Sheg First Nation protest focuses on Rama funds

Chief Thompson says there has been no money spent in months

by Alicia McCutcheon

SHEGUIANDAH-"It's about accountability and transparency, or a lack thereof," said Sheguiandah resident Orville Aguonie as he stood alongside Highway 6, across the road from the Manitoulin Trading Post, with many other members of his community-some of whom were carrying signs that read "SOS: Save our Sheg" or called for a forensic audit.

Sheguiandah First Nation was in the midst of a day-long protest that took place last Thursday, with members of the community showing up to take part in an act of solidarity and chipping in by handing out flyers to vehicles passing by or urging cars to honk in support.

"The chief (Georgina Thompson) refuses to divulge how much money is coming into the reserve and what the expenditures are," Mr. Aguonie accused. "When we ask at council meetings she says 'it's none of your business'."

The disgruntled group of community members, including one band councillor, said they have asked Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to intervene, asking for a forensic audit, but according to councillor Jason Aguonie, INAC said they do not want to get involved in the community's "personal matters."

Interestingly enough, 20 years ago, almost to the day, members of the Sheguiandah First Nation protested against then-Chief Norman Auguonie, Chief Georgina Thompson's brother.

"We want to start educating the community on how business is done and now they want to get involved," Councillor Aguonie said.

"The community is supposed to give direction to council and council then gives direction to the chief-right now it's in reverse," Mr. Aguonie explained. "Anyone who tries to speak up is just ignored."

Councillor Aguonie said he would like to get programs going for the youth with the money from Casino Rama, but is discouraged because he said he is in the dark when it comes to the funds.

"I wonder if there's secrecy because there's been a mismanagement of funds?" he questioned. "In order to do my job I need to know what's happening. I have to find out what's going on from other communities."

Whereas before the councillors' mailboxes would have reports from the government agencies on Sheg's funding, they are now empty, he said.

"The people want to be informed," said fellow protestor Derek Assinewai.

Orville Aguonie said he was pleased with the day's turnout as it was "uniting the community."

Some children had even stayed home for the day, biking up and down the highway with their signs held high while elders had a comfortable seat in a lawn chair alongside the highway, their signs perched beside them.

"Our ultimate goal is for everyone to work as one," Orville Aguonie added.

The band office was closed during the protest day-as well as the next-but Chief Thompson, reached at home, said she was baffled by the whole thing and was not even sure why some of the community members were protesting.

"Jason (Aguonie) knows we haven't spent any money," the chief. "And a forensic audit would cost us around $100,000."

Chief Thompson explained that the last major outlay by the community was in July of last year when $100,000 was spent for four new housing units.

"All the council got notice of the money we received when the deal was made with the provincial government," she said. "I'm surprised at what's going on. We're in the midst of getting a new health centre-we're finding out next week, and I'm optimistic."

Chief Thompson also highlighted the likelihood of more money being available for the roundhouse project, and pointed to the hiring of a new band manager, Valerie Assinewai, as another encouraging development. "Now we can really move ahead," she enthused.

"We're looking at hiring two or three more people too-to me, things are looking really good," the chief said.

She explained that they decided to shut the band office down on Thursday and Friday to give people the chance to cool down and said she does admit that "information sharing" isn't as good as it could be.

"I'm certainly not hiding anything from the band membership or the agencies," Chief Thompson said. "Our audit was good last year and we are expecting another good one. I worked hard to get them out of a deficit my first term."

She explained that any member of the community could come to the band office and request to look at financial information any time they wish. "We are hiding absolutely nothing at all."

"We did strategic planning in February and all the councillors were involved and we made some very good plans," the chief said. "I think we need to move on. There's a lot of opportunities for Sheg coming up and we should be concentrating on that."

Credit Union annual report hints strongly

at Mindemoya branch

by Jim Moodie

ESPANOLA-The Espanola and District Credit Union is 50 percent richer as it begins its 50th year of existence.

Last year was a profitable one for the member-owned financial institution, with further growth-both of the fiscal and physical variety, with a new branch looking likely for Mindemoya-anticipated for this semi-centennial annum of 2008.

"Once again, we are very pleased to report very encouraging numbers after another successful year ended on December 31, 2007," communicated board chair Richard Stephens at the institution's annual general meeting on Tuesday in Espanola.

Total assets increased by almost $2.2 million in 2007, Mr. Stephens reported, and at year end "amounted to just over $36 million." Net earnings before income taxes, meanwhile, were up from $34,300 in 2006 to $51,500 in 2007, he revealed.

"You have every right to be proud of the accomplishments of your Credit Union," said the chair, who remains in this position for another term.

