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CMPS students taking lead
role in conservation
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by Neil Zacharjewicz
MINDEMOYA - Five students at Central Manitoulin Public School are
involved in a pilot project for the Rainbow District School Board.
The students, who are in Mrs. Stringer's Grade Four and Five class,
are involved in a program dubbed Destination Conservation. The
program is designed to help students learn about the environment, and
help schools save money.
"We are the only school on the Island involved," Mrs. Stringer explained.
The five students involved in the program include Carly Head,
Courtney Murdock, Lisa Tann, Tyler Karn, and Ben Case. Mrs. Stringer
explained the idea behind the program is to select a number of
students in the school and develop leadership skills among them.
Then, those students carry the program, which is designed to educate
students about conservation to preserve the environment, forward
among their peers.
"It is multi-faceted," Mrs. Stringer noted, pointing out it covers
such topics as recycling, electricity and heating.
Presently, the students are undertaking an audit of energy use at the
school, and determining where the school could realize some savings.
"They actually have the bills. They know exactly what the school is
spending," Mrs. Stringer indicated. She pointed out the students were
going to take their findings and create a number of recommendations,
which they were to present to the school council. Students will also
be doing a water use audit at the school.
Mrs. Stringer said the students travel to Sudbury for training, where
they meet with other students within the board who are involved in
the Destination Conservation program at their own schools. At these
training sessions, the students are taught how to do the audits. Mrs.
Stringer explained the people involved with the program within the
board have been extremely impressed with how well her students have
been progressing in comparison to their peers.
"I am very proud of them," she said. "These kids have really taken a
leadership role. We have a very strong group of kids."
The students also conducted a tree planting audit, which will be
factored into the school council's plans to plant seedlings in the
spring.
The program will run over the course of the next three years.
"It is really fun," Ms. Tann commented.
"We have learned a lot," Ms. Murdock suggested.
"We get to do audits. It is a lot of fun," Ms. Head said.
Ms. Tann said she enjoys meeting new people the most of all. The
grossest part of the entire program, she noted, has been watching
other kids have to pick through garbage.
"Every school should conserve energy because it helps to save money
and conserve the environment," Ms. Murdock said. "And if you don't
conserve energy, you could run out of it."
According to information found on the Destination Conservation
website, www.dcplanet.org, the average savings schools realize from
participating in the program is in the area of 20 to 30 percent of
its utility bill. It has saved the participating schools in Alberta
more than $2 million. The Destination Conservation program is a
project of the Tomorrow Foundation, an independent non-profit
foundation dedicated to environmental education and the creation of
an environmentally sustainable future.
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Golf course sold
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by Diana Smith
WIKWEMIKONG ---A purchase price of $780,000 was agreed upon between
the Wikwemikong Band and the Business Development Bank of Canada
(BDC) for the Mnidoo Valley Golf Course.
The golf course was more than $20,000 in the red last season, and had
fallen behind in its payments to the BDC, resulting in the BDC
exercising a 'Power of Sale'. It's estimated the golf course owed the
BDC $1.7 million, and needed to raise $750,000 to keep the club from
going to tender.
The property involved is a fully developed, modern 18-hole golf
course, with 7,000 yards of greens and fairways, a licensed clubhouse
with dining room, a pro shop, offices and storage buildings.
The site also contains 153.3 acres of rural zoning with services.
The office of Wikwemikong Chief Gladys Wakegijig confirmed the Band's
offer to purchase the golf course had been accepted.
Band Councilor Cecilia Pitawanakwat said a final payment on the
Mnidoo Valley Golf Course will be due by March 29, 2002.
Wikwemikong Band Auditor George Calwell and Band lawyer Michael James
confirmed the Band's offer to the BDC, after a resolution to make the
offer was passed by Band Council on February 27, 2002.
BDC Vice President Kevin Dane said there had been a considerable
amount of interest in the property. "A number of offers had been
submitted. Our primary concern was to see that the golf course would
open this spring. It was in the best interest of the community and
the golfing public, residents and tourists alike that this sale
happen as quickly as possible."
The Mnidoo Valley Assiginack Wikwemikong Golf Club opened and
operated as a joint venture between Manitowaning and Wikwemikong golf
enthusiasts. The founding committee and the Board of Directors
consisted of four representatives from Assiginack and four from
Wikwemikong, with one member at-large.
The first nine holes of the golf course were opened in August 1996,
with the back nine opening for the 1998 season.
