This initiative is focused on getting a better, and deeper understanding of Anishinaabe history and culture, learning about traditional perspectives and distinct challenges experienced by the First Nations in our area.

Funds will be specifically used to develop Anishinaabe Cultural Competency and Culturally Safe Care training programs, which would be delivered to all Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH) and KCA employees. Cultural training and learning opportunities will happen as part of new hire orientation process and on an ongoing basis throughout an employee’s career to support the progressive development of cultural competency. Additionally, the hope is to eventually expand this work out to other organizations within the health care sector.

Indigenous communities and peoples have long advocated for better health care that encompasses traditional approaches and culturally centered care, and by taking the lead and creating better opportunities for cultural competency and safety training, it allows us to work towards the overall goal of health transformation and creating equity in these spaces. Indigenous communities have unique healthcare needs that need to be acknowledged, and we cannot move forward with the way the current system is and expect positive impactful change.

Work like this will be accomplished with the guidance and knowledge from both elders and knowledge keepers within the community. By starting these conversations and planning at a grassroots community level, it allows for true Anishinaabe led care that is developed for and by Anishinaabe peoples.

KCA and the LWDH have a deep on-going partnership on existing projects such as the client navigators, the All Nations Health Partners, the All Nations Hospital project and this new funding will allow us to continue the expansion and development of that partnership side by side.

This funding is especially timely as we work to co-develop a new hospital. These types of training programs must be embedded into the framework and system, if we want to achieve the goal of improving health outcomes for all people in the region it serves.

The new hospital will be the first large development in the Kenora and Treaty 3 area that sees true partnership and planning with our surrounding First Nations communities and the municipality.

Ray Racette, President & CEO of Lake of the Woods District Hospital shares “We are extremely excited to work together with Kenora Chiefs Advisory on this essential project. Attention to key elements of cultural safety and humility are fundamental to creating a healthy care relationship. Significant cultural training for all our hospital and professional staff will mean bridging gaps in cultural patient care and ultimately an enhanced patient experience.”

Chief Lorraine Cobiness, Board President for Ogimaawabiitong on behalf of the Board of Directors says

“This is the type of change and work that we need to see happening in systems everywhere. We are very excited that we are able to work in a true side by side partnership with the hospital, and really begin incorporating this type of training on a larger scale. In order to strengthen and repair current and future relationships, our partners need to do the ground level work of understanding Anishinaabe peoples and culture. Doing this with the guidance and knowledge from our elders, our healers and our teachers is going to be so crucial if we want to ensure real meaningful change is happening for Anishinaabe peoples everywhere, that is more importantly Anishinaabe led.”

Media Enquiries

• Sydney McInnis – (807) 407-4282 / abbie.siroishka@kenorachiefs.org
  KCA Communications Assistant
• Abbie Siroishka – (807) 407-4282 / abbie.siroishka@kenorachiefs.org
  KCA Senior Executive Assistant and Communications Lead
• Charlene Kissick – (807) 468-9861, ext 2599 / ckissick@lwdh.on.ca
  Brand Management Lead, Lake of the Woods District Hospital

This funding announcement will provide the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 and its partners with the tools to connect 21 First Nations to high speed fibre Internet. The Treaty #3 Territorial Internet Connectivity Project (TIC) is a joint effort of the Social and Economic Chiefs Committees at Grand Council Treaty #3. Originally conceived as a project of Health Transformation in Treaty #3 communities, the TIC Project has expanded to become one of the most important projects of Grand Council Treaty #3 due to educational and economic connectivity needs that significantly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This project has been years in the making and it is a relief to see significant progress being made,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “The issues facing our Nation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic were made significantly worse when our lack of connectivity meant that in many cases travel restrictions and aging telecommunication infrastructure left us cut off from the outside world. I applaud all leadership and staff that worked to see this project become a reality.”

“Although it will take a few years to complete this project the result will be that our citizens can access healthcare services in their community, attend school and work from home when necessary and participate in the internet economy in ways not currently available without high speed internet” said Chief Brian Perrault of Couchiching First Nation and member of the Treaty #3 Social Chiefs Committee.