Lindsay Liske, who assumed the role of chief executive officer last year following the retirement of Benoit Theriault, echoed Mr. Stephens' enthusiasm. "Financially, our assets have grown by 6.5 percent and profit has grown by 50 percent," he said. "We hope to duplicate this feat again this upcoming year."

Some capital outlay will be required to upgrade the Credit Union's accounting system, members were told, as well to create a new branch in Mindemoya, presuming the results of a cost analysis justify the expansion.

"We have conducted a survey in the Mindemoya area to determine the feasibility of opening a branch, and are currently doing due diligence in this regard," said Mr. Liske.

The Credit Union is confident that demand exists for the expansion, given that 80 percent of survey respondents favoured the idea of an outlet in the community, and 65 percent of those would represent new members for the financial institution.

But some numbers still need to be crunched to ensure it's a sound business proposition, and a site remains to be chosen for the new branch. Options include renting space in one of two existing Mindemoya venues or building a new facility on a vacant lot.

Changes could be afoot on a broader scale, too. Mr. Stephens noted that "there have been some ongoing discussions between Ontario's Credit Union Central and British Columbia's Credit Union Central regarding a proposed merger of the two centrals." Nothing is set in stone, however. "We will advise you further when more details are known," promised Mr. Stephens.

While the Credit Union made money in 2007, it also gave back to the three communities (Espanola, Little Current and Gore Bay) in which it operates branches, doling out $4,500 in proceeds from fundraising barbecues.

Directors who will continue to serve on the Credit Union board include Murray Haner, Fred Pickard, Jim Gilpin, Bill Lewis and Diane Vlad. Four individuals had been nominated as potential replacements for Joellen Sloss, Brent Fortushniok and William Hickey, all of whose terms were up as of last night, but it was unclear by press time which people had been picked to fill these posts.

Mr. Liske noted that events are in the works to mark the institution's 50th anniversary, but details remain to be finalized. "Please watch for upcoming announcements for our planned celebrations," he said.

A brand-new Canadian: rare Spanish horses produce first

Iberian foal born in Canada Gore Bay couple's small herd begins expanding

by Lynne Gerard

GORE BAY-I have always known it was a tremendous honour that horses allow me to be close to them in some of their most intimate and vulnerable times. This past weekend provided an exquisite example.

For readers who have followed previous Expositor articles discussing our Sorraia Mustang Preserve, you may recall that in 2006 my husband, Kevin Droski, and I acquired a yearling stud colt, Altamiro, from a zoological park in Germany as part of a transcontinental effort to save the Sorraia horse from extinction. We were told by my friend Hardy Oelke (author of Born Survivors on the Eve of Extinction: Can Iberia's Wild Horse Survive Among America's Mustangs?) that Sorraia stallions typically do not become sexually fertile until age four.

Altamiro will turn three years old on May 4. Two of the fillies are turning four this summer and the other one just celebrated her third birthday on April 13. It suits me just fine to wait until everyone is a bit older before foals begin to arrive, and when folks routinely asked me if I was expecting foals this spring, my response was always, "No."

Now, it seems I will be saying "Yes!" as the magic of the Island and the wisdom of nature have provided us with an unexpected gift.

On Saturday, after a day and a half of winter overtaking the slow start of spring here on Gore Bay's east bluff, I had opportunity to hang out with the herd a bit as they were finishing up their late afternoon hay. Altamiro was showing studly interest in Bella, something I'd been looking for but not seen yet this spring. Upon closer inspection, however, I noticed that Bella was not in heat-she was in the first stages of delivering a foal! My shock gave way to worry because what I was looking at wasn't quite the same as shown in the textbooks. 

Within 10 minutes, the dogs were safe in the house, Kevin was at my side, I had my camera and we were back on the scene ready to assist, if necessary, in this unexpected event. Bella was lying down and we could already see upon our approach the foal sliding out of her and onto the pristine snow-a membrane-encased wriggling package of baby horse making its entry into the open world.  Bella immediately got up and I began a series of noteworthy photos documenting a natural equine birth, one which differed greatly from anything I'd read about in books.

This birth was so quick, so seemingly effortless for Bella (who had previously not looked nor acted like a pregnant mare), and was so amazingly assisted by Altamiro that I still can hardly believe we were fortunate enough to witness such marvelous intimacy. 

From the moment Bella had begun her delivery, Altamiro set himself up as her guardian and helpmate. While Bella took several minutes to regain her composure, Altamiro began licking the foal. Soon, Bella joined him and together mother and father helped dry the foal with their tongues and free it from its embryonic sac.

