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Bid
not high enough for sale of property
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Tom Sasvari The Recorder
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - The 19,260 acre
Vidal Bay property, which went up for auction last week, did
not sell. Parties involved say the property didn't sell because
of the Sheshegwaning First Nation plans to put a claim on the
land. "We did the job of getting a delay on the sale of the
property," stated Clarence Panamick, mission economic development
director for the Sheshegwaning band. Mr. Panamick pointed out
there had originally been about 150 bidders on the property,
but when the auction took place last Friday in Detroit, Michigan,
only six bids came forward, none of them high enough to be accepted
for the sale. None of the potential buyers bid higher than $3.2
million. A reserve bid of $3.85 milion had been placed on the
property by the owner. Bob Barnett, chair of the Escarpment
Biosphere Conservancy, who was in attendance at the auction
said, "There were three main bids placed on the property, of
$3.0, $3.1 and then $3.2 million, but it did not sell. Lloyd
Pernell has a conditional offer to purchase on the property
from Abitibi-Consolidated but now he will have to make the decision
on whether to purchase the property or lose the right to purchase
it, I understand by the end of September." "Yes, the potential
claim by Sheshegwaning had a big impact on the auction," stated
Mr. Barnett. Despite several attempts by the Recorder, auctioneer
Gordon Greene of the Chartwell Group Real Estate Brokers of
Cleveland, Ohio, couldn't be contacted prior to press deadline.
However, he acknowledged in an interview with CBC Radio that
the Vidal Bay property did not sell because of the reported
land claim by Sheshegwaning. He suggested the claim may not
have any validity. He aslo said the property may yet go up for
sale in the near future. Rosemary Sampson, of the Ontario Native
Affairs Secretariat, told the Recorder last Friday, "there has
been no land claim involving this property. It is my understanding
that in the case of private property, when the government negotiates
in these type of cases, they have never expropriated private
property." The Recorder has learned a First Nation may be compensated
for land, either financially or with Crown land, if it can prove
it was wrongfully transferred. An owner of property would retain
title over the land, even if a claim on the property is settled.
Mr. Greene told CBC Radio, that over the next week, the seller
will take a look at those who have expressed an interest in
purchasing the property, and that they do want to sell the property
at a fair price. He also suggested within the next several weeks
the property could be under contract. Malcolm Clark, of Team
100 Realty who are looking after the property for the seller,
said on Monday, "we are awaiting advice from our legal council.
At this time we have no comment." He said a decision could be
made by the end of this week, or early next week as to what
the next step the seller will take. Martin Bayer, Tribal Chair
of the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin (UCCM) said
the claim being made by Sheshegwaning is part of a larger claim
going to be made by the UCCM in the next several weeks. "The
federal crown had a fiduciary responsibility to protect aboriginal
interest on lands like these for First Nation people. From a
First Nation perspective we see this as a land based issue."
"I was asked in an interview with CBC Radio if we intend to
go through with our claim. I brought this issue to the UCCM
at a meeting August 16, stating that we were working on it as
a claim as the property has historical and traditional value
to First Nation people," said Mr. Panamick. "At the UCCM board
meeting I told them we were able to get a delay on the sale
of the property, and now we can look at how we can access the
land," said Mr. Panamick. He noted he is not sure how this will
be done, though purchase or the property will be used as another
aspect of a land claim. "I brought this issue forward at the
UCCM meeting, and now have left it up to the Tribal Council
to carry on," said Mr. Panamick. In his opinion if a commitment
is made to go to a partnership he would like to see it with
EBC because their mandate is the protection of lands. "I'm not
saying the band will go into a partnership or not. The band
could look at a partnership but our band Chief Albert Cada and
council have raised the question as to why should they buy land
which was already theirs," continued Mr. Panamick. Mr. Panamick
told the Recorder Chief Cada, of Sheshegwaning has sent a letter
to the land registry office in Gore Bay, on the advice of the
UCCM, indicating the First Nation has a historic claim on the
property, to "let them know the band will be doing something
concerning the land in the area." In the period of at least
the mid 1800s the property in question was occupied by First
Nation people, said Mr. Panamick. "We want to how or when this
land was bought from our people. At one time the whole property
was occupied by our people and used as a spiritual place, where
we did our praying, and held gatherings. The land contains an
ancient burial ground and a cave used to hide from marauding
Iroqois war parties, he said. "We want to know who gave title
for the property to other people, who weren't First Nation people,"
added Mr. Panamick.
