A day after the life of Byron Debassige

M'Chigeeng elders, priest and Expositor staffer visit park where young man killed by Toronto police

by Sheila Bowes

TORONTO-The early pre-dawn mist lent an eerie atmosphere to the morning as I waited for the bus to arrive from M'Chigeeng First Nation. It was Friday, June 6, and I, along with 10 members from M'Chigeeng, were headed south to a rally in Toronto's Oriole Park, seeking answers to the many questions surrounding the February 16 shooting death of Byron Debassige. Mr. Debassige had been shot by the Toronto Metro Police after fleeing a store with a handful of unpaid-for lemons.

The atmosphere changed instantly as I stepped up and into the bus. Inside I saw and felt the compassion-and the conviction-of the M'Chigeeng elders who felt duty-bound to stand up for their fallen son, brother and friend.

Byron, who was described as "cheery and happy as a child," was remembered by Jeanette Scott, who I had the pleasure of sitting with, at one point on our journey.

"My own son couldn't believe what had happened to Byron," she said. "He was so young. It reminds me of what happened to Dudley George. It seems like it's being repeated. Why are we the target? We all make mistakes, we are all the same on the inside, our blood bleeds the same colour."

Ms. Scott continued to paint a picture of the young man who had, like many others before him, been labelled and-to those on the bus-his story had been swept under the rug over the past few months.

"He enjoyed music," Ms. Scott said. "From what I remember of him in his early years he was social, happy, a mature young man who enjoyed life. What is most heartbreaking about this is that his mother told me he said he now had a plan. He was doing better and excited about his new chapter of life."

Although she acknowledged that he had been struggling with his own demons, schizophrenia being his inner battle, she remained adamant in her argument that things like this should not be happening and that we had a duty to make them right for the next generation.

"I just hope they get their answers and everyone will be at peace, and we can start living again," she continued. "I think the police could have handled it in a more professional way-as they were trained to. Why couldn't they have called a mental health professional for help?"

Ms. Scott also noted the effects of this on her own son, who now appears somewhat withdrawn and timid in the wake of events. Those events have reinforced the chapter of segregation we have been fighting against, she said.

As the bus approached the busy, fast-paced Toronto landscape, the excitement and tension within the group began to rise as we entered Oriole Park to a heavy police presence. There were nearly as many police on hand as there were elders on the bus. The rally members walked off the bus and into the police presence with their heads unbowed-refusing to be daunted.

Instead of confrontation and angry cries of accusation, the peaceful honour songs sung by hand-drummers Pat Migwans and Samatha Corbiere brought a message of hope and truth. Those values wafted across the green lawns of the park.

The small gathering of friends, family, and supporters piqued the curiosity of many interested passersby, who enquired about what was going on. The weather had metamorphosed into an entirely different day than the one foreshadowed by the morning mist. Perhaps, I thought hopefully, the weather change would also signal the beginning of a journey towards justice for Bryon and his family.

Father Jim Kelly of the Roman Catholic Church in M'Chigeeng said a few words in remembrance of a young life cut too short in the unforgiving streets of the city.

"We are here today in this beautiful park and it's so nice," he said. "This is the way that life is supposed to be. It is frightening and tragic what happened. Today we are here because we know that Byron mattered to all of us, his death calls us to be here, and it calls for us to be here for one another."

Following Ojibwe tradition, we continued to pray as those present were cleansed by the sweet smoke rising from the burning of sacred medicines-the scent of sweetgrass washing away the hurt and pain.

Because official guest speakers did not show up for the rally, others stepped up to speak on behalf of their fallen friend.

"Byron was only 28 years old," said Mary Louise Migwans. "It has been almost six months and questions surrounding his death are still not being answered. I hope today there will be some answers by the Metro Police. We need them to be truthful in what happened. If we start taking action in this matter we can possibly give some ease to the Debassige family."

Ms. Migwans also addressed the many issues that have been plaguing First Nations communities.

"This is just one of the many cities where injustices have been occurring," she said. "In other cities throughout Ontario, and in both the east and west within our countries, we have had many of the same issues, including losing our rights. It's time to stand up and together, come together and get some answers."

