LAND CODE - Magnetawan First Nation

Chief and Council Report
April 2015
The Chief, Council and the Staff have been and will always continue to be faced with numerous
challenges, initiatives and responsibilities in dealing with maintaining and obtaining opportunities and
services to benefit all the members of Magnetawan First Nation.
It has been and will continue to be a mandate for this council to ensure that MFN keeps our finances in
order, maintains proper budgets and sufficient funds to sustain and enhance the operations of the band
business.
It has been a challenge to obtain and maintain employees and volunteers that are dedicated and willing
to work with the leadership and management for the benefit of our First Nations members.
Although we endured many challenges over the past 2 years, through the perseverance and dedication of
our employees, both members and non members of our First Nation that we have achieved success in
many areas that will provide for enhanced services and economic opportunities for all of our members to
benefit and prosper into the future.
We hoped that we would have received more direct support and participation from all of the members
and guests of Magnetawan First Nation in positively participating in the services provided, initiatives
and undertakings to service and advance our community.
We will continue to make opportunities and services available and hope that the benefits are seen to be
for the people and the best interest of all.
We also asked that the members support and respect the authority that we were empowered with by the
majority of members that elected this council to lead and administer the affairs of our First Nation. It is
unfortunate that we were and continue to be harassed, belittled and personally verbally attacked and
undermined by a handful of member’s hell bent on bringing down our people and First Nation.
It was said before and will continue to hold true that much work continually will need to be done to
make our Nation a better place for our people to benefit, prosper and ultimately restore what we never
gave up, our right to manage our own destiny as a Self Governing Nation.
It can and will be done with the desire and support of ALL.
I ask that you support this vision that exists with all Anishinabe.
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We will continue working on existing and new initiatives in the following areas.
1. Staffing
2. Administration
3. Economic Development
4. Public Works
5. Housing
6. Health and Wellness programs
7. Safety
8. Accountability – Leadership –Staff - Members
9. OGL graphite mine
10. Highway 69/400 highway expansion negotiations
11. Health Services
12. 4 Nations Hydro claim
13. 3 First Nation partnership
14. Policy review and development
15. Education
16. F.N. Education participate on the E.W.G
17. Maintain compliancy with all funding criteria in managing and administering the programs.
18. Review and enhance the Store Enterprise.
19. Review APS policing services
20. Support our children and members with CAS cases.
21. Comprehensive Community Plan
22. Claims
23. Band Office Building – New roof, Replace hot water heater, Replace light fixtures
24. YOUTH
25. SAR
26. F.N. Lands Management
27. FNMH – Governance, Finance, Policy, Election code, Matrimonial/Property, Constitution,
Residency By-law, Trespass By-law
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LAND CODE
It is a Federal Government Legislation providing for the ratification and bringing into effect the
Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.
The Framework Agreement is the document that sets out the terms and conditions under which a First
Nation can establish its own land management regime and remove its reserve lands from the Minister’s
control under the Indian Act.
The FNLM regime enables First Nations to manage their own land, resources and environment
according their own land codes, laws and policies. The new regime also helps First Nations get out
from under 34 land-related limitations of the Indian Act in order to take control of their land and
resources.
It is a big step leading toward self determination and government - once ratified, 34 sections of the
Indian Act will be eliminated.
Sequence of events leading to where we are today:
2009-2011 Magnetawan First Nation Chief Diabo meets with the Lands Board and provides a Band
Council Resolution to the First Nation Lands Advisory Board and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern
Development Canada, asserting our interest in becoming a signatory of the framework Agreement, as an
initial step into the FNLM regime.
2011-2013
An application was submitted for consideration for selection to the Lands Framework
agreement.
On January 23, 2012, Minister John Duncan (AANDC) announced that 18 more First Nations were
approved to the initial phase of the Lands Framework Agreement out of the 80 First Nation’s that have
asserted interest. Magnetawan First Nation was not one of the 18 selected.
2013-2014
Chief William Diabo and Council maintained the pressure on the Lands Advisory Board,
AANDC and local MP. The Hon. Minister Tony Clement as soon as they were elected in April 2013.
