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AANTC Annual
Assembly
The Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council held its Annual
General Assembly on September 7-8, 2005 in the community of Eagle
Village.
On the first day the administrative reports of the Tribal
Council's activities were presented including financial statements
as well
as the Director General, advisory services and technical services
yearly reports. The second day was, for its part, dedicated to the
political aspect. Chief Haymond, of Eagle Village First Nation and
Grand Chief Wabanonik presented to the assembly the conclusions of
an ad hoc committee that studied the State of the Algonquin Nation.
Following the presentation a recommendation to separate the politics
from the administration was brought forward because of the amount
of time consumed in taking care of administrative files. The Chiefs
and the elected representatives find they don't have sufficient time
to work on political files such as land claims, natural resources,
etc. With a separation of the two aspects the Chiefs will be able
to spend more time on the important issues that affect the Nation.
A new Board of Directors will be composed of Director Generals and
community managers to look after the administrative side. The recommendation
was submitted for a vote and adopted by a majority of the assembly
members present. In the upcoming months changes will be made to the
Tribal Council's Board of Directors. We would like to take this opportunity
to assure you that this will in no way have an impact on the quality
of service offered to the six member communities.
As soon as we get
new information on the composition of the new board or any other
changes, we will inform you through the newsletter or
a press
release.
The employees of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal
Council would like to thank the community of Eagle Village for their
warm
welcome during our Annual General Assembly. Your cooperation towards
the organization of this assembly is greatly appreciated. A special
thanks to Chief Haymond, the Council and all employees and volunteers
who contributed to the success these two days.
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Interview with Chief Haymond
Last July I had the opportunity to sit with Chief Lance Haymond
of Eagle Village First Nation to discuss his views of his position
as Chief, the community's achievements and what the future holds.
It was a very interesting meeting as you will be able to read below.
Recently
re-elected Chief for his fourth consecutive mandate (with 80% of
the votes), Chief Haymond welcomed me to his office located
in the Administration building. At 39 years old, Chief Haymond has
been working for his community for 19 years. He returned to his community
in 1986 after serving a year in the army and accepted a position
as a Community Health Representative. He then went back to school
to obtain a degree in community projects from Concordia University.
Shortly after he was encouraged by the then Chief, Mr. Jimmy Constant,
to become politically involved and in 1991 he was elected councilor,
and in 1999 he was elected Chief by acclamation.
When he became Chief,
he knew his priority would be to work at creating opportunities through
economic development. Of course other issues
such as land claims were always around, however for Chief Haymond
it was time to act. In his opinion the community couldn't just wait
and think that the land claims question was the solution to all problems.
One of his first projects was to consolidate the community's services,
therefore, an administrative building was built housing the band
office and the health centre, in 2001. Today development continues
as a child care centre, Migizy Gas and Taxi Tem opened their doors.
These initiatives allowed for 30 jobs to be created within Eagle
Village in the past year alone. The community is training its own
members to do the construction, to avoid having to contract out the
work. With the new revenue generated by these businesses they will
reinvest to create more businesses, and profits will go towards education
and health. “
There has been a lot of strategic planning to define where we want
to go and how to get there. All that planning has been supported
by the population, the council and the employees,” explains
Chief Haymond.
Eagle Village is currently working on a reserve enlargement.
This plan will satisfy the needs of the community in regards to housing
for the next ten years. This year 6 more units will be built.
Eagle Village wants to maintain what they have, but also develop
alternatives, for example in the field of tourism or hydro-electricity.
One of the projects being considered is building a hydro-electricity
plant in partnership with another First Nation community and an experienced
private business. The plant will produce less than 50 megawatts and
is environmentally conscious. It would generate $2 million a year
for each community and could be used to fund other initiatives. The
community also signed on for a pilot project with MNR and Tembec,
in April 2005. The goal is to survey the fauna, flora and the utilization
of the territory. The project will be established over a 3 year period
with guaranteed financing. Chief Haymond says: “In a few years
we will have a database that will help in the co-management of the
territory with the MNR. In ten years we're hoping to be independent
in the management of the territory.”
