Already it is time for my holidays and boy do I need a vacation! I am tired so it will be good for me to rest because September will start off busy and I do not see the busyness ending any time soon.

Our reserve sure is a happening place! There are many projects on the go and our staff has done a great job with all the projects! The Business Investment Centre is coming along and we are at the process of hiring staff. The Employment Training Centre is also one of the projects and Danita Stawberry is doing a great job. Traditional Land Use Department has been very busy with the Cultural Camps and continues to do great work.

We have had new equipment trucks arrive this month. The trucks are the septic and holding tank sewage removal truck and the water truck which will be an asset to our reserve. Good work to Gerald Vasselin, Shane Beston and crew.  

Welcome to the new staff: Connie Tuharsky, In-house Lawyer, Tyron Whitford, Acting Economic Development, Mary Ann Littlejohn, Acting Executive Secretary, Lisa Beaverbone, Acting Health Director, Mary Gauthier, Acting Social Development Manager, and Danita Strawberry, Employment Training Centre Senior Director.   

I definitely enjoyed the trip to Mystic Lake! After the meetings we had an opportunity to do a bit of sightseeing so some Elders and I ventured to the Mall of America and I don’t know what all the fuss is about, I think West Edmonton Mall is larger! Anyway I know the Elders enjoyed their trip on the bus and it is nice that our Chief and Council provide opportunities like this for our Elders as they provide so much for our community.

I am sure looking forward to the Industry Appreciation BBQ as we did last year. This time we will have information booths and brochures along with good food. O’Chiese First Nation appreciates the support we receive from industry and would like to extend a warm welcome to industry and their staff. It will be an afternoon of networking, socializing and tasty food at our future new Band Office site located on the reserve. Thank you to the staff, leadership and community. Have a great rest of the summer and I will see you in September!

Communication is the key to our success and learning, so read for yourselves, your goo-kum, mo-shoom and your children!    Please submit to your newsletter, do not be shy, we know you have a lot of positive and new things to say!!! Newsletters can be obtained at the reception desk usually around the first week of the month! Thank you.

Respectfully, Beatrice Carpentier, O’Chiese Band Manager