03212024 March 21, 2024

JenniferRiboutwinstheInFocusPeople'sChoiceAward

ByJenniferRibout

On February 24th, in Edmonton, Alberta, I received the

People's Choice Award at the 10th annual InFocus Photo Exhibit &Awards.As indicated in the name, the award is won by the participant who gets the most votes over the voting period; one vote counts per person per day. Thanks to incredible participation,Itookhomethewinwithover1,300votes.

I am absolutely floored by this incredible accomplishment and eternally grateful to be this year's recipient of the InFocus People's Choice Award. The word spread like wildfire, as Jan Ribout, my mom, shared reminders through Facebook and encouragedotherstoshareaswell.Intheend,achainofsharingand votingultimatelyhelpedmeachievethiswin.

Many(ifnotmorethanhalf)ofthesevotescamefromyou, thecommunityofChapleau.Thiswinofover1,300votesisbecause of you. That number is wild to me. This has been a wonderfully encouraging initiative, and to have it come from the beautiful communityofChapleauisjustthemostincrediblegift.Thankyou foryourendlesssupport;itmeanstheabsoluteworldtome.

To learn more about InFocus, please visit their website: www.infocusphoto.ca

“Indigenous

enough”:Whatitmeanstofind

anIndigenousidentityinamodernworld

ByGraceDavid—

PublishedMarch17,2024

Long Term Forecast

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WhenpeopleaskmewhereIam‘really’ from, because my response of being Canadian doesn’t suffice, I tell them that my dad was born in the Philippines. I say that my grandparents are immigrantsandthatIam aproudFilipina.Forthe

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longesttime,IdidnotsayIwasalsoIndigenous.I did not say that my mother grew up in Northern Ontario,orthatmygrandfatherworkedtirelessly tobearecognizedmemberoftheChapleauCree First Nation, because who was I to claim Indigeneity?IwasbornandraisedinOttawa.Ido notspeakCree.Idonotknowtheculture.

My genes, blood, and family tree carry the culture of Chapleau Cree, but it is not who I am. I have spent the majority of my life distancing myself from my Indigenous roots

because I felt like a fraud. I believed that identifying as Indigenous should be reserved onlyforthosewhounderstoodwhatitmeanttobe Indigenous.

Inschoolandthroughthemedia,Ihave learnt so much about the collective Indigenous pain,aboutahistoryofblood,sweat,andtears. Residential schools, the Sixties Scoops, the Indian Act, and years of systemic discrimination eventswhichhaveprofoundly Cont’donP.2

PhotographbyNajibeKirameddine www.kirameddinephotography.com

“Indigenousenough”:Whatitmeanstofind anIndigenousidentityinamodernworld

Cont’dfromP.1 affected my family, yet fortunately, I haven’t experienced them directly. I was led to believe thatthesetragediesweretheIndigenousidentity: that to be Indigenous, I must relate to suffering andtrauma.

Only last year did I realize this was, frankly,astupidnotion.Inthesecondsemesterof my first year, I took a class called CDN198 — Canada,Colonialism,andSettlerRelations.The final term paper asked us to explain how we fit into the Indigenous narrative here in Canada. AlthoughIwrotethepaperinabouttwoweeks,it led to months of self-reflection and wondering not only about how I fit into the Indigenous narrative, but also about how I would like to fit into the Indigenous narrative. This reflection awoke me to the fact that I am “Indigenous enough.”Iowedittomyselfandthegenerations that came before me to try and connect with my roots,tofindwhatIndigenousjoyis,andwhatit meanstobeIndigenousinthemodernworld.

I wish people talked more about Indigenousjoys,Indigenouslivelihoods,andthe beauty of Indigenous cultures. I knew so much about colonialism and its devastating effects on Indigenous peoples, but I knew so little of powwows, beading, and the warmth of our community. Perhaps if colonialism had not strippedawaythestrengthofthesetraditions,or ifthemediahadcelebratedourcultures,Iwould have known that there were ways to connect to my roots other than through the lens of settler colonialismandsuffering.

It is because of my mother and the First NationsHousehereatUofTthatIhavehadthe opportunitytolearnmoreaboutwhatitmeansto beIndigenous.I’mcurrentlyhelpingmymother writeabookonthehistoryofChapleauCree.My tasks include transcribing her interviews with ChapleauCreemembers,whichallowsmetosee wheremyancestorscamefromandhowthishas shaped Chapleau Cree Nation today. This experiencehastrulybeenanhonour.

I would also like to thank First Nations House for being so kind, for teaching the importance of goodbrothonacoldday,andfor sayingsokindlyattheopenhouse at the beginning of the year that “First Nations House is for all of theIndigenouspeopleoncampus,

especiallyforthosethatdonotfeelthattheyare Indigenousenough.”

This is an important message to spread, especially since just under 60 per cent of Indigenous people in Canada do not live on reserves, and almost 30 per cent of the Indigenous population is under the age of 25, accordingtothe2021census.Idonotknowthe individualstoriesofthethousandsofIndigenous youth living far from their communities. Still, I speculatethatmanysharethesamesentimentas me—feelinglikeanoutsiderinaculturethatis supposed to be their own. I often think that my ancestorswouldnotwanttheirlegacytobeinmy hands:butifnotmine,thenwhose?

It is terrifying to claim an Indigenous identitywithpride,justasitisterrifyingtogoto First Nations House for the first time, for the secondtime,orevenforthethirdtime.However, it is even more alarming to think that a long history of Indigenous culture may slowly be eroded if we give into the fear of not being “Indigenousenough.”