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Hunt
season on cormorants advocated by mpp
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by Tom Sasvari The Recorder
GORE BAY - There needs to be an open hunt season in place to
control cormorants in waters around Manitoulin, says the Natural
Resources critic for the Liberal Party of Ontario. "There needs
to be a hunting season established on cormorants," stated David
Ramsay, in an interview with the Recorder, last week. Mr. Ramsay,
MPP of Timiskaming-Cochrane was the guest speaker at a Liberal
party fundraiser breakfast held at Gordon's Lodge in Gore Bay,
last Friday. "The cormorant population is out of control, and
I don't know why," stated Mr. Ramsay. "I do a lot of boating
around here and I can't believe the number of cormorants there
are. You see flocks of them, 200 and more following a school
of fish and sucking them up. It's like putting down a gillnet
and sweeping through a school of fish," he said. Mr. Ramsay
pointed out Mike Brown, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin is a strong
advocate of cormorant control, and has put forward a Bill in
provincial Parliament in favour of a hunt season on cormorants.
"I support Mike's Bill to open up a hunting season on cormorants."
Cormorants have no natural predators and weren't always in waters
around Manitoulin Island. "There needs to be drastic measures
taken to reduce the cormorant population, including a hunt season."
He pointed out the MNR's commitment of an egg oiling program
for next year is good, however it would take time, and nesting
areas would be needed. He reiterated the best way to control
the cormorants, "is by having a hunt season. A hunt season on
cormorants this fall sounds good to me." "The Manitoulin area
in places like Meldrum Bay has a tremendous fish industry, and
things like fish charters are important. We need to support,
and nurture our fishing populations in the north, and further
enhance them for economic growth, jobs and tourism for the area.
The government has to start paying attention to all of this.
A hunt season on cormorants is controversial but the cormorant
populations are out of whack and there needs to be a hunt season
put in place on them."
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Wikwemikong
elections
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WIKWEMIKONG----Seven names will be on the ballet for Chief September
15, as the residents of Wikwemikong hold bi-elections for the
position of Chief and five council positions. Robert Corbiere,
Gerry Kaboni, Stan Peltier, Isadore Toulouse, Don Trudeau, Gladys
Wakegijig and Ron Wakegijig have all accepted their nominations
for Chief. Meanwhile, Anita Peltier, Debbie Maiangowi, Don Trudeau,
Honorine Trudeau-Wright, Karen Lavallee Pheasant Neganigwane,
Maureen Trudeau, and Michael Eshkawkogan will all run for the
five council positions. The Expositor got in contact with those
running for Chief to find out what plans each had in mind for
if they were elected. Here are their answers: (Next week, we
will focus on the councilors.) Robert Corbiere Robert Corbiere
has a lot of past experience in his community and hopes to bring
that experience in the role of Chief for the Wikwemikong Unceded
Reserve. He was Wikwemikong Band Manager for 12 years, Executive
Director for the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin for
10 years, has held a seat on the Wikwemikong Band Council for
25 years, and presently holds the portfolio for Economic Development
on Council. He wants the position of Chief because "I want to
get the work done and go for some results in all areas for the
people of Wikwemikong. Everything has been at a standstill for
six months." He feels the biggest dilemma Wikwemikong is facing
right now is the overall level of Federal funding being received,
considering the fact that that funding is not being compensated
for in the area of inflation. "As a result our community is
hurting financially, in all areas," he said. He uses the example
of post-secondary education. Students that go away to school
receive $800 monthly and in a place like Toronto their apartment
alone costs that much. Another area he points to is the fact
that the Ontario Metis Organization is looking to take money
that was initially earmarked for First Nation Reserves in Ontario.
According to the candidate for Chief, the Metis have already
received some money from the Human Resource sector and this
could be repeated in other areas. Another big-ticket issue identified
by Mr. Corbiere was the abolishment of the Indian Act and the
institution of the new Governance Act. He feels it will be devastating
to Reserves, as we know them. People on Reserves will be required
to pay user fees for whatever services they require. He said
he thinks the Liberal government has been looking at how they
have been providing for Indian Reserves over the years and they
are determined to change it. Another process that disturbs Mr.
