FIRST NATION DAY GOES OUT WITH A BANG

OJIBWAYS OF THE PIC RIVER FIRST NATION
Volume 2, Issue 3
July 2010
FIRST NATION DAY GOES
OUT WITH A BANG
On June 19, Pic River celebrated First Nations Day at the Mouth of the Pic River. Various departments
contributed events such as Lacrosse, A Minute to Win It, Snack Supply and the annual Fish Derby. The day
ended with a fireworks display that wowed over 1000 spectators young and
old. A big thank you to the sponsors, staff and especially the volunteers and
firefighters making this year‘s celebrations a huge success.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
FARLEY FLEX VISITS PIC RIVER
The Pic River Education department
welcomed a very special guest to
community in June. Farley Flex, as known
as a judge from the ever popular show
Canadian Idol, came to speak to the
students, members and invited guests
during an hour long presentation at the
Mouth of the Pic River (Powwow Grounds).
More on Page 13
Farley Flex speaks to students
from Pic River Elementary
Administration
2
Finance
3
Health
4
Early Childhood Education
9
Education
12
Economic Development
17
Energy
20
Lands & Resources
22
Social Services
24
Capital Housing
26
Page 2
HST— WHAT NOW….
On July 1st the Harmonized Sales Tax
(HST) comes into effect in Ontario.
Starting September 1st First Nations
status card holders will be exempt from
the provincial part of the HST for eligible
off-reserve purchases.
For July and August, status card holders
will be refunded the provincial part of the
HST.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
For more information, call
1-800-337-7222 and
Teletypewriter (TTY) 1-800-263-7776 or
visit www.ontario.ca/taxchange.
How do I get my money back?
For purchases made during the interim period of July 1st 2010
to August 31,st 2010, status card holders can file a refund
application with the Ontario Ministry of Revenue.
Refund application forms will be available starting August 1st:
• online at www.ontario.ca/taxchange
• by calling 1 866 ONT-TAXS (1 866 668-8297)
or 1 800 263-7776 for teletypewriter (TTY)

at your Band Council office
Refund application forms should be submitted between
September 1st 2010 and November 1st 2010, and must be
accompanied by:
• original receipts
• photocopy of both sides of the Status Indian Card
NEW IMPROVEMENTS TO COMMUNITY HALL
Over the last 4 months, the community hall under went a make over. Both bathrooms were completely
gutted and re-done, the front foyer was opened up and new flooring added. The front door is now
handicap accessible with an automatic door and built in ramp for the front door and back door to
better serve our membership.
Page 3
NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR HIRED
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Ted Sauve and I am the new Director of Finance. I
started work here on July 12th and I am very happy to be here. I am located in the Band Office and
have met many of you already, for those who of you that I have not met please feel free to drop by
and say hi! In the coming months I will be working to getting familiar with all the work processes
and just getting to know everyone. I can see that I am working with a very supportive group of
people and this has made me feel very welcome. I can be reached at 229-1749 ext. 25 if you have
any questions or concerns. Thank you to all of you.
STATUS CARDS UPDATE
Many community members have been inquiring
about status cards. As of print date, the Membership
Clerk has not received word from INAC in Toronto to
begin processing cards or registration. Once they have
approved the go ahead on this project, we will inform
community members through advertising or website.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Good Day Everyone!
As most of you may know already I‘m Shannon Courchene and I‘ve been
working with Pic River to develop a training needs data base. I am
currently in the process of obtaining as much members as possible to fill
out a brief survey regarding your training and skills history. I would like to
thank everyone who has already completed one. This survey can be found
on the Pic River Website under the Administration Department. I strongly
encourage everyone to fill out and pass on the survey to other members. I
will also be going door-to-door during the week of August 2nd – August
6th. The final deadline for all surveys to be handed in is August 20th, 2010.
Then there will be a participation draw for everyone who participated.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to complete a survey.
Page 4
COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE UPDATE SHELLY MICHANO
Water Safety
Summer is really rolling along. It’s that time of year where safety is a big concern.
Pools, lakes, ponds, and beaches mean summer fun and
cool relief from hot weather. But water also can be
dangerous for kids if you don't take the proper precautions. Nearly 1,000 kids die each year by drowning. And
most drownings occur in home swimming pools. The
good news is there are many ways to keep your kids safe
in the water and make sure that they take the right
precautions when they're on their own.
At the Lake or Pond
 Don't let kids swim without adult supervision — lakes or ponds may be shallow near
the bank and then increase in depth
sharply further out from shore.
Keeping Kids Safe
Kids need constant supervision around water — whether
the water is in a bathtub, a wading pool, an ornamental fish
pond, a swimming pool, a spa, the beach, or a lake.
Young children are especially vulnerable — they can drown
in less than 2 inches (6 centimeters) of water. That means
drowning can happen where you'd least expect it — the
sink, the toilet bowl, fountains, buckets, inflatable pools, or
small bodies of standing water around your home, such as
ditches filled with rain water. Always watch children closely
when they're in or near any water.

Ponds and lakes may hide jagged rocks,
broken glass, or trash.

Make sure kids wear foot protection; even
in the water, they should wear aqua socks
or water shoes.

Watch out for weeds and grass that could
entangle a leg or arm.

