Wiky takes two top spots at Little NHL Midget girls and peewee boys bring home

the hardware from Ontario-wide tourney

by Jim Moodie

SARNIA-Wikwemikong brought two big trophies home from the Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) tournament in Sarnia last week, as Hawks squads in both the peewee boys and midget girls divisions soared to victory.

The female Hawks beat host community Aamjiwnaang 7-3 to take the A final in their bracket, while the peewees thumped the Curve Lake Eagles 7-0 to skate off with their own A-final hardware.

Wiky's midget gals went undefeated in the tournament, beating Six Nations 4-0, Delaware Naahii 5-0, and Wasauksing 2-1 en route to their convincing championship win over the Aamjiwnaang Aces.

The peewee guys had a similarly perfect record, dispatching the Nipissing Warriors 13-1 and stoning Six Nations 3-0 before dealing a decisive blow to Curve Lake in the final.

"The effort was consistent from the first day to the end of the tournament, which is rare in my experience," said proud peewee coach Ron Odjig. "The team chemistry was great and it was such a uniform effort from everyone."

Coach Odjig said his strategy was to roll the lines and keep the shifts short so his Hawks were constantly playing with energy, and the team responded to the quick changes and high-tempo approach.

The victorious crew featured four ringers who play in competitive rep leagues but was otherwise composed of house league players. "They exceeded my expectations," said Coach Odjig.

He credited a few of the older players with "providing key roles and great leadership," but was really impressed to see that the less experienced team members "elevated their play to match their older counterparts."

It was similar for the Wiky girls, who relied on a very young roster. "In order to have enough girls to ice a team, I had to call up five bantam-aged girls," noted Coach Shelley Trudeau. "They all did really well and I am looking forward to next year's tournament, as we will have the same team next year."

Coach Trudeau cited the team's "speed, talent, experience and discipline," as keys to the victory. "Our girls stayed focussed."

Kelly Babstock, whose mother's maiden name is Wassegijig, led the way in scoring, potting six goals over the first three games and netting a hat trick plus an assist in the final. Her little sis Harmony also skated with the team, and put up a few points herself.

The durable tournament, now in its 38th go around, was held in Sarnia for the first time this year, with nearby Aamjiwnaang First Nation acting as host. Last year, the host community was the Batchewana First Nation, and the games were played in Sault Ste. Marie.

Opening ceremonies for the 2009 event included a greeting from the NHL's Sheldon Souray and appearances by special guests, including NHL alumni Mark Napier and Johnny Bower, legendary goalie of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In a message posted at the 2009 tournament website, LNHL president and Aundeck Omni Kaning (AOK) resident Marvin Assinewai praised Aamjiwnaang Chief Chris Plain, along with organizer Ron Simon and a dedicated committee, for "working very diligently" to put on the popular First Nations hockey event.

Nine teams from the Manitoulin area made the trip this year to the southwestern city, with Wiky entering squads in the tyke and novice divisions as well the two teams that took trophies.

M'Chigeeng put together teams of tyke and atom boys, while AOK iced boy squads in the peewee and midget divisions. Birch Island had a lone entry skating in the atom boys category.

The Wiky tykes made it to the A final of their division, but were bested by a strong Six Nations side. In novice results, Wiky beat Whitefish Lake 8-3 to take the G final.

In atom play, the Birch Island Eagles made it the G final, but lost to Walpole Island, while M'Chigeeng fell short in the E final to Saugeen.

AOK's peewee boys squeaked by Walpole Island in the G final by a score of 5-4, while the same community's midget boys won a similarly tight game in the F final, beating Curve Lake 2-1.

The LNHL, which began on Manitoulin nearly four decades ago, now brings together more than 2,000 boys and girls representing more than 100 teams from Aboriginal communities across Ontario.

The expectation is that the tournament will return to Northern Ontario for 2010.

Gore Bay Theatre triumphs at Quonta

Next stop Ottawa for award-wining troupe

by Margo Little

GORE BAY-They wowed them in the Sault in March and now the members of the Gore Bay Theatre troupe have their sights set on Ottawa in May. Gore Bay's presentation of John Mighton's Half Life earned awards for outstanding production and outstanding visual production during the Quonta regional drama festival which ran from March 16-22.

The play tells the story of Patrick and Clara, residents of a nursing home who realize, upon meeting, that they have known each other earlier in life. Their rekindled romance is greeted with mixed feelings by their grown-up children. The plot unfolds in a bittersweet catharsis thanks to the engaging cast made up of Tara Bernatchez, Vincente Belenson, David Edwards, Jake Mackan, Chris Reid, Shannon McMullan and Jean Bentley.