In preparation of another round of approvals to be invited into the FNLM regime from AANDC and the
Lands Advisory Board, Chief & Council provided support to Lands & Resources staff, Anthony Laforge
and completed an enhanced version of the application, which is a community assessment of MFN`s
capacity to become a signatory of the framework Agreement. This was completed with assistance from
Christine Laino, AANDC, Sudbury.
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July 28, 2013 This completed community assessment application, along with our 3rd Band Council
Resolution, asserting our sincere interest in the FNLM regime was approved by Council and forwarded
onto AANDC Regional office.
On September 23, 2014, Magnetawan First Nation received a letter from the Honorable Bernard
Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and Chief Robert Louie, Chairman
of the Lands Advisory Board advising MFN that our application was APPROVED and that MFN would
be invited to be a signatory of the framework Agreement on First Nation Lands.
March 3 2014 MFN Chief William Diabo and Minister Valcourt signed the Framework Agreement in
Ottawa.
April 1 2014 MFN hired Jerry Smith a MFN citizen who has worked diligently to prepare the land
code with input from the members of Magnetawan first Nation as well as capturing all but 10 member’s
addresses in preparation for the ratification of the Land code.
Feb. 23, 2015 Chief and Council, Jerry Smith meets with Christine Laino (AANDC) and Julie Pellerin
of the Lands Board to review line by line all of the documents. As a result of the work completed by
Jerry Smith with the support from Chief & Council, MFN is right where we need to be, with regards to
our MFN land code development schedule.
March 4 2015 Chief Diabo met with Christine Laino of AANDC in Sudbury to initial all of the pages of
the
March 9 2015 With all the documents now signed off the ratification process commenced to prepare for
the vote which will take place on June 20, 2015
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Land Code Ratification Benefits:
A First Nation under a Land Code is no longer subject to Section 28 and Section 35 of the
archaic Indian Act
Any potential MTO land acquisition will have to conform to the First Nations Land
Management Act and each First Nations land code
Section 26 of the First Nation Land Management Act provides that first nation land cannot be
alienated except where it is exchanged for other land
Section 29 of the First Nation Land Management Act provides that first nation land can only be
expropriated by Canada and only for the use of a federal department or agency (Governor in
Council discretion - high standard) Ministry of Transportation is not a federal department or
agency
Will return the monies held in the AANDC Magnetawan First Nation Trust account for us to manage as
well as all future monies derived from all agreement holders utilizing the land and resources of our First
Nation.
Will provide the MFN members the sole authority to create and adopt their own laws for the protection
and the preservation, of our reserve lands, resources and the environment.
Provides MFN full Management and Control of its Lands and Resources;
Eliminates the Bureaucracy of the Department of Justice and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern
Development Canada (AANDC) handling the designation of MFN lands;
Magnetawan First Nation and its members will be the authority having jurisdiction over our Lands
designation and usage.
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PRESS RELEASE DATED MARCH 3, 2014
FIRST NATIONS POISED TO TAKE CONTROL OVER THEIR LANDS
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Nineteen First Nations from across Canada sign onto the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land
Management and begin development of their own land codes
March 3, 2014 – Ottawa, Ontario – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Today the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development,
accompanied by Chief Robert Louie of the First Nations Land Advisory Board and Chief Austin Bear of
the First Nations Land Management Resource Centre Inc. welcomed 19 more First Nations into the First
Nations Land Management Regime. By signing the Framework Agreement, these First Nation
communities can now begin the process of opting out of 34 land-related sections of the Indian Act and
assume greater control over their reserve land and resources.
The 19 First Nation communities that signed onto the Framework Agreement today are:
• New Brunswick: Madawaska Maliseet
• Quebec: Abénakis de Wôlinak
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Ontario: Long Lake, M'Chigeeng, Magnetawan
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Manitoba: Nisichawayasihk (Nelson House), Norway House, Sagkeeng (Fort
Alexander)
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Saskatchewan: English River, Yellow Quill
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British Columbia:?akisq'nuk, Homalco, K'omoks, Lower Nicola, Malahat,
Metlakatla, Nak'azdli, Tahltan, and Soowahlie.
