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Treaty Three Welcomes New Officers

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Some new officers for Treaty 3 Police Service.

A welcoming ceremony last week was held at Rainy River First Nation for five new constables.

Police Chief Kai Lui had this message for the new recruit.

“I hope that through your interactions that you will inspire others to either consider policing as a career or any other occupation that you could inspire them to,” says Lui.

The police service also welcomed a new constable, two cadets and three youth who will work this summer.

“These are initiatives that Treaty 3 has implemented in the last few years as a progression to have more of our members from our Treaty 3 territories to become police officers,” says Lui. “It is our ultimate goal that at some point in the future, these young students, that are working with us this summer, will become cadets and then from a cadet may end up being a special possible and then to be a police officer.”

The two cadets are part of a pilot program, working out of Treaty Three’s detachment in Couchiching.

 

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Treaty #3 Creating LGBTQ2S Council

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Grand Council Treaty #3 has announced the creation of an LGBTQ2S Council.

The move is seen as an integral part of the organizations national governance.

The Chiefs-in-Assembly determined that there are members of the Anishinaabe Nation that may not find themselves represented within the exisiting four councils (Women’s Council, Men’s Council, Youth Council and Elder’s Council) and the addition of a fifth was necessary.

Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh says this past summer gave them time to reflect on how society excludes many people and their stories.

Kavanaugh says “This has been a personal journey for myself as well, as a heterosexual man, who must admit that he does not know the realities faced by those whose genders or sexual orientations varies from that which society has long deemed ‘normal’. Sometimes a governance system, no matter how sacred or functional, must be changed if it excludes those that are most vulnerable. This council is of critical importance to me as I seek guidance on how to ensure that LGBTQ2S individuals are never again left feeling as though they do not have a place within the Nation that loves them.”

He’s encouraging all other Indigenous organizations, governments and nations to reflect on how their systems impact the life experiences of LGBTQ2S people.

Selection of the Council members will occur at the next Chiefs-in-Assembly meeting.

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Treaty Three Chief Honours Class Of 2020

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We say goodbye Friday to a school year that will be remembered forever.

Schools, groups and individuals across the region have been finding innovative ways to honour graduates.

Treaty 3 Grand Chief Francis Kavanaugh took to Twitter for his graduation message.

“I am very proud of each and everyone of you for continuing through despite these unique and trying times. You graduated at a time of great change in our society. I am sure its something you will always remember.”

Ogichidaa Kavanaugh adds “The world will never be the same as it was and you are the first graduates to step into this new world. You will go on to face these new challenges and build better, more resilient communities.”

Kavanaugh says “All of your hopes and dreams are still possible. Some of you will work on the cures of these diseases. Some of you will go on to tell the story of who we are to the global world of the 21st century.”

Kavanaugh adds our communities still need the trades people, the accountants, the artists, designers and leaders of tomorrow.

The Grand Chief states he understands it may be hard to find work or additional learning because of COVID-19 shutdowns.

“But I ask you to remain positive because we’ll get through this soon. And when we do your communities will need you to build a better future for our people.”

A reminder to people in Dryden, a drive-by ceremony with music will be held on Wilson Street from 7 until 8 Friday night.

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Treaty 3 Recognizing LGBQ Community

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Indigenous people in the Treaty 3 territory who are part of the LGBTQ2 community may soon have a strong voice.

Grand Council Treaty 3 Ogichidaa Frances Kavanaugh says he’s looking at how to have the LGBTQ2S represented in their governance structure.

“Treaty 3’s governance structure includes an Elders Council, a Women’s Council, a Men’s Council and a Youth Council. Now I’m asking staff to look at establishing a LGBQ Council.”

Kavanaugh is also taking steps to erect a flag pole in front of his office to fly the Pride flag.

Treaty 3 has declared the month of June as Pride Month.

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Two Major Events For Treaty #3 Postponed

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Indigenous leaders will have to wait to sit down face-to-face and discuss priority needs across northwestern Ontario.

Grand Council Treaty #3 has postponed its Spring General Assembly due to COVID-19.

The meeting is now scheduled for sometime this fall.

As well, the Chiefs of Ontario has decided to postpone their annual All Chiefs Conference in June.

Treaty Three was also supposed to host that event.

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New COVID-19 Equipment For Treaty #3 Communities

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Grand Council Treaty #3 is providing support to help its member communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organization is using Indigenous Services Canada funds to purchase generators and defibrillators for distribution to each community.