As the day continued, more Torontonians passed through the park showing support for their fallen friend, brother, and fellow citizen.

"I think this rally is really good," said York University radio host Kara Escott. "This seems to be happening too often. We need to bring about answers as to why this is the case. It's getting too excessive. There is definitely a lot of anger and outrage because of this and many other cases. I had heard that he had schizophrenia and I am upset-trying to put the pieces together. But today seems like a step forward because at least it is bringing about awareness."

Byron's mother Jenifene also contended throughout the rally that she would continue in her plight for justice.

"This kind of situation has happened to as many as nine families already this year," she said. "The police have not been held accountable. It's like a new trend, and many people are too afraid to come forward for fear of stepping on toes. I am not afraid. I want to know the truth."

As the last song neared its end, the gathering was suddenly engulfed by a huge gust of wind-sending thousands of little buds scattering down from nearby trees.

It was an intriguing moment-timed by providence to bring assurance that their prayers were being heard.

"It was Byron," said Jenifene. "The wind was him touching me, and telling me that he is okay, and that it's going to be okay."

As we said our goodbyes, those who had gathered in support from communities across the land-people who had travelled there to show solidarity with Byron's family-a sense of bonding pulled us all together: one community bound by a sense of injustice too raw to be borne.

"We must come together," said Jenifene, "so that we get things done together in the same fashion."

Ms. Debassige, who stayed behind in Toronto, will continue to work with the Special Victims Unit with the Metro Toronto Police Department in her quest for answers.

Harper plans public apology to First Nations

for residential schools experience and as part of the Truth, Reconciliation process

by Michael Erskine

OTTAWA-After over a century of pain instilled by the misguided attempts of government and clergy to save the Aboriginal population of Canada from their language and traditions, Prime Minister Stephen Harper will finally issue a long-sought apology at 3 pm today in the Canadian Parliament.

Although the apology has long been seen as the first real step toward reconciliation and a renewal of the covenant with this country's First Nations, Mr. Harper has managed to draw the ire of the Assembly of First Nations by steadfastly refusing to vet or consult on the language of the apology beforehand.

Still, many Aboriginal leaders are seeing the apology as an important step. "Canada is now coming to terms with its dark past, a past that's been covered up and hidden from its own citizens," said Phil Fontaine, Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, commenting to the national media. Grand Chief Fontaine said he is confident that the apology on Wednesday will be sincere and that it will go a long way toward affirming to First Nation peoples that they are as good as anyone else in this country.

All across the nation, residential school survivors, their families and supporters will be tuning into the speech from community centres like M'Chigeeng, where Chief Bebamash confirmed that elders will be gathering to watch the event as a group.

Grand Chief Fontaine said that he hoped the apology will be as dramatic and contrite as that issued earlier by Australia to its indigenous population. Australia went through much of the same ill-starred attempts by settler society to integrate and assimilate the indigenous populations known there as Aborigines.

The residential school experience for Canadian Natives was particularly traumatic for young people who were wrenched from the bosom of their families, sometimes against their parents' will, but often with the parents' blessing, as the schools were seen as one of the few avenues to education available to Natives in a time where to receive a university education meant a Native had to give up their birthright-the national government would no longer view them as being 'Indian.'

The residential school system was not always completely negative for many of the students who were taken there-a fact often seized upon by apologists for the spirit of the times or to defend the decision of many 'well-meaning' clergy who believed they were doing what was best for the 'Indian.' But even the majority who were not sexually or physically abused describe the time as one of terrible loneliness and confusion-especially since they were punished for speaking the language of their parents and told that their traditions and history was one of pagan evil and the work of the devil.

To this day, the vestiges of everything Native being inherently bad haunts First Nation communities, bringing a legacy of secrecy and insular distrust of the mainstream society into many things that would rarely be hidden away in other ethnic groups.

Today's apology will not magically sweep away centuries of racism and discrimination, but for many it will be a tangible recognition that what was done was wrong. It is the fervent hope of many Canadians that, with that admission, forgiveness can start and reconciliation can begin.

Sunsite Estates residents demand municipal takeover

of water plant maintenance

by Alicia McCutcheon

ASSIGINACK-A delegation from the Sunsite Estates subdivision descended upon the regular meeting of Assiginack council last week when Mark Gibeault, on behalf of the Sunsite Estates Water Committee, made a presentation to reeve and council.