As the world develops, cultures change, and globalization takes Indigenous Peoples to newplaces,neitherassimilationnorcolonization must win. It is never too late to learn what it meanstobeIndigenous.IfIhavelearntanything, it is that being Indigenous is a truly beautiful thing.

OntarioMarksInternationalFrancophonieDay

On the occasion of International Francophonie Day, Natalia KusendovaBashta, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of FrancophoneAffairs, issued the following statement on behalf of Caroline Mulroney, Minister of FrancophoneAffairs:

"It is with great pride that today our government marks International Francophonie Day and fully recognizes thestrengthanddynamismoftheglobal Francophonie, as well as the important contributions of Francophones in Ontario,Canada,andbeyond.

Driven by a rich history and remarkable diversity, Ontario's Francophonie is an invaluable treasure forourprovince,boastingarichcultural andsocialheritage.

As an observer member of Organisation internationale de la

Francophonie(OIF),Ontariotakesevery opportunity to promote the province on the international stage and highlight the added value of its Francophone economic community. This year, the theme of International Francophonie Day is "create, innovate, and undertake in French."Throughourcollaborationwith interprovincial and international partners, our government will continue to support the creativity, innovation, and fullpotentialofourFrancophonie.

As a privileged home for the greater Francophone family, Frenchspeaking Ontario stands out for its renewed vitality and openness to the world, pointing to the ever-growing influenceoftheFrenchlanguage,bothin Canadaandinternationally.

Happy International FrancophonieDay!”

Chapleau Moments

by MichaelJ. Morris

Oliver Korpela was attached to the RAF Bomber Command,, Squadron , where he piloted his Lancaster bomber on many successful missions before being shot down over Holland. He worked closely with the Dutch Resistance for 7 monts and escaped manyclosecallswiththeGermans.

Oliver Korpela, perhaps best known in Chapleau as a lumberman, actually wore many hats,includingoneasabomberpilotinWorldWar II, whose plane was shot down over Holland in 1944.

Born in Nemegos on the Canadian Pacific RailwaylineeastofChapleauonJune18,1920,in his early years, Oliver spoke Finnish, French and Cree, according to Oiva W. Saarinen in his book "Between a Rock and a Hard Place". There was nobodytoteachhimEnglish.

His grandfather and father had arrived in Nemegosintheearly20thcenturyandhadbecome logging contractors, cutting and delivering logs to besawedintominingtimbersandrailwayties.

As a youngster Oliver enjoyed hunting, fishing,trapping,canoeing,skiingandswimming.

However, by 1931 he had moved to

WorldWarII bomberpilotOliverKorpelaexpanded familylumberoperationsinChapleauarea

SudburyandattendedschooluntiltheendofGrade 10. By 1939 and the outbreak of World War II, OliverwantedtojointheRoyalCanadianAirForce but his first obstacle was that he had no birth certificate. Nobody had registered his birth. This wasresolved.

Thiswassortedoutbuthecouldnottrainas apilotwithoutGrade13,sohetookacrashcourse, upgradedandwaspostedtopilottraining.

--apparentlyagreatwelcomehomepartywasheld.

AfterreturningtoCanadaafterthewar,he workedforKormakLumberCompanyfoundedby hisfatherandOliverMaki.

As a part-time bush pilot Oliver made Kormak one of the first lumber company's to do extensive timber cruising from the air. He continuedflyingintohislateseventies.

After the major forest fire of 1948, the companyopenedmillsatFlameLake---Oliverwas inoneofthefirstcarstotraveloverHighway129 from Thessalon to Chapleau in 1949 when it opened.

Posted to England after graduation as a pilot officer, he later joined the Royal Air Force Bomber Command and conducted successful bombingmissionsoverGermanyflyingLancaster bombers.

InSeptember1944,hisLancasterwasshot down,andheparachutedsafelyintoHolland.

Oliver ended up aided by the Dutch underground. His experience is included in his memoir 'TheAutobiography of a Bomber Pilot" a copyofwhichwaskindlyprovidedtomebyhisson RichardKorpela.

DisguisedasamuteDutchtailorheeluded capturebytheGermansuntilHollandwasliberated in1945.Afascinatingstoryinitself.

Upon arriving in Sudbury, Oliver went to the barber shop at the Coulson Hotel, and discoveredthathisparentswerestayinginthehotel

Asanaside,FlameLakewassuchagoing concernthattheOntarioProvincialPolicestationed anofficerthereforatime.

Interestingly,atonepointinthecompany's expansion they chartered aircraft to bring workers fromFinland.

By the 1960s, the lumber operations includedKormak,IslandLakeandWesmak,which wereallamalgamatedintoWesmakwithOliveras

president. In 1966 he acquired Biglow Lumber Company with Fred Fielding. All merged in due courseaftertakingoverChapleauLumberin1981 andbecameChapleauForestProductsLimited.

Oliver wore many hats including bomber pilot, bush pilot, lumberman, horse rancher and philanthropist.

AfterthewarhebecameactiveintheRoyal Canadian Legion, and following his death on February 19, 2006, his son Richard made a presentation of $5,000 from his father's estate to Branch No 5 president Darryl Brunette for the branch.

Oliver will also be remembered for his generosity in donating 27 acres of land for a Finnish Senior Citizens Complex in the Minnow Lake area at Sudbury, as well as a significant donationforawetlandsparkwhichbearshisname.