In addition to the awards for outstanding production and visual production, the ensemble netted several honourable mentions for their work in a number of categories. Director Walter Maskel was praised for his creative direction of Half Life, and the adjudicator paid tribute to Tara Bernatchez with an honourable mention in the outstanding actor in a leading role category. Chris Reid received honourable mention in the outstanding actor in a supporting role for her portrayal of the gloriously, grumpy Agnes. Gore Bay Theatre was also lauded for music, stage management and technical achievement.

The Expositor caught up with cast members David Edwards and Jean Bentley as they returned home to Manitoulin from the personally fulfilling, but somewhat exhausting Quonta experience. Mr. Edwards plays the role of Patrick and Ms. Bentley has taken on the responsibility of producer in addition to her part as nurse Tammy. Both were enthusiastic about the Quonta experience.

"The calibre of the plays was very high this year," Mr. Edwards said. "The adjudicator had a hard job this year. There must have been 40 actors on stage and the plays are so good, I don't envy him his task."

Gore Bay was in good company. Northern Ontario was represented by the Sault Theatre Workshop, Theatre SMC, Family Life Theatre, North Bay's Gateway Theatre Guild and Elliot Lake Amateur Theatre Ensemble.

According to Mr. Edwards, last week's Quonta Festival was one of the best in years because of the high-quality plays. "They all had outstanding moments and strengths," he added.

Another highlight of the week was the educational component of the event. The participants had an opportunity to hone their skills in a variety of drama workshops.

"Overall, the week was incredibly rich and exciting. It was total theatre immersion," Ms. Bentley agreed. "The adjudicators provided positive criticism so it was a wonderful learning experience for everyone."

The play, which has received dozens of awards including the Governor General's Award for Playwriting, was well received by the Sault Ste. Marie audience. "It's a very moving and touching story, at times heart-wrenching, but at no time depressing," Ms. Bentley said. "The characters are all very real and the adjudicator commented that they were all very believable."

In her view, the award for outstanding visual production was well-deserved as well. She noted that director Walter Maskel is very experienced in the realm of set design and adept at creating powerful simplicity.

"He's brilliant in his design capabilities. The set looked so elegant and so simple. He does a wonderful job of the lighting too," she said. "He was able to capture the essence of the nursing home and all the set changes were choreographed to contribute to the overall look of the play."

For Chris Reid of Gore Bay, the Quonta festival marked a personal milestone. It was just her second acting role and her second time at Quonta, but she came away with an honourable mention for best supporting actor. Her interpretation of the character Agnes impressed the Sault crowd.

"Agnes is quite a character," Ms. Reid noted. "She's grumpy and crotchety, but she's a bit sad too. On top of it all, she's very nosy. She watches what goes on in the nursing home because she doesn't want to be there. She often lightens the mood in the play, but she also makes you cry."

Overall the Quonta festival was an uplifting event for Ms. Reid. "You get to mingle and talk with all the other actors," she said. "I just loved seeing all the different plays and seeing all the techniques they use in the production. Most of all you receive positive feedback and you learn something."

Veteran actor Jake Mackan of Mindemoya echoed Ms. Reid's excitement. "You just never know what will happen at Quonta," he said. "We have won awards and did very well in the past, but it was a big thrill to win best play this year. It was very exciting because it's such a strong, powerful play."

Taking on the role of Donald in Half Life required courage and versatility for Mr. Mackan. He has built a solid reputation on his portrayal of comedic characters, but this time around he assumed a more serious tone.

"I'm playing someone a little different in this play," he acknowledged. "This was a tough play for me to learn because there's a lot of depth to the character."

However, all the hard work, time and effort have paid off and he is very excited to be heading to Ottawa for the Theatre Ontario competition. "It was a lot of fun and I am very proud of our accomplishment at Quonta. We were up against some very advanced theatre groups from the Sault; it was pretty tough competition. And through adjudication, we learned some things we can do to improve. Now we are about to take it to the next notch in the Theatre Ontario event."

For Manitoulin residents who missed the dinner theatre presentation of Half Life on March 13 and 14, they will have another chance to catch the play in April, Mr. Machan said. Gore Bay Theatre members will be busy raising funds to support their next venture at the all Ontario competition in Kanata May 16.

Meanwhile, "The entire Island should be proud of our accomplishment," he concluded. "We've put together quite a theatre troupe on Manitoulin."

Wikwemikong organizing new Neighourhood Watch

by Yvette Trudeau

WIKWEMIKONG-The complexion of small-town life may have changed over time, but concern for one's neighbours is as strong as ever.

With that caring instinct in mind, a group of citizens has recently started a Neighbourhood Watch program in Wikwemikong, with the help and encouragement of Wikwemikong Tribal Police Constable Jamie Peltier.

Mr. Peltier works hard to promote and facilitate Operation Identification-which involves the marking of property with an identifying number as a means of discouraging burglary and theft-as well coordinates the Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) initiative.

SAVE is based out of Wasse-Abin High School and is "quite similar to our program," according to one member of the Neighbourhood Watch initiative.

