February/ March 2011 Winter Season Newsletter MovingMoving ForwardForward Administration Office dänàtthé shäw kwàtthàl -- “ahead of us good things are coming” 117 Industrial Rd. Whitehorse, Y.T Y1A-2T8 Dännach’a from In December as well, I at- Ph: 867-668-3613 Chief Brenda Sam tended the AFN Special Chiefs As- Fax: 867-667-4295 Email: [email protected] Happy New Year TKC citizens. I sembly in Gatineau, Quebec. This was a three day meeting, filled with up- hope you all had a nice Christmas, and Lands Office may the good Lord bestow many dates from the National Chief, and Re- Suite 100-204 Black St. blessings on you and your family this gional Chiefs, and various organiza- Whitehorse Y.T year and always. tions across Canada. There were many Y1A-2M9 resolutions passed in regards to the Ph: 867-668-3444 Since our Special General As- Fax: 867-668-3446 sembly in November 2010, there have betterment of First Nation people that been a lot of activities that have taken are available to view on the AFN web- place. site. As many of you know, Ta‟an I would also like to encourage Kwäch‟än is in the process of building any citizens who have applied for In- two three-bedroom duplexes. As we dian Status and were rejected in the have never had any new houses built past that you can re-apply for for TKC, it is my hope these will be Status. Starting this month the Gov- the first of many more to come. It is ernment of Canada will be accepting very exciting to see these duplexes be- new applications for status. Because ing built using the Northern Housing of the McIvor decision that was Trust dollars that TKC received in handed down by the Supreme Court of 2007. Currently TKC is working on an Canada that ruled that there was in- allocation process for these units and deed discrimination for many First Na- future housing. tion people not receiving their In November, the Executive status. If you know of any of your Department, had the wonderful oppor- family members that were denied tunity of having a training session with status, please encourage them to re- Neil Sterritt. This training was very apply. This could only benefit all of informative for me and Deputy Chief; TKC. In January of 2011, a contract with we have a better understanding of our Inside this issue: roles and responsibilities. I will be Blair, Mackay, Mynett Valuations Inc., was undertaken to complete an setting up more training for TKC Chiefs’ message 2 Board of Directors with Mr. Sterritt as investigative and in-depth accounting well. Mr. Sterritt talked about our of TKC, 12028 & Mundessa financial Health 6 Government responsibilities that we transactions. The findings of the re- Heritage 12 have to our citizens as the Chief, Dep- sulting report will assist TKC in avoid- uty Chief and Board of Directors. ing any future financial difficulties and Housing 13 to give us advice as to how to better Since we have three newly appointed Renewable 16 Directors of the board, this training manage our funds for the long term. A will definitely be very beneficial to us summary of this report will be made Lands 18 available in the near future. TKC all. Education 20 1 will be administering our Social Assistance Program Dännach’a from Deputy Chief starting in April 2011. I feel very happy for our citi- Rick Martin zens to be able to access S.A. from our First Nation because I know the hardship our citizens have encoun- Hello everyone, I would like to wish every- tered having to go to DIA downtown. As DIA had one a happy new year, and may all have good for- concerns regarding compliance issues with TKC when tunes. I hope the Christmas break was enough to re- it was being administered by us in the past, DIA will energize the students and everyone as well. be monitoring our delivery of this program for I would like to say that I hope the harvest awhile. I am confident that through working together, season was plentiful and your freezers are full. I would staff and citizens can be successful in bringing the ad- like to thank and congratulate all involved in the 2010 ministration of this vital service home. For the time Fall Moose Camp where TKC youth, Elders and staff being, this program will only be available to status harvested 2 moose! citizens. There are more congratulations as Will Jones is now At this time I would like to extend a very recognized as a National Role Model, six TKC citi- heartfelt welcome to TKC‟s new Executive Adminis- zens, Shawna Tizya, Nathan Jones, Shawn Sam, Con- trator, Deborah Dupont. Deborah brings with her an rad Jack, Alfred Broeren and Chris Sutherland gradu- abundance of knowledge and experience working with ated from the Heavy Equipment Operators course and First Nation Governments. I look forward to a posi- to the many others that have reached their goals and tive working relationship with Deborah. As well, I success. TKC has many talented citizens that we can would like to extend a warm welcome to our new all be proud of. Health Manager Glenna Tetlichi, she too brings a This is TKC‟s 9th year as of January 13th wealth of work experience and she is very approach- 2011, as our self government agreement was signed able with a positive outlook. 