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Friday, November 26, 2010
Rama First Nation Members and Employees-A message from the Band Manager
Given the state of the global economy, leadership and administration of the Chippewsas of Rama First Nation have been looking at numerous initiatives to reduce the First Nations overall budgets. After careful review of the funds disbursed in December the recommendation to discontinue the $150.00 Christmas Gift was accepted. This will reduce the overall 2110 /2011 operating buget by $ 130,000.00. As you will recall the $ 150.00 Christmaas Gift began in the early 1980's to assist many families during the Christmaas Season. As a community and employer, we all have become much more prosperous and do not face the same challenges of the past. We do acknowledge there are still families who require assistance and in an effort to give back, we encourage every employee and community member to donate time, money or a gift this season. The decision to eliminate the $ 150.00 gift was necessary as we strive to find ways to reduce the overall budget.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Question & Answers to Rama Open Council Meeting Held Oct. 25, 2010 at 7pm
Continued...
Q. Dawn: Are salaries according to education levels?
A. Brenda: leadership. People need to be treated with respect.
Comment: Anna: Respect is honesty.
A. Brenda: I would love to see community meeting.
Q. Anna: What was your salary back when you were first elected?
Q. Sara: Next 5 year forecast. Financially budget and keep some extra just in case.
A. Chief: We are already doing that.
Q. Anna: I meant to go back, just to see.
A. George: 1972...yes...I have 2 college diplomas, certificates.
Q. Sara: We should access outside grants and proposals. It could help with services supplied by departments. It would be easier than calling up Dan. It is great that McGregor did strategic plans. But do a detailed strategic plan for each department. It is time consuming to always see Dan.
A. Chief: We do encourage managers to go on-line to source out government programs. They do always have to come here in case we already applied for funds and may have given up services because of funding. Scholarship funding... and not just rely on Rama.
Comment. Shawna: That would be almost a full time position just to do that research.
Q. Shawna. Re: Economic Development. What are we doing for full time employment?
A. Chief. EggSmart is coming. We just posted a couple of jobs today. It is priority .. we hoped to have medical diagnostic centre.. We haven't gotten the ball rolling. It is a priority. We hoped our people would go to school in those areas. You could go anywhere not just Rama.
A. Ron: We need to get our budget in line to expand and do that stuff. An industrial park.. or something else. I know we can't just spend, spend, spend without doing our homework.
Comment: Nancy: Something related to it. a restaurant. We don't do anything for the water. I don't really want to be a casino indian.We have to diversify. We have a marina resource.
A. Chief. We do have a successful marina.
Comment: Nancy: We had a restaurant that is now a piece of cement.
A. Ron. We are trying to encourage our community to use that park and our departments.
Q: Nancy: Is there a committee set up to apply to use the cabins?
A. Ron. Yep, there is.
Q. Nancy: I'd love to use it for an artists group.
A. Gina: Yes, Recreation did use it for day camps and some families used it too. Advertising will be done.
Q. Sara: How much have the businesses profited?
A. Chief: Will be dealt with at the finance meeting.
Q. Sara: I'd like to see a chart showing the progression of business profits.
A. Chief: We'll try to get that.
Q. Anna: What about the real estate Rama has purchased?
A. Chief: We started buying properties once it was speculated and we tried to purchase without fan fare.
Q. Sara: Are we purchasing space/rent in Orillia?
A. George: A little ahead of where we are but getting there.
A. Chief: Post office is for sale.
Q. Sara: Transfer land too?
A. Byron: They don't give that back.
A. George: Lovers lane move up to Fawn Bay corner. We were supposed to get what we lost in the land claim, what Nawash got in 25 years. Future generations would have a bigger land base.
Q. Nancy: Was that just a rumour -- it would turn into band land?
A. Chief. No, it is a huge process.
Q. Anna: Where is the money coming from to buy land?
A. Chief: Budgeted out of Casino Rama revenues.
A. Brenda: Parcels bought were shown on maps at meeting last year.
Q. Arnold: Severance packages abused when people leave and come back. There should be a time limit...Where you have to be out of C&C for 3 terms.
A. George: I took it once, that wasn't my plan.
Q. Arnold: There should not be such a gaping hole.
A. Chief: That person has to build up to ...
Q. Arnold: Should it be stopped?
A. Chief: It is up to the people at this table.
A. George: I ran, people me in.
Q. Arnold: If you get voted out -- you shouldn't be able to run again and if you don't run, you shouldn't be able to run again. I heard statements were made like "I'm going to run again because I need the money". The people make the decision knowing or not knowing.
Q. Dawn: People who leave a job don't get a severance and if Rodney left the position by not running, they should not get a severance either.
Q. Sara: Yes, there should be a severance package if you are not going to run again. But it should have been $35,000 according to the labour board. The formula has to be amended. Give them 3 months to find employment.
Q. Arnold: Can't bleed the system. The system cannot handle it! The financial golden goose is going to be dead!
A. Ron: We see that.
Q. Arnold: $1000 clothing allowance should be abolished. Can you just pass something here right now?
Chief adjourned the meeting stating she did not eat lunch or dinner and everyone is tired.
Meeting adjourned approximately 9:45pm.
Q. Dawn: Are salaries according to education levels?
A. Brenda: leadership. People need to be treated with respect.
Comment: Anna: Respect is honesty.
A. Brenda: I would love to see community meeting.
Q. Anna: What was your salary back when you were first elected?
Q. Sara: Next 5 year forecast. Financially budget and keep some extra just in case.
A. Chief: We are already doing that.
Q. Anna: I meant to go back, just to see.
A. George: 1972...yes...I have 2 college diplomas, certificates.
Q. Sara: We should access outside grants and proposals. It could help with services supplied by departments. It would be easier than calling up Dan. It is great that McGregor did strategic plans. But do a detailed strategic plan for each department. It is time consuming to always see Dan.
A. Chief: We do encourage managers to go on-line to source out government programs. They do always have to come here in case we already applied for funds and may have given up services because of funding. Scholarship funding... and not just rely on Rama.
Comment. Shawna: That would be almost a full time position just to do that research.
Q. Shawna. Re: Economic Development. What are we doing for full time employment?
A. Chief. EggSmart is coming. We just posted a couple of jobs today. It is priority .. we hoped to have medical diagnostic centre.. We haven't gotten the ball rolling. It is a priority. We hoped our people would go to school in those areas. You could go anywhere not just Rama.
A. Ron: We need to get our budget in line to expand and do that stuff. An industrial park.. or something else. I know we can't just spend, spend, spend without doing our homework.
Comment: Nancy: Something related to it. a restaurant. We don't do anything for the water. I don't really want to be a casino indian.We have to diversify. We have a marina resource.
A. Chief. We do have a successful marina.
Comment: Nancy: We had a restaurant that is now a piece of cement.
A. Ron. We are trying to encourage our community to use that park and our departments.
Q: Nancy: Is there a committee set up to apply to use the cabins?
A. Ron. Yep, there is.
Q. Nancy: I'd love to use it for an artists group.
A. Gina: Yes, Recreation did use it for day camps and some families used it too. Advertising will be done.
Q. Sara: How much have the businesses profited?
A. Chief: Will be dealt with at the finance meeting.
Q. Sara: I'd like to see a chart showing the progression of business profits.
A. Chief: We'll try to get that.
Q. Anna: What about the real estate Rama has purchased?
A. Chief: We started buying properties once it was speculated and we tried to purchase without fan fare.
Q. Sara: Are we purchasing space/rent in Orillia?
A. George: A little ahead of where we are but getting there.
A. Chief: Post office is for sale.
Q. Sara: Transfer land too?
A. Byron: They don't give that back.
A. George: Lovers lane move up to Fawn Bay corner. We were supposed to get what we lost in the land claim, what Nawash got in 25 years. Future generations would have a bigger land base.
Q. Nancy: Was that just a rumour -- it would turn into band land?
A. Chief. No, it is a huge process.
Q. Anna: Where is the money coming from to buy land?
A. Chief: Budgeted out of Casino Rama revenues.
A. Brenda: Parcels bought were shown on maps at meeting last year.
Q. Arnold: Severance packages abused when people leave and come back. There should be a time limit...Where you have to be out of C&C for 3 terms.
A. George: I took it once, that wasn't my plan.
Q. Arnold: There should not be such a gaping hole.
A. Chief: That person has to build up to ...
Q. Arnold: Should it be stopped?
A. Chief: It is up to the people at this table.
A. George: I ran, people me in.
Q. Arnold: If you get voted out -- you shouldn't be able to run again and if you don't run, you shouldn't be able to run again. I heard statements were made like "I'm going to run again because I need the money". The people make the decision knowing or not knowing.
Q. Dawn: People who leave a job don't get a severance and if Rodney left the position by not running, they should not get a severance either.
Q. Sara: Yes, there should be a severance package if you are not going to run again. But it should have been $35,000 according to the labour board. The formula has to be amended. Give them 3 months to find employment.
Q. Arnold: Can't bleed the system. The system cannot handle it! The financial golden goose is going to be dead!
A. Ron: We see that.
Q. Arnold: $1000 clothing allowance should be abolished. Can you just pass something here right now?
Chief adjourned the meeting stating she did not eat lunch or dinner and everyone is tired.
Meeting adjourned approximately 9:45pm.
Question & Answers to Rama Open Council Meeting Held Oct. 25, 2010 at 7pm
(Continued)
Shawna's comment (continued) Delegate more to the community.
Dawn's comment: Let managers do their jobs.
Q. Shawna: One Councillor did not attend the education meeting. Where did you go after the election? George, back me up, we had a conversation (about this) prior to the election.
A. George: Along with growth comes all these issues we have. Even knowing I got a severance pay, they still voted me in. We are the people who can take this community into the future. Grids -- services to members. Enhanced $ for education. Maybe the future will bring us ... not when you or I want it. When committee decides what C&C get (paid). Chief doesn't live here.. Don't like that kind of talk. Somebody doesn't live here... Bill C31, inacted.. status of people. This table has to build a strong community. Move forward. Gossip. Our own worst enemy. The Justice St. Clair... the people have elected our own people. Let them lead. Get involved. It is a good thing you are all here.
Comment: Shawna. We are getting involved.
Q. Raven: At school, I'm learning about our people in ancient times. The Community spoke first, they told Chief and Council how things are to be done. Education is a low end. I spend $50 each semester. Up the ante a little. Hard on kids with families on welfare.
A. George. Community committees advise C&C. 40 years ago, Mark and I left to go to school outside Rama. We were the first ones to go. It is not where we wanted it to be. It takes a long time. (8:05pm) People helped each other more. Then I think this Council has done a good job in the past. We should shrink down numbers of employees... but we have staff...
A. Chief. Just to add to Raven's question. We are in the 21st Century. Back then it worked... It can't work now because... our people elect us based on our campaigns.
Comment. Anna: There are many days I have to turn off our heart. I had to take a woman's money (at the casino). I wish we never voted for the casino.
