M'Chigeeng chooses former chief Joe Hare

for another two years Veteran leader pledges to redouble efforts on wind farm

by Jim Moodie

M'CHIGEENG-He's back.

After a two-year absence from office, political warhorse Joe Hare was returned on Saturday as chief of M'Chigeeng, a position he has held six times in the past. With this new two-year mandate, Chief Hare will become the First Nation's longest-serving leader.

Chief Hare won by 242 of the 512 votes cast for chief. Martin Debassige, a veteran councillor and his closest rival, garnered 187 votes, with Laurentian professor Patrick Corbiere, who resides in Birch Island, placing a distant third with 76.

Participation was strong in the election, with about 60 percent of the 650 eligible voters placing an X beside their preferred candidate. According to the band's custom election code, off-reserve members are allowed to vote via mail-in ballot.

Elected to council are a mixture of incumbents and newcomers. Deputy chief Brian Bisson was re-elected as councillor (with 370 votes), as were Terry Debassige (216), Henry Panamick Sr. (244), Melanie Debassige (267), and Victor Migwans (238). New members are G'M'ewin Migwans (199), Sam Debassige (291), Charles Beaudin (281), Robert Beaudin (221), and Kevin Eshkawkogan (240).

"I look forward to working with council," said Chief Hare. "Five have been there before, and five are new individuals-what I call the younger councillors-so we have both vets and greenhorns. But these people coming on have experience in other fields."

The repeat chief credits his success this time to "a number of factors," experience being an obvious one. Mr. Hare noted that, over the course of his previous stints in office, he's helped create such lasting institutions as the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin, Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute, and the Castle Building Centre. He was also involved in the formation of the Waubetek Business Development Corporation, Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services, and the UCCM Tribal Police.

"I also hope and believe that what I said I would do during this campaign was a big factor," he said. "I laid out a 12-point program that people believed would be achievable. It's a very practical agenda."

Among Chief Hare's priorities are a stimulus program for M'Chigeeng, training and skills development, alternative energy projects (both wind and solar), housing for Elders and retirees, and an artisans' square that would be located next to the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation (OCF).

Chief Hare pointed to the latter as an example of something "practical and doable" that he envisions taking shape by next year. "We have a lot right there beside the OCF that the band purchased about 10 years ago," he noted. "We have cruise ships stopping eight times in the summer and sending buses to M'Chigeeng, but there's nothing here for the local people."

Creating a site for craftspeople, gardeners, artists and food vendors to gather and market their wares would provide both an extra allure for visitors and more visibility for the artisans, many of whom, he noted, are currently hidden away on the side streets of the community.

"It would be another interesting venue," said Chief Hare, adding that apart from merchandise, the site could be used for cultural purposes, like an outdoor concert.

The re-elected leader is also eager to realize the wind-farm project proposed for the bluff above Highway 540, planning of which was a major focus of his earlier term in office. Originally, Chief Hare had hoped to develop the farm as a co-operative, with each band member holding shares and eligible to reap dividends from the profits, but that model was scrapped-and the scope of the project downsized-during his hiatus from office.

"I'm not going to revisit the co-op idea," he said, adding that he respects the decision of the previous chief and council to confine the project to land already owned by the First Nation.

He does, however, believe that band members can benefit directly from the power generated on the community property through a rebate or subsidy system that would make for huge savings on their hydro bills. "A lot of leaders talk about reducing poverty, but how they are going to go about it is vague at times," he said. "With my proposal, there would be a significant reduction in the cost of living to people who have to pay hydro."

Chief Hare is confident that the project can go ahead, with funding coming primarily through the First Nation's share in casino revenue. Earlier obstacles to the wind farm, such as limited transmission capacity, are now more surmountable due to the Northland Power plan to create its own transmission line in the Northeast Town, he noted, and the province is aggressively promoting and funding wind projects through its Green Energy Act and recent announcements of new money for First Nation farms.

