MARCH 2012 WE, THE TSE’KHENE NATION (PEOPLE OF THE ROCK) ARE PROUD PEOPLE

MLIB The Traveling Feather

march 2012 quarterly meeting issue

19No.

Contributors

MLIB The Traveling Feather

Derek Orr, Adele Chingee, Jodie Ware, Ryan Bichon, Jenine Solonas, Fred Inyallie, Barb Heine, Guy Rocheleau, Stephanie Rocheleau, Beth Cooper,

Terra Tylee, Guy Rocheleau Geraldine Solonas & Marc P. Klijnsmit

McLeod Lake Indian Band address:

General Delivery

McLeod Lake, V0J 2G0

Toll Free 1-888-822-1143

MLIB Newsletter No.19

The Traveling Feather is published up to 12 times a year. Members of the McLeod Lake Indian Band and the people of McLeod Lake can submit t h e i r n e w s a n d p i c t u r e s a t

mklijnsmit@mlib.ca

Office Opening Hours

The McLeod Lake Indian Band Office is open Monday - Friday

8.30am - 4.00pm.

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McLeod Lake Indian Band

General Delivery, McLeod Lake, BC V0J 2G0 Main Office (250) 750-4415 Fax: (250) 750-4420

Re: MLIB Corporate Audit/Financial Statements – MLIB Access & Information (Disclosure & Transparency) Date: March, 2012 Background: Requests from individual MLIB Members for “take away” copies of detailed MLIB Corporate Financial Statements/audit information. Current Status: MLIB acknowledges the membership’s right and entitlement as a stakeholder/shareholder to MLIB’s corporate business to inspect, view and scrutinize any and all MLIB Corporate Financial Statements and Audits. In the past, copies of MLIB detailed Financial Statements were provided to MLIB Members. Unfortunately, it was confirmed the MLIB Financial Statement copies were found visible to the general public. The ultimate goal and objective of the MLIB entities is to maximize returns for the MLIB members as shareholders. The success of MLIB Group of Companies is important to MLIB because the Entities deliver the earnings to MLIB which has provided important benefits and distributions to the Membership. Policy Guidelines: In order to practice proper risk management and due diligence for safe guarding and protecting the MLIBs corporate financial information and respecting its obligation and accountability to the MLIB Members, the following guideline is required for financial information disclosure:

“Member(s) to set an appointment with MLIB Controller to view, inspect and analyze the MLIB Corporate Financial Statements/Audits. The member(s) will also sign a Confidentiality Agreement. No duplication or reproductions will be permitted to protect the integrity of the MLIB competitive business position(s). The Controller will provide an expert opinion and analysis to answer any questions or concerns from the MLIB members. Year End Financial Statements are presented by an Independent Auditor to each Annual General Meeting of the Board of Directors and also to the MLIB Annual General Assembly held in August of each year. ”

The MLIB Financial Statements are initially prepared by an expert independent third party, presently fulfilled from Deloitte, Accountants. Once the Audit is complete, it is sent to Aboriginal Affairs Canada (formerly known as INAC) for review and acceptance and to begin the next year’s financial cycle. MLIB has recently been successful in receiving unqualified audits (good standing). For further information feel free to contact: Band Manager; or Controller; or Executive Assistant

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HOUSING(REPORT(–(MARCH(2012(

(

Department(has(been(busy(with(the(setCup(and(implementation(of(new(Housing(software(that(has(been(purchased(in(order(to(streamline(operations.(This(new(software(will(enable(housing(to(provide(accurate(

information(regarding(current(housing(stock.(This(will(also(enable(us(to(become(more(efficient(with(the(maintenance(requirements(of(the(housing(stock(and(within(regards(to(scheduling(and(reporting.(

Housing(has(met(with(Chief(and(Council(within(regards(to(recommendations(for(the(New(Housing(Policy(that(is(currently(Draft(7.((

Rent(Collection(and(Arrears(are(of(great(concern(and(recommendations(are(being(forwarded(to(Chief(

and(Council(by(April(12/2012.(

Some(Community(suggestions(to(resolve(the(Rent(issue:(

( Loss(of(Maintenance(Services(–(such(as:(

(1)(No(Garbage(pickCup.(

2)(No(snow(removal(on(private(driveways.(

3)(No(wood(delivery(to(Tenants/(loss(of(water(service.(

4)(Loss(of(access(to(other(McLeod(Lake(Indian(Band(benefits.(

These(recommendations(will(be(enforced(before(the(final(step(of(EVICTION(is(to(happen.(

Please(be(advised(that(Annual(Income(Verification(must(be(completed(to(assist(with(the(issue(of(arrears.(

In(housing(we(are(working(on(reviewing(current(tenant’s(arrears(amounts(and(solutions(to(this(problem.(

In#order#for#Tenant’s#to#be#Accountable#to#the#McLeod#Lake#Indian#Band#we#are#willing#to#publish#the#names#of#the#Tenants#who#are#in#Arrears#with#Housing.#Perhaps#if#every#Band#member#is#aware#of#who#is#responsible#for#the#arrears,#they#may#all#work#together#to#resolve#this#issue.##

We(are(a(Community,(let’s(work(together(so(that(we(can(build(more(houses(in(the(future.(

(

All(my(Relations,(

(

Elizabeth(Cooper(

Social(Housing(Coordinator.(

More AGA 2010 pictures at www.mlib.ca

MLIB%Land%Referral%Office%1%Quarterly%Update%–%March%19,%2012%

% With% the% exception% of% natural% gas,% at% its% lowest% price% since% 1995,% all% industrial% development% within% MLIB’s% Traditional%

