Back from Ottawa and one week holidays, just so you know, March 16 week will always be my holidays. It went by fast, went to the coast, it was warm, rainy, and sunny and my nieces and nephews are always great to visit. Anyway, holidays were too short, now there is work to be done. With that, Ottawa proved to be an experience and we hope that we were successful.
In Ottawa, we had two main purposes. One was to meet with various Deputy Ministers and their assistants. We talked about economic development, housing, education, and social assistance. We appreciated the Deputy Ministers time and thanked them and we are grateful for just getting an audience. The second purpose was that Allan and I did a presentation on the Good Governance Award. Our presentation was great however; we will probably not do another presentation especially if it is at the end of the day and we prefer to be the first speakers. Allan did a great job in writing and presenting our presentation. I was glad that he accompanied me to both meetings. Our Councilor Barry Saulteaux closed off the presentation very nicely, thank you, Barry, for the political support. All in all, we believe that we met our expectations and achieved what we set out to do.
As I stated in my last article, we did not even know that the Frontier Centre even existed and that they surveyed communities about their governance structures. The Frontier Centre will again come to our community to survey our community once again. Again, we need to thank you for showing and stating your support for your governance and community.
It is important for us to continue to maintain your support and provide our Leaders with plans and direction for the coming years. As you have noticed, our community is changing but not only the landscape but also how we think and feel about our community. I have noticed more respect, support, and confidence for each other and our community. I appreciate our community and the way we do things. I have come to respect the knowledge, the skill, and the culture we have come to possess and pass on to each other. No where have I seen this respect and confidence in each of us as I did at our Strategic Planning meeting, our presentation in Ottawa, and in our community meeting. Yes, we are changing, our landscaping is changing, and our ability to do things is changing. I love working with my senior managers and our leadership, we have taken risks, produced new ventures, and created new policies.
Sometimes our Leaders and even I must attend meetings that matter to our economy, our land, our housing, our Treaty, or our social order. In addition, sometimes, in order for us to have focus, yes, we need to leave the community to do important planning, understand the oil and gas impact in our community, and try to negotiate for employment. It is difficult in our community to plan and ensure we are doing what we are supposed to do. It must be difficult for you as members to see your Leadership always off to meetings. As political Leaders, it is their responsibility to plan, negotiate, advocate, and present on your behalf. In the future, their responsibilities will only become more complicated, more vocal, and more meaningful. Thank you for your patience, support and we hope that you have trust in our ability to do our best in achieving your best interest.
It is pleasing to see the Elders, parents, and children reading, looking, and doing the activities in the newsletter. Please continue to read for your goo-kum, mo-shoom, children, and yourselves, reading and understanding what you are reading is the key to understanding, communication, and success! Newsletters can be obtained at the reception desk usually around the first week of the month. Thank you to the editor and to those who submit to the newsletter!
I apologize for the lateness of the newsletter as I am the last one to submit articles this month.
Respectfully, Beatrice Carpentier, O’Chiese Band Manager