"I'm going to lean hard on the government to free up the airwaves-or hydro waves, I guess would be the term-and get this project going," pledged Chief Hare.

The seven-time chief, who launched a renewable energy institute-partnering with Sault College-last year during his break from governance, would also like to see some of the 1,000 acres owned by M'Chigeeng utilized for a solar-power development.

Chief Hare said other First Nations are pursuing large projects of this nature-Pic River, for instance, is harnessing power through both hydroelectric dams and wind turbines, while the Mississauga First Nation is partnering with Blind River to realize a solar energy project. "The time has come for us to think bigger," he said. "We have the land, the sun and the wind for harnessing energy. The sky is still the limit for us."

Concerning social issues such as crime and substance abuse, Chief Hare believes a series of "stand-up workshops" that he's proposed, based on Ojibwe teachings, will help to counter those problems and restore balance to the community. The sessions provide an opportunity for community members to speak out and reacquaint themselves with traditional values.

"You have to stand up against violence, for a cause, or even for yourself to make individual progress," said Chief Hare, who acts as a pipe carrier. "We have to build up our little society here by following the teachings and building self-esteem. Just calling the police and throwing someone in jail doesn't work."

While the chief may be a bit longer in the tooth than he was during his first forays into politics, he said he still has lots of energy and appetite for the job. "The Creator has provided me with good health and a sound mind," he said. "I want to help as much as I can."

Shawanda earns CCMA nod

as female performer of year

Island DJ named to country association board

VANCOUVER-Wikwemikong's Crystal Shawanda has earned yet another accolade from the world of country music, picking up the female artist of the year prize at the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) awards in Vancouver on Sunday.

Ms. Shawanda also appeared on stage, performing with pop artist Richard Marx and male country artist George Canyon.

The female artist award was one of two for which the country music chanteuse was nominated. The second, album of the year, was picked up by Johnny Reid, for his album Dance With Me. Mr. Reid was the big winner of the night, netting five awards in total, including songwriter of the year, video of the year, male artist of the year, and the fans' choice award.

A second Island nominee, CFRM radio based out of Little Current, was nominated for two awards at the event: Manitoulin Country Fest earned a nod for country festival, fair, or exhibition of the year, and on-air announcer K.T. Timmermans was nominated for music director of the year.

The country station was unsuccessful in its bid for the awards-the Calgary Stampede won the award for festival of the year, while music director of the year went to Tim Day of CKGY in Red Deer, Alberta.

However, the four-day event did offer up one nice surprise: Ms. Timmermans has been named to the CCMA board of directors.

Although they didn't win, Ms. Timmermans and co-owner Craig Timmermans were in attendance at the awards in Vancouver, describing the experience of seeing their name on the big screen as "amazing."

"Crystal's performance at the awards was nothing short of spectacular and it was wonderful to see her win," the pair writes in an email to CCMA members. "She was very happy to see our CCMA Fan Experience winners Jean Trudeau and Dylan Shigwadja, members of her home town Wikwemikong, at the post party."

The CCMA Fan Experience was a contest offering winners a trip to the CCMA awards.

Michigan's scuttling of Lake Huron coal plants

welcomed by downwind dwellers on Manitoulin

by Jim Moodie

LANSING, Mich.-Those on Manitoulin with concerns about air quality and global warming can breathe a bit easier with news that Michigan officials are quashing plans for a pair of coal-fired plants on the Lake Huron shore.

This month, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), quartered in Lansing, rejected a bid for a new coal facility in Rogers City, while delaying a decision on a second one envisioned for Bay City until at least 2022.

In a report issued on September 8, the commission determined that demand for electricity in the state has declined over the past two years and that no new coal plants are needed for another 13 unless existing ones are retired.

The first of the two projects had been particularly worrisome to Island observers, as Rogers City is located just 160 kilometres west of Manitoulin. The plant's proponent, Wolverine Power, intended to build a new base-load coal station on the site of an existing quarry.

