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Present:
Angus Toulouse
Anna Marie Abitong
Arnelda Bennett
Leroy Bennett
McKenzie Toulouse
Michael Abitong
Nelson Toulouse
Nicole Eshkakogan
Paul Eshkakogan
Rhonda Stoneypoint
Sheldon Toulouse
Staff:
Andrea Hajt-Jacobs, Director – Council Secretariat
Natalie Spenser, Human Resources (Virtual)
Darla Boston, Political Office Administrative Assistant Meggan McCracken, Acting Director of Finance (Virtual)
Samantha Keysis, Director Lands, Resources & Environment (Virtual) Sean Cassidy, Director of IT & Communications (Virtual)
Juanita Skruibis, Director of Family & Community Support (Virtual)
Roger Jones, Assistant Director – Council Secretariat
Ryan McLeod, Financial Advisor
Paula Swift (Virtual)
Susan Dechamps, Director of Long-Term Care (Virtual)
Evan O’Leary, Sagamok Development Corporation Manager (Virtual)
Shelley Watt-Proulx, Director of Mental Health & Addiction
Guests from Thiess:
David Perkins, Vice President Operations North America
Darrell White, Executive General Manager, Americas
Shaun Barker, Regional Manager Technical Services, Americas
Mark Hausman, Chief Legal Counsel
Ross Gibbins, Global Mining Business & Project Development Professional
Miikana Consulting:
Randi Ray, Founder & Principal Consultant
Vale:
Robert Alemay, Specialist Government, and Indigenous Relations
Regrets:
Lawrence Solomon
Opening Prayer by Nelson Toulouse
Meeting called to order @ 5:15pm
Theiss is a mining company operating at the Copper Cliff site. The purpose of their presentation before Council is to inform of their Draft Indigenous Engagement and Participation Plan for the Copper Cliff Project. Regarding Indigenous employment, they have a target of 5 to 15% for Indigenous hires, offering pathway programs for career progression, and establishing an Indigenous employment working group with local community representation. They will also work to partner with ZEI and other Indigenous owned businesses, provide community engagement, work with communities on housing strategies, and keep an open line of dialogue with leadership.
The council has agreed to continue the conversation and meet at a later date, along with scheduling a future site visit.
Motion 2023/10 #01
Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept agenda as presented and amended with the Addition of After Hour Services.
Moved by: Arnelda Bennett
Seconded by: Leroy Bennett
A/O: 0
CARRIED
Motion 2023/10 #02
Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the Chief and Council minutes of September 5, 2023 as presented.
Moved by: Arnelda Bennett
Seconded by: Anna Marie Abitong
A/O: 0
CARRIED
• Presentation from Mamaaweswen
• Primary Health Concerns
• Youth Wellness Hub of Ontario (YWHO)
The Mental Health and Addictions team will be hosting two workshops open to the community. The first is a Human Trafficking Workshop to educate on the signs and steps to take in recognizing human trafficking. The second is a workshop on grieving and loss. Additionally, the MH&A team will be present at the upcoming November 14th, 2023 Elders Forum.
On the staffing side, there have been several new hires, both full-time and part-time.
Lastly, regarding the renovations at 89 River Rd, they are proceeding well; however, there is no concrete date set for opening, as the site still requires attendants. The job postings for these positions have gone up and are awaiting submissions.
A clearly defined networking system is required for follow up in the aftermath of community emergencies. Would this fall under the scope of work and role of the crisis worker? If so, what kind of budget is needed to ensure a proper response and follow up?
The question of who covers the after-hours workers and jurisdiction is something that also needs to be clarified. Information such as that would be found in a proper model of care for after-hours services.
The revised iteration of the Elders’ Eagle Lodge Tenant Package and Agreement was presented for review, as the previous agreement was last revised in 2015. The revised agreement will be added to a shared drive for Council review and comments and will also be given a review by Legal.
HR is looking to standardize current inconsistencies with leave entitlements. Additionally, given the amount of staff who are non-Indigenous, we need to investigate ways we can share our practices and traditions. As part of cultural leave, we also need to clarify what is considered a traditional practice.
Motion 2023/10 #03
Sagamok Chief & Council motion to accept the FNWSC Full Bundle Statement & 19 Draft Decisions as presented.
Moved by: Anna Marie Abitong
Second by: Nelson Toulouse
A/O: 0
Discussion: The Full Bundle Statement and decision points, jointly developed, reflect the collective resolve of participating First Nations of the First Nations with Schools Collective including Sagamok Anishnawbek's agreement with the decision points to inform the negotiations strategy at the Joint Education Technical Table that Sagamok Anishnawbek is a part of.
CARRIED
Motion 2023/10 #04
Sagamok Chief & Council to accept Submission of Workplan and Budget under Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self Determination (RIRSD) Tables Funding to move negotiations forward.
Moved by: Nelson Toulouse
Second by: Leroy Bennett
A/O: 0
Discussion: The joint work plan and budget was prepared by the First Nations with Schools Collective for its submission to CIRNAC for 2023-2024 funding to cover negotiation costs associated with education jurisdiction agreement development.
CARRIED
Motion 2023/10 #05
Sagamok Chief & Council to accept BCR 2023-10-33 - CMHC Funding.
Moved by: Nelson Toulouse
Seconded by: Nicole Eshkakogan
A/O: 0
CARRIED
The First Nations Election Act was the key focus of the 8 community engagement sessions held from June to August 2023. None of the discussions generated negativity or resistance to using the Elections Act for the 2024 Council Elections. Based on feedback and questions from attendees, the concept of a 4-year term is well received, and candidacy qualifications was a common topic brought forward. Following the adoption of the FNEA, community members were also interested in continuing the work towards building a custom Sagamok election code.
Motion 2023/10 #06
Sagamok Chief & Council to accept BCR 2023-10-34 - First Nations Elections Act
Moved by: Arnelda Bennett
Second by: Nelson Toulouse
A/O: 0
CARRIED Discussion: With the passing of this BCR and the move to the First Nations Elections Act, the forthcoming Council election in 2024 will be the first on a 4-year term.
Motion 2023/10 #07
Sagamok Chief & Council to accept the Elections Working Group Summary Report as presented.
Moved by: Mike Abitong
Second by: Anna Marie Abitong
A/O: 0
CARRIED
Motion 2023/10 #08
Sagamok Chief & Council to accept the proposed Council committee changes with amendments.
Moved by: Paul Eshkakogan
Seconded by: Leroy Bennett
A/O: 0
CARRIED
Amendments as follows:
• Child and Family Wellbeing Committee - remove Nicole Eshkakogan
• Integrated Primary Health Committee - add Arnelda Bennett
• Mental Health and Addictions Committee - remove Nicole Eshkakogan, add Lawrence Solomon
• Change name from Membership Authority to Membership Working Group
• Elders Eagle Lodge - Add Nicole Eshkakogan, Arnelda Bennett, Sheldon Toulouse; will return after first meeting designating a committee Chairperson.
Motion 2023/10 #09
Sagamok Chief & Council to accept the Elders Forum Work Plan as presented.
Moved by: Paul Eshkakogan
Seconded by: Leroy Bennett
A/O: 0
CARRIED
• Elders Forum Budget Request
• BN for Financial Request
Motion 2023/10 #10
Sagamok Chief & Council to adjourn the meeting.
Moved by: Leroy Bennett
Seconded by: Mike Abitong
A/O: 0
CARRIED
Z’gamok Enterprises Inc. is a corporation 100% owned by the Sagamok Anishnawbek. It is mandated to maximize the economic development opportunities of the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation within its traditional lands and within the Northern Ontario region in the resource sector and in services related to construction and resource development.
