‍Present:

Angus Toulouse
Anna Marie Abitong
Arnelda Bennett
Leroy Bennett
McKenzie Toulouse
Michael Abitong
Nelson Toulouse
Nicole Eshkakogan (Virtual)
Paul Eshkakogan
Rhonda Stoneypoint L

Staff:

Andrea Hajt-Jacobs, Assistant Director – Council Secretariat
Meggan McCracken, Director of Finance (virtual)
Natalie Spencer, HR Manager
Claudette Fournier, Acting Director of Education
Darla Boston, Political Office Administrative Assistant
Meggan McCracken, Acting Director of Finance (virtual)
Renee Owl, Membership, Estates, and Registration Clerk
Rhea Assinewe, Membership (Virtual)
Ross Assinewe, Director of Planning & Infrastructure (virtual)
Samantha Keysis, Director Lands, Resources & Environment
Sean Cassidy, Director of IT & Communications
Susan Deschamps, Director of Long-Term Care (virtual)

Regrets:

Sheldon Toulouse

Opening Prayer by Michael Abitong

Meeting called to order @12:49 PM

Motion 2023/09 #01

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the agenda as presented and amended.
Moved by: Leroy Bennett
Seconded by: Lawrence Solomon
A/O: 0
Discussion: Included a portion on the vandalism at the New School, under Education at the request of Michael Abitong. CARRIED

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Previous Meeting Minutes

Motion 2023/09 #02

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the Chief & Council minutes of September 28th, 2023 as presented.
Moved by: Lawrence Solomon
Seconded by: Leroy Bennett
A/O: 1 – Rhonda Stoneypoint
Discussion: CARRIED

Primary Care – Q1 Report

To summarize the quarter thus far: a Clinical Lead was hired, Sagamok resident and member Paula Swift. The director of Primary Care is working with the Director of Finance and Office Manager to prepare fiscal year budgets to support the departmental workplan. Regarding Council priorities set, work is being done to ensure consistency across services, but there are issues with current capacity to oversee new nursing staff who require a greater amount of mentoring. As part of ensuring access to healthcare, effort is being made to alleviate a current bottleneck with the sole client care coordinator from Maamwesying. We are also looking at enhancing reporting to Council and community, and have opportunity to improve communications through the newsletter and other means. Consideration needs to be made for the long-term vision for Sagamok’s primary care providers; do we want that service to be delivered at the regional level, or have Sagamok take it on? Deciding will better inform decisions to be made for the future. Regarding culture and tradition definitions, has that been defined? Not as of yet because the staff that provide services related to it are currently being housed within departments. However, legislation is moving away from defining what traditional medicine is, only requiring health service providers to report adverse reactions from natural products.

Motion 2023/09 #03

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the Primary Care Q1 Report as presented.
Moved by: Arnelda Bennett
Seconded by: Leroy Bennett A/O: 0 Discussion: CARRIED
Mental Health & Addictions – Q1 Report

Currently seeking staff to fill positions at the proposed after care shelter at 89 River Road, in addition to a Clinical Supervisor. Regarding financials, no issues or variances with budgets, but will be looking for Council approval for 89 River Road retrofits. Regarding outreach & follow-up for members who have received treatment, how can MH&A better reach out to those who have finished treatment for addictions and provide follow-up with recovery? However, MH&A only know of people that they have referred or helped facilitate. Ideally, once the aftercare center is open, there will be an open house to build relationships between MH&A, the treatment providers, and potential members who are on the fence of seeking treatment. All services provided are voluntary, and the person must reach out to initiate the treatment process. If a Councillor is reached out to by a member, please encourage them to seek treatment through MH&A. Regarding a miscommunication from a recent poster, steps are being made to prevent any further mistakes. Shelley would like to lay eyes on all communication that goes out from her department to ensure that the messaging is consistent with the service delivery goals for MH&A.

