Positive End to the Year for LMG

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The LMG is essentially two years ahead of its Management Action Plan (MAP), which gives everyone a little more breathing room

“It’s truly incredible the way that is has changed,” said John Alexander, the Director of Finance. “A lot of the credit needs to go to the directors.”

Financial troubles led to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) requiring a MAP. It laid out how the organization would address and improve the issues. It meant more paperwork, meetings, and monitoring.

“It’s a vicious cycle when you’re in it,” said Alexander. “But it’s like it’s almost a positive cycle when you get out of it.”

AANDC creates ratios to judge the financial health of organizations. The same ratios are used by banks, which contribute to risk ratings and interest rates.

After a downturn in these ratios, the LMG laid out ways it would improve. This really meant improving its financial standing, and its long-term sustainably.

“The actions were pretty basic,” said Alexander.

Deals were made with major creditors, departments were restructured, and people were laid off. It was difficult, but necessary.

The step after a MAP is “third party management.”

Under “third party management,” an accounting firm essentially takes control of all funded money. For Listuguj, that’s about 40 percent of its revenue, or nearly $20 million dollars.

“It’s an extra expense, without an extra solution,” said Alexander. “It’s just – we lose control.”

The plan was deliberately slow. It was expected to take three years. But, being ambitious and falling short would have reflected poorly, and would have potentially resulted in “third party management.” Instead, goals were realistic, and the LMG far exceeded the expectations, within only 18 months.

“The objective of your MAP are achieved,” wrote Jacques Giroux the Regional Director for Funding Services with AANDC, on November 19, in a letter to Chief and Council. “Therefore, the Department will no longer monitor the implementation of your MAP.”

What this really means is the LMG has restructured itself to be sustainable.

“It’s not a bandaid solution. It’s a permanent solution,” said Alexander. “Now we are able to grow in a more sustainable capacity.”

Alexander said the focus will turn to commercial reinvestment. Commercial operations have been generating profits for the community, as well as jobs. Several new ventures are being considered. But, Alexander said the they need to do the “due diligence up front,” which takes time.

“We are working on it,” he said. “We just need to be patient.”

Alexander said that reaching this point is the result of cooperation, and commitment throughout the organization.

“It was a tough path to get to – to be sustainable,” he said. “But the fact that we’re here now, and with the proper planning – this place has all the opportunity in the world.”

Deadlines for Funding

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Students starting, returning, or continuing post-secondary education need to have their intent form submitted by February 29th. This includes anyone seeking funding for the spring/summer 2016, the fall 2016, or the winter 2017 semesters.

The form can be found at the Gu’gu’gwes Facebook Page . It needs to be sent to theresam@listugujeducation.com.

This form is new for returning students, and will allow the department to plan better, and ensure proper funding is available.

A Post-Secondary Luncheon will be held on December 29th at the LMDC to talk about these changes, and to introduce some of the new frontline workers.

The Post Secondary Student Support program has undergone changes to improve its goal of supporting community members pursuing post secondary studies

“The enhancements to the program is that the career development services are available to all new applicants,” said Lorna Sook, the Director of Education and LMDC, which have recently merged. “So students are accessing professional services from counsellors that have been doing it for a very long time.”

Many resources are available to potential post-secondary students. Help can be found for all aspects, from choosing a suitable career, to researching, to identifying different schools and funding options.

“It’s something the LMDC has been doing since its inception,” said Sook. “The counsellors are use to the process. So students are accessing professional services from people that have been doing it for a very long time.

Counsellors are also assigned to follow up throughout the first year, just to ensure everything is going well, and help deal with some of the anxieties common within the first year.

The LMDC wants parents and guardians to be aware that Career Counsellors will be scheduling appointments with potential high school graduates who have not yet applied for post-secondary studies.

The department is trying to help students out in any way they can. A new researcher was even hired, and will be compiling loan and bursary information. It will be available as either a handbook, or a website.

There are additional deadlines that need to be met, particularly the Financial Application Form submission deadline. This date varies according the semester you wish to attend, but it can be as early as April 1, 2016. More information is available online, or through the LMG Facebook page.

The most pressing date is the February 29th intent form though. Even if someone suddenly decides they do want to attend school in the coming year – there’s still time to start the process.