Territory,% particularly% north% of% the% mountains,% continues% to% progress% and% the% cumulative% impacts% to% fish% and% wildlife% habitats%

becomes%a%greater%concern%among%communities,%land%owners%and%most%importantly,%land%users.%%

% All%components%of%oil%and%gas%development%create%holes% in%otherwise%undisturbed%habitat,% increase%noise%that%makes%the%

surrounding%areas%uninhabitable,%have%the%potential%for%soil%and%groundwater%contamination,%as%well%as%the%introduction%of%invasive%

species%that%have%the%potential%to%destroy%entire%landscapes%and%eradicate%the%native%vegetation.%Most%evident%of%the%critical%impacts%

is%the%division%of%habitat%and%increase%access%for%recreational%use,%hunting%and%predation.%Seismic%exploration%alone%can%often%open%

up% to% one% hundred% square% kilometres% at% a% time% on% a% one% to% two% kilometre% grid% pattern,% opening% whole% landscapes% for% further%

destruction%and%as%we%have%seen%with%the%WAC%Bennett%Dam,%some%projects%can%permanently%restrict%the%annual%migration%routes%of%

ungulate%herds.%

% The%Canadian%Water%Act%is%currently%one%hundred%years%old%and%still%a%few%years%from%the%completion%of%an%updated%Water%

Sustainability%Act,%meanwhile%the%water%use%continues%to%become%a%growing%concern%in%northeast%BC,%used%in%resource%development%

for%seismic,%drilling,%transportation%pipelines,%road%construction%and%maintenance,%and%of%greatest%concern,%fraking.%One%concern%is%

the%use%of%water%in%all%activities%that%changes%watercourses%and%potential%to%redirect%flow%away%from%wetlands.%Approximately%15%%of%

water%use%applications%are%approved%monthly,%and%an%estimated%1%%of%the%approved%is%actually%used.%In%2011,%total%approved%water%

use%was%about%50%million%m³%and%the%actual%water%use%was%about%4%million%m³.%Taken%from%lakes,%rivers,%creeks,%water%wells,%deep%

groundwater%and%stored% in%sumps%and%reused% in% the% fraking%process%until% the%salinity% is% too%high%and%the%water% is% re1injected% into%

decommissioned%wells.%Many%communities%have%expressed%concerns%regarding%this%process%of%re1injecting%contaminated%water%from%

fraking%and%the%possibility% that%even%though% it% is%up% to% two%kilometres%below%the%surface,% it%will%one%day%rise%up%and%contaminate%

other%water%resources,%as%well%as%the%potential%for%long%term%subterranean%displacement%from%the%expansion%of%cracks%created%during%

the%fraking%process%itself.%

% Some%applications%are%submitted%to%the%government% for%approval,% like%a%recent%sand%and%gravel%quarry,%which%are%wholly%

within% designated% caribou% habitat% and% old% growth% forest.% In% response% to% consultation% of% these% projects,% we% have% express% great%

concern%regarding%the%long%term%impacts%of%these%projects,%as%they%are%proposed%for%fifteen%years%or%more,%creating%massive%areas%

that% will% no% longer% be% suitable% for% wildlife% habitat.% As% the% application% process% currently% stands,% the% government% can% only% make%

recommendations%to%the%company%and%request%that%they%follow%the%best%management%and%mitigative%standards,%limiting%activity%to%

timing%windows,%but%otherwise%providing%minimal%limitation%to%prevent%the%destruction%of%critical%habitat.%%

% What%improvements%can%be%made%to%the%provincial%and%federal%legislation%to%actually%preserve%and%protect%what%remains%of%

the%critical%caribou%habitat%and%other%fish%and%wildlife%habitat%from%destruction,%rather%than%providing%guidelines%to%simply%mitigate%

impacts% and% regulate% industrial% activities% that% currently% have% no% significant% means% of% enforcing% compliance,% let% alone% sufficient%

mitigative%measures%to%prevent%the%destruction?%

% The% federal% government% has% stated% repeatedly% that% they% have% insufficient% funds% for% adequate% consultation% with%

communities%on%developing%better%legislative%strategies%for%the%protection%of%caribou%habitat,%which%begs%the%question;%if%oil%and%gas%

companies%are%getting%rich%taking%resources%from%the%land%and%destroying%habitat,%and%the%government%can’t%afford%to%accommodate%

prevention,% why% are% these% companies% not% being% taxed% additionally% for% wildlife% habitat% compensation?% As% far% as% the% concerns% of%

impacted%communities%go,%it%is%one%thing%to%corrupt%the%way%of%life%and%the%means%to%a%livelihood,%and%provide%some%compensation,%

but%is%it%not%more%important%to%compensate%the%wildlife%for%the%loss%of%their%home?%%Give%back%to%the%land%for%all%that%you%take%from%it.%

