‍Present:

Chief Angus Toulouse
Anna Marie Abitong
Arnelda Bennett
Leroy Bennett
McKenzie Toulouse (virtual)
Mike Abitong
Nelson Toulouse
Nicole Eshkakogan (virtual)
Paul Eshkakogan
Rhonda Stoneypoint-Trudeau

Staff:

Andrea Hajt-Jacobs, Assistant Director – Council Secretariat
Angela Southwind, Housing Manager
Evan O’Leary, Sagamok Development Corporation Manager
Melanie Lazarus, Director of Community Wellness
Meggan McCracken
Natalie Spencer, Humans Resources Manager (virtual)
Samantha Keysis, Director of Lands, Resources, & Environment
Sean Cassidy, Director of IT and Communication Services
Wade Owl, Political Office Coordinator

Guests:

John Lees, Orbis Risk Consulting
Roger Jones Ryan McLeod

Regrets:

Darla Boston, Political Office Administrative Assistant
Lawrence Solomon
Sheldon Toulouse
Ross Assinewe, Director of Planning & Infrastructure

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Opening Prayer by Nelson Toulouse.

Meeting called to order @ 6:04 PM.

Opening Remarks by Chief Angus Toulouse Feeling better despite the recent run in with COVID, and is back on the mend. Consulted with the Community Wellness Department on current best practices, and followed them. No fever, and committed to wearing a mask. RHW Litigation Management Committee met last Tuesday, and approved the work plan for the litigation work, along with the budget. A meeting with Ministers Miller and Rickford has been in the works; Chiefs have been advocating for the parties to come together and negotiate as opposed to resolution through legal proceedings. Ideally, the federal government will issue mandates to their respective parties to settle. At this meeting with the ministers, the eagle staff and treaty staff, plus regalia, will be present. In good news, the federal government had asked the Supreme Court to put an abeyance and proceed to Stage 3. The hope is that the hearing will take place in Sudbury, and it will be happening in a short time frame.

NT – the evidence for the hearing will be given in the language, and we’ve hired Isadore Toulouse as a translator.

The presentation of evidence in the language should be seen as especially important because the courts are recognizing the Anishinaabe culture, language, and way of life on an official level.

Motion 22/11 #11

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the agenda as presented and amended.
Moved by: Nelson Toulouse
Seconded by: Mike Abitong
Discussion: Included “Request for Gas Powered Wood Splitter” under LRE.
A/O: 0
CARRIED

Motion 22/11 #12

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the November 11th, 2023 minutes as presented and amended.
Moved by: Nelson Toulouse
Seconded by: Leroy Bennett
Discussion: A/O: 0
CARRIED

Discussion of Consent Agenda

NE – Centered around pre-knowledge of briefing notes on the agenda, and if no comments or discussions are raised, there is the understanding that they are consented to for the purposes of signatures. Documents that are presented for information only are to be included going forward; with the exception of quarterly reports as they contain information that would be valuable to review.

Meeting Schedule

Previous terms had their meeting schedule set to the first single Tuesday of the month. While we are getting into the holiday season, we should still meet on a case-by-case basis until the work of the working groups is done. Our next meeting can be scheduled for December 13th, 2022. If we require an emergency or sudden meeting in the interim between the 13th and Christmas, we should select a day ahead of time.

Investment Opportunity Update

Would like to provide Kevin Sanderson a copy to review; have him provide input. Defer this item to our next C&C meeting scheduled for December 13th. LB – can we get an outline of the risk scenario, pros and cons of the investment?

Work Plan Update

All --- under FAL go before FAC, then to Council for review in a quarterly pattern. Even though the financials, cash flow, and others look healthy, it is a still a requirement to come before Council.

HR Update

Sean Cassidy has accepted the role of Director of IT & Communications, and has multiple years of experience in the field of corporate communications, with a background and education in Information Technology and Information Management.

IT & Communications Update

Since last meeting, Wayne & I have created a group policy for two factor authentication of Sagamok accounts tied to the respective staff cellphones. Finance was a test case for the authenticator, and it is now being rolled out across the other departments. The introduction of a ticket/work tracking system is something that is slated; currently we don’t know the exact capacity of IT staff but in the near future, we’ll have a better understanding. Once we understand that, the ticketing system can be designed with that in mind.

NE – Can this ticketing system be expanded to include HR, as those are something we need to track as well?

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AT – HR can discuss the possibility with IT & Communications.

Motion 22/11 #13

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to approve and sign the Offer to Lend, Loan Agreement, Operating Agreement, and Subsidy Commitment Letter for the Renovation of 234 Archies’ Road and the Construction of 3 One-Bedroom Units. Moved by: Nicole Eshkakogan Seconded by: Michael Abitong Discussion: LB – what guarantee do we have that these homes will be up to standard? AS – NSTC housing inspectors perform a final inspection. AB – regarding the renovations and the new units, with the loan payments monthly, are we collecting enough rent to cover the amount? AT – That will be something to explore once the working group starts, for now the priority is securing housing; there are means to address the potential disparity between loan amounts and revenue generated. RJ – in the future, FAC should be involved in Housing discussions that use organization funding as it may require us to subsidize or relate to our contribution. A/O: 0 CARRIED

LRE Update

Given the request initially came from Priscilla and Orion Southwind, we should have LRE communicate that Council acknowledge their lot. The two have the lot drawn and their camp has existed there far before the moratorium on recreational lots. This moratorium would have excluded Gilbert’s lot request.

Request for a Wood Splitter

The splitter would be used to supplement those who are unable to cut wood, and for any wood needs for LRE activities, such as Fall Harvest, the Pow Wow, etc. In addition if the need is high, it can be possible to have a member who is in need of income operate the splitter. However, it should be emphasized that it will not be lent out, nor is it intended for able bodied members to use. Estimated cost is $2000.00 AT – the need is there, and the funding is available, no reason not to proceed.

Motion 22/11 #14

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to approve the attached 2022-23 work plan and budget submission to CIRNAC through its Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-determination Discussion (RIRSD) table program provided there are no consequences to individual community self-determination efforts with Canada and that a letter of support signed by the Chief be provided to the FNWSC Governance Director for its inclusion in the submission.
Moved by: Nelson Toulouse
Seconded by: Arnelda Bennett
Discussion: n/a
A/O: 0
CARRIED

Motion 22/11 #15

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to go in camera.
Moved by: Nelson Toulouse
Seconded by: Anna Marie Abitong
Discussion: n/a
A/O: 0
CARRIED

Motion 22/11 #16

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to go out of camera
Moved by: Nelson Toulouse
Seconded by: Arnelda Bennett
Discussion: n/a
A/O: 0
CARRIED

Motion 22/11 #17

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to adjourn the meeting.
Moved by: Arnelda Bennett
Seconded by: Michael Abitong
Discussion: n/a
A/O: 0
CARRIED

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