Once these communities have developed their own land codes, they will need to get them approved by
their membership through communities ratification votes in order to become operational under the
FNLM Regime. Once approved, these communities will join the 36 other First Nation communities
currently operating under their own land codes.
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Chief William Diabo signing the Framework Agreement along with MFN Elder Joan Noganosh as a
witness
"The Magnetawan First Nation is very pleased to be joining the First Nations Land
Management Regime. The Magnetawan First Nation sees this as an important first
step in the direction of self-government by providing self-determination to manage our
lands more effectively and efficiently than under the Indian Act. This Regime provides
greater opportunity to be more competitive on a number of important economic
development projects in our community."
Chief William Diabo
Magnetawan First Nation
1st Phase
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Developmental (2 year process) Member Driven
MFN has set a goal to ratify the code in 15 months
MFN hired land code coordinator to manage the development of the land code and
liaise with AANDC, Lands Advisory Board Resource Center, Chief & Council,
legal advisor and most importantly, the citizens of MFN
Develop a successful communication strategy to include ALL citizens
Facilitate interactive FNLM workshops to MFN citizens
Develop Draft MFN Land Code and draft land laws
Gain support from citizens of MFN
Ratify MFN Land Code
2nd Phase Operational
First Nation's clearly have the right to:
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Self-determination,
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Autonomy,
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Self-government,
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strengthen our distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions
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MFN citizens will make the decision to opt out of the land management sections of the
Indian Act by ratifying the land code (June 20, 2015). MFN eligible voters, both on and
off reserve, will cast their ballot to accept or reject a land code and individual agreement.
Land codes are tailored by each first nation, according to our own beliefs, customs,
traditions and expectations. A land code provides increased protection for reserve land.
Through a land code, a first nation is unconditionally recognized with all the rights,
powers and privileges of an owner of its lands and specifically an owner that has 100%
Aboriginal Title to their lands.
On June 20 vote “YES” for the ratification of the Land Code
NOTE; Dokis, Nipissing and Henvey Inlet are operational; while Magnetawan and Shawanaga First
Nation will be going to ratification in the near future. Wasauksing is working toward reaching the
ratification process.
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NEW HEALTH CENTER
2009–11 MFN Chief Diabo and Councillors Lloyd Myke and Nancy Noganosh met with Health
Canada to discuss and start the process of getting funding for a new Health Center.
2011-13 MFN Chief Noganosh and Councillors Noganosh and Myke secured the funding from Health
Canada to complete the construction of a new Health Center by March 31 2012.
2013–14 MFN Chief Diabo and Councillors Dominic and Myke ensured the completion of the new
Health Center which took until the fall of 2013 to complete. There was a cost overrun of which was
secured from the OLG – Health category by Previous and Current Council to cover the additional costs
to get the Health Center completed.
2014-September MFN relocated the Health staff and programs commenced at the New Health Center
2014-December 06 MFN held an official opening of the new Health Center –
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Health Canada Flex Funding
2010-11 Chief Diabo and Council met with Marc Cardinal of Health Canada to discuss and determine
what MFN was required to do to enhance our funding. MFN was advised that we were required to
sustain compliance with the management and reporting requirements of our funding agreement and if so
we would be eligible to apply in 2012.
2011-13 Chief Noganosh and Council did not pursue Flex Funding
2013-15 Chief Diabo and Council re-establish moving forward with Health Canada again to acquire
enhanced Flex Funding agreement.
6/19/2014 1:43 PM – Email Received
Further to our telephone conversation today, this to confirm our meeting on July 8th @10is at the Health Centre. Tracey
Clark, Senior Manager, Program Delivery (Zone Director) will be accompanying me and I have asked Cheri Corbiere of
Home and Community Care to join us. Once Cheri confirms, I'll let you know.
I'm looking forward to discussing the possibility of Magnetawan moving into a more flexible agreement.
Regards,
Margaret A. Tims
Senior Program Officer, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
Health Canada/Government of Canada
[email protected]/613-793-2409
April 1 2015 MFN Chief Diabo received good news from Diane Proulx, Senior Program Officer –
Health Canada – The new Flex Funding Agreement has been approved to commence on April 1 2015.
