‍Present:

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

Staff:

Claudette Fournier, Acting Director of Education
Darla Boston, Political Office Administrative Assistant
Meggan McCracken, Acting Director of Finance (virtual)
Natalie Spencer, HR Manager (virtual)
Roger Jones, Council Secretariat
Samantha Keysis, Director Lands, Resources & Environment
Sean Cassidy, Director of IT & Communications
Shelley Watt-Proulx, Director of Mental Health & Addictions
Susan Deschamps, Director of Long Term Care (virtual)

Regrets:

Nelson Toulouse
Paul Eshkakogan
Andrea Hajt-Jacobs, Assistant Director – Council Secretariat

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Opening Prayer by Michael Abitong
Meeting called to order @ 5:29 PM

Motion 2023/08 #01

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the agenda as presented and amended.
Moved by: McKenzie Toulouse
Seconded by: Leroy Bennett
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Previous Meeting Minutes

Motion 2023/08 #02
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Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the Chief & Council minutes of July 3rd, 2023 as presented.
Moved by: Sheldon Toulouse
Seconded by: McKenzie Toulouse
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Motion 2023/08 #03

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the Chief & Council minutes of July 25th, 2023 as presented.
Moved by: Lawrence Solomon
Seconded by: Arnelda Bennett
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Correspondence

First piece of correspondence is dated July 6th from the Chiefs of Ontario. They are writing to inform that in addition to Provincial Territorial Organizations (PTOs) and Independent First Nations (IFNs), they are also including Unaffiliated First Nations the opportunity to host the 2024 Annual Chiefs Assembly. Sagamok is considered an Unaffiliated First Nation, but we do not have the facility or manpower to host such an event.

Second is a sponsorship request from the Sagamok Hounds, seeking coverage for the All Ontario Fastball Tournament in Six Nations. They are requesting the $600.00 entry fee and $200.00 performance bond. This request hasn’t had a chance to go to the FAC, but can be approved at the Council level.

Motion 2023/08 #03

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to support the Sagamok Hounds request for coverage in the amount of $800.00.
Moved by: Leroy Bennett
Seconded by: Michael Abitong
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Third is a request from Peter Owl Sr. on behalf of the Minitegozibe Recovery Center; they are seeking $2000.00 to help with costs for their annual church camp meeting. The request for this is separate from the annual funding issued to the various denominations every fiscal year.

The FAC will review the previous fiscal years’ requests in order to ensure consistency across organizations.

Motion 2023/08 #04

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to approve the request for $2000.00 in support for the Minitegozibe Recovery Center’s annual camp meeting.
Moved by: Lawrence Solomon
Seconded by: Arnelda Bennett
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

The final piece of correspondence is from the Aboriginal Alert; inquiring if Sagamok would like to join the network. Aboriginal Alert is a non-profit that uses online tools, social media, and other communication methods to spread and amplify reports of missing Indigenous people, and raising awareness. There is no ask in the letter, just an introduction and extending the offer to join. The letter can be forward to departments that can make use of their services.

Communications & IT – Meeting Minutes Distribution

Communications is bringing forward a proposal to distribute the approved and completed Chief & Council meeting minutes via community post office boxes. While the need for consistent communication is understood, there is also potential for upsetting a household if missed in distribution. A good middle ground is making them available on the Sagamok website and posting on the bulletin board of the Administration Office.

Mental Health and Addictions – Q1 Report

The report was prepared by Shelley Watt-Proulx, and has been received and reviewed by Council, with no questions regarding its content.

Motion 2023/08 #05

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the Mental Health and Addictions Q1 Report as presented.
Moved by: Anna Marie Abitong
Seconded by: Sheldon Toulouse
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Long Term Care – Q1 Report

As Susan was unavailable to present the report, the item was deferred to the next scheduled meeting.

Family, Community, and Social Support Update – Juanita Skruibis

Presenting two items received from Nogdawindamin; the first is a letter inviting Council to attend the 33rd Annual General Meeting scheduled for September 28th at 10:00 AM in Serpent River. Councillors request a reminder be sent out as the date gets closer, to allow for proper scheduling.

