Capacity Building At Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve

Presented on February 18, 2015

“The Power of Working Together”

Noella Jacko, Wiikwemkoong Anishnaabe kwe Raised in my community of Wikwemikong. My parents raised 13 of us and we were taught very valuable teachings, practicing good sustainable practices and about our traditional harvesting/living off the land.

My husband, Dennis and I have 7 children. {2 living on their own}. Graduated from Civil Engineering, Professional Land Management Certification, PAED Certified, Commissioner of Oaths to our community members.

Formerly Department of Lands & Natural Resources Director { nearly 20 years} Today I am the Governance Unit Manager for Wikwemikong {3 weeks} I love my new job.

Population Approximately 7000 band members, 40% on-reserve and 60% off-reserve.

About 60 non-members also residing on the reserve.

Housing Total of 1114 units which includes single unit dwellings, apartments, complexes, duplexes. Today there are 118 Buzwah/Lakeshore area, 659 Village area, 96 Rabbit Island, 68 Murray Hill/Cape Smith area, 106 Kaboni/Wiikwemkoosing area and 67 South Bay/Thomas Bay area. There are currently 43 applications on file for a residential unit.

Property Management Data as of Today Oversee 458 rental units in total that owned by the Band

• 26 Non- Subsidized Rentals, Band Rentals are WUIR owned and operated rental units not receiving any subsidies, Rent rates are in line or lower than CMHC Post 1996 Rates.

• 442 Subsidized Rentals • 110 RGI CMHC Pre 1997, CMHC Pre 1997 2% Subsidy Units are rent geared to income units

eligible for rental reduction. Units are band owned with mortgages through various financial institutions. As of March 1, 2014 only 5 units have adjusted rent rates under RGI Program.

• 332 CMHC Post 1996, CMHC Post 1996 Full Subsidy Units have a set rent rate based on the project’s operating budget. Units are band owned with mortgages through CMHC Direct Lending.

• Single family, detached units have the potential of Rent-to-own as per WUIR Rental Policies.

VISION Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve honours our traditions and upholds our

Anishinaabe language, culture and identity. We value self-sufficiency, holistic well-being, and safety with a commitment to respect

and care for our people, lands, resources and environment. Mino bimaadziwin ka-naag-doo-naa!

Proud, Progressive, Prosperous!

TIMELINE with FNMHF •October 2011, Wikwemikong signed Band Council Resolution as formal application to the First Nation Market Housing Fund. •January 2012, FNMHF conducted an on-site Assessment. •March 2012, Wikwemikong was approved for $11.25 M under the Credit Enhancement including the Capacity Development. •June 2012, Indemnity Agreement and CD letter of Agreement was signed. •October 2012, Policy Development began with Focus In, Gail Joe, Consultant.

•January 2013, Schedule C was first presented to the 3 committees and staff of Housing, Lands and Finance. •February 2013, Schedule C was revised and presented again to all the 3 committees and staff of Housing, Lands and Finance. •March 2013, Schedule C and the 4 Loan Policies were recommended by all the 3 committees and staff of Housing, Lands and Finance to be approved at Chief and Council. •May 2013, Schedule C was approved by Chief and Council. •June 2013, 4 Loan Policies were approved by Chief and Council.

•February 2014, Lenders acceptance. •July 2014, Roll Out of the Wikwemikong Market Housing. •July and August 2014, Marketing, Promotion and Training of the WMH. •Since we have had 3 Housing Loans that went through the Wikwemikong Market Housing. •Simultaneously, we have been working on the 3 year Capacity Development Plan, which will be coming to end its 3rd year this August 2015.

•2012, AFOA Demystifying Finance for Elected Leaders

Capacity Development Plan for Wikwemikong–Completed to date

•2014, AFOA National Conference (regular registration and attendance as invited guest to FUND special meeting)

•2013 AFOA National Conference

•2012 CANDO Conference

•2013 Support training for administration staff in Workplace Health & Safety

•2013, Social Media Training

•2014 Development of a business permit process and business planning process; review and enhance processes for accounts receivable, internal controls and cash management

•2015, AFOA National Conference (regular registration and attendance as invited guest to FUND special meeting)

The Fund has assisted Wikwemikong in achieving great successes in capacity building efforts. The FNMHF staff has been very helpful and resourceful. I would like to express my gratitude and say “Chi-Miigwetch (Thank you very much)” to all the FNMHF staff. The Fund has provided the opportunities to invest in our people via capacity development plan which will help strengthen in the areas of financial management, governance and community commitment.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Chi- Miigwetch (Thank you very much)!

DEBORAH TAYLOR, FNMHF

Gail Joe, Consultant

Noella Jacko Governance Unit Manager

Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve 19A Complex Drive, P.O. Box 112

Wikwemikong, Ontario P0P 2J0