Benefits:
This will enhance our health services and provide us additional funding whereby we will have the funds
to employ a Health Director to oversee the Health Center and manage the staff and programs.
An internal posting for the Director position has been prepared and will be circulated.
There will be flexibility to manage all program funds within and across all the programs
We also applied for and received addition funds ($8,000.00) to maintain the health center annually.
We also inquired into getting Community Care. Upon further investigation by health Canada it was
determined that we previously had the service and we can pursue getting it reinstated. Health Canada
has just advised MFN that they wish to meet to discus the reinstatement of the program.
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CLAIMS
1. STATUS OF HIGHWAY SPECIFIC CLAIM
In 2005, MFN submitted a specific claim to Canada with respect to the taking of various pieces of land
and the construction of roadways between 1883 and 1964 (The “Highway Specific Claim”). The claim
submission contained eight separate allegations.
In June 2011, Canada replied to MFN’s claim submission and accepted the Highway Specific Claim in part.
Canada accepted allegations 1, 7 and 8 for negotiation, and rejected the other five.
In late 2012, Canada and Magnetawan agreed to enter into a negotiation process to resolve the three allegations
Canada accepted allegations 1, 7 and 8. Canada and Magnetawan further agreed that Magnetawan could withdraw
certain of the other allegations that Canada had not accepted for further research and resubmission at a later date.
Canada has adopted a take it or leave it approach to claim settlement.
Nevertheless, Magnetawan has made progress on its Highway Claim. Addressing this issue has been difficult as
Canada has refused to provide Magnetawan funding necessary to adequately explore this issue.
It is expected that this outstanding mineral issue will be addressed within the coming months and that Canada will
provide an offer of settlement on this file sometime this summer. Once a settlement offer has been made, Council
will receive professional advice on the adequacy of the offer and will then present the offer to the community.
2. STATUS OF BOUNDARY CLAIM
In 2011, Magnetawan First Nation submitted a specific claim to the government of Canada related to the
boundary of the Magnetawan Indian Reserve. The claim submission advanced three alternative basis of
liability
Canada replied to the Boundary Claim in December 2013, and informed Magnetawan that it had rejected all three
basis of liability
The terms of acceptance of the Boundary Claim are consistent with Canada’s current approach to claims.
Magnetawan First Nation now has the following options with respect to the Boundary Claim:
1) Additional research to attempt to further support the Boundary Claim and re-submit to Canada, or
2) File the Boundary Claim at the Specific Claim Tribunal and put the matter before a judge.
No decision has been made on which option to pursue.
3. STATUS OF HYDRO CLAIM
In 2009 Magnetawan First Nation submitted a Hydro Specific Claim to the Government of Canada for
negotiation.
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In August 2012, Canada wrote to Magnetawan and accepted the Hydro Specific Claim, in part, on very
unfavourable terms to Magnetawan. Canada rejected allegations 3 and 4, and accepted allegations 1, 2 and 5.
With respect to allegations 1 and 2, which Canada accepted, Canada took the further position that no loss
occurred to Magnetawan.
Magnetawan is also involved in the Four Nations Hydro Claim, with other First Nations in the area.
4. STATUS OF CPR CLAIM
In March 2014, Canada responded to a Canadian Pacific Railway Claim that Magnetawan had submitted.
Canada accepted the CPR Claim in part. Canada accepted allegations 2 and part of allegations 3 and 7. Canada
rejected allegations 1, 4, 5 and 6and part of allegations 3 and 7. The terms of Canada’s acceptance were prepared
in such a way to undermine the potential value of the claim.
Magnetawan will be seeking the assistance and advice from the Union of Ontario Indians on Canada’s partial
acceptance of the CPR Claim. It is expected that as part of this advice Magnetawan will consider the Specific
Claims Tribunal as an option to seek a just resolution of this matter.
* NOTE: As these claims are active, detail information is confidential.
Magnetawan Members may contact Chief and Council to obtain additional
information.