IextendmymostsincerethankstoRichard Korpela, Oliver's son, who provided me with a copyof'TheAutobiographyofaBomberPilot'---a fascinatingread

CourtesyRichardKorpela

CourtesyRichardKorpela

EarleSootheran,TomGodfrey,Oliver Korpela

from OTTAWA Rapport d’Ottawa

by/par Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

Muchliketheresidentialschoolprogram, the Federal government was responsible for atrocious human rights abuses at the hands of their Indian day school system. It was a system that mirrored the residential school system, forcinganestimated200,000FirstNations.Inuit, and Métis children to endure horrific abuse at some 700-day schools across the country. The survivors of these schools were completely shut outofthe$1.9-billionIndianResidentialSchool SettlementAgreementandhavebeenfightingfor proper recognition and compensation for their treatment on a completely separate front, with voices growing louder to reopen the application process.

Manyofthoseindividualswhohavebeen involvedwiththedayschoolsettlementprogram have been angered by the process. One of the survivors, Jessie Waldron, who attended the WaterhenLakeIndianDaySchoolin60sand70s, is asking the Supreme Court of Canada to intervene to allow her to amend her compensation claim because of additional evidenceofabusesheenduredattheschool.Ms. Waldron and others are arguing that the process to apply for compensation is complicated, leaving survivors without the ability to amend theircompensationclaims,ifnecessary.

Ms.Waldronhaspreviouslyattemptedto have both the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal allow her to amend her compensationclaim,butlostbothcases,whichis whysheisnowappealingtotheSupremeCourt. InarecentCBCinterview,shestatedthatshewas overwhelmed by the claims process, which resulted in her receiving the lowest level of compensation possible. Compensation from the Federal Indian Day School Class Action Settlement Agreement process is based on the degreesofabusetheyreceived.Thoseapplicants are asked detailed, personal questions about the trauma they endured in day schools. In Ms. Waldron'scase,shestatesinthe CBC piecethat she couldn't reach anyone through the legal hotlinetoassistwithherapplication,andthatshe also drove 10 hours from her home in Grand Prairie,AlbertatoWaterhenLake,Saskatchewan forassistanceonherapplication,butarrivedata cancelledmeeting.Shestatesthatshewasunable to receive assistance from either Deloitte (the claimsadministrator)orGowlingWLG(thelaw firm representing survivors in the class action lawsuitagainsttheFederalgovernment)forhelp

CallstoReopenDaySchoolSurvivorApplicationProcessGrow

inherapplicationprocess.Eventually,sheended up settling for the lowest level of compensation possible.

As noted, there are varying levels availableforcompensation.150,200claimshave been paid out so far, out of approximately 185,000applicants.Ofthose185,000applicants, approximately 130,000 applied for compensation at the first level. Approximately 54,000appliedforcompensationbetweenlevels two and five combined, according to numbers fromDeloittefromearlyFebruary.Theissuethat remains is that, for many individuals who had filedforcompensation,theysimplywanttorefile their claims to ensure that their settlements reflect the nature of their trauma and abuse, and the compensation process does not allow that, evenininstanceswhereapplicantswerenotable toreachlegalcouncil,whichwastheirright.

Oneofthekeyproblemswiththisprocess isthatitsnotlikefilinganinsuranceclaim,yetit seemstobetreatedassuch.Theprocessrequires recounting a history of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, which can be a challenging process to come to grips with. Claimants need moretime,moreassistance,andmoresupportto file these claims. The process wasn't clear to manyofthesurvivorsanditisobviousthatthey had difficulty accessing legal council to assist theminfilingtheirclaims.

Thosereasonsaloneshouldbeenoughto reopen the process and let claimants resubmit theirpaperworkifnecessary.Boththeformerand current Justice Ministers have stated that the processisimperfect.That'sreasonenoughtogive survivors the time, information, and help they needtomakesuretheyarecompensatedforany abusetheysufferedwithinthedayschools.

Lesappelsenfaveurdelaréouvertureduprocessusdedemande d'indemnisationdessurvivantsdesexternatsautochtonessemultiplient

À l'instar du programme de pensionnats indiens, le gouvernement a été responsable des violations atroces des droits de la personne commises au sein du système des externats autochtones. Ce système, similaire à celui des pensionnats indiens, a forcé environ 200 000 enfants des Premières Nations, inuits et métis à subir des abus épouvantables dans les quelque 700externatsétablisauxquatrecoinsduCanada. Les survivants de ces externats ont été complètement exclus de la Convention de règlementrelativeauxpensionnatsindiensde1,9 milliarddedollars;ilssebattentdeleurcôtépour être reconnus et indemnisés pour les mauvais traitements qu'ils ont subis, et les appels se multiplient en faveur de la réouverture du processusdedemande.

Denombreusespersonnestouchéesparle programme de règlement concernant les externats autochtones sont en colère contre le processus.L'unedessurvivantes,JessieWaldron, quiafréquentél'externatautochtonedeWaterhen Lake dans les années 1960 et 1970, demande l'intervention de la Cour suprême afin qu'elle puissemodifiersademanded'indemnisationpour y ajouter des preuves des mauvais traitements qu'elleasubis.MmeWaldronetd'autresvictimes font valoir que le processus de demande d'indemnisationestcompliquéetqu'ilnepermet pas aux survivants de modifier leur demande si desmodificationss'avèrentnécessaires.

