Already it is July, I wonder where June went and for that matter the previous months. I am glad that it goes by so fast, that way I do not have to think about what has happened. Trying to keep positive, staying focused and busy seems to run my life and right now, I need it. We are working on a skeleton staff as some are out on holidays. Here on the reserve, we had the privilege of meeting Delegates from Komsomolsk-na-Amure, Russia and I really enjoyed their visit. Hope to see them again soon.
As you have noticed our Reserve is changing its face, you can see dirt being moved, access roads, and houses being built. The changing landscape speaks of our progress, our plans becoming reality and for some employment and training.
You will notice that we have some familiar faces in our office but we also have different ones. We have hired employees and promoted some in other positions. We are trying to develop the business centre so that we can begin employment, training, and garnering the profits. As we continue to progress, we realize that our businesses require a great foundation such as management, policies, enforcement and profit. We also need to invest in our community, our equipment, our land, and our people.
At the office, we have had staff and management meetings; we are trying to bring order to the services we provide. As we grow and progress, we require more diligence with reporting procedures and expenditures. As you know, the changes and challenges of mainstream also impact us. And we especially notice this within the Social Programs area. Mainstream programs and policies are changing and not increasing in funding but require a strict enforcing policies and that is why the Chief wants us to become self sustaining so we do not have to continue to degrade ourselves with these policies. Just as our Chief and Council are focusing on Economic Development so are other First Nations.
As Economic Development is on the minds of other First Nations and ourselves, we have another matter that will have a negative impact on our Treaty rights is the Land Use Framework. Treaties 6, 7, and 8 have a written rejection of the Framework to the Minister of Sustainable Resources, Honorable Ted Morton. This month, we have met with other treaty areas in regard to ‘Duty to Consult’ and the treaty areas are positioning themselves to continue to reject the Land Use Framework. This weighs heavily on the Nations minds as the Land Use Framework will heavily adversely impact our treaty rights.
Communication is the key to our success and learning, so read for yourselves, your goo-kum, mo-shoom and your children! Please submit to your newsletter, do not be shy, we know you have a lot of positive and new things to say!!! Newsletters can be obtained at the reception desk usually around the first week of the month! Thank you.
Respectfully, Beatrice Carpentier, O’Chiese Band Manager