The plan for a separate coal-fired generating station in Bay City-located in Saginaw Bay, at about the same latitude as Goderich-had been submitted by Consumers Energy, a major utility company based in Jackson, Michigan.

Maja Mielonen of Mindemoya first caught wind of the Michigan power proposals two years ago, and communicated her misgivings to then-MP Brent St. Denis. "Rogers City is exactly upwind from Manitoulin and I am very concerned about this venture!" she wrote at the time.

Sharing her apprehension, Mr. St. Denis proceeded to contact Laurel Broten, Ontario's minister of energy, pointing out in a letter that "coal power plants are large producers of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions." Given that the province had committed itself to a phaseout of its own coal-fired generating stations, the MP encouraged Ms. Broten to exert whatever influence she could on the Michigan development.

The coal schemes drew plenty of criticism from within the state as well. "Thousands of comments were submitted in opposition to the development of the Rogers City and Bay City new dirty coal plants," according to a release from Progress Michigan, an organization devoted to environmental and social issues. "Citizen groups have repeatedly called on the government to reject permits to build new plants and invest instead in clean energy."

The organization deems the commission's findings a "major victory" for concerned residents, and is applauding the state's governor, Jennifer Granholm, for subjecting the coal applications to "a rigorous review." Canadians can take a bit of pride in this, too, as Ms. Granholm, Michigan's first female governor, was born in Vancouver.

Manitoulin might have played a small role in influencing the decision, as concerns raised here were communicated south of the border. "We may have been a little trickle in swinging the mood," mused Ms. Mielonen.

The commission's coolness to the concept of new coal plants, according to Progress Michigan, "stemmed from the failure of the utilities to show that Michigan needs more energy in coming years." The utilities also failed "to counter growing evidence that renewable energy and energy efficiency-and not dirty coal-could meet future needs," the coalition adds.

"Now that we have beaten back the threat of dirty coal, Michigan can begin the work of building a full-fledged 21st century energy future driven by clean renewable energy, and create good-paying jobs in the process," states Cyndi Roper, Michigan director of Clean Water Action, in a release. "By 2020, Michigan will be a leader in clean energy technology, our nation will have tough new clean energy laws, and stronger pollution standards will be in place."

The report does not deal a conclusive death blow to the proposed coal facilities, but represents a key step in a larger review being undertaken by the MPSC and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). A final decision on whether to grant Clean Air Act permits to Wolverine and Consumers Energy rests with the DEQ, which promises a ruling by the end of the year.

Progress Michigan is confident that the developments will be officially nixed, however, and that future demand for electricity can be better met through cleaner options. Citing a recent report by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the organization argues that the state "can meet its energy needs through a combination of wind power, biomass, and other renewable energy sources, coupled with aggressive energy-efficiency programs."

According to this study, a program of energy efficiency "alone could save Michigan $3 billion in electricity costs over the next 20 years," the watchdog group indicates. "Clean renewable energy is less expensive, cleaner, faster, more economically robust, and creates more jobs in Michigan than a 20th-century plan based on new but obsolete large power plants driven by fossil fuels."

Ontario has already made phasing out its coal-fired plants a priority, with Premier Dalton McGuinty pledging that all coal generation in Ontario will be gone by 2014.

Early this month, a major step was taken towards that end, with the announcement that four coal units (of 15 across the province) would be permanently shut down by late 2010. The affected plants are at Nanticoke and Lambton-two of four such coal-burning sites in Ontario-with each slated to lose a pair of units.

This, however, is just the latest move to curb coal usage, according to province, which points out that coal-fired generation in Ontario has been on the decline since 2003. "The closure of the coal-fired Lakeview Generating Station in 2005 eliminated carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to taking approximately 500,000 cars off Ontario roads," a release from the McGuinty government notes.

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) will continue to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the province promises, through an ongoing phaseout plan that targets emissions from coal at 19.6 million tonnes in 2009, and 15.6 million tonnes in 2010. By 2011, the goal is to have cut coal electricity generation by two-thirds.