Most boating accidents, particularly among
teenagers, are related to alcohol. When you
and your family are boating, assign a designated driver who won't drink. Be sure teens
know about the dangers of alcohol, on and
off the water.
At the Beach
It's a good idea to learn to swim, and kids older than 4 years
should learn to swim, too (check the local recreation center
for classes taught by qualified instructors). Don't assume
that a child who knows how to swim isn't at risk for
drowning. All kids need to be supervised in the water, no
matter what their swimming skill levels. And infants,
toddlers, and weak swimmers should have an adult swimmer within arm's reach to provide "touch supervision."



Continued on page 7

Upcoming Programs
August 14 – Amulet Bag Making –for
women of child bearing age
August 15 – Grandmother‘s & Great
Aunties Workshop
August 16 - Living Healthy: A Glimpse
into the Issues First Nation Youth Face.


Unlike the calm waters of a swimming pool, the
beach has special dangers like currents and
tides. Check with the lifeguard when you arrive
to find out about the water conditions.
Don't allow kids to swim in large waves or undertows, and tell them never to stand with their
back to the water because a sudden wave can
easily knock a child over.
Teach kids that if they're caught in a rip current
or undertow, they should swim parallel to the
shore or should tread water and call for a lifeguard's help.
The stings of jellyfish or Portuguese man-ofwars can be painful, so tell kids to avoid them
in the water and to tell an adult right away if
they're stung.
Whether at the lake or at the beach, teach your
child to get out of the water during bad
weather, especially lightning.
Water play can be a great source of fun and
exercise. You'll enjoy the water experience
more by knowing and practicing these safety
precautions.
Page 5
COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE UPDATE MEDOLDIE TOUCHETTE
Good Day! Hoping everyone has enjoyed their summer so
far. For this newsletter, I thought fire safety would be a
good topic because it‘s an important issue for all of us.
Statistics have shown that our life will be affected by fire
three times; whether it be a personal experience or that of a
family member or friend. Knowing what to do if a fire were
to occur can make the difference between life and death.
DO NOT:




Smoke in your home

Run back into a home if there is
smoke or fire
Do you have a fire escape?
If you do, the GREAT!!
But….. Remember to practice it
If not, start by drawing a floor plan of your house. Sit down
with your family and draw your floor with escape routes.
Drawing an exact floor plan of your home will be more
beneficial as you will be as prepared as possible if a fire were
to occur.
Leave cooking unattended
Leave lit candles attended
Leave lighters/ matches in reach of
children
DO:


Have working fire alarms



A fire escape route and meeting place
Have working carbon monoxide
detectors
Have 2 ways to exit home
Call fire dept and know the number by
heart
Do you have fire alarms? Do they work? Look around your home, check to ensure
they are working. Change the battery q6 months. Ex. when you move your clocks ahead
and behind an hour.
Do you have a carbon monoxide detector? Carbon monoxide is a colourless,
odourless , deadly gas that is produced by an appliance or heating device that uses
combustible fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal. It is recommended that a
carbon monoxide detector be installed near the bedrooms in the home.
Accreditation
The Pic River Health Centre is requesting that when
you assess services from the clinic, could you bring in a
complete list of all your medications; this includes
vitamins and anything that you buy yourself without a
prescription. This list will be kept in your chart for
record. We are currently moving forward with the
Accreditation process and this is one of the
requirements that is needed. If you have any questions
or concerns, please feel free to contact:
Shelly Michano 229-1836 ext. 609
Melodie Touchette 229-1836 ext. 610
Stroke Support Group
There will be a Stroke Support Group starting in
Marathon in August 2010. The group will be
meeting 1-2 times per week and group members
will be given the opportunity to share their
stories, express any concerns and to share what
has worked for them. For more information
please contact Eveline Carney at 229-1334.
Page 6
HEALTH DIRECTOR UPDATE
ERICA PERKINS—HEALTH DIRECTOR
New Equipment
The Health Centre would like to thank the Northern Ontario School of
Medicine and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund for the new equipment
at the Health Centre. Community members will notice a new exam table
and stool and we now have an Automatic External Defibrillator and the
Sterilizer for medical equipment has been updated. Thank you to these
organizations for providing the opportunity to partner on this project.
Hosting of Medical Learners of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine
The 2010 Integrated Community Experience 106 was a huge success. Allison Carroll Coutts and Heather
Reid were great students to have in Pic River and from their parting presentation it seems that they learned an
extensive amount about the culture and people of Pic River. They have memories that will last a life time and
they will be able to incorporate into their practices as physicians. Thank you to all community members that
took the time to share their stories with the students and to make them feel welcome in the community.
Thank you to the wonderful ladies of the 50+ group for sharing your talents and teaching them to make
moccasins. A huge Miigwech goes out to Michelle Morriseau for her work as Local Community Coordinator,
she did an excellent job and provided wonderful learning opportunities for the students while they were here.
I just want to take the time to congratulate Michelle and Raymond on their recent wedding, we wish you a
very long, happy and prosperous life together.
Staffing Changes
Accreditation
There are a few changes to staff in the Home
and Community Care department. Gloria
continues to be off on medical leave until
September. John Cooke has resigned as Acting
Home & Community Care Coordinator and I
would like to welcome Melodie Touchette into
this position. Faith Twance will be covering as
Assistant Health/Home Care Nurse on a part
time basis.
The Health Centre staff and the Accreditation Committee
continue to work diligently towards the goal of
accreditation. The community and staff surveys have been
completed. From these surveys a performance roadmap
has been produced which has identified areas of priority
for the committee to focus on. Since April the committee
has been meeting every two weeks and the purpose of
these meetings is to address the area identified on the
roadmap.
We have received our Primer survey schedule and the
dates the surveyors from Accreditation Canada will be in
Pic River to do our survey is October 17 – 20, 2010.
Students from the Kindergarten class register for
the Annual Diabetes Poker Walk on May 7, 2010
Our surveyors have been identified as Sheila Arnold who is
the Manager of the Community Health Unit at Kateri
Memorial Hospital Centre and Arlene Gallant-Bernard
who works with the Department of PEI as the Executive
Director at Prince County Hospital, Provincial Director of
Diagnostic Imaging, and a member of the provincial senior
management committee for healthcare planning.
Page 7
2010 Aboriginal Day Fish Derby
The 2010 Fish Derby sponsored by the Children and Family Learning Centre and the Pic River Health Centre
was a huge success this year with a record number of participants attending. There were 125 Adults who
participated and 59 Children for a total of 184!!!
Category Winners
Child
Pickeral
Sucker
1st – Dawson Courchene
1st – Alyssa Luce
2nd – Danielle Michano
2nd – Skye Stewart
3rd – Braiden Michano
3rd - Gage Stewart
Pike
1st – Glen Michano
Mystery Weight
Braiden Michano
Biggest Fish Caught on the Shore
Andy Desmoulin
Adult
Pickeral
Pike
Mystery Weight
1st – Kody Touchette
1st – Jim Michano
Jim Michano
2nd – Tracy Michano-Stewart
2nd – Tony Michano
Biggest Fish Caught on the Shore
3rd – Willie Michano Jr.
Salmon
Chase Stewart
1st – Colin Desmoulin
Water Safety…. Cont’d from page 4
Water safety precautions start in the home. The bathroom is full of dangers for
youngsters. Never leave a young child unattended in the bathroom, especially
while bathing — even if the child appears to be well propped in a safety tub or
bath ring. Put away all hair dryers and other electrical appliances to avoid the risk
