Mino-bimaadiziwin Live Well, on Earth with All Our Relations Sakimay First Nations Community Newsletter – Summer 2017 In this Issue: • MESSAGE FROM CHIEF & COUNCIL • COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS SAKIMAY FIRST NATIONS • COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR Community Planning • DEPARTMENTS OVERVIEW MESSAGE From Chief Lynn Acoose Anīn sikwa! On behalf of our Council and staff, I am pleased to offer this greeting to all our members and friends. This newsletter has been developed to provide updates on our community planning activities. The Council and staff have been working on many initiatives in governance, planning, and service delivery. These initiatives include developing improved management systems in lands, housing and administration. Our primary focus has been the management of our land. Sakimay First Nations has attained developmental status in the First Nations Land Management Act. We have also been undertaking zoning, by-law development and the first phase of environmental planning. Council has recently launched a new on-reserve economic development entity, Zagime Management Limited. A local market study and business plan have been completed as part of the launch. Our other entity, Four Horse Developments remains the primary developer for our urban lands. To ensure the long-term sustainability of our housing program, the Housing and Public Works Department is undergoing restructuring. The medium-term objectives in this restructure includes the establishment of a tenant governed Housing Authority for both on-reserve and urban housing. Staff and Council continue to resolve many legacy issues, including the renovation of our 3rd Avenue North commercial property in Yorkton which is well underway. The other legacy issue is of course our lake front areas. In September of 2016 the Federal Court ruled in favour of the tenants of our cottage areas who disputed rent increases through the court in 2010. Canada is appealing the decision on our behalf and we are seeking to achieve a new out-of-court settlement. During this eight-year court process, we have worked on a new Head Lease arrangement and a redevelopment plan for our lake areas. Future planning includes: cultural programming for members in Regina (Kihkendan Wahkihikan Otenan); infrastructure upgrades for both Sakimay and Little Bone; a community centre for Little Bone/Minoachak; a solid waste transfer station to replace the existing land fill sites; and a new K-8 School on Sakimay. Our Anishinabe Governance Project continues to inform our way forward. We have begun the naming and renaming our lands. We are engaging our elders to preserve cultural spaces and maintain our relationship with the land. Last summer, the Water Council and Hunting Council were initiated in ceremony. Goose Lake School (Nihki Sahkahegan) has implemented a strong focus on cultural curriculum for our children. We will continue to support traditional governance as we work to remove ourselves from the Indian Act. This is just a short summary of the many changes that have taken place in the last two years. These many initiatives are possible due to the work of our people. Because we all worked on the Comprehensive Community Based Plan, our First Nation has a roadmap for the future. I congratulate all our members for contributing your vision for our future. Chi-migwetch, Chief Lynn Acoose COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS First Nations Election Act and Sakimay 2017 Election During the community engagements for Sakimay's Comprehensive Community Plan, the membership stated they want Sakimay to get out from under the two year Indian Act election system. During 2011 and 2013, the Sakimay First Nations conducted information sessions with members on the First Nations Election Act (FNEA). Another round of sessions were held in 2016, with members in Regina, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Winnipeg and on Sakimay about the FNEA. Under the FNEA the term of office for Council is four years. The FNEA is an interim measure to provide enough time to have a series of meetings with members on developing our own leadership selection process. As a result of the 2016 meetings and feedback from members, the Council passed a resolution in November 2016, which was sent to Indigenous Affairs advising that Sakimay First Nations would have its 2017 elections according to the FNEA. In addition to the meetings in 2016, a written and online survey was conducted where members provided feedback on the options under the FNEA. These options include: setting the number of Council members - from the Chief and two Councillors, all the way to the Chief and twelve Councillors; whether there would be any advance polls and the locations; and whether there would be a candidate fee for anyone running for Chief and for a Council position. Based on the survey feedback, the most responses received from members were that: • the current number of Council remain - the Chief and seven Councillors; • four year term • there should be one advance poll in Regina; and • there should be candidates fees of $250.00 for Chief and $200.00 for a Council member. According to the