Jim Griffin, president of the Sunsite Estates Owners Association, thanked Reeve Leslie Fields and the council members for inviting them to present and explained that the water committee was formed to look into the matter of high water costs for the residents of the subdivision.

"We're looking for help to alleviate a problem that's pretty apparent," Mr. Griffin said. "We have the highest rates of anywhere on the Island."

Mr. Gibeault explained that he was there to present ideas that "may well serve all of Assiginack" and not just Sunsite.

He began by giving a brief rundown of the history of Sunsite Estates since its inception in 1973. The number of lots have not changed from 1973-one lot has an additional residential connection-but what was once intended as a vacation setting has since become largely residential with 22 permanent residents, he explained.

Mr. Gibeault began an extensive breakdown of the two water treatment sites and the users they service. He began by explaining to reeve and council that there are 258 water treatment plant users in Manitowaning (including businesses, the school, apartments and the arena) while 64 users in Sunsite access the second water treatment plant, which makes for 19 percent of the total users.

Assiginack was a recipient of the Ontario Small Waterworks Assistance Program (OSWAP) with the split between Manitowaning and Sunsite being 75/25-Manitowaning received $20,232.74 while Sunsite received $6,744.24-Mr. Gibeault continued.

Including the OSWAP grant, Manitowaning residents paid $417.42 in 2007 for water while the 2008 budget proposal sees an increase of $233.80 to $651.22-an increase of 56 percent. Residents of Sunsite Estates paid $781.64 last year and, according to the 2008 budget proposal, can expect to pay $1,198.22-an increase of $416.58.

"Both have seen substantial increases," Mr. Gibeault pointed out, saying that residents of Sunsite have been paying "too much for too long."

In the presentation, Mr. Gibeault displayed figures that showed the total operating cost for both plants is $240,851.93. The net cost (less the OSWAP grant) for Manitowaning is $164,171.45 while the net cost for the Sunsite plant is $76,680.48.

This winter Assiginack council passed a resolution to sign a contract with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) to run the two plants. The total operational costs OCWA charges for the two plants is $128,117.34.

"The operating costs are a big problem," he said, "many of which are from OCWA."

He continued to say that the municipality is also paying OCWA an additional $24,000 for management fees plus paying the contractor's "high" salary.

"This is impacting those in fixed incomes," he said. "Property owners are being forced to sell due to an excessive water ratio and Sunsite residents don't have hydrant service either."

As part of the Sunsite Water Committee, Mr. Gibeault explained that he had been conducting research into the matter and learned that Wikwemikong operates their water treatment plant at a cost of $165,000 including salaries and chemicals and noted that the facility is larger than the two Assiginack plants combined.

"Gore Bay operates on its own too, with two trained employees," he continued. "And Wiky has four, and they're all licensed. All of the First Nations are managing their own systems."

Mr. Gibeault then asked council to consider some requests on behalf of the water committee. First, that Assiginack form partnerships with other municipalities and First Nations to develop an alternative to OCWA and made the suggestion that Wikwemikong be contacted "to get the ball rolling."

"Wiky's workers are trained in both waste water and water treatment," he explained. "The First Nations seem to be so ahead of the game in training and we should be looking to them. Quite often municipalities sell services to the First Nations but maybe we should be looking the other way."

"Most of OCWA's plants are being operated by one guy who's not fully licensed yet-he's an operator in training," Mr. Gibeault said.

He continued to ask council to consider the inequalities in its current billing techniques, noting again that the residents of Sunsite pay more than anyone else on Manitoulin for water, with South Baymouth coming in second. He also suggested the OSWAP split (75/25) be reevaluated by council.

A meeting of the Sunsite Estates Owners Association has been scheduled for August 9 and representatives from council were invited to make a presentation based on the results of the staff's research into OCWA alternatives.

"This has been a long road," Reeve Fields said. "The prices and costs are staggering and it's up to us to find something that's best for the residents of this community."

The reeve pointed out that when the municipality contracted with OCWA, there were no other competitors in the area.

