Trust monies paying for community projects on Christian Island

By Sharon Weatherall

BEAUSOLEIL FIRST NATION – Citizens of Christian Island will be much warmer this winter with a new roof over the community’s outdoor skating rink.

This project is one of many made possible from the Nookmis Account – money that comes to community under the terms of the Niigaaning GChi Mnissing Trust. The Trust was created from the Coldwater-Narrows Land Claim Settlement in 2012 where Beausoleil First Nation (BFN) was one of the four First Nation communities (including Rama, Georgina Island and Cape Croker) to receive money from the Government of Canada for land claims.

The BFN money that was put into a Trust to live off the interest and last into the future, is now working for the community. The revenues represent a way for BFN to ‘look ahead for our people’ and spending involves participation from members who wish to better their community.

“The amounts will be different each year as this revenue is representative of a percentage from revenues from the larger Trust. The past two fiscal (years) the community have received an amount of approximately‎ $2.9 million for infrastructure for the First Nation,” explained BFN Chief Roland Monague.

“We meet with the community to report each year as to what the funds are including audits. Then the community decides each year what is done with the reserves of the trust. The community decides on projects through a vote and the band administers the funds.”

The money has been used to look after not only infrastructure costs but creating jobs, improving the education system and creating community assistance funds.

In the past two years some of the projects that have come through the Nookmis Account include a budget set aside to top up the living allowance and book allowance for postsecondary students. A budget was also created for postsecondary student summer employment based on merit and attendance at school.

In the first year revenues were used to create funeral expense assistance due to a higher number of deaths in the community that year. In addition a wood and propane fund was created to assist elders to offset costs of heating during harsh winters.

“There is also funding for language initiatives for which involved members must write a proposal that must be reviewed by the Nookmis committee,” said Monague.

“We have created a Seniors Fund for elders so they can travel to places they have never gone before. We will match their fundraising efforts.”

Last year funds from the Nookmis Account went towards the purchase of survival suits for fishermen and a new state-of-the-art school bus was purchased for the island students. As well new sporting equipment was purchased for the Rec Centre and permanent public washrooms were built at the Cedar Point ferry dock site.

In meeting infrastructure needs new equipment was purchased to replace an aging roller packer, grader and garbage compact truck. The purchase of a gravel crusher is now in the process of being finalized.

“Projects deferred to this year include the roof on the rink which we hope to have finished this fall, an expansion on the senior’s centre to create more room at the facility,” said Monague.