“The approval of the application for broadband connectivity in Grand Council Treaty #3 is a huge accomplishment in the long-term as it will allow for greater access to business development, promotes safe and reliable internet connections and allows our citizens to participate in the global economy while maintaining the customs and identity as Anishinaabe peoples” said Chief Derrick Henderson of Sagkeeng First Nation and Chair of the Treaty #3 Economic Chiefs Committee.

Grand Council Treaty #3 also acknowledges the collaborative efforts of individual First Nation connectivity projects. In cooperation with the TIC Project, the aim is to see all 28 First Nation communities in Treaty #3 achieve reliable Internet connectivity by 2025.

Quotes from Partners

“Our government is taking another step forward in its bold plan to bring high-speed internet to every community in the province by the end of 2025 and this includes Grand Council Treaty # 3 communities. This investment will bring high-speed internet accessible to more homes and businesses and make a positive difference in the lives of countless families and individuals in Northwestern Ontario. By working together with our federal partners, we’ve achieved another important milestone in building a stronger, more connected, Ontario.”

The Honourable Kinga Surma – Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure and Member of Provincial Parliament for Etobicoke Centre

“Bell’s priority is to connect more people in more places, and the Treaty #3 Territorial Internet Connectivity Project will provide broadband fibre Internet access in communities throughout Northwestern Ontario. We’re proud to work with Grand Council Treaty #3 to deliver enhanced high-speed connectivity for these communities as part of this historic initiative.”

Bruce Furlong, Senior Vice President, Bell Canada

“The Rainy River Future Development Corporation is pleased to have supported Grand Council Treaty #3 in their effort to bring fiber optic service to the communities they serve and to adjacent non-indigenous communities of the area. This project is a significant step towards a more connected region.”

Gord Armstrong, Chair, Rainy River Future Development Corporation

Background

Communities to benefit from the GCT3-TIC project.

Animakee Wa Zhing 37 First Nation, Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum, Anishnaabeg of Naongashiing, Big Grassy First Nation, Couchiching First Nation, Grassy Narrows First Nation, Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation, Lac La Croix First Nation, Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation, Naicatchewenin First Nation, Naotkamegwanning First Nation, Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation, Northwest Angle #33 First Nation, Washagamis Bay First Nation, Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, Rainy River First Nations, Seine River First Nation, Shoal Lake #40 First Nation, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, Wabauskang First Nation, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Devlin/LaVallee, Eagle River, Emo, Minahico, Mine Centre, Morson, Nestor Falls, Sioux Narrows, Stratton, Upsala, Vermilion Bay, Wabigoon, Wabigoon/Dinorwic

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For more information please contact:
Daniel Morriseau, Political Advisor – (807) 464-2647 – daniel.morriseau@treaty3.ca
Jennifer McKibbon, Digital Health Project Lead – (807) 548-4214 ext.527 – jennifer.mckibbon@treaty3.ca

PDF – August 18, 2021 – Grand Council Treaty #3 Makes Progress on Territorial Internet Connectivity Project

Minister Miller got Thee Grande Tour of the Community, our new facilities/ offices/ gym, as we also took him down memory lane and educated him on the history of our beloved homeland, the Dalles Rapids, water levels, and the infamous channel. We took some much needed time to discuss a variety important initiatives and topics such as our communities needs and priorities, past and future business developments, current high profile projects and our communities mandate.

It’s times like these that we are encouraged to provide healthy examples of Government to Government Relationship Building through simple, meaningful ways that are guided by our Traditional Protocols and Practice.

Partnerships are key!

Chief and Council would like to give a big Miigwetch to all the youth and elders, staff, coordinated help that came to participate today! We would also like to thank the drummers, protocol advisor/ helper, and acknowledge the sacred traditional items in attendance as we really felt the community spirit alive and well.

Be proud Niisaachewan!

Chi Miigwetch to all!

This program was developed as a response from the community to provide the opportunity to empower and protect our Anishinaabe women, as well as working closely to protect, honor and celebrate our 2SLGBTQ+ community.

This program will focus on Anishinaabe teachings, cultural revitalization programming, and mindfulness to bring support and awareness to our membership, including the support to revitalize traditional roles in rebuilding the connection to Anishinaabe culture and eliminate perpetuating cycles of violence as a result from multi-generational and inter-generational trauma, including displacement.

