Open Band Meeting- May 21, 2014

TRC in Edmonton, Maskwacis Cree Strategic Planning, Meeting with Cold Lake FN, staff at community clean-up, Powwow committee is going to honor Nation’s staff. Acknowledge kirk with rodeo, a very professional event, I thank those who attended banquet last night. We need to support our fellow tribes – me and Kirk supported Louis Bull Tribe and their newly opened gas bar. I acknowledge all the people, since we got back in, we’ve been to many funerals. Also need to celebrate new births. I encourage you to write down your suggestions.

Kirk: Why does this community have to wait for people to die before we acknowledge them? I’m a true believer in the home-fire. Tomorrow I won’t be able to be here. Why do we keep providing jobs for Wetaskiwin, Drumhellar. We have to respect the home fire. If I offended you, I have to forgive myself for all my wrongs. We’ll have the sweats once again. We’re slowly making our way through but we’ll benefit from our successes. Let’s focus on the positives.

7:18 MC: Nipisihkopahk Education Pillar.

Shannon Buffalo: Thank Creator for a beautiful day. We have to have the support to accomplish things. I echo what Chief said. I was placed in 5 different areas, for me it was a challenge, I got my diploma in income support. It’s a learning curve, you have to think about the home, water and environment. Chief gave … for us to be involved, we need to understand what these bills are. We have so many of our own people to help us.. Bill C33, has to do with FN education act. We’re going to have each pillar identify each area. The chief identified teams. I have Alvina Flormann to assist me in this power point. Chair is Marvin Yellowbird, Mario swampy and 3 non-elected: Jon Nepoose, Brenda Bruno and Erica Johnson.

Read the mission statement… Strategic Planning: revisit NEA personnel policy, amend bylaws, address AANDC policy, budgets. Provide employment opportunities. Meet the needs of all students. Read out organization structure for NEA. Alvina Flormann: Strategic Planning: strengths and weaknesses… NEA is not afraid to be creative with curriculum. Programs for disable-challenged kids. We have cultural events in the schools. We include Elders in the schools. We promote our spirituality in the school. Daily smudges and praying, talking circles. We work with HUB, we have parental conveyance, counsellors in the schools, home visits. Health benefits coverage for staff. Accelerated reading program for students of all levels. Every year we send staff to Special Ed conferences, FASD conference, staff is trained in grief recovery. Outreach program is growing, we work with Ermineskin school – there will be 7 graduates. There’s afterschool programs for selected students… We update on FaceBook. We have a safe campus. Weaknesses: Challenge is student behaviours. Student attendance is a weakness, students aren’t registered. Poor community involvement. Threats:…

Shannon: Statistics, in 2011-12, 740’ next year 1186, next year 1198. Shows positivity.

7:43 PM Chief: These tee-shirts are just the beginning.

MC: Break, then question and answer.

MC: (Back in session at 7:51pm.)

Vern Saddleback: as Finance chair, we want to restore… for older people. In July, I’ll report last term what C&C make and the audit.