This volunteer, who preferred to remain anonymous, noted that people have various reasons to become involved in a program like this: they might have been victims of crime themselves, or have family and friends living in an area prone to vandalism and break-ins. Or they simply care about their community.

A small area of Wikwemikong where property was being vandalized, and personal belongings were going missing, grabbed the attention of this particular Neighbourhood Watch member.

"We need the community's support," she urged. "We need a member from the band council, a member from public works, someone from the clinic, someone from all the different departments. There are problems everywhere-things you wouldn't think of. And they involve everyone."

While the effort is in its infancy, "we hope to form a committee as our members grow," the organizer said. "Neighbourhood Watch wants people to bring their issues to our meetings."

Right now there are only a handful of volunteers. "We need more team leaders from different areas," she said. "Right now the program is concentrated in Wikwemikong, but we are branching out and will soon move into the satellite communities."

Maureen Trudeau, who works with Kina Family Services, is currently looking to start a Neighbourhood Watch in Buzwah, she pointed out.

The Neighbourhood Watch meetings include a light lunch and various door prizes such as motion lights. To make things a little more interesting, there will be a mosaic launch in May, and a barbecue and an art contest. The art contest will serve as way to develop a logo for the Neighbourhood Watch program.

The contest will consist of posters created by students from Wikwemikong's three schools. The winning poster will be the new logo for the Neighbourhood Watch group and the rest will be honoured in a crime prevention calendar for 2010.

"Everyone's idea is important," said the program booster. "It gives them a sense of ownership to the community and the group."

She hopes there is a decrease in crime and has set up a Facebook page to encourage more interest in the program. "Individuals get the benefit of potentially having B and Es stop, and the community is safer," she said.

The success of the program "can be measured by the involvement and input of the community," the organizer noted. "We hope to implement Citizens On Patrol in the near future. It's strictly volunteer."

Success may also be measured by the requests received from community members for the Neighbourhood Watch group's participation. Representatives of a long-term care facility have reached out to the group, and in return the public-safety volunteers have helped the residents there set up a watch.

The group had its first meeting in early March. The next meeting for anyone interested in participating in the Neighbourhood Watch program is set for April 7, from 6-9 pm, at the Wikwemikong band council chambers.

For more information you can reach Joanna Pheasant and Maureen Trudeau at (705) 859-3122, at extension 295 and 274, respectively.

Methadone dosing clinic planned for Little Current

by Jim Moodie

LITTLE CURRENT-A methadone clinic is taking shape on Manitoulin to provide a local treatment option for those overcoming addictions to prescription painkillers.

Some pharmacies on Manitoulin are already licensed to dispense methadone, but without a physician on hand to prescribe the medication or oversee the program, clients have had to travel to Espanola or Sudbury to meet the requirements of their maintenance regimen, which includes ongoing follow-up and urine tests.

Now a doctor from Espanola is expanding his practice to Manitoulin to permit handier access for Islanders to the treatment regimen, which assists patients in kicking their drug dependencies.

The office is not yet open, but the plan is that it will be located in Little Current and operated, at least initially, as a private clinic, with the potential that the practice may move or expand in the future.

Jodi Fox, a case worker with the Addiction Services Initiative operated through Ontario Works in Wikwemikong, welcomes the development. "I think a lot of people are aware of the increased use of prescription pills, and many of our clients are seeking treatment for that," she said. "With the widespread use of these drugs, a methadone clinic would definitely be a benefit to our area."

Methadone is a synthetic analgesic, generally consumed in a liquid form, which eases withdrawal symptoms among opiate addicts and acts as a bridge to becoming drug-free.

"There are pros and cons, and some think you're just substituting one drug for another," said Ms. Fox. "But methadone doesn't give a high. It's similar to a diabetic taking insulin."

Administration of methadone is sanctioned by the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons, which "recognizes methadone maintenance treatment as an effective form of treatment for (opiate) dependency, and is committed to ensuring that Ontarians receive this treatment in a safe manner," according to a policy statement from the college.

The drug substitute is only approved for the treatment of opiate addiction, and is not suitable in instances when non-narcotic drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, or alcohol are the issue.

Heroin and morphine are the drugs most commonly associated with methadone treatment. But those are not the main opiates making the rounds these days, as abuse of painkillers such as OxyContin, Dilaudid and Percocet has become more common.

"It's not just people stealing these pills, but people who are put on these drugs legitimately," pointed out Ms. Fox. "They're not necessarily looking for a high, but haven't been able to stop taking them because they are afraid of the withdrawal."

Methadone, in her view, provides an effective way to transition from drug dependency to a clean lifestyle, and the impact on the health of the patient is almost immediate. "I've seen the benefits within a week, just in the physical appearance of a heavy user," she said. "They're more alert and attentive; there's a presence there. I've seen the benefits it's had for families and individuals."

