February 28, 2019 n Northern Pride n Page 11 Meadow Lake First Nations News Birch Narrows Buffalo River Canoe Narrows Clearwater River English River Flying Dust Makwa Sahgaiehcan Ministikwan Lake Waterhen Lake Dene Nation Dene Nation Cree First Nation Dene Nation First Nation First Nation First Nation Cree Nation First Nation February 2019 Volume 2 • Issue 2 2019 Tony Cote ELDERS’ INPUT INVALUABLE Games athlete selection It’s been almost two full years since Flying Dust First Nation was awarded the 2019 Tony Cote First Nations Summer Games, and plans are soon to be underway for selecting Team MLTC. The Games take place July 14-19, 2019. As the host tribal council, Team MLTC will be comprised of more than 280 athletes from the nine Meadow Lake First Nations communities. “We’re going to be setting up tryout dates likely toward the end of May and early June in various communities within MLTC, and also within the City of Meadow Lake,” said Terrance Sylvestre, MLTC Youth Development An MLTC elders’ gathering took place Jan. 18 at the Meadow Lake Civic Centre program coordinator. “All teams have until June 14 to finalize their rosters. From there, team practices will get into full swing as they prepare for the Elders’ gathering focuses Games. Flying Dust has hosted the Saskatchewan First Nation Summer on future of FN’s education Games once before, in 2003. On Jan. 18, the Meadow that will guide MLTC Education Ovide Wolverine, Gordon Tcho “We’re excited to host it again,” said Lake Tribal Council education and MLFNs on the path forward FDFN - Elizabeth Durocher, Percy chief Jeremy Norman. department held an elders’ in education. Some of the main Derocher Close to 3,500 athletes from gathering in Meadow Lake with themes that came from the event ILFN - Darlene Paddy, Shirley throughout Saskatchewan’s 74 First the Meadow Lake First Nations included: Pahtayken Nations are expected to participate in leadership and elders. • Treaty right to education MSFN - Frank Kytwayhat, Betty the Games, which will feature a variety The purpose of the gathering • Language revitalization Peepeekoot, Sidney Ben of sports from archery to athletics. was to establish a foundation • Land, language, relationship WLFN - Albert Fiddler, Cecilia Sylvestre added these Games are of First Nations law to guide the and culture curriculum - Fiddler, Martin Larocque about the young people, ages 13- development of a First Nations (holistic education to walk in Chiefs in Attendance: 18, making memories and building education collaborative model. The two worlds) BRDN - Eileen Morrison confidence. establishment of an educational • Community involvement and ERFN - Lawrence McIntyre foundation in First Nations law will engagement FDFN - Jeremy Norman provide a position and mandate • Administrative standards and WLFN - Carol Bernard as MLTC enters nation-to-nation procedures negotiations with the Government MLTC would like to to thank all Education Technical Working Group in Attendance: of Canada towards a collective of its elders and MLFN leadership Gordon Martell education agreement. who participated in this event. The Carl Nahachewsky All MLTC elders were invited along coming together and sharing of Randy Fox The Meadow Lake Tribal with two additional elders from histories and knowledge made this Council (MLTC) began each community as designated day an incredibly influential event. MLTC Board of Education in by the chief/education portfolio moving forward MLTC First Nations Attendance: in 1981 when the First holder/board of education director. will continue to work together and BNDN - Dorothy Sylvestre Nations of Northwest MLFN chiefs, board of education inspire one another in creating a BRDN - Lavina Catarat directors and education portfolio system that builds capacity within CLCN - Wilfred Iron Saskatchewan united holders were also invited to attend. communities for all children. CRDN - Shawn Montgrand Over the course of the day, elders ERFN - Russell Black to form the Meadow met to discuss a variety of topics Elders in Attendance: FDFN - Connie Derocher Lake District Chiefs Joint and questions directly related to the BNDN - Mary Maurice, Veronica MLTC in Attendance: treaty right to education, traditional Tobac, Ronnie Desjardin, Albert Larry Iron Venture. The Meadow teachings, educational governance Sylvester Heather Merasty Lake District Chiefs and administration, history of BRDN - Therese Billette, Joe Celia Deschambeault education, foundational beliefs and Billette, Lawrence Piche Jackie Buffalo became officially known values of education, First Naions CLCN - Delores Blackman, Mary Cheryle Herman as the Meadow Lake relationship with the Government Rose Morin, Peggy Iron John Cherian of Canada, and much more. This CRDN - Ronnie Lemaigre, Johnny Raquel Ross Tribal Council in 1996. event was filled with in-depth and Lemaigre, Moise Piche Tammy Dancy powerful discussions from elders ERFN - Vitaline Read, Rod Apesis, Leah Olsen-Bacon 