The equipment will be used by local security teams, which have been established by leadership in order to protect their community members during the health crisis.

The generators will then be used by individual First Nations to provide temporary means of electricity for Elders and community safe centres during extended power outages.

The support is being led by the new Territorial Planning Unit.

The group helps Treaty #3 communities deal with environmental disasters, emergency management plans and greenhouse gas emission mitigation, through the climate change program coordinator and recently hired emergency management coordinators.

The TPU is also providing business size recycling bins for use during the health crisis.

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Treaty #3 Asking Residents To Stay Home

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Grand Council Treaty #3 is requesting all of its citizens to stay home as much as possible to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

Officials stress people should only leave their homes for essential needs such as food purchases and medicine.

Treaty #3 stresses member communities must reduce transmission of the virus by all means available, noting the area has limited health care capacity.

That means not meeting in groups, eliminating all but the necessary travel, and continuing to practice good hygiene and sanitation whenever possible.

Officials note efforts are being made to flow funding to ensure community and regional efforts continue for the duration of the emergency.

Treaty #3 adds they continue to work with regional organizations to assist in coordinating relief efforts.

*FULL STATEMENT

Grand Council Treaty #3 is requesting all of its citizens to stay home as much as possible to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 as the province of Ontario moves to close all non-essential businesses and the Government of Canada continues advising people to stay home. People should only leave their homes for essential needs such as to purchase food, medicine, and other essential products or to provide for those that cannot supply these items themselves. Citizens are therefore advised to shelter in place to assist in response efforts and shorten the duration of this pandemic.

Northwestern Ontario has limited health care capacity and it is the duty of all of us to support our health professionals by reducing transmission of this disease by all means available. This means not meeting in groups, eliminating all but the most necessary of travel, and continuing to practice good hygiene and sanitation whenever possible. It is now also advisable to self-isolate after returning from travel within Canada as well as from abroad. While border communities have been assured of leniency at closed border crossings, it is not recommended that citizens travel across the border into the United States if at all possible.

Grand Council continues to work with the regional organizations of Treaty 3 to assist in coordinating relief measures. Grand Council and the Ogichidaa have been inspired by the individual efforts of people within our communities that have banded together to organize food delivery, care for elders, and made available for community members essentials such as firewood and traditional medicines. Efforts are being made to flow funding to ensure it is possible to continue these community and regional efforts for the duration of this emergency.

It is times like this that we must draw upon our Anishinaabe history and identity to care for one another and to remember that it is at times like this that we must sacrifice our own comfort and habits for the greater good of our communities and our Nation.

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Province Asked To Enhance Internet Service

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A call has been made to improve broadband service in northern communities.

The request comes from Grand Council Treaty #3.

Senior Political Advisor Gary Allen says they need provincial help to improve the situation.

“The benefits of broadband access are widely known, yet the cost of access and the expense of installing and maintaining the wires and boxes that make broadband possible in rural and remote areas is often out of reach.”

Allen stresses First Nations communities can’t afford to foot the bill on their own.

Allen says the best way to describe Internet connectivity in Treaty 3 territory is “uneven and substandard.”

He notes service for the 28 communities they serve varies widely, stressing reliable Internet is critical, especially when it comes to health care.

Allen made the comments at pre-budget consultations in Sioux Lookout this week.

 

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Grand Council Treaty #3 Hopes To Gather Leaders Again Soon

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Grand Council Treaty #3 says they hope to meet with community leaders again.

This past summer leaders from First Nations and municipalities from across the region met on Whitefish Bay.

Grand Chief Frances Kavanaugh says problems like drug use can’t be made in isolation and they intend to move forward on fighting drug use, drug dealing and homelessness.

He also says it’s important to make sure aboriginal viewpoints are taken into consideration.

Kavanaugh adds that Treaty #3 will be very involved in the creation of the All-Nations Hospital which he says should represent the needs of local aboriginal communities.

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Regional Support For New Federal Cabinet

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Grand Council Treaty #3 is supporting the new federal cabinet.

Grand Chief Frances Kavanaugh points out that Marc Miller, the new Minister of Indigenous Affairs is a Mohawk.

He points out that Miller was the first person to give a speech in his native tongue in the House Commons.

Kavanaugh says he also looks forward to working with Thunder Bay’s Patty Hajdu, who is the Minister of Health.

He notes he wants the new Ministers to know that there is still much work to do.

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