Another major project they are currently working on is an elder's
centre. In Eagle Village the age demographic tends to reflect that
of the province of Quebec, which means a majority of the population
is in the 25-40 age bracket, the second largest group is between
40-65, and the 25 year of age and younger represents only 35%.
They believe a centre to assist in the transition of community members
from living in a house to a nursing home would benefit community
members in the future.
Chief Haymond is aware that Eagle Village has
a lot of opportunities that other communities don't have because
of its location, its proximity
to the town of Temiscaming and Tembec. It has taken time and effort,
but they now have a good reputation with the two levels of governments
and local organizations. “We have our share of social problems,
but not as intense as some of the other communities
because people have money, jobs, houses, etc. This allows us to concentrate
on other issues,” explains Chief Haymond. Eagle Village has
also been very proactive by being involved with the neighboring municipalities.
For example, Eagle Village provides fire protection service to the
municipality of Kipawa. “I am proud of what we've accomplished
in the past six years,” he says.
Chief Haymond is also greatly
involved outside of his community at the regional and national level.
He is in charge of the health portfolio,
a responsibility he shares with Chief Daniel Pien of Lac Simon, and
the human resources development portfolio for the AFNQL at the national
level. He has made numerous presentations on many issues to entities
such as the Coulombe Commission, at public hearings, etc. He is the
Commissioner for Western Quebec School Board since November 2003
for the
Abitibi-Temiscamingue region. With the experience he's gained throughout
his career many opportunities have arisen, however, he is committed
to staying in his position. “As
long as we're achieving success and developing I'm interested in
being around” he says. “I have chosen to stay here because
I have the support of my members. I get my validation every two years
when I am re-elected. I feel I can contribute to the community and
the Nation. We have a good reputation outside the community and I
think we are going in the right direction. I want to do the best
job I can and my council and employees are following. However, it
is not a one man show. My staff is making things happen everyday.
It is important this gets recognized. In the past 15 years we have
taken charge of ourselves. It started with the Chief before
me and we carried that vision. I'm lucky to have a very good council
and competent staff,” he explains.
He adds: “Our biggest challenge is to convince the government
we have the capacity to do things ourselves. We also have to create
opportunities to allow us to generate our own revenue, because until
we stop collecting money from the government we will be a dependant
society.”
In the past, Chief and Council used to make all the
decisions, however, now the philosophy behind the way Eagle Village
is administered is
that the dedicated and competent staff are given policies and guidelines
and from there they have the power to make their own decisions. Of
course it has sometimes been hard to institute that way of doing
things, because some people are resistant to change. However, now
that the system is in place it gives Chief and Council more time
to focus on political issues both at the regional and national level.
When
asked about his legacy, Chief Haymond says: “I think that
what I will leave as a legacy is the fact that during my stay we
took care of our own affairs, we built infrastructures, we created
economic and social opportunities and we kept moving forward.”
As
for the future Chief Haymond explains that “As long as the
population wants me and keeps reaffirming its support, I'll run”.
After having achieved success in his community, Chief Haymond hopes
that during this present mandate he will be able to work on issues
as a Nation (the 9 Algonquin communities). It is his greatest hope
to
accomplish this.
He knows it will be challenging because the realities of the communities
are so different from one another, but he believes it is possible
to find a common ground and work together. He is a firm believer
that the Algonquin communities can integrate themselves to mainstream
society to be heard and to obtain their fair share, while retaining
their culture and their uniqueness.
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Pikogan reacts to
Washaw Sibi's Actions & Statements
On August 15, 2005 the Crees living in Pikogan left their houses
to relocate to a site they hope will be the emplacement of their
future community. They are members of the Association Washaw Sibi
and demand that the federal and provincial governments recognized
their right to create the tenth Quebec Cree community.
On August 17th
Pikogan reacted to the declarations and allegations made by Mr. Billy
Katapatuk of the Washaw Sibi Association, claiming
that the Cree members did not benefit from any adequate employment,
housing, education and health programs and services.
According to
the Abitibiwinni First Nation Council, the relations between the
Crees and the Algonquins have always been harmonious
to this day. Because of the many alliances between the Crees and
the Algonquins children were born with a double identity (i.e. from
Algonquin/Cree origin) which means many Abitibiwnni First Nation
members have the privilege of holding a Cree beneficiary number thus
causing several inequities.