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4 Nations Hydro claim
A Letter of claim was submitted to Hydro 1 identifying our claim and
willingness to negotiate a settlement.
Our legal representation will arrange for a meeting as soon as possible.
We will aggressively pursue this claim this year as a 4 partner First Nations
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OLG – Rama
2013-15 – Council utilized investment funds in order to meet the shortfalls, subsidize areas where
sufficient funding is not provided and to fund the monthly budget established to provide for the
community. (Food vouchers – Easter, Thanksgiving and Xmas, Heating supplement, Addictions week,
Xmas Gathering/Party, etc.)
We had to utilize funds from the OLG account to complete the Health Center.
We also had to utilize funds from the OLG account to complete the 2 new housing units.
We are working on controlling the funds and maintaining reasonable spending.
The monthly distributions are flowing on time.
* NOTE: Detail information is for Magnetawan Members only.
Members may contact Chief and Council to obtain additional information.
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MTO - HIGHWAY NEGOTIATIONS
May 2013 – Chief and Council commenced meetings with MTO and identified that the route of the
highway was in Question.
2013 – Community meeting was held and a consensus was obtained to accept and approve the existing
route of the new 400 highway.
A negotiations committee was defined to provide advisory information to and from the community to
support Chief and Council with the negotiations with the Ministry of transportation.
Sept. 2013 – Negotiations stalled in order to resolve the terms of the negotiations agreement.
DEC. 2014 MFN and MTO resolved the agreement issue and signed of the 2014-15 agreements and
have resumed negotiation meetings.
A call for committee members was put out and we didn’t receive any responses from the community.
2015 Meetings scheduled in January and February was cancelled at the requests of MTO.
We will continue to seek out Committee Member to be the liaisons between the Members and chief and
Council.
The next meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2015
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Economic Development Program
This program is responsible for facilitating, promoting, and ensuring community economic
development.
The goal is to secure opportunities and funding for economic and business development and increase
community economic development and employment.
The Community Economic development officer assists individuals with obtaining employment training
opportunities and to secure funding for these opportunities.
Key accomplishment for 2014/15
• Chip Shack- Retrofitted and equipped the building and leased this enterprise to a community
member.
• Summer Students – Arranged funding and employment opportunities for Magnetawan First
Nation Youth - 7 students were employed in the community on various projects
• Pit Crew - Arrange funding and Employment for MFN members. Cleaned up the “pit” area
that has been used for many years as a Community Dump
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Ongoing Projects
• Commercial Coffee shop –
o Investigate and start the planning process to acquire a national branded coffee shop (
Tim Horton’s, Coffee Time, Country Style)
o Obtaining a business plan for the Expansion of the gas-bar/Coffee Shop
o Submit a Call for Proposals to start the design process
o Source Funding Opportunities
o Engage Leadership in the Planning/Design process
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• Solar Project
o Investigate opportunities to install a photovoltaic energy array on the Administration
building to reduce electricity costs.
o Submit plan to SCF ( small communities fund) to improve infrastructure
• Strategic Plan – Community Plan
o Source funding and engage a consultant to create a strategic plan for the future needs
of Magnetawan First Nation
• CNAP –
o Evaluate the potential Tourism options for Magnetawan First Nation
o Submit report to Chief & Council for approval
o Input data from report into planning process
• Ontario Parks
o Create a partnership with parks Ontario to develop an operational park at Noganosh
Lake and Magnetawan River
o Lobby Crown to provide land adjacent to these parks to have designated as ATR to
build this facility
Future Challenges:
• Economic Development Committee - to add community input directly into the
planning process.
• Existing Infrastructure – Explore the requirements to expand the Community
• Expand Workforce – Create more housing to have a larger work force in the
Community
• Assess Skill set – Identify the skills that are present in the Community
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HOUSING
2012 Funding was obtained from CMHC in the form of a mortgage for the standard construction of 2
houses.
2013 We completed the construction and had to utilize MFN OLG funds to cover the additional cost to
complete the construction.
We established a rental rate for the houses to reflect the total cost in order to work toward recouping all
of the expenditure cost to construct the homes.
Debt to the band for rental arrears is and will continue to be addressed.