Altamiro then began prodding, poking, nipping and gently biting with what appeared to be an attempt to induce his son to get up. Numerous times I put down my camera thinking I should intervene as Altamiro became more brusque, actually grabbing the colt by the ridge of his wee neck and attempting to lift him up with his teeth. Kevin put his arm on mine and said, "Let them be, he's not going to hurt the foal." This went on for what seemed like a half an hour, with so many near risings and tangle-legged falls back to the ground.

I became concerned that the foal had bad legs and wouldn't be able to ever get up; Bella's seeming indifference and Altamiro's increasingly rough insistence only made my worry grow.

"It's okay," assured my wise Kevin, while I wondered whether we should try to help him.

"Not yet. I think he can do it, give him a while yet-he'll get up in due time," Kevin responded.

And within just a few more minutes, he did!

Next came the ever-important first meal, and once again, Bella patiently waited, while Altamiro took up the job of stimulating his son to move around, bit by bit and nip by nip, stimulating the foal to become familiar with the territory of his mother and discover her udder. For the next 20 minutes the foal circled his parents, licking and mouthing at different sections of their bodies, instinctively knowing he would be rewarded at some point. When the colt's tiny muzzle finally connected with Bella's teats, Kevin and I cheered and clapped, astounded and delighted by the amazing ways of natural horse-keeping.

When Hardy learned of these events, he was flabbergasted, and relayed that he's never had experience with any Sorraia stallion that sired offspring before the age of four. He also stated that Altamiro's maternal assistance is something highly unusual. We certainly have never heard nor read of such tender ministrations of a stallion to his foal. 

Altamiro seems to be the kind of horse that will be setting new records all his life. He is the first purebred Sorraia to come to live in Canada and now has sired the first half-bred Sorraia in Canada and that at a far younger age than his counterparts in Portugal, Germany and the US. And let's applaud Bella too: she's just shy of her fourth year and so excellent as a first-time mother.

From the moment he slid onto the snowy landscape here at Ravenseyrie, using his head to butt an exit hole out of his birthing sack, Altamiro and Bella's foal showed determination and liveliness. We have named this colt Animado, which means "lively" in Portuguese.

Are we expecting any more foals this spring? Yes, we are-it's a definite possibility.

BIA joins Northeast Town lobby

to obtain OPP dock

by Lindsay Kelly

LITTLE CURRENT-The debate over the dilapidated OPP boathouse in Little Current has been resurrected in hopes that the Ontario government will reconsider the town's request to scrap the aging structure.

The issue took on a new urgency following the town's submission of a funding application-which is currently pending approval-for the next phase of the Little Current waterfront development. If okayed, the town would have the finances to complete the third phase of the project, which involves the construction and installation of 35 to 40 additional slips at the east end of the waterfront. The town aims to do the work this spring, prior to the onset of the summer tourism season.

Town representatives had an opportunity to discuss the boathouse at the joint Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) and Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference held in Toronto in February. Councillor Al MacNevin and CAO Dave Williamson attended the conference on behalf of the town, and took in a trio of meetings with the ministers directly involved in the decision.

The first meeting with Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield was productive and the minister seemed sympathetic to the town's situation, Councillor MacNevin said.

In the past, the town has suggested that savings could be realized if the OPP and Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) watercraft were housed in one location, specifically the MNR boathouse to the far east of the waterfront. However, because the boathouses come under two ministries, there are "two sets of budgets," and "there seems to be not enough funding to build a new facility," the councillor noted.

But Minister Cansfield "was quite receptive" to the town's plight and said she would "do the best she could" to look into the situation.

Town reps were also able to meet with Rick Bartolucci, the minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

"He was very gracious and because he is the former minister of Northern Development and Mines, he was aware of our waterfront project," Councillor MacNevin said. "His ministry helped provide funding for the first two phases."

While there, it was pointed out that the town has applied to FedNor for funding for the next phase of the waterfront, and that the boathouses would stand out as eyesores amongst the newly constructed docks, the councillor noted.

Additionally, with close to $400,000 worth of equipment installed on the police boats, the watercraft are significant investments that need better security, he added.

Part of the problem is that, although the boathouses are the property of the provincial government, their divestiture is the job of the Ontario Realty Corporation, and therefore the OPP-or the local branch of the organization, anyway-has no influence on the final decision.

It's a view confirmed by Staff Sergeant Bruce McCullagh, detachment commander of the Manitoulin OPP detachment, who noted that the boathouse is "an item of discussion, but nothing has been finalized as of yet."

"The OPP is a tenant of the boathouse, which is owned by the Ontario Realty Corporation," he explained. "Because it is government property, it's not our decision as to what we do with it."

