “It’s nice to see when people Senator Murray Sinclair. Penagin says she also learned Indoor gatherings are not permitted create,” Penagin says. “You see “He was scheduled to visit how to do a variety of crafts their style come alive in their Thunder Bay for the Miss- such as moose hide tanning at in regions in Grey-Lockdown. lanyard.” ing and Murdered Indigenous a range of programs held by Penagin says some of the Women and Girls tree lighting Indigenous organizations in people who attend the sessions ceremony but he wasn’t able to Thunder Bay. For all gatherings with anyone already know how to make come because of COVID-19,” “So that was good to see, that lanyards and will share their Penagin says. “They asked (my they’re trying to bring those you do not live with: techniques with the other par- partner) to create a one-of-a- (skills) back,” Penagin says. ticipants. kind piece for him.” “And it’s open to everyone.” “So there’s more than one Penagin stresses that she fol- Penagin says her future goal • maintain 2 metres physical way to do it,” Penagin says. lows the teachings on working is to pass her craft on to upcom- distance “You collect your beads and we in a positive space. ing generations. pin it down when we wrap. My “I was taught to put positive “I was taught this craft and partner, he wraps with his hand energy in your space,” Penagin I share it with my family and • wear a face covering but I have to maneuver it a cer- says. “We always have smudg- relatives and anyone willing tain way to wrap them.” ing surrounding our beading to learn,” Penagin says. “My Penagin says they usually space.” daughter is 12 and we go on • avoid potlucks or shared utensils make a variety of lanyards as Penagin says she usually the powwow trail in the sum- well as wristlets, which are makes lanyards every second mertime and she is learning about half the size of a regular day throughout the year. the trading skills, like when it • ensure everyone washes hands lanyard. “I just sent five pieces to this comes to handling customers, “And then we do popsockets, lady in Toronto,” Penagin says. that’s important, and network- regularly, including before and earrings, keychains and medal- “She saw me on Instagram and ing.” a er meals

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Contact our Sales Representative: Tom Scura, Phone: 807 622-6000 Fax: 807 622-6010 [email protected] 26 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Business Wabun Council and Wataynikaneyap Power win business awards

Rick Garrick focus on understanding the Wawatay News industries and their own land- based rights and how to match The Wabun Tribal Council that with what industry needs and Wataynikaneyap Power and the communities need. were recently recognized with “And that all boils down the Entrepreneurial Commu- into sustainable development, nity and First Nations Business whether it’s mining, whether Award of Excellence awards it’s forestry, whether it’s tour- at the 2020 Northern Ontario ism or any other initiative that Business Awards. goes on on the land,” Batise “First of all it was a great says. “That’s where our com- surprise, and secondly on munities have really excelled behalf of our communities, it’s is supporting industry where well deserved for the five First they’re responsible and sec- Nations who have been work- ondly fighting for our place ing so hard to advance their within those industries.” business interests and the tribal Batise says the mining indus- council playing a small role in try has been operating in the that,” says Jason Batise, execu- Wabun area for more than 100 tive director at Wabun Tribal years. Council. ”I can’t be prouder of “Under the right conditions, the work that our team and the our communities have found a communities have done.” way to convince the mines to Wabun, which serves the operate in a more responsible Nishnawbe Aski Nation com- manner, integrating some of munities of Brunswick House, the Aboriginal knowledge and Chapleau Ojibwe, Flying Post, some of the land-based knowl- Matachewan, Mattagami and edge that our communities Rick Garrick/Wawatay News Beaverhouse, was recognized bring, resulting in better ways Wataynikaneyap Power CEO Margaret Kenequanash, pictured with Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa and Pikangikum Chief Dean Owen during with the Entrepreneurial Com- to operate,” Batise says. “I think the connection of the Pikangikum power line, was pleased that Wataynikaneyap Power was recognized with the First Nations Business Award munity award. we do have a willing industry of Excellence at the 2020 Northern Ontario Business Awards. “As a group of communities that wants to ensure that the who are in the middle of prob- land rights holders are playing a Wataynikaneyap Power proj- Kenequanash says the communities have also put in place ees); Sunwire with Company ably the busiest mineral and pivotal role in their operations, ect that will connect 17 remote munities need additional elec- a vision to own local infrastruc- of the Year (16-50 employees); forestry hubs in northeastern and that creates certainty for First Nations to the provincial trical power for new housing ture in their homelands. Manroc with Company of the Ontario and probably in Can- their operations, certainty for power grid for the first time. and other facilities. “So through partnership Year (51+ employees); Don ada, I think we have managed their shareholders and in return “We are very pleased to “A lot of our communities are and ownership the intent is to Champagne, North Bay Plastic to find a good balance between certainty for our communi- receive this 2020 Northern having challenges to connect all empower the vision of the peo- Molders, with Entrepreneur what the communities are look- ties that we’re going to get the Ontario Business Award,” says of these different capital proj- ple,” Kenequanash says. of the Year; Rachel Pessah, ing for in terms of sustainable economic benefit of that activ- Margaret Kenequanash, CEO ects they have,” Kenequanash The Northern Ontario Busi- Bright Spot Therapy Services, environmental initiatives as ity and not just have to sit and at Wataynikaneyap Power. “It’s says. “By improving infrastruc- ness Awards were held in a with Young Entrepreneur of well as looking to participate in watch it happen anymore.” of course in recognition of the ture and enhancing community virtual format this year due to the Year; Flosonics Medical the economy here in the north- Wataynikaneyap Power work we are doing in bringing development obviously that will the COVID-19 pandemic. The with the Innovation Award; east,” Batise says. was recognized with the First the Wataynikaneyap Power also improve their programs other award recipients were: and Rheault Distillery with the Batise says the Wabun com- Nations Business Award of line to the north to connect the and services.” Sunnynook Farms with Com- Judges’ Choice award. munities have been able to Excellence for the $1.6-billion remote First Nations.” Kenequanash says the company of the Year (1-15 employ-