Mme Waldron a tenté d'amener la Cour fédéraleetlaCourd'appelfédéraleàluipermettre de modifier sa demande d'indemnisation, mais ellen'apaseugaindecausedanslesdeuxcas,ce qui est la raison pour laquelle elle s'adresse maintenant à la Cour suprême. Lors d'une

entrevue qu'elle a accordée récemment sur les ondes de CBC, elle a affirmé avoir été dépassée par le processus de demande d'indemnisation. Résultat : elle a reçu le niveau le plus faible d'indemnisation.Eneffet,l'indemnisationdansle cadreduprocessusfédérald'accordderèglement du recours collectif pour les élèves ayant fréquenté un externat autochtone dépend du niveau de mauvais traitements subis. Les demandeurs doivent répondre en détail à des questionspersonnellesausujetdestraumatismes qu'ils ont subis dans les externats autochtones. Mme Waldron dit dans le reportage de CBC qu'ellen'estpasparvenueàjoindrequiquecesoit au moyen de la ligne d'urgence juridique pour l'aideràremplirsademande,etqu'elleaconduit unedizained'heuresdeGrandPrairie(Alberta)à WaterhenLake(Saskatchewan)pourqu'onl'aide à remplir sa demande, mais qu'à son arrivée, la réunion avait été annulée. Elle déclare avoir été incapable de recevoir de l'aide ni de Deloitte (l'administrateurdesréclamations)nideGowling WLG (le cabinet d'avocats représentant les survivants dans le recours collectif contre le gouvernement fédéral) pour l'aider dans ses démarches. Finalement, elle s'est contentée du niveaud'indemnisationleplusfaible.

Tel que souligné, il y a divers niveaux d'indemnisation.Àcejour,150200demandeurs sur 185 000 ont été indemnisés. De ces 185 000 demandeurs, 130 000 ont réclamé une indemnisation au premier niveau. Selon les chiffres de Deloitte datant du début du mois de février, approximativement 54 000 demandeurs ontréclaméuneindemnisationentrelesniveaux deux et cinq. Les survivants sont nombreux à vouloirremplirdenouveauCont’donP.11

OntarioImprovingRoadSafetyintheNorth

Province opening commercial vehicle inspection station near Thunder Bay

The Ontario government is marking the openingofanewcommercialvehicleinspection station on Highway 11/17 near Thunder Bay. Located in Shuniah, the $30 million state-of-

the-art facility is part of the province’s plan to improveroadsafetyanddeliverfasterandbetter transitinfrastructureintheNorth.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford,

Casual Custodian (Chapleau

Ontario)

TheAlgoma District School Board invites applications for the position of Casual Custodian in Chapleau.

Educational Qualifications:

· Grade 12 Diploma or Equivalent

Requirements:

· Basic knowledge of cleaning procedures

· Ability to follow instructions and to cooperate with other employees and with persons who use Board facilities from time to time

· Ability to meet the physical demands of the position as demonstrated by completing a Physical DemandsAnalysis

· Successful candidates will be required to undergo a Criminal Background Check

Summary of Duties:

! Shifts are offered on a day-to-day basis via phone between 9:00AM – 11:00AM (i.e. no scheduled shifts)

! Clean part or all of a school or office building which involves sweeping, washing, waxing, dusting, scrubbing, mopping, polishing, shampooing, vacuum cleaning

! Securing building

! Use of step ladders, scaffolds as required

! When necessary, assist maintenance worker with repairs

! Receive and store school supplies

! Maintain lighting, plumbing, windows, painting, varnishing

! Work in compliance with allActs, Regulations and Board Policies and Procedures, including Health and Safety Policies and Procedures

! Other duties as assigned by designated personnel

Hours of work will vary between the hours of 6:00AM and 11:00PM – as determined by the Algoma District School Board to meet operational needs.

Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 29th, 202 and may be forwarded to: Nic Turco Human Resources Officer turcon@adsb.on.ca

Algoma District School Board 644Albert Street East Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A2K7

Only those applicants short-listed will be contacted

AshortlistingofapplicantsforconsiderationwillbecompletedemployingtheAlgomaDistrictSchoolBoard Hiring Policy. Should there be a need for interviews, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Accommodationsthroughtherecruitmentandselectionprocessareavailableuponrequest.Thesuccessful candidate,asaconditionofemployment,willberequiredtoprovideacurrentvulnerablesectorcheck,which isacceptabletotheBoard.

TheAlgomaDistrictSchoolBoardiscommittedtoanequitableeducationsystemthatupholdsandreflects theprinciplesoffairandinclusiveeducation.Additionalinformationaboutspecificprograms,andtheVision, Mission,ValuesandPrioritiesoftheAlgomaDistrictSchoolBoardcanbefoundatwww.adsb.on.ca.

LUCIA REECE ALGOMA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD JENNIFER SARLO Director of Education www.adsb.on.ca Chairperson

our government is working to ensure Ontario’s highways are among the safest in North America,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The new Shuniah commercial vehicle inspection station will help reduce the risk of accidents, protect everyone on the road and ensure the safe movement of goods across NorthernOntario.”

Commercial motor vehicles travelling on Ontario highways are subject to mandatory roadsidesafetyinspections.Thenewinspection stationinShuniahwillbeequippedwithcuttingedge technology to identify potential problems with commercial motor vehicles, such as underinflatedtiresandmalfunctioningbrakes. “Thisinspectionstationwillplayacriticalrole in addressing road safety in our community,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay—Atikokan. “Our government is investing in northern transportation with infrastructure projects that will make a real difference to familiesandbusinesses.”