A. Daniel Shilling (Dan): We have engaged a consultant, Debbie McGregor, to look at education We had to have a cap because some people used education as a living. We haven't received the results we hoped and we need to deal with that.
Q: Nancy Bishop (Nancy): We have resources... but not utilizing.. computers at library but they are not open in the evenings. 4:30pm closed. Little areas at the MASK could be used for people to do their homework.
Comment: Anna: If I was in position of C&C, I'd donate to education fund. I wouldn't think twice and not going out to buy a new car right away either.
Q. Dawn Ireland-Noganosh (Dawn): Education policy so far. I applied for a FNTI (First Nations Technical Institute) program... I was told it was probably the last time I'd get funding because of the # of times I accessed funds. But the programs I used it for is no where near the dollar amount for a regular university program. Why do we need a non-native consultant to tell us how to run our own education?
A. Dan: How do you know she's non-native?
Q. Dawn: You can focus on that, but the bigger picture remains.
A. Dan....
Q. Dawn: Did you review the education policy with the education manager?
A. Dan. She was consulted. .... for year and 1/2.
A. Ronald Douglas (Ron): No policy is perfect. Whether its a housing policy ... Chi miigwetch policy. You said something and I agree that we need to do a better job of stating what we do and justify out salaries. Hardest part of job -- to get people working together.
Comment: Shawn: It starts with a handful ... you support us and we can support you.
Comment: Beverly Wallace-Holota (Bev): First thing...
A. Byron Stiles (Byron): I work hard here... I've never been asked to justify my salary.
Comment: Nancy: We're not saying you don't work hard.
Comment: Shawn: That's not our fault. We need to meet more. Give us more of an opportunity to have a say. The ball is in your court.
A. Gina Genno (Gina): I thought that was a busy job (her former job as Recreation Manager). We still have to learn. No matter how many are here around the table. We all still have to learn about everything. It was probably me, who was not at the education meeting. I had a lot of things to do and I recently had a death in my family. Yes, we make good money... I'm a workaholic... I love Rama and the people here.
A. Chief. Going back to Raven's point, we could establish a youth council. They can meet with C&C.
A. Raven: Why not just make it a youth council? If they are making recommendations.
A. Chief: It doesn't matter what we say, we do it wrong.
A. George...
Q. Raven: Well, are you actually going to listen to them?
A. George & Gina: Absolutely.
A. Raven: At my school, we got to put our input into it (student council). It was not for us, but for the younger kids (at school in Orillia).
A. Chief: Every aspect. trust, police board, trying to stream line.. for 15 years... no change...
Q. Arnold Snache (Arnold): Chief salaries being disclosed.
Q. Shawna: Where are we at with developing our own constitution?
A. George: Constitution. Could have created councils. We are fighting with other First Nations. It didn't go further. Still court cases. Are we going to rejoin the First Nations? The union? Developing laws and the system. Its coming but we went off track.
Q. Arnold: How long can this reserve sustain the high cost to run this reserve? Dan. Wish Rick was here. $27 million a year in salaries and a $35 million a year income.
A. Dan: Didn't factor in the agreement new figures will be released at the next finance meeting.
A. Chief: We are going to be fine. Yes, we are going to be landlords. Sure, we make big salaries. We need to continue to diversify. We are interested in a furniture company. We have secured the jobs of our members. It was a huge blow to lose $18 million in escrow of Casino Rama revenues. They argued over our 134th and they want to take that away.
Q. Arnold: We alienated them all. When you are fighting over money... You are not good friends.
Q. Anna: That was when Lorraine was in place with Bob Rae to secure (casino revenue agreement).
A. Chief: I think she did a good job. Unfortunately, it was not secured.
Q. Anna: We should have challenged it.
A. Chief: We are going to have the...
A. Chief to Shawn's question regarding constitution development. We are going to have lot of committee meetings. Land code, Williams Treaty, meeting are going to be ongoing.
Q. Jennifer Jewell (Jennifer): Chief, there is a rumour going around that you make more than the National Chief. Is that true? and if so, do you do more work that the National Chief?
A. Chief: I don't even know how much he makes.
A. Chief. Hope to get land claim resolved. Involved in OTC (Ogemawahj Tribal Council). The development of First Nation treaty curriculum.
A. Brenda Ingersoll (Brenda). to Shawna: C&C have priorities for the year on a list. This year, we have discussions regarding constitution. This year, we put that topic right on there instead of on the fly.
Comment: Shawna: Good.
A. Brenda: Tracey (Snache) didn't feel she had input (in Education policy). Miscommunication. Margaret Froh met with C&C 3 or 4 times and argued points for benefits for future of the kids. We needed to get them done. She (Tracey) was consulted with earlier through Margaret and Margaret brought Tracey's input to C&C table. The old way was not efficient (going through policy line by line with the manager).
Q. Dawn: Just to comment on George's opinion. There was a discussion to step up living expenses of students. The workload alone -- Education dept. can't get a part-time job. Tracey says she is waiting for C&C to decide. Great idea. You also mentioned laborers making $18 per hour. Where is the incentive for young people to go to school?
A. George: Years ago, $ needed to raise a family. Start upgrading, adult education. May be ways of doing it. Dr. McGregor to look at education system. It was looked at by OTC four years ago. This is more independent.
Q. Sara Cunningham (Sara): One million $ budget. All of education. One staff member to deal with one program. to be really effective, a lot of our students don't really know the options. an advisor, guidance counsellor, we need more people involved. how much it will cost them for their education?
A. Dan: Reason why we moved education over here is to build a stronger relationship.
A. Brenda: We talk about this more than you think. We always weigh how much it takes to feed families. It was part of my platform to take a 25% pay cut...part of a larger plan. There was a trust that isn't there. It was based in INAC. Sad to see lack of trust with C&C and community. If we can repair that, we could do a lot. We have taken a cut... as for the actual dollar amount, that is to be disclosed at the next finance meeting. When you have senior management making a lot more than C&C, someone said C&C don't deserve as much as the Police Chief, Fire Chief. When I was a kid, we never spoke to C&C in a disrespectful way.
(to be continued)
Shawna's comment (continued) Delegate more to the community.
Dawn's comment: Let managers do their jobs.
Q. Shawna: One Councillor did not attend the education meeting. Where did you go after the election? George, back me up, we had a conversation (about this) prior to the election.
A. George: Along with growth comes all these issues we have. Even knowing I got a severance pay, they still voted me in. We are the people who can take this community into the future. Grids -- services to members. Enhanced $ for education. Maybe the future will bring us ... not when you or I want it. When committee decides what C&C get (paid). Chief doesn't live here.. Don't like that kind of talk. Somebody doesn't live here... Bill C31, inacted.. status of people. This table has to build a strong community. Move forward. Gossip. Our own worst enemy. The Justice St. Clair... the people have elected our own people. Let them lead. Get involved. It is a good thing you are all here.
Comment: Shawna. We are getting involved.
Q. Raven: At school, I'm learning about our people in ancient times. The Community spoke first, they told Chief and Council how things are to be done. Education is a low end. I spend $50 each semester. Up the ante a little. Hard on kids with families on welfare.
A. George. Community committees advise C&C. 40 years ago, Mark and I left to go to school outside Rama. We were the first ones to go. It is not where we wanted it to be. It takes a long time. (8:05pm) People helped each other more. Then I think this Council has done a good job in the past. We should shrink down numbers of employees... but we have staff...
A. Chief. Just to add to Raven's question. We are in the 21st Century. Back then it worked... It can't work now because... our people elect us based on our campaigns.
Comment. Anna: There are many days I have to turn off our heart. I had to take a woman's money (at the casino). I wish we never voted for the casino.
A. Daniel Shilling (Dan): We have engaged a consultant, Debbie McGregor, to look at education We had to have a cap because some people used education as a living. We haven't received the results we hoped and we need to deal with that.
Q: Nancy Bishop (Nancy): We have resources... but not utilizing.. computers at library but they are not open in the evenings. 4:30pm closed. Little areas at the MASK could be used for people to do their homework.
Comment: Anna: If I was in position of C&C, I'd donate to education fund. I wouldn't think twice and not going out to buy a new car right away either.
Q. Dawn Ireland-Noganosh (Dawn): Education policy so far. I applied for a FNTI (First Nations Technical Institute) program... I was told it was probably the last time I'd get funding because of the # of times I accessed funds. But the programs I used it for is no where near the dollar amount for a regular university program. Why do we need a non-native consultant to tell us how to run our own education?
A. Dan: How do you know she's non-native?
Q. Dawn: You can focus on that, but the bigger picture remains.
A. Dan....
Q. Dawn: Did you review the education policy with the education manager?
A. Dan. She was consulted. .... for year and 1/2.
A. Ronald Douglas (Ron): No policy is perfect. Whether its a housing policy ... Chi miigwetch policy. You said something and I agree that we need to do a better job of stating what we do and justify out salaries. Hardest part of job -- to get people working together.
Comment: Shawn: It starts with a handful ... you support us and we can support you.
Comment: Beverly Wallace-Holota (Bev): First thing...
A. Byron Stiles (Byron): I work hard here... I've never been asked to justify my salary.
Comment: Nancy: We're not saying you don't work hard.
Comment: Shawn: That's not our fault. We need to meet more. Give us more of an opportunity to have a say. The ball is in your court.
A. Gina Genno (Gina): I thought that was a busy job (her former job as Recreation Manager). We still have to learn. No matter how many are here around the table. We all still have to learn about everything. It was probably me, who was not at the education meeting. I had a lot of things to do and I recently had a death in my family. Yes, we make good money... I'm a workaholic... I love Rama and the people here.
A. Chief. Going back to Raven's point, we could establish a youth council. They can meet with C&C.
A. Raven: Why not just make it a youth council? If they are making recommendations.
A. Chief: It doesn't matter what we say, we do it wrong.
A. George...
Q. Raven: Well, are you actually going to listen to them?
A. George & Gina: Absolutely.
A. Raven: At my school, we got to put our input into it (student council). It was not for us, but for the younger kids (at school in Orillia).
A. Chief: Every aspect. trust, police board, trying to stream line.. for 15 years... no change...
Q. Arnold Snache (Arnold): Chief salaries being disclosed.
Q. Shawna: Where are we at with developing our own constitution?
A. George: Constitution. Could have created councils. We are fighting with other First Nations. It didn't go further. Still court cases. Are we going to rejoin the First Nations? The union? Developing laws and the system. Its coming but we went off track.
Q. Arnold: How long can this reserve sustain the high cost to run this reserve? Dan. Wish Rick was here. $27 million a year in salaries and a $35 million a year income.
A. Dan: Didn't factor in the agreement new figures will be released at the next finance meeting.
A. Chief: We are going to be fine. Yes, we are going to be landlords. Sure, we make big salaries. We need to continue to diversify. We are interested in a furniture company. We have secured the jobs of our members. It was a huge blow to lose $18 million in escrow of Casino Rama revenues. They argued over our 134th and they want to take that away.
