Mistawasis First Nation Comprehensive Community Planning
Transcription
Mistawasis First Nation Comprehensive Community Planning
Mistawasis First Nation Comprehensive Community Planning Workshop 1 | April 29-30, 2014 Summary Report CEU Community Planners: Alexis Miller & Mark Nener Community Lead: Anthony Johnston [email protected] tel.: 466-4800 (ext. 272) Cities & Environment Unit (CEU) and Mistawasis First Nation hosted the first community engagement workshop for the Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP) in April 2014. CEU staff travelled to Mistawasis for two days of meetings, focus group sessions and open community sessions. It was the team’s second visit to the community, but the first opportunity to introduce the CCP project to the broader community and initiate discussions about strengths and issues in Mistawasis. Over the two-day workshop the CCP team spoke with leadership, Band staff and community members. Project Team: The CCP will capture the voice, ideas and values of as many Mistawasis members as possible. A core project team has been set up to guide the development of the plan. The project team consists of Cites & Environment Unit planners and the Mistawasis Community Lead (Anthony Johnston, Special Projects, Iron Buffalo Centre). Table of Contents Workshop 1 Goals Participation Workshop Sessions Strengths & Issues Next Steps 1 1 2-3 3-7 7 A volunteer Planning Work Group (PWG) will also play an important role in the CCP process. The PWG will be made up of a cross-section of community voices helping to guide the process and build community ownership of the plan. Workshop 1 Goals The goals for the two-day workshop were to: • Establish the Planning Work Group (PWG) • Continue to raise awareness of the CCP project • Explore strengths and issues in Mistawasis Participation A successful CCP is the result of broad participation in a community-based process, with many voices shaping the directions for future community development. The first CCP workshop included several productive meetings and conversations. The following is a list of meetings and sessions that were planned for the workshop: Community Session Memory Mapping Activity • Meeting with Chief and Council (April 29) • Planning Work Group (PWG) Meeting (April 29) −− Cancelled CCP Workshop 1 Summary Report - May 2014 1 • Chief Mistawasis School Visit (April 29) • Community Session 1 (evening of April 29) • Meeting with Band Staff (April 30) −− Cancelled due to scheduling conflict (Band staff at training session in Saskatoon) −− CCP team met with Lawrence Johnston instead • Community Session 2 (afternoon of April 30) • Elder’s Tea Focus Session (April 30) −− Cancelled due to a wake in the community • Bring community (including urban members) and partners together for discussions and decisions • Build buy in from community through their involvement in planning • Empower people to take the bull by the horns and implement our plans • Tool to help secure annual funding • Provide consistency in community development into the future. Compile data and use to support the plan & argue for funding. Have a physical product to show other communities and funders. • Strengthen governance - see the big picture and have a long-term view. What do we need to do to benefit Mistawasis 20 yrs in the future? • Build consensus around land tenure - this is the #1 stumbling block. • Work toward independence from larger organizations (e.g., FSIN, Tribal Council) - spend a larger share of funding in the First Nation • Build a very solid core so everything else falls into place. Workshop 2 Community Session Meeting with Chief & Council Following a round of introductions the CCP team presented an overview of the CCP project and responded to questions about the process. Chief, Council and staff in attendance were very generous with their time and contributed to a productive meeting. Below is a summary of input from meeting participants in response to the question: What can the CCP do for Mistawasis? • Confirm commitment to making our own decisions about how to use our land (First Nations Land Management Act) • Identify new opportunities arising from signing on to the Fiscal Management Act • Focus on community development • Find ways to maximize education $ to get the most benefit for Mistawasis members. • Build capacity among the people to take on important roles & responsibilities in the community. Reduce reliance on external agencies, organizations) CCP Workshop 1 Summary Report - May 2014 • Emphasize importance of having basic infrastructure (e.g., fire truck, paved roads) • Find potential inside Mistawasis to move us forward. Find the common ground. • Provide direction on education, housing, economic development, etc. Direction comes from the community • Capture a Vision created by all the people • Describe how we will teach our kids to be our future leaders • Define roles and responsibilities of leadership • Entice the community to come together to build a sense of community, work on projects together • Bring on-reserve and off-reserve members together. We’re all members of Mistawasis. • Rebuild a Nation • Promote universal values • CCP can