In Ontario, there are 34 inspection stations across the province where highly trained enforcement officers inspect the condition of commercial vehicles and monitor the behaviour and qualifications of drivers. In 2023,thegovernmentincreaseditsenforcement presence on Highways 11, 17, 144, and 101, withofficersconductingover4,000inspections and laying 3,200 charges, including 700 for speeding.Morethan1,000vehicleswereplaced outofservice.

Expanding commercial vehicle inspection facilities is among the more than 60 actions identified in the government’s Connecting the North: A Draft Transportation Plan for Northern Ontario. This plan will help keep more people and goods moving safely, improve travel options for people in remote communities, and support economic growth in theNorth.

Ontario is improving travel for commercialvehicledriversbybuilding10new restareasandrepairingorexpanding14existing facilitiesalongprovincialhighways.

InAugust2023,theOntariogovernment completedthewideningofHighway11/17from two to four lanes between Ouimet and Dorion EastLoopinThunderBayDistrict.

Ontario has some of the highest winter maintenance standards in North America, requiring contractors to clear snow on Highways11and17tobarepavementwithin12 hours of a storm, four hours faster than the previousstandard.

OnTuesday,March5,theMariaChapdelaineandCarrefoursantéChapleau-Foleyet-Sultanlaunchedthe"HealthInfoSanté"pouchtofirst responderssuchaspoliceofficers,firefighters,paramedics(werenotabletobeatthelaunch),etc.Itisaformthatcontainspersonalandmedical information.Weencouragepeopletoputthatontheirrefrigerator.Thepouchwillbedistributedtoseniorsandcaregiversinthenextmonthor so. Back:KenGroves,CharlsieRhéaume,DianneBourgeault,AldéricGodin,

KeepingCanadianssafeandtrackingsevereweather:GovernmentofCanada completes33state-of-the-artradarmodernizationprojectsacrossCanada

Weatherservices,suchasweather and environmental prediction, are more important than ever in preparing for, and responding to, increasingly severe weather as a result of climate change. A robust and modern weather service is criticaltoprotectingthehealth,safety,and propertyofCanadians.Thatiswhy,since 2016,Canadahasinvested$180.4million to install 32 state-of-the-art weather radars, and one training radar, across Canada.

Today, Environment and Climate ChangeCanadahostedamediatourofthe new weather radar in King City, Ontario, to mark the completion of this eight-year project. This state-of-the-art and sustainable network is improving the department’s ability to track severe weather events, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, at an extended range, and to issue earlier severe weather warnings. Weather radars are the primary tool used by our meteorologists to issue more precise and timely severe weather warnings. The coverage area of the new radarsincreasedfromjustoveronemillion square kilometres to over four million square kilometres, ensuring that 99

percent of Canadians live within 330 kilometresofaCanadianradar.

The installation of these radars represents a significant advancement in weather forecasting technology. For example,thestationinKing,Ontariowill giveforecastersagreaterabilitytopredict severe weather in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada’s most populated urban centre.Theseradarsprovideanincreasein frequency of data, with updates available everysixminutes,insteadoftheprevious 10-minute cycle. Weather information from these new radars will be used in almost every sector of the economy, including construction, health sciences, environmental management, agriculture, andtransportation.

The completion of the radar modernization project aligns with Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy—a shared vision aimed at transforming the way governments and Canadians work together to reduce risks by taking action before disaster strikes. Early action to prepare for, and adapt to, the changing climate can build communities and economies that are able tothriveforgenerationstocome.

Marie-ClaireBruneau,RémiSt-Martin,DaveO'Hearn,Robert Sanchioni. Front:LilianneSt-Martin,TeaganPurdy,SylvieRousseau,MichelleCourtois,CaroleGauthier,DeniseGodinetPierretteOuellette. Grouppicture(takenbyLineFuchs)

Declutteringisn'trocketscience!

Is your home starting to look like a flea marketorasecond-handstore?Doyouhavetoo many of everything, including clothing, books, decorations, dishes, toys and tools? Have you accumulatedthingsyouhaven'tusedinyears?Do you have duplicates or even triplicates of some items? Follow this guide to sort through your possessionswithoutlosingsteam.

Setrealisticgoals

Having a home that's cluttered from the basementtotheatticcanfeeloverwhelming,and forgoodreason.Toavoidgettingdiscouragedand drained, organizational experts recommend

breakingthetaskintosmaller,moremanageable jobs.Forexample,focusononeroomaweekor onedraweraday. Youcancheckoffcompletedtasksasyou go, such as decluttering the game room. This approach is much more practical and motivating thanaimingtodeclutteryourentirehomeinone go and feeling like you're not making any progress.

Makepilesofsimilarobjects

Ifyouwanttodeclutterlikeapro,usethe tried-and-true pile technique. This method involves grouping similar items on a large surface,suchasabigtableorthefloor.

Forinstance,whenyoutacklethekitchen, put all the cups on the table. Similarly, throw all yourclothesonthebedwhenyou'redecluttering thecloset.You'llprobablydiscoverthatmanyof yourpossessionshavehardlybeenused.So,why hold on to them? Simply asking yourself this question is a sign that you don't need them anymore.

