$1.50 Vol. 59 No. 30 • Friday, October 23, 2020 Okanese swears in first new chief in 40 years Richard Stonechild replaces longtime First Nation chief Mary-Ann Daywalker Pelletier By Alan Hustak Grasslands News “It’s all yours now Rich- ard.” With those words Canada’s longest serving First Nation Chief, Mary-Anne Day Walk- er-Pelletier turned over the office to Richard Stonechild, 48, who was sworn in Tues- day as chief of Okanese First Nation. It was the end of an era. During her almost 40 years as chief Day Walker-Pelletier has been an influential voice in Ottawa. Two years ago, she was awarded the Order of Canada for her leadership. “I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher,” said Stonechild, who is a capable and experienced leader who spent 17 years as a headman. Many of those at the swear- ing in ceremony could not remember a time when Day Walker-Pelletier wasn’t their chief. Because of COVID re- strictions, the installation ceremony was witnessed by only a few people, including Chief Stonechild’s father, John who conducted the pipe ceremony. Stonechild and his four councillors, Tyson Creely, James Dictor, Ed Du- ALAN HUSTAK | GRASSLANDS NEWS mont and Penny Tuckanow, End of an era took the oath to “uphold the Richard Stonechild is embraced as the new chief of Okanese First Nation by Mary-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier who was chief dignity of my people…with for the past 40 years. Stonechild was sworn in as the new chief at a ceremony on Tuesday. honesty, integrity and ac- countability.” The new chief says educa- tion is his first priority. “A lot of our people are skilled Duraline runs into another roadblock with Town and grounded in our tradi- tions, but we are faced with By Alan Hustak building permit because of zon- and decided to build in another settled by April - six months challenges right off the bat,” Grasslands News ing issues. They have applied to location. from now. Redmond said. “We faced subdivide the property, but it is In the latest development, “This town has not exactly years of suffering from the ef- Duraline Medical products still not a done deal.” the town’s Chief Administra- been business friendly. We’ve fects of the Industrial school has sold its property in Fort For the past three years the tion Officer, Victor Goodman, done everything by the books, system, and we still face Qu’Appelle and the company company’s plans to expand has advised the parties involved everything they have asked systemic racism. We want to was prepared to move its ware- have been thwarted by the red that the parcel of land on 9th St. of us and more,” Jones stated work with our educational house to the south side of town tape. When Duraline moved chosen for the warehouse “does bluntly. He credits two coun- and with our justice systems next to Qu’Appelle Valley Mo- from Biggar and set up shop at not conform to the current cillors, Lee Finishen and Larry and with our elders to give tors, but its plans to relocate its present location on 2nd St. zoning or policy direction in Shultz, for their support during our people the tools they have again unexpectedly run E. 11 years ago, zoning bylaws the town’s official community the company’s ongoing trials. need.” afoul of the town’s zoning reg- in place at the time allowed plan,” and has suggested they “At least they are pro business. Okanese First Nation has ulations. for the planned expansion. But look into having the property They understand business. I’d its own procedures for elect- “We have encountered noth- after the floods of 2011, Commu- subdivided, or have the present also like to thank the outgoing ing its tribal government. It ing but frustration,,” says nity Planning changed the rules zoning bylaws amended, a pro- mayor and the councillors for doesn’t follow the rules of the company owner Norm Jones. and prohibited the proposed cess which Goodman says could their contributions.” Indian Act, which limits the “We’ve been on a bumpy ride addition because Duraline was take between six to 18 months Acclaimed three years ago term of elected officials to two with this for a long time. We’ve in a flood zone. The company to complete, “depending on cir- by the Chamber of Commerce as years, but elects its chief and now sold our building to Don levelled the land at its own ex- cumstances.” the Fort’s Business of the Year, councillors through a Cus- Williams and are about to enter pense, and council gave first Jones says he doesn’t have Duraline began operations as tom Code, which allows for a