However, last year the local detachment prepared a document entitled Proposal to Upgrade Manitoulin Boathouses, which ventures an opinion on what the local detachment feels should be done with the boathouse.

In the document, the boathouse is described as an "eyesore" and the docks connected with them are in such a state of disrepair that "they pose a threat to the OPP marine members, as well as to members of the public that may traverse the docks next to the facilities."

The proposal further notes that the OPP vessels are often used in search-and-rescue missions, as well as for enforcement and security purposes, and therefore it is "imperative that our vessels are secure and in a state of readiness throughout the boating season."

Because a slew of repairs would be required to bring the boathouse up to standard, the proposal recommends that the structure be torn down and replaced with a new one that meets OPP safety regulations.

More than a year later a decision is yet to be made, but Staff Sergeant McCullagh said he believes the stakeholders are making progress on the situation and that "we're hopefully working towards a resolution."

The town, meanwhile, has found an ally in the Little Current Business Improvement Area (BIA), which recently followed up the OGRA meeting with a letter addressed to Minister Bartolucci.

In it, BIA chair Rick McCutcheon points to the improvements that have been made to the waterfront over the last three years and suggests that removing the old boathouse will help maintain the health of the Little Current business community by enhancing the renovations that have already been completed.

"We are writing to urge your ministry to work with the OPP to move its marine base out of downtown Little Current," Mr. McCutcheon writes. "At the very least, the appearance of the old building is not in keeping with the improvements that have been made, and continue to be made, on our waterfront by both public and private sectors. But just as importantly, the time has come for the town to reclaim as much of its waterfront as a public asset as possible."

Mr. McCutcheon acknowledges that the removal of the boathouse necessitates securing an alternative structure to house the OPP watercraft, and suggests the police service could share the MNR boathouse. "There is likely room for a tenant there as well: the work boat operated by Hydro One and also based in Little Current," he adds.

Should these changes be made, the downtown farmers' market would be able to expand to the water's edge, creating more space for vendors and catering to both land- and water-based visitors, he concludes.

As time passes, the cost to improve the docks at the boathouse's location will only grow, so the town would like to get the situation resolved as quickly as possible. Councillor MacNevin is optimistic about the meeting with the ministers, but with a funding approval still pending and the summer season approaching, time is running out for the boathouse situation to be remedied before this year's tourism season.

"We were well received, but we don't really know what will happen next," he said.

EDITORIAL

Mindemoya's creamery corner also a valuable land asset

The old stone-fronted building that has defined downtown Mindemoya for as long as anyone can remember is destined for demolition and the ensuing concern is understandable.

But on the other hand, the community was pleased when the new grocery store opened on property adjacent to the creamery a few years ago and, connected to the town's pharmacy, presented shoppers with a unique mini-mall concept.

The fact is, the community (especially in the summer months) has made these businesses successful enough that they need to expand and to create more parking and it should be noted that the community chose to keep Mindemoya a one-grocery-store town after the Island Foodland opened, abandoning the town's older food store to the extent that it eventually closed.

The point is, you can usually not have everything you want and shoppers voted with their feet in favour of a bright, spacious new grocery outlet-now in need of expansion-and the only real option for expansion is to the lot below the store where the abandoned creamery now sits.

This is one of those situations where people often say, by rote, 'well, that's the price of progress' and we can usually find some reason to disagree with this observation.

Alas, in this case, we can't, for the needed expansion relates directly to the store's ability to serve the market that has, in fact, outgrown the store.

Would the community have been less supportive of the new store had it been prescient enough to know that their patronage would have led to this debate? It's a silly question, of course, but we suspect that the town would have been as enthsiastic as it has been in any event; people were ready for a brand new store when it opened nearly a decade ago and they readily embraced the new facility, even boasted about it.

The old masonry building that was built by the Wagg family and closed by the Farquhar Dairies' organization has been in turns used as a slaughterhouse and a creamery. It boasted a steam whistle which, for a time in the 1980s, was brought back into service to signal the start of the lunch hour at 12 o'clock noon. The late Ken Smeltzer worked there, man and boy, for 50 years.

But it outlived its usefulness as a creamery in spite of Farquhar Dairies best efforts to maintain services at the Mindemoya site, together with the jobs that went with them.

And that is about as sad as anything can be in the story of this industrial site in the hub of a busy community. The jobs move on and the purpose for which the place was built in the first place becomes irrelevant except as a monument to times past.