Sort everything into giveaway, sell or throwawaypiles

Don'tletunuseditemscollectdustinyour home. Instead of holding on to extra dishes or smallappliances,likehairdryers,considergiving themtoyoungpeoplemovingintoanewplaceor donatingthemtoalocalthriftshop.

Do you have some valuable items? Sell them to make some extra cash. If you have

expired or broken items, dispose of them responsibly by checking your local waste collection and disposal guidelines. To make the sortingprocesseasier,preparethreeboxesorbags marked“Giveaway,”“Sell”and“Throwaway.” Havea“getridofby”containerready

When you're trying to declutter your space, it can be challenging to let go of certain items.Ifyoufindyourselfcontemplatingwhether to keep or throw away some things, try this: gather all the items you're unsure about and put them in a box marked “Items to be get rid of if unusedby[insertdate].”Don'tforgettomarkthis deadlineonyourcalendar.

What are you waiting for? Get started now!

“Wewontletthemdistractandmisinformtheresidents”: StrikingBlackRiver-MathesonworkerscalloutChrisWray

After the Canadian Union of Public Employees(CUPE)filedforajudicialreviewto theSuperiorCourtofJusticeoftheTownshipof Black River-Matheson, the Township's attempt atframingstrikingworkersasintimidatingisan intentional attempt to distract and misinform, saysCUPELocal1490.

“Ican'ttellyouhowdisappointingitisto notonlybethreatenedwithcriminalization–but toalsobeframedasintimidatinganybodywhen

allwe'redoingisexercisingourrighttostrike,” saidSergeBouchard,PresidentofCUPELocal 1490. “This is all just a desperate attempt to attackourcharacters–butitwon'twork.”

In a letter to residents issued by Chris Wray, the Chief Administrative Officer; Cassandra Child, the Clerk-Treasurer; and JamesMousseau,theDirectorofInfrastructure, they write, “The intimidation and harassment from some in the union toward the Townships staff is unacceptable and improper. We are asking CUPE members to stop with these practices and agenda coming fromToronto and beyond”.

“These are sweeping and baseless allegations,and,frankly,I'mnotevensurewhat they'rereferringto,”saidBouchard.“Andjustas we have a right to strike and to picket, CUPE membersfromacrosstheprovince,andeventhe country,havearighttojoinus.Thisisatriedand testedwaytoshowsolidarityandsupport.”

Thisdevelopmentcomesontheheelsof CUPE National's legal application, which was served to the municipality on March 12. The Superior Court of Justice is now tasked with determining whether, among other things, the municipality's trespass notice, which applies to all CUPE members and staff across Canada, violates the Charter-protected rights of CUPE membersandemployees.

Club Maria Chapdelaine

Le mardi 5 mars, le Club Maria Chapdelaine et Carrefour santé Chapleau-Foleyet-Sultan ont fait le lancement de la pochette "Health Info Santé" aux premiers répondants comme les policiers, les pompiers, les ambulanciers... Il s'agit d'un formulaire qui contient des informations personnelles et médicales. La pochette sera distribuée d'abord aux aînés et aux personnes aidantes.

Photo de groupe (prise par Line Fuchs)

En arrière: Ken Groves, Charlsie Rhéaume, Dianne Bourgeault, Aldéric Godin, Marie-Claire Bruneau, Rémi St-Martin, Dave O'Hearn, Robert Sanchioni

En avant: Lilianne St-Martin,Teaghan Purdy, Sylvie Rousseau, Michelle Courtois, Carole Gauthier, Denise Godin et Pierrette

Centre culturel Louis-Hémon

Le Centre culturel vous invite au Spectacle des Gens du Nord le samedi 23 mars. Les portes ouvrent à 19h et le spectacle commence à 19h30. Venez passer votre soirée avec nous.

UCFO

Hôte de l’AGRA

Le cercle de l’UCFO de Chapleau est fier d’être hôte à la 49 eAssemblée générale régionale annuelle qui se tiendra le samedi 6 avril 2024. Qu’est-ce que l’AGRA? Comme vous savez, notre cercle est membre de l’Union culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes provinciale. Et comme tout organisme provincial, celuici se divise en six (6) régions : WindsorEssex-Kent, RusselCarleton-Stormont, Prescott-GlengarryCornwall, SudburyNipissing, Cochrane-KapuskasingHearst etTemiskaming. Temiskaming est notre région et compte les cercles suivants : Virginiatown, Earlton, New Liskeard et Chapleau. Puisque l’on est sur le sujet de réunion, l’AGAdu cercle

de Chapleau a eu lieu le 25 février 2024.

Nous tenons à féliciter le nouveau comité exécutif 2024 : Lucette Mainville, présidente, Rachel Pressé, vice-présidente, Diane Jean, trésorière et Gisèle Robitaille, secrétaire.

Et pour terminer, nous voulons remercier les personnes qui sont venues à notre porte ouverte du 8 mars. C’est toujours valorisant de voir l’admiration des gens envers nos pièces artisanales que nous faisons avec tant d’amour. Nous avons aussi le tirage annuel de notre panier d’articles confectionnés à la main. Les billets sont en vente chez Collins Home Furniture ou auprès des membres. Le panier sera en exposition bientôt chez Collins Home Furniture.