Every% breath% we% are% given%must% one% day% be% given% back;% this% law% applies% to% all% things% in% nature,% yet% lacks% value% in% a% system% of%

economics%and%resource%development.%%

% We%do%not% inherit% the% land;%we%borrow% it% from%our% children.%What% is%a% sustainable%economy%worth% to% them% if% they%have%

nothing%to%eat%and%no%water%left%to%drink?%This%concept%is%often%foreign%to%companies%that%come%to%inhabit%the%land%with%no%ties%to%it%

and%no%relative%perception%of%its%future%for%its%children.%Based%out%of%Calgary,%Vancouver,%the%USA%or%elsewhere,%the%general%objective%

is% profit,% without% concern% for% the% sustainability% of% the% land% or% legal% requirements% to% properly% rehabilitate% it% back% to% sustainable%

habitat.% At% this% point% in% our% country’s% history,% the% government% holds% authority% on% the% land% and% industry% is% given% priority% while%

communities%are%given%the%opportunity%to%submit%their%comments,%with%little%means%for%change;%but%it%is%the%communities%and%their%

children%that%will%remain%here%after%the%resources%have%been%depleted%and%there’s%no%money%left%to%gain,%to%use%what%is%left%of%the%

land%to%continue%an%ancient%way%of%life%beyond%the%destruction%of%modern%greed.%

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PUBLIC'WORKS'UPDATE''' ' ' ' ' ' ' 'March&01/12&

The&first&phase&of&the&Band&Hall&renovation&is&nearing&completion.&The&reception&and&custodian&areas&are&complete,&as&is&the&new&office.&&A&new&electrical&service&was&installed&for&the&centre&of&the&hall&as&most&circuits&were&seriously&overloaded.&All&wiring&is&now&concealed&including&new&phone&and&Ethernet&

connections.&

The&ceiling&of&the&hall&centre&had&some&serious&cracks&developing&in&it.&The&old&Gyproc&and&insulation&were&removed&to&reveal&that&the&suspicions&of&our&structural&engineer&were&correct.&There&was&no&ridge&

board&or&beam&in&place&and&the&roof&was&in&an&advanced&stage&of&failure&i.e.&in&danger&of&collapse.&

&

The&photos&above&show&that&the&roof&had&already&dropped&with&not&much&of&the&rafters&left&touching&each&other.&&There&were&only&a&couple&toenails&(nail&in&on&an&angle&at&the&end&of&the&board)&holding&

anything&together.&

&

&

Heel'Spread'of'Rafters'Close<up'Heel'Spread'of'Rafters'

&

The&two&toenails&per&end&were&all&that&was&holding&up&the&roof&and&keeping&the&

peak&from&falling&further&&

&

Birdsmouth'at'the'bottom'end'of'the'rafters'

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!!

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!!

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Ceiling'joists'installed'

!Ceiling!joists!were!installed!to!secure!the!ends!of!the!rafters!and!keep!them!from!spreading!further!

!

Gusset!Plates!

Gusset!plates!made!of!½”!plywood!are!installed!on!both!sides!of!the!rafters!at!the!peak!to!add!strength.!

!

Brackets'are'installed'at'the'Birds'mouth'

!Brackets!are!installed!at!the!bird’s!mouth!to!add!strength!and!serve!as!hurricane!ties.!

!

Finished!Ceiling!

Ceiling!insulated!and!finished!with!fan!installed.!

Fred’s!new!storeroom!

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Thanks to everyone who helped cleaning up!!

!

New$reception$area$

The!renovation!is!nearing!completion.!To!date!the!glass!for!the!railings!will!be!ready!next!week!along!with!the!countertops.!Once!the!counters!are!installed,!the!roll!down!door!for!reception!can!be!installed.!Completion!of!the!camera!installation!is!slated!for!the!end!of!next!week.!!Meaghan!Van!Somer!is!looking!

after!furniture!procurement!for!the!new!lounge.!The!flooring!to!replace!worn!and!damaged!sections!at!the!entrance!will!not!be!in!until!the!end!of!March!due!to!vendor!problems.!

!

