WINTER 2008 Season’s Greetings NACC’s Christmas Board Meeting was held December 11 & 12 with visits from the Deputy Minister Harvey Bostrom who sent condolences for Minister Oscar Lathlin who had passed away on Nov 2, 2008. MB Hydro, Aboriginal & Northern Affairs Executive Director Freda Albert, Director’s Jeff Gordon, Cory Young and Karen Barker, Jean Merasty attended along with the some of the staff from the legislative office helped celebrate our Christmas Board of Director’s and Staff Luncheon. INSIDE: It is the season to gather with family and friends. It is also a time to Ministers Greeting: …………….2 reflect on our hopes, memories, laughter’s and joys, so many of the President’s Report: …………….3 wonderful things to reflect on. It reminds you of old and new Executive Reports: ..………3 & 4 Government Update: ….….…....5 friendships while you marvel in the wonders of the season and years Executive Director’s - Report: ...6 to come. Children’s Page: ……………....12 Also at the December Board of Directors’ Meeting they spent 1 day 750-331 Smith Street looking at their 5 year Strategic Plan for the organization. This Winnipeg, MB R3B 2G9 Editor: Kathy Frisk session was facilitated by Anokiiwin Training Institute. Discussed were poor quality road, housing, budgets, the cost of engineers on Website: http://nacc.cimnet.ca community projects, contact community status and the population statistical data were some of the community issues that were Whispering Pines is published by discussed. the Northern Association of Community Councils Inc. & printed by Derksen Printers of Again the NACC Regional Meetings will take place sometime in Steinbach, Manitoba. February or March 2009. Call your local Aboriginal & Northern To place community news, and/or Affairs office for more information. To assist in the planning of the advertising, please regional meetings ANA is requesting agenda items from the Ph: (204) 947-2227 communities. The NACC Regional Meeting represents part of the Toll-free: 1-888-947-6222 ongoing consultative process with Northern Affairs Communities. Fax: (204) 947-9446 Email: [email protected] Often resolutions arising from the AGM provide the Department of Aboriginal & Northern Affairs with guidelines to work from just like the theme from this past years conference; “Opportunities in Every Challenge”. It’s a chance, especially one that offers some kind of benefit for NACC to help make changes in Northern Affairs Communities. P R E S I D E N T’S R E P O R T Reg Meade ~ President’s Report I wanted to say Seasons Greeting to everyone from my family to the NACC staff and Board of Directors and Northern Affairs communities. This year has passed by so fast it is hard to believe that it is December already. I attended the service of Oscar Lathlin in The Pas, on behalf of the board of NACC. NACC would like to express their sadness in the passing of Oscar at the age of 61, he will be truly missed. * Attended the Joint selections Committee meeting in early November notified the Minister of Housing Re: northern component * Attended the Mining Conference in Winnipeg in November * Attended the Association of Manitoba Municipalities Gala Banquet on November 26, 2008 to learn that Snoman, Inc a non-profit organization is trying to integrate the Snoman program with snowmobile registrations. They will be charging a fee just like a membership fee. As soon as you register your snowmobile they'll be charging you that extra fee. Snowman is responsible for grooming trails, but up north there is only one groomed trail, this will affect the livelihood of northerners. I would like to congratulate all the newly elected and re-elected Mayors and Councillors, the election were held on Oct 22, 2008. In closing I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! E X E C U T I V E R E P O R T’S Helgi Einarsson ~ Eastern Region Chairperson Once again the Christmas season is upon us. This year has left us much to think about. These worldly events may seem far away but were not immune in Canada. The year 2008 has brought many changes and has made us aware that we live in a volatile and insecure world. We need to start looking at things in a different perspective. Try not to lose faith in the world and keep the Sprit of Christmas foremost in our thoughts by pass on greetings of peace and happiness to everyone. I guess we’ll see how that plays out in the New Year. In closing my family joins me in wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We are hoping that 2009 will be a prosperous new year for all of our friends, colleagues and community members. E X E C U T I V E R E P O R T’S continued: Anne Lacquette ~ Western Region Chairperson I would like to congratulate all the successful candidates for Mayors and Councillors in the October elections. I look forward to working with all of you. On behalf of the Western Region I would like to extend