The outstanding debts will remain on record and agreements for recovery will continue.
We have established irrevocable agreements to have recovery and rental amount deducted from
employees pays if they are employed by MFN
We have established rental agreements to have rent paid directly to MFN if the renter is on a social
program.
Rental agreements have been put in place and must be renewed annually.
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YOUTH
2013-14
A youth and Elder attended a meeting on Water at Serpent River representing MFN.
Two youth attended a workshop for youth in London addressing suicide through Photo.
The Youth Group was restarted with support from Ann Pamajewan.
An opportunity was available for 2 youth to attend a governance traditional training session at Beaucage
Park, Nipissing – The youth backed out and did not attend
All students that applied for summer employment were provided jobs.
A Youth was selected to participate in the APS ride along program
2014-15
Two youth attended a workshop on Juries in Thunder Bay
Two Youth attended a session on Water in Sault Ste Marie
An opportunity was available for 2 youth aged 13 to 18 to attend a governance traditional training
session at Nipissing during the school break and the native Hockey Tournament – No one was available
All students that applied for summer employment were provided jobs.
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SENIORS AND ELDERS
Program services and home support continue to be available for elders
Heating supplement of $1000.00 was provided to all seniors – 40% increase from
previous year
Snow removal is provided during the winter.
Grass cutting is provided during the summer
Elder picnic was attended on Manitoulin Island
Elders shopping trips
Food prize bingos
Language Conference
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OGL KEARNEY MINE
2013-15 Chief and Council were not able to continue on a path to finalize an IBA as
OGL and MFN reached an impasse and OGL is experiencing difficulties on getting
investors.
As of today April 7, 2015 the status of the mine has been changed.
See attached notice:
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RH TREATY ANNUITIES CLAIM
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For Further Information _ contact Chief and Council
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MTO/FN - CARLING QUARRY
Carling Aggregate Quarry, Carling Township, Hwy 69 (2013)
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to move forward with potential projects in
the Hwy 69 corridor
Magnetawan First Nation’s bid, just under $1 Million was successful
Magnetawan Chief Diabo Signed the Contract May 21, 2013
The Miller Group a highly successful, respected and accomplished road construction
corporation partnered to provide the capacity to operate the Quarry operation.
MFN managed the project with on-site construction project management provided by
Miller.
Deliverables
Drilling & blasting bedrock to generate 100,000 m3 of blast rock
Crush 4558 m3 of non-processed Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP)
Crush sufficient Granular A from blast rock produced to blend with processed RAP
Install pre-fabricated gate and erect Species at Risk exclusion fence
Clearing and grubbing and traffic control during blasting
The project was successfully completed
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MFN’s Species at Risk Program
Employment
• 6 months / year employment for community member Terry Jones. More than just a job,
Terry found interest in Natural Resource Management and will be attending College in
September 2015 to pursue this career.
• Casual employment for other community members as required. John Bissonette (IT), Misty
Noganosh (Web design).
Outreach
• Over 20 public speaking engagements on behalf of Magnetawan First Nation. Venues
include; Parry Sound Museum, Parry Sound Nature Club, Ontario Parks, Toronto Zoo,
Lake Huron Georgian Bay Stewardship Conference, Parry Sound North Star, Wasauksing
Elders Gathering, Magnetawan First Nation Community hall.
• Created the Face book site “Magnetawan First Nation-Lands and Resources” that now has
over 200 followers and some posts receive over 600 views.
• Created an outreach initiative “nature club” with Janice Smith from Health and Wellness.
Activities included plant and tree identification walks, canoe rescue techniques etc.
• In February 2015, hosted Ontario’s first Environmental Stewardship and Anishinabek Land
Management Conference. MFN’s SAR staff put on the event; additional funding was applied
for and reported on. As well, MFN SAR Biologist Ryan Morin MC’ed the event, and he and
Lands and Resources Anthony Laforge gave presentations regarding work being done here.
• After getting in contact with TVO regarding an upcoming nature documentary, dates have
been booked for filming at Magnetawan First Nation. In early May 2015, the TVO film
crew will be here to document work being done by MFN, to preserve bio-diversity in
Georgian Bay’s Biosphere Reserve.