From the Staff and Board of Directors of the Your Thunder Bay Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre ᓂᓇᓇᐣ ᐅᑭᒪᐧᐊᐠ ᓀᐢᑕ ᑲ ᐊᐸᑎᓯᒋᐠ ᐅᒋᐧᐯ ᓀᐢᑕ ᐅᒪᐡᑫᑯ ᐃᑕᐢᑲᓀᓯᐧᐃᐣ ᐊᐸᑎᓯᐧᐃᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᓂᓇᐧᐃᑦ ᐅᐅᒪ ᐅᑭᒪᐧᐊᒃ ᑲᔦ ᐊᓄᑭᐊᑲᓇᒃ ᐅᒋᐧᐯ Police Service wishes ᑲᔦ ᐅᒪᔥᑭᑯ ᐅᓐᑕᑲᓀᓯᐧᐃᓐ ᐊᓄᑭᐧᐃᑲᒥᑯᒃ ᓂᓇᐧᐃᐟ ᐅᒪ ᐅᑭᒪᐧᐊᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐊᓄᑭᓇᑲᓇᐠ ᐅᒋᐧᐯ all the people of ᒥᓇ ᐅᒪᐡᑫᑯ ᐅᑕᑲᓀᓱᐧᐃᐣ ᐊᓄᑭᐧᐃᑲᒥᑯᐠ Northern Ontario a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous

May you all have joy and peace New Year. this Christmas and in the New Year.

ᑕᒪᓂᓯ ᒥᓯᐧᐁ ᐧᐊᒥᐧᓀᓂᑕᒥᐠ ᓀᐢᑕ ᑲᔭᒣᓂᑕᒣᐠ ᐊᓄᐨ ᑲ ᒪᑯᔐᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᓀᐢᑕ ᑫ ᐊᑎ ᐅᐡᑭ ᐱᐳᐠ ᙮

ᑲᑭᓇ ᑲᐧᐃᐊᔭᓇᐧᐊ ᒧᒋᑫᓐᑕᒧᐧᐃᓐ ᑲᔦ ᐱᓴᓀᓐᑕᒧᐧᐃᓐ ᑲᐧᐃᐊᓂᑭᒋᑭᔑᑲᒃ ᑲᔦ ᐧᐁᑎ ᐊᓂᐅᔥᑭᓭᒃ ᑭᑭᓄᐧᐃᓄᐧᐃᓐ D E R N B ᑲᑭᓇ ᑲᐧᐃᐊᔭᓇᐧᐊ ᒧᒋᑫᑕᒧᐧᐃᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᔭᒣᑕᒧᐧᐃᐣ ᑲᐧᐃᐊᓂ U A H Y ᒪᑯᔐᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐧᐁᑎ ᐊᓂᐅᐡᑭᐊᐦᑭᐧᐊᐠ T

Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre 150 Brousseau Avenue, Unit B Timmins, Ontario P4N 5Y4 P O L I C E S E R V I C E (705) 267-7911 www.occc.ca Find us on Facebook Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ 27 Business Hajdu gives Fall economic statement

