Matawa Messenger - Matawa » First Nations Management

December, 2014
MATAWA
MESSENGE R
“Living With Us...Coo Coo Coo”
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IN THIS ISSUE:
“Four Pillars of the Regional Framework” Illustration by Pamela Hubbard
Regional Strategy Update
Community Driven Regional Framework Update:
Matawa at CAMA 2014
The First Nations continue to engage their communities regarding the Regional
Framework Process. Presently, First Nations are focusing on the four main pillars
identified in the framework agreement: Environment, Infrastructure,
Socio-Economic, and Revenue Sharing. Currently, our communities are gathering
information and developing their internal processes to ensure the negotiation
phase is community-driven.
Land Use Planning
KKETS Update
more....
The “Four Pillars of the Community Driven Regional Framework“ illustration
provides a visual overview of some of the main topics identified by the
communities in the Regional Framework.
Recently, our First Nations each appointed a “Regional Framework Communitiy
Representative” to provide additional community support. The Community
Representatives are assisting with the Regional Framework negotiation process
and will be representing their Community at the negotiation table.
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Matawa attends the 2014 CAMA
Conference in Toronto
Matawa Mineral Technical
Committee Meeting Update
November 16 to 18, 2014 - Matawa First Nations
Management (MFNM) staff and delegates travelled to
Toronto, Ontario to attend the 2014 Canadian
Aboriginal Minerals Association Conference.
The Matawa Mineral Technical Committee (MMTC)
continues to meet on a regular basis to address
Mineral Exploration and Mining topics within the
Matawa region.
If you have questions regarding Mineral Exploration
and Mining in your area please contact your
community MMTC representative.
Regional Framework Project
Matawa First Nations staff promoting Matawa
services at the booth. This year, Matawa has
showcased the new branding and visual identity,
including the new tradeshow booth.
Coordinating activities and information to support
and assist our communities to mazimize benefits from
the potential developement of the Ring of Fire.
The Regional Framework Project, within Matawa
First Nation Management, coordinates the gathering,
preparation and sharing of information related
to mineral exploration, mining development,
infrastructure, environment, socio-economic and
revenue sharing.
Matawa Chiefs meeting during the CAMA conference.
Chiefs discussed numerous topics and met with the
Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural
Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic
Development Initiative for Northern Ontario with
regards to encouraging more Federal involvement
with the Ring of Fire.
This is in support of the 9 member First Nations
of Matawa to ensure their rights and interests
are protected and that they are informed on the
decisions. It also assists Matawa Chiefs in negotiations
with government and industry as requested.
For more information please contact:
Kathy Brady, Regional Framework Project Manager
807.346.6522
kbrady@matawa.on.ca
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13th Annual First Nations
Northern Housing Conference
Eabametoong Holds Information
Meeting for Off-Reserve Members
Upcoming Event - 13th Annual First Nations Northern
Housing Conference held in Thunder Bay, February
10-12, at the Vallhalla Inn.
For more information, please visit the conference
website at:
www.northernhousingconference.com
or contact Saverio Rizzo, Housing Inspector/
Coordinator at Matawa.
On December 2, 2014, Eabametoong First Nation held
an information meeting on the Treaty Land
Entitlement Negotiations in Thunder Bay for the
off-reserve community members. For more
information on the gathering please contact Liz
Wapoose at 807.345.4418
Economic Development
Committee Meets in Thunder Bay
Listen to our radio broadcast
at 2:30pm/1:30pm EST
UPCOMING BROADCAST DATES:
January 6
January 20
February 3
February 17
Listen at www.wawataynews.ca/radio
89.9 FM in Sioux Lookout
106.7 FM in Timmins
BellTV Channel 962
For more information please contact our
Communications department at Matawa
807.346.6505
The Matawa Economic Development Committee
meets in Thunder Bay (November 25-27, 2014) to
discuss community development initiatives with Jason
Rasevych, Matawa Economic Development Advisor.
The group is working together to build capacity while
providing strategic advice to the Matawa Chiefs
Council in several areas including mining, tourism,
forestry and energy.
For more information please contact
Jason Rasevych, Economic Development Advisor
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at 807.346.3653
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Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year!
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Community Based Land Use
Planning Workshop
From December 2 to 4, 2014, Four Rivers hosted a
Community Based Land Use Planning Workshop in
conjunction with Ministry of Natural Resources and
Forestry at the Matawa office. Workshop participants
included community members from all Matawa
communities and Land Use Planning team members
from the 7 communities involved in land use planning
as well as government representatives and Four
Rivers staff.
biodiversity, Far North Land Use Strategy, Ring of Fire,
and the integration of processes (environmental
assessment, infrastructure, energy/power, plans and
permits). There was also a display table about
Matawa First Nation Broadband Project.
Throughout the second and third days of the
workshop, community members also had the
opportunity to participate in community shared areas
meetings with other First Nations. Four Rivers
displays were also manned by our staff on these two
days.