2002,January 13th. We are moving forward and with I would also like to extend a warm welcome as everyone‟s cooperation we can make a mark on this well to our newly appointed TKC Board of Direc- calendar year, as this was the year significant change tors. So welcome to Gloria Adamson/Maggie Broeren was recognized. Family, James MacDonald/Jenny Lebarge Family and I look forward to seeing changes that TKC Lori Duncan/Jenny Lebarge Family. We now have will accomplish. eight family Directors representing you at the board. Shäw Níthän! At this time, I would like to encourage the families that do not have representation at the Board level, to talk with your family to ensure that your family‟s voice is heard at our Board meetings. At our Special GA there were some citizens Executive Administrator Deborah Dupont who had expressed interest in being a representative on various TKC Boards and Committees, so if you I was recently hired as the Executive Adminis- were not able to sign up for any of these Boards or Committees, please do so and telephone our Office trator for the Ta‟an Kwäch‟än Council. I am pleased to Manager Helen, and give her your name, contact in- be in this position and I bring with me a strong set of formation and which committee you are interested in. administrative leadership skills that I have gained I would like to thank each of you for your through my work with the various First Nations in the commitment and cooperation in moving forward. We Yukon and the Northwest Territories. I have an open can have pride in the knowledge that we are honoring mind and a positive attitude. The building of a strong our past and future generations. Shäw Níthän! administrative team is a priority so that the Ta‟an Kwäch‟än Council government is able to provide pro- In Unity, grams and services to the citizens in the most effective Brenda Sam, Chief and efficient way possible. I look forward to working with the Ta‟an Kwäch‟än Nation. 2 TKC First Annual Fall Moose Hunt Camp at Tl’aw Kwashän (Swan Lake) Assembly of First Nations Building On Our Success Conference Sept 2010. TKC hosted the Culture Night for this conference at Deep Creek Center. Everyone pitched in and the night was a huge success for our honored guests from across Canada including National Chief Shawn Atleo pictured here with Chief Sam. 3 4 First Nations Bank of Canada Is proud to offer the following benefits to Ta’an Kwach’an Council members Please visit the branch to apply or for information 103-9016 Quartz rd Whitehorse YT Y1A 2Z5 1-888-456-3622 5 Health Department Update Diabetes Program Glenna Tetlichi, Health Director TKC Health Department partnered with Champagne and Aishihik First Nation to co-host a Diabetes work- shop which was held in Haines Junction in November, Greetings to you all! I started working in this posi- 2010. A skilled and qualified facilitator was brought tion on October 12, 2010, since then I have familiar- in from Ontario to deliver the training. There was an ized myself with the program responsibilities, as well expressed interest in hosting a similar workshop in the as becoming more acquainted with my role as the future, the department will certainly take into consid- Health Manager. eration when focusing on future program needs. There are a number of program management and budgetary areas that required my immediate attention Family Support Program which I have been diligently working on over the last Roberta Auston offers support on a daily bases to three months. I am currently working on concluding Ta‟an Kwach‟an Council families in the area of child projects and preparing for year end project reports to welfare, please contact Roberta directly if you require the program funders, as well I am seeking the neces- support in this area. sary guidance for the next fiscal year, with an empha- sis on community wellness and healing initiatives. TKC health hosted a seminar on November 24 & 25th called “Stepping Forward”.