Atikameksheng Anishnawbek outgrows band office
By Jennifer Ashawasegai
ATIKAMEKSHENG ANISHNAWBEK – Chief Steve Miller understands that proximity to neighbouring municipalities can have its advantage for a First Nation experiencing growth.
“We’re growing at a substantial rate and we’re in need of a new band office,” he says of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, formerly known as Whitefish Lake First Nation, located just 20 minutes southwest of downtown Sudbury.
Miller said the First Nation is working with Sudbury on the development of an industrial/business park, now that it has signed onto the First Nations Lands Management Act. This gives the community jurisdiction over its 44,000 acres of land, instead of the federal department of Indian Affairs, and all the red tape entailed in that relationship.
Trying to create economic opportunities for 1,100 citizens – 500 of whom live in 135 on-reserve homes – is one of many priorities for Atikameksheng leadership.
Chief Miller rhymes off an impressive list of community initiatives currently on the go: a 3 Megawatt solar project, completion of a subdivision with 27 serviced lots, an arbour has been erected on the First Nation’s traditional grounds, and a much-publicized home-building project with celebrity contractor Mike Holmes is underway.
Atikameksheng Anishnawbek was selected to participate in the Building Homes and Building Skills project, a joint effort involving the Assembly of First Nations and Mike Holmes and Holmes Group. Construction on a four-plex in the new subdivision began in October and is expected to be completed in March, 2014. The First Nation worked with the First Nations Market Housing Fund to develop a sustainable homes document.
With growth come growing pains. Chief Miller cites constant funding and jurisdictional issues encountered when trying to plan new or expand existing services. For instance, the First Nation has been doing its best to clean up pollution from an old abandoned gold mine in its territory. Tests conducted in local waterways indicate arsenic levels above acceptable standards. The First Nation is working with different levels of government to access to funding for an environmental clean-up.
Like First Nations across the country, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek wants to take back control of education. Chief Miller says the long-term objective is to have a K-6 community school in which “the children will be immersed in language and culture.” In the meantime, changes have been negotiated in the curriculum with the Rainbow District School Board to include Anishinabek awareness.
Chief Miller said the recently-completed Sacred Fire Arbour is a one-of-a-kind structure made of natural materials, where community members can enjoy ceremonies and other functions.
A newly-renovated space above the community centre has been dedicated to youth activities, and equipped with musical instruments, televisions, pool tables and an assortment of games. Chief Miller says the youth space is open in the evenings and on weekends, and is being well-used.
Meanwhile, the health department produces programming and functions for elders. “We want them to be active, involved and needed in our community,” says the chief.
There are also efforts to establish palliative care in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, so illness will not take elders from the community environment.
“We want to do more for the Elders in their homes and we’re looking into that right now,” says Chief Miller.