“The goal of the program is really to make sure we enhance our Anishinaabe identities, our voices and our freedom towards Mino Bimaadiziwin (The Good Life),” said Chief Lorraine Cobiness. “Partnerships and working together is the foundation of all our successful programs, and the needs for collaboration of services is a really positive step towards reducing the risk factors that threaten individuals and their well-being”.

In order to support the goals of this program, the EWP (Empowering Women Program) will include our Elders, Traditional Healers and Knowledge Keepers when implementing strength based holistic approaches in providing supports for community members to honor and protect Anishinaabe culture, language, traditions, and practices.

The release of the final report for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry sparked the realization for how impactful this program will be in our community and for our people, and following the release the application for funding for this program took place.

In reflecting back on the report, this program will incorporate the recommendations made for example: The need for public education and greater public awareness of violence against Indigenous women and girls, The need for properly resourced initiatives and programming to address root causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls etc.

We believe by utilizing the recommendations made we will really empower our women and expand the scope of knowledge on the importance of these action steps forward.

The program will be looking to work with external resources such as Kenora Chiefs Advisory, Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig, and Grand Council Treaty 3 to ensure the ability to strengthen supportive and healthy relationships utilizing bi-cultural practices and culturally appropriate programming such as the Agichi’giizhigoonsag Program (“Wise Young Warrior Suns”) for our Youth and other community-driven, culturally appropriate land-based activities.

As part of Anishinaabe healing to honoring and keeping our children safe, we are very excited to begin working with Anishinaabe families, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and most importantly, our children; to protect and uphold Anishinaabe culture for the next generations.

More Info

Amanda Gray
Empowering Women Project Coordinator
empowering.women@niisaachewan.ca
(807) 548-5876

“I am outraged, saddened, and completely heartbroken upon hearing the news,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “This story has resonated with people from across the country because every First Nation person has been impacted, whether directly or from the intergenerational trauma inflicted by residential schools. The trauma inflicted by the Residential School System is still impacting our communities to this day.”

The Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 calls upon all its affiliated organizations and its neighbours in the Treaty #3 territory to lower their flags to half mast this week in honour of the 215 children and all the survivors of residential schools.

“I hope that this tragic news allows Canadians to consider the harm caused by these institutions,” added Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “It hurts when people say the effects are in the past or that the policy was anything short of what it was: the crime of genocide. Survivors still face denial of the genocide including most notably from the Roman Catholic Church.”

This week will also see many ceremonies and acts of remembrance across Treaty #3 and all citizens of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 are asked to check in with loved ones and community members that may need support.

For those who need support please contact:
GCT3 IRS Team –  (807) 548-4214
IRS Survivors Society – 1-800-721-0066

For more information please contact:
Daniel Morriseau, Political Advisor – (807) 464-2647 or by email daniel.morriseau@treaty3.ca

Fourteen organizations across seven provinces will receive funding to build, enhance, and refurbish baseball diamonds where children and youth develop important life skills and learn from positive role models.
Jays Care has invested more than $15 million in safe spaces across all ten provinces and two territories in the last ten years.

“We are pleased to announce the funding that has been approved through Field of Dreams, and we are getting a ball field!”, said KCA Board President Chief Lorraine Cobiness. “It goes beyond just playing ball, it allows our children, our youth and our elders to come together and play. It allows our kids to connect with each other and provide supports, the things it has allowed our kids to experience besides just playing ball but the ability to go out and connect with kids across the country is truly amazing.”

The relationship formed between KCA and the Jays Care foundation is grounded in culture and traditions and forming a true partnership which has allowed this program to expand and grow within the 9 communities KCA is mandated to serve. The leadership of these communities has worked hard on the development and growth of the program since it was first taken on by KCA, and continue to work closely with the youth in community as this program develops.

The ball diamond will be developed on the Youth Camp property KCA purchased last year.

“After a remarkably difficult year, we hope that today’s announcement will provide something for families in these communities to celebrate and look forward to. We are pleased to help organizations across the country build exciting, new spaces for children and youth to reconnect once it is safe to do so,” said Robert Witchel, Executive Director, Jays Care Foundation. “With this year’s recipients spanning from the Maritimes to Alberta, we are excited to continue a legacy of investing in infrastructure to support children and youth across Canada.”