Q. Arnold: We alienated them all. When you are fighting over money... You are not good friends.
Q. Anna: That was when Lorraine was in place with Bob Rae to secure (casino revenue agreement).
A. Chief: I think she did a good job. Unfortunately, it was not secured.
Q. Anna: We should have challenged it.
A. Chief: We are going to have the...
A. Chief to Shawn's question regarding constitution development. We are going to have lot of committee meetings. Land code, Williams Treaty, meeting are going to be ongoing.
Q. Jennifer Jewell (Jennifer): Chief, there is a rumour going around that you make more than the National Chief. Is that true? and if so, do you do more work that the National Chief?
A. Chief: I don't even know how much he makes.
A. Chief. Hope to get land claim resolved. Involved in OTC (Ogemawahj Tribal Council). The development of First Nation treaty curriculum.
A. Brenda Ingersoll (Brenda). to Shawna: C&C have priorities for the year on a list. This year, we have discussions regarding constitution. This year, we put that topic right on there instead of on the fly.
Comment: Shawna: Good.
A. Brenda: Tracey (Snache) didn't feel she had input (in Education policy). Miscommunication. Margaret Froh met with C&C 3 or 4 times and argued points for benefits for future of the kids. We needed to get them done. She (Tracey) was consulted with earlier through Margaret and Margaret brought Tracey's input to C&C table. The old way was not efficient (going through policy line by line with the manager).
Q. Dawn: Just to comment on George's opinion. There was a discussion to step up living expenses of students. The workload alone -- Education dept. can't get a part-time job. Tracey says she is waiting for C&C to decide. Great idea. You also mentioned laborers making $18 per hour. Where is the incentive for young people to go to school?
A. George: Years ago, $ needed to raise a family. Start upgrading, adult education. May be ways of doing it. Dr. McGregor to look at education system. It was looked at by OTC four years ago. This is more independent.
Q. Sara Cunningham (Sara): One million $ budget. All of education. One staff member to deal with one program. to be really effective, a lot of our students don't really know the options. an advisor, guidance counsellor, we need more people involved. how much it will cost them for their education?
A. Dan: Reason why we moved education over here is to build a stronger relationship.
A. Brenda: We talk about this more than you think. We always weigh how much it takes to feed families. It was part of my platform to take a 25% pay cut...part of a larger plan. There was a trust that isn't there. It was based in INAC. Sad to see lack of trust with C&C and community. If we can repair that, we could do a lot. We have taken a cut... as for the actual dollar amount, that is to be disclosed at the next finance meeting. When you have senior management making a lot more than C&C, someone said C&C don't deserve as much as the Police Chief, Fire Chief. When I was a kid, we never spoke to C&C in a disrespectful way.
(to be continued)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Question & Answers to Rama Open Council Meeting Held Oct. 25, 2010 at 7pm
Approximately 25 people were in attendance including the entire Chief and Council.
On the agenda was Arnold Snache's letter asking to discuss the Chief and Council salaries and severance packages.
Added to the agenda was Christmas bonuses, grants and proposals, what happens if Chief and Council committed a criminal offense, and economic development.
The Chief started the meeting by stating she makes $135,000 annually, plus they (Chief and Council) receive an allowance for travel after each election.
The Chief further stated that Chief and Council have agreed to a reduced travel/gas allowance, and an immediate salary reduction. The decreases are going to be announced at the next Rama Finance Meeting. The date of this meeting is to be determined, and is tentatively set for November 25th. The reason for not sharing the cuts were that Chief and Council wanted to let all the members of Rama know at the same time.
Anna Petrick (Anna) asked the Chief to clarify which community she belongs to -- Orillia or Rama. The Chief responded with she was born in Rama, was she (Anna)? Anna stated that she was not born in Rama but that she has lived in Rama since 1975, which is a lot longer than the Chief has lived in Rama.
Shawna Snache (Shawna) asked "When did the clothing allowance start?". The Chief responded that it was started before she was elected. The Chief further added, that Chief and Council (C&C) make a good salary. It's going to grow. That's how it has grown substantially. I'll let Council interject when they wish. C&C over see the businesses.
Anna asked if C&C received $6,000 each year for Christmas bonuses, and the $4,000 trust distribution, and vacation, which all totals to approximately $20,000 for the month of December. The Chief stated that do receive all that.
Shawna asked if the bonuses were based on their salaries. The Chief stated they go through salaries each budget time. Shawna asked if they do the same for Council. Councillor Larry Shilling (Larry) stated that it is a lot of work. Shawna asked if that was really true. He responded yes, they work 5 to 6 days a week.
Councillor Ronald Douglas (Ron) stated he was not there to debate with anybody. We have made deductions. We were not told to, we just chose to. As far as the numbers and the policies, many were put in place before some of us got here. The scope of the work was unrealized and misunderstood (by the membership). This is not being said with a with a mean spirit. Mentally (the work is challenging). To some it may not be agreed to. We cannot sleep at times when difficult decisions are to be made. It can make us sick.
Anna responded that "we all do". She works at Casino Rama and knows all about stress of the job.
Ron added that they (C&C) cannot turn it off. A lot of information to learn. I have heard that some Councillors had heard material several times and still have trouble understanding certain information. We look at funding agreements, reporting, policies, and we go out into the community to address community concerns, and there are other parts of the job. Is it worth it? I'm not sure. But it's not easy. Someone said (not C&C, nor Rick) but this person said -- There is nothing that will prepare you for the work that lies ahead of you. -- The scope of work by other First Nations is not the same as ours. There's is no less important, however, we have many more responsibilities.
Councillor Byron Stiles (Bryon) chimed in -- the amount of work there is. Other First Nations meet once a month. We meet once a week (large binder full of material) and community needs such as health and housing and individual things. We have to develop policies.
Shawna: What policies do C&C follow.
Chief answered with a remuneration policy for sure, we make and pass policies, spent months and months on the education policy, housing policies.
Sara asked if there was a cap for mileage. Yes, there is a cap.
Anna: Do you (C&C) have to show receipts. Chief said no. Anna added that they should return what they don`t use. The Chief said she still has her 1999 SRV which she bought before she became Chief. She doesn`t even have the time to purchase a new vehicle. She puts so much effort in her job. She had her windshield replaced twice. She has more dings in her doors from people open car doors around her vehicle.
Q: Anna asked doesn`t the allowance just go for gas.
A: Chief said it was a vehicle allowance.
Comment: Sara said the mileage allowance is $40 per km and that $500 a month is great. We are actually saving money.
A: Chief said although she appreciates Sara`s comments, she stated that she charges mileage if she attends a meeting in Toronto for example.
A: Ron stated that if they were to submit a mileage claim for short trips, (all receipts get handed in) it would exceed the $500 allowance they receive. It would also be a lot of paperwork.
Q: Anna asked Ron if walks to work.
A: Ron said no, he walks during his lunch breaks though. I drive a lot. There`s merit there.
The catchment area is Barrie. They charge mileage for trips outside Barrie.
Q: Dawn Ireland-Noganosh (Dawn) asked if there is a mileage allowance and a travel allowance.
A: yes.
Q: Dawn asked how do you justify your salaries and severance packages. This needs to be shared with the community. Orillia has a committee that reviews their Council`s salaries.
A: Ron asked or do they review recommendations.
A: Dawn said salaries are not comparable.
A: Ron stated that he did not set salaries before he started. The Mayor of Orillia and other municipalities have a different level of responsibilities.
A: Chief said C&C is going to provide a comparison of the responsibilities of the City of Orillia Council and Rama`s C&C. So far, 55 areas of responsibilities has been conservatively identified for Rama.
Q: Dawn asked if we could see Orillia`s responsibilities and see how C&C compare them.
A: Chief said we are not privy to Orillia`s list and we are not sure how they set up their portfolios. On daily basis, we are responsible for fire and police policies. This is not a 5 day a week job, it is 24 hours. Rick (Morano)`s father was on the City of Orillia Council and has supplied some information of their responsibilities.
Q: Dawn asked if a committee could be set up in Rama so we can have a say. It just means you are more transparent.
A: Chief said you make very valid points. Again, just as an example, some Councillors in Orillia are retired. Also, they have other jobs and have time for a second job. We have a jammed full schedule. Days are jammed packed. Example, land claim settled...almost 2 years since new settlement was sent to them. Going through a process. New meeting with Minister. We only have a week or so to deal with this, and we had a full agenda. Yes, we have a lot of staff, good staff.
Comment: Anna said she liked Dawn`s suggestion.
Chief said she is not sure who is on their committee.
Q: Anna said no bias, but C&C say they run a multi-million dollar facility (Casino Rama), but are you guys just getting the rent money.
A: Chief said yes come post 2011, but until now, we`ve been having meetings, and we secured an agreement.
Q: Sara said thanks for doing that reduction. C&C do work extremely had and many of them have one income.
Comment: Arnold Snache (Arnold) said Gina`s husband works, Byron`s wife works, `Ron`s wife left her job.
Q: Sara asked if C&C have pension plans.
A: Chief said they do.
Q: Arnold asked if pension plans are the same as other staff. Standard Life.
A: Chief said yes.
Q: Sara asked what the severance policies were.
A: Byron said he answered this question during candidates night in front of everyone. We get 2 months for every year served. It is capped at 10 years, if elected into C&C for 5 years (at 2 year terms).
Q: What is that amount. Based on C&C`s salary.
A: Some other First Nations may make you take a severance pay when you leave a job, Larry gave up 15 years seniority, Gina did too (left a job), and so did Byron.
Q: Anna asked if all the other employees get $6,000 bonus too. Should go by seniority.
Comment: Dawn said she got $300 bonus and did not get a clothing allowance. She said she was having trouble accepting C&C`s answers and asked that the committee she suggested be considered.
Q: Shawna asked why don`t we have 12 councillors (1 councillor per 100 members) as it would cut the workload in half.
A: Byron said other First Nations who have 12 councillors and they have trouble reaching decisions.
Q: Shawna said it is not about what is convenient for C&C. It is about what is convenient for the community. Delegate more to the community.
On the agenda was Arnold Snache's letter asking to discuss the Chief and Council salaries and severance packages.
Added to the agenda was Christmas bonuses, grants and proposals, what happens if Chief and Council committed a criminal offense, and economic development.
The Chief started the meeting by stating she makes $135,000 annually, plus they (Chief and Council) receive an allowance for travel after each election.
The Chief further stated that Chief and Council have agreed to a reduced travel/gas allowance, and an immediate salary reduction. The decreases are going to be announced at the next Rama Finance Meeting. The date of this meeting is to be determined, and is tentatively set for November 25th. The reason for not sharing the cuts were that Chief and Council wanted to let all the members of Rama know at the same time.
Anna Petrick (Anna) asked the Chief to clarify which community she belongs to -- Orillia or Rama. The Chief responded with she was born in Rama, was she (Anna)? Anna stated that she was not born in Rama but that she has lived in Rama since 1975, which is a lot longer than the Chief has lived in Rama.