into a warehouse leasing agree- reading to a bylaw to rezone 6-months let alone 18-months to a hardware store in Biggar 112 more stable government. ment. Now there is confusion the area and allow construction make up his mind. Duraline has years ago. Not only does it pay Asked what she now plans as to whether our planned new to begin at the end of March. to vacate its present building on taxes on its own property but to do now that she is no location is zoned commercial. But the legislation stalled, Du- 2nd Street by October 2021, and on an adjacent easement owned longer chief, Day Walker-Pel- The owners have been denied a raline withdrew its application had hoped to have everything by the town. letier quipped, “Sleep.” NOVEMBER 6 2” x 2” colour ad $50.00 Book your spot by calling 1-844-GNG-NEWS (ext. 230) or email [email protected] 2 October 23, 2020 0HOYLOOH$GYDQFH:KLWHZRRG*UHQIHOO+HUDOG6XQ)RUW4X·$SSHOOH7LPHV Grasslands News Kahkewistahaw First Nation Planning for new hockey arena, community centre By Sarah Pacio them with their own facility. Grasslands News Leaders toured three hockey rinks last winter in order to gather prelimi- nary information for the project. Design With a growing minor hockey pro- and engineering work has just begun gram, Kahkewistahaw First Nation is and will continue through next spring. preparing to build a hockey arena and Council will also spend the upcoming community centre on its land north of months acquiring funds for the project. Broadview. Players from the Kahkew- The new facility will be located north istahaw Storm teams currently use the of the existing Chief Kahkewistahaw Chief Denton George Memorial Multi- Community School and new gover- plex on the neighboring Ochapowace nance building that is currently under First Nation as their home rink, but construction. Leaders hope to begin con- Kahkewistahaw would like to provide struction on the rink in fall of 2021. Melville taxi vouchers see increase Program for seniors continues By Chris Ashfield pend on the number of vouchers sold. If Grasslands News it was compared to 2019 usage, the addi- tional cost would be $1,067. Since 2016, the city has subsidized Seniors without a vehicle in Mel- $5,770 worth of taxi fares through the ville will continue to receive financial senior taxi voucher program, with each relief through the senior taxi voucher year having seen a decline in usage. program as the city has decided to con- In 2016, there were 2,365 vouchers sold tinue the 15-year long program as well which dropped down to 1,997 in 2017 and as increase the amount they subsidize even lower to 1,556 in 2018. Last year, in when taxi rates increase from $7 to $10 2019, voucher sales fell to 1,423 and then on Nov. 1. because of COVID, 2020 has seen only City council approved a recommen- 352 vouchers sold to date. dation at their Oct. 14 meeting that the To qualify for a taxi voucher, a res- price of taxi vouchers will be increased ident must be at least 65 years of age from $5.75 to $8.00 each, with each one and no longer be driving a vehicle. The used being redeemed to the taxi com- vouchers can be used in November, De- pany at a rate of $9.50, an increase from cember, January and February and are Rink plans 68%0,77('_*5$66/$1'61(:6 the previous $6.50. The taxi company limited to eight tickets per month. With will continue to subsidize the remaining A team of leaders look over plans for a new hockey arena on Kahkewist- a doctor request, the number of tickets $0.50 of the normal fare rate. per month can be increased to 12. ahaw First Nation. Left to right, Michael Bob, Kahkewistahaw Councillor; Paul The city says that increasing the The vouchers, which are non-refund- Amsler, Architect; Courage Bear, Ochapowace member with more than 20 subsidization rate for the taxi vouchers able and non-transferrable, must have years of experience coaching hockey; and Cory Alexson, Kahkewistahaw from $0.75 to $1.50 will have a minimal the recipient’s name and date issued on Councillor. financial impact on the city and will de- them to be valid. __ Custom air. __ CUSTOM SAVINGS. Rethink your air for more comfort. And savings. October 18-24 FEATURE BUSINESS Receive up to $1,350 in rebates PLUS don’t pay until 2021 on a new Lennox® Ultimate Home Comfort System.* 712 Lalonde Street, Whitwood, SK – 306-735-4328 OR 515 Main Street, Kipling, SK – 306-736-5328 íđŜĻŞɳǚíƤœíŞđƎœƫŜĉĻŞİȤĊí *This off er is available through participating Lennox® dealers. Promotions are off ered to the homeowner at the discretion of the Lennox dealer.