Set up an appointment with a Career Counsellor by contacting the LMDC at 418-788-1347.

12th Annual Home Decoration Competition

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The annual Christmas decorations competition with Listuguj and Pointe-à-la-Croix is going on again this year. This will be the 12th year in a row that it has been held. And like everything by The Harmony Project, it is to “build up relations between native and non-native communities in the area,” said Pierre Vicaire, one of the co-coordinators.

A bus full of people from Listuguj take an evening to go select three winners from Pointe-à-la-Croix. They drive through the streets and look at how all the homes are decorated. People from Pointe-à-la-Croix do the same in Listuguj. Participation prizes will also be awarded this year.

People can only win once every three years, so everyone has a chance.

It’s just another small initiative in The Harmony Project’s overall goal.  

“It’s no different, Christmas here than it is anywhere else,” said Vicaire. “No matter if it’s here, or next door, or if it’s across the bridge, or if it’s anywhere – it’s Christmas. And at the base, that’s what we’re trying to promote.”

The Harmony Project has come a long way since it began as a way to figure out how to avoid the conflicts that were arising over a skatepark in Pointe-à-la-Croix.

“The history of our communities had it built – in their mind – that whenever our kids would go over there, it wasn’t for sharing, it was confrontation, right away,” Vicaire said.

He said it’s hard to recognize that environment today.

“There are so many positive things, or good stories, that have come out in the last 13 years.”

Through many activities and field trips, neighbours are given the opportunity to create fun memories early on.

“Keep your culture — keep your language, keep your schools, but it’s got to be based on giving yourselves some fair chances to share some fun time together,” Vicaire said.

A key focus is creating those relationships early. In fact, when kids strike up friendships, it helps mend relationships with parents, and even grandparents.

The Harmony Project has seen so many successes that work is being done to possibly make it national.

“If it can work here, we don’t see why it can’t work right across Canada,” Vicaire said.

 

Chief’s Message (Dec. 16)

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As we head in to the Holidays I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

The holidays are meant to be a time for family, fun and relaxation when you can.

Please be responsible and the LMG would like to wish you and your family a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

support Mi'gmaq organizations in the fight to prevent oil exploration in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Water Ceremony with Ethan Hawke

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Ethan Hawke recently threw the weight of celebrity behind the fight to protect the Gulf of St. Lawrence from oil exploration.

Hawke appeared at a water ceremony and press conference at Paq’tnkek First Nation in Nova Scotia on October 26th. The Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat helped organize the event, along with the leadership of Gesgapegiag, Gespeg, Listuguj, and Paq’tnkek. Chief Scott Martin was present.

The event garnered a lot of attention — bringing the cause to the pages of the Chronicle Herald, local newspapers in Nova Scotia, the CBC, APTN, and more.

“I really like how they’re using their indigenous rights to help us all,” Hawke recently said in an interview on CTV’s Canada AM.

The MMS, and the entire Save our Seas and Shores Coalition, are calling for a 12-year drilling moratorium in the Gulf. This will prevent further exploration.

So far, things have been looking good.

“If you read between the lines, Corridor is not going to go and drill right now,” said Troy Jerome, the Executive Director of the MMS.

Corridor Resources Inc. is the company interested in exploring for oil and gas at the “Old Harry” site. The company has identified a “salt dome” — a geological formation where oil and gas are sometimes known to collect. The site is nearly in the center of the Gulf.

“[It’s] harder to mitigate, harder to capture oil if it was gone. It’s prone to ice, the high seas, it’s far away,” said Jerome. “The reason we’re extra vigilant about that area, is because of those factors.”

So far, there has not been any site-specific consultations, or studies, that the MMS is aware of. The crown has a fiduciary duty to consult First Nation’s communities on such projects. Corridor Resource’s exploration permit is up in March, but they are believed to be seeking an extension.

Jerome said everyone on the opposition front are happy with the progress so far.

“On the Newfoundland side, seems like that is — I wouldn’t say ‘dying down’ — but it’s at least: we’re there, we have some traction, there we go,” Jerome said. “But on the Quebec side, the strategic environmental assessment is coming out.”

