March 2014 - Pic Mobert First Nation

IS S UE
PIC MOBERT BAND OFFICE LIST
Summer Student Employment
Parents Reminder: All students must have their
Social Insurance Numbers to be considered for
employment. If you have not completed this
process, please visit your Service Canada Centre
or on-line http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/ to
apply
Are You Interested in Participating in Pic Mobert
First Response?
PIC MOBERT IN CONJUNCTION WITH BARRICKHEMLO IS NOW RECRUITING CANDIDATES TO
TAKE A LEVEL-1 FIREFIGHTER COURSE TO
PARTICIPATE IN A PIC MOBERT VOLUNTEER
FIRST RESPONSE TEAM
PREREQUISITES:
• Medical/Physical Exam
• Must be Physically fit
• Self-motivated individuals/enjoy helping your
community
• Commitment to First Response
----------------------------------------------------------------If you are a self-motivated individual who enjoys
helping your community then FIRST RESPONSE
may be right for you. In addition, if you are
working on the Barrick site labour contract you
may have an opportunity to participate in the
Barrick- Hemlo Surface Emergency Response
team
PIC MOBERT BAND OFFICE
207 SECOND STREET
P.O. BOX 717
MOBERT, ONTARIO POM 2 JO
www.picmobert.ca
TOLL FREE # 1-888-797-1123
FAX # 1-807-822-2850
BAND OFFICE EXTENSION
NORM
--- 223
JENNIFER
--- 234
PAMELA
---232
STAN
---249
CHRIS
---240
GERRY
----245
ELAINE
----229
Crystal
----226
Vickie
----236
WATER ADAM ---240/224
CLYDE/LEO ----235
PIC MOBERT HEALTH CENTRE
206 SECOND STREET
P.O. BOX 717
MOBERT, ONTARIO POM 2 JO
TOLL FREE # 1-888-214-9831
FAX # 1-807-822-2975
Phone # 807-822-2625
CLINIC EXTENSION
DENISE
---222
CAROL
---228
FOOTCARE ---227
NICOLE
---258
SHANNA ---259
SISTERS ---260
NATASHA ---261
Kristine ---253
Melissa ---254
ONTARIO WORS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & CONTACT NORTH
207 SECOND STREET
P.O. BOX 717
MOBERT, ONTARIO POM 2 JO
PH # 1-807-822-1860 Toll Free 1-855-485-6060
Fax# 1-807-822-2146
KAREN ---109
CHERYL –102
JESSY ---104
DONNA—107
STEPHANIE ---160
Stay engaged in the LLLB ratification process by sending your updated
contact information to:
[email protected]
For Additional Information or To Sign-Up Please
Call Donna Sutherland,
With
our loveDevelopment
& prayers, Sister
Jude
Susan
offer you a prayer for wellness:
Community
Officer
at &(807)
822Oh Great Spirit, Grandfathers, Grandmothers,
2134 ext 234
Spirits of the East, shine the light of new days on our lives. Open our eyes to what we cannot see in the darkness of
or Email: [email protected]
DYSFUNCTION
Spirits of the South, tie us to all the peoples who walk this sacred path, to the Spirit within us, our source of life and
SUPPORT
Spirits of the West, help us with the power of the Thunder-Beings. To admit the pain that has led us to shut out your
WISDOM
Spirits of the North open our memories to the lives of our ancestors, to the ways of relating in traditional
HARMONY
PMFN Smoke
Signals….
If you would like to spotlight a
community member that is making a
difference please nominate them by
submitting their name to:
[email protected]
SEASONAL
04
PROGRAM
UPDATE
Ziigwan (Spring) Edition
Onaabani-Giizis (Crust on the Snow Moon)March 2014
Pic Mobert First Nation
In this issue
PMFN Territorial Animals
The Marten(s)Waabizheshi(wag)
Chiefs Message / Employment P.1
M o v i n g F o rw a rd w i th th e
Community Assets / Jobs / Water P.2
“P u l s a ti n g S p i ri t” o f P M F N
Pic Mobert First Nation
Employment Indicators
We are very proud of the extent to
which our First Nation employs our
own People.
This member of the
weasel family has such long, lustrous
fur that in the fur trade the American
marten has been called the Canadian or
American sable. Their fur varies in
colour between individuals and by
season. In summer it tends to be a
tawny to dark brown, and in winter it is
darker. Most individuals sport a paler
(yellowish-orange) throat and bib.
Males are about 15% larger than
females. The largest males can be 75 cm
(2.5 ft.) long, including the tail. In
different parts of the continent there is
considerable variation in their size.
They are primarily nocturnal. Males are
solitary and pugnacious, associating
with females only in July and August
during the mating season. The young
are born and raised in grass-lined nests
in hollow trees or in cavities in rocks.