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Wikwemikong in crisis?
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by Diana Smith
WIKWEMIKONG ---Documents indicate that several Wikwemikong agencies
and Councilors don't believe that some of the unilateral decisions
coming from Chief Gladys Wakegijig's Office can be made without
consulting her Band Council.
These decisions are affecting many according to a Wikwemikong
Development Commission (WDC) communications release dated February 4,
2002. The WDC document demanded an apology from Chief Wakegijig on
behalf of their staff, band employees, and their families for
ordering the doors of the WDC offices to be padlocked on February 1,
2002. The chains were snipped and the padlock was removed from the
door by former Wikwemikong Chief Eugene Manitowabi, in time for the
employees return to work on Monday, February 4, 2002.
"The Chief's actions imply that the WDC and its employees have done
something wrong, which is not the case," stated the WDC
communications release. "Through her unilateral action she has also
hindered Wikwemikong's reputation as a progressive community and this
decision is destructive to our relationship with outside agencies.
The truth of the matter is governments and outside stakeholders will
perceive Wikwemikong as unstable and incompetent in delivering
services to their band membership."
This same document goes on to explain the reason for Chief
Wakegijig's lockout is because "the WDC board and management have
taken a stance to confront her...unilateral decisions. The Chief has
imposed unilateral decisions on WDC matters and does not have the
support of a Band Council motion nor the WDC or LDM (training arm of
WDC) boards."
The February 4th documentation also confirmed that at one point the
Chief had ordered Director of Operations, Wayne Oswamaick, to cease
all financial transactions except payroll for WDC and the LDM. A
motion of the Wikwemikong Council recently overturned this order.
The WDC's communications release also indicates that its members as a
whole feel the credibility of the WDC has been undermined by the
recent events, especially past public announcements from Chief
Glady's Wakegijig's office of a review of WDC operations - an act
that the WDC feels implies that improprieties are occurring at the
WDC and in its programs.
A planned review on February 14 and 15, 2002 by Chief Wakegijig of
WDC operations was cancelled when WDC board members refused to attend
these meetings. Several reasons for their refusal were given in their
communications release. The WDC board was opposed to agenda items for
the February meetings having to be sent to the Chief with her
deciding what would appear on that agenda, as well as the fact that
no Band Council motion was ever adopted for the meetings.
The communications release also points out that joint Band Council/
WDC meetings are held annually, with the next one due to be held as
usual at the end of March 2002. At these meetings the Board provides
the Band Council with their annual report, audit and approved grants
and loans for the year. The WDC also seeks Council direction and
approval on budgets, goals, and objectives for the following year.
WDC members thought the March meeting was the proper time and place
to hold a review.
"We have only been advised by the General Manager, via the Director
of Operations Wayne Osawamick, that the Chief had heard complaints
about WDC from certain band members who are not identified,"
continues the WDC communications release. The release states the WDC
could not address the unidentified complaints, but that the most
frequent questions from Band members are, 'why they are not eligible
for funding', and 'who is receiving the money?'
"Sometimes Band members complain when funding is not given to some
and is given to others. Quite often the laws on confidentiality tie
the hands of WDC and other band programs from divulging these
answers," states the WDC release.
The communications release also informs the public that an appeal
process is always available through WDC, and ultimately it's a Band
Council decision.
There have been several written updates to the public from Chief Gladys Wakegijig
since her election last Fall. One in particular dated November 6,
2001 addresses several contentious issues.
The first issue Chief Wakegijig addressed was the Old Indian Agency
Buildings in Manitowaning in regards to their transfer to the United
Chiefs and Councils by way of a Land Claims Agreement in 1990. "I
have questions as to why these lands were included in this part of
the Lands Claim Agreement," the Chief stated in her update.
The next issue in the update was the Chief's distress over the band
council motion to re-instate former employee Albert Peltier to his
position as coordinator of the Island Land Claims Office, with back
pay. The Chief shortly after being elected in September 2001 closed
the Land Claims Office and terminated Mr. Peltier's employment. Her
concerns centered on the fact that Mr. Peltier submitted no travel
reports to account for the dollars spent prior to September 25, 2001.
Mr. Peltier said he had done so.
Chief Wakegijig also objects to a lack of terms for his position and
employment, no job posting of his position, and no contract agreed
upon with the Band.