Shawna Snache (Shawna) asked "When did the clothing allowance start?". The Chief responded that it was started before she was elected. The Chief further added, that Chief and Council (C&C) make a good salary. It's going to grow. That's how it has grown substantially. I'll let Council interject when they wish. C&C over see the businesses.
Anna asked if C&C received $6,000 each year for Christmas bonuses, and the $4,000 trust distribution, and vacation, which all totals to approximately $20,000 for the month of December. The Chief stated that do receive all that.
Shawna asked if the bonuses were based on their salaries. The Chief stated they go through salaries each budget time. Shawna asked if they do the same for Council. Councillor Larry Shilling (Larry) stated that it is a lot of work. Shawna asked if that was really true. He responded yes, they work 5 to 6 days a week.
Councillor Ronald Douglas (Ron) stated he was not there to debate with anybody. We have made deductions. We were not told to, we just chose to. As far as the numbers and the policies, many were put in place before some of us got here. The scope of the work was unrealized and misunderstood (by the membership). This is not being said with a with a mean spirit. Mentally (the work is challenging). To some it may not be agreed to. We cannot sleep at times when difficult decisions are to be made. It can make us sick.
Anna responded that "we all do". She works at Casino Rama and knows all about stress of the job.
Ron added that they (C&C) cannot turn it off. A lot of information to learn. I have heard that some Councillors had heard material several times and still have trouble understanding certain information. We look at funding agreements, reporting, policies, and we go out into the community to address community concerns, and there are other parts of the job. Is it worth it? I'm not sure. But it's not easy. Someone said (not C&C, nor Rick) but this person said -- There is nothing that will prepare you for the work that lies ahead of you. -- The scope of work by other First Nations is not the same as ours. There's is no less important, however, we have many more responsibilities.
Councillor Byron Stiles (Bryon) chimed in -- the amount of work there is. Other First Nations meet once a month. We meet once a week (large binder full of material) and community needs such as health and housing and individual things. We have to develop policies.
Shawna: What policies do C&C follow.
Chief answered with a remuneration policy for sure, we make and pass policies, spent months and months on the education policy, housing policies.
Sara asked if there was a cap for mileage. Yes, there is a cap.
Anna: Do you (C&C) have to show receipts. Chief said no. Anna added that they should return what they don`t use. The Chief said she still has her 1999 SRV which she bought before she became Chief. She doesn`t even have the time to purchase a new vehicle. She puts so much effort in her job. She had her windshield replaced twice. She has more dings in her doors from people open car doors around her vehicle.
Q: Anna asked doesn`t the allowance just go for gas.
A: Chief said it was a vehicle allowance.
Comment: Sara said the mileage allowance is $40 per km and that $500 a month is great. We are actually saving money.
A: Chief said although she appreciates Sara`s comments, she stated that she charges mileage if she attends a meeting in Toronto for example.
A: Ron stated that if they were to submit a mileage claim for short trips, (all receipts get handed in) it would exceed the $500 allowance they receive. It would also be a lot of paperwork.
Q: Anna asked Ron if walks to work.
A: Ron said no, he walks during his lunch breaks though. I drive a lot. There`s merit there.
The catchment area is Barrie. They charge mileage for trips outside Barrie.
Q: Dawn Ireland-Noganosh (Dawn) asked if there is a mileage allowance and a travel allowance.
A: yes.
Q: Dawn asked how do you justify your salaries and severance packages. This needs to be shared with the community. Orillia has a committee that reviews their Council`s salaries.
A: Ron asked or do they review recommendations.
A: Dawn said salaries are not comparable.
A: Ron stated that he did not set salaries before he started. The Mayor of Orillia and other municipalities have a different level of responsibilities.
A: Chief said C&C is going to provide a comparison of the responsibilities of the City of Orillia Council and Rama`s C&C. So far, 55 areas of responsibilities has been conservatively identified for Rama.
Q: Dawn asked if we could see Orillia`s responsibilities and see how C&C compare them.
A: Chief said we are not privy to Orillia`s list and we are not sure how they set up their portfolios. On daily basis, we are responsible for fire and police policies. This is not a 5 day a week job, it is 24 hours. Rick (Morano)`s father was on the City of Orillia Council and has supplied some information of their responsibilities.
Q: Dawn asked if a committee could be set up in Rama so we can have a say. It just means you are more transparent.
A: Chief said you make very valid points. Again, just as an example, some Councillors in Orillia are retired. Also, they have other jobs and have time for a second job. We have a jammed full schedule. Days are jammed packed. Example, land claim settled...almost 2 years since new settlement was sent to them. Going through a process. New meeting with Minister. We only have a week or so to deal with this, and we had a full agenda. Yes, we have a lot of staff, good staff.
Comment: Anna said she liked Dawn`s suggestion.
Chief said she is not sure who is on their committee.
Q: Anna said no bias, but C&C say they run a multi-million dollar facility (Casino Rama), but are you guys just getting the rent money.
A: Chief said yes come post 2011, but until now, we`ve been having meetings, and we secured an agreement.
Q: Sara said thanks for doing that reduction. C&C do work extremely had and many of them have one income.
Comment: Arnold Snache (Arnold) said Gina`s husband works, Byron`s wife works, `Ron`s wife left her job.
Q: Sara asked if C&C have pension plans.
A: Chief said they do.
Q: Arnold asked if pension plans are the same as other staff. Standard Life.
A: Chief said yes.
Q: Sara asked what the severance policies were.
A: Byron said he answered this question during candidates night in front of everyone. We get 2 months for every year served. It is capped at 10 years, if elected into C&C for 5 years (at 2 year terms).
Q: What is that amount. Based on C&C`s salary.
A: Some other First Nations may make you take a severance pay when you leave a job, Larry gave up 15 years seniority, Gina did too (left a job), and so did Byron.
Q: Anna asked if all the other employees get $6,000 bonus too. Should go by seniority.
Comment: Dawn said she got $300 bonus and did not get a clothing allowance. She said she was having trouble accepting C&C`s answers and asked that the committee she suggested be considered.
Q: Shawna asked why don`t we have 12 councillors (1 councillor per 100 members) as it would cut the workload in half.
A: Byron said other First Nations who have 12 councillors and they have trouble reaching decisions.
Q: Shawna said it is not about what is convenient for C&C. It is about what is convenient for the community. Delegate more to the community.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Changes To Elections
We need to lobby the goverment for changes as to how the elections are now done. in the news there has been talk by some Chiefs for change. We the people should have a say. so write INAC and tell them what you would like to see changed . cheryle Snache
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Restoring Anishinaabe Culture Takes Faith by Bob Goulais
There was a time, in the relatively-near past, when Anishinaabe people knew exactly who they were. This was unquestionable.
As early as the early-1900s, we had our language. We had our systems of governance. We had our own Spirituality. We had our own way of life – from how we were born to how we died.
We had so much that was inherently Anishinaabe…
How we raised our children.
How we healed our illnesses.
What we learned and how we were taught.
How we earned our living.
What we harvested and what we ate.
How we lived our lives. How we Loved. How we laughed.
How we treated our Elders.
How we sang, created art… how we entertained and socialized with one another…
The sum of all these things is culture.
“Native Culture” isn’t just a band office program. It isn’t just our annual pow-wow. It isn’t an evening language class or even the summer pow-wow trail. It is the sum of all those things that make us uniquely Anishinaabe, including our traditional teachings, our way of life, how we talk to each other and how we pray to the Creator. Culture is our collective identity and how we see ourselves.
And, it’s sad to say, much of it has been lost to history.
But the loss of culture was not our fault. We have no reason to be ashamed. There is good reason why we lost our way.
It is a well-documented fact that Christianity was forced upon the Anishinaabe and many other First Nations across North America. Early missionaries, including that of the jesuit mission in Garden Village (later the Holy Spirit Mission) were established with the sole purpose of converting the heathen, soulless Indians into good Christians worthy of heaven. Later, the establishment of residential schools, like those in Spanish, Chapleau and Sault Ste. Marie, tore apart our families and community with the forcible removement and systemic abuse of our children. All in the name of assimilation, intolerance and the Lord Jesus Christ.
But this was done so subtly, so systematically, and so successfully, that our people have come to accept that they were Christian and that very little was done to our people as a whole. I’ve heard some survivors say they were grateful for their education at residential school and thankful that their Christian faith guided them through those tough times away from their families.
As a result, we have a whole lot of mixed-up Christians singing pow-wow and hand-drum songs, dancing their hearts out, taking Native language classes and marching for Treaty Rights.
I’m not writing this to discourage those like-minded individuals, who are working to raise their families as Anishinaabe. There are many people out there that have shed their colonial outer garments for an AIM t-shirt. They know the challenges of living a life in search of something more. Trying our hardest to give our children what was kept from us.
We try our hardest, but we don’t think Anishinaabe anymore. In reality, very few Anishinaabe people can actually speak Anishinaabemowin. Those that speak Anishinaabemowin, can think in their language… but mainly about Jesus and their shame of being Indian. Original Sin is something far more profound when you have dark skin.
We need to turn the corner on re-establishing our nationhood and re-defining our inherent, indigenous culture as Anishinaabe people.
I have said many times, we need to gradually assimilate into our own culture. This is something my friend Brian Loukes calls “acculturation”.
This begins through education. We must have the courage to transform our entire education system into a truly Anishinaabe institution.
We need to restore our language. This can only be done through language immersion programs in Anishinaabemowin – the official language of our people. Our children need to be able to think in Anishinaabemowin once again. This doesn’t mean we turn our backs on English. This is the 21st Century. We do have to be proficient in both languages.
Nor do we need to sacrifice principles of good education to find our way back to Anishinaabe culture. We still need to read and write, learn mathematics, science, geography, biology and chemistry. We can all do this in Anishinaabemowin and being mindful of our own world view. We do, however, need to be taught our own history, philosophy and way of life. We need to be educated about our Treaty and inherent rights. We need to be educated in the traditional ways of protecting the environment.
Most importantly, we need to have Faith. We need to have Faith that we, the Anishinaabeg, are as important as any other nation on this Earth. We must have Faith that our language and culture is just as valuable as any other. We have Faith in our abilities to govern ourselves and teach ourselves.
We have to give up our reliance on others, including the government. We can indeed be self-sufficient and prosperous, economically, socially and culturally.
But Faith is one of the problems. With the dominance and influence of Christianity in our communities, we won’t be addressing Faith anytime soon.
You see, the Anishinaabe people have our own Faith and spiritual way of life. For all intents and purposes, we have our own religion. Our entire society, including our language and culture, are deeply rooted in Spirituality. These are the original teachings and way of life of our ancestors, Gte Anishinaabeg. We have a society expressly dedicated to living and protecting this way of life called the Midewiwin. This beautiful society keeps many of the most profound teachings of the Anishinaabe, including our Creation Story, the philosophy of Mno-Bimaadiziwin and the Seven Grandfather Teachings. These teachings are only the tip of a very immense iceburg that is the full expanse of Anishinaabe belief, custom, Spirituality and culture. Much of it remains totally unknown to 99 per cent of Anishinaabe people.
