Community Engagement Sessions head to Pic River

By Jon Cada & Kelly Crawford
Ojibways of Pic River hosted the final stop in the Northern Superior Region visits this fiscal year. The Community Engagement Strategy Session took place on March 27, 2013.
Deputy Grand Council Chief Glen Hare delivered a passionate speech on the importance of our children being the future.
“We will continue to fight and demand that our rights be honoured and acknowledged,” said Hare.
He also reassured the Pic River residents in attendance about the ROJ’s commitment to assist the communities in developing their constitutions.
Cindy Fisher, Education Director for the Ojibways of Pic River, delivered the presentations on First Nations Constitutions and Anishinabek Education Agreement. Fisher serves a dual role for the community by being a representative on both the governance working group and education working group within the Anishinabek Nation.
Community members wanted to know how money is being secured to make the changes with the proposed new education system for each First Nation. Fisher explained that fiscal negotiations are underway.
Elder Gordon Waindubence delivered a traditional teaching on the Anishinaabe Dodemaag system.
Elder Waindubence says he is always impressed when he visits the Ojibways of Pic River.  “In all the communities I’ve visited in our nation, this is the only place that has their own clan staff which signifies a traditional governance structure that they acknowledge and take pride in. It makes this visit a special one for me as I have carried my teachings with me for a long time.”
As the current phase of the CES wraps up a new phase is just starting. For more information on the CES please contact Kelly Crawford at Kelly.crawford@anishinabek.ca