March&15,&2012&

&

Council&Report&&February&2012&

&

February&1,&&2012:&College&of&New&Caledonia&mtg.&&Natural&Resource&Centre&with&

Michelle&Gunter&regarding&the&Aboriginal&Awareness&Program.&

February&6,&2012:&Economic&Development&update,&Natural&Resource&Centre&with&

Chief&and&Council,&band&manager,&Economic&Development&Officer.&

February&7,&2012:&Oil&and&Gas&Commission&meeting&in&Fort&St.&John,&B.C.&

February&8,&2012:&Chief&and&Council&meeting&in&McLeod&Lake&

February&14,&2012:&Leadership&Forum&(HIV)&in&Prince&George,&B.C.&with&Health&

Manager&Meaghan&Van&Somer&and&CHR&Barb&Heine&

February&15,&2012:&JIC&mtg.&In&Prince&George&with&Thompson&Creek,&Chief&Derek&

Orr,&Band&Manager&Adele&Chingee.&

February16,&2012:&Water&Workshop&in&Fort&St.&John&(Cancelled)&

February&17,&2012:&INAC&mtg.&McLeod&Lake,&meeting&new&funding&services&officer&

February&21,&2012:&Community&Policing&mtg.&In&McLeod&Lake&with&Chief&and&

Council&and&RCMP&

February&22,&2012:&Housing&Group&mtg.&In&McLeod&Lake&with&Band&Manager,&

Housing&Coordinator&Elizabeth&Inyallie&and&Margie&Chingee&

February&28,&2012:&Chief&and&Council&meeting&in&McLeod&Lake&

February29,&2012:&First&Nations&Summit&meeting&in&North&Vancouver,&B.C.&

&

Jenine&Solonas&(On&Reserve&Councillor)&

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Quarterly Report March 2012 By: Off Reserve Councillor Yasmin Prince Danache’a Elders, Band members, family and staff. I would like to start off by saying I am honoured and proud to be an elected member for you. I have been able to attend more workshops, conferences and award ceremonies recently and to say I am from MLIB, and share with other First nations who we are as well as some of our values, is a great feeling and moment. The latest functions I have attended have been; November Aboriginal Business Awards December 2011 Quarterly Meeting in Vancouver January C&C meeting via Teleconference February C&C meeting in McLeod Lake personally. March Aboriginal Awards Ceremony in Vancouver March 8th Environmental Assessment Building Capacity Workshop in Richmond March 15th AFOA Demystifying Finances in Vancouver The Events coming up will be; March 21-22nd– Governance Training in Prince George March Quarterly Meetings in Prince George and Vancouver March Aboriginal Tourism Conference Osoyoos BC May Aboriginal Tourism Workshop Victoria BC I was thankful to attend the Aboriginal Business Awards, it was so inspiring to see and be around all those entrepreneurs and business minded people. It was great to have Duz Cho honoured and recognized. The December Quarterly Meeting in Vancouver was Great! The amount of members and information shared was positive and progressive. Mussi cho to everyone who could attend!! Again it was just as inspiring to be at the Aboriginal Awards Ceremony. My friend and I decided to go and found our way and met up with mutual community and business friends there. I was glad to see some of the youth and Band members made it there as well, another Positive environment to be in and experience. The Environmental Assessment workshop in Richmond provided a great opportunity to understand how Environmental Assessments are done and how the First Nations and Government roles play out. I gain knowledge in the terminology, process, positives and negatives with Government and business involvement. The First Nations are still very much in a buyer beware position since Environmental Assessments are still a new process to Government and ourselves, since the late 90’s. Since MLIB has their own Land code there is also slightly different rules, processes and responsibilities we need to double check!! One of the questions I had was who has the rights to the data collected, for example, with Site C, BC Hydro wants to control and have the collected data but MLIB wants to do the data collecting and then provide them with what information they request. I found out there is a Data website for EA’s in BC and more information on EA’s at http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=499F0D58-1.

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The AFOA Financial Workshop was again very informative giving definitions for terminology like AMORIZATION which means depreciation of an asset, and GAAP is the acronym for General Accepted Accounting Principals. This is not rocket science but every bit more we learn and understand we can piece together, share, communicate and work on. I have appreciated these opportunities so far and I look forward to the Aboriginal Tourism Conference and Workshop to attend and learn more there. My Family is doing well, our newest member Teo Munlo Nonda born just after the Dec. Quarterly meeting, is healthy and a joy to have (when he’s sleeping..lol..jk), he has attended a few meetings with me so far. I look forward to bringing my WHOLE family up for the AGA in August and do some camping!! Mussi Cho Everyone!!!! Again if you have Questions please contact me or other C&C members, I have had more Band members asking and chatting with me and I appreciate to have the conversation and hopefully provide an answer. Sincerely Yasmin Prince

!

!

McLeod'Lake'Indian'Band'

Annual'General'Meeting'

April'14,'2011!

Location:)

McLeod)Lake)Gymnasium)

Time:)

10am61pm)

Duz)Cho)Construction)Ltd)

Duz)Cho)Logging)Ltd)

MLIB)Exploration)Corporation)

In)Attendance:)

Chief)and)Council)

Board)of)Directors)

Management)

Auditor)

Lawyer)

Lunch)Provided)

Confidential)Meeting)Open)to)McLeod)Lake)Indian)Band)Members)

Education*Overview*March&2012&Quarterly&Submission&

&Well,&it’s&that&time&of&year&again;&it&seems&the&days&are&flying&by&too&quickly.&&Didn’t&Christmas&just&happen&lol?&&;)&Well&I&have&been&busy&as&usual,&day&to&day&tasks&of&being&available&for&phone&calls,&emails,&faxes,&etc…&I&always&do&my&best&to&be&available&for&membership,&if&not;&I&try&to&respond&in&a&timely&manner.&&&&Employment/Training*Well& this&year&end,&Terra& is&wrapping&up&the&yearend&expenses,&all&new&requests&are&beings&referred&until&April&1st,&2012.&&She&is&working&very&closely&with&our&Social&&&Health&Team,&every&Thursday,&a&group&of&us&meet&to&discuss&current&programs&and&new&opportunities&and&how&we&can&support&each&other.&

&Terra& and& Jen& Dyble& are& working& due& diligently& to& make& this& happen,& so& far,& we& have& 30&companies&that&have&expressed&interest.&&This&career&fair&is&open&to&all&our&membership&and&to&the& community& of&McLeod& Lake& and& Bear& Lake.& &We& are& still& finalizing& the& agenda,&we& are&hoping& to& have& 3& keynote& speakers& and& have& lunch& provided& as& well!!!& & If& you& have& any&questions&on&this,&please&contact&Terra&Tylee&at&ttylee@mlib.ca&or&Jen&Dyble&at&jdyble@mlib.ca&for&more&info….&&Great&Job&Ladies!!!&&&Elementary/Secondary*The&number&of&students&registered&for&the&2011/2012&school&year&is&at&99.&To&date,&I&have&4&confirmed&graduates&for&June&2012,&they&are:&!