Motion 2023/09 #03

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

Long Term Care – Q1 Report

The staffing for Long Term Care has improved with an influx of resumes and interviews since last report. Current dietary staff have begun taking a food security workers certificate course, which will be completed across years. This course is required for long term care workers. Engaged with St. Elizabeth to offer a blended delivery model for PSW course, however there was not enough interest to run in the course in Sagamok. Due to that, we provided interested individuals the information for the course being delivered off-reserve. More PSWs are needed, with a plan to hire part time homemaking staff for the community and a full time homemaker for the Elders’ Eagle Lodge. Regarding home safety, 16 EEL residents and 23 elders in the community have been provided with an direct help line. Staff have been updated on the revised EEL Emergency Operation Plan in collaboration with the Fire Department. Regarding a lack of community submitted PSW resumes, the wage offered is competitive compared to other communities, but below the rate offered for commercial long-term care. A potential pay increase may draw the interest, but there is also a shortage of PSWs nationwide.

Lastly, EEL residents are asking for the purchase of a teepee, to be placed at the front of the lodge along with a new sign. Councillor Leroy Bennett is willing to assist the purchasing process to ensure the teepee is usable year-round.

Regarding food security, the space designated for the two greenhouses has been cleared, and there is a list of community members willing to provide wild game and fish.

Motion 2023/09 #04

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept Long Term Care Q1 report as presented.
Moved by: Leroy Bennett
Seconded by: Nelson Toulouse
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Planning & Infrastructure – Q1 Report

Spring was a challenging season for the Roads department, and necessitated a great stretch of road reconstruction of River Road. The road to the Fort required copious grading and aggregate. A new Community Energy Champion has been hired, and Doreen Abitong is working in the Fire Department on a revised Emergency Response Plan. The new school project has had problems with materials and supplies due to supply chain issues, and necessitated revision to updated material choices while maintaining structural integrity. Some scheduling issues have arisen, with a revised potential completion date of early December 2023. At the next meeting, the consultants will be asked for a more accurate date. Regarding the vandalism, is it possible to hire site security to avoid any delays caused by vandalism? Security is something that should be expected for future contractors; security is provided when building in towns and cities.

Housing construction is looking at 5 3-bedroom units and 7 1-bedroom units; both are on target. The Housing Working Group has a goal to build 101 houses over the course of 4 years to address the need for 1-bedroom and 3-bedroom units but care must be taken to ensure that consistency, cost, and quality are considered during the undertaking.

An assessment will need to be carried out on the water tower, as it is approximately 25 years old, and has a projected life expectancy and capacity of 50 years. However, the growth of population and infrastructure may see the capacity’s lifetime shorten. Next quarter will add the 89 River Road aftercare program as part of P&I’s project management, working with Shelley Watt-Proulx at MH&A.

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Motion 2023/09 #05

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to the Planning & Infrastructure Q1 Report as presented.
Moved by: McKenzie Toulouse
Seconded by: Leroy Bennett
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Education – Q1 Report

The current role of the Sagamok Education website is something that needs to be considered, given the new website launch by Communications & IT.

The development of the 5-10 Year Strategic Plan is also experiencing difficulties, as the consultant hired has ended their contract. It is currently being developed by staff. The FNWSC representative is returning from a summer break, and the ISC and CIRNAC representatives that work with the Education department and FNWSC are new to the organization, so there is time spent bringing things back up to speed.

Motion 2023/09 #05

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the Education Q1 Report as presented.
Moved by: Paul Eshkakogan
Seconded by: Leroy Bennett
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Briefing Note – Council Committees

The item has been deferred in Andrea’s absence, and will be presented at the next scheduled Council meeting.

Motion 2023/09 #06

Sagamok Chief & Council motion to adjourn the meeting.
Moved by: Arnelda Bennett
Seconded by: McKenzie Toulouse
A/O: 0
Discussion: CARRIED

Next Meeting scheduled for September 22nd to September 24th, 2023. Weekend meeting at Kewadin Casino Conference Room

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