PMFN Laughs!
Considered tree dwellers, American
martens have semi-retractable claws to
help them climb. They also spend
considerable time on the ground, and are
excellent swimmers.
One day a tiny Anishinabek child walked into Little Chiefs 'wigwam.
"Little Chief," he asked, "why does every man in our tribe have such a long complicated name?"
"Well," said Little Chief, "it's simple: when a baby is born, his father wanders outside, absorbs all
the wonder of nature and then names his child after the first thing he sees.
Why do you ask, Two Dogs Peeing?"
Their principle source of food is mice, but
squirrels, and snowshoe hares are also
popular. Martens also eat a variety of
fruits and berries in summer, insects,
birds, bird eggs and some carrion.
To a PMFN trapper, marten pelts
normally fetch $80 to $100 dollars each
PMFN Times Ziigwan (Spring) Edition Onaabani-Giizis (Crust on the Snow Moon)- March 2014
As of February 2014, Pic Mobert
First Nation employs approximately
62 Pic Mobert First Nation members
with another 19 hired on the Barrick
Agreement. Over half of our
management staff is composed of
band members with 5 of our senior
management positions held by
PMFN Band Members including the
Lands and Resources Coordinator,
Education Coordinator, Elementary
Principal, Water Works Manager
and Ontario Works Manager.
The White Lake Resources
Corporation employs 17 people; our
White Lake Resources Contract
Manager, Administration Assistant
and 15 contract employees at White
River Forest Products under the
WLRC contract.
Through Norpro Anishinabek
Security Services we currently
employ 3 band members with the
intent to hire 10 additional members
pending their successful completion
of the security services exam.
Through White River Forest
Products we have 11 band
members that were directly hired by
WRFP. Through our Hydro Project
we have hired, through our JV
contractors, numerous truck drivers,
rock truck drivers and equipment
operators. Through Provost
Contracting we have 4 members
employed, and 4 more through
Belisle Builders. In the near future,
through Sodexo Canada-Camp
Catering, we anticipate hiring 5 to
20 more members.
Our First Nation is committed to
building a local workforce. Since the
last published employment
indicators in the April 2013 edition,
PMFN has increased the number of
band member positions from 58 to
106… That’s a 83% increase!
Greetings from Chief Johanna
On behalf of the 2013-15 Council, we extend a sincere “chimiigwetch” in appreciation of your support as we embrace
another term. We look forward to implementing the mandate of
“moving our community forward in a healthy and prosperous
direction”.
During the first months as a Council, Nokiiwin Tribal Council
facilitated our orientation and training to ensure we were
operating as unified team. This enabled us to review and
understand our roles and responsibilities as Chief and Council. We
explored options and methods to “separate politics from
administration”. This concept is complex and blurry because of
the varying and ongoing issues that are a result of Federal funding
and our community based initiatives. We are also committed
towards continuing ongoing training session with Nokiiwin,
fleshing out our priorities and goals for the remaining term. Thank
you to the Council for staying focused and committed to this
process.
Our Chief and Council meetings, community engagement sessions,
and project meetings continue to be our priority. The turnout this
year was tremendous. Thank you again to the Sault Ste Marie, and
Thunder Bay members for your interest and participation. We
extend invitations to our on & off-reserve membership to assist
with planning the next sessions; how they can be improved and
where it can be facilitated etc. We await your input and feedback.
It has been brought to our attention on numerous occasions,
“communication is very important” to the membership. We now
have two social media pages, our PMFN website, interim notices
and quarterly newsletters. This newsletter, the fourth edition of
its kind, and all past newsletters are available on the PMFN web
site where people can catch up on past events and news. We
aspire to one day have our Chief and Council meetings advertised
via a weblog or cable TV.
To touch briefly on our initiatives, we continue to meet and
negotiate with industry in which we assert our Traditional
Territory. We affirm to mining proponents that we expect to be
properly Consulted and Accommodated. We extend thanks to the
many Elders who support our future generations with
accommodating our initiatives through the use of our natural
resources, the land and the water. It is time that we as a people
and Nation benefit from the Land as companies and industries did
in the past. Thank you again!
I am excited and anxious for the initial signing our final agreement
for our Land and Larger Land Base. Our land will expand as far as
“Silver City” a few miles past our Pow-Wow Grounds and up to
White Lake Bridge. Can you imagine that? It has been a long haul
but we will soon be there! For the Map of our LLLB, please see our
website or call the Lands Dept.