&If&your&child&or&you&know&someone&who&is&graduating&this&year,&please&let&me&know&ASAP,&I&would&be&more&than&happy&to&share&the&graduation&incentive&program&we&offer…&&All&attendance&and&effort&incentives&are&being&processed,&please&remember&it&*Post*Secondary*Our&current&program&offers&full&time&sponsorship&which&includes&tuition,&books/supplies&and&a&monthly& living&out&allowance.& & If&part& time,&a&student&can&expect& tuition&and&books/supplies&only,&no&living&out&allowance.&&&We&have&16&students&registered&for&the&winter&2012&semester,&had&2&students&default&on&the&last&semester,&one&did&return&to&work&and&another&has&failed&his&academic&probation&with&the&institute.&&I&am&working&on&addressing&these&potential&arrears&with&these&students.&At&this&time,&I&have&had&14&new&requests&for&full&time&sponsorship&for&the&Fall&2012&semester,&2&applications&have&been&received&in&FULL.&I&had&5&requests&for&spring/summer&sessions,&in&past&practices,&no&full&time&sponsorship&has&been&processed,&and&all&requests&are&being&reviewed&by&date&received.&&&As& per& our& Post& Sec& Policy,& April* 1st* is* the* deadline& for& applying& with& MLIB& Education&Department,& if& apply& after& this& date,& your& application&will& be& considered& late& and& be& at& the&bottom&of&the&priority&list.&&Please&do&not&let&this&deter&you&from&applying,&applications&will&still&be&reviewed.&&In&late&June,&all&applications&to&be&reviewed,&all&students&will&be&notified&in&July&whether&they’re&application&has&been&approved&or&not.&&

!!Youth!The$Extra$Curricular$Activities$Fund$(ECA)$is$currently$administered$through$the$Supervisor$position.$$This$year’s$allocation$is$at$$300.00$per$youth$ages$4$to$18.$$This$program$does$have$a$form$developed,$parents$have$utilized$for$such$things$as$hockey$fees,$equipment,$lessons,$ski$passes,$ tournaments,$ and/or$ fees$ and$ supplies$has$needed.$ $This$program$ends$March$31st,$2012,$ please$ if$ your$ child(s)$ has$ not$ accessed,$ contact$ me$ ASAP;$ these$ dollars$ do$ not$accumulate.$ $New$amounts/forms$ to$be$ announced$ soon$ for$2012/2013$ (April$ 1st,$ 2012$ to$March$31st,$2013)$$National(Aboriginal(Achievement(Awards(2012(Summit$Pipelines$had$offered$ to$support$a$group$of$youth$ to$partake$ in$ this$annual$awards$ceremony,$ this$ year;$ the$ event$was$ to$ take$place$ in$Vancouver$BC$on$February$24th.$ $MLIB$worked$to$support$6$youth,$1$youth$worker,$1$parent$chaperone$and$1$elder$chaperone.$$The$event$was$well$received$by$the$youth,$the$youth$chosen$were$based$on$report$cards$received$to$date,$and$they$were:$

X Tessa$Mitchell$$ Grade$11$X Justin$Woolfrey$$ Grade$7$X Kassia$Nicolson$ Grade$7$X Janelle$George$$ Grade$5$X Jared$Erickson$$ Grade$5$X Jillian$Arthurs$ $ Grade$4$

$

$!Elders!Our$current$Elder$Coordinator,$Doris$Prince$is$on$sick$leave$for$one$month$effective$March$5th$to$April$5th,$2012.$$May$each$new$day,$find$you$feeling$better$Doris!!!!$In$the$interim,$MLIB$has$hired$Darlene$Solonas$for$a$period$of$3$weeks$to$help$with$filing$and$moving$the$Elder$Office$to$the$Elder$House!!!!$Yah$$!Education!&!Training!Liaison!Position!(Mt.!Milligan)!I$sat$on$an$interview$committee$with$two$other$staff$members;$we$interviewed$8$wonderful$candidates,$ including$ one$ band$ member.$ $ Unfortunately$ there’s$ only$ one$ position$ and$ the$successful$applicant$is$slated$to$start$with$MLIB$on$Monday$April$2nd,$2012.$$On$behalf$of$the$interview$committee,$we$wish$all$the$applicants$good$luck$in$their$future$endeavors,$and$hope$to$see$one$of$the$candidates$in$the$office$in$the$near$future!!!$;)$$Please$expect$to$hear$more$in$future$editions.$$Thank$you$for$your$time,$if$you$have$any$further$questions$or$concerns,$my$door$is$always$open!!!$$Sincerely,$Jodie Ware Supervisor$of$Education$&$Employment/Training$

15

Dear%Members,%%

I%hope%you%are%all%enjoying%the%some%spring%weather.%I%am%looking%forward%to%the%upcoming%summer.%Although%there%are%a%number%of%challenges%for%McLeod%Lake%Indian%Band,%we%still%continue%to%move%

forward%on%our%goals%outlined%at%the%beginning%of%this%term.%%Below%is%an%update%on%some%of%our%current%projects%as%well%as%an%update%on%BC%Hydro’s%Site%C%Project%and%the%Northern%Gateway%Project.%%

Gas$Station$In%late%2011%MLIB%hired%Dan%Boudreau%to%start%the%process%of%a%Comprehensive%Feasibility%Study%to%

determine%if%it%was%economical%to%construct%and%operate%a%service%station%on%MLIB%Reserve%lands%in%McLeod%Lake%or%in%Mackenzie.%On%January%29,%2012%MLIB%received%the%completed%feasibility%study.%%Consultant%Dan%Boudreau%recommended%in%favour%of%the%facility%in%McLeod%Lake,%but%deferred%on%the%

location%in%Mackenzie%location%because%there%were%too%many%loose%ends.%%As%a%result,%Chief%and%Council%have%appointed%a%working%committee%and%are%applying%for%funding%to%cover%expenses%for%surveying,%soil%testing%and%community%consultation%meetings.%In%addition%will%be%seeking%members%interested%in%training%

in%advance%of%operations.%It%is%estimated%that%the%next%phase%will%cost%between%$30T50%thousand%dollars.%%%

