Wachaye,

Fall is here finally. The leaves are about four weeks behind but their colours are finally coming out. Fall is the time that our ancestors would begin preparation for the long winter season.

Fish would be caught, smoked, dried and put away for the the dark months. Moose would be killed and the meat would be dried and if late enough in the season, frozen for the winter in tree caches. Berries and other plants would be placed in containers.

Today we don’t rely on food from the land the way our ancestors did. However our members continue to use nature’s bounty to supplement the food they share with family and friends. It is always important to remember that all our actions – while hunting, fishing or in our relations with family and colleagues, be done respectfully and consistently with how our people have been guided by the connection we have with the land and all inhabitants. Good luck to all our hunters. Travel and hunt safely.

The Keekanaw Centre project is moving forward. The straw hay has been removed and plans are in place to develop a plan to begin closing in the structure before the snow flies. With the late arrival of the fall it could be possible that we will have a few extra weeks to complete the closing in part of the construction.

Missanabie Cree has been working closely with Richmont Mines and the Island Gold Mine located near Dubreuilville. We are working on securing two contracts. First we will have to form business partnerships with companies that have the experience, management capability and equipment to complete the contract obligations. If we are successful in securing the contracts there will be job opportunities in the next few months.

A meeting was held with Ministers Cansfield (Natural Resources) and Duguid (Aboriginal Affairs) in Toronto to discuss a number of issues. Councilors Rainville and Horn as well as Elder Horn and youth Nolan Rainville accompanied me to the meeting at Minister Cansfield’s office.

We discussed the following areas:

1.  Thanked the minister for advancing the Land Transfer process to the next stage.

2.  Signed the agreement for funding for this year. Expressed concern that it takes over 6 months to receive this funding support for the Land Transfer Advisory Committee to conduct their work. (The cheque’s in the mail.)

3.  Charges to a band member for building a cabin on our lands (not yet transferred but will be part of the land transfer in 2011). Minister acknowledged the issue and has directed their prosecutor to delay court proceedings until after the land is transferred and then drop the charges.

4.  Hunting on our traditional lands outside of NAN area. Minister suggested that individuals seek a letter from other community chiefs to hunt in Robinson Treaty area. This is not acceptable to MCFN leadership as the land is part of our traditional land base and members should not have to seek approval from leaders from other communities.

Overall the meeting, in my opinion was positive. The Ministers were well versed on our issues. Missanabie Cree have a high profile with the government and Minister Duguid stated that he “cannot wait to see what we can do with a land base, especially after everything MCFN has done without one.”

We only need to educate the government that our traditional lands “are our traditional lands.” This should be recognized in our relationship with Canada and the province.

I also want to welcome to our staff Jason Gauthier as the assistant mining coordinator. Jason will be assisting in developing information packages, submissions in the newsletter and on the web page as well as assisting in hosting mining related workshops for the members. The funding for his position comes from the New Relationship Fund from the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs.

I also would like to send out my prayers for the safe recovery of Tonya Desjardins after her successful heart transplant operation in early September. I know the recovery will be long but our thoughts are with you and your family.

Chi-meegwetch

Okei Mahkan Glenn Nolan