Share Information on the
Community Cultural Portal
Have a community event you want to share?
Do you like to take pictures of your community?
Have you been working on any special community
projects?
Day one of the workshop started with a morning of
sharing about land use planning by community
members. This was followed by a presentation by
MNRF about the Far North Land Use Planning
Strategy. The day concluded with an overview of Four
Rivers and introductions of staff.
The second and third days of the workshop involved
concurrent Information Sharing Sessions by MNDM
and MNRF specialists on a range of topics relevant
to land use planning —geology, hydrology, mercury,
If you would like to share this information to the
web, please contact the Matawa Communications
department at 807.346.6505
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Webequie First Nation Student
Wins Creative Writing Award
Churchill Creative Writing Success
Student from Eabametoong
Jada Sofea was a recipient of the 2014 James
Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative writing award.
Jada is a grade 8 student at Simon Jacob Memorial
Education Centre in Webequie, Ontario. She was one
of six Ontario recipients chosen from 250 applicants
to receive special recognition and a monetary award
of $2500. This initiative honours young Aboriginal
youth from across the province for writing
outstanding essays and poems that celebrate their
cultures. Jada’s literary contribution and her sharing
of creativity and courage inspires Aboriginal voice
with a persistent excitement for the special gift that
the power of words can contribute in realizing dreams
and promoting cultural diversity. SJMEC congratulate
Jada and celebrate with her in enhancing and
inspiring student success!
Matawa Education Department
Launches New Website
In early November 2014, the new Matawa Education
Department website was launched! The new
website offers information on the departments
advisory services and programs, news, contact
information, galleries, etc.
Please check out the website at
education.matawa.on.ca
Churchill student honoured with provincial award Sir Winston Churchill Collegiate and Vocational
Institute Grade 12 student Steven Okeese was one of
six young Aboriginal writers from across the province
to receive the prestigious James Bartleman Aboriginal
Youth Creative Writing Award. The award celebrates
Aboriginal youth for their creative writing efforts
and provides an opportunity for them to showcase
their work to a broader audience. Steven received his
award at a ceremony at the Ontario Legislature on
Thursday, November 6, 2014.
“We are extremely proud of Steven for the
recognition that he has received as a gifted young
writer,” says David Isherwood, Principal of Sir
Winston Churchill Collegiate and Vocational Institute.
“It is a significant honour for a student to be one of
six award winners from across the province.”
Steven received the James Bartleman Aboriginal
Youth Creative Writing Award for his short story
about same-sex relationships and acceptance from
family.
James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative
Writing Award was named to commemorate the term
of Hames Bartleman as Ontario’s Lieutenant
Governor. During his term the 27th Lieutenant
Governor of Ontario, the Honourable James
Bartleman implemented four literacy initiatives for
Aboriginal youth across Ontario. Since its inception
in 2008, 42 Aboriiginal youth have been awarded the
James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing
Award.
Matawa Education
education.matawa.on.ca
28 N. Cumberland Street, Suite #500, 5th Floor
Thunder Bay, ON P7A 4K9
Tel: 807.768.3300 Fax: 807.768.3301
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Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen
Update (KKETS) Update
We are half way through the 2014/15 fiscal year
agreement with Ministry of Training, Colleges and
Universities and all 100 seats in the Aboriginal Skills
Advancement Program have been filled. Students are
working hard towards completing their Ontario
Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and
Post-Secondary Entrance (PSE) requirements. As of
October 29, 2015 the program has 28 students who
have completed their high school diploma (OSSD)
and/or/both post-secondary entrance (PSE)
requirements. Matawa First Nation Management,
Lakehead Adult Education Centre, KKETS’ staff and its
Board of Directors congratulate the following
students for achieving their education goals.
ASAP 2014 GRADS
Ontario Secondary School Diploma
& Post Secondary Requirements
Laurie DePerry Long Lake #58
Kenny Towegishig
Long Lake #58
Jason Hardy
Long Lake #58
Terri-Lynn Towegishig Long Lake #58
Ricky Mattinas Constance Lake
Amie Bunting
Constance Lake
Camille Ferris
Constance Lake
Rebecca Sutherland
Constance Lake
Axel Magiskan Aroland
Derek Meshake
Aroland
Daniel Therriault
Aroland
Tracey Wapoose
Neskantaga
Darren Sakanee
Neskantaga
Ryan Moonias Neskantaga
Leslie Atlookan Eabametoong
Barbara Hardy Eabametoong
Corinne Moonias
Eabametoong
Corey Kwandibens
Eabametoong
Rosemary Wapoose
Eabametoong
Chris WaswaEabametoong
Devin Legarde Ginoogaming
Donald Gagnon
Ginoogaming
Olivia Achneepineskum
Marten Falls
Ruth JacobWebequie
Faron MooniasNibinamik
Peggy SofeaNibinamik
Ivan WabasseNibinamik
Diane BeaverNibinamik
Currently, there are many more students working on
completing their high school graduating and postsecondary entrance requirements. We look forward
to assisting these students in reaching their education
goals! The graduating students will be recognized at
a formal ceremony in Thunder Bay, March 2015 (stay
tuned for a determined date).