The second item is a report outlining Substance Misuse across the North Shore with a focus on Sagamok Anishnawbek. However, it is not a whole community assessment, only a sample population that was referred or worked with Nogdawindamin from April 1st, 2020 to March 31st, 2021. The purpose of sharing this report is to provide actionable data on how many families are dealing with substance misuse, programming effectiveness,

Family, Community, and Social Support – Q1 Report

Juanita provided a report outlining the effectiveness and attendance of the various programs offered by the unit.
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Motion 2023/08 #06
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Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the Family, Community, & Social Support Q1 Report as presented.
Moved by: Leroy Bennett
Seconded by: Anna Marie Abitong
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Planning & Infrastructure – Biidaaban Solar Project

In January 2023, a briefing note was submitted to Council to proceed with installing solar panels on the roof of Biidaaban, in addition to structural upgrades, high efficiency windows, and more to make the building increasingly accessible and energy efficient.

To that end, a BCR was prepared for Council to sign, as the funding requires a BCR to proceed. A correction on the Agency field of the BCR is necessary, but once corrected, will be approved and signed.

Motion 2023/08 #08

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to approve BCR 2023-08-11 Biidaaban School Green & Inclusive Buildings Program.
Moved by: Arnelda Bennett
Seconded by: Anna Marie Abitong A/O: 0 Discussion: There will need to be a correction made regarding the title of the agency; once made, will be made available for signatures by Council. CARRIED

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Planning & Infrastructure – Waste Transfer Landfill Closure Update

Continuing the process of closing the landfill, P&I sought submissions from various engineering consultants. The request was for two submissions, one on a technical aspect, the other on financials. Of the polled consultants, Neegan Burnside emerged to be the front runner on both aspects. The recommendation is to proceed with Neegan Burnside to continue the closure process.

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Motion 2023/08 #07

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to award the Waste Transfer Station and Landfill Closure Plans project to Neegan Burnside and Associates. Moved by: Anna Marie Abitong
Seconded by: Leroy Bennett
A/O: 0
Discussion: Care should be taken to ensure that the necessary work is completed the high standard that Council expects. CARRIED

Finance & Audit Committee Minutes

The Finance & Audit Committee minutes have been made available for Council review on this agenda. If there are any questions regarding them, they can be brought up at the next scheduled meeting ahead of approval.

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Operational Plan & Q1 Report - Finance

For Finance, there are no major changes with regards to our proposed organizational structure, or any changes to the duties and responsibilities of the Finance Department. There are currently 3 main categories of service Finance provides: finance as it relates to accounting, budgeting, and procurement, reporting both internal and externally, and planning. One aspect of the plan is wanting to get managers and directors comfortable with financial data, and

have an appropriate understanding of how to use and report their respective financial data. The current org chart has no changes, except for the proposed role of Fleet Manager/Procurement Specialist. Further, the auditors are experiencing a delay in completing Sagamok’s audit, and have an expected completion date of September 5th, 2023.

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Motion 2023/08 #09

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the Finance Q1 Report as presented.
Moved by: Arnelda Bennett
Seconded by: Sheldon Toulouse
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

By-Law Enforcement & Governance – Roger Jones

Sagamok has passed several laws in the past that suffer from a lack of enforcement capacity, and drafted more that have not been adopted by Council or ratified by community members. However, a pilot program for the enforcement of First Nation laws has been announced and is open for application. In addition, there has been outreach from Sables-Spanish River Township regarding a potential partnership for by-law enforcement and animal control. Sagamok has also cultivated a strong relationship with the Crown Attorney’s office. Lasty, the APS protocol requires renewal, and should be done so in a timely manner. There are a number of recommendations being brought forward; to collate existing and draft laws to determine their status and how to move them forward, explore partnership opportunities with neighboring townships, explore the relationship with the Crown Attorney’s office further, engage APS to collaboratively address enforcement issues, and apply for funding for the pilot project mentioned above.

Motion 2023/08 #10

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the recommendations outlined in the Briefing Note as presented.
Moved by: Sheldon Toulouse
Seconded by: Lawrence Solomon
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

In Camera Session

As standard practice, no recording was made for the in-camera session.

Available recording and transcription ended with in-camera session. No motion was captured for entering, leaving, or meeting adjournment.

Next Meeting: August 28th, 2023

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