In the meantime, OPG is looking into the feasibility of converting some of its coal-fired units to burn biomass, with the potential to switch an Atikokan unit over to renewable fuel by 2012.

The province is simultaneously increasing the flow of green power to the grid, with online wind capacity growing from 15 megawatts in 2003 to a current level of more than 1,100 megawatts-enough, government reps point out, to power more than 300,000 homes.

Ontario now ranks as Canada's leading province in wind power, with more capacity than the other two top producers-Quebec and Alberta-combined.

Spry Wiky teamster heading to international plowing match

by Lindsay Kelly

WIKWEMIKONG-At the ripe age of 68, Leonard "Chicken" George will join the ranks of the agricultural elite when he travels to Earlton next week to compete in the International Plowing Match.

Participants and visitors will travel from across the province to attend the five-day event, held from September 22 to 26, which includes displays, demonstrations and exhibits over 100 acres, making it the largest outdoor agricultural event of its kind.

Along with plowing matches, there will be heritage and educational displays, old farm machinery on display; farming, mining and forestry exhibits; and performances by artists, choirs and dance troupes.

Mr. George's qualification is significant not only because this is the first time in its history that Northern Ontario has played host to the event-and Manitoulin will have a representative there-but also because it's an honour to qualify for the prestigious match, which will have the Wikwemikong resident competing against teamsters half his age.

While that would be a daunting thought for some, it's just another match for the spry sexagenarian, who regularly competes in horse-plow contests across Manitoulin and the North. "I go every year," said the jovial Mr. George.

When we describe Mr. George as an experienced horse-plow operator, it should be noted that his expertise is with the more uncommon walking plow. There's no easy ride for this tiller-all his plowing is done on his feet.

"I use a walking plow and I've been at it for quite a few years," he said. "I thought I'd try out and went up there to Earlton."

Walking behind the plow requires skill and precision in both handling the horses and keeping the plow straight enough to create neat furrows-it's a test of endurance for the most seasoned farmer.

Mr. George had a recent opportunity to prove his worth over the course of two days in Earlton for the qualifying match, during which he earned a eligibility score of 105 points.

Known for his longevity-along with plowing, the former carpenter also square dances and plays hockey, earning the MVP title in a 2006 tournament for his contributions-Mr. George has been plowing longer than he can remember, and often travelled with his friend and fellow plow operator Eugene Manitowabi.

During one season several years ago, of 15 sanctioned events held across the North, Mr. George won 13, and Mr. Manitowabi himself went on to win 10 teamster awards that year, recalls his long-time friend.

His achievement is "pretty significant for the community," Mr. Manitowabi said. "It's not a walk in the park, given his age and handling the horses."

Though he's a humble man and would never seek attention for himself, his upcoming trip to Earlton can serve as a good lesson for the entire community, Mr. Manitowabi believes.

"We're very, very proud of him," he said. "I'm very, very proud of him."

When asked what inspired him to compete in this year's competition, Mr. George noted that his father had competed in the International Plowing Match in 1945, and he thought it would be like following in his footsteps, but mainly he just likes to drive horses and thought this would be a good challenge.

As the days count down to the event, Mr. George is planning his travelling route and hopes to bring his brother along for companionship. But he's reserving judgment until after he returns to determine whether he'll compete in the international match another year.

"That remains to be seen," he chuckles. "I hope to do the best I can."

EDITORIAL

Local economies need support of local shoppers

The adage "What goes around, comes around" invokes the idea that one's actions can bring either positive or negative returns, and the saying is most usually cited in response to a Karmic comeuppance visited upon someone with a spiteful and vindictive personality. But it can also be turned on its head-the popular phrase "paying it forward," comes to mind.

In the world of economics, money interjected into a local economy can have a tremendous impact stretching far beyond a straight calculation of the dollars and cents being put in play. The multiplier effect, a bit of economist's jargon that has made it into the common lexicon, refers to the way those new dollars can provide huge economic benefits by moving from hand to hand in the local economy.