For more information on the Aboriginal Skills
Advancement Program, please inquire with your
First Nation Employment Community Coordinator or
by contacting Carolyn Zadnik, ASAP Project
Coordinator at (888)688-4652.
or visit the KKETS website:
www.kkets.ca
APTN Visits KKETS
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During late September 2014, Aboriginal Peoples
Television Network (APTN), visited the offices of
Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen (KKETS) to interview the
staff about the programs and services, as well as the
students in regards to their experiences with the
programs offered. APTN is currently working on a
documentary series on the Ring of Fire and it’s
different perspectives.
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Matawa First Nations Management Welcomes New Staff
Four Rivers Environmental Services Group
Environmental Office Research Assistant, Hayley King
Hayley King is proud to have recently joined the
Four Rivers Environmental Team. She has a B.Sc.
from Lakehead University and is currently
completing an undergraduate degree in Water
Resource Sciences. Her first independent project
was a study of heavy metal accumulation in benthic
invertebrates downstream of Bowater Mill. She has also worked
overseas in New Zealand volunteering with a watershed scale
stream assessment using benthic identification as an indicator of
stream health. When not in streams or behind microscopes,
Hayley enjoys traveling and takes any opportunity to explore
new places. Prior to joining Matawa and Four Rivers Hayley
spent 7 years working with the Royal Canadian Navy as a
department head and instructor, sailing on the western seaboard
from Alaska to Mexico. She is excited to put her skills and
experience to good use working for Matawa Communities.
Four Rivers Environmental Services Group
Environmental Projects Officer, Dawn Desmoulin
Boozhoo, My Name is Beedahbin Desmoulin, many
know me as Dawn Desmoulin. I have been with
Matawa since 2009, most recently I have become
apart of the great staff at the Four Rivers
Environmental Department. I am looking forward to
this new exciting path in my career as I look forward
to continued work with communities and members specifically
in the environmental sector. Our communities are based in a
vast and beautiful territory rich in natural resources, that I have
a deep appreciation for as a nishinawbe kwe, mother and
community member. Miigwetch.
Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services
ASAP Trades Officer, Andy Nieweglowski
Andy Nieweglowski was born and raised in Thunder
Bay. As a dedicated father of three, he is aware of
the challenges that youth face. He believes that this
is their time to embrace the future of our region
and capture the opportunities to benefit
themselves, their families and the community.
A Journeyman Tradesman himself, Andy went on to Queen’s
University to become a Certified Technical Teacher but realized
the bigger classroom was in industry. His compassion to lead
and mentor others took him into Project Management where
he gained notoriety the respect of his colleagues. The journey
for Andy did not end there as he realized the need for talented
tradespeople was growing larger. To make change he had to be a
part of it. His compassion to lead and mentor has afforded him
the position as the new Aboriginal Skills Advancement Trades Officer. In his off time he enjoys time with his dogs, fitness,
motorcycling and pool (“rack um up” if you dare). Andy is
honoured to be chosen as a team member and looks forward to
meeting each and every one of you.
Matawa First Nations Management
Administrative Assistant Youth Experience, Rachelle Quisses
Hi, my name is Rachelle Quisses and I’m from
Neskantaga First Nation. I graduated High School
back in 2009. My goal is to attend University or
College to obtain my Nursing Degree. I’ve been
hired as the Administrative Assistant Youth
Experience program here at Matawa First Nations
Management. Matawa is friendly and is a good working
environment to work in. I look forward to helping in any way that
I can.
Living with Us… Boreal Owl (Coo Coo Coo)
The Boreal Owl is a small owl, yet the female is much bigger than the male. They have
yellow eyes and white spotting on the tops of their heads. The Boreal Owl finds its prey by
sound, it can even locate mice under snow! The owl’s ear openings are asymmetrical, with
one opening high up on its skull and the other much lower. The different positions of the
ear holes help the owl find exactly where a sound comes from; gauging both height and
distance. Sometimes the Boreal Owl stores extra food in the cold weather and later thaws
it out by sitting on it.
Did You Know… Information, training and outreach is a part of all of Four Rivers’ programs. If you want to know
more about birds like the Boreal Owl, or other interesting critters, Four Rivers can help! Four Rivers facilitates, hosts or
participates in numerous information sharing, outreach and training workshops throughout the year, targeting all age
groups within the member First Nation communities.
For more information please visit www.fourriversmatawa.on.ca
Matawa First Nations | 233 S. Court Street | Thunder Bay, ON P7B 2X9 | Tel: 807.344.4575 | Fax: 807.344.2977 | Toll Free: 1.800.463.2249
w w w . m a t a w a . o n . c a
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