KCA plans to develop two more diamonds beyond this, to continue to grow and expand our Rookie League program.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Abbie Siroishka
Senior Executive Assistant and Communications Lead, Kenora Chiefs Advisory
807-407-4282
Abbie.siroishka@kenorachiefs.ca

“Over the course of the pandemic it has been difficult for leadership and service providers to make informed decisions due to the constant spread of misinformation,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “In order for our region to effectively respond to these outbreaks we must all ensure that we only share factual information. We must do this so that decisions can be made based upon fact and not upon fear and confusion.”

Throughout the pandemic, our health entities, organizations, and leadership from Northwestern Ontario municipalities and First Nation communities have collectively advocated for our citizens well being and implemented practices to safeguard our most vulnerable. We cannot allow rumours to create divisions at this critical time when vaccines have begun arriving in the region.

Everyone in the region is being asked to only share information from reliable sources such as the Northwestern Health Unit, First Nation/city/town officials, police services, hospitals and health access centres, and organizations such as the Kenora Chiefs Advisory or Fort Frances Area Tribal Health Services.

By creating fear and mistrust, this misinformation is harming the efforts of service providers and may cause individuals to hide symptoms rather than seek the help that ultimately stops the spread.

Being thoughtful about the information we spread, being kind, and remaining calm while staying home is the greatest contributions that citizens can make to slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the Treaty #3 Territory.

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For more information please contact: Daniel Morriseau, Political Advisor – (807) 464-2647 or by email daniel.morriseau@treaty3.ca

The OFNTSC Board of Directors began to explore reforming its governance structure in 2016 following an organizational review by Deloitte Canada which recommended improvements to OFNTSC’s governance and management processes. These recommendations included reducing the size of, and diversifying the board, including appointing Board members with a breadth of skills, experience, community connections and expertise.

To support the Board in this important work, OFNTSC engaged recognized governance experts and Legal Counsel with extensive experience working with Indigenous institutions. Over the last year the Board of Directors examined proposed options for governance reform, engaging First Nations leadership and technical professionals.

These governance enhancements have been approved by the corporation’s Voting Members (i.e. 24 Service Area First Nations and Tribal Councils). The Board of Directors and Management team of the corporation will now work to implement the reforms. Voting Members understand that effective accountable governance of the OFNTSC will result in more successful community interventions, improved services, and ultimately, better outcomes.

The names and profiles of the new Board of Directors can now be found on the OFNTSC website at ofntsc.org/about-us/board-directors, along with a Frequently Asked Questions document here.

Above all, OFNTSC remains committed to Ontario First Nations needs, and the core services that are at the heart and soul of our mission to help First Nations communities achieve technical self-reliance.

We all must spend as much time at home as possible because of the danger COVID-19 poses to the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3. We have been lucky so far, but the rising case count in both the Kenora and Fort Frances regions places us all at risk. Although 45 cases may seem like a small number, we must remember that the regional population is relatively small and we all use the same small numbers of services which places us all at risk.

What is very concerning is the fact that the majority of these new cases have no traceable source. Our medical professionals have no idea where most of these cases are coming from, so we cannot predict future spread. There are too many unknowns for any of the risks associated with gatherings or activities to be worthwhile. To reduce the number of unknowns I ask that people keep track of where they go and for anyone feeling unwell to seek testing.

Our region has very limited health care facilities and we must remember that Winnipeg and the rest of Manitoba may not be available to us in an emergency. Thunder Bay and the rest of Ontario is similarly becoming overloaded. If COVID-19 is allowed to become widespread, there is severe risk to our communities. The health and wellbeing of our loved ones and our knowledge keepers must be our top priority.

I want to assure citizens that leadership is doing what they can to contain the spread and plan a vaccine rollout, but in the meantime we all must do our part. We have all come this far and have lived nearly an entire year under some form of lockdown. We are certainly capable of living another month or two where we decide to make the best decision we can for our people: to stay home.

I wish everyone good health and remind you all that you are loved and valued during these difficult times.