Corbiere politically, is that the Indian political organizations
in Ontario (Union of Ontario Indians) gets $40 million to $50
million a year. "When you look at what they do for individual
Reserves like Wikwemikong, nothing. That money in my mind should
be spent for basic needs of the people, such as housing. This
is one of the biggest needs right now for Indian people," he
commented. "They should downsize the Indian political organizations
to an advocacy role. They should not be allowed to get into
trying to provide program services and delivery." If it were
acceptable to Band Membership, Mr. Corbiere would like to proceed
strongly with job creation. Things like environmentally safe
fish farming, and processing, he feels should be looked at.
The biggest local change he would like to see revolves around
how Band Council Meetings are conducted. He uses an example
of a Council meeting conducted two weeks ago. According to Mr.
Corbiere the only thing on the agenda was a land matter. The
meeting lasted five hours with four hours spent on talking on
other issues around land and one hour on the land matter on
the agenda, with no decision being made. This has become the
norm, with lengthy meetings and no decisions. He identifies
that the agenda is now a mile long, and it will take three or
four meetings to get through it. "I feel meetings are not conducted
and chaired properly, in respect with dealing with agenda items
specifically". He reports that there is other Council problems.
Council Meetings are called and there isn't even a quorum. Last
week, the Land and Resource Committee resigned over the fact
that they were not getting any positive results over their issues.
When asked about the first ever Mail-in Vote for the Reserve,
he didn't feel it would have much effect on the outcome. He
cites this has been the case with mail-in voting on other Reserves.
"I feel a Chief has to be on top of what is happening at home
as well as aware of Provincial and Federal politics and its
effects on Wiky. Wikwemikong hasn't been heard from in the last
six months politically. Issues are coming about and we need
some one to speak on our behalf at all levels of government.
I think I can do that," he concluded. Don Trudeau If one is
going to be critical of something, then they should be prepared
to put themselves forward to make changes. This is the approach
Don Trudeau, a candidate for both chief and council in Wikwemikong,
is taking by putting his name forward for the positions. "People
have said they need change," Mr. Trudeau stated. "I have seen
a lot of divisiveness in the community. The only time we seem
to come together is when there is a crisis." Mr. Trudeau said
council needs to provide a clear sense of leadership. He noted
when one reads accounts from council meetings, no one seems
to be voting together when it comes to motions. He suggested
he would like to see council speak with one voice, with the
chief serving as the speaker for council. Mr. Trudeau has worked
with alcohol recovery programs for over 20 years. He has worked
in the Kingston Penitentiary, working with native inmates with
addictions problems. He was also the Regional Alcohol Consultant
for Ontario under the National Native Alcohol Program (NNAP).
Presently, he is the manager of Rainbow Lodge in Wikwemikong.
Since this is only a bi-election, Mr. Trudeau noted, there is
a limited amount of time to make changes. However, there are
a number of things he would like to see given consideration.
He said he would like to see some method put in place to provide
an opportunity for people living in the satellite communities
to have a stronger voice on the things which impact their communities,
such as the dolomite quarry in South Bay. They need to have
a greater say in the issues which affect them. While the idea
would have to come from the residents as to what they would
like to see, Mr. Trudeau said he could see, for instance, community
advisory councils established. Mr. Trudeau indicated he also
feels way too much time at council meetings is devoted to personal
issues. He suggested in other areas, communities can get through
larger agendas in less time. He said one possibility would be
to hold perhaps three meetings a month, with one dedicated specifically
to community members concerns. He added the possibility exists
to have a form of "community Ombudsman" office, where residents
can go first with any concerns they may have. He said this would
allow council to shorten the need for any intense dialogue on
community issues which may be easily dealt with. Gladys Wakegijig
Gladys Wakegijig is presently the Acting Chief for the Wikwemikong
Unceded Reserve, having stepped up to that position approximately
six months ago when Chief Eugene Manitowabi suddenly resigned.
Ms. Wakegijig was the elected Band Councilor with the most votes
during the last election, therefore qualifying her under the
present protocol for her position. Since the last election five
councilors have also resigned, which has led to the bi-election
being called for September 15, 2001, on the Reserve. Ms. Wakegijig
has worked in various forms of administration in the past having
worked with the Assembly of First Nations from 1984 to 1993.
She then moved home, and started working for the Band within
the Education Department and then in Land Claims and Treaty
Rights. In 1997 in a bi-election she gained a seat on council
and has retained that seat ever since. "I definitely feel we
do need a change. I feel that I have lots that I can contribute
towards making a change," Ms. Wakegijig says. "One of things
that definitely needs improvement is the linkages or communication
between the Band Members, Council and the Administration Office.