Youth in the N ews / Letter to the Minister
P.3
Lands & Resources Department / Education
P.4
Community Development / Energy P.5
PMFN Activity P.6
Health & Social / Sisters / Ontario Works
P.7
Smoke Signals / Laughs / Contacts P.8
In closing, I would like to thank the Elders for their support
as the hold the knowledge and truly know the value of the
Land. We agree with you, “you cannot put a price tag on
the land.” Thank you to the youth, as they make their way
into the modern world and yet hold tightly to our
traditional values. We appreciate all your efforts in the
fields of education, training and sports. Thank you to our
committed staff that support our initiatives as a Chief &
Council.
At a community level, we have work with what we have.
We contend daily with what the allocated funding permits
and balancing what is fair. All First Nations are critically
underfunded; therefore we wrestle to manage our own
poverties. Through this conundrum, Pic Mobert has
become creative in taking control of our future. Seeking
creative long term solutions to funding issues will be an
ongoing priority for us.
We trust as you read through the pages of this newsletter
you will see that we have come a long way, meeting and
concurring problems to move our community forward. I am
proud that we are moving forward and together we are
doing it with pride. We are making history together!
We have lots going on here in our Traditional Territory; we
are a community that is thriving and moving towards a
brighter future.
Please feel free to contact me through my email website;
[email protected] should you wish to give
feedback, make suggestions, have concerns, or have any
questions. I look forward to hearing from you.
Baamaapii,
Chief Johanna
Seeking:
PIC MOBERT HYDRO INC. GITCHI
ANIMKI HYDROPOWER
PROJECT(GAHP) CONSTRUCTION
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Seeking to identify persons who are
interested in working during
construction, which will be carried
out over an approximate 18 month
period. The construction sites are
located approximately 60 km south
of White River and accessible via an
all season road originating at White
River. Employees from the local
area would be encouraged to
commute to the site as an alternative
to living in a construction camp.
PIC MOBERT IS COLLECTING
RESUMES TO IDENTIFY LOCAL
WORKFORCE FOR FORESTRY BASED
& HARVESTING OPERATION
If you are interested or have
experience and or training in the
following positions:
• A-Z Truck Drivers
• D-Z Truck Drivers
• Equipment Operators
• Harvesting Equipment
• Woodland Operators
• Sawmills workers
• Millwrights
• Welders
• Electricians
• EI Electrical
Instrumentation
Please submit your resume to:
Donna Sutherland
LOOKING FOR INTERESTED PEOPLE
FOR ON-CALL RECEPTIONIST AT THE
ONTARIO WORKS BUILDING
We are currently looking for
interested candidates for an on-call
receptionist position at the Ontario
Works and Education Center. If you
are interested please submit your
resume to the Ontario Works office.
PIC MOBERT HEALTH CENTRE ON CALL MEDICAL DRIVER
The On Call Medical Drivers will
work for the Pic Mobert Health
Center to transport clients to access
medical services outside the
community on evenings and
weekends. Evening and weekend
Medical Driver schedules are
developed monthly. Please drop off a
cover letter and resume to the front
desk at the Health Centre.
Visit us at:
picmobert.ca
for more
information.
Infusion in the North: You may have noticed some changes in the
region: the hotels are full, the towns are busy, the stores are stocked and
people are moving back to White River & PMFN…….
Thanks to PMFN the mill is open, sustainable logging in the region is
occurring and the hydro project construction well underway. All of these
projects are contributing to the local economy. PMFN is growing, but
because of our hard work and ambition, so too is the northern economy!
Millers Logging
Now Open!
Health & Social
Department
IMPORTANT NOTICE RE: DOGS RUNNING AT LARGE & NEW
ANIMAL CONTROL POLICY
There have been an increasing number of complaints concerning dogs running at
large. There have also been reports of aggressive behaviour, including bites, for
both adults and children.
As the owner of a dog, you are legally responsible for its behaviour and can be
charged if the animal injures a person. You can also be sued.
In the interests of safety of our community and especially our children, owners of
dogs are asked to immediately keep their animals in their homes or on a leash at all
times.
Chief and council have directed the development of an animal control policy that
will be considered and passed at the March 7, 2014, regular meeting of the council.
Please take some time to review the draft policy found at:
http://www.picmobert.ca/index.php?pid=29
and provide your comments in writing ASAP to:
Carol Rowland
Health and Social Services Director
Pic Mobert First Nation
[email protected]
(807) 822-2625
In the future, animals running at large will be seized and held for up to 5 days, after
which they will be destroyed. Owners who retrieve their dogs will be required to
pay fees, and owners will be charged a fee if it is necessary to destroy their animal.
Please help keep you community safe! Keep your animals on a leash or in your
home.
We continue to offer the Suboxone program out of
The first logging company owned
by a Pic Mobert Band Member is
now open for business and
operating on the White River
Forest, supplying wood to the
White River sawmill.
