Cheryle Snache for Chief - Election 2012

CHERYLE SNACHE 2012 - LEADERSHIP WITH VISION
Aaniin. My name is Cheryle Snache and I am running for the responsibility of the position of Chief of Rama of First Nation. I have a number of key areas of concern for our community which I will address, but first a little bit about myself. I have lived in Rama most of my life and I'm the mother of two grown children, Sam and Kory who grew up here and call Rama home.
I am passionate about our culture and preserving all aspects of our language and traditional knowledge. I am an active volunteer and advocate in our community and I started up the Rama Food Bank in 2009 when I saw that there were food security issues right here in our community. I have extensive experience from marketing and tourism to self-employment and business start-ups. Everyone agrees right now that the top priorities in our community are jobs and Economic Development. Creating meaningful jobs for our people must start with job training and job shadowing. Our people need to hold the majority of the positions in our community, including leadership and management roles, and supporting those that have gone on to post-secondary education. Working for Rama should be a career building move that also addresses our social issues. Economic Development should address long term sustainability and must be community driven. We have so much potential here in Rama that we need to maximize. Our greatest assets and resources are our people. We need to develop a brand new marketing strategy with community input that will put Rama in line with First Nation communities like Membertou and Osoyoos. I have a plan to develop our land, our community and our people, that will enhance the quality of life for everyone and still respect and protect the environment and our waters.
Housing and Home Ownership is another area of great concern to me. Healthy, sustainable home ownership should be accessible to all and we need to look at ways to accomplish this. I feel the price of land should be more affordable for our people that want to build a family home here in the community.
Our Language is our Culture. A Cultural Centre for our Youth is another top priority and having a plan is vital to this. Today's youth need a sense of cultural identity they can be proud of and we need to support this. An Elders and Youth Council must be established to help voice the will of the people. Supporting Arts, amateur sports and Education is critical to our young people’s identity.
As a Chief the Social Well Being of the community should be front and centre when considering any and all decisions. We need to look after our people, especially our Seniors and their needs, and those that are the most vulnerable to social issues. I can assure the people that no decisions shall be made until the well-being of this community is factored in.
I believe we are all shareholders and therefore are entitled to any and all information affecting the future and well- being of this community. This would mean financial information on time and written for you, and all council meeting minutes will be posted. My bottom line is no decisions will be made that affect you and this community without your input first. I want to do away with policies that are paralysing and implement new policies that will empower. I can assure you that voicing your concerns over policies that affect you and your family will not affect your security or employment and that the new Chief and Council will hold open door meetings monthly at the Community Hall where you can have your say and have your concerns addressed. You will have a voice in this community if I am chosen to lead.
It is no secret that we are facing rough waters ahead as a community. Things will look worse before they get better, but I believe that we're all in this together, and we will have to work together as a community and a nation to heal our people and create Unity amongst ourselves once again. Together we can achieve this. I welcome your comments, questions and concerns and you can reach me at any time, day or night at 705-325-5538 and by emailing cherylesnache@gmail.com My door is always open and I am welcoming community members ‘Open House’ style in my home every Monday evening from 5:00-9:00pm for tea and coffee and discussion. With our hearts and our votes we have the power to change our community for the future. Cheryle Snache, Crane Clan of Rama First Nation

Remuneration of Elected Officials in First Nations Communities

Remuneration of Elected Officials in First Nations Communities

Average councilor salary only $31,000 a year | Windspeaker - AMMSA: Indigenous news, issues and culture.

Average councilor salary only $31,000 a year | Windspeaker - AMMSA: Indigenous news, issues and culture.

First Nations: The Casino Rama Revenue Agreement

First Nations: The Casino Rama Revenue Agreement

Wall Photos

Wall Photos

Chippewas of Rama Election

 Nomination Night July 20, 2112 6:00 p.m. to 9:00.pm. Candidates Night Aug 16 2012 6:00 p.m. start Election Aug31. 2012 All meetings at the Chippewas of Rama Hall

First Nations contributed | Column | Opinion | Barrie Examiner

First Nations contributed | Column | Opinion | Barrie Examiner

Declaration of Independence - Text Transcript

Declaration of Independence - Text Transcript

The Ojibway of Rama Ontario

I remember as a boy said old Sam Snake , living in my father's wigwam. It was sixteen feet across, and covered with sheets of  birch bark,  sewn together with roots. We slept on rush mats. Above us, just beneath the smoke- hole hung strips of venison, which were dried by the smoke as it went up. When it was dry, they would take the venison down, salt it pound it down and store it away in bark boxes for the winter time" Thus did an elderly Ojibway Indian describe a scene oh his childhood days. He was born and brought up on the Rama Reserve , near Lake Couchiching , Ontario . It was there that we met, while camping for a few days on the reserve in the summers of 1937 and 1938, But things have greatly change n the last fifty years at Rama. This old Indian Sam Snake , typifies the change. No longer does he live by hunting and  trapping   but by farming. On the reserve , each family has a piece of land from one acre up, on which they have built their frame houses. Around the house lies the garden where they  raise all kind of vegetables for there own use. Many of the young men do not farm, but seek employment locally in the lumber camps. Quite a number of them also act as guides to the white tourists who come north every summer on fishing excursions. Fishing is also important on the reserve, for drawn up on shore in front of each dwelling are numerous small, canvas-covered fishing shacks. When winter comes, the Indians haul these out over the frozen lake, and through an opening in the floor they cut a hole in the ice. Then sitting down by a small stove, they defy the wintry weather and wait for the fish either a hook and line or a three-pronged spear, The many fish that they catch form an important part of there diet, as there little or no hunting left in the district. A blending of ancient and the modern can be seen at the annual fair in mid- September . On display are all kinds of farm produce, the children school exhibits, and many of their ancient hand crafts , These last include birch bark ware, beautifully decorated with porcupine quill work, bows and arrows , carved wooden souvenir swords, toy  canoes, and axe - handles. Walking about among the other Indians are the older men, dressed in traditional buckskin and feathers , ready to tell you of their hunting exploits in the"good old day. Also one would be sure to meet the chief, Alder Yorke.  He has been the chief for the past twenty- one years , or seven terms .  for nowadays  the chief and his two councillors are elected every three years. Alder Yorke is greatly responsible for the progress among his three hundred tribesmen. at rama during the last few years. although he himself was in his younger days a great hunter and trapper . Except among the older folk the fine legends and traditions of the Ojibway  have almost disappeared. But when the thunder rumbles and the lighting flashes, even the  youngest of the Rama Ojibway know that the thunder bird a monstrous white bird living in the clouds is angry and is shooting its long blue cylindrical stones or "thunder - bolts" through the air, trying to kill its traditional enemies, the serpents. In spite of many superstitions or belief in  murderous witches who fly about at night  in the form of a ball of fire, the Ojibways at Rama are a kind and hospitable people, they showed us every kindness while we were there. and we found that by being kind and honest to them , they would return the compliment with interest". One of our best memories of the reserve is of an elderly Ojibway women , who was very poor . Before we departed we gave her a few matches and some food that we had left over. She was very pleased, and thanked us as best an Indian can, But her real appreciation was shown when just before Christmas, she made and sent both to my friend and myself, a pair of tiny beaded moccasin.. By Emerson Coatsworth (Wah-sah-wah-gurh) Upper Canada College ,Ontario April 3 1939

First Nations Day opens minds | Column | Opinion | Orillia Packet and Times

First Nations Day opens minds | Column | Opinion | Orillia Packet and Times