Many Christians, Anishinaabe or not, are not willing to trust in their own inherent belief systems. The teachings of the Church are so ingrained in our society, so well instituted in our families and communities – it may never be shed in favour of traditional Anishinaabe spirituality.
Assimilation and Christianity has been so subtle, so systematic, and so successful that we no longer see that there is anything wrong. We can go about our lives, sending our kids to school. We do our best to learn about “Native Culture”, taking Ojibwe language classes and drumming and dancing on the weekend. Come Sunday, after confession, we can settle down to our nice family dinner with the confidence that we will go to heaven. Confident that St. Peter, will meet us at the Pearly Gates and welcome us with open arms.
I wonder what pow-wow weekend is like in Heaven and if Jesus is the Emcee?
As early as the early-1900s, we had our language. We had our systems of governance. We had our own Spirituality. We had our own way of life – from how we were born to how we died.
We had so much that was inherently Anishinaabe…
How we raised our children.
How we healed our illnesses.
What we learned and how we were taught.
How we earned our living.
What we harvested and what we ate.
How we lived our lives. How we Loved. How we laughed.
How we treated our Elders.
How we sang, created art… how we entertained and socialized with one another…
The sum of all these things is culture.
“Native Culture” isn’t just a band office program. It isn’t just our annual pow-wow. It isn’t an evening language class or even the summer pow-wow trail. It is the sum of all those things that make us uniquely Anishinaabe, including our traditional teachings, our way of life, how we talk to each other and how we pray to the Creator. Culture is our collective identity and how we see ourselves.
And, it’s sad to say, much of it has been lost to history.
But the loss of culture was not our fault. We have no reason to be ashamed. There is good reason why we lost our way.
It is a well-documented fact that Christianity was forced upon the Anishinaabe and many other First Nations across North America. Early missionaries, including that of the jesuit mission in Garden Village (later the Holy Spirit Mission) were established with the sole purpose of converting the heathen, soulless Indians into good Christians worthy of heaven. Later, the establishment of residential schools, like those in Spanish, Chapleau and Sault Ste. Marie, tore apart our families and community with the forcible removement and systemic abuse of our children. All in the name of assimilation, intolerance and the Lord Jesus Christ.
But this was done so subtly, so systematically, and so successfully, that our people have come to accept that they were Christian and that very little was done to our people as a whole. I’ve heard some survivors say they were grateful for their education at residential school and thankful that their Christian faith guided them through those tough times away from their families.
As a result, we have a whole lot of mixed-up Christians singing pow-wow and hand-drum songs, dancing their hearts out, taking Native language classes and marching for Treaty Rights.
I’m not writing this to discourage those like-minded individuals, who are working to raise their families as Anishinaabe. There are many people out there that have shed their colonial outer garments for an AIM t-shirt. They know the challenges of living a life in search of something more. Trying our hardest to give our children what was kept from us.
We try our hardest, but we don’t think Anishinaabe anymore. In reality, very few Anishinaabe people can actually speak Anishinaabemowin. Those that speak Anishinaabemowin, can think in their language… but mainly about Jesus and their shame of being Indian. Original Sin is something far more profound when you have dark skin.
We need to turn the corner on re-establishing our nationhood and re-defining our inherent, indigenous culture as Anishinaabe people.
I have said many times, we need to gradually assimilate into our own culture. This is something my friend Brian Loukes calls “acculturation”.
This begins through education. We must have the courage to transform our entire education system into a truly Anishinaabe institution.
We need to restore our language. This can only be done through language immersion programs in Anishinaabemowin – the official language of our people. Our children need to be able to think in Anishinaabemowin once again. This doesn’t mean we turn our backs on English. This is the 21st Century. We do have to be proficient in both languages.
Nor do we need to sacrifice principles of good education to find our way back to Anishinaabe culture. We still need to read and write, learn mathematics, science, geography, biology and chemistry. We can all do this in Anishinaabemowin and being mindful of our own world view. We do, however, need to be taught our own history, philosophy and way of life. We need to be educated about our Treaty and inherent rights. We need to be educated in the traditional ways of protecting the environment.
Most importantly, we need to have Faith. We need to have Faith that we, the Anishinaabeg, are as important as any other nation on this Earth. We must have Faith that our language and culture is just as valuable as any other. We have Faith in our abilities to govern ourselves and teach ourselves.
We have to give up our reliance on others, including the government. We can indeed be self-sufficient and prosperous, economically, socially and culturally.
But Faith is one of the problems. With the dominance and influence of Christianity in our communities, we won’t be addressing Faith anytime soon.
You see, the Anishinaabe people have our own Faith and spiritual way of life. For all intents and purposes, we have our own religion. Our entire society, including our language and culture, are deeply rooted in Spirituality. These are the original teachings and way of life of our ancestors, Gte Anishinaabeg. We have a society expressly dedicated to living and protecting this way of life called the Midewiwin. This beautiful society keeps many of the most profound teachings of the Anishinaabe, including our Creation Story, the philosophy of Mno-Bimaadiziwin and the Seven Grandfather Teachings. These teachings are only the tip of a very immense iceburg that is the full expanse of Anishinaabe belief, custom, Spirituality and culture. Much of it remains totally unknown to 99 per cent of Anishinaabe people.
Many Christians, Anishinaabe or not, are not willing to trust in their own inherent belief systems. The teachings of the Church are so ingrained in our society, so well instituted in our families and communities – it may never be shed in favour of traditional Anishinaabe spirituality.
Assimilation and Christianity has been so subtle, so systematic, and so successful that we no longer see that there is anything wrong. We can go about our lives, sending our kids to school. We do our best to learn about “Native Culture”, taking Ojibwe language classes and drumming and dancing on the weekend. Come Sunday, after confession, we can settle down to our nice family dinner with the confidence that we will go to heaven. Confident that St. Peter, will meet us at the Pearly Gates and welcome us with open arms.
I wonder what pow-wow weekend is like in Heaven and if Jesus is the Emcee?
Some reserves prosper despite Indian Act limitations
This is a great read. It offers a glimpse into another community's challenges and successes.
Our beautiful community has so much potential. We wish to see it prosper just as much as anybody, but with the help of the community. We are a community people. We are not a political people, politics got us into this, but leadership can get us out.
Our beautiful community has so much potential. We wish to see it prosper just as much as anybody, but with the help of the community. We are a community people. We are not a political people, politics got us into this, but leadership can get us out.
No padding to First Nations paycheques
By Bob Goulais
National Post
Posted: December 23, 2009
The grass is always greener on the other side. I wish my new Palm Pre ran WindowsCE and had the same apps as my old Treo Pro. I wish my hair was long and straight rather than curly. But do we really wish we could be the Chief of Peguis First Nation and make $174,230 tax free? There are many people wish they could be an Indian and have everything tax free, free education and free housing.
Sorry to dispel these contemporary stereotypes. Nothing is free in the world, it all requires hard work. Most of us don't get free housing or free money. There are very few who benefit from the right to tax exemption - they must live and work on-reserve. The majority of us, like you, pay taxes. And very few First Nations students are "sponsored". We get student loans like everyone else.
To address another contemporary stereotype -- First Nations do not make that much money.
In 2006, the average Aboriginal income in Ontario was only $26,000. The unemployment rate for First Nations people living on-reserve is 18 per cent -- three times the Ontario average.
Given these statistics, I certainly can't defend or substantiate the salary paid to the chief and council from Peguis First Nation. Perhaps they were getting bonuses based on their recent negotiated land settlement or their own source revenue. Perhaps, the chief was paid a premium because he's a professional engineer. I have no idea why the councillor is getting paid $310,000. That's is grossly excessive and actually turns my stomach.
However, having worked in First Nations politics for most of my life, I know with absolutely certainty that chiefs and councillors don't get paid that much. In fact, First Nations civil servants don't get paid anything close to what they're worth in relation to what they do for their communities.
In my experience, most chiefs make between $40,000 and $60,000.
Check any First Nation audit. These are easily obtained through a basic Freedom of Information Act request. Yes, indeed. I'm pleased to dispel another stereotype -- First Nation governments are indeed quite accountable.
Of all the levels of government, First Nations not only have to file an annual audit to the Government of Canada, they have to file inordinate numbers of reports for every program and fund they access. In fact, the Auditor General once criticized the sheer number of reports that must be filed, which averaged around 140 official financial reports, per band, each year.
First Nations have established their very own Aboriginal Financial Officer's Association, a network of financial professionals who share policies and best practices. Membership in the AFOA is quickly becoming a standard in the most accountable of First Nations band administrations. Their members of AFOA need to be commended.
However, the Auditor General has also criticized First Nations, stating that in too many cases, dollars intended for social purposes don't always make it to those in need. They were being used for administration and salaries, rather than helping the poor. Peguis First Nation, despite their recent successes, remains one of the poorest First Nations in Manitoba.
I think First Nations need to re-evaluate their priorities when it comes to financial planning. We need to merge our financial values with our societal values. We're a communal, socialist society. These dollars need to be put back into the community, not just into the pockets of the leadership.
However, we also need to measure the value of leadership and the civil service.
In my experience, wages of First Nations program managers, financial administrators and program officers are half of what is made by their counterparts in government. On average, First Nations civil servants have to do a lot more than their jobs ask. For the most part, First Nations have no executive assistants, special advisors, policy analysts or communications officers.
Sure, there may be a few First Nations leaders that make an exorbitant salary. But I estimate that less than one percent of chiefs across Canada make more than $100,000. As I stated earlier, the vast majority make between $40,000 and $60,000.
On the other hand, I would estimate that about 10 per cent make less than $40,000. There are still a few First Nations whose chief is either part-time or strictly a volunteer, paid only by meeting honoraria. Most councillors in First Nations are volunteers who only get honoraria, usually $100 to $200 per meeting, with perhaps a small monthly stipend. Travel budgets for most councils are quite low and not much of a financial incentive.
With statistics like these, why would an accountant, a lawyer, a financial planner or an MBA even consider working for their own community? What incentive does a First Nation have to bring in the best, young university graduates? Why would someone want to be chief -- one of the most stressful, unappreciated, heavily-criticized positions you can have in a small community - when they are making less than $50,000 per year? And they have to worry about getting re-elected every two years, compared to four years in mainstream politics.
And it's true. First Nations are losing their best, young minds to urban centres where they can have housing, a better salary and a more comfortable life. First Nations just can't compete.
Before we paint all First Nations with the brush of contemporary stereotypes, we also need to work towards equity for the vast majority of First Nations civil servants.
Bob Goulais
Nipissing First Nation
E-mail: info@bobgoulais.com
National Post
Posted: December 23, 2009
The grass is always greener on the other side. I wish my new Palm Pre ran WindowsCE and had the same apps as my old Treo Pro. I wish my hair was long and straight rather than curly. But do we really wish we could be the Chief of Peguis First Nation and make $174,230 tax free? There are many people wish they could be an Indian and have everything tax free, free education and free housing.