Miller’s Logging is a family
business led by Russ Miller, and
including his father Bernie and
brother Bernie Jr.
Miller’s Logging is currently
providing skidding services using
a new skidder that the family
business purchased in late, 2013,
and the company is already
looking to grow into other
equipment this year.
Miller’s Logging has entered into
a long term agreement with
Magwayyawk Forestry Services
LP, which is our First Nation’s
logging venture, contracted to
supply 50% of White River
Forest Product’s long term wood
supply needs.
Leaving animals to harm people, especially children, is not acceptable and will not
be tolerated.
New Drinking Water Supply and Treatment Project
Final detailed engineering design on the new water supply and
treatment project was recently completed by the consulting
engineers, JR Cousins of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
That means that our long awaited project will soon be ready to
proceed to tender, which we hope will occur in February.
We expect to receive tenders in late March, and hope to commence
construction sometime in the spring. The project will take about 1618 months to complete.
The new system will include a new intake in White Lake, which means
we will switch to lake water from the current wells which are no
longer reliable to support the needs of our growing community. The
project also includes a new water treatment plant that includes a
reservoir, an emergency generator (so we have water even when the
power is off), and fire pumps that will allow us to utilize fire hydrants.
The Health Center
is planning a
number of events
for March Break
including our
annual snow
sculpture contest
and sliding.
Watch for
postings!
the Health Center. This program is designed to support
people who are struggling with opiod addictions by
offering Suboxone medication, tapering strategies as
well as treatment and counselling options. Our goal is
to support people on their healing journeys. We are
linked with Bright Star Clinic with Dr. Peter Garber out
of Thunder Bay. To date we have had 22 people start
the program and currently have 14 active clients.
Three people have successfully tapered fully off
Suboxone – Congratulations!
Because of the Health Canada support for the
Suboxone program we now have Telehealth
equipment. If you have a medical appointment out of
town and your Doctor or specialist has video
conferencing, let us know and we can set up your
appointment so you don’t have to travel any farther
than the Health Center!
We have just organized after school hockey practice in
White River on Mondays and Thursdays for ages 9-14.
Two teachers from the school, Mr. Mancuso and Nick
have helped organize it with the Health Center. We are
still getting our logistics sorted out around rides, but
we are confident you can look for great hockey action
from your young people by the end of March!
We are in the midst of a very traditional winter with lots
of snow, cold & beauty. Our prayers daily are for the
needs of each Mobert band member & for safety in your
travels.
Jude is in Hamilton after having surgery for a shoulder
replacement & will remain there for the rest of her four
and a half months of recovery & intense physiotherapy.
Everyday her heart is in Mobert, & she looks forward to
the day she can be with you in person.
Susan continues to offer Foot care each Tuesday &
Wednesday for those who want their toenails trimmed, &
for anyone who has problems with callouses, corns, &
ingrown toenails. Make a booking any day through the
Clinic Receptionist, or on Tuesday or Wednesday at
extension 227. You are welcome on the other 3 days of
the week for a chat. Susan can be reached in her office in
the Clinic at extension 260 .
Father Lawrence, the pastor for Mobert, White River, &
Manitouwadge, celebrates Mass in Mobert the first
Sunday of each month at 2:30. He is happy to baptize any
children at this time, & to arrange for First Holy
Communion. Contact him at 807-826-3751. Registration
forms can be obtained from him at Church or at the Band
Office.
You can have the Church unlocked for funerals by
Geraldine Mc Watch (Witzell) 822-1365, with candles
available from Brenda Desmoulin 822-2714.
Love and blessings,
Sister Susan & Sister Jude
White River Forest Products
Post-Secondary Students
To avoid any disruption in funding,
please ensure you send in your
transcripts as they become available
and notify the band office of any
changes in your course load.
Transcripts can be faxed to
(807) 822-2850
The deadline for PostSecondary sponsorship for
2014-2015 enrolment is due
by April 30, 2014.
Please ensure all documents are
submitted.
Visit:
http://www.picmobert.ca/ind
ex.php?pid=24
for a document list.
Ontario Works
Anamekwe
Ontario Works has partnered
with the Education Success
Coordinator to bring in the GED
program. Registration Tuesday
February 4 from 10:30 am to
12:00pm, with classes starting at
1:00pm. If you are interested in
signing up for the GED program
please see Crystal O’Connor or
Nicole Simpson.
Do you need your resume
updated?
Northwest Employment Works is
on site every Wednesday
afternoon. You can call 229-3223
to book an appointment.
Watch for our monthly calendars
for upcoming events.