The longer money stays moving around in our local communities, the larger the benefit those dollars can have for everyone in our local communities. The more local food purchased at local markets, the more money spent in local business both by consumers and business-to-business transactions, the more that money provides a net benefit to the local economy as a whole.

There are certainly plenty of goods and services the local economy cannot provide-often because not enough of those goods and services are in demand locally to make them a viable business opportunity for local entrepreneurs-but too often we seek those goods and services outside our shores simply out of habit or through a sense of false economy, often just for the excuse to "get off the rock."

As the practice of the 150-mile diet can provide tremendous benefit to local food producers, so too can the practice of buying locally those goods and services which can be purchased close to home. As it goes around and comes around the money being retained in the local economy helps provide for greater economic opportunities to friends and neighbours while also allowing greater development of the provision of those goods and services.

In harsh economic times, we can all do our bit to help cushion the blow to our local economy by first looking around at local suppliers. The money will eventually make its way out into the global market and help the cause of global trade, but let's give it another go around here closer to home first.

Letters to the Editor

Letter writer owed an apology for degrading experience

Comments hurtful to all Anishinabe people

To the Expositor:

I am writing to express my concerns and support to Rosemary Pitawanakwat regarding the incident of Friday, August 7 at Low Island Park in Little Current ("Letter writer dismayed at anonymous act of racism," August 19, letters). Neither this lady nor anyone else should have a racially descriptive note attached to the windshield of her car. I was dumbfounded and hurt when I read the despicable note directed to this lady who parked her car in front of the condos on the weekend of Manitoulin Country Fest.

I subsequently waited for an apology from the authorities or persons responsible, but no-one has stepped forward. The authorities, such as the town of Little Current, Country Fest management, the management of the condominium properties, or the author(s) of such a derogatory note could have made their acknowledgements and/or apologized to Rosemary Pitawanakwat. My heart goes out to her for enduring such a degrading experience. I have had to contain my own emotions when writing this letter; it's such a sad, sensitive issue for all Aboriginal peoples to know that racism still exists.

To the author(s) of such a racist note, I'm sure you've had a very fine upbringing (I am being very polite) and, in regards to your actions, you should be ashamed of your actions. You have not only directed your racist remarks to just one person, but to an entire nation of Anishinabek peoples.

W.T. Sayers

Garden River First Nation

Medical staff at health centre offered visitor best treatment

Residents should be grateful for excellent care

To the Expositor:

In early August my husband and I travelled to your beautiful Island to visit for a few days with friends who were vacationing there. While on the Island, I fell and fractured by wrist, so was taken to the ER at the Manitoulin Health Centre in Little Current.

While at the hospital, I received the best care from doctors, nurses and X-ray technicians alike. They were so caring, efficient and thorough-my husband and I were very impressed. The residents of Little Current and surrounding area should be very thankful to have such a great medical facility-I sure was. It was also a real pleasure to visit Manitoulin and enjoy its beauty.

Ruth Sibert

Zurich, Ont.

Trip to Island did not disappoint

Visit included family outings, wildlife sightings

To the Expositor:

As the summer of 2009 wanes, a special visit to Manitoulin promises to always remain in our minds.

Our family-including our 86-year-old mother, Joanne, and a brother, Patrick, and sister-in-law, Sandy, from Houston, Texas-made the trek from Windsor to reach the shores of the mystical Manitoulin. Our excitement grew on the great ferry ride from the mainland as we passed beautiful islands and gazed at the clear blue water.

We were certainly not disappointed! Greg and Dorothy Mahoney treated us to a wonderful week of sumptuous gourmet meals, stargazing, and numerous outings around the Island. A Manitoulin auction beckoned us on our first day there, and we enjoyed family reminiscing, precious naps, and animal sightings. We read, played cribbage and took a dip in Lake Kagawong.

You have a most lovely Island and it is easy to see why so many people choose to live and spend time there.

Until next time, goodbye great Manitoulin!

Mary Jo and Jim Dowie

Tecumseh