be the umbrella plan for other policies, strategic plans, etc. • Take the CCP to the people and have it ratified • Be ready to pass on the staff (baton, sacred bundle) to future leadership • Look at past practice, learn from the past 2 Chief Mistawasis School Visit The CCP team met with grade 7 and 8 students at the Chief Mistawasis School. After a brief introduction to the concept of community planning the students were asked to draw a map of their community from memory and describe what they like about their community and what they would like to see change. CEU staff retained their drawings and will include a selection in the final Community Plan document. The strengths and issues described by the students have been added to the organized list in this report. Project Ideas (from School visit) • Ice rink • Lacrosse field • New soccer field (keep the grass cut short) • Skate park • Paved roads a review of the background research completed so far. The first group activity (2nd session only) involved memory mapping. Participants were asked to draw a map of their community from memory. This activity helped identify areas of significance to individuals and the community. As participants shared their maps with the larger group, they revealed a variety of unique perceptions of Mistawasis. In the second group activity, community members identified strengths and issues in Mistawasis. Our team recorded the conversations on flip chart paper as participants identified things that they see as unique or remarkable in their community as well as things that don’t work well or need to be changed. Memory Map from School visit Meeting with Lawrence Johnston The CCP team met with Lawrence Johnston, Land Assistant, who helped us better understand the current situation around land tenure and some of the challenges presented by Certificates of Possession (CP) in Mistawasis. Lawrence provided us with a “Land Summary” document that will be helpful in filling some of the gaps in the Land and Settlement background information. The community sessions closed with an explanation of what our team will do with the information that had been collected and what the next steps of the CCP process will entail. A synthesized list of the strengths and issues identified at the two community sessions is organized below under several theme areas that emerged from the discussions. Strengths & Issues An important goal of the first workshop was to gain a good understanding of the strengths and issues in Mistawasis as part of the “context” chapter of the Plan. The experience, ideas and Community Sessions The CCP team began both sessions with a brief perceptions of all those who participated will introduction to planning and the CCP process and help create an inclusive picture of what strengths CCP Workshop 1 Summary Report - May 2014 3 • Respect for different traditions, values, spiritual beliefs Family & Community • Family support --> community support • Youth • Generous people; even with no money, offer time and support • Peaceful and progressive • Working towards “gossip free” Community Session Memory Map Presentations and resources the community can build on, as well as the main issues or challenges the community faces. The exploration of community strengths began with these guiding questions: What makes you proud of Mistawasis? What are some of the key strengths or achievements to build on? The exploration of community issues began with these guiding questions: What is holding Mistawasis back? What are some of the key issues, or things that need to change? What is at the root of these issues? Strengths History & Tradition • Rich history – 1st signatory of Treaty 6 • Working to work together • Respect for people’s opinions/values/ideas • More assertive than aggressive • We band together over hardships • Good sense of humour • Invisible labour, work done behind the scenes • Humility Services • Radio station • Youth centre • Only FN school in SK w/smart boards in every classroom • Paul & tech team (“Geek Squad”) • Air cadets in Saskatoon every Wednesday since 2000 • Connection w/CANSASK + Iron Buffalo Centre • Offering urban service on-reserve • Health centre that focuses on mental wellbeing −− Retreats/team building to build on positive relationships • Elders activities/gatherings −− Rations hub for other reserves • Meals/music/entertainment −− Once part of the Red river carts (Métis) trail • Graveyard clean-up (should be annual) −− Medicine box −− Qualified doctor/nurse on reserve • Elders −− Stories/history −− Know locations in Mistawasis −− Living books of knowledge −− “Knowledge keepers” • Eddie’s family trees • Calvin’s history piece • *We’re still here* CCP Workshop 1 Summary Report - May 2014 Culture, Recreation & Events • Fishing derbies • Fundraisers (e.g., grads,weddings) • Annual camps: “big child camp”, band camp, family camp, culture camp • Remembrance Day Round Dance • Winter festivals • Camp games • Fire making • Circuit 4 • Bingo twice per week −− Helps fund community activities • New drum group • Volunteer committees that organize events, play to people’s strengths • Christmas tree • Christmas dinner • Christmas hamper