Thompson$Creek$Load$Out$On%March%13,%2012%I%met%with%Terry%Owens,%Managing%Director%of%Projects,%and%Chris%McGoldrick,%Project%Manager%for%Mt.%Milligan%Mine.%%McLeod%Lake%Indian%Band%has%been%in%discussions%with%Lomak%

and%Thompson%Creek%to%develop%a%load%out%facility%in%the%Mackenzie%Industrial%Site.%%In%August%of%2011,%%McLeod%Lake%Indian%Band%partnered%with%KDL(Ben%Hoi),%Tanner%Elton,%and%Dual%Enterprise(Mike%Jenks)%to%purchase%200%acres%in%Mackenzie%Industrial%Site.%The%land%was%purchased%from%BC%Rail%and%was%

already%appraised%well%over%the%purchase%price.%The%purchased%land%has%access%to%rail,%power,%and%would%be%excellent%spot%for%Thompson%Creek’s%load%out.%%Although%we%are%in%discussions,%nothing%has%been%finalized%yet.%%There%are%a%number%of%details%that%need%to%be%worked%out,%such%as,%necessary%regulatory%

approvals,%ownership%of%load%out,%capital%cost%responsibilities,%right%of%ways,%etc.%%%McLeod%Lake%Indian%Band%believes%all%these%issue%can%be%resolved%and%all%parties%can%reach%a%mutually%beneficial%terms%moving%forward.%

Quality$Wind$MOU$On%February%28,%2012%McLeod%Lake%Indian%Band%Chief%and%Council%signed%and%MOU%with%Quality%Wind.%The%MOU%provides%contract%and%training%opportunities%well%as%an%annual%royalty.%%

Boat$Launch$McLeod%Lake%Indian%Band%is%still%waiting%on%the%engineering%plans%for%the%boat%launch%from%Radloff%

Engineering.%%Once%we%receive%designs%we%will%work%towards%starting%project%and%hope%to%have%it%completed%by%late%summer.%%%

%

18

!Cultural!Camp!McLeod'Lake'Indian'Band'has'identified'our'War'Lake'parcel'as'a'possible'location'for'our'Cultural'Camp.'''

Enbridge!!Enbridge'Gateway'Pipelines'has'recently'proposed'an'equity'deal'to'McLeod'Lake'Indian'Band'to'

compensate'us'for'impact'and'risk'associated'with'construction'and'operation'of'proposed'Northern'Gateway'Pipeline.'''Enbridge'is'offering'McLeod'Lake'Indian'Band'and'Equity'opportunity'which'includes'10'business'units,'the'possibility'of'a'pumping'station'on'reserve'lands'and'construction'opportunities.'''

It'is'estimated'that'the'Band'could'receive'approximately'$535,000'annually'and'in'addition,'contract'opportunities.''''

BC!Hydro!On'February'02,'2012'Seanna'McConnell,'Senior'Negotiator,'First'Nation'Engagement'Team'gave'a'

Power'Point'Presentation'to'community'Members'in'McLeod'Lake.'Seanna'outlined'BC'Hydro’s'position'regarding'the'proposed'Site'“C”'Project.''Currently,'BC'Hydro'is'in'the,'Environmental'Assessment,'or'3rd'stage'of'a'5'step'process'in'the'development'of'their'project.''The'4th'Stage'is'procurement'and'the'5th'

stage'is'construction.''McLeod'Lake'Indian'Band'has'opposed'this'project'from'the'very'start.'There'is'no'doubt'that'we'have'already'felt'the'significant'negative'impacts'of'dam'projects'within'our'Traditional'Territory.''The'construction'of'WCB'Bennett'Dam'in'the'late'1960’s'had'a'devastating'impact'on'our'

Land,'Culture'and'way'of'life'many'of'our'Elders.'Despite'MLIB'and'the'many'other'First'Nations'opposing'Site'“C”,'the'Government'has'announced'their'support'publicly'for'the'proposed'development'of'the'Dam.'In'addition,'the'Government,'through'the'introduction'of'the'“Clean'Energy'Act”'have'

cleared'the'path'to'ensure'that'the'construction'of'the'dam'is'almost'inevitable.'''BC'Hydro'are'offering'to'negotiate'an'Impact'Benefits'Agreement'with'McLeod'Lake'Indian'Band'for'the'impacts'that'the'proposed'project'will'have'on'our'Traditional'Territory.''

Thank'you'all'for'your'time'and'consideration.'I'look'forward'to'seeing'you'all'at'the'upcoming'quarterly'

meetings'for'an'update'on'these'and'many'more'topics.'

Sincerely'

Chief'Derek'Orr'

'

'

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.

19

Forestry(Report(!

Winter!is!almost!finished!and!spring!is!in!the!air.!!Now!is!the!time!to!start!gearing!up!for!summer.!!Snow!Removal!

Regular!snowfalls!have!kept!us!busy!plowing!snow.!!This!should!taper!off!soon!as!the!spring!melt!begins.!!Firewood!for!Elders!

Everyone!seems!to!be!running!out!of!wood!as!winter!winds!down.!!We!are!making!regular!firewood!deliveries!to!the!elders!to!make!sure!they!have!wood.!!