More over, they wish to specify that members
with Cree nationality have access to all the services offered by
the Abitibiwinni First
Nation without discrimination. Governemental eligibility criteria
or directives sometimes compelled them to limit or refuse certain
services to the people; however they have never refused to administer
services under the sole pretext that the client was from Cree nationality.
Pikogan
understands that certain members of the Washa Sibi Association would
like to receive services in their own Cree language however,
they should be aware that it is very difficult for us to meet this
need since we are facing difficulties in serving our own members
in our Algonquin language.
In his declaration, Mr. Billy Katapatuk
from the Washaw Sibi Association states that the Washaw Sibi Camp
Site is a traditional territory
belonging to this group. The Elected Leaders of the Abitibiwnni First
Nation state that this territory is part of the Beaver Preserve,
a territory under the authority of the Abitibiwinni First Nation.
Moreover, the Abitibiwinni First Nation Council was never consulted
concerning the legation of this territory.
In a statement to the media
on August 15, 2005, Mr. Ted Moses mentioned that the Grand Council
of the Crees was currently negotiating with
the Algonquins. Chief Harry McDougall states that he has sent many
invitations to the Grand Council representatives to undertake discussions
on the issue without receiving any answer from their part, therefore,
there are no on-going negotiations between the Crees and the Abitibiwinni
First Nation Council.
The community of Pikogan is in a deadlock as
both levels of governments are not ready to collaborate on this issue,
while they are responsible
for this problem due to their policies that do not recognize dual
nationality. They are forced to make a choice between the Cree or
Algonquin nationality.
Before the situation further degenerates, the
Abitibiwinni First Nation Council is inviting all the representatives
of the Cree communities
and the Grand Council of the Crees to sit around the same table with
the representatives of the Abitibiwinni Algonquin Nation.
During the
Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council's Annual General Assembly
the community of Pikogan asked for the support of the assembly
in the form of a resolution, therefore, it was duly moved, seconded
and resolved:
- That the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation fully supports
the actions taken by the Abitibiwinni First Nation Council to prevent
Crees from continuing to encroach on their land;
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That the Algonquin
Anishinabeg Nation publicly expose this situation and authorize Grand
Chief Lucien Wabanonik, along with the Abitibiwinni
First Nation Council, to make the necessary representations towards
the Crees and governments in order to stop this land encroachment.
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Scholarships
Recipients
RBC Banks on five
Aboriginal Students
For the eleventh consecutive year, five students
are being recognized through RBC Financial Group's Aboriginal Student
Awards Program.
Each of this year's award winners will receive an annual scholarship
of $4,000 for a maximum of four years university or two years of
community college.
One of the recipients is Tiffany McDougall from Kitigan Zibi. She
is studying Biopharmaceutical Science at the University of Ottawa.
She hopes to pursue a career in pharmacology and has a goal of one
day starting her own pharmaceutical business.
Hydro-Quebec 2005
Excellence Awards
On July 14, 2005, Hydro-Quebec unveiled the names
of the aboriginal students who have been awarded scholarship for
their academic excellence. One of the recipients is Mina Leah Kistabish
McDougall from the community of Kitigan Zibi who studies in the field
of social sciences at Heritage College in Gatineau. Leah has been
awarded a $1,000
scholarship. Congratulations!
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First Nations Women's Day
Source : AFN Echo, Vol. 2, #4,
July/August 2005
In honor of the contributions made by First Nation
women to the success, livelihood and survival of our communities,
the AFN Chiefs-in-Assembly
passed a resolution supporting the recognition of October 5th as
the first annual First Nations Women's Day.
The resolution was passed at the 26th Annual General Assembly, in
support of a resolution by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian
Nations declaring 2005 as the Year of First Nations Women and the
annual day of recognition.
First Nations women hold a unique perspective as the givers of life
and the conscience of our nations. The AFN wishes to acknowledge
all First Nations women for their contributions and commitment to
furthering the goals of our people and communities.