of electrocution.
Teach kids never to swim alone. Using the buddy system means there's always
someone looking out for you. Make sure your kids understand that swimming in a
pool is different from swimming in a lake or the ocean — there are different
hazards for each.
*taken from KidsHealth.org
Page 8
Diabetes Educator
Tammi Shaw
Hello everyone! As most of you know my name is Tammi Shaw and I am working at the Pic River
Health Centre as the Diabetes Coordinator. One of my programs will be starting shortly, a Diabetes
Support Group. The first meeting will take place on July 26, 2010 in the Health Centre at 7:00 p.m. I
look forward to seeing you there. If anyone has any questions at all, don‘t hesitate to call me at the
Health Centre at 229-1836 ex. 607.
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer by getting out there and
taking advantage of the beautiful weather to become physically
active!
It is recommended to get at least 30 minutes of physical
activity throughout the day for adults and at least 90
minutes of physical activity throughout the day for
children. Are you getting the recommended amount of physical
activity? If you are, GREAT! If you aren‘t, it‘s ok too! Start
increasing your physical activity slowly by taking baby steps.
Here are some tips to get you moving!
Let’s all get active and live healthier lives!
Let’s get you moving!
 Watch less TV and spend less time at your computer
 Play actively with your kids
 Find a supportive friend to motivate each other to get moving
 Start with a 10 minute walk and slowly increase the time
 Do the activities you are doing now, more often
 Try a new activity you always wanted to try
When you increase your physical activity you are
gaining a healthier you! The benefits of regular
physical activity include:
 Better health
 Improved fitness
 Better posture & balance
 Better self-esteem
 Weight control
 Stronger muscle & bones
 Feeling more energetic
 Relaxation & reduced stress
 Continued independent living in later life
Page 9
Greetings from the Children & Family Learning Centre!!!
The staff hope that everyone is enjoying the weather and their summer. The program has 23 families
in the program – there are currently 8 infants, 6 toddlers, 16 preschoolers and 8 school-age children
in the program.
The staff and the children would like to welcome, Marie Desmoulin to the program. Marie will be
working with the program as our summer student. Marie has worked for the program as a part-time
casual relief staff. She is currently working towards her Early Childhood Education Diploma through
Confederation College – Marathon site.
Infants - Esther, Delphine and Dyana
The infants are having a lot of fun. They are so much fun to be with.
Each day is filled with joy and excitement. The babies are starting to
walk and talk. They have been going out for a lot of walks around the
community. If you see us walking by, please make sure to wave to us,
as this is one of our skills that we are starting to master.
Toddlers - Catherine
The toddlers are keeping very busy and enjoying the warmer weather.
We have been working on the following themes in our program; Colors,
Canada Day, Insects and summer. The toddlers are a fun group to work
with. They keep me on my toes and are very interesting in all the little
tools they seem to be able to master.
Preschool Program - Thelma and Anita
The children in the Preschool Room have been keeping busy with a lot
of things. Some of the upcoming things that they will be working are;
Frogs, Fun In The Sun, Sand, Water and Berries.
School-Age Program - Norma
The school year has come to an end. The children will be
missed and we are looking forward to seeing the children in the
fall. Have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Page 10
Comfort, Play & Teach:
A Positive Approach to Parenting
(provided by Invest In Kids resource)
Tip Sheet
Comforting Your Child
Here are some ways you can comfort your child:
Baby
If you do this:
Make eye contact with your baby.
Your baby will:
Become familiar with your face.
Toddler
If you do this:
Recognize and name your toddlers emotions, for instance, ―your crying tells me you are feeling sad.‖
Your toddler will:
Learn to identify feelings.
Learn the words to use when talking about feelings.
Begin to relate descriptive words with feelings.
Preschooler
If you do this:
Watch for situations that might be stressful or make
your preschooler feel bad.
Prepare him/her ahead of time for a new or stressful
situation.
Your preschooler will:
Feel secure with your support.
Experience less stress.
Learn ways to deal with new and stressful situations.
Developing Routine:
With the new school year around the corner, it is very important to start a regular routine with your child
and/or children. Routine is important for both parent and child. It can help establish good habits, healthy
living, and, which sometimes can seem like the most important thing to a SAHD, it can get everyone through
the day in one piece.
For Children : There is much information out there about how important routines are for children. It helps
with sleeping, eating and gives them a sense of security in a world where they have very little control. The list
can go on and on.
Sticking to a good schedule on naps is going to lessen the shock on the
kid‘s system when naptime arrives. That, in turn, should mean an
easier time, with less fighting, falling asleep. A bedtime routine at night
– brush teeth, bath, story, and so on – will also help the children know
what is expected during the time of day, help them wind down and fall
asleep easier. That will turn into a better night‘s sleep, which will equal
well-rested and happier kids.
Food falls along the same lines. Eating at about the same times every day will help them understand when the