Rick Garrick advisories in First Nations by and their children.” tion facility in Wiikwemkoong Wawatay News March 2021. Hajdu says the Fall Economic on Manitoulin Island through “In 2015, this govern- Statement also includes an a partnership between Dent-X Federal Health Minister Patty ment began working with increase of Canada Child Ben- Canada and FNProcurement Hajdu highlighted some of the First Nations communities to efits of up to $1,200 per child Inc. federal government invest- improve access to safe drinking under six-years-old. “Originally when we put out ments for Indigenous communi- water,” Miller says. “We will not “Especially for the number a call to Canadian companies to ties in the Fall Economic State- stop until all long-term drink- of young Indigenous families in help out with domestic PPE pro- ment during a Dec. 2 phone ing water advisories on public our region, I think that will be duction, there was a very spe- interview, including $1.5 bil- systems on reserves are lifted very good news as well,” Hajdu cific approach to try to procure lion to lift all long-term drink- and all First Nations communi- says. from Indigenous companies ing water advisories. Minister ties on reserves have reliable Hajdu says there is also an and also companies that were of Finance Chrystia Freeland access to clean and safe drink- increase to Indigenous skills owned by women,” Hajdu says. released the Fall Economic ing water now and into the training in the Fall Economic “So that is exactly the kind of Statement on Nov. 30. It is future. Today’s announcement Statement. thing that I think is such a posi- posted online at: www.budget. makes tangible commitments “We know after the pan- tive story, the ability to generate gc.ca/fes-eea/2020/report-rap- to support stable and reliable demic there will be a need for an economy and employ people port/toc-tdm-en.html. infrastructure, in communities, many people who have been and provide something Canada “We’ve been doing I think and so for years to come.” disrupted from jobs to retrain really needs.” a pretty good job of getting Hajdu says the Fall Economic or to re-enter the workforce,” Hajdu says Indigenous com- through those boil-water advi- Statement includes $542 mil- Hajdu says. “Often times Indig- munities or entrepreneurs sories with many lifted, but lion for Indigenous communi- enous people, women, racial- should reach out to her office there’s far too many left,” says ties so they have full jurisdiction ized people are left behind if they want to pursue a project Hajdu, Thunder Bay-Superior over child and family services. so there is a huge investment such as the Wiikwemkoong PPE North MP. “So that is the “The apprehension of chil- in skills training with a very facility. first thing I think, is doubling Rick Garrick/Wawatay News dren into family and children focused effort on boosting the “There are very specific down on that and trying to get Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Patty Hajdu. services has been a long-stand- ISET (Indigenous Skills and Indigenous entrepreneurship this done as soon as possible ing tragedy,” Hajdu says. “We Employment Training) pro- funds which makes it easier to because far too many people worked with Indigenous groups gram, which is very specific to get access to capital, easier to are living without drinkable Indigenous Services Can- $114.1 million per year ongo- and leaders to establish First Indigenous communities.” get access to loans if that’s the water. We’ve got to get this ada Minister Marc Miller ing thereafter to support daily Nations-led family and children Hajdu also spoke about case,” Hajdu says. “Every Mem- done. I know there’s challenges announced more than $1.5 operations and maintenance for services legislation and now the importance of supporting ber of Parliament should have but part of those challenges can billion in additional invest- water infrastructure on reserves there is money to go with it Indigenous entrepreneurs in information about those kinds be alleviated by this money and ments to accelerate work to lift on Dec. 2. The federal govern- so there is an actual ability for response to the Nov. 26 grand of supports, but there are lots at hopefully that will speed that all long-term drinking water ment had previously committed Indigenous communities to take opening of a personal protec- the federal level.” up.” advisories on reserves, and to lifting all long-term water back control over their families tion equipment (PPE) produc- Why a Traditional Knowledge keeper and Storyteller works with the NWMO

Wawatay News they start to understand Indig- about their Indigenous neigh- enous history and the issues we bours and encourage dialogue Lyndon J. Linklater led cul- still face.” between communities, as dis- tural awareness training in A citizen of Thunderchild cussions of potential partner- Bruce County, taking the same First Nation (Plains Cree) in ships continue. Mr. Linklater approach as he does with Saskatchewan, Mr. Linklater has facilitated cultural aware- NWMO staff. learned Traditional Knowledge ness training in these com- For Lyndon J. Linklater, sto- from Elders who taught him munities as well, which had a rytelling brings communities through oral tradition, which is positive effect in strengthening together. part of Indigenous culture. He relationships between munici- The Traditional Knowledge incorporates those teachings, pal and Indigenous neighbours. Keeper and Storyteller has personal stories and interactive “You have these groups of been working with the NWMO activities to engage people and people living as neighbours for for five years. He leads cultural create a learning environment. years but who don’t know much awareness training for NWMO NWMO staff bring knowl- about each other,” Mr. Linklater staff, contractors and communi- edge gained from cultural said. “The NWMO has been cre- ties in our potential siting areas. awareness training and addi- ating opportunities for learning Mr. Linklater provides cul- tional Reconciliation train- through this cultural awareness tural awareness training for a ing to their jobs. It helps them training. You can see residents submitted photo living because it is important. build respectful relationships gain a level of understanding Lyndon Linklater from Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan leads a cultural awareness training People aren’t always aware with Indigenous communities they never had before. To me workshop in Bruce County. that Canada’s history includes and to ensure they are support- that is a huge step in Reconcili- the suppression of Indigenous ing the NWMO in upholding its ation.” culture, broken treaties and commitments to Reconciliation. Mr. Linklater said the NWMO Residential Schools. Further- Staff continue to find ways to is setting an example for other more, Indigenous peoples con- interweave Indigenous Knowl- organizations in terms of our tinue to experience injustices edge in our work – from walk- Reconciliation journey. today. Through awareness and ing the land to help determine “The NWMO is answering education, we can start on the appropriate borehole locations the call to action and stepping From the path to co-create a better future to incorporating sharing circles up. They aren’t just talking management built on rights, equity and well- into the Human Resources about Reconciliation, they are being. department’s resilience support doing something about it. I am and sta . He finds shared moments of programs. lucky to be part of the NWMO understanding and learning to Municipalities in potential family and to do whatever I can be rewarding. siting areas have also expressed to help out,” he said. “I enjoy seeing the ‘aha’ interest in cultural aware- moment that people have when ness training to learn more