Setting SMART goals for your golf game this season

SettingSMARTgoalsforyourgolfgameisastrategicapproachtoimprovementthatensures clarity,focusandattainability. SMARTisanacronymthatstandsforSpecific,Measurable, Achievable,RelevantandTime-bound.Here'showtoapplythesecriteriatoyourgolfgoals. Specific.Clearlydefinewhatyouwanttoachieve.Forinstance,ratherthanavague goal like “improve my swing,” make it specific, such as “reduce my slice by refining my backswing.”

Measurable. Establish concrete criteria for tracking progress. Instead of a goal like “getbetteratputting,”setameasurablegoallike“reducemythree-puttinstancesbyhalf.” Achievable.Setgoalsthatarechallengingyetrealistic.Ifyou'recurrentlyshootingin the100s,aimingtoconsistentlybreak80mightbetooambitiousinitially.Choosegoalsthat pushyoubutremainwithinreach.

Relevant. Ensure your goals align with your overall golf aspirations. If improving yourshortgameiscrucialforyouroverall performance, set goals that prioritize this aspect.

Time-bound. Set a deadline for achieving your goals. For instance, rather than saying “improve my handicap,” specify “lower my handicap by three strokeswithinthenextthreemonths.”

Other examples of SMART goals include, “decrease my average putts per round from 34 to 30 within the next two months,”and“increasemyaveragedriving distance by 10 yards through a structured fitness and training program over the next six weeks.”These types of goals will give you a clearplanofactionandallowyoutotrackyourprogress.

GetSMARTbeforeyouhitthelinksthisseasontoimproveyourgame!

Pre-season fitness: a guide for golfers

Pre-season fitness is essential for improving your golf game, preventing injuries and enhancing performance. A comprehensivefitnessroutinecannotonlyhelpimprovestrengthbutalsoaddressthespecificdemandsofthesport.Hereare somepre-seasonexercisestotry:

Core strengthening. A strong core is fundamental for a powerful and controlled golf swing. Incorporate exercises like planks,Russiantwistsandlegraisestofortifyabdominalmuscles.

Flexibility training. Golf requires a wide range of motion. Engage in dynamic stretches and yoga poses that focus on hip flexibility,shouldermobilityandhamstringlengthening.Improvedflexibilityhelpsyouachieveamorefluidandunrestrictedswing.

Cardiovascular endurance. Golf can be physically demanding, and maintaining energy throughout a round is crucial. Incorporatecardiovascularexercisessuchasbriskwalking,cyclingorjoggingtobuildendurance,ensuringyoustaystrongand focusedfromthefirstteetothefinalhole.

Rotationalexercises.Thegolfswinginvolvesasignificantamountofrotation.Includeexerciseslikemedicineballtwists, cablewoodchoppersorresistancebandrotationstoenhancetherotationalpowerofyourtorso,translatingtoamoreforcefuland preciseswing.

Lastweekssolutions

MOMENTS IN TIME

On March 20, 1648, King Charles I of England attempted an initial escape from his captivity at Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight by climbing out of a window, but the effort proved fruitlesswhenhegotstuckbetweenitsframeand anironbar,andhadtoretreattohisroom.

Travis Gendron

tgendron@northernlightsford.ca sales@northernlightsford.ca

Lesappelsenfaveurdelaréouvertureduprocessusdedemande d'indemnisationdessurvivantsdesexternatsautochtonessemultiplient

Cont’dfromP.4

leur demande d'indemnisation afin que le règlement reflète la nature des traumatismes et desabusqu'ilsontsubis,maisleproblème,c'est que le processus d'indemnisation ne le leur permetpas,mêmedanslescasoùlesdemandeurs n'ontpucommuniqueravecleconseiljuridique, cequiétaitleurdroit.

Ce processus n'a rien à voir avec celui d'une réclamation d'assurance. Pourtant, il semble être traité comme tel, et c'est là l'un des principaux problèmes. Ce processus oblige les

demandeursàseremémorerdesabusphysiques, sexuelsetémotionnels,cequipeutêtredifficile. Les demandeurs ont besoin de temps et d'aide pour remplir ces demandes d'indemnisation. Le processus n'était pas clair pour bien des survivants et, à l'évidence, il leur était difficile d'avoiraccèsàunavocatpourlesaideràremplir leurdemanded'indemnisation.

Cesraisonsdevraientsuffirepourrouvrir le processus et autoriser les demandeurs à déposer de nouveau leurs documents, s'ils doivent le faire. L'ex-ministre et le ministre actuel de la Justice ont tous deux déclaré que le processus est imparfait. C'est une raison suffisante pour donner aux survivants le temps, l'information et l'aide dont ils ont besoin pour qu'ilssoientindemnisésproportionnellementaux abus dont ils ont été victimes dans les externats autochtones.

ALCOHOLICS

(A.A).Open discussion meeting every Monday evening. Brunswick House First Nation Band office lounge 7pm.NarcoticsAnonymous(N.A)everyTuesdaysameplacesametime. NNADAPWorker@864-0174info.

CHADWIC HOME, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE. Offers shelter, emotionalsupport,andinformationforwomenandtheirchildrenwhoarein crisissituations.WehaveaTollFreeCrisisLinewhichisstaffed24hoursa day.WecanarrangeforfreetransportationtotheCentreforwomenwho liveintheAlgoma/Chapleauarea.Wealsooffersupporttowomenwholive in the communities of Chapleau, White River, Dubreuilville, and HornepaynethroughourOutreachProgram.OurOutreachWorkertravels tothosecommunitiestomeetwithwomenwhoneedemotionalsupportas wellasinformationabouttheirrightsandoptions.Ifyouneedtospeakwith the Outreach Worker when she is in your community, you can call the Centre at any time to set up

While travelling for my regular constituencyclinics,Iwasinvitedbyafriendto join her and her husband in enjoying her mouthwateringmaplesalmon,whichsheknows is one of my favourite meals. I noted that her processdifferedfromminewhiletheingredients were practically the same as my recipe. But the bottom line is that hers was equally tasty as my dish.