Sorry to dispel these contemporary stereotypes. Nothing is free in the world, it all requires hard work. Most of us don't get free housing or free money. There are very few who benefit from the right to tax exemption - they must live and work on-reserve. The majority of us, like you, pay taxes. And very few First Nations students are "sponsored". We get student loans like everyone else.
To address another contemporary stereotype -- First Nations do not make that much money.
In 2006, the average Aboriginal income in Ontario was only $26,000. The unemployment rate for First Nations people living on-reserve is 18 per cent -- three times the Ontario average.
Given these statistics, I certainly can't defend or substantiate the salary paid to the chief and council from Peguis First Nation. Perhaps they were getting bonuses based on their recent negotiated land settlement or their own source revenue. Perhaps, the chief was paid a premium because he's a professional engineer. I have no idea why the councillor is getting paid $310,000. That's is grossly excessive and actually turns my stomach.
However, having worked in First Nations politics for most of my life, I know with absolutely certainty that chiefs and councillors don't get paid that much. In fact, First Nations civil servants don't get paid anything close to what they're worth in relation to what they do for their communities.
In my experience, most chiefs make between $40,000 and $60,000.
Check any First Nation audit. These are easily obtained through a basic Freedom of Information Act request. Yes, indeed. I'm pleased to dispel another stereotype -- First Nation governments are indeed quite accountable.
Of all the levels of government, First Nations not only have to file an annual audit to the Government of Canada, they have to file inordinate numbers of reports for every program and fund they access. In fact, the Auditor General once criticized the sheer number of reports that must be filed, which averaged around 140 official financial reports, per band, each year.
First Nations have established their very own Aboriginal Financial Officer's Association, a network of financial professionals who share policies and best practices. Membership in the AFOA is quickly becoming a standard in the most accountable of First Nations band administrations. Their members of AFOA need to be commended.
However, the Auditor General has also criticized First Nations, stating that in too many cases, dollars intended for social purposes don't always make it to those in need. They were being used for administration and salaries, rather than helping the poor. Peguis First Nation, despite their recent successes, remains one of the poorest First Nations in Manitoba.
I think First Nations need to re-evaluate their priorities when it comes to financial planning. We need to merge our financial values with our societal values. We're a communal, socialist society. These dollars need to be put back into the community, not just into the pockets of the leadership.
However, we also need to measure the value of leadership and the civil service.
In my experience, wages of First Nations program managers, financial administrators and program officers are half of what is made by their counterparts in government. On average, First Nations civil servants have to do a lot more than their jobs ask. For the most part, First Nations have no executive assistants, special advisors, policy analysts or communications officers.
Sure, there may be a few First Nations leaders that make an exorbitant salary. But I estimate that less than one percent of chiefs across Canada make more than $100,000. As I stated earlier, the vast majority make between $40,000 and $60,000.
On the other hand, I would estimate that about 10 per cent make less than $40,000. There are still a few First Nations whose chief is either part-time or strictly a volunteer, paid only by meeting honoraria. Most councillors in First Nations are volunteers who only get honoraria, usually $100 to $200 per meeting, with perhaps a small monthly stipend. Travel budgets for most councils are quite low and not much of a financial incentive.
With statistics like these, why would an accountant, a lawyer, a financial planner or an MBA even consider working for their own community? What incentive does a First Nation have to bring in the best, young university graduates? Why would someone want to be chief -- one of the most stressful, unappreciated, heavily-criticized positions you can have in a small community - when they are making less than $50,000 per year? And they have to worry about getting re-elected every two years, compared to four years in mainstream politics.
And it's true. First Nations are losing their best, young minds to urban centres where they can have housing, a better salary and a more comfortable life. First Nations just can't compete.
Before we paint all First Nations with the brush of contemporary stereotypes, we also need to work towards equity for the vast majority of First Nations civil servants.
Bob Goulais
Nipissing First Nation
E-mail: info@bobgoulais.com
New Post-Financial Information from the June finance meeting
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Group-for-Accountability-and-Fairness/130530581735?v=app_2373072738
Thank you to everyone who took notes at the June financial meeting. The following is a summary of those notes.-
Facts from finance meeting in June
As of June we have $55M in the bank
Total Budget is 40$M for this year ending March 2011
45% of our money for budget comes from our bank account (general revenue account) $16M to 18M
55-18=37$or 39$M left in bank at end of March 2011
Some of which is set aside and cant be touched because of :
Collateral for loans (land purchases) and the Housing collateral fund of $10M and the credit facility of $18M = Which leaves us with approx $15 M actual free and clear cash in the bank at the end of March 2011 at the rate we spend money it wont last long
Money will start to come to us monthly August 2011 which is 1.9% gross of profits could be as high as $10M per year
plus the land leases of approx $4M which still goes into the trust fund
Also casino funding remain the same at approx $10M a year, snow contract/water charges/ sewer charges/ police and fire but is already calculated in the budget so it is not over and above
Even with the new casino agreement we will have nothing left in the bank unless we stop spending like this $24M a year on wages and benefits $18M operating budget
Thank you to everyone who took notes at the June financial meeting. The following is a summary of those notes.-
Facts from finance meeting in June
As of June we have $55M in the bank
Total Budget is 40$M for this year ending March 2011
45% of our money for budget comes from our bank account (general revenue account) $16M to 18M
55-18=37$or 39$M left in bank at end of March 2011
Some of which is set aside and cant be touched because of :
Collateral for loans (land purchases) and the Housing collateral fund of $10M and the credit facility of $18M = Which leaves us with approx $15 M actual free and clear cash in the bank at the end of March 2011 at the rate we spend money it wont last long
Money will start to come to us monthly August 2011 which is 1.9% gross of profits could be as high as $10M per year
plus the land leases of approx $4M which still goes into the trust fund
Also casino funding remain the same at approx $10M a year, snow contract/water charges/ sewer charges/ police and fire but is already calculated in the budget so it is not over and above
Even with the new casino agreement we will have nothing left in the bank unless we stop spending like this $24M a year on wages and benefits $18M operating budget
Thursday, August 5, 2010
HST REBATE FORMS
HST REBATE FORMS MAY BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE MINISTRY OF REVENUE WEBSITE. You will find the application form in PDF as well as instructions on applying for the rebate/refund. PST EXEMPTION AT POINT OF SALE RESUME SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2010, IN THE MEAN TIME CONTINUE TO KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Reserve Transparency
The Canadian Taxpayer's Federation has launched a website to help band members obtain financial information as to how band funds are being used.
This is a great website and a great resource.
It goes to show you that we, the Group for Accountability are not the only ones who see this as an issue on reserve and want to do everything we can to make sure the information is accessible.
This supports the work we have been doing and I am proud to say so.
This is a great website and a great resource.
It goes to show you that we, the Group for Accountability are not the only ones who see this as an issue on reserve and want to do everything we can to make sure the information is accessible.
This supports the work we have been doing and I am proud to say so.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Press Release Involving Rama First Nation and Tribute Resources-Another Business Partnership We Knew Nothing About?
Filing Services Canada
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FSC / Press Release
Tribute Resources Inc. Announces Submission of Bid for Waterpower Project on Trent-Severn Waterway
Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States
London, Ontario CANADA, April 09, 2010 /FSC/ - Tribute Resources Inc. (TRB - TSX Venture), ("Tribute"), a developer of renewable energy projects in Ontario, announced today it recently submitted a bid to the Parks Canada Agency for a six megawatt hydraulic generation project ("Project") at locks 24 and 25 on the Trent-Severn Waterway ("TSW"). If its bid is accepted, Tribute will enter into an equal 50/50 limited partnership with the Chippewas of Rama First Nation ("Rama") to develop the Project. A letter of intent has been executed by both Tribute and Rama. Upon receipt of a positive bid response from the Parks Canada Agency, the newly formed limited partnership will apply for a 40 year power purchase contract through the Ontario Power Authority's ("OPA") Feed-In-Tariff Program ("FIT") for both of the sites to inject their electrical output into the Hydro One Networks Inc. local distribution grid.
Tribute anticipates that if the Parks Canada Agency approves its bid, the limited partnership will commission detailed engineering studies in 2010 and will complete its environmental studies by 2011. The Project will work its way through the FIT production program and Ontario's Renewable Energy Approval ("REA") process prior to construction, which would commence in 2012 and be completed in time for a 2014 commercial operation date. The Chippewas of Rama will greatly assist in all aspects of Project development, including the planned Education Centre and species studies.
About Tribute Resources Inc.:
Tribute is a Canadian energy company with a focus on adding value to shareholders by exploring for; developing and maintaining a long-term interest in market-based priced underground natural gas storage assets and in developing renewable energy projects in the Province of Ontario. Tribute's objective is to build a company capable of delivering and sustaining long-term per share growth by developing and managing diversified energy projects that will generate stable long term cash flow when fully developed. Tribute's business plan is to build upon its current asset base to identify, permit, develop, and construct projects that meet its threshold return criteria. Tribute will create value by identifying project opportunities, providing the expertise to develop the projects and maintaining an interest in the completed assets to build long-term stable utility quality cash flow from a strong and diversified energy related asset base.
Tribute believes that it is well positioned to take advantage of opportunities in the ongoing restructuring of the energy markets in Ontario and North America. Tribute's three business units - Renewable Energy Development, Underground Natural Gas Storage and Natural Gas Exploration - are strategically aligned with the evolving energy market.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may include "forward-looking" statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tribute to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, such statements use such words as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "believe", "plan", and other similar terminology. The risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in reports filed by Tribute with applicable securities regulatory authorities. New risk factors may arise from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of those risk factors or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results, performance and achievements of Tribute to be materially different from those contained in forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchanges) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For further information on this press release please contact Jane Lowrie, President of Tribute at (519) 657-7624 or visit our website at www.tributeresources.com.
Source: Tribute Resources Inc. (TSX-V: TRB) http://www.tributeresources.com
Maximum News Dissemination by Filing Services Canada Inc. *
www.usetdas.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FSC / Press Release
Tribute Resources Inc. Announces Submission of Bid for Waterpower Project on Trent-Severn Waterway
Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States
London, Ontario CANADA, April 09, 2010 /FSC/ - Tribute Resources Inc. (TRB - TSX Venture), ("Tribute"), a developer of renewable energy projects in Ontario, announced today it recently submitted a bid to the Parks Canada Agency for a six megawatt hydraulic generation project ("Project") at locks 24 and 25 on the Trent-Severn Waterway ("TSW"). If its bid is accepted, Tribute will enter into an equal 50/50 limited partnership with the Chippewas of Rama First Nation ("Rama") to develop the Project. A letter of intent has been executed by both Tribute and Rama. Upon receipt of a positive bid response from the Parks Canada Agency, the newly formed limited partnership will apply for a 40 year power purchase contract through the Ontario Power Authority's ("OPA") Feed-In-Tariff Program ("FIT") for both of the sites to inject their electrical output into the Hydro One Networks Inc. local distribution grid.