condolences to the family of our Minister, Oscar Lathlin. Minister Lathlin will be sadly missed by the Northern affairs communities. I just wanted to congratulate my grand-daughter Bridgette Lacquette of Mallard, MB who made it as the top defense for the National Women’s Under 18 Team. Four Manitobans have been named to the Canadian roster for the 2009 IIHF World Women’s Under-18 Championships on December 27, 2008 she’ll be flying out to Fussen, Germany to play a six day tournament from Jan 5-10, 2009. It’s the time of the year where conditions can be unsafe for the snowmobilers and fishermen. Ice isn’t very thick and there is danger of falling through our lakes and rivers. Everyone needs to display caution when on or near water bodies. I would like to wish everyone a Happy and enjoyable Christmas. Frances McIvor ~ Northern Region Chairperson On behalf of the Northern Region and the board, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy for the passing of Oscar Lathlin, Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs. We will miss his presence immensely. Oscar was very supportive of our issues and concerns. We will continue to work with Minister Eric Robinson who was appointed the Acting Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs. I hope all the councils have received the recommendation to send letters to the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs addressing their concerns about our Housing Administration. We need to work hard at getting the message across, so the more communities that participate, the better our results will be. If you have not received the letter please contact the NACC office for information. Congratulations to all the Mayors and Councillors, the re-elected and the newly elected. I look forward to meeting you all soon. The President, Board of Directors and Staff of NACC would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Whispering Pines 3 Winter issue Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Who should join MAHRS? Aboriginal people who are involved in Aboriginal employment. Pancake Breakfast Wednesday Aboriginal people who represent corporations, organizations, unions, government, non-profit and/or business across Manitoba December 17, 2008 that work towards the advancement of Aboriginal people. First Nation Leaders In Partnership What are the benefits of joining MAHRS? "ELIMINATING POVERTY" Through information exchange and networking with other Complimentary Pancake professionals in the human resource field, members will enhance: Breakfast 7:30 am to 11:00 am Their organizations’ effectiveness through the development of Aboriginal focused leading-edge practices and ideas in human Indian & Métis Friendship resource management. Centre 45 Robinson Street Their personal and professional development. All Are Welcome! Drop off site for Unused Our meetings are conducted in a confidential environment and gloves, scarves, toques, provide members the opportunity to: winter jackets, unwrapped Maximize sharing and learning through facilitated discussions, toys, non-perishable foods presentations and dialogue that focuses on insights and practical and donations. experiences. Network and exchange information and ideas. Access MAHRS research on current, best, and next practices in organizational excellence. Dialogue with leading experts in various fields. Actively participate in the development of MAHRS. Items will be donated to For more information contact: families in need. Manitoba Aboriginal Human Resource Strategists (MAHRS) Phone: (204) 940-8737 For more information call Fax: (204) 940-2560 Janet Head @ 956-0610. Whispering Pines 4 Winter issue Government Update The Honourable Oscar Lathlin May 20, 1947 – November 2, 2008 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Minister of Aboriginal & Northern Affairs The Honourable Oscar Lathlin he will be greatly missed. Our President Reg Meade, the Board of Director’s, and staff of NACC would like to send their condolences to the family. Oscar Lathlin is survived by his second wife Leona and seven children and stepchild. Veteran Manitoba cabinet minister under Premier Gary Doer, Instrumental in converting the former Keewatin Community College into University College of the North. Initiated the concept for the $20-million First Nations Economic Development Fund, drawn from casino revenues. Manitoba Minister of Aboriginal & Northern Affairs, Minister charged with the administration of the Communities Economic Development Fund Act. 1999 Doer appoints Lathlin to cabinet as the Conservation Minister. We'll remember him as a major contributor and as a good person." Lathlin was a man close to his roots. Born on a trapline, Lathlin cared for his father's sled dogs, raising a championship sled dog by the time he was nine. In his teens, he helped his mother raise his younger brothers and sisters after his dad died.