Miigwetch,
Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh

 For more information on the Province of Ontario’s Declaration of Emergency visit: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/59922/ontario-declares-second-provincial-emergency-to-address-covid-19-crisis-and-save-lives

 Media Release Link: http://gct3.ca/ogichidaa-francis-kavanaugh-and-grand-council-treaty-3-calls-upon-citizens-to-observe-provincial-emergency-order/

The community was already in partial lockdown prior to the notification. An assessment team conducted contact tracing within 24 hours of the notification.

Leadership, upon notification, met with both federal and public health officials to mitigate the spread within the community and the Kenora region. A total of 54 COVID-19 tests were administered within days of the notification. All tests have since returned as negative.

“The family is doing well and we are grateful for all the prayers offered for the family and the community. The communications piece within our pandemic plan was essential to alleviate concerns from our community members and surrounding communities. Our pandemic team held daily briefings, maintained constant contact with the family and provided community updates. A special thank you to the Kenora Chiefs Advisory for all the support received over the past two weeks”, said Chief Lorraine Cobiness.

The partial lockdown is lifted effective immediately.

We thank our community members for your patience and understanding of the measures we implemented over the past two weeks. We remind our community members to wear a mask when out in public, wash your hands frequently and follow other public health orders.

For all other inquiries please contact:

• Chief Lorraine Cobiness (807) 466-8208 or by email to chief@niisaachewan.ca

Earlier this week, Chief and Council were notified that a household of 3 in the community have tested positive, and the family is under quarantine.

Since notification of the positive cases, leadership in the community is working closely with both federal and provincial public health officials.

Indigenous Services Canada has been prompt in responding to the needs of the community.

We want to be very clear in the fact that our community was already on a lock down when the positive test results came in.

Since finding out about the cases, we have increased security measures, and are working closely with all community members to mitigate the spread within the community and the Kenora region.

We have had assessment teams in community testing membership, as well contact tracing is underway.

“We are doing all of the due diligence necessary, and taking every safety precaution we can to keep the safety of our community top of mind”, said Chief Lorraine Cobiness. “We are also working with traditional healers, our traditional medicines, and have asked our partners and neighbours to keep us in mind in their prayers and ceremonies.”

In order to make sure no essential service delivery, such as primary care is delayed for our people, we have asked Kenora Chiefs Advisory to be the lead agency, in collaboration with Chief and Council, for our community during this time. KCA will be coordinating response efforts, as well as working with other service partners to make sure there are no gaps in service at this time.

As this situation unfolds we will continue to update our members and the public on our efforts and how this is impacting the community.

For all other inquiries please contact:

• Chief Lorraine Cobiness – (807) 466-8208 or by email to chief@niisaachewan.ca

Today Kenora Chiefs leadership watched the live stream, as Kenora City Council defeated the proposed loitering bylaw with a 6 to 1 vote against. 

The original bylaw proposal lacked any consultation with Indigenous leadership, and leadership reiterated to city council that meaningful solutions require collaborative work, and real partnerships. 

“We are happy that city council listened to the outpour of response from the public about the damage this bylaw would do. We have continued to state that the only way to make positive changes and form real solutions, is by honoring the partnerships and relationships that are built on respect and mutual trust,” said Board President Lorraine Cobiness. 

The Chiefs had raised concern that the bylaw would especially impact the Anishinaabe people who live in the City of Kenora, particularly those who do not have a fixed address. 

“Now is the time where we all have to get together and we need to look at the local organizations and do an inventory of what resources each organization has. In order to build capacity and support a solid plan that focuses on solutions, we all need to step up and offer what we can to move forward,” Cobiness added. 

This is not only an issue that will affect the Kenora area, but will affect all of Treaty 3 homelands. 

Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh has been extremely proactive and supportive in trying to find answers, and we need that continued support from Grand Council Treaty 3 at the table if we want to move forward. 

The Chiefs also called onto local residents and businesses, who were calling for the bylaw to be approved to come forward and offer solutions and help. 

For media enquiries, please contact:

Abbie Siroishka
Executive Assistant
Kenora Chiefs Advisory

Tel: 807-407-4282
Email: Abbie.siroishka@kenorachiefs.ca

• Download Press Release (PDF)