Councillor Bud Rohn suggested a resolution be made that council move towards seeking an alternative water management strategy with other Island communities and was moved by Councillor Rohn and seconded by Councillor Brad Ham.

Reeve Fields invited the delegation to stay for the rest of the meeting as bylaw 08-10-the bylaw to set the annual water rates for Sunsite Estates' and water and sewer rates for Manitowaning-was to be tabled. Sunsite Estates flat water rate, in the bylaw, would be set at $1,198.22.

Councillor Brenda Reid moved that the bylaw be deferred to the next regular meeting of council in two weeks' time.

Hospitals receive accreditation status

by Lindsay Kelly

LITTLE CURRENT-There is good news for the Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) this week: after an extensive three-year process, the hospital has passed its accreditation process with flying colours.

During a June 6 debriefing session, hospital management and staff were pleased to hear the results of the MHC's accreditation process-a method of assessing the hospital's standards in operation and services-which were positive, upbeat and hold promise for the future of the health centre.

Over the course of several days, David Vigar and Dr. Gerald Posen of Accreditation Canada spent time with health centre administration, management and staff to gain an appreciation of the climate of the hospital, the efficiency of clinical services and its overall effectiveness of operations.

The accreditation process is designed to provide transparency within the organization and amongst community partners, urges accountability and enforces a commitment to quality on the part of staff.

Most categories receive favourable reviews by the assessors who also noted improvements in several areas from the previous process.

In the area of planning and services, "the design has really improved," Mr. Vigar said.

He said he was impressed after speaking with staff and "felt good after the interviews." Mr. Vigar said he felt very comfortable with the method by which senior leadership sets the tone for communication within the hospital.

Under emergency preparedness, the assessor said he was again impressed with the progress hospital staff had made to ensure they were ready for any emergency that should arise.

"You've done a great job from the last time to this survey," Mr. Vigar said. "You'll probably never need it, but you're prepared."

Communication was another strong area for the health centre. Though the area was often a problem for hospitals in major cities, the MHC does a great job of keeping lines of communication open with the community, Mr. Vigar said.

"We walked to 10 community partners and from their perspective, they feel very comfortable talking to the organization," he noted.

Organizations say that the hospital is always open to solving problems and they are "very much in your corner," Mr. Vigar added.

In the area of integrated quality management, the MHC has a "good, solid foundation," he noted. One area of improvement that can be made is to ensure changes are followed up on and reviewed.

Resource management also received a positive review from Mr. Vigar, who noted that there seemed to be a positive feeling amongst staff.

"You have a very mature group of people, both in your front-line staff and your board and senior management," he told staff. "They know they can't have everything, but there isn't a feeling of hurt-there is a good understanding of how things work."

Staff realize that even though money can't be spent in some areas at one time, they know their requests have been heard and they will be considered in the future, he added.

Under human capital, Mr. Vigar noted that the performance reviews are up to date-something that is often unheard of in larger areas. "In a lot of organizations, it's doesn't exist basically," he said.

Staff reviews are important because it lets employees know that someone cares enough to sit down with them and report on how they are performing, he added.

While there aren't very many decisions being made that require ethical decision-making guidelines, Mr. Vigar commended the hospital for having those guidelines in place.

He additionally commented on the good patient flow. It is standard in a lot of emergency rooms in larger centres to have patients backlogged; however, the MHC does not have that problem. The assessor said he was impressed because although the MHC doesn't have that problem currently, it anticipates that it could and has a process in place for dealing with the issue, he said.

The physical environment of the hospital-its cleanliness-also received good reviews. "It's a good spot, it's well-maintained and it's clean," Mr. Vigar emphasized, noting that all those are important factors in health care and in how people view the space in which they are being treated.

In the area of infection prevention and control, the hospital was well-prepared for any incidence of infections getting into the hospital, which is bound to happen from time to time, Mr. Vigar noted.

He made particular note that the staff receive education about infection control on an ongoing basis.

Dr. Posen said it was a pleasure for him to work with the staff at the MHC, who all seem to have a very good working relationship.

"There is a very warm feeling here that permeates everything and everyone," Dr. Posen said. "There is a really strong sense that they want the best for the patient and that's the main thing."