Patients approved for a methadone treatment receive a dose of the substance on a daily basis. For the first two to three months, the medication can only be consumed in a supervised setting like a clinic or pharmacy, but as treatment progresses patients may be issued take-home doses.

But ongoing counselling, checkups and urine screens are required throughout the treatment program, which can last anywhere from six months to several years, depending on the patient's level of addiction and other factors.

To date, clients from Manitoulin have had to make two trips per week to Espanola, said Ms. Fox, "which is a major expense, because gas isn't cheap."

The addictions worker said she "would certainly welcome anything to eliminate any barriers for these people to obtain the treatment."

Editorial

Solution to health-care crisis on North Shore is urgent

The small North Shore hospitals in Richards Landing (on St. Joseph Island) and in Thessalon (where the medical facility is physically attached to the regional nursing home in that community) are under review; many residents in these communities consider them under attack.

Both of these small hospitals offer 24-hour emergency room service, just as we are fortunate to have at the Mindemoya Hospital and Manitoulin Health Centre here on Manitoulin Island.

The St. Joseph Island Hospital no longer has in-patient beds but there is a medical clinic in Richards Landing associated with the hospital-in addition to the around-the-clock emergency service.

These two small outlying hospitals became, some time during the past two decades, satellites of the old Plummer Memorial Hospital in the Soo and, as such, now have that same relationship with the new Sault Area Hospital (SAH).

And here is what has been happening: the SAH cannot balance its budget (not unlike many other hospitals). It involves a consultant, one of whose recommendations is to close the tiny Matthews Memorial Hospital in Richards Landing and so create a small savings.

A meeting in Desbarats last month, involving representatives of the SAH as well as its master, the Northeastern Ontario Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), saw about 500 people from St. Joseph Island, Desbarats, Echo Bay, Barr River and area defending the continuing operation of their hospital.

In fairness to the Sault Area Hospital board, the consultant's report (that suggests the elimination of the Richards Landing site) has not yet been accepted and, at the end of the day, it will be the board of the LHIN that determines whether or not the little health centre closes.

But that report, with that particular recommendation, hangs like the sword of Damocles over the heads of these North Shore communities.

The whole business looks very much as though it will, eventually, land on the desk of the Minister of Health and, by inference, also on the premier's desk.

It is to be hoped that, before this situation becomes any more of a crisis to those small communities than it already is, the health minister should be again rethinking the policies for the provision of emergency medicine in rural and Northern communities in general.

At some point and with the support of various provincial ministers of health during different eras, hospitals were established along the North Shore in Espanola, Elliot Lake, Blind River, Thessalon and Richards Landing.

Some (like, the Matthews Memorial Hospital in Richards Landing) were Red Cross Outpost Hospitals (similar to much of the history of our own Mindemoya Hospital). The nursing sisters of the Order of St. Joseph began the Blind River and Elliot Lake hospitals (as they did the present-day Manitoulin Health Centre in Little Current) and the Espanola Hospital was begun, like much more in that town, as a company hospital.

But the fact is, there was a demonstrated need for health care easily accessible to people who need not have to travel long distances over icy roads to have their emergency medical questions answered.

Thessalon is about 60 kilometres from Blind River, the best part of an hour's drive should the Thessalon hospital also be considered for closure. The Richards Landing Hospital is somewhat closer than that to Sault Ste. Marie, but not by much and, again, it would be a good hour's drive to where the new hospital is being built in Sault Ste. Marie.

At the very least, and in the short term, the hospitals at Richards Landing and Thessalon must be maintained.

Suggestions have been made that the Richards Landing site should once again be considered an active care site with the beds that it was built to support again accepting patients-perhaps long-term stay or chronic care patients from Sault Ste. Marie that are presently causing a backlog in that city's hospital.

Another possibility might be to consider an altogether new hospital somewhere along Highway 17 that would replace both the Thessalon and Richards Landing sites but would be located for optimal access to all of the communities that have historically relied on one or other of the old sites.

Of these two recommendations, the first one would be the preferred option but the SAH board and the LIHN board and administration together with the health minister must quickly act to reassure the people of these North Shore communities that nothing is going to be taken away from them and that the best minds in the health care business are working on a solution to what, for our close neighbours to the west, is an urgent issue.

Letters to the Editor

Hypothesis on creation of universe rife with inaccuracies

From where did creator originate?

To the Expositor:

Rather than dispute the many scientific inaccuracies in Jack McMillan's letter in the March 18 Expositor, I would have only a single question for Mr. McMillan. You assert that if the universe had a beginning, it had a creator, using quotes from Berlinsky such as, "...there is a very natural connection between the fact that the universe had a beginning and the hypothesis that it had a creator." And, "...the universe had a beginning and something must have caused it to begin." If the universe had a creator, where did the creator come from?

Barry Epstein

Kagawong