Ah-neen, Elders, community members, employees and students! Fall has officially arrived and it is back to school and work. The school is busy and back in full swing. Please drive safely and slowly with students heading to and from school.

The month of September started with the O’Chiese Industry Appreciation Barbeque held at the future site of the band office. We were pleased to see so many industry members as well as the Mayor from Red Deer and a representative of the Mayor from Rocky Mountain House had attended. We look forward to building many new partnerships and positive relations with the off reserve communities and industries. O’Chiese First Nation has many opportunities to promote growth, sustainability and jobs for our people. I want to commend the entrepreneurial community members that attended the barbeque to promote and potentially expand their businesses. Thank you to all the staff as all the programs and services were represented and a wealth of information was presented to the community about all the great work that O’Chiese First Nation provides both on and off reserve. Thank you to the Public Works Department for the set up and take down of the event and the well constructed picnic tables! Thank you to the Traditional Land Use Department for hosting the event and providing the awards and draw prizes and for all their hard work!

I would like to thank Shane Beston for organizing the first Annual Golf Tournament held at the Wolf Creek Golf Course was a big success. Everyone enjoyed themselves, it was a great venue with great food and all the funds raised will go towards the O’Chiese Pow Wow grounds of which we plan to host a Pow Wow in the summer of 2010. Congratulations to all the winners of the golf tournament although no one won the Ford Truck but would like to thank Ponoka Ford dealership for putting up one of their trucks for the hole in one. The hole in one was close, but not close enough to be driving the ford down the road. Nevertheless, it was a great day to play golf; it was fun and a successful tourney.

These two events hosted by the O’Chiese First Nation are annual events so mark them on your calendars for next year as we look forward to seeing you and many more people there.

As always, I thank the community, elders, and employees for their continued support, encouragement, and prayers.