In the emergency room, there is "excellent physician care," who provides "very good coverage," Dr. Posen said.

The nurses are well trained and everyone understands their role in the hospital, he noted.

The cancer care program out of the Mindemoya site is essential for a rural area like Manitoulin, Dr. Posen said, and it is preferred that patients can access similar programs near their homes. "We prefer developing this type of program over travelling miles to get an infusion," he said. "People feel bad enough when they have cancer-they're not feeling great. It's really important that they can receive care close to home."

Staff are well-educated and trained to operate carefully and safely, he commended. He was also impressed that patients are always seen by a nurse first and then assessed by a physician. "It's working very well," he said. "Congratulations."

Under the category of medicine, Dr. Posen felt that the prevention program is "the type of program that everybody should have."

He was again impressed with the level of care provided by physicians, and said he felt that the medical staff was truly working together as a team. The level of education prevalent in the obstetrics staff also received a favourable review.

The preventive maintenance program under which the equipment is serviced received positive comments from Dr. Posen. Preventive measures are essential so that important equipment doesn't break down at an inconvenient time, he said.

The medical management division is one that Accreditation Canada is very interested in because it focuses on patient safety, the doctor said. While the assessors were on Manitoulin, a case of C. difficile-a bacterium causing serious diarrhea-was prevalent at the hospital, and Dr. Posen said staff "handled it beautifully." He was also impressed with the unit dosing programs.

The recently acquired picture archiving and communication system (PACS) in place at the hospital is good equipment to have in a small town, Dr. Posen said, noting that the MHC has a good program and staff are comfortable using the equipment.

Although staff don't conduct too many in-depth surgical procedures, the endoscopy suite is "great," and easy to manage, and works well for the hospital.

Both hospital CEO Derek Graham and board chair Karen King were pleased with the results of the accreditation, saying the process was positive and that they enjoyed working with Mr. Vigar and Dr. Posen.

It is encouraging to hear that the hospital is doing the right things to ensure patient safety and to hear the work that has been done being endorsed by the assessors.

Particularly encouraging is that the two men felt so comfortable working with staff at the MHC and that it was a positive experience for everyone, added Ms. King.

"I liked that they picked up on the warm atmosphere," she said. "I really like that, because we're constantly working to promote that."

EDITORIAL

Tories' nasty political attack ads are bad for Canada

Apparently silly season is about to be visited upon the Canadian public, courtesy of the Conservative Party of Canada.

In an effort to turn voters' attentions away from the high cost of automotive and home heating fuels-and to allay linkages voters may make in a likely election year between the price of fuel the and governing Tories-the federal Conservatives plan a preemptive strike that will (they hope) link the high cost of gas to the opposition Liberals.

The attack ads will convey the message that Liberal leader Stephan Dion's proposed carbon tax will push the price of gas at the pumps and for your furnace fuel even higher.

But the thrust of the ads, of course, will be to link the Liberals (not the Tories) to high fuel prices.

Do the Tories have too much money to spend? Are they desperate? Do they think the average voter is an idiot?

What the Conservative strategists hope to accomplish is to put the Liberals on the defensive, making Mr. Dion explain in his far-from-perfect English how his proposed carbon tax will help, not hurt, Canadian consumers.

And then the Conservatives will attempt to take charge of the debate they initiated by making their own experts conveniently available to take apart Mr. Dion's defenses. This is the latest in a series of nasty turns our political highway has lately taken.

The most recent was the series of personal attack television ads the Tories promulgated against Mr. Dion a year ago in which he was represented as someone unable to govern Canada.

They were embarrassingly nasty, as the new ones also promise to be.

The sad fact about this manner of attacking your opponent - in both cases before any election has been called - serves mostly to further antagonize a public against a political system they less and less relate to.

If the Tories' philosophy in waging pre-election warfare in this fashion is "power at any price", then the price of any power they may win may be far dearer than they can imagine.

For Canadians are not nasty people. We joke publicly at our national niceness. But it's a fact, and the Tories' campaigns serve mostly to make us feel uncomfortable and that will translate very quickly into fewer people bothering to show up at the polls.

And once people lose the habit of voting, or don't bother to get in the habit in the first place when they're young and should rightly be becoming involved in the process, then they're probably outside the political process permanently.

