OUR PAST OUR CHILDREN OUR FUTURE White River First Nation update
WINTER 2014
A Note From Chief and Council Hello Everyone, thing we need to move on. lady will be working to re- We have an opportunity to ceive her Certification for Since being elected on Au- create funding/budget ar- language teacher, so proud gust 23 2014 it has been a rangement, look at hiring the of her. Lands meeting with busy time in getting orga- right people to do this work. lawyers, staff and YG Team. nized and doing catch up on A lot of work needs to be Chief & Council meeting to past issues that many differ- done before an Agreement is deal with band business. ent agencies have been cor- reached. Mahsi to past Chief responding with WRFN on Inside this issue: and Council for starting this These past weeks have been many different playing process. Similar to what quite busy organizing the fields. another unsigned FN is re- office, reading and Chief and Council 1 At the forefront, WRFN ceiving, WRFN will be filing all past and current C&C have been dealing with looking at Revenue sharing correspondence/letters. mining industry. Agreements from any resources been Communication with mem- Executive Director 1 were created from work that utilized in WRFN Trad. bership whether phone calls past C&C have been imple- Territory. WRFN will be or email. Don’t hesitate in Election Results 2 menting for the past few having several community calling me. Come to the years. It has arrived to a meetings so members are office and see what is hap- point where we are satisfied informed and kept up to date pening with your business. Lands Dept. 3 that WRFN can look at de- on issues. Come and participate in your veloping and drafting an Chief and Council meetings. Agreement that will be suita- 4 I have attended several Get involve in the discus- Health & Wellness ble to members and leader- meetings: YACWI Wom- sions and bring your ideas of ship. en’s Forum. Set up and at- what you envision for future Education & CELC 5 tend the Snag Camp. Meet- generation. Capacity and funding has ing with Yukon Native lan- been our issue for some time guage staff on curriculum Mahsi, T’sin’ii, Members Corner 6 and been provided with with Elder speaker and stu- Chief Angela Demit. funding to develop, imple- dent learner. This young ment WRFN Vision is some- Kidz Fun Zone 7-10
A Word From the Executive Director it is the hopes of the Yukon nities, etc. are posted on Greetings to all of the This has become an extra College to deliver this training White River First Nation this page. burden for the Admin- in the month of December, or Members. istration department. As as soon as possible. As for the election, Mary you are all aware, John It has been quite some Angela Demit is your Todd took over the Fi- time since a newsletter has official Chief. Deputy On a final note, I would like nance Officer position to reiterate what I have been gone out. The past year Chief is David Johnny last January. The Finance Sr., Councillors are Rose- saying since day one, my door has been an eventful one department is going very Marie Blair, Douglas Joe, is always open, feel free to to say the least. Now that well, John is a great asset the Audit and Council and Gordon John. Alter- come by, call or E-mail me at to the First Nation. Election is over, we hope nates are Lino Battaja and anytime. to once again have news- Charles Eikland Sr. The letters out on a quarterly Official Election results White River First Nation I wish you all the best over basis. As stated at the last are attached. Has been working with the coming holiday season. General Assembly, please the Yukon College to 'Like' White River First Staffing update; White develop a training course Thank you, Nation on Facebook. So- River First Nation has on leadership for Leader- Sid C. Vander Meer cial media is the way of been without a Health ship. The development of Executive Director the future, updates, job Director for almost a year this course is at the final executivedirec- now. postings, training opportu- stages of completion, [email protected]
WHITE RIVER FIRST NATION UPDATE Page 2 Election Results WHITE RIVER FIRST NATION Chief and Council Election 2014
CHIEF
Demit, Mary Angela 44 Peters, Roland 33
TOTAL ELIGIBLE VOTERS 148 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST 77 TOTAL BALLOTS SPOILED/REJECTED 0 PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL BALLOTS CAST 52% PERCENTAGE OF BALLOTS SPOILED/REJECTED 0%
COUNCILLOR, UPPER TANANA
Chasse, Bessie Ann 16 Eikland, Charles Sr. 19 - alternate John, Gordon 25 Johnny, Patrick 18 Johnny, David Sr. 20
TOTAL ELIGIBLE VOTERS 52 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST 39 Chief Angela Demit being sworn TOTAL BALLOTS SPOILED/REJECTED 0 in by Justice of the Peace Beat PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL BALLOTS CAST 75% Ledergerber PERCENTAGE OF BALLOTS SPOILED/REJECTED 0%
COUNCILLOR, NORTHERN TUTCHONE
Battaja, Lino 22 - alternate Blair, Rose-Marie 33 Joe, Douglas 33 Nieman, Frieda 14
TOTAL ELIGIBLE VOTERS 95 TOTAL BALLOTS CAST 36
TOTAL BALLOTS SPOILED/REJECTED 0 PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL BALLOTS CAST 38% PERCENTAGE OF BALLOTS SPOILED/REJECTED 0%
MAILED IN BALLOTS
TOTAL BALLOTS MAILED OUT 89 TOTAL MAILED IN BALLOTS COUNTED 35 TOTAL BALLOTS SPOILED/REJECTED/VOID 2 TOTAL BALLOTS RETURNED BY MAIL 9 PERCENTAGE OF MAILED IN BALLOTS CAST 39% Page 3 WHITE RIVER FIRST NATION UPDATE Land’s Department White River First Nation Environment Department is committed to transparency, responsibility in respect of our traditional territory, culture and our strong views on building the environment that promotes a higher quality of life for our membership.