Karen Gaudette- Manager
Jessy Sabourin- Caseworker
Crystal O’Connor- Employment
Support Worker
Lisa Desmoulin- Receptionist
White River Forest Products Ltd., a company that is co-owned by Pic Mobert First Nation,
the Township of White River and Frank Dottori, commenced operations in the early fall
of 2013 and is now is now producing lumber that is being sold in Canada and the United
States.
White River Forest Products owns and operates the former Domtar sawmill in White
River. The mill operations have been employing Pic Mobert Band members since June
through White Lake Resources Corp.. Over the past 6 or 7 months, we have employed
some 65 people. As of January, 2014, 12 Band members had been hired and working in the mill, and an
additional 19 were working on site working through the corporation. It’s interesting to note that our
employment in forestry now exceeds employment in mining!
White River Forest Products is another success story that has come as a result of the forward thinking
leadership of our community.
PMFN Times Ziigwan (Spring) Edition Onaabani-Giizis (Crust on the Snow Moon)- March 2014
P M F N A c t iv it y
PMFN Youth featured in the news!
YOUNG NORTHERN ENTREPRENEURS HAVE TASTY
BUSINESS IDEAS; December 17, 2013 Anishinabek,
February 11, 2014
News, By: Rick Garrick,
FORT WILLIAM FN – Wesley Jacobs turned his love
of bannock and pizza into a tasty business idea
during his school’s youth entrepreneur market day.
“I like bannock and I love pizza, so I thought of
applying them together and making bannock
pizzas,” Jacob says during the Nov. 5-7 Robinson
Superior Regional Economic Development Summit.
“It’s been going good.”
Visit
picmobert.ca
for more
Pic Mobert First Nation P.O. Box 717 Mobert, Ontario POM 110
Phone : (807) 822-2134 Toll Free: 1-888-797-1123 Fax: (807) 822-2850
Jacob, from Pic Mobert First Nation, earned about
$115 during market day and his bannock pizzas
were also a hit during the Nokiiwin Tribal Council’s
Giniijaansinaanig Obawaajigewinen (Our Children’s
Dreams) youth entrepreneur lunch sales event,
held at the summit Nov. 6.
“(The market day) was a real success and we were
able to see that success through everybody working
together: the school, the students and the
parents,” says Fay Zoccole, Nokiiwin Tribal Council’s
education navigator. “It was a great way to get the
kids involved in reading, writing and math in a fun
way (as well as) having parents’ engagement.
Parent engagement is a key to success in education,
and we had that all together.”
READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT:
http://anishinabeknews.ca/2013/12/17/you
ng-northern-entrepreneurs-have-tastybusiness-ideas/#
We Want Your Input!
In January 2014, Pic Mobert First Nation
launched a project to develop an
Economic Development Strategic Plan for
our community. We want to make sure we
design the best possible strategy to meet
our community needs and want to hear
your ideas! We have launched a survey to
gather ideas and feedback from our Band
Members. You can fill the survey out
online or you can fill out a paper survey at
the Band Office.
The survey will be open until March 15th
and after you complete the survey, you
can enter the draw for a chance to win a
$100 VISA prepaid card!
To fill out the online survey, go to:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PMFN
We’ll also be having two community
engagement sessions, facilitated by GCK
Consulting, at the Community Hall to
further discuss the economic
opportunities and challenges in our
community. All are invited to attend
(choose one):
Session #1: March 4th, 2014
at 2:00 PM
Session #2: March 4th, 2014
at 6:00 PM
Refreshments will be provided at the
community engagement sessions and you
can enter to win a great door prize for
attending! contact Donna Sutherland
Minister David Zimmer
Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs
4th floor
160 Bloor Street East Toronto ON M7A 2E6
By Fax: (416) 326-4017
Re: Pic Mobert First Nation — Land and Larger Land Base (LLLB) Addition to Reserve —Meeting Request.
Dear Minister Zimmer;
My Council and I urgently request a meeting with you. We propose the week of February 10th or the week of February 17th
and we are available to attend at your office. Mr. Doug Carr has offered to meet with us on March 11, 2014; however this is
still a month away and our preference is to meet directly with you earlier.
On January 30th, 2014, the First Nation was scheduled to initial and sign our Additions to Reserve Agreement with Ontario and
Canada; however this was postponed. Pic Mobert First Nation is slated to receive an additional 16 sq. km of lands pursuant to
the Land and Larger Land Base Framework Agreement 1991. This Agreement committed the Parties (Ontario, Canada and Pic
Mobert) to use best efforts to negotiate and conclude an agreement so that additional lands could be added to our existing small
reserve. This process was supposed to be concluded within a two year timeframe, unfortunately, Pic Mobert's Additions to
Reserve issue has been outstanding since 1991.