Treaty!8!Logging!Duz!Cho!Logging!has!completed!logging!on!the!Band’s!land!parcel!in!Mackenzie!(4!ha)!as!well!as!the!first!block!on!the!Tsatchuka!Road.!!The!sawlogs!from!this!block!have!been!sold!to!Conifex.!!The!pulpwood!is!going!to!

Mackenzie!Fibre.!!The!wood!purchase!agreements!with!the!mills!have!been!completed.!!We!were!planning!to!log!about!50,000!cubic!meters!of!sawlogs!by!April,!but!challenges!with!logging!capacity!and!a!shortage!of!trucks!to!move!the!wood!have!put!us!behind!schedule.!!How!much!wood!gets!moved!now!depends!on!the!

weather!as!roads!will!soon!turn!soft!during!spring!breakup.!!Community!Forest!

Duz!Cho!Logging!has!now!finished!logging!on!the!first!Community!Forest!block,!which!is!located!across!the!road!from!the!Mackenzie!Municipal!Office.!!!!The!completion!of!this!block!puts!the!Community!Forest!License!

in!a!small!cashRpositive!position!and!puts!this!new!License!in!operation.!!Layout!of!additional!blocks!for!the!Community!Forest!is!underway.!!

Three!Feathers!First!Nation!Consortium!License!The!Board!of!Directors!is!still!working!on!getting!this!forest!license!opportunity!for!a!MLIB/Tsay!Keh/Kwadacha!partnership!up!and!running.!!We!are!in!the!process!of!finalizing!our!Forest!Stewardship!Plan!and!expect!to!

receive!the!actual!Forest!License!soon!after!the!plan!is!completed.!!Our!goal!is!to!receive!the!license!sometime!this!spring!and!carry!out!some!planning!for!operations.!!Fieldwork!will!be!conducted!this!summer!so!that!we!can!get!the!necessary!permits!in!place!and!be!logging!by!next!winter.!

!Boat!Launch!I!have!been!working!with!Radloffe!Engineering!to!get!this!project!started.!!Radloffe!has!done!the!initial!survey!

of!the!site!so!they!can!design!the!site!this!winter.!!I!am!researching!options!and!availability!of!boat!launch!and!dock!materials.!!The!plan!is!to!begin!construction!this!spring.!!

Ryan!Bichon!MLIB!Forestry!Manager!

20

February(2012(Monthly(Council(Report(

Fred Inyallie Jr. !

Feb!1,!2012!–!Health!Meeting!

Discussion!on!drugs!and!alcohol!addictions!and!how!to!deal!with!it.!!Also!discussed!how!to!deal!with!the!

residential!school!trauma!and!to!possibly!have!another!workshop!to!deal!with!the!issues.!!Some!proposed!

changes!to!Social!Assistance!are!to!help!improve!the!life!style!of!our!members!and!to!help!with!individual!

improvement.!!Discussions!on!how!to!build!our!cultural!camp!and!the!possibility!of!getting!some!members!to!

help!build!it.!!Community!socializing!is!a!priority!such!as!volleyball!or!floor!hockey!nights!in!the!gymnasium.!!

!

BC!Hydro!

Discussions!with!BC!Hydro!representatives!on!repairing!the!Bennett!Dam.!!They!need!a!permit!to!fix!it!and!it!

will!cost!$182,000.!!They!would!like!to!use!limestone!rock!to!make!the!dam!last!longer.!!Before!they!fix!the!

dam!MLIB!has!requested!full!consultation!with!the!members.!!The!repairs!will!create!work!opportunities!for!

our!members!and!they!plan!to!start!the!project!this!spring.!!This!project!is!not!related!to!the!Site!C!project.!!!

!

Feb!5,!2012!–!Special!Chief!&!Council!Meeting!

Met!with!two!individuals!who!would!like!to!build!a!ski!hill!in!the!Mackenzie!area!with!MLIB’s!involvement.!!

There!is!lots!of!snow!and!the!elevation!is!6000!feet.!!This!project!will!create!jobs!and!boost!our!community!

tourism.!!If!this!moves!forward!the!survey!will!be!completed!April!and!construction!could!start!next!spring.!!

Looking!for!MLIB’s!support.!

!

Gas!Bar!/!Store!

A!feasibility!study!was!completed.!!It!will!cost!money.!!Question!is!do!we!want!it!in!McLeod!Lake!or!in!

Mackenzie;!this!is!up!to!the!Band!Members.!!The!site!possibilities!are!across!from!the!Forestry!building!in!

Mackenzie!or!½!km!from!the!reserve!turn!off!on!the!right!side!on!MLIB!land.!!If!this!is!built!it!will!sell!tobacco,!

non!perishable!food!items,!local!arts!and!crafts,!and!gas.!!Construction!would!start!next!year.!!!

!

Feb!7,!2012!–!Oil!and!Gas!Commission!Meeting!(Fort!St!John)!

Discussed!the!cumulative!effects,!the!impact!on!wildlife!and!lands,!tracking!and!natural!water.!

!

Feb!8,!2012!–!Enbridge!Meeting!

MLIB!does!not!support!the!pipeline!project.!!Enbridge!discussed!having!a!proposed!pump!station!in!Bear!Lake!

on!MLIB!land.!!They!said!the!project!would!create!massive!jobs!for!the!entire!project.!!Enbridge!has!had!two!

major!spills!and!we!will!continue!consultation!with!them.!

!

Feb!10,!2012!–!Gas!Bar!/!Store!!!