next meal is coming and keep hunger in check. It will establish good eating habits by not allowing constant
snacking, meaning they‘ll actually eat their dinner.
Set times for play and creative activity will give them something to look forward to. Having them help around
the house or with errands on a routine basis will help establish a sense of responsibility. Giving them a
structured environment will likely result in a sense of comfort for kids. That should mean better behavior,
which results in less chaos, which means an easier day for dad.
Page 11
Outreach Program - Debbie
The Outreach Program is still
continuing with some programs
over the summer months. We
started our Parent Support
Group – this will be ongoing….the next session is
scheduled for August 10, 2010 at
7:00p.m. Come out and share!!!
Mondays and Wednesdays –
from 9:00 – 12:00…Parents and
babies are welcome to drop in.
Look for more information and
details in the fall:
ESSO Family Math Program for
children from preschool to
grade One.
Comfort, Play & Teach Activity
Program for Parents and
Infants…This is a program for
Infants and Parents to look at
positive approach to parenting
everyday and the main focus is
on comfort, play and teach.
Cook’s Corner
Cook‘s Corner – Cheri
Fruit Smoothie
Utensils
Blender or food processor
1 cup liquid measuring cup
1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon (optional)
4 medium-sized glasses
Ingredients
1 cup nonfat vanilla or plain yogurt or lowfat milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
2 ice cubes
Any fruit that you want to use (fresh or frozen)
Directions:
Rinse and pull of stems of any fruit that needs such attention.
Cut up fruits such as apples, mangos, plums, and pears.
Add the rest of the ingredients.
Shut lid of blender (or processor) tightly.
Put blender (or processor) in place on stand.
Blend for about 30-40 seconds or until smooth and creamy.
Pour into glasses and enjoy!
Outreach Program - Norma
The Resource Program will be screening the children from ages 18 months and up in the fall; using
the Fair Start Screening.
Sometimes parents are not sure whether their child is developing appropriately. This screening process can assist in answering questions parents may have regarding a child's development.
The earlier a problem is identified, the better the chances are for a successful outcome. FAIR START
provides opportunities for parents to bring their child for a free screening to check his or her development.
FAIR START uses professionals with a background in child development to screen all areas of toddler and preschool development. For more information, contact the Children & Family Learning
Centre at 229-8543; speak to Stephanie or Norma.
Page 12
PIC RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
KinderGrads! My, have you grown little ones. Way to go :)
Austin
Arwin
Cole
Chakira
Reese
Coleby
Avril
Brant
The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go. ~ Dr Seuss ~
Grade 8 Graduates….. Good Luck in Highschool :)
Congratulations to the 2010
Grade 12 Graduates from
Marathon High School
Samantha Courchene
Dancia Gagne
Tim Kreidl
Ashley Nabigon
Danielle Robinson
Mike Starr
Katie Twance
Kailee
Sarah Beth
Marissa
Kodi
Danielle was also selected as the MHS 2010
Valedictorian. The very first by a student
from Pic River. Way to go!!
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You the one who’ll decide where to go. ~ Dr Seuss ~
Page 13
Knowing Yourself - With Farley Flex
As the school year came to a close on June 25, 2010,
students from Pic River Elementary welcomed a
special guest to the traditional gathering place of the
community. Farley Flex was invited to Pic River First
Nation to give a special motivational presentation
entitled ―Knowing Yourself‖ to students, community
members and visitors from surrounding communities.
Farley Flex is best known as a judge on Canadian Idol,
Canada‘s most viewed television show ever. A leading
motivational speaker internationally, Flex has done
extensive work motivating First Nation‘s youth, inner
city and other marginalized communities here in
Canada and as far away as the Caribbean and Africa.
The hour long presentation touched on subjects such
as his connection to First Nation communities, his
own culture, and inspiring the students to know
themselves. ―Traveling through Canada, I had the
natural inclination to get to know about these cultures
[First Nations]. It‘s very important that each of us get
to know ourselves well especially those of us who had
our history compromised,‖ Flex tells the young
students, ―the more time you spend thinking about
who you want to be, what you want to do and you start
to identify yourself, then the less chance people
can define who you are.‖
Flex was invited later in the evening as a guest
speaker at the graduation ceremonies for the
elementary school. Flex talked about the
importance of education and concluded with
these words of advice to the graduating class,
―you‘re never too young to think about what you
want to do with your life. To graduate is not the
end of grade 8, but it is the opportunity to start
the next chapter in your life.‖
Community Clean Up Day
At the beginning of June, Pic River hosted its annual
Community Clean Up hosted by Economic Development with the help of Lands & Resources. Hats off to
the community and volunteers for making our community clean and safe. :) Congratulations to our draw
winners - Gloria Courchene & Kaden Twance.
Page 14
POST SECONDARY SUPPORT
LILA DONAGHY
[email protected]
Post Secondary Student Support Program
Submitted by Lila Donaghy –Education Administrative Assistant
Congratulations to the following Post Secondary Certificate, Diploma and Degree Program
Graduates:

Shannon Courchene – College Access

Konrad Kucheran – Medical Physics

Rebekkah Leonard – Hairstyling

Cassy McLeod – College Access

Amy Michano – Bachelor of Education

Shanna Michano – Multimedia Production

Jordan Nabigon – Pre-Technology

Norman Starr – College Access
Post Secondary Policy
The policy is available at
www.picriver.com under post
secondary education.
Two students, on their own initiative, have completed their programs. Congratulations to
the following graduates:
Kim Starr – Business Human Resources
Delia Cooke – Pre-Health Technology
Post Secondary Funding Information
An orientation workshop will be held in August for all new post
secondary students. Students will be contacted with the date and
time of the event. It is mandatory that all new students attend
this workshop.
Good luck to all students in the upcoming academic year!
Have a great summer!
The monthly allowance schedule
for the 2010/11 academic year will
be posted online at
www.picriver.com under post
secondary education. The schedule
lists the dates allowances will be
deposited into student accounts.
Page 15
Acronyms
The Anishinabek Nation
Restoration of Jurisdiction
ROJ
Restoration of Jurisdiction
AG
Anishinabek Governance
GWG Governance Working Group
A Brief Report on What Has Been Happening
The last two winters (2009/2010), GWG has been working on Governance and Capacity Building. The
general work group consists of representatives from each First Nation across the Union territory including 42
First Nations – Robinson Superior, Robinson Huron, South East & South West.
A final draft Anishinabek Constitution was developed with the Chiefs, Elders, Legal representation, GWG and
First Nation membership.
The first draft was presented a t the March conference in Sault Ste. Marie. Approximately 100 people were in
attendance consisting of Chiefs, Councils, Elders, Youth and Women‘s group representing the Nations.
All participants reviewed the first draft of constitution and many amendments were made to reflect the
different ideals of the participant across the board at the end of the conference.
We had a final draft to take to the Chiefs at the Grand Council Assembly held at Fort William First Nation in
June. At this meeting, a resolution was passed with no objections. We now have a final draft which will be
presented at each First Nation for review to accept or reject. Then we will go through a ratification process for
membership on and off reserve (ie. Marathon, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste Marie, Winnipeg, etc.).
After the vote is done, we have will have an Anishinabek Constitution, for us by us, if passed. Thereafter, each
First Nation will develop their own constitution that will be applicable to their own needs, rights, etc. In Pic
River, our constitution is 80-90% complete. It will be presented to the people for amendments to determine
what we may have left out, or what should be changed, based on our membership‘s opinions. Once again, a
ratification process will have to take place.
For more information, please visit the Anishinabek website at: http://www.anishinabek.ca/governance
Miigwetch,
Arnold Michano, Councilor
Governance Portfolio Holder
In June, members of Pic River
participated in a HST highway
protest hosted by Lake Helen .
Approximately 40 members and
staff joined other surrounding
communities in a protest that last
a couple of hours.
Page 16
Pic River First Nation 27th
Annual Traditional Powwow
We would like to say Miigwetch to our Sponsors and Donators
Pic River Hydro
NorTec
Pizza Hut—Marathon
Pic River Economic
Development
Cheadles—Bluefin Group
Steve & Shelly Bishoff
Marathon Theatre
Crupi Consulting
P&R Heating
Baagwating Community
Association
Barrick - Hemlo
Mandy Fricot
Kirchhefer Ltd.
Rite Price
Carfagnini
BDO
Weiler, Maloney, Nelson
Unitized Manufacturing
Township of Marathon
Plan Lab Ltd
Landmark Inn
Marathon PGM
TBay Tel
McKnight Plumbing
Hydro One Networks
Milestone Construction
Cedar Electric
Marathon Drugs &Associates
Royal Canadian Legion Marathon
Watts, Griffis, McOuat
Marathon Home Hardware
NuVu Auto Glass
Twance Grocer
Page 17
Department Restructuring
The Economic Development department went through some changes recently. As most of you know,
Liz Michano is the new Economic Development Director as Byron‘s sole responsibility is with the
energy projects. There is no longer an Employment Support Coordinator position. This position was
combined with Marian‘s Economic Development Officer Assistant‘s position. Marian‘s title is now
Employment Coordinator.
Employment & Training Centre
The building is slowly coming along. There is
still some minor work to be done inside and
more work outside that is delaying our Grand
Opening. We want the building and its
surroundings to be in tip-top shape before we
showcase it to the community.
The building project was made possible with
funding from the Federal and Provincial
economic stimulus program. Additional funding
was provided by a contribution from Barrick
Mining. Pic River is fortunate to have been able
to secure 100% funding from these three
sources.
Over the course of the next several weeks, various programs will be unveiled at the Employment and Training
Center. Already, the Center is host to training being provided to several members of the community. In the
future Small Business training, the implementation of the Peer Lending Circle and the Arts and Crafts
Cooperative will all be hosted at the new center. The building will also be host for the Pic River Energy
Department.
Gym Update
We apologize for the delay in getting the gym up and running.
Renovations are complete and the gym equipment has been moved
back in however some of the equipment is damaged beyond repair.
For safety reasons, we do not want the equipment being used until
it is inspected. We are however looking into applying for funding to
purchase all new equipment and hope that we are successful as the
gym equipment looks to be quite ancient. We will keep you posted.
Page 18
Arts and Crafts Program
A brochure went out in the mail explaining the program.
Liz is in the process of doing whatever needs to be done
to get the program up and running. If you are interested
in taking part in the program, please call 229-8885 ext.
2. Through this program we are hoping to develop an
awareness of all the local talent and help you establish a
good profile. We have had inquires requesting
Aboriginal arts and crafts for various open markets.
Manitouwadge is holding one on August 14th starting at
10am till 4pm. If anyone is interested in going, please
let us know ASAP. We will cover the cost for the tables,
and Liz will drive anyone who doesn‘t have
transportation (first 3). We are also hoping to have an
open market for people to showcase their arts and crafts
down in Pukaskwa Park. (Dates to be announced…
watch the community channel and the website for
updates.)
Peer Lending Program
In late August we are hoping to hold
an information session in regards to
the programs being offered and
where you can go to get assistance in
starting your own business. Please
watch for the upcoming dates again
– via community channel or the
website.
36 Pic River Road
P.O. Box 211
Heron Bay, ON P0T 1R0
Tel: 229-8885
Fax: 229-8887
Byron LeClair, Director of Energy Projects – Ext. 1
Liz Michano, Economic Development Director – Ext. 2
Marian Turgeon, Employment Coordinator – Ext. 3
Sandra Moses-McIntyre/Jackey Michano, Administrative Assistant – Ext. 4
Dayna Crosson/Carmela Moses – Ext. 9
Page 19
Summer Student Employment Program
Dayna Crosson
The Summer Student Employment Program is up and running.
We‘d like to welcome the 27 students that have been placed in
organizations throughout Pic River and Marathon.
Congratulations to all of you!
As a student, you should realize the great opportunity the