Tribute anticipates that if the Parks Canada Agency approves its bid, the limited partnership will commission detailed engineering studies in 2010 and will complete its environmental studies by 2011. The Project will work its way through the FIT production program and Ontario's Renewable Energy Approval ("REA") process prior to construction, which would commence in 2012 and be completed in time for a 2014 commercial operation date. The Chippewas of Rama will greatly assist in all aspects of Project development, including the planned Education Centre and species studies.
About Tribute Resources Inc.:
Tribute is a Canadian energy company with a focus on adding value to shareholders by exploring for; developing and maintaining a long-term interest in market-based priced underground natural gas storage assets and in developing renewable energy projects in the Province of Ontario. Tribute's objective is to build a company capable of delivering and sustaining long-term per share growth by developing and managing diversified energy projects that will generate stable long term cash flow when fully developed. Tribute's business plan is to build upon its current asset base to identify, permit, develop, and construct projects that meet its threshold return criteria. Tribute will create value by identifying project opportunities, providing the expertise to develop the projects and maintaining an interest in the completed assets to build long-term stable utility quality cash flow from a strong and diversified energy related asset base.
Tribute believes that it is well positioned to take advantage of opportunities in the ongoing restructuring of the energy markets in Ontario and North America. Tribute's three business units - Renewable Energy Development, Underground Natural Gas Storage and Natural Gas Exploration - are strategically aligned with the evolving energy market.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may include "forward-looking" statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tribute to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, such statements use such words as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "believe", "plan", and other similar terminology. The risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in reports filed by Tribute with applicable securities regulatory authorities. New risk factors may arise from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of those risk factors or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results, performance and achievements of Tribute to be materially different from those contained in forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchanges) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For further information on this press release please contact Jane Lowrie, President of Tribute at (519) 657-7624 or visit our website at www.tributeresources.com.
Source: Tribute Resources Inc. (TSX-V: TRB) http://www.tributeresources.com
Maximum News Dissemination by Filing Services Canada Inc. *
www.usetdas.com
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Canadian Human Rights Commission now accepts discrimination complaints in relation to the indian act and the Federal governments use of its authority under that Act. This inclides potential complaints on.
- Eligilibitlity for indian status
- Band memebership list held by INAC
- Second generation effects of bill C-31
- Election rules under the indian act
- Education decisions made under the indian act
Compliants against band councils in relationship to the indian act will not be possible until the end of the transistion period on June 18th, 2011. After this date, the canadain human rights commission will accept complaints on :
- Band council by- laws
- membership codes
- election codes
- decisions on housing and land allocations
Since membership and election codes and most by-laws require approval by the minister of indian affairs, it could be argued that the federal government should be at least partly responsible if such laws are discrimatory.
Complaints against band councils not in relation to the indian act are possible during the transition period. This includes complaints on :
- employment deciosions
- Spending dcisions
- Welfare
- Education assistance matters
Some hurdles to bringing compliants to the canadian human rights commision include:
- There is a 1 yr time limit on bringing compliants to the canadain human rights commision, subject to very narrow exceptions.
- the repeal of section 67 is not retroactive in complaints realting to the indian act must be based on events that occurued after June 18th 2008 for the federal government and after June 18th 2011 for band councils. However an exception to this is discrimitory policies or rules that were in place before these dates that continue to discriminate afterwards. This may include rules or policies that continue to deny public services to people, such as registration or membership rules.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The Contact List--E-Mail and Fax your letters in DAILY!!!
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty
Phone: (613) 992-1573
Fax: (613) 943-0938
E-Mail: finpub@fin.gc.ca
E-Mail: jflaherty@fin.gc.ca
TTY: 613-995-1455
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Phone: (613) 992-4211
Fax: (613) 941-6900
E-Mail: harper.s@parl.gc.ca
E-Mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
Chuck Strahl Minister of Indian Affairs
Phone: (613) 992-2940
Fax: 819-953-4941
Fax: (613) 944-9376
E-Mail: minister@inac.gc.ca
E-Mail: ottawa@chuckstrahl.com
E-Mail: riding@chuckstrahl.com
E-Mail: strahl.c@parl.gc.ca
Dwight Duncan Provincial Minister of Finance
Phone: 1-800-337-7222
Phone: (519) 251-5199
Phone (416) 325-0400
Fax: (519) 251-5299
Fax: (416) 325-0374
E-Mail: dduncan.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
E-Mail: financecommunications.fin@ontario.ca
Chris Bentley Ministry of the Attorney General and Ministry of Indian Affairs
Phone: (519) 657-3120
Fax: (519) 657-0368
Fax: (416) 326-4007
Fax: (416) 326-4017
E-Mail: cbentley.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Dalton McGuinty Ontario Premier
Phone: (416) 325-3777
Fax: (416) 325-3745
E-Mail: dmcguinty@premier.gov.on.ca
https://www.premier.gov.on.ca/feedback/feedback.asp?Lang=EN
Michael Ignatieff
Phone : (613) 237-0740
Fax : (613) 235-7208
email : info@liberal.ca
Copy and Paste for email convenience:
finpub@fin.gc.ca,
jflaherty@fin.gc.ca,
pm@pm.gc.ca,
harper.s@parl.gc.ca,
ottawa@chuckstrahl.com,
riding@chuckstrahl.com,
strahl.c@parl.gc.ca,
dduncan.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org,
financecommunications.fin@ontario.ca,
cbentley.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org,
dmcguinty@premier.gov.on.ca
info@liberal.ca
Phone: (613) 992-1573
Fax: (613) 943-0938
E-Mail: finpub@fin.gc.ca
E-Mail: jflaherty@fin.gc.ca
TTY: 613-995-1455
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Phone: (613) 992-4211
Fax: (613) 941-6900
E-Mail: harper.s@parl.gc.ca
E-Mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
Chuck Strahl Minister of Indian Affairs
Phone: (613) 992-2940
Fax: 819-953-4941
Fax: (613) 944-9376
E-Mail: minister@inac.gc.ca
E-Mail: ottawa@chuckstrahl.com
E-Mail: riding@chuckstrahl.com
E-Mail: strahl.c@parl.gc.ca
Dwight Duncan Provincial Minister of Finance
Phone: 1-800-337-7222
Phone: (519) 251-5199
Phone (416) 325-0400
Fax: (519) 251-5299
Fax: (416) 325-0374
E-Mail: dduncan.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
E-Mail: financecommunications.fin@ontario.ca
Chris Bentley Ministry of the Attorney General and Ministry of Indian Affairs
Phone: (519) 657-3120
Fax: (519) 657-0368
Fax: (416) 326-4007
Fax: (416) 326-4017
E-Mail: cbentley.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Dalton McGuinty Ontario Premier
Phone: (416) 325-3777
Fax: (416) 325-3745
E-Mail: dmcguinty@premier.gov.on.ca
https://www.premier.gov.on.ca/feedback/feedback.asp?Lang=EN
Michael Ignatieff
Phone : (613) 237-0740
Fax : (613) 235-7208
email : info@liberal.ca
Copy and Paste for email convenience:
finpub@fin.gc.ca,
jflaherty@fin.gc.ca,
pm@pm.gc.ca,
harper.s@parl.gc.ca,
ottawa@chuckstrahl.com,
riding@chuckstrahl.com,
strahl.c@parl.gc.ca,
dduncan.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org,
financecommunications.fin@ontario.ca,
cbentley.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org,
dmcguinty@premier.gov.on.ca
info@liberal.ca
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Rama Citizens to Join Fight Against HST at Parliament Hill
Orillia Packet & Times- Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
Although I don't agree with everything the reporter included in the story, she included a quote from Dunlop who says he agrees that Natives living off reserve shouldn't be entitled to exemptions, I am pleased with
most of the story and it's good to see she did her homework before it went to print.
Although I don't agree with everything the reporter included in the story, she included a quote from Dunlop who says he agrees that Natives living off reserve shouldn't be entitled to exemptions, I am pleased with
most of the story and it's good to see she did her homework before it went to print.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
An example of good governance on a First Nation
Rama Chief and Council could take a page or two out this book from the Chippewa of the Thames and implement some changes. Or maybe the changes that need to be implemented is a change in Chief and Council. Let's elect leaders capable of leadership this year.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Band Council Elections - Congress of Aboriginal Peoples - Representing the rights and interests of off-reserve people living in urban, rural, and remote areas across Canada
List of Bands in Ontario using the Custom Election Process
Band Council Elections - Congress of Aboriginal Peoples - Representing the rights and interests of off-reserve people living in urban, rural, and remote areas across Canada
Band Council Elections - Congress of Aboriginal Peoples - Representing the rights and interests of off-reserve people living in urban, rural, and remote areas across Canada
Band Council Elections - Congress of Aboriginal Peoples - Representing the rights and interests of off-reserve people living in urban, rural, and remote areas across Canada
A little bit about Band Custom Elections instead of word of the week this week;
Band Council Elections - Congress of Aboriginal Peoples - Representing the rights and interests of off-reserve people living in urban, rural, and remote areas across Canada
Band Council Elections - Congress of Aboriginal Peoples - Representing the rights and interests of off-reserve people living in urban, rural, and remote areas across Canada
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Word of the week: Accountability
Accountability is a concept in ethics and governance with several meanings. It is often used synonymously with such concepts as responsibility,[1] answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and other terms associated with the expectation of account-giving. As an aspect of governance, it has been central to discussions related to problems in the public sector, nonprofit and private (corporate) worlds. In leadership roles, accountability is the acknowledgment and assumption of responsibility for actions, products, decisions, and policies including the administration, governance, and implementation within the scope of the role or employment position and encompassing the obligation to report, explain and be answerable for resulting consequences.
As a term related to governance, accountability has been difficult to define.[2][3] It is frequently described as an account-giving relationship between individuals, e.g. "A is accountable to B when A is obliged to inform B about A’s (past or future) actions and decisions, to justify them, and to suffer punishment in the case of eventual misconduct".[4]
As a term related to governance, accountability has been difficult to define.[2][3] It is frequently described as an account-giving relationship between individuals, e.g. "A is accountable to B when A is obliged to inform B about A’s (past or future) actions and decisions, to justify them, and to suffer punishment in the case of eventual misconduct".[4]
Friday, February 5, 2010
680News - February 5 - This week on Bamoseda
680News - February 5 - This week on Bamoseda
All First Nation native news programming by my friend Jennifer!!!
Get caught up on the issues facing First Nation reality.
All First Nation native news programming by my friend Jennifer!!!
Get caught up on the issues facing First Nation reality.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Roles and Duties of Council
The Roles and Duties of Council
Self Governing Nation - VERY interesting stuff!
Self Governing Nation - VERY interesting stuff!
Council must place communicating with members at the top of its duties. Communications, or public relations, is the key to building support and trust between council and community members.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Word of the Week: Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense, presents information primarily to influence an audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus possibly lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or uses loaded messages to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the attitude toward the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda.
Propaganda is neutrally defined as a systematic form of purposeful persuasion that attempts to influence the emotions, attitudes, opinions, and actions of specified target audiences for ideological, political or commercial purposes through the controlled transmission of one-sided messages (which may or may not be factual) via mass and direct media channels."