Conservative strategists might as well be from Mars if they think that they're doing the national consciousness any good with their nasty, petty campaigns.

The opposite, in fact, will prove the case and it's a big price and a sad legacy to show for what will likely amount to some short-term (if any) gains in the polls.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Regret abounds at thought of possible curling club closure

Rents and fee structures should be reconsidered

To the Expositor:

I was sorry to hear that the curling club may have to close due to lack of funds. It is ironic to think that this would happen on the 30th anniversary of the opening of our complex when our two old arenas and curling club were condemned in about 1975. It was the curling club that started the ball rolling to build our new complex. It was the late Al Little and John Dunlop who were mayor of Little Current and reeve of Howland who worked hard to get their councils and communities to approve the idea. Within a short time we had people from both communities working on the project and as a result the complex was completed. The cost of the project was over one million dollars and when we turned it over to the community it was turned over debt free. I understand that most of the groups working out of the complex are having financial problems and this seems to suggest that the rents and fee structure charged by the town should be looked at.

Stewart Harris

Little Current

Town should conduct more in-depth research into seniors' complex

Decision to get involved was too hasty

To the Expositor:

Reeve Richard Stephens told Central Manitoulin Council that the township had "done due diligence" on its deal to buy and flip land for a private apartment building it is subsidizing. ("Resident charges town risks conflict of interest," May 30.)

He circulated a hasty, qualified legal opinion that did not address a conflict of interest-a conflict of interest that could expose the township to liability because the township's involvement in the flip and subsidy deal for private housing renders suspect every decision it takes on severance, building permits and building inspection. For example, it could be sued over a collision at a questionable highway access that the township has deemed safe even for predominantly older drivers.

A legal opinion addressed to council by Brad Middleton stated:

"I am particularity concerned about the issue of liability on the part of the township arising out of what could easily be seen as a conflict of interest on the part of the municipality, due to the township's pre-approval and pre-endorsement involved in the various stages of the development to be implemented by Build North."

Mr. Middleton advised that it would be wise for the township to consult a lawyer expert in municipal law.

Mr. Stephens, amazingly for an accountant, ignored this legal advice. Scarcely due diligence.

What gives?

Perry Anglin

Mindemoya

Criticism of MPP's lack of Aboriginal lobbying unfair

Both provincial and federal representatives have responded to call to action

To the Expositor:

I am writing in response to Thomas Hare's criticism of MPP Mike Brown while expressing disappointment with NDM Minister Michel Gravelle (letter to the Expositor May 28, 2008).

First, I'm not sure that Mr. Hare is being fair to Minister Gravelle (who I do not know)-in that, although his ministry has broad responsibilities up here in the Near North, specific provincial responsibilities for Indian Affairs sit with Minister Michael Bryant-who seems to have achieved a great deal in the short time he has held that portfolio.

Second, I have personal knowledge of Mike Brown's active lobbying for Aboriginal services in recent times.

An organization that my daughter is a member of, the Ontario Association of Social Workers, sent out a call for action because the Federal Department of Indian Affairs was threatening to cut off funding to "The First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI)...a long-standing post-secondary education institution on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

FNTI offers a very successful BSW program, in conjunction with Ryerson University, and is set to launch a similar MSW partnership also with Wilfrid Laurier University. But both these programs-in fact potentially all programs at FNTI-could be closed down due to federal government funding cuts.

The federal government claims the province is responsible for post-secondary education, while the province reminds the federal government of their national responsibility for First Nations programs, including education."

I forwarded this "Call to Action" to both Mike Brown and our Federal representative, MP Brent St. Denis. Both took decisive action.

Mr. St. Denis wrote the Federal minister of Indian Affairs, Chuck Strahl, who showed no interest in reversing his decision. Mike Brown lobbied Michael Bryant, who, even though constitutionally, was not obliged to take on this issue, stepped up to the plate and provided funding to bridge the gap.

Bravo to Mike Brown, Michael Bryant and Brent St. Denis. It would seem Mr. Hare's fight should be with Minister Strahl-not with the provincial level of government.

Yours respectfully,

Paul Darlaston

Kagawong