THINGS TO PROMOTE: Expand Land Set-Aside for White River First Nation for recreation “WRFN people would like their economies to be structured in accordance with Aboriginal values, principles and customs, contributing to the development and affirmation of original culture and identity." WRFN must be able to generate sufficient wealth to provide an acceptable quality of life for the members. Without this capacity to gener- ate wealth and to use it for your own development, dependency will continue and the economic / social costs of maintaining it will continue to rise.
1990 Map Overlap partnership with other involved First Nations Initiative for First Nations to have the ability to enact and enforce sound environmental management and protec- tion laws in an effort to harmonize environmental standards.
Sovereignty land activity within our large asserted land base Consistent, emphatic and eloquent assertions of your inherent natural rights as a First Nation
Socio-economic advancement Develop stable long-term own-source revenue
Community Opportunity Readiness Our people - their skills, talents, knowledge and creativity - are the key to our future success.
Solar Panels for our Buildings and Garage Participation in renewable energy development and transmission
White River has a recent First Nation Hunter Permission Form White River First Nation will allow Harvest Bull Moose in WRFN Traditional Territory subject to traditional custom Lost Bull Moose hunting limitations for the purpose of conservation and health. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration. I would like WRFN to be motivated to partici- All First Nation hunters and Licensed Hunters will agree to pate actively in training within the Beaver the following First Nation rules Creek location, and to playing an active role in Cleanliness of campsite, respect of land and water bringing cultural content and considerations of Complete removal of all items, including all plastic community life into the a programs focusing on and metals Early Childhood Care and Development. Exam- No hunting antlerless Moose, Cow Moose or Taking ple would be a Little Drummers group at an of Caribou honouring ceremony GA . Report back to WRFN office of the date, location of Bull Moose harvest kill. Moose antlers Glenn Stephen [email protected]
Page 4 WHITE RIVER FIRST NATION UPDATE Health Department and Wellness Wellness Update the Social Assistance Pro- the land. There was a birch Congrats to the new Chief and Council. Douglas Joe holds the th gram. bark basket and knife mak- We had our 5 Annual Back ing workshop, as well as a Health Portfolio and I know he to School Barbeque at The Please feel free to contact me few fish camps. We have will do a good job. Beaver Creek Community also had monthly Elders Club, thanks to Bessie and Jackie Johnny On November 24th-26th Wilfred Chasse’ for all their trips for foot care and gro- 1-867-862-7623 WRFN will be having Dr. Jim help and thank you to all the ceries to either Whitehorse from East West Health Centre parents, kids, grandparents jack- or Tok,AK. There is an up- back in Beaver Creek at the and teachers for coming, after ie.johnny@whitriverfirstnatio coming trip for the Elders Wellness Centre. If you would they worked up an appe- n.com during the first week of No- like to see him please feel free tite ,during the Terry Fox vember to Fairbanks to take to contact me. Run. CHR Update th part in the fiddling festival. I attended a 10 Grade Cur- Marilyn Sanford riculum training for Indian It has been a while since I I am currently working on a Residential Training in have written you, but I have workshop with our young 1-867 –862-7802 Whitehorse with Bessie some news. people to help them with Chasse. The Pilot Program their self esteem which will [email protected] will be beginning in White- In the past few months we be run by them. horse with the Secondary have had a few workshops on Schools in the spring and fall. Yukon Education is also, wanting to have an Introduc- tion Curriculum for 5th to 7th WRFN Elder hand graders in the Rural School by making a birch bark 2018. basket I finished the second quarter -photo credit Johanna report for Aboriginal and Duyan Northern Affairs and Devel- opment Canada, which funds WRFN Elders hand scaling fish -photo credit Johanna Duyan
Capital Projects Hello to all members! In the Capital Department we have four members working on a retrofit for one of our housing units, and wi will soon be start- ing on the Wellness Centre retrofit. However, due to a late start we will be using a rigid insulation opposed to the spray foam that was originally planned for the exterior walls. HRV’s have been installed in each of the retrofitted units. 3 units will also have their roofing replaced over the next coming months. We are in the process of getting a quote to replace some older fuel tanks, 2 chimneys and possibly 2 furnaces that have been causing problems as of late. EBA brought up surveyors in late September to begin plotting out the new subdivision. Along with the surveyors and drilling company was present to record findings under the topsoil. Neegan Burnside has been contracted by AANDC to do an annual inspection report on the water treatment plants. WRFN should have the results back in about 6 weeks. Thank you, Doug Broeren [email protected] WHITE RIVER FIRST NATION UPDATE Page 5