—Richard Alan Nelson, A Chronology and Glossary of Propaganda in the United States, 1996
Propaganda is neutrally defined as a systematic form of purposeful persuasion that attempts to influence the emotions, attitudes, opinions, and actions of specified target audiences for ideological, political or commercial purposes through the controlled transmission of one-sided messages (which may or may not be factual) via mass and direct media channels."
—Richard Alan Nelson, A Chronology and Glossary of Propaganda in the United States, 1996
Monday, February 1st, 2010
Since when is calling for accountability a bad thing? Since when is it wrong to want to hold your government responsible for the good and the bad? I have noticed very recently that in response to this blog, Communications now keeps a blog on behalf of Chief and Council, but their blog is heavily censored, so any comments you may wish to leave for them have to be approved first. So in the effort to communicate more and be more open and accountable they are still in essence trying to control and manipulate what's said and what comments make it on to their blog. There is one particular comment that was left by Anonymous. Only someone who didn't grow up here and spent a portion of their lives denying their ancestry would have the nerve to refer to us (Rama) as "The #1 First Nation in Ontario" and accuses the Group for Accountability of 'causing negativity'. My response to that would be this - It's not that were not the #1 First Nation in Ontario, but we would never be so arrogant as to refer to ourselves that way. Many of us have family and friends in other First Nations communities and it's just not like us to put ourselves above another community. THAT'S JUST NOT OUR WAY! Someone who actually grew up on the Rez or lives here might actually know this, and I mean no disrespect to our off reserve membership, you're the one's were trying to reach. But seriously, how out of touch with the community can you be???? And as for causing 'negativity', if choosing to educate and advocate for community members on their right to know and right to partcipate than I suppose were guilty of rocking the boat and shaking things up a bit. But if we didn't feel it was 100%, ABSOLUTELY necessary for community members to know what the issues are and participate in their government for the sake of future generations to come then I suppose we wouldn't take the time to do what were doing. But obviously we care a great deal about our community and the health of our people and if that can be twisted by Chief and Council OR administration and made to look like attempts to breed negativity for the sake of maintaining their secrecy and iron grip on affairs then I wouldn't put it passed them for trying. Be aware of what you hear and what they put out there that casts this group in a negative light. In the coming months you may start to hear some very obvious attempts at attention diversion. Do not be fooled! You know better than this! You know that something isn't right. You know it in your gut and you know it in your heart. Question everything, and don't believe everything you hear. We, the members of the Group for Accountability have doors that are always open and are willing to listen to your concerns. We will never stoop to spreading rumours or attempting to divert your attention from the issues at hand and we will continue to press Chief and Council for the answers to the questions they don't want to address. Miigwech.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Moving Forward in a positive direction
I really like that Patrick Madahbee talks about moving forward in a positive way and working with Rama, part of the Anishnabek Nation Family. Do you think this means we will 're-join' the Union of Ontario Indians and take up the fight against the HST now that the 35% case has been lost? What are your thoughts?
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/business/82704662.html
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/business/82704662.html
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
An open letter/E-mail to Chief and Council
Chief Stinson Henry & Members of Council;
Is this your convoluted idea of accountability?
Laughable.
Less than 24 hours notice for a community invitation?
Give me a break.
Have another open forum community meeting before the budgets are due.
Then you might be able to call yourselves accountable.
And I challenge all the councilors to speak up and voice your opinions.
And try not sitting together like you need each other to hide behind.
Try sitting amongst the people instead of together at the front of the room.
Enough of the arrogance.
Shawna L. Snache
shawnas@csolve.net
705.326.3213
705.238.3298 cell
Is this your convoluted idea of accountability?
Laughable.
Less than 24 hours notice for a community invitation?
Give me a break.
Have another open forum community meeting before the budgets are due.
Then you might be able to call yourselves accountable.
And I challenge all the councilors to speak up and voice your opinions.
And try not sitting together like you need each other to hide behind.
Try sitting amongst the people instead of together at the front of the room.
Enough of the arrogance.
Shawna L. Snache
shawnas@csolve.net
705.326.3213
705.238.3298 cell
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
http://www.nfb.ca/film/encounter_with_saul_alinsky?_fb_q=1
Who are the participants in this video? It's pretty damn awesome and enlightening~!!
Who are the participants in this video? It's pretty damn awesome and enlightening~!!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Borrowed from another First Nation....An achievable dream
OUR VISION
To be an economic, independent, self-sustaining, self-governing First Nation where all Members share a strong cultural identity based on a profound understanding of who we are and on a clear sense of connection with our cultural origins. A community that lives in peace with all of creation, maintains a healthy balance between the individual and collective needs, and works productively with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, based on a sense of mutual respect and equality. Where Members rightfully come together and virtuously establish a strong sense of self-esteem, respect for each other and who work together for the well being of all. A First Nation in which the youth have a positive future and the Elders hand over a strong and thriving community to the next generation.
To be an economic, independent, self-sustaining, self-governing First Nation where all Members share a strong cultural identity based on a profound understanding of who we are and on a clear sense of connection with our cultural origins. A community that lives in peace with all of creation, maintains a healthy balance between the individual and collective needs, and works productively with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, based on a sense of mutual respect and equality. Where Members rightfully come together and virtuously establish a strong sense of self-esteem, respect for each other and who work together for the well being of all. A First Nation in which the youth have a positive future and the Elders hand over a strong and thriving community to the next generation.
The numbers don't lie......
as of 1:35 this afternoon, the number of 'hits' recieved is at 1044. just to note, the counter does not count the same computer twice, so you can check the blog 100 times from the same computer and the counter only counts it once. So that's 1044 different and separate computers (or pairs of eyes) that have read our blog.
i am noting this to be courteous of cathy edney and chief and council so that they understand what the numbers mean.
we understand that community members no longer wish to be outspoken about the issues on other forms of social networking like the facebook group and that's fine. we understand that you are aware that facebook is monitored nowadays, by communications and chief and council. we get that. if i had a job to protect i would be hesitant as well but we need to start moving away from that culture of fear and intimidation. anyone can comment on this blog anytime and choose to remain anonymous. or if there's a particular thread you'd like us to talk about e-mail thegroupforaaf@gmail.com and we WILL respect your privacy. we want to educate our members and allow them a freedom of speech they don't currently enjoy as a band employee or member. we are not against chief and council. we are not ANTI anybody. we simply want to see the fairness that we all deserve in this community.
peace out.
i am noting this to be courteous of cathy edney and chief and council so that they understand what the numbers mean.
we understand that community members no longer wish to be outspoken about the issues on other forms of social networking like the facebook group and that's fine. we understand that you are aware that facebook is monitored nowadays, by communications and chief and council. we get that. if i had a job to protect i would be hesitant as well but we need to start moving away from that culture of fear and intimidation. anyone can comment on this blog anytime and choose to remain anonymous. or if there's a particular thread you'd like us to talk about e-mail thegroupforaaf@gmail.com and we WILL respect your privacy. we want to educate our members and allow them a freedom of speech they don't currently enjoy as a band employee or member. we are not against chief and council. we are not ANTI anybody. we simply want to see the fairness that we all deserve in this community.
peace out.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
From the Ten Year Community Visioning...
- Leadership
- Community Dynamics
- General Growth
Letter to the Editor
click the link to the the Letter to the Editor in Thursdays Packet from band member Shawna Snache.
click the link to the the Letter to the Editor in Thursdays Packet from band member Shawna Snache.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Welcome 2010
2009 Saw the Group for Accountability and concerned community members achieve alot. The Group sent a letter to the editor of the Packet & Times which brought APTN to the community in June where they did a bit of an expose piece on the corruption of power and politics in the community. This momentum allowed us to put pressure on Chief and Council and an open community meeting was held in June. The turn out was good and members were given the opportunity to tell Chief and Council how they felt about the issues. Although there is much work to be done still we have created this blog, a facebook group and a twitter account to keep community members informed, both of what were doing and what Chief and Council is doing. We put pressure on the Chief and the Administration to get involved in the fight against the HST, something the other 133 First Nations were doing, but Rama was still waiting for their auditors to give them a "report". We kept the pressure on and Novembers Ojibway Times newsletter saw them printing the Band Council Resolution wherein they are stating their position against the HST. We advised Chief and Council that a unity rally against the HST was occuring at Queens Park and we 'advised' them that they should be sending a bus or a van to show their support. We attended that rally and showed our support in the fight against the HST.
In the mean time we, the Group for Accountability were studying the financial information for the band that we obtained through INAC after their MANY ATTEMPTS at stalling the process. INAC had to send us all of the audited financial statements that we requested (2002 to present) through an informal request for information. We attended every community meeting held in 2009 and began to host our own meetings out of the Church hall. We chose to discontinue those open Church hall meetings after it was discovered that someone was attending our meetings with the sole purpose of disclosing what was said to members of council (parking lot politics). We did not feel it was fair to the people who were showing up to share in confidence their experiences and frustrations, only to have them told to Chief and Council. So we discontinued that meeting format for the time being and have been continuing to meet in each others homes. Followers of this blog, community members; we want you to know that we have identified our priorities for 2010. We want you to know the fact that it is an election year is not lost on us. We want you to know that members of this group have an ACTUAL PLAN that would allow us to put an end to council being drunk on power and greed, administration that has no checks and balances in place or policies to govern them and an end to parking lot politics. Decisions affecting your life and the lives of our children SHOULD NOT BE MADE IN A PARKING LOT IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A PICKUP TRUCK. That is wrong on so many levels and we've seen it work for those that are affiliated but the exact opposite is true if you are not. We have a better way, a safer way and a fairer way for all band members. We expect 2010 to be a challenging year, an exciting year, but mostly a year meant for change.
In the mean time we, the Group for Accountability were studying the financial information for the band that we obtained through INAC after their MANY ATTEMPTS at stalling the process. INAC had to send us all of the audited financial statements that we requested (2002 to present) through an informal request for information. We attended every community meeting held in 2009 and began to host our own meetings out of the Church hall. We chose to discontinue those open Church hall meetings after it was discovered that someone was attending our meetings with the sole purpose of disclosing what was said to members of council (parking lot politics). We did not feel it was fair to the people who were showing up to share in confidence their experiences and frustrations, only to have them told to Chief and Council. So we discontinued that meeting format for the time being and have been continuing to meet in each others homes. Followers of this blog, community members; we want you to know that we have identified our priorities for 2010. We want you to know the fact that it is an election year is not lost on us. We want you to know that members of this group have an ACTUAL PLAN that would allow us to put an end to council being drunk on power and greed, administration that has no checks and balances in place or policies to govern them and an end to parking lot politics. Decisions affecting your life and the lives of our children SHOULD NOT BE MADE IN A PARKING LOT IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A PICKUP TRUCK. That is wrong on so many levels and we've seen it work for those that are affiliated but the exact opposite is true if you are not. We have a better way, a safer way and a fairer way for all band members. We expect 2010 to be a challenging year, an exciting year, but mostly a year meant for change.
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