Perhaps as a monument to times past, the limestone facade of the old creamery could be salvaged and used again as a facade on the planned expansion of the grocery store, maintaining a rememberance of the traditional look of that corner.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Island trucking firm commended for setting safety standard

Provincial speed limiter plan for tractor-trailers welcomed

To the Expositor:

I was pleased to see your report regarding Manitoulin Transport's policy of speed limiters on company trucks. For many years I have noticed how conscientiously Manitoulin Transport drivers stick to the speed limit. Kudos to them.

The provincial government is to be commended for making speed limiters mandatory on all trucks. I am appalled at how fast and reckless many of the big rigs are driven. A lot of them pass me as if I were in reverse when in fact I am going at the speed limit or a few kilometres above it.

Congratulations to Manitoulin Transport for running a safe and responsible trucking company!

Alexander McGillivray

Little Current

Debate surrounding creamery a thought-provoking read

Picture speaks a thousand words

To the Expositor:

If it is true that a picture speaks a thousand words, then the picture of the creamery building in Mindemoya taken by Lindsay Kelly and published in the March 5 issue of the Expositor speaks volumes.

When I read the thought-provoking letter from Michael J. Andrews in the March 12 Expositor regarding the expansion of the Island Foodland complex ("Grocery store expansion a welcome change to Manitoulin") that picture came to mind. His insight, expressed so eloquently, made for a most interesting read. The following week, the letter from Theresa Trainor ("Mindemoya creamery adds to allure of local landscape," March 19) was equally thought-provoking from an historical perspective.

As a frequent visitor, I, too, enjoy the Manitoulin experience.

Michael Gorman

Newmarket

Arrival of land trust groups will erode property rights

Landowners have maintained Island property for years

To the Expositor:

I am a person who has spent my life on the Manitoulin Island. It is with concern that I write this letter about the changes that are coming to the Manitoulin, especially the past articles in the local papers about the disregard for the procedures of the planning board by Bob Barnett and the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC). It is obvious to me that Bob Barnett and the EBC are not informed or don't seem to care about the Islanders' way of life.

Many of the land trust groups purchase land here and they immediately try to make changes. They often do these changes under the claim that they are protecting the land. A question I would like to ask: what are the land trust groups trying to protect the land from? Hopefully these groups are not trying to protect the properties from farmers and other landowners who have done a good job of looking after the land for many years. An example that comes to mind is the recently purchased property along the Cup and Saucer Trail and the Blueberry Marsh (Bidwell Bog) at the north end of the Rockville Road. The EBC is a group supported by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). They purchased these properties so that they can supply a view of privately owned land that Islanders have protected and maintained for years.

The property that you can view from the Cup and Saucer has been farmed, hunted and protected by landowners since these lands were originally settled. Masses of people that the EBC/MNR and land trust groups want to bring to this remote area will definitely have a negative effect on the ecosystem. The so-called environmentalists often claim to protect land, plants and animals. These groups would have concession roads opened and properties exploited by large groups of hikers and the like. The large number of people will displace animals and plant life. An example is the decline in the trilliums that grow each year at the Cup and Saucer.

A major disappointment to me is that many of these people are profiting by infringing on landowners and changing our way of life. For those who think profits will be increased for farmers, landowners or the average resident who has to pay the increased taxes, I find this very hard to believe. Sadly I do believe this is only a start to what will happen to the landowners and property users of Manitoulin. I think the future will bring an erosion of all property rights.

Dale Wood

Sheguiandah

Lorraine Corbiere-Panamick

West Bay General Store

M'Chigeeng

I'm your neighbour

For those who frequent the West Bay General Store in M'Chigeeng, or even those who only pop by once in a while, chances are they have encountered Lorraine Corbiere-Panamick. Lorraine has been working at the General Store for 12 years, the longest of any employee.

She said her duties are varied and plentiful, ranging from cashier and supervisor to LCBO clerk and placing orders-she does it all at the West Bay General Store.

Lorraine explained that her favourite part about working at the store is the customers-seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones too. She said that she recognizes the faces of the tourists who come back year after year, popping by the store to get all of their supplies.

Lorraine said she is busy these days, being an attentive new grandma to a six-month-old baby girl. "She's awesome," the grandma said.

In her spare time, Lorraine said she loves to gamble and hit the slots. She's a fierce poker player too, but said she keeps that as a special treat for herself and her friends. "It's kinda' costly," she laughed. She said she hadn't been to Las Vegas to try her luck yet, but would like to go someday.

Lorraine also spends a lot of time outdoors. "I looooove fishing," she said. Not ice fishing though-no luck there-but she does like to go snowmobiling in the winter.

"The staff here is awesome," Lorraine said. "We have lots of fun. It's busy-a good place to work."

Shopping at local business like the West Bay General Store provides lasting employment for people like Lorraine Corbiere-Panamick.