Con tact us!!! Education and Training
There has been many ongoing Students who need math Once this initiative is underway, White River First training and education programs upgrading to apply to a notifications shall be posted. Nation happening over the spring, sum- college program mer and into fall. Students who need to Any members looking for train- Box 2 The Outdoor Power Equipment improve their math stills ing, education programs or work Beaver Creek, Yukon Technical Course (OPET) fin- for current or future work opportunities; watch the WRFN ished in the spring. Territory Students who want to Website, WRFN Facebook Page
Y0B 1A0 achieve their GED or postings. A graduation ceremony was held in the community. All students of Anyone who lives in Please drop in or call 867-862- Administration Phone: the course obtained various jobs Beaver Creek and is 7051, to help with your career 1-867-862-7802 through the summer. Congratula- ready to go back to and education goals. tions OPET students for all your school Toll Free: Any upcoming training that may 1-866-862-9736 hard work and commitment; Thank you and Happy Holidays, Clorissa Sam, Nicholas Sam, happen before the Christmas Jane Rogers Administration Fax: Christopher Lewis, Darrin Lucas, break and the dates, will be post- Employment and Training Of- 1-867-862-7806 Glenn E.V Stephen, Duncan ed on the WRFN Website, ficer Education & Training: Stephen, Ryan Johnny and Jolen- WRFN Facebook Page and [email protected] 1-867-862-7051 da Johnny. around the Community of Beaver Creek. Training such as the fol- Wellness Centre: Congratulations to all Post- lowing: 1-867-862-7623 Secondary students who graduat- Standard First Aid ed with their degree or diploma’s Level 1 & 2 Food Safe Course in the spring; Teresa Vander Our past, Our Meer-Chasse, Shaylea WRFN Capacity Building Initia- children, Our future Sembsmoen, Michelle Vine and tive: Stanley Jack. ETO office is developing a mem- bership-wide Database. This Math Upgrading is now happen- Database will involve member’s ing in the community, Yukon education, training and career College is offering math tutoring goals. We encourage all mem- Painting by Teresa Vander for the 2014/15 year. Who should bers in participating in this excit- Meer Chasse; presented to take this Class? ing ongoing tool that will ulti- mately build the White River Jane Rogers and Bessie First Nation’s internal capacity. Chasse at August 2014 GA
CELC
Yukon Education had a workshop on September 30-October 2, 2014 to review the Residential School Grade 10 Curriculum, I attended this workshop with Jackie. This curriculum is going to ATTENTION!! be piloted in four school in Whitehorse then the year after it will be going to the communities that have grade 10. Yukon Education also said they will be working on a grade 5 curriculum that isn’t Christmas party for as detailed as the grade 10. I encourage grandparents, parents, siblings and extended families to WRFN members living in get involved with your child at the school. I and Jackie have teacher reference binders available if Whitehorse will be held on anyone would like to view but we don’t have the actual curriculum going to the students. (These Saturday December 20th binder will have to stay at the office) 2014. I have received 10 applications for School Supplies and CELC department spent $590.00 on Where: Gold Rush school supplies for 2014-2015. WRFN doesn’t have any 12th grade graduates based on these When: December 20th forms this year. Note: Funding that WRFN CELC receives for school supplies is from Aboriginal Time: Doors open 5pm Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) so WRFN has to follow the guidelines they Dinner 6pm have. If you like to see the guidelines please go to AANDC’s website and search “Elementary/ Secondary Education Program – National Program Guidelines 2014-2015”. Presents to follow for the kids Bessie Chasse email: [email protected] Page 6 WHITE RIVER FIRST NATION UPDATE
Members Corner
Thank you very much for the generous contribution to Huss’s hockey.
The Atom Mustang team had only one game under their belts prior to travelling to Richmond for the tournament. They struggled as a team for sure, but so did the PeeWee Mustangs. It was a real eye opener for some of the boys who had never travelled to another city to play hock- ey. Huss did quite well. After the first 2-3 games they asked Huss to play defence to try and limit the goals against. It made a big difference but that alone was not enough to help the boys to any Medals at all. Huss was awarded Most Valuable Player (as voted by the other teams coaches) in one of last games they played and got a nice medal for that
Again, thanks very much for the assistance, it is greatly appreciated
Stewart, Huss and Irene
Huss getting around a player from Seafair at the Richmond tournament. WHITE RIVER FIRST NATION UPDATE Page 7
Kidz Fun Zone!!!
Colouring Page 8 WHITE RIVER FIRST NATION UPDATE
Connect the Dots WHITE RIVER FIRST NATION UPDATE Page 9
Riddles and Jokes WHITE RIVER FIRST NATION UPDATE Page 10
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