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Economic
Development, by Carole Whiteduck
Information session in Eagle Village
and Long Point
Information sessions about « Elements to
consider before starting a business » and « Introduction
to an interactive business plan » were given by Carole
Whiteduck, Economic Development Officer. The information session
had a great
attendance.
Congratulations to...
Jay Odjick, native from Kitigan Zibi and Creator of Darkwing
Productions, has been nominated as a finalist for the CANDO's “Economic
Developer of the Year” award. In addition he was invited to
be a speaker for the “youth panel” in October at the
CANDO conference in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Darkwing Productions operates on a worldwide scope, having shipped
copies of it's product as far away as Australia and the UK, and
has been featured on APTN, Aboriginal Voices Radio, CBC Radio 1,
Radio
Enfant Ado, several prominent American comics websites. Jason and
DWP will also be participating in Ronin Studios Hurricane Katrina
relief anthology book, due out in February 2006.
You can consult Darkwing Productions' website at:
www.darkwingproductions.ca
CANDO Awards
Recognize! Celebrate! Honor!
Sharing our stories and celebrating
our successes will ensure that economic development initiatives
continue to grow.
Since 1995, the CANDO Economic Developer of the Year was created
to recognize and promote recent or long-standing Aboriginal economic
development initiatives throughout Canada.
Two outstanding examples of Aboriginal economic development will
be awarded for their hard work this year. Delegates at the National
Conference vote for two categories: Individual and Business/Community.
There are two runner up categories selected to receive recognition
awards.
Update Information -
Conference
Attention Students!
CANDO student members will vote during CANDO's
annual meeting on October 18, 2005, held in Sault Ste.Marie for
the position of new
student elected representative. This position allows the electected
representative to sit on the CANDO Board of Directors. If a student
wishes to enter the race he/she has to submit the following documents;
a student card from his/her school and a transcript stating that
he's registered in one of the following programs: business administration,
public administration, business management, natural resources,
economic development or human resources.
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AANTC Golf
Tournament
The Tribal Council held its first annual Golf Tournament on August
26, 2005. We had an outstanding participation rate of over 125 players
at the Algonquin Golf Club, in Messines, QC. Our first place winners
are: Team 1 Marcel Brazeau, Gilbert Brazeau, Frank Brazeau and Barry
Hicks and the second team: Mike McDougall, Garry Dumont, Johnny Dewache
and Steve Whiteduck. The trophy for Men's longest drive was given
to Royce Wilson and the Women's was Diane Deschenes. The Men's closest
to the pin trophy winner was Andy Dewache. The evening ended with
a BBQ supper and a gift ceremony.
The amount raised during this activity will be distributed equally
between our member communities and will be used towards youth activities.
The activity will be repeated again next year in Val d'Or. QC.
Finally,
the Tribal Council wishes to thank all of its sponsors, without them
the success of this event would not have been possible.
Major Sponsor:
Caisse populaire Desjardins de la Haute-Gatineau
Partner Sponsor:
Le ministre des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, ministre responsable
de la région de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue
et de la région du Nord-du-Québec et député d'Abitibi-Est,
M. Pierre Corbeil
Associated Sponsors: Ville d'Amos, L'Escale Hôtel Motel Suite,
CLD Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, Meubles Branchaud, Société de
crédit commercial autochtone / Native Commercial Credit Corporation,
Régime des bénéfices autochtones / Native Benefits
Plan, Bowater, Whiteduck Resources, Louisiana Pacific
Support Sponsors:
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, COSE Consultants, Mitigog, Imprimak, Gendron
J E Automobiles, Eagle Village First Nation, Château
Logue Hôtel Golf Resort, Darkwing Productions, Pharmacie Jean
Coutu, Home Hardware Pasahigan Building Centre, Consultants GSP Groupe
conseil, Restaurant Rialdo, La P'tite Maison, KZ Freshmart, Anishnabe
Printing, Ruby's Native Crafts, Lebeau vitres d'auto, Boucherie à l'ancienne,
Services de traduction du nord / Northern Translation Services, Corporation
de gestion de la Forêt de l'Aigle, Eric McGregor, Stavibel,
Hubert Gerard Automobile, La Tourie, National Aboriginal Health Organization,
Big Beaver Souvenir, Bar-billard le Triangle
Migizy Gas
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