for every household on-reserve • Gifts for kids, off-reserve members and elders (gift cards) Environment • 5 fresh water lakes • Boreal forest • Agricultural lands • Diverse wildlife • Long-standing landmarks – “The Bay” “The Crossroads” −− Lake village/south village/north village/the hill • Fishing • Hunting (deer/duck/rabbits) • Cabin Memory Map from Community Session • Hand games (not lately, bring it back) • Powwows: June 9th (2-day event) at rodeo grounds • Inter-school powwow • Rodeo days, July • Chuck wagons • Things I like: walk around and see all the animals around me; wake up to the sounds of birds singing; see my yard clean • I love to walk around a lot • Things I like: dogs, big yard, all the trees, birds singing, path to the field, lilac bush • Horse racing Health • Chariots • Drug/alcohol-free unity ride for youth • “sleeping cowboy” • Unofficial safe houses for youth • Mistawasis Warriors (hockey) • 47 members participated in the winter games (most in STC) Governance • Strong leadership • Lacrosse – some teams scouted • Slo-pitch teams • Memorial sports days (volleyball/horseshoes) • Dry dances • Drop and shop • Christmas meal • Mothers’ Day/Fathers’ Day BBQ −− Honour M/F of the year (on a Sunday) • Treaty Day • Beading! Classes every wed. 4-6 CCP Workshop 1 Summary Report - May 2014 5 Issues Traditions & History • Potential language loss • Learning traditions --> there are many and we might not know them all −− Mix of approaches Family & Community • Kids don’t listen! Don’t respect adults • Lack/loss of community parenting −− Was once taught/part of community and how children were raised • Not working together −− Culture has changed • Kids in foster care (some off-reserve) b/c of lack of parenting Recreation • Bring back communal/rec. opportunities • Need rink −− $1000000, band member (hockey superstar) • Lack of parental involvement in activities • Lack of volunteerism • Community event boycotts get carried forward through generations • Soccer field is really wet right now and the grass is always really long Environment • Things I don’t like: all the garbage, broken cars and chickens • I don’t like people killing starving animals, seeing dead animals • Grandma’s raising grandchildren (parents no longer raise kids) −− Used to teach traditions, now being taken advantage of • Intergenerational disconnect b/c of residential schools • Bullying between parents and kids and between parents (it’s everywhere) • Lack of communication & how it’s communicated (tone/approach) • Jealousy (goes back to poverty/social issues) • Very divided – only put differences aside for hardships • Indian Crab Syndrome • People afraid of change, don’t want to move forward (stuck in old school) • Lack of knowledge/understanding • Supportive of day-to-day but not of people’s success • Lack of communication • Not making use of non-band members abilities onreserve (who is a community member?) −− Root: prioritizing band members −− Could be a funding issue −− Two-tiers: 1)band members 2)community members (includes non-band members) • If we had as many people helping as we do complain we’d be set • Working towards change, but change starts within CCP Workshop 1 Summary Report - May 2014 Health • Drugs/Alcohol/Poverty/Social Issues −− No one wants to bring up/share −− No implementing bylaws/rules −− Speeding/drunk driving −− People drinking, begin loud and leaving their children • Lateral violence • Need more programs/resource for alcohol/drugs • High transient population; city problems become reserve problems −− Not sure how to deal with it, don’t want to criticize family members’ behavior −− Kills motivation/introverted • Don’t want to interact w/ppl who bully (aggressive people) 6 Governance • Need front line workers’ involvement in CCP – make it mandatory !!!! • 2-year election cycles; cannot make long term changes needed due to short-term thinking • Chief + Council not working together; how can they work for community if they can’t work together? • Don’t always hire based on merit −− Nepotism becoming less of an issue but still exists • Liability/legal (potential) issues scare us from pursuing projects • Too many policies get in the way of progress Next Steps Workshop 2 The CEU planning team will make a second visit to Mistawasis this summer to continue conversations with the community and develop content for the Community Plan. Strengths and issues from the first workshop will be reviewed and community members will be invited to think boldly about the future of Mistawasis - this will form the basis of the Vision Statement that will be captured in the CCP. Dates for workshop 2 are to be determined and will be advertised. The CCP team is planning to host an off-reserve session for urban members as part of workshop 2 activities. Communications A good communications strategy is key to building awareness of the CCP project and sharing information with Mistawasis members throughout the process. Mistawasis should consider: • Regular CCP updates on the Mistawasis website, including a link to download this summary report. Memory Map from School visit SETTLEMENT 1 Settlement is defined by how people use the land and what