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www.beendigen.com Contact Tom Scura: [email protected] 28 Wawatay News DECEMBER 18, 2020 ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ Obituary Aroland Elder William Magiskan passes

Rick Garrick excited and they were there for passed suddenly on Nov. 29 at First Nations Management. We Wawatay News about a week.” 68-years-old. His funeral was give thanks for William’s life of Towedo says Magiskan told held on Dec. 3 at the Johnny service and will remember him The late Aroland Elder Wil- her that he wanted to go back Therriault School in Aroland. fondly for his tremendous con- liam Magiskan, who served as to where he was raised when “William was a long-serv- tributions to the well-being of the community’s first chief for she was talking with him earlier ing leader who contributed in his community and the growth about 16 years, enjoyed the this past summer. many ways to the growth and of our nation.” opportunity to return to his tra- “He really loved that, that development of his community David Paul Achneepineskum, ditional lands at Harrogate Lake was like a highlight, his dream and the region — he will be CEO at Matawa First Nations this past summer. fulfilled,” Towedo says. “We all missed by many,” says Grand Management, remembers Mag- “Sometimes people want to have a bucket list in life, and Chief Alvin Fiddler. “As a young iskan as a young leader that he complete their journey in life those were many of his bucket leader he participated in the attended high school with in and I think that was his last list that came true.” Six-Pack negotiations which Geraldton. wish that he go back to where Magiskan was remembered resulted in reserve status for six “We got to be good friends he was raised, where his fam- as a long-serving chief who NAN (Nishnawbe Aski Nation) when we were attending ily lived and trapped the land,” brought about reserve sta- First Nations in northwestern school,” Achneepineskum says. says Aroland Chief Dorothy tus for his community and Ontario, including Aroland “Even at that time I found him Towedo. “He went there and he helped found Matawa First First Nation. He was also one of as a leader and he was always a was very grateful — he was so Nations Management after he the founding chiefs of Matawa very determined person. I was very honoured to know Willie when we were young people — we shared the same ideas and we’ve always remained friends. I always admired his strength and his determination, so he is Seasons going to be missed.” Achneepineskum says Aro- land, which is located about 60 kilometres north of Geraldton Greetings on Highway 643, was a settlement without government sup- submitted photo ports prior to the Six Pack. The late Aroland Elder William Magiskan was remembered for his from Mayor, Councillors and The road-access community role as the first chief of Aroland, a young leader involved with the Six- received reserve status in 1985. Pack negotiations for reserve status for six Nishnawbe Aski Nation the Staff of the Municipality of “He was the chief of the com- First Nations and a founding chief of Matawa First Nations Manage- munity and he got involved ment. with the development of the Sioux Lookout, and best Matawa First Nations Manage- it,” Achneepineskum says. “He springtime for your livelihood.” ment tribal council,” Achneep- got to see the community devel- Achneepineskum says Aro- wishes for 2021! ineskum says. “A lot of our oped to what it is today.” land invited other communities development is because of him.” Achneepineskum says Mag- to join in a spring hunt to chal- Achneepineskum says Aro- iskan continued to fight for his lenge the provincial hunting land was moved to a new loca- people after his role as chief. law that prevented First Nations tion across Highway 643 from “One of the cases he was people from doing a spring their old settlement after the involved with was in regards hunt. Six Pack agreement was negoti- to hunting,” Achneepineskum “And they won it,” Achneep- ated. says. “At the time Ontario had ineskum says. “So he’s always “They built up their infra- a lot of restrictions on hunting been advocating and speaking structure the way they wanted — you couldn’t even hunt in the for his own people.” Season’s greetings from our NWMO family to yours

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