Ah neen! I trust that everyone had a great Christmas and a happy new year! So many family orientated events happened on the reserve this month. It is good that we are encouraged to spend time as a family and as a large community at these events. It is good to socialize and have fun and just be together. This month on the reserve, we were entertained by the Community Christmas Lunch, School Christmas Concert, PCD, and the Staff Awards Gala. After months of work, meetings and reports due, it is a welcome break for Chief and Council to be with the community and their families at these fun filled events.
O’Chiese First Nation would like to thank ConocoPhillips for donating and sponsoring the annual event of the Community Christmas Lunch. It is greatly appreciated that the Industry takes an interest in our community as ConocoPhillips has and continues to do. The Community Lunch was full of entertainment with the Grinch movie, the green screen dancing heads DVDs, family photographs and the free frozen turkeys to ensure all families can feast together. Unfortunately, the gifts arrived late due to unforeseen circumstances but thanks to the kindness of Councilor Douglas Beaverbones and his family, all the gifts were delivered to each house until late Sunday evening.
It is also important for our community to recognize special individuals within our community who volunteer their time, set a good example, and give back to their community. These awards were given to two Elders and two Youths. Three people were awarded for their Long Term Service and one award was given to the best maintained house. It is important to reward individuals and to let them know we do not take them and their good works for granted, and we hope their positive example will spread within the community and other individuals will follow their example.
I would like to thank the teachers who have invested a lot of time and energy preparing the school children for their Christmas Concert and to thank the children as it warms all the parents hearts to see their little ones on the stage, it is a proud moment for parents.
Congratulations to the staff and departments who won awards at the Staff Awards Gala! The Council and I like to acknowledge our staff for all their hard work over the year and it is nice to have an evening catered to us in Red Deer. We wish we could give every staff member an award because each staff member is an integral part of our organization. We accomplish far more because there are so many of us working together for the same goal which is to improve the quality of life for our community.
Everyone received PCD monies to ease financial burdens. Family events are encouraged to strengthen our family ties which often involve feasting and not to mention the ongoing programs that support our families and meet the various needs of our community. So thank you to all the staff for being an essential part of our organization.
My overall message to the community is “thank you, as it is the ‘we’ and not the ‘I’ concept, but the team effort that we will continue to succeed, and prosper. As always, I thank the community, elders, and employees for their continued support, encouragement, and prayers. Thank you to my biggest support: my wife and family.
See you all in the New Year and have a safe holiday!
Respectfully, Chief Darren Whitford, O’Chiese First Nation