is constructed on the ground. This information allows the community to see how it has developed physically over time, how the community is organized and what assets exist. Roads 13 - Health Clinic 6 - Iron Buffalo Centre (Former Health Clinic) 2 4 5 CONTEXT VISION ACTION DRAFT: 3 * This is a work in progress ! Feel free to add to it. Housing 6 7 CHANGE • Regular updates on the local radio station 11 - Water Treatment Plant Current Settlement Community Facilities The most important public facility in Mistawasis is Chief Mistawasis School. Students from kindergarten to grade 8 attend, and the school also provides daycare and a Head Start program. The Iron Buffalo Centre provides skills training for band members with the intent of helping them find quality employment. There is no grocery store in Mistawasis; the nearest services are in the town of Leask, 22 km southeast and Shellbrook, 35 km to the east. Prince Albert is a major service centre, 79 km west of Mistawasis. 1 - Band Office 2 - Daycare 3 - School 4 - Portables 5 - Family Centre 6 - Iron Buffalo Centre (Former Health Clinic) 7 - Baseball Diamond 8 - Fire Hall 9 - Soccer Field 10 - Lagoons 11 - Water Treatment Plant 12 - Chuck Wagon Track 13 - Health Clinic 14 - Pow Wow Grounds Housing 14 12 10 9 13 1 5 8 2 3 7 The population of Mistawasis had increased greatly at the 2006 census, and some of that increase is reflected in the data for mobility. In 2006, more than 20% of residents had moved to Mistawasis from elsewhere within the past five years. In 2001 and 2011, the mobility data was consistent – over 80% of the population had been living in Mistawasis five years previously. This data indicates a fairly stable population. However, it does not account for people who left Mistawasis permanently; it also ignores temporary or seasonal migrations (e.g., for employment). Mistawasis has 170 private dwellings, 160 of which are single detached houses. For these 170 dwellings, there are 200 census families; 50 households in Mistawasis consist of two or more families. These statistics indicate overcrowding. The average number of people in a private household in Mistawasis is 4.7, almost double the provincial average of 2.5. 6 4 11 Infrastructure & Serviced Areas Water Supply Wastewater & Garbage The majority of the homes in Mistawasis receive water through municipal services, 61.3%. Within the community core area, municipal water is provided and water service is provided to outlying homes through a low-pressure water distribution system. The remaining homes, in more rural areas, receive water through a variety of methods including community wells, individual wells or cisterns supplied by trucks. Sewage disposal is largely managed through individual septic fields/ mounds (53.0%). The remaining homes are serviced through lagoons or pump-out trucks. Serviceable Areas The Serviceable Areas Map shows the areas where basic community services, such as sewer and water exist, or could easily be extended. Topography and the location of current infrastructure forms the basis of the Serviceable Areas Map. Communities are continually faced with expenses related to maintaining, improving and extending roads, water lines and sewer pipes. In order to develop in a cost-effective and sustainable way, decisions about new investments in infrastructure should consider environmental and cost implications. LEGEND 1 - Band Office 2 - Daycare 3 - School 4 - Portables 5 - Family Centre 6 - Iron Buffalo Centre (Former Health Clinic) 7 - Baseball Diamond 8 - Fire Hall 9 - Soccer Field 10 - Lagoons 11 - Water Treatment Plant 12 - Chuck Wagon Track 13 - Health Clinic 14 - Pow Wow Grounds 0 2 km Watermain Low Pressure Sewage Line • A CCP Facebook Group that would provide an online forum for learning about and contributing to the planning process. A Facebook Group can be managed by the Group’s administrator(s) to protect privacy and filter out any inappropriate posts. Currently, garbage collection is a handled by a local band member and delivered to a dumpsite. The current landfill is experiencing some difficulty containing waste within the designated area. Developable Areas Developable Areas are those parts of the community where services exist or could easily be extended. Developable Areas Map can be used to determine appropriate locations for new infrastructure, housing, and community projects. As the community moves through the planning process and there is greater understanding of the phyiscal constraints to development it will be possible to establish the areas best suited for • Extensive postering around the community to advertise future planning activities Planning Work Group Ideally the Planning Work Group will form and meet at least once before workshop 2. CEU staff can support this first meeting via video conference or conference call. future development. LEGEND Possible Future Housing Developement Possible Future Commercial / Community Developement * Mistawasis Community Plan - Final Report prepared by Crosby Hanna & Associates 0 2 km APRIL 2014 MISTAWASIS FIRST NATION COMMUNITY PLAN Settlement poster displayed at Workshop 1 CCP Workshop 1 Summary Report - May 2014 7