Pic Mobert First Nation reserve is located in Northern Ontario and is approximately 250 acres with a population of about 400
people residing on reserve. We currently do not have any vacant land to develop infrastructure to support our growing society;
such as housing, roads, water supply, sewers, electrical hook-ups, telecommunications, and so forth. This land is crucial to
being able to provide essential services to enable us to sustain, and enhance societal living conditions on our First Nation. To
this end, we have made a commitment to our Band Members, a commitment that we believed you shared, to complete
negotiations and conclude the process so the additional land can become reserve lands. Unfortunately, Ontario does not share
our sense of urgency on this matter.
For example, Ontario desires Canada to issue a s.28 permit pursuant to the Indian Act to the White River Snowmobile club; or
alternatively to have a provision in the Final Agreement in which the First Nation will not oppose the permits of any
Snowmobile club which may come into existence in the future. Ontario only recently contacted the White River Snowmobile
club to discuss this with them; however this club no longer exists. Subsequently, Ontario then took it upon itself to contact
another local club, the Marathon Snowmobile club and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs to see if they require a
permit. We did not oppose the granting of the s. 28 permit to any Snowmobile club and we take no issue with this course of
action. I must note nevertheless, that there is no evidence that the subject trail that is causing this delay is actively used
currently, nor has it been used during the past several years.
Minister, we do however, take serious exception to postponing the initialing and signing of the Final Agreement so Ontario can
conduct due diligence regarding the potential application of s. 4 of regulation 185/01 of the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act
(exemptions to certain classes of persons requiring a trail permit) and to consult with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile
Clubs and Canada regarding the potential impact of this regulation to the s.28 permit. This due diligence and consultation
should have taken place over a decade ago; not forty eight hours prior to initialing the Final Agreement.
This delay will prevent our First Nation from capitalizing on the much needed use of lands promised to us decades ago. I note
for you Minister that, since the Snowmobile s. 28 permit had been discussed for several months at the LLLB table; and the
specific application of regulation 185/01 was never flagged and only came up two days prior to the initialing; we cannot help
but feel that your Ministry is either not taking signing the Final Agreement seriously or is remiss in performing its due diligence
duties on a file they have had for over 23 years now. We have been informed through your negotiator that the initialing and
signing cannot take place until resolution is reached with this matter.
Issues that come out of left field, such as this, leave my Council feeling like our rights are being eroded by the policy decisions
your office makes. Additions to Reserve requests deal with reserve land on the basis that they were granted via treaty. The land
base is considered a treaty right. These rights, of course, are part of the highest law in Canada as a result of section 35 of the
Constitution Act 1982. They are not to be arbitrarily delayed or dealt with. The snowmobiler interest is not a constitutionally
protected right, it is not required by law, it is an activity that supports tourism.
It appears that the Provincial government is instituting a policy to consult with the Snowmobiler clubs in order to affect delay
on a land transfer that is already two decades overdue. This policy is unjustifiably interfering with the constitutionally protected
Aboriginal and treaty rights owed to Pic Mobert First Nation with respect to completing the Additions to Reserve process.
I echo the strong sentiments Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation, Patrick Madahbee has said to you in his letter
dated January 30, 2014: "Justice delayed is justice denied: this is not a phrase that should be applicable in Canada , especially in
the context of a fiduciary relationship between the Crown and First Nations. A 23 year process is not acceptable in any way."
We hope you consider our appeal to meet regarding the conclusion of the LLLB process in earnest. We look forward to hearing
from your office on this most important matter.
Respectfully,
Chief Johanna Desmoulin, Pic Mobert First Nation
cc:
National Chief Shawn Atleo, AFN
Grand Chief Patrick Mandahbee, UOI
Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy, Chiefs of Ontario
Hon. Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Michael Mantha, MPP
Carol Hughes, MP
PMFN Times Ziigwan (Spring) Edition Onaabani-Giizis (Crust on the Snow Moon)- March 2014
There is a 2x4 in our boardroom.
Its an extra-ordinary 2x4 that is! It’s a 2x4 that was
made in a factory that our community c-owns,
White River Forest Products.
Terry and I had the opportunity to take a group
from Nishnabe Aski Development Fund through the
mill yesterday (they are considering some funding
for the mill and our harvest company), and I had to
tell you what an amazingly proud moment it was
for all of us on this tour.
This was the first time Ive seen the entire mill in
production, from front to back – i.e. logs in and
dried lumber coming out ready for shipment.
In fact, the first truck load of completed product is
being shipped to a customer….today!
And we have produced over 2 million board feet to
date-so the shipments are now beginning to flow.
We are making money.
It’s a huge milestone that we should all be proud
of.
