‍Present:

Angus Toulouse
Arnelda Bennett
Anna Marie Abitong
Lawrence Solomon
Leroy Bennett
McKenzie Toulouse (virtual)
Michael Abitong
Nelson Toulouse
Nicole Eshkakogan (virtual)
Paul Eshkakogan
Rhonda Stoneypoint
Sheldon Toulouse

Staff:

Andrea Hajt-Jacobs, Assistant Director – Council Secretariat
Claudette Jones
Meggan McCracken, Director of Finance
Melanie Lazarus, Director of Community Wellness (virtual)
Natalie Spencer, Human Resources Manager (virtual)
Roger Jones, Assistant Director
Ross Assinewe, Director of Planning & Infrastructure
Samantha Keysis, Director of Lands, Resources, & Environment
Sean Cassidy, Director of IT and Communications
Shelley Watt-Proulx, Director of Mental Health and Addictions
Susan Deschamps, Director of Long Term Care (virtual)
Wade Owl, Political Office Coordinator

Guests:

Alain Bartleman, Nahwegahbow, Corbiere
Charles Gravelle, Arcadis
Harvey Sands, Richter
Leslee Whiteye, First Nations With Schools Collective
Patrick Ifergan, Richter
Tracy Zanini, Sociality Consulting

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Opening Prayer by Leroy Bennett.

Meeting called to order @ 9:49 AM.

Motion 2023/02 #07

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the agenda as presented and amended.

Moved by: Arnelda Bennett
Seconded by: Lawrence Solomon
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Motion 2023/02 #08

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the minutes of February 15th, 2023 as presented and amended.

Moved by: Arnelda Bennett
Seconded by: Michael Abitong
A/O: 0
Discussion: Minutes for January 24th, 2023 have been deferred to the next meeting; to allow for presented corrections to be made. CARRIED

School Build Update

The school is slated to open for the start of the January 2024 School Year, with 95% Substantial Completion forecasted for October 2023. The January opening date is to allow for the finishing touches, furnishing, and other loose ends to be taken care of. It is recommended that the contractor be provided a firm date for the move-in. No further delays are anticipated. However, given the recurring difficulties with hydro connection, there should be efforts made to address potential problems. A new Aboriginal liaison was introduced at the meeting Arnelda Bennett attended; this new liaison could be our point of contact to introduce our concerns with service.

There will be a presentation by Colliers and JL Richards to go over the build diagrams at the next Day Meeting Chief & Council.

An opening ceremony for the new school will need to be scheduled, and invites will need to circulate early to ensure any guests are able to attend.

Sagamok Anishnawbek & Resource Development

Paul Eshkakogan provided Council with a current overview of the agreements with resource development companies, and the ones in progress under negotiation. The Sagamok Lands Rights Research Project provided valuable info on the area of traditional lands, some of which was gleaned from Elders. This information was great leverage in resource management negotiations.

There are currently Impact Benefit Agreements in place with Ursa Major Minerals (now owned by Magna Mining), Vale, and KGHM. The Vale Totten Mine IBA is from 2023, KGHM’s Victoria Mine Advanced Exploration Agreement is from 2014, and most recently, a new one with Interfor was signed in 2022.

A new agreement is in negotiation with FNX Mining, a KGHM subsidiary. There are still issues in understanding of Traditional Elders Knowledge, and difficulties in FNX’s ability to set aside Sagamok contracts. There are upcoming meetings to discuss Financial Proposals and finalize education & employment provisions, and advance environmental provisions.

Council wishes to have a further discussion of the IBAs in place and ones to be established. A special meeting will be convened on March 25th, 2023 in Sudbury.

Education

Motion 2023/02 #09

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to approve the Shki Waase-Aabin Binoojiinh Gamik Program Statement and Goals as revised in November 2022 and presented.

Moved by: Nelson Toulouse
Seconded by: Leroy Bennett
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Planning & Infrastructure

Motion 2023/02 #10

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to approve and accept the Family Hub Feasibility Study and authorize to proceed with pursuing the additional funding to cover the cost for detailed design, construction and other associated costs.

Moved by: Lawrence Solomon
Seconded by: Leroy Bennett
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Q3 Director reports are to be included in the Consent Agenda for the upcoming March 7th Council meeting.

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