Summer Student Employment Program can
provide for you to gain valuable experience and to
prepare you for the world outside Pic River.
Take full advantage of this opportunity…the skills you develop over the
summer will in part build upon your character and hopefully direct
you in becoming a leader in the workplace.
If you have any questions regarding the Summer Student Employment
Program, contact Dayna Crosson, Summer Student Supervisor at
229-8885 ext 9.
Have a great summer!
ENABLE Program Update…
Hello from the Students and Staff of
the ENABLE program…We are now 9
weeks into the program and have 11
weeks to go. Things are running
smoothly here at the ENABLE
program. We have awesome news to
share! The program has a major
change to it. In my last report the newsletter stated that the student would be
obtaining their GED Certificate but in fact the Lakehead Board of Education has decided to offer a PLAR Program (Prior Learning Acceptance and Recognition – whereby
the students receive mature accreditation for life learning and completing
independent high school courses through the program and will be now be obtaining a
Grade 12 Diploma). To date we have a total of 8 participants
registered and have now submitted a total of 202 lessons as of
today. We have also have recruited Jennifer Cress as the
Educational Assistant to help the students through the courses
they are taking. We hope everyone is enjoying their summer
thus far and a big KUDOS to all of the ENABLE participants for
all their hard work! Keep it up!
―The true path to success lies within you,
let ENABLE assist you in realizing it‖
Page 20
High Falls
Manitou Falls
Manitou Falls and High Falls
Studies are currently underway at Manitou Falls and High Falls to determine the suitability for developing
these sites as run of river hydro facilities producing power for sale into the grid.
The proposed projects would see a combined 6.0 MW of electricity produced and sold into the grid via
interconnection at the Twin Falls Generating Station Transmission line. The cost of the project is estimated at
$35.0 million dollars, and Pic River is pursuing both developments as sole owner of the projects. Since April,
we have studied the local fisheries to assess the potential for impacts. As well, engineering and survey work
has been completed to calculate how much electricity will be produced at the sites. As we move forward in the
Environmental Assessment process, project information centers will be hosted at Pic River to inform
members of the potential for impacts, and to secure community support for these developments. More
information will be posted on the project website at www.picriverhydro.com. Our technical partners are
Hatch Ltd for environmental studies and Chant Construction for engineering work.
We estimate 2 years for environmental assessment, with construction set to take place in early 2013.
Commissioning for the plants is expected to be in 2015. All power will be sold to the province under the
provincial Feed In Tariff Program.
Umbata Falls Generating Station
The Pic River First Nation will celebrate the commissioning
ceremonies at Umbata Falls Generating Station on September
8th, 2010. Dignitaries from across the country will come to
Umbata Falls and congratulate the Pic River First Nation and
our partner Innergex Renewable Energy in the successful
development of a project that began in 1991. We hope that
everyone marks this date on their calendar and are able to
attend the ceremonies at the plant.
Over the next few weeks, we will organize the event. Details
concerning the event will be posted on the cable television
channel and the community website to keep members informed.
Page 21
Kagiano Power Corporation, Twin Falls Generating Station
The Pic River First Nation has completed the acquisition of the Twin Falls Generating Station. Twin Falls is a
5.0 MW hydro facility that was commissioned in 2001. It is centrally important to future hydro development,
as the station has a 35 km transmission line that the High Falls and Manitou Falls project can connect to.
Council has appointed a Board of Directors to run the affairs of the corporation. The Board currently consists
of:
Byron LeClair, President & CEO
Duncan Michano, Director
Daryl Desmoulin, Director
The Board meets monthly to go over the affairs of the company. The Board has successfully secured new
Power Purchase Rates which are an increase over the previous rates. As well, the Board is currently
renegotiating nearly $7.0 million dollars in mortgage debt with its banks. The restructuring is proceeding as
planned, and we are hopeful that once we receive some rain, the station will begin to generate profits for the
community.
Station details are available at www.kagianopower.com. If you have any questions, contact Byron at
229-8885. I am at the site often, and if you would like a tour of the facility, give me a call!
Page 22
Public Meetings
Over recent months we have
held community meetings and
consultations.
North Superior Environmental Services to take on role as our
Technical Advisor
Traci Bryar of North Superior Environmental Services was recently engaged as our
Technical Advisor. As our technical advisor, Traci will help the Lands department and
Chief and Council understand some of the more in-depth technical information we receive
as projects and
activities take place within our traditional territory.
PRFN received funding from the Ministry of the Environment to hire a consultant or
advisor to help in this area. With all of the activity taking place on our traditional territory,
it is without a doubt that the assistance and guidance we receive from Traci will be more
than appreciated.
Including the David Bell Mine
Amendment Meeting and an
Information Day with PGM.
There has been a decline in
attendance. Just a reminder to
community members that these
meetings are important and
valued as well as your opinion.
We encourage everyone to come
out and have your voice heard.
Traci has several years academic experience and most recently was working as the Process Engineering Technologist at
Marathon Pulp Inc. prior to the closure of the mill last winter.
Another one of Traci‘s tasks will also be to represent Pic River on the Environmental Review Tribunal hearings slated to
start late this summer.
Mine Review Committee
For those community members interested in sitting on a Mine
Review Committee, please leave your name with either of us in the
Lands Department or send us an e-mail to
[email protected] or [email protected].
Mine Tours
At the end of May, Lands & Resources had the opportunity to take a
group of community members to tour the Barrick—Hemlo Mine and
Tailings pond. Along with myself, Juanita, Liz Michano - EDO, Grant
Michano, Norm Starr, Shannon Courchene & Carol Twance, we had a
chance to go through the environmental process presentation and tour
the facilities and the property of Williams and David Bell Mine. This
provided members the chance to ask questions, see the mine for better
idea of what the consultations meetings are about.
In June, Carol Twance, Shannon Courchene and myself attended a
mine reclamation symposium in Elliot Lake with Barrick-Hemlo &
Marathon PGM. A learning experience it was as we got to see the
reclamation of mining sites years later and attended environmental
information presentations.
Workshops to Look Out For …
Because of the lack of
participants for one of the
workshops hosted by CIER, we
post-poned the workshop until
the August. If you are interested
in learning about :
Environmental Assessments
Please contact Juanita or Jamie
to register.
Page 23
PIC RIVER RECYCLING PROJECT
Pic River’s Pilot Recycling Program
We are officially 4 months into this pilot project. To date, Pic
River has recycled over 1000 bags of recyclables and over 100