If it wasn’t for the vision of our leaders, this mill,
that is employing people and producing lumber,
would not exist. And that’s a fact.
But the real highlight was running into our Band
Members who came on with our labour contract,
and are now full time employees of White River
Forest Products.
We were advised during the tour that Paul
Kwissiwa Jr. was hired that day – and will begin his
full time job with the company next week. (And we
get to replace him on our labour contract). We met
Paul and that contagious smile of his is makes it all
worthwhile. He was beaming about his
accomplishment.
That brings the total persons hired directly by the
mill to 9 Band members. Plus the 14 people that
we currently employ on our labour contract – so at
this time, 23 of our Band members are employed in
this venture – and there will be another 4-6 shortly
when our harvesting operations begin – plus
additional direct hires by White River Forest
Products soon and in the spring when we add
another shift.
It’s working. You can be proud – you have served
your Community well.
And we owe a huge amount of gratitude to Frank
Dottori and his start-up team – they are truly a
tireless committed group of professionals who
wont take anything but success for an answer.
Things are humming now, but there has been a
tremendous amount of effort and investment
made by these individuals to get things to this
point.
So next time someone asks about that board in our
boardroom (pardon the pun) – you can tell them
that a community-based venture that WE cocreated and co-owned manufactured it. There
aren’t many communities that can make that claim.
Cool….
PMFN is currently preparing our Specific Land Claim for
submission to Canada and Ontario for larger reserve
lands, and compensation for loss of use on such lands.
We have received a draft report of our historical
underpinnings, with the final draft slated to be
complete for the end of May. After acceptance of the
claim by Ontario and Canada, the Specific Claim
process will take approximately 6 years to complete
the process.
Thank you to all of the community members, staff, and
surrounding supporters who made our community
hunt week a tremendous success. The L&R
department hosted a pot-luck lunch at Bouchard Lake
which attracted over 70 participants!
The LLLB is delayed, once again, due to a permitting
issue with the snowmobile association. See Chief
Johanna’s response to the Minister attached to this
newsletter for further information.
The Stillwater Canada project has been postponed
pending a feasibility study of their environmental
assessment. The Joint Review Panel hearings were
scheduled to commence Feb. 20, however they will
not occur now until the feasibility study has been
submitted.
L&R Heads Up…..
Lands &
Resources
“We do not inherit the land from
our ancestors; we borrow it from
our children”
L&R Land Use Planning
The Lands & Resources Department
is currently creating several 3-D
computer models of potential land
use options for the Land & Larger
Land Base lands. The modelling
incorporates the suggestions from
the commissioned Genivar report,
community input from the 2011
community strategic planning
workshop, Chief & Council input and
program manager input. The project
will assist in “visioning” how we
want our new lands to look.
.

Stay informed, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has approved White River,
Manitouwadge & Hornepayne as potential repository sites for nuclear waste.

White River is ACTIVELY pursuing nuclear waste storage, launching a website and community liaison
committee at http://clcinfo.ca/whiteriver/

PMFN Chief & Council are opposed to any nuclear waste being stored on their traditional territory. Visit
Chief Johanna’s message at: http://www.picmobert.ca/resources/07-11-2012_NWMO_PMFNResponse.pdf
rd
 The 4 Annual PMFN Fish Derby is coming this spring!
 The PMFN Land Summit will occur once again this spring. Dates to be announced.
Education Department
Boozhoo/Aaniin,
Some of our High School Students have been learning about issues such as the Indian Act, Indian agents, and
residential schools as part of a Grade 11 English course taught by Dwayne Oldford. It was the students who then
suggested creating a mural once they learned more about Indian Residential schools. The students have created a
special mural that tells the story of First Nations People. On Jan. 21, traditional singing, drumming and prayer were
performed at the unveiling of the Memorial wall in honour of our residential school survivors. Survivors, or as
someone called them “Warriors,” signed their name on a painted feather on the wall. Drop by anytime to view. Our
proud student members in the class are: Breanna O’Connor, Kane Sutherland, Darian Keough, and Isiah HoddinottMcWatch.
More Exciting News! We now have a Cultural room at the Marathon High School that is shared between Pic Mobert
and Pic River students. This is a special room that will give our students a place to do homework or just chill and hang
out during their spare. Lunch brought in every Wednesday will now be in the Cultural room. Some decorating/posters,
art work is still needed, but that will come in time. We will also be getting a drum and a seven teachings area rug for
the room. Stay tuned for a celebration!
To All our High School Students: It is a wonderful feeling to see you all back and raring to go. Happy New Semester!
Believe in yourself!