Jerome said they’ve made it clear to the Quebec government that, “under no circumstances — any discussions we would have — would we be open to the Gulf.”

Jerome said one thing, at the very least, is essential — a comprehensive study of the Gulf as a whole. One hasn’t been done, and the province’s own strategic environmental assessment two-years ago identified large knowledge gaps.

Luckily for the Coalition, Jerome said the Quebec government has cited social acceptability as a factor when evaluating projects and development. Jerome also said that no other project of its kind has ever come up against so much opposition as the Gulf exploration has.

The MMS plans to approach other large organizations, in hopes of making their opposition publicly known.

Ethan Hawke was easily persuaded to speak out. He has owned property beside Paq’tnkek First Nation along the St. George’s Bay for 15 years. He spoke of the beauty that struck him when he first visited 20 years ago, and his hope that his family will be able to continue coming back to the area.

“It was a real honor to be here today,” he said. “It’s bigger than any one of us, it’s bigger than any one generation.”

Listuguj Joe Robert Memorial Hockey Tournament

Joe Robert Memorial Hockey Tournament

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A new committee has formed to organize the Joe Robert Memorial Hockey Tournament, and provide two scholarships annually.

The committee is kicking off its first year with two $500 scholarships for Listuguj youth graduating  in 2016. The committee is looking for students “who are well versed in athletics, and in academics.”

The committee hopes to carry on this scholarship. But it also has other ambitions.

“It’d be nice to have something that’s community driven, and community maintained,” said Isaac.

“Giving back to the community is something that is very important, and we hope these scholarships will help youth who are pursuing post-secondary education.”

Isaac said he can imagine a fund, designated to helping athletes whenever they need it, year-round, in a variety of ways.

For now, the scholarship coincides with the revival – and renaming – of what is now known as the Joe Robert Memorial Hockey Tournament.

The last hockey tournament was in 2013. It’s now named in honor of Joe Robert Metallic.

“He was very athletic,” Isaac said. “He was always a good supporter of athletics in the community. You’d see him at our tournaments. You’d see him at our softball games.”

Metallic was known to be playing hockey in his 70’s. 

The tournament will be on January 22, at the Memorial Civic Center, with a total of at least $5,250 in prizes to be awarded to division A and division B teams. Listuguj already has teams in both divisions. The deposit deadline is January 15.

The scholarship is already accounted for, with help from donations from local businesses, including a $3,000 donations from True Sport.

A CCM RBZ Stage 2 hockey stick will be raffled off on Nov. 30, live at noon on CHRQ. Tickets are $5 for 1, or $10 for 3. There will also be a spaghetti lunch on the January 13th, as an additional fundraiser.

Proceeds will go to covering the cost of the tournament, and continuing it on an annual basis.

Restorative Justice

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National Addictions Awareness Week opened the door for many, related topics to be discussed. One was “Restorative Justice,” and the study Cathy Martin recently helped complete.

“It correlates with National Addictions week because [it’s] the number one thing that came out of the survey so far,” Martin said. “The large majority of crimes in Listuguj, for the Community and Safety Wellness Plan, originates from addictions.”

Martin gave a presentation on the plan to close out the National Addictions Week events.

The Community and Safety Wellness Plan began in 2012. Martin just recently got involved to finish it. She has been involved with the Restorative Justice Healing Circle Committee since 2009. It has been active in Listuguj since 2004.

Restorative Justice provides an opportunity for those convicted of – relatively – minor crimes to stay out of the court system, and avoid criminal records.

A committee is made up of qualified people from different fields.  The accused person hears about the crime and it’s impact on the victim, families, and the community. 

“You have to have restitution for your crime, you have to address your victim,” Martin said. “And you have to really have remorse.”

Many report the process being harder than the court system, but it has been proving to be effective. It is entirely a voluntary option. But one that is not widely known, yet.

Playground Ribbon Cuting

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Even with the rain, many came out to celebrate the opening of the new community park. Over $80,000 was raised in total. 

“I think a few people did double takes when we went from 5,000 to 65,000 in a matter of days,” said Sheila Swasson, one of the organizers of the project. “This project is very near and dear to my heart. Right now, it’s swelling with thanks and gratitude for all the contributions that made this dream a reality.”