Communication on the services and the work we need to do. We
need to close the gap, we need the Band members to know we are
listening, we are here to work for the betterment of the community."
Ms. Wakegijig said she feels she can't make that change by herself.
With any issue to be dealt with she would need the co-operation
of and mutual understanding with the Band Membership. She feels
she can make that change with accountability and responsibility.
"Enhancing communication is key," she says. "With lack of communication
comes a lack of understanding. If we take care of this then
we have cleared the path to achieve our goals. Then if we have
concerns and issues we need to address, whatever they may be,
our battle is not within ourselves it's out there." Ms. Wakegijig
feels on the political side of things, "if the people elect
me for Chief I have to be vocal on Wikwemikong issues, with
the other First Nations, with my fellow Chiefs on the Island.
Two heads are better than one; five heads are better than two.
We need a united front and the only way we can do that is to
work together to address the issues." Local issues Ms. Wakegijig
feels are key, as are health issues. In order to be healthy
you have to think healthy, eat healthy. She feels you have to
deal with one's self first, "if you are going to deal with the
other important issues of the day." Water is important. "We
have a new, top notch Water Treatment Plant, we're headed in
the right direction. It was an area that has been a long time
coming, it didn't happen overnight, but if you remain consistent
and don't get discouraged, you will achieve your goal despite
the challenges. At the present time in our satellite communities,
in each dwelling with each shoreline, regular monitoring is
being performed. I have to commend our local Health Centre on
the work they are doing in this regard." Ms. Wakegijig was asked
about proposed large projects on the Reserve such as the Killarney
Ferry issue. She assured it is being dealt with at the Council
Table and has not been finalized. Along with the Wikwemikong
Development Commission, the council is exploring what benefits
it would bring. Ms. Wakegijig feels they are being pro-active,
looking at the pros and cons. She asserts there has no final
decision from council as of yet. The work on a proposed historical
Native Village is also progressing, Chief Wakegijig reports.
Commenting on what some term as a stand still of ongoing projects,
Ms. Wakegijig comments, "At the grass root level, the day-to-day
work with the concerns that affect peoples lives is ongoing.
I know it may seem at a stand still, but the issues are still
there, they haven't gone away. I think the struggle of achieving
what we want to do with some suspension of time gives us more
opportunity to review re-evaluate and carefully look at projects.
For the elected officials in the community maybe the bi-election
is a blessing in disguise, maybe it was meant to be to have
this review or change." Ron Wakegijig This is not the first
time Ron Wakegijig has run for Chief. He has the most experience
in that position having fulfilled eight-and-a-half terms for
a total of 19 years in the position. When asked why he was running
again he said, "There are still a lot of things on this Reserve
that need to be done." Issues important to the former Chief
are water quality; he feels it is important for his people to
know the water they are consuming is healthy. Major renovations
in the water system are progressing for the Village of Wikwemikong.
A water tower is under construction and a top of the line Water
Treatment Plant has just been built. He feels the water systems
in satellite communities on the Reserve need attention. Mr.
Wakegijig said, '"The water tanks in these communities have
had to be cleaned out in the last few years. We are constantly
testing their water." He feels that there definitely has to
be better communication between the Band Council and the Band
Membership. "There is a lot of confusion, when minutes are made
for Council Meetings, it contains a motion with no details,
if I get back in I will have Council Meetings in public forums,
so decisions can be explained by council," he said. "We have
a large amount of councilors (12), I would reduce that number
to eight to work effectively. I would appoint Ad Hoc Committees
to deal with every day issues that seem to clutter up Council
Meeting Agenda. Council would have to respect those citizens
sitting on those committees." Health and Education has always
been Mr. Wakegijig's priorities. "I would like to see a Vocational
Training Centre. Right now, we are trying to make Academics
out of everybody a lot of people fall by the wayside. Not only
our community of Wikwemikong but the whole of Manitoulin needs
people working in the trades." He would like to see a collaborative
effort between Wikwemikong and Manitowaning over the road that
joins our two communities. He said, "We have to get the Provincial
and Federal Governments to understand its importance and assist
us in the repair of the road. Mr. Wakegijig is well known to
the constituency for his leadership role in the past, and his
future will be up to them. Mr. Kaboni declined to comment for
this article, while Mr. Toulouse and Mr. Peltier were unavailable,
but their comments should be in next week's Expositor, along
with the councilors.
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