Miigwetch–Nicole Simpson Student Success Coordinator, “The journey is the reward”. – Chinese Proverb
Community
Development
Office
Gitchi Animki
Hydroelectric
Project
Construction of the long-awaited hydro project commenced last
The Economic Development Department is excited to announce that as a result of the
Pic Mobert’s partnership with White River Forest Products and the Gitchi Animki
Hydroelectric Project currently under construction, there are many community
members employed full-time. This is a great accomplishment for Pic Mobert First
Nation; with a well-deserved applause to the Chief and Council for seeing these projects
through.
The Economic Development Department has been working in the background with
White Lake Resources Corporation to establish a skilled/trained labor force to meet the
employer demands within their current joint ventures including Norpro Anishinabek
which is a partnership between White Lake Resources Corporations and Norpro to
provide security services to the Hydroelectric Project and allow the new company to
form other joint ventures/contracts to provide services regionally/globally.
The Economic Development department has been working alongside WLRC on
recruiting and organizing security guard training. Currently we have an ongoing
recruitment process so if you are interested in becoming a security guard please do not
hesitate to contact Donna Sutherland at the band office to see if security guard training
is the right path for you.
As mentioned we have been working in the background to respond the employer
demands, as a result we had applied to NOHFC for funding to complete Forest
Harvesting Equipment Training through the Economic Opportunities Partnership
Program. We are excited to announce that we have been approved to move to the
second stage of the proposal process with NOHFC. Keeping our fingers crossed and with
anticipation of an approval we will be able to recruit and train 5 community members
on Forest Harvesting Equipment and ultimately work with employers, contractors to
hire these individuals. It truly is an exciting time for Pic Mobert First Nation.
Economic Development Department is also looking at a sustainable entrepreneurship
program. We are looking at putting the tools in place to assist you with your
entrepreneurship dreams and goals. We are also looking at how we can assist young
entrepreneurs to realize their dreams and aspirations.
Entrepreneurs are people who start new businesses and enterprises and are important
to our economy because they create jobs by starting businesses that need employees.
Entrepreneurs also help to create and sustain a local economy. Let’s start building Pic
Mobert First Nation together!
The Economic Development Department and Committee is also busy working on
Economic Development Strategic Planning. We have secured funding to recruit the
services of a consultant to assist us with this process. As a result, GCK consulting has
been awarded the contract to assist us with the Economic Development Strategic
Planning process and in the end provide Pic Mobert with an Economic Development
Strategic Plan that will guide us through the next 5 years. At some point you will be
invited to participate through on line surveys. We value your input and looking forward
to your participation.
fall following the ceremonial ground breaking in October.
The project, which is 50% owned by the Pic Mobert First Nation
through the Gitchi Animki Energy Limited Partnership, is being
constructed by Dragados Canada Inc.
The construction sites are located approximately 60 km south of
White River.
White Lake Resources Corp., our First Nation’s development
corporation, has secured a number of sub-contracts through its
joint venture partners, including for road construction, site
clearing, and security services.
On the site, you will find a growing number of Pic Mobert Band
Members working as equipment operators, truck drivers, site
labourers and security guards.
Construction work will be continuing through to mid-2015.
We will be arranging opportunities for Band Members to visit the
site in the spring, if spring ever comes!
Drinking Water Operations
The Pic Mobert First Nation is currently operating under the Safe
Water Operators Program (SWOP) which is funded by AANDC.
Under the SWOP program, a company that is licensed to operate
drinking water systems in Ontario is contracted to oversee our
water system operations. The SWOP contractor is Northern Water
Works Inc, who operate drinking water systems in First Nations
and municipalities throughout the Province.
We decided to pursue the SWOP program when both of our
licensed water operators left their positions on short notice.
As part of the current arrangement, we have begun to develop
several new licensed operators in the Community. Our new team
includes Ryan Desmoulin, Warren Labelle and Wayne Sabourin.
Congratulation to Ryan and Warren who recently successfully
wrote their examinations to become licensed, Operators in
Training (OIT’s).
The OIT certification is the first major step in a licensing process
that will take several years – our new water system will require the
operators to have a Level 2 license – which requires several more
courses, examinations and several years of work experience.
PMFN Quot es:
S p e a k i n g on P M F N ’s te rri tory :
" T h e p l ac e I 'd c a tc h p e rc h w a s h e re , Wh i te L a k e . B u t Wh i te L a k e w a s
p l e n ti f u l too w h e n w e w e re y ou n g b oy s . We u s e d to c ome , w e u s e d to f i s h
a l l ov e r a rou n d th i s a re a i n th e Wh i te L a k e ."
D ennis B ananish
PMFN Times Ziigwan (Spring) Edition Onaabani-Giizis (Crust on the Snow Moon)- March 2014