Before the holidays, we were busy with preparations for the Community Christmas dinner and last minute details before leaving for the Assembly of First Nations Gathering in Ottawa. The real reason we went to Ottawa was to meet with Assistant Deputy Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs for Economic Development. We did not get to meet with the ADM but met with a Senior Policy Analyst and explained our business plans that included: Truck Stop, Business Investment Centre, Golf Course & Resort and in the end; we met a portion of our goal. Through the Policy Analyst, we invited the ADM to come to our community. We left with a batch of newsletters, business cards, and O’Chiese pamphlets; we came back empty handed as we met so many people that wanted to know about our community. As for the AFN, they had Honorable Chuck Strahl listen to an emotional and heart rendering reasons why he needs to pay attention to the educational needs and the state of our schools which resulted in creating an Education Day. In addition, the new AFN Chief restated the importance of our Treaties and reinforced the need for the current government to support our communities. All in all, we believe the trip was well worth going.

When I returned to the reserve, it was in full swing into preparations for our community lunch. All the children and families enjoyed their feast, had family photographs taken, enjoyed the fun entertainment and families left with a frozen turkey in hand. Thank you to ConocoPhillips for sponsoring this event again this year and we all look forward to next year’s bash as well. Next year, our new Community Centre will host this event and other events. The school has done us well over the past years and we need to thank them for letting us host these events in their facility. Sometimes the school staff has to clean up after us which is not always fair to them and that is why they have instituted the need to put a deposit down to use their facility. O’Chiese Administration gives Kudos to the school for allowing us to use the facility and in the future, the community centre will be the place to host events.

My month ended with many last minute meetings with the Industry in Edmonton and Calgary. Chief and Council promote and strictly enforce that all jobs on the reserve and a percentage of off reserve employment incorporates our businesses first over other corporations and conglomerates that try to tippy toe onto our reserve. It is reassuring to our workers that the O’Chiese Chief and Council have their best interests at heart and believe in our own work force. If our Leadership does not politically enforce these decisions, the impact on our reserve reduces our ability to strengthen our employability, capacity, and economy.

Finally, the O’Chiese Staff Christmas Gala and Staff Awards evening was fun! The food was good and we had some laughs. It is also good to acknowledge all our hard work, get together in a new setting other than our usual work environment, dress up, and have a special evening out. Congratulations to the winners and to all the O’Chiese staff for all their hard work.

Just a note, I really do think that Santa is real! Councilor, Douglas, thank you to you and your family for giving out the presents to our community’s children! Sometimes, thank you is not enough for a heart like yours.

As you can see and hear communication is the key to our success and learning, so read for your goo-kum, mo-shoom, children, and yourselves! Newsletters can be obtained at the reception desk usually around the first week of the month. Thank you to the editor and to those who submit to the newsletter!