Discussed!having!a!contest!for!a!logo!and!name!for!the!store!if!it!moves!forward.!!Discussed!ground!tanks!and!

underground!environmental!studies,!building!regulations,!and!a!business!plan.!!The!Gas!Bar!Committee!is!a!

follows:!!Fred!Inyallie!Jr.,!Destiny!Bear,!Anita!Tylee,!Ryan!Bichon,!Bob!Inkpen,!Guy!Rocheleau,!and!Stephanie!

Rocheleau.!

!

!

Feb!21,!2012!–!Community!Consultative!Group!Meeting!(Mackenzie!RCMP)!

Met!with!Sergeant!Syd!Lecky!from!Mackenzie!RCMP!and!discussed!how!to!deal!with!the!current!drugs!and!

family!violence!on!the!reserve.!!We!would!like!to!have!more!community!events!such!as!a!canoe!journey!from!

McLeod!Lake!or!Crooked!River!to!Williston!Lake.!!MLIB!meets!Mackenzie!RCMP!twice!per!year!as!part!of!the!

signed!tripartite!agreement.!!!

!

March!8,!2012!–!Housing!Meeting!

Rent!issues!are!a!huge!problem.!!We!will!be!revising!and!implementing!the!new!Housing!Policy!soon!and!this!

will!help!deal!with!some!of!the!issues.!!Council!will!be!meeting!again!in!April!to!approve!the!Housing!Policy.!

!

March!12,!2012!–!Community!to!Community!Forum!(Chetwynd)!

I!attended!on!behalf!of!McLeod!Lake!Indian!Band.!

!

March!22,!23,!2012!–!Council!Governance!Training!(Prince!George)!

Will!be!attending!more!training!and!strategic!planning!with!Rona!Sterling.!

!

March!23,!24,!25,!2012!–!March!Quarterly!Meetings!(Prince!George,!Vancouver,!McLeod!Lake)!

I!will!be!attending!the!Prince!George!and!McLeod!Lake!meetings.!!Updates!include:!!Site!C,!Enbridge,!Mt.!

Milligan,!Entities,!MLIB!Election!Code,!Western!Boundary!Dispute!and!the!Gas!Bar!Feasibility!Study.!

!

March!30,!2012!–!Ice!Fishing!Day!

Staff!and!Members!are!invited!out!to!fish!for!the!afternoon.!

!

Lomak!

Had!a!couple!meetings!with!Lomak!and!discussed!the!possibilities!of!a!load!out!area!in!Mackenzie.!!This!would!

give!more!job!opportunities!for!our!members.!MLIB!would!get!a!royalty!from!each!tonne!shipped.!!This!could!

also!build!upon!our!Gas!Bar!/!Store!if!it!were!built.!!Lomak!and!Duz!Cho!Logging!would!also!buy!fuel!from!the!

store!as!well.!!!

!

April!15!–!20,!2012!–!Leadership!Workshop! !

I!will!be!attending!a!Leadership!and!Management!course!in!Banff,!AB!for!one!week.!

!

Mussi!Cho,!

!

!

Fred!

!

!

!

!

More AGA 2010 pictures at www.mlib.ca

The Social Development and Health department has several exciting programs and additions this quarter:

Mcleod Lake Indian band is partnering with the college of New Caledonia in Mackenzie to offer a Job options course.  This is an exciting opportunity offered to all employable adults that are non EI eligible, meaning persons who have not received Employment Insurance  in the past 3 years.

As per INAC guidelines it will be mandatory for any employable adult who is receiving SA on reserve to participate in the job options course. 

The job options will run Monday to Friday 9-4 from April 23-June 16, 2012.  Participants will be provided a 50.00 per day stipend dependent on participation, this will enable earnings of up to 1000 per month.  During this time Members will be required to pay their own rent and hydro to Mcleod Lake Indian Band.

The 6 week facilitated program will include :  applied human relations, career development skills, computer skills, skill certification workshops, and work practicum experience.

Transportation will be provided

Questions regarding the job options program can be directed to Jen Dyble or Terra Tylee,  any other questions can be directed to Meaghan Van Somer.

Miranda Gratton has joined our team as the youth support worker, Miranda was born and raised in Mackenzie and left a position at the College of New Caledonia for the opportunity to work with our children and youth in Mcleod Lake.  Among other things Miranda runs a homework/youth night for school age children Monday and Wednesday night from 4-8, is developing a youth activity program with the goal of providing a variety of sports and activities, and is wanting to establish a language program with Georgina Chingee.  A member Youth/Recreation worker will be hired at the end of March to engage children, youth and community activities.

Infant and Family development continue to offer high quality parenting programs to Mcleod Lake members.

Headstart preschool is proving to be successful, the kids are loving the opportunity to learn, practice their language and spend time with their amazing teachers, Jodi and Georgina.

Cindy Preece has now completed her EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitizing and Reprocessing) training.  Cindy is one of only a handful of people in British Columbia certified to offer EMDR so please stop in and talk to her and see if this wonderful tool could help you in your healing journey.

Barb Heine is running a walking club for any interested members, it’s a great opportunity to visit with other walkers, increase health and enjoy the upcoming spring weather!!

It continues to be an honor for each one of us to work on behalf of the members of the Mcleod Lake Indian Band...if you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to talk to any member of the Health Team...we look forward to a happy and healthy spring

Sincerely, 

Meaghan Van Somer B.A., M.S.W

Home: 250-374-5171Cell: 250-851-5172Office: 250-750-6850Fax: 250-374-5152

Happy

spring!!!