In the update letter to Band Members, Chief Wakgijig questions, "Do
we need a researcher or negotiator for the Island's initiative? What
is Wikwemikong's position in the claiming of our Islands? What are we
going to negotiate for, and are we going to court on this issue?"
The Chief ends her update stating she is putting the motion to
reinstate Land Claims Office Coordinator Albert Peltier on hold,
until various legal matters are thoroughly looked into, and the cost
of advancing Wikwemikong's land claims are investigated. She states
emphatically, "I will not allow a cheque to be issued."
This update was followed by a public letter by former Band Council
member Gerry Kaboni questioning the Chief's authority to close
offices, and fire personnel, which he cites is the duty of the
Director of Operations, Wayne Oswamaick. He also questions Chief
Wakegijig's authority to remove Band councilors or Band members
sitting on boards or committees, and over riding Band Council
decisions.
It appears that some of these complaints by Mr. Kaboni are correct. A
memo from Chief Wakegijig to Councilor Robert Corbiere, dated
February 1st, indicates that she removed Councilor Corbiere from his
Economic Development Portfolio after he attended a meeting on January
31, 2002 with the Business Development Corporation over the Mnidoo
Valley Golf Course.
In her memo she wrote, "You had absolutely no authority from Band
Council to attend a meeting with the Business Development Corporation
on January 31, 2002. You had absolutely no authority from Band
Council nor from myself as Chief of the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian
Reserve to represent, speak, or attend this meeting on behalf of our
community. Please be advised that you are no longer the Economic
Development Portfolio Holder effective immediately."
This memo was issued with no motion from the Band Council, but a
motion of Council has since reinstated him to his portfolio.
Councilor Donald Trudeau was told in a Chief Wakegijig memo on
January 28, 2002 to vacate his seat on the Wikwemikong Development
Commission's Board. Her reasoning was this would allow the
opportunity for Band members other than councilors to sit on boards
and committees. According to those contacted, Mr. Trudeau has no
intention at this time of stepping down from a position that only the
WDC Board or the Band Council itself can relieve him of. It was also
noted that there is already a vacancy on the WDC board that they have
been unable to fill as of yet.
Also at issue was a January 31, 2002 complaint letter issued by
former Chief Eugene Manitowabi over the removal of Councilor Cecilia
Pitawanakwat (Executive Secretary to Chief and Council) from her
present office in the Band building to another in that same building.
He is calling for a reinstatement of Ms. Pitawanakwat, and a public
apology.
He also stated in his letter to the Band Office and Band Council that
"this apology should also be extended to the councilors who may have
offended someone by having breakfast together. As a Band member, I
would welcome leadership socializing together as a sign the Circle is
coming together."
Travel Claims have been another issue of disagreement since Chief
Wakegijig took office last September. A memo to the Wikwemikong
Finance Department dated September 17, 2001 from her office indicated
that all staff travel claims approved by supervisors, staff and
Program Managers must receive final approval from Chief Gladys
Wakegijig.
According to an answering salvo from these respondents in a WDC memo
dated September 19, 2001, the already established Wikwemikong
Personnel Policy addresses the authority of travel requests and
travel reimbursement according to a predetermined travel budget
allowance.
The WDC memo points out claims approval, in order to expedite
processing for over 400 band employees, would become cumbersome if
left up to one individual. "The staff who conduct business abroad in
the best interests of Wikwemikong will not receive payment in an
appropriate length of time, which will hinder ongoing progress and
development," the memo states. "Chief Gladys Wakegijig is
underestimating the intelligence, and undermining the authority of
the Program Mangers/Supervisors not only here at the WDC, but within
all the other Band Programs as well," it continues.
Wikwemikong usually operates with a 12 member Band Council but there
are now only nine council members left around the table. With the
seat vacated by Chief Wakegijig in a bi- election, the removal of
Gerry Kaboni over election practices, and the surprise resignation of
Councilor Richard Flamand, the voting around the table has taken on
what council observers see as a five to four split.
The four councilors were nominated by Chief Wakegijig during the last
bi-election, and includes Honorine Trudeau Wright, Raymond Jackson,
Mike Eshkawkogan, and Deborah Maiangowi. Their five fellow councilors
are Robert Corbiere, Anita Peltier, Donnie Trudeau, Cecilia
Pitawanakwat, and Anna McGregor.
Many observers hope that the leadership of the Wikwemikong Unceded
Reserve can successfully deal with the concerns of band members over
a situation that organizationally, may not impact too much, but
politically, seems to put the community in crisis.
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