bundles of cardboard. Give yourself a pat on the back for your
contribution to the environment and Mother Earth <3.
Encourage family members to try recycling today.
Next recycling pick up dates:
Every little bit helps.
August 11 & August 25
Reminders:
No Coffee cups and glass are excepted.
Please make sure to sort your recyclables
accordingly in the clear bags.
Empty liquids and removes caps off of
bottles.
Please tie loose cardboard together or it
won‘t be excepted.
Community Engagement Surveys
I want to thank everyone for their input during the pow wow weekend. Steve Roberts,
our mining consultant was in the community during the pow wow weekend. Steve
and I held a group session on the Friday night to talk with a small group of
community members, who were our ‗test‘ surveyee‘s. We were very pleased with the
comments, suggestions and feedback we received. In total, 70 surveys were
completed. Your feedback was all very thoughtful and well-reasoned. Miigwetch!
We will be planning future group sessions in the coming months. Please keep an eye
out for your personal invitation…we value your feedback and look forward to your
advice.
If you have not filled out the survey and would like to, please see Juanita or myself at the Band Office.
Land Claim Committee
The Land Claim Committee will be re-struck, for those community members interested in sitting on the Land
Claim Committee, please leave your name with either of us in the Lands Department or send us an e-mail to
[email protected] or [email protected].
Page 24
Donalda Gagne
-
Social Services Supervisor
What’s been happening since my last report:
I attended training in Orillia, 3rd Annual Uniting Our
Nation Voices Conference where a group of Band
Representatives from different First Nations, Child
Welfare Agencies, Union of Ontario Indians Social
Services all meet to listen to speakers on different
topics. Attachment Theory/Indigenous Perspective,
Aboriginal Approaches to Dispute Resolution,
Colonization , Band Rep. Best Practices/Mandate.
We also had the privilege to hear Elder Jan Longboat
speak and Skywalker Journey Home a presentation
by foster parents that adopted a young boy when he
was eighteen. These foster parents became involved
in his life for five or so years.
The story she
illustrated for her son and hearing the background of
the flute that the father played while she read was
very moving and was presented at the conference.
The conference was an excellent resource for me to
network with different people that can assist me
along the way to do my job.
I keep in contact with other experienced Band Reps. and get their advice when I find that I’m unsure of how
things work. The Child Protection is a learning responsibility and does take a lot of reading and
sometimes a lot of time on the phone getting advice from different people.
I do have regular schedule appointments with the clients at the office and their home. There are times I may
not know all the answers but I will make every effort to find out information and may need to refer
clients to other agencies. I meet with Dilico quite often when handling different child protection cases.
Sometimes we need to meet with other resources too.
I attended training in our community that was initiated by the Union of Ontario Indians, Rites of Passage
Fireweed Training for frontline workers. This was an excellent training that will help us work with
Sexual Abuse Survivors and we can also incorporate with other groups. We not only learn new tools but
also had an opportunity to go through our own experiences.
Page 25
Tove Desmoulin
Family Support Worker
My daily duties:
I have one-on-one counseling with clients. This can be family matters,
parenting, personal issues and other struggles in the daily life.
As a FSW I sometimes run programs and support groups like the
anti-bullying at the Elementary School and Women‘s group when
needed.
I also facilitate the 50Plus group and we have Coffee Mornings on
Tuesdays. I love working with the elders and learn so much from them
and we share stories and laughs.
The FSW works also on behalf of the band representative with Dilico
and actively involved with Dilico‘s carrying out the plan of care. I go
with Dilico on home visits whenever possible and take part in case
conferences
50 Plus Elder’s Group
Meets every Tuesday at
1:15 pm at the Youth
Centre. Those 50 and over
are encourages to come
out for an afternoon of
laughter, stories and
entertainment with Tove.
FSW do advocacy on behalf of clients in matters concerning their rights
to a decent place to live and income. I do referrals to other agencies and
services whenever needed and do after care with clients.
I am still the only Family Support Worker, but as you may have
noticed by the latest job postings I will soon have another colleague
who will mainly focus on mental health.
During the summer there are some changes in the programming.
The 50+ and other groups have a summer break until the school
start up again. I‘m trying to find other alternative places for the 50+
so that we at least can meet twice a month during the summer. Be
on the lookout for posters.
The Day Camp has started up again and I will be there on
Wednesdays alongside the summer students. The Recreation will
have more information about Day Camp.
Reminder about rides:
FSW do occasionally give rides to ongoing clients as part of their
plan of care, for instance life skills training and some activities.
Other than that we are not able to give rides.
Page 26
In July, the Capital Housing Department celebrated the opening the newest addition to the community building. The six
-plex complex has 4 three bedroom and 2 two bedroom
apartments.
The group was invited to a ribbon cutting at the site of a
newly renovated house of the Section 95— 19 Unit
Renovation program.
Presentations by all key contributors and invited guests for
both projects including CMHC , INAC, Royal Bank, BDO,
Four Winds, Milestone Construction, Watson‘s Home
Hardware and Ontario First Nation Technical Services.
Miigwetch to the staff of Home Hardware providing
a BBQ lunch.
Contacting Our Office
Please feel free to contacting our office by phone or email. Our contact numbers are as follows:
Garland Moses, Capital/Housing Manager, 807-229-1749, ext 23 or email, [email protected]
Theresa Thompson, Housing Arrears Administrative Officer, 807-229-1749 or email, [email protected]
Page 27
OJIBWAYS OF THE PIC RIVER FIRST NATION
P.O. Box 193
78 Pic River Road
Heron Bay, Ontario
P0T 1R0
P: 807-229-1749
F: 807-229-1944
www.picriver.com
The Making of a First Nation
The Pic River Current is a quarterly newsletter distributed by the Ojibways of the Pic River
First Nation. Your comments or feedback are always welcome. For more information,
feel free to contact us.
If any community members would like to submit articles, stories,
pictures, etc. for the quarterly community newsletter can do so by
emailing: [email protected].
Win an Autographed Framed Photo of:
Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin
Be Bear -y Wise!
Deadline to Submit
September 10, 2010
The Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) and the Anishinabek
Educational Institute (AEI) are looking for Anishinabek
Students that are interested in submitting a letter to Minister
of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in regards to the
importance of their post secondary education.
For more information, please see posting at the Band Office or
contact Mindy Taylor at UOI at 705-657-9383 or by email at
[email protected]
**Reminder to
Community Members
This summer has seen
quite a few bears
frequenting the
community. Members
are reminded not to
feed them or shoot at
them within the
community for safety
issues. Also, try not to
leave your garbage
outside.