Top News - July - 2002
Wilmer Nadjiwon, 81, of Cape Croker reserve, is a master carver who works steadily through the summer and fall producing butternut wood replicas of birds, totem poles and just about anything you can name.Photo by Ted Shaw
Recollet hired for senior post
Manitoulin Elder passes on sacred eagle feather
Video conferencing connects communities
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Recollet hired for senior post
Margo Little, Birchbark Writer, M'Chigeeng First Nation
Hazel Recollet, a M'Chigeeng First Nation member, has been hired as the new chief executive officer for the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin (UCCM). Recollet joins the UCCM during a period of ongoing restructuring.
"I'm very excited about this position," she says. "Part of my mandate will be to help refocus the direction of the organization."
She indicated that chiefs within UCCM will be sharing the tasks of tribal chair in the coming months. Each leader will serve for four months on a rotational basis.
The Union of Ontario Indians annual general assembly June 4 to 6 gave Recollet an opportunity to gain a broad overview of the issues facing the UCCM. "Part of our mission will be to promote community development in economic, social and environmental realms," she said. "Another goal will be to improve networking and communications among the member First Nations. Strategic planning meetings are being scheduled to assess the future direction of the UCCM."
Recollet brings a varied background to her new position. She worked for the Ministry of Indian and Northern Affairs for 25 years. Most recently she was posted at the Sudbury office as the funding services officer.
Manitoulin Elder passes on sacred eagle feather
Margo Little, Birchbark Writer, Sucker Creek First Nation
"Pay attention to your Elders, to their wisdom and their knowledge. Listen well because the Elders are the backbone of the community." With these words, Elder Smitty McGraw of Sucker Creek First Nation passed on the sacred eagle feather to his son, Norman.
The moving ceremony was held during the traditional gathering of the Ojibways of Sucker Creek on Manitoulin Island June 1 and 2. The event was hosted by the band and the Waibejawang Anishnabequek.
In his message to the assembly, McGraw urged the youth of the community to avoid drugs and alcohol.
He encouraged young people to pursue education and to retain the Ojibwe language. "It is important for the next generation to keep the traditions alive," he said. "Learn your Native language; get it back because you were born with it. The Creator gave us this language so that we could understand one another."
He advised the youth to confide in the medicine men and Elders of the community when faced with personal crisis. "Don't try to fix problems by yourself," he said. "You have to listen to the Elders; if you don't listen, you will suffer."
Before passing the eagle feather on to his son Norman, McGraw paid tribute to the veterans in the audience, acknowledging their sacrifices.
In closing, the Elder expressed gratitude that the traditional drum had been brought back to the community.
"Don't let the drum die," he urged. "Feel Mother Earth dancing with the drum; stay with it."
Video conferencing connects communitiesJamie Monastyrski, Birchbark Writer, Thunder Bay
First Nations and Aboriginal associations across the North will have improved communications after an initiative to connect a virtual training network was given a lift by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) in April.
A $66,000 provincial investment was allocated to help communities share knowledge and expertise and to provide better local services.
The Northern Development and Mines Minister and chair of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHF) presented the funds to Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) president Jason Batise and OFNTSC branch manager Paul Seguin in Thunder Bay.
"Providing better, more cost-effective delivery of training for First Nation technical staff will lead to improvements in a range of community services," Minister Wilson said. "This application of leading-edge technologies to community development is indicative of the exciting projects being kick-started by the Heritage Fund's telecommunication program."
Along with the MNDM, FEDNOR and INAC have supported the project.
The technology will allow OFNTSC to communicate more effectively with clients and, most importantly, it will allow the tribal councils and the communities to maintain a permanent and instant connection.
Upon completion of the project, tribal councils will save meeting time and travel expenses. Skills development and other programs will be deliverable to OFNTSC clients in a more timely fashion.
This project will allow the tribal councils to be more efficient in providing services to their bands as well as to improve communication with other organizations.