1 n Page 12 February 28, 2019 n Northern Pride February 28, 2019 n Northern Pride n Page 13 February 2019 Volume 2 • Issue 2 Flying Dust benefits from Positive Flying Dust First Nation housing ~ Community Profile band-owned businesses changes Flying Dust First Nation is ready to much larger confectionery will also be “We’re getting away from the awful get gassy as their flare gas project gets available, similar to other PetroCanada cookie-cutter homes.” closer to reality. stations throughout Saskatchewan. That’s a statement Flying Dust’s new “One of the biggest projects we’ve The projected opening is slated for housing manager Wes Derocher is proud been working on for a few years now mid to late summer 2019. to say as his band is bucking the trend and is our power production of flare gas,” going a new direction. said Flying Dust councillor Richard “When I first started here in 2017 we Derocher, whose portfolio includes Gravel company didn’t have a housing manager in place, economic development. “We haven’t Another successful venture has and since then we’ve built 21 new homes, chosen a location yet, but that will be been the band’s gravel company. spent a lot of money on renovations and determined in the next few months.” “FDB Gravel company had a very retrofitting our existing houses,” Derocher After working on this the past four successful year, mostly due to the stated. “In the last year alone we touched years and inking the deal with Sask- cleanup on Railway Avenue as well 170 of our 230 units.” Power in 2018, Flying Dust is to supply as good gravel sales throughout the He said this couldn’t have been achieved gas to the Crown corporation to create year,” Derocher said. “We are hoping without a lot of support. electricity. for continued growth with this entity CHIEF JEREMY NORMAN “Hats off to the leadership because “We’ll be purchasing sour gas from in the coming year.” they’re the ones making sure there’s a gas company, but it has to be before During peak season there are 14 “This will include the land where the additional money so things are done well,” it gets cleaned,” Derocher added. “We people employed – from the first of NorSask and Mistik offices are situat- Derocher said, adding Indian and Northern have to burn it through generators April to the end of October. ed, meaning in about one year’s time, Affairs’ (INAC) annual allocated funding and, at that time, it gets added on to when it becomes reserve status, all for housing is outdated. “In the past, INAC the SaskPower grid. As for the timeline, Other ventures First Nation employees working there provided us with X amount of money and we have to have a finished proposal will benefit by not paying federal or that’s all you could build – basically a match Meanwhile, last fall, Flying Dust before SaskPower by June 30 of this provincial taxes on their employment box with a couple of doors and a bathroom year. “ purchased a large, 23-passenger com- income due to the fact they work on so to speak. Because the band is throwing Waterhen Lake First Nation’s newly-elected council from the band’s Dec. 12, 2018 vote. Standing (l-r) David Fleury, Dustin Ross Fiddler, Blaine munity van to be used to transport a reserve,” Derocher noted. “Once it’s in more money into their housing program Fiddler, Ableheza Ernest, Dean Martell, Karnella Fiddler. Seated is Chief Carol Bernard. FDFN has partnered with Genalta Power Inc. of Calgary, an expert and youth, elders and for community func- reserve land, Mistik and NorSask will we can now build 1,200-1,300 sq. ft. homes.” successful track record in this area hav- tions locally and out of town trips for pay property taxes to us rather than When you get a bigger house, Derocher ing built a number of these plants near large groups. Most recently the band the RM of Meadow Lake.” said, and nicely built, he believes people Peace River in northern Alberta. added a smaller, wheelchair accessible Derocher also said Flying Dust has are going to take pride in it, in terms of Reserve is home to new bison herd van for medical trips to and from the nine oil wells online and putting on ownership. bigger centres like North Battleford two more this summer in the south- How has this happened? Earlier this month, Flying Dust First Nation re- and youth hunting trips. These include things such of the animal. New fuel station and Saskatoon. A third smaller van east corner of Saskatchewan. Derocher noted they work closely ceived 25 bison from Elk Island National Park (near as moose, deer, elk and fish... and soon bison.” During future Treaty Day celebrations, the band A new fuel station is currently under was also purchased for medical trips “In total we own nine quarters of with Canadian Mortgage and Housing Edmonton, AB) as part of the park’s bison manage- The new animals include two-year-old mature will serve bison meat to its members at the annual construction along Highway 55 to as well as for youth group outings.