Science
• Continued to thoroughly document Road Ecology and the large scale mortality of reptiles
on highway 69 and 529 in a scientific manner, making it comparable year to year, and post
construction.
• Continued to “mark and recapture” Species at Risk populations at MFN to assess
populations levels, and attempt to detect significant declines before it’s too late.
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• Attempting new software applications to wildlife management, should this methodology be
successful, a scientific paper on behalf of MFN should result
• Summarizing and writing an annual confidential report of results and discoveries for the
year, as well as a public version.
• Summarizing data and writing a scientific paper on results of the three year study on Species
at Risk “demographics” found at MFN
• Respond and provide input to Environment Canada, on behalf of Magnetawan First Nation,
regarding the management and status of Species at Risk in Canada. This input is taken into
consideration when planning Species at Risk legislation in Canada.
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IT SERVICES
• Magnetawanfirstnation.com website providing up to date news and events to the
local community. Published calendars for all the various departments keeping the
community alive and involved
• Consolidated IT Services reduced cost, maintainability, and efficiency
• Installed Health Center cabling to provide computer, phone access, and server
access
• Installed network links between the Band Office, MFN Store, and Log Cabin to
provide networking services
• Camera security systems provide safety and accountability in the Band office,
Health Center, and MFN Store
• Central Server installed to provide centralized, secure, file storage for all MFN
departments
• Setup a Quickbooks Multi-User Installation with daily, weekly, monthly, and
remote backups
• Integrated Health Center into current Phone System to save thousands
• Setup / Configured Email, Shared Contacts, Shared / Personal Calendar System for
security and convenience
• Setup / Configured Student Laptops for use in Post Secondary Education
• Advance Permissions / Security setup for locking signed Resolutions / Contracts
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ADMISTRATION
Staffing the Band Manager and Finance Manager Positions has always and continues to
present a challenge to many First Nations including MFN.
• The geographical location of the First Nation
• The availability of qualified resources within the First Nation
• First Nation Members within the community do not traditionally pursue and
acquire managerial education and qualification to meet the needs of the job
positions on the First Nation
• The market availability of qualified resources in the area
• Housing availability - if a candidate is available from a distant Location
• A candidates desire to relocate to the First Nation
We will continue to source out qualified employees to fill the positions as they arise.
We will continue to maintain and support the growth of our existing and future staff.
We will structure the staff position to get the best benefit for the services we provide and
provide full time employment and wages required by individuals to sustain their personal
and family income needs.
We will continue to offer job opportunities to our members that qualify and possess the
necessary skills to meet the job requirements.
We will continue to support our members that wish to develop the capacity for
employment and business development.
All budgets and work plans are in place for the fiscal year 2015-16.
The Audit process is underway and we expect to have it completed on time
We have and will continue to maintain all programming and administrative functions of
the band and seek out opportunities to enhance services.
We have and will continue to operate within the approved budgets and remain compliant
with our responsibilities to meet our reporting requirements to our funding sources.
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Community Development
Cemetery – A stone marker was put in place to honour our members who passed on to
the spirit world.
Water Plant – Protective fencing has been installed around the water plant and the lowlift station
Pit Area – the area was cleaned up, removing 20 tonnes of waste and signage was erected
indicating that NO DUMPING IS PERMITTED
Store/Gas Bar – Diesel pump and tank was installed and the lot was expanded and
cleaned up to allow for large truck access
Community Signage – Welcome to Magnetawan First Sign was erected, Speed reduction
sign erected for the playground area and a 911
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Education
Purchased a new school bus
Council is actively participating with the U.O.I. on the KEB Board as a member of the
Board working on the development of our Anishinabek Education System.
Council is working with the Ministry of education on the development of a Master
Framework Agreement for First Nation’s students and communities. Support the AES
Chief and Council ensured that no qualified post secondary band member both on and off
reserve was denied funding to pursue their education.
MFN education Councillor Carol Stevens was the successful candidate selected by the
participating First Nations as their Trustee to fill the aboriginal seat on the Near north
School Board.
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