A project that developed from the interest a single swing set generated, is now a full, modern playground for the kids to enjoy for years to come.

A big part of the fundraising was a donation from Invenergy – a company involved with the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n Wind Farm. It donated $52,588.38.

Frits de Kiewit, the Director of Development for Quebec and the Maritimes, said the company will contribute to community projects and opportunities for “many years.”

“The project for a new playground just gave us an opportunity to jump-start and underscore our intentions,” he said.

The community also donated a lot, in many different forms.

Victoria Labillois, the MC of the ribbon cutting, told a story of when Swasson was up on a ladder, coloring in the thermometer.

A man walk up and asked what she was doing. After explaining the plans for a park, he dug in his pocket a found a toonie. He gave it to her.

“You know what,” said Labillois, “that’s a big part, and that says a lot. Because that’s who we are Listuguj. We come together, and we give what we have.”

Video

Remembrance Day Ceremony 2015

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The Remembrance Day Ceremony at AGS school keeps growing. Last year organizers had to set up more tables. It is always held at 11:00 a.m. on November 11th.

“We’re growing out of the AGS,” said Mary Bradstreet, one of the organizers. “It seems like there’s more people that are coming out to support this event marked for the Veterans.”

Bradstreet is excited about some of the plans for this year, which includes the local drumming group, Spirit Bear.

“They sing ‘Soldier Boy’ and that’s so powerful when you hear that,” Bradstreet said. “And this year we have a litter girl – she’s about 7 years-old – and she’s going to be singing O’Canada in Mi’gmaq. Her voice is powerful and she will give you shivers. Her name is Annie Morrison.”

The committee is also hosting its major fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 6 – a silent auction at the Elder’s lodge, followed by a Steak and Rice Supper. Plates are $5. The auction is held from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Bradstreet has been surprised by the many amazing donations this year.

“It’s going to help the veterans in so many ways,” Bradstreet said.

The money goes toward the many events organized by the committee, namely the Remembrance Day Ceremony, and the Flag Raising Ceremony held on Aboriginal Day, June 21st.

Thanks to the direction of the committee’s president, John Mitchell, the Flag Raising Ceremony now includes a Missing In Action (MIA) and Prisoners of War (POW) Flag , to honour the two POWs from the community, and one man who was missing in action.

The committee also grants a $500 scholarship to a high school graduate every year, provided they have the funds.

The committee originally began in 2009 to help fundraise for the Veteran’s Monument.

Bradstreet only got involved because she was looking for an activity to be involved with. She says it has grown into a passion for her.

There’s been a lot to learn, including important ways of showing respect to our Veterans.

Aside from the hard work that the committee puts in to make these events possible, Bradstreet is inspired by the veterans – like the one retired marine who always salutes until every single name is called out at the ceremony, or the retired marines who retire the flag every year.

“I am very grateful to be involved with a group of people who share the commitment and passion in giving back to the Veterans of our community, who we thank for our freedom,” she said.

The Remembrance Day Ceremony at AGS in 2014.

The Remembrance Day Ceremony at AGS in 2014.

Listuguj Anti-Racism Logo Launch

Anti-Racism Logo Launch

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The Anti-Racism Strategy held its logo launch on October 28.

“We’ve been working on this for a couple of months,” said Debbie Dedam-Montour, the coordinator of the Anti-Racism Strategy.

With food, presentations, and even a film, people were able to hear about the organization’s plans. People could also take part in a photo project.

Dedam-Montour mention the points made my Derek Barnaby in his presentation.  Dedam-Montour characterized his story as developing prejudices based on the 1981 raids. But after an interest in sports put him together with people he superficially associated with the raid, he was able to forge a friendship and “demystify some of their stereotypes” as well.

“That experience that he portrayed is actually what we’re trying to do in the strategy – strengthening those relationships. Break down those stereotypes. Letting people know that we are people, and those negative stereotypes out there stop people from meeting us,” she said. “When you open that door and you build a relationship, it has nothing to do with skin colour.”

The strategy is just starting talking circles, equipped with people from Families First.

“It’s just a place where we can come get together. We will have a support system, because when people are talking about racism, they can become very emotional.”

A symposium is planned for March 21st – the international day to eliminate racial discrimination.