FNEA, if a candidate receives at least 5% of the vote, she or he will get their candidate fee reimbursed. This direction was included in three resolutions that were sent to Indigenous Affairs. It also included that the next election for Sakimay First Nations is Wednesday, September 6, 2017. One major change that all members MUST be aware of is that mail-in ballots will not automatically be sent out. Under the FNEA, a member has to request a mail-in-ballot from the Electoral Officer. So members have to be aware of this change. There are still some issues that have to be determined, these include: appointing the Electoral Officer; the date of nominations; and the dates of the candidates forums. Once the Electoral Officer is appointed, she or he will be responsible to follow up on these election procedures. It is very important to update your mailing address to ensure you receive election information. To do so, please contact: Neil Acoose, Indian Registry Administrator P.O. Box 339, Grenfell, Sask. S0G 5L0 [email protected] 306-697-2831, extension 232 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS ATTENTION SAKIMAY FIRST NATIONS MEMBERSHIP Aboriginal Shield Program - Community Facilitation Training Course June 14, 15, 16 2017 Yorkton SK. This training helps facilitators enable youth to gain a sense of Cultural Connection and Pride, while learning to make informed choices about drug use and related activities. Please note: a requirement prior to taking the training is to have a Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check. This must be submitted PRIOR to attending the training. Please submit your name with your Criminal Record asap as seating is limited. No cost for registration. Mileage, accommodation & Meals are covered Broadview RCMP don’t charge for Criminal Record Check & Vulnerable Sector Check For more information please contact: Sakimay Health Center 306-697-2970 ATTENTION SAKIMAY FIRST NATIONS MEMBERSHIP Sakimay First Nations Community Plan Call for Members to Join Community Advisory Team • Want to share your ideas and perspectives on the future of the community? • Are you interested in guiding the implementation of Sakimay First Nations Community Plan? Sakimay First Nations is about to commence the on-going development of the community plan and we need people to guide the process and help provide feedback. We are looking for 5 members to create a Community Advisory Team to help inform the new Community Plan for Sakimay First Nations Please submit your name and a brief letter of interest to Community Navigator – Judy Wasacase by July 14, 2017 to be considered. We will select the team to be a diverse group of members. Sakimay First Nations Community Planning Community Navigator Judy Wasacase [email protected] Phone: (306)-697-2831 extension 258 Toll free: 1-888-725-4629 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS ATTENTION SAKIMAY FIRST NATIONS MEMBERSHIP Kihkēntan Wāhkāhikan Program “THE LEARNING HOUSE” Fall 2017 to August, 2018 What is Kihkēntan Wāhkāhikan: The objective of this program is to create an innovative approach that will address various socio-economic barriers to employment for Indigenous communities in a manner that is culturally appropriate. The project will provide: 1. Life-long learning opportunities 2. Access to essential supports and therapies 3. Case management and training/employment plans at the end of project 4. Training allowance, personal budgeting and transportation Requirements: Priority given to SA clients On-Reserve members Pensioners Low-income Bank account required SASI assessment (Substance Abuse Screening) Application Deadline – TBA Contact – Sakimay Band Office for details ATTENTION SAKIMAY FIRST NATIONS MEMBERSHIP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations – FSIN Powwow Spirit of Our Nations – Cultural Celebration & Pow Wow July 26 & 27, 2017 – Regina SK Sakimay Regina Urban Lands – Dewdney Ave. & Pinkie Rd. Submit name and contact information to: Judy Wasacase [email protected] or 306-697-2831 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations to Kendra Taypotat – Principal of Goose Lake School Kenda Taypotat won the Educational Leadership Award! Kendra Taypotat is our Principal/Grade 2&3 teacher at Goose Lake School. She received the Treaty 4 Educational Alliance Educational Leadership Award on May 4th, 2017. The award is open to a teacher and/or Principal in a T4EA participating First Nation school in the 2016/2017 school year. They must demonstrate leadership through innovation and best practice. Demonstrates First Nations educational leadership and practice that focuses on the unique context of Treaty 4 student learning outcomes and community building. Kendra will be featured in an upcoming issue of Eagle Feather News. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS Congratulations to Darrian Desjarlais winning Gold at the Saskatchewan Provincial Skills Competition for TV Video Production for the documentary – “Blanket Exercise” in April 2017! Darrian will be competing at the National Skills Competition in Winnipeg May 31 – June 2, 2017. Darrian is also graduating from Grade 12 from the Melville Comprehensive High School – June 2017.