I mention this because sometimes the feedback from News from the Park is that I'm rathercriticalofnumerouspoliciesanddecisions of the Ford government. Some suggest that it doesnotmatterwhattheFordgovernmentdoes;I criticizethemregardless.

Admittedly, while I can see why some readerswouldbelievethistobetrue,Ihavetosay that I disagree. I say this because governments are elected to affect policies that benefit the people who elect them. Just as culinarians may usedifferentprocessesortechniques,theresultis asavourysuccess.Therefore,politiciansalsocan followdifferentpathstoachievethesameresult. However,inpolitics,thekeyistohaveanoverall positive effect that helps people. Therefore, my criticism is generally focused on this primary objective: does the policy or decision help people, especially the “Little Guy” whom Doug Fordprofessestobesofondof?

Ican'thelpbutwonderiftheissueisthat DougFordhasforgottenhispledgetobetherefor the “little guys” of Ontario. Or, perhaps his definition is vastly different from that of most Ontarians. In my mind, those individuals who need developmental service agency support qualify as “little guys” who just need a helping hand.

So,whereamIheadingwiththis?

Readers need to know that I have been hearingfromorganizationsinthedevelopmental sector in the riding and across the province who are facing absolute financial ruin if Premier Ford'spromised“relief”doesnotfinditswayto themsoon.Developmentalserviceorganizations includeCommunityLiving,whichinthisriding has branches in Sault Ste. Marie (CLA), Espanola (CLE), and Manitoulin (CLM). They provide outstanding support and assistance to people with developmental disabilities. They helpsuchindividualsaccessthesameeducation, housing,employment,social,leisure,recreation, and retirement options as anyone else. They endeavour to ensure they exercise their right to makeinformedchoicesabouttheirlives.

I must say that the information the agencies shared with me caught me off guard.According toCLAExecutiveDirectorJohnPolicicchio,the disability services sector has only seen a 3.9 percent increase in the last 30 years. Unfortunately,he'sright.

On February 23, 2024, Policicchio was quoted by saying that over those CBC News thirtyyears,inflationalonehasprobablyrisenby 60 percent. However, when fact-checking, the CBC found that the Bank of Canada's inflation calculator determined that inflation actually increasedby84percentbetween1994and2024.

“Let's look at this from a perspective we canallrelateto.Thinkofyourownhousingand livingexpenses.Havetheygoneupinthelast30 years? Rent, food, transportation, clothing, hydro, heating …? Rent, food, transportation, clothing, hydro, heating. In the last 30 years (1993),haveyourealizedanyincreaseinwages orpensions?Provinciallyfundeddevelopmental serviceagencieshaven'tevenseenafive-percent increaseinthose30years.

Ontarians believe in fairness and ensuring people have access to the same fundamental rights, freedoms and essential services. And as I said above, there can be multiple paths to achieve the same result. However, successive Liberal and Conservative governments have hardly taken a step to help existing developmental agencies to keep up, let alone improve or grow. I will always be highly critical of and will not support that level of neglect and mismanagement. Ontarians believe infairnessandcaringforoneanother.

CLA's Policicchio stated, “We see the need, and we are calling on the government to provide an immediate 5% increase to developmental services agency core funding in addition to a corresponding 5% increase in PassportFundingandSpecialServicesatHome.”

Passport funding pays for community participation services and supports, activities of dailylivingandperson-directedplanning.Italso provides funding for caregiver respite services and support for primary caregivers of an adult with a developmental disability. It helps to providesomeoftheessentialservicestheyneed tofunctionwithsomeindependence.

You might already have heard about the #5 to Survive campaign launched by developmental services groups, including CLE and CLA. The groups know that, realistically, thereiszerochancethat30yearsofbeingpassed overwillberecoveredinonefellswoop.Instead, as the date on which the government budget releaseapproaches,theyareproposingarealistic and achievable 5% increase in core funding for service organizations, Passport, and at-home

services.Whilethisrelativelymoderateincrease would not address the historic funding gap, it would be essential in stabilizing the sector's funding.

Before the current session of the Legislature, I had the privilege to meet with CLA's John Policicchio to discuss the issues at length. He shared an excellent analogy with me that really hit home. John explained that the government has directed to stretch and stretch and stretch their budget dollars year after year. Butanelasticbandcanonlystretchsofaruntilit snaps. Well, the elastic has now officially snapped for Ontario's disability service organizations.

When my friend made her delicious maplesalmonusingherrecipeandtechniques,I readily supported that. The end result was a savourysuccess.

When it comes to providing adequate funding for developmental services agencies withanacceptableintendedgoalandoutcome,I could support a reasonable proposal from any government. It's all about making life better for allOntarians,evenDougFord'slittleguys.

As always, I invite you to contact my office about these issues or any other provincial matters.Youcanreachmyconstituencyofficeby emailatmmantha-co@ola.orgorcallToll-free1800-831-1899.

TheelastichassnappedforOntario'sdevelopmentalserviceorganizations