Couchiching FN Toll Booth

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A N D R A I N Y L A K E H E R A L D

Fort Frances TimesFort Frances TimesWEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2010$1.19 plus 6¢ GST, $1.25 U.S. Printed in Canada Volume 116 Number 52

INSIDE

The Fort Frances Chamberof Commerce is gearing upfor its 22nd-annual Homeand Leisure Show this Fridayand Saturday at the arena.

This year’s event, which issponsored by TBayTel andthe Chamber, follows thetheme “Embracing the GreenRevolution—Think Globally,Act Locally.”

Home, leisureshow set to go

There’s murder, drugs, anddrama in Finland, Ont.—andit’s coming from the pen of district resident Chris Gall-inger, who has just released her first novel, “Justified.”

“I think I wrote [the novel] because I want to leave a piece of me,” said Gallinger, a homemaker and mother of sixfrom Finland.

Author pensmurder mystery

The Muskie boys’ soccerwebsite posed a question to allof the returning players overthe winter.

The page asked playerswhat they were doing that day to help the team defendits NorWOSSA crown.

Talk about driven.

Boys focusedon title repeat

See story on C1

See story on A5

See story on B1

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Dr. Dimitrios Vergidis shared his insightsabout healthy eating and exercise with thecrowd Friday evening during “Dinner withDr. Vergidis & Friends,” an educational fund-

raiser for the Riverside Foundation for HealthCare at the Memorial Sports Centre. The din-ner netted about $8,500. See story, photo onA5. —Duane Hicks photo

Healthy eating

Couchiching vows to set up toll booth

By Peggy RevellStaff writer

Couchiching First Nation has an-nounced its intention to set up atoll booth near the west end of theNoden Causeway as of May 21.

The decision by the band councilto set up the toll booth is twofold,explained Chief Chuck McPher-son.

It stems from the failure of the

federal and provincial government to properly compensate the com-munity for the land on whichHighway 11 is built, as well as thegovernment’s response to the soilcontamination issue believed to becaused by the former J.A. Mathieusawmill.

In the days prior to the bandsetting up the toll booth, it will be holding traffic slowdowns alongthe highway to distribute informa-tion pamphlets, outlining their con-cerns and reasons for the action.

“It’s not going to affect the emer-gency services,” stressed bandcouncillor Eugene McPherson.

“We’d be dead wrong if we start-ed doing stuff like that,” he noted.

The band said it also will begincharging a fee for all who launch boats from the Five-Mile Dock.

The exact length of time whichthe toll booth will be in operationis unknown, noted Chief McPher-son, saying the ultimate goal is tocome to some kind of satisfactoryagreement with both levels of gov-ernment.

“Over the last 50 years since theconstruction of the Noden Cause-way, there’s been billions of dollarsgenerated in the district economy,”said Chief McPherson.

“And we haven’t been allowed to participate in that.”

Originally, the province and fed-eral Department of Indian Affairs

negotiated an exchange of the44.5 acres within what’s historical-ly known as the “two-chain shoreallowance” for the 33.9 acres of land used to build Highway 11,Chief McPherson explained.

But he said the original sur-vey of the “two-chain shore allow-ance” land was done “erroneously,”explaining the surveyor commis-sioned to survey the neighbouringAgency #1 reserve back in 1876included land that already was part of the Couchiching reserve.

As well, dam construction in theearly 1900s meant only nine acresof the original 44.5 acres exists.

“So, in effect, we got our ownland in exchange for the high-

way right-of-way,” argued Chief McPherson. “We were never compensated for it.”

About three years ago, the fed-eral and provincial governmentsoffered a combined amount of $500,000 in compensation—“aninsult,” said Chief McPherson, especially as the province has settledmillion-dollar claims with miningcompanies, such as the $5-million buy-out of Platinex Inc.’s claimfollowing a dispute with Kitch-enuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation.

So the Couchiching band council has agreed to erect a toll booth toraise monies for economic and

‘FITS’ plansin jeopardy over money By Duane HicksStaff writer

Plans for this year’s “Fun in theSun” activities are at a crisis point as the committee is not gettingas much money it had hoped forfrom the town.

At the April 12 council meet-ing, Scott Turvey, on behalf of the“Fun in the Sun” committee, askedcouncil to provide $10,000 forfireworks this upcoming CanadaDay—$5,000 more than the townusually gives each year.

But on Monday evening, coun-cil agreed to a recommendationfrom the Administration and Fi-nance executive committee that the town’s grant this year remainat $5,000—the amount it already had earmarked in the 2010 bud-get.

Turvey said yesterday he’s dis-appointed with council’s decision,adding council’s contribution tothe July 1 celebrations has not changed in many years.

He noted $5,000 doesn’t even begin to pay for a fireworks display, which nowadays cost a mini-mum of $10,000 each year.

“I am disappointed in our towncouncil in that they have not fore-seen the need of an increase afterso many years,” Turvey remarked.

Coun. Paul Ryan, who sits onthe Administration and Financeexecutive committee, said the town

can’t afford to give any more than$5,000.

“We have to tighten our belts,” hestressed, explaining the 2010 bud-get is not finalized yet as councilstill is waiting to find out whetheror not there will be a change in thefunding apportionment formula forthe local District Social ServicesAdministration Board.

If that formula does change, thetown will have to find another$100,000 to cover its operating budget deficit.

Coun. Ryan also noted the FITScommittee’s request was forward-ed to the Economic Development Advisory Committee to see if it could find any possible grants that could be applied for to help payfor Canada Day celebrations here(in addition to the Department of Canadian Heritage’s “CelebrateCanada!” grant program, for whichFITS already has applied).

Turvey said the FITS committeeis going to have to look to corpo-rate sources for funding, but admit-ted that will be difficult.

And at this late date, they havevery little time to plan for an “ef-fective” Canada Day.

Besides the grant money fromthe town, the FITS committee es-sentially has no money to put intoCanada Day events.

Turvey said the FITS committee has done fundraising raffles in the

By Dan FalloonStaff writer

Steve Arpin had to be a gam- blin’ man at Talladega over theweekend.

The Fort Frances native chan-nelled thoughts from a fellowdriver as he took to the super-speedway in Alabama for a pairof races this past weekend, in-cluding his debut in NASCAR’sNationwide Series.

“Kevin Harvick explained Tal-ladega best,” Arpin recalled in a phone interview yesterday. “It’s just like walking into a casinoand betting on red or black inroulette.

“If you bet on black, half thetime it’s going to land on redand you’re walking away disappointed, and half the time it’llland on black and you’re walkingaway with a pocket full of cash.”

Arpin said at that racetrack,which tends to force racers intotight packs, there can be situa-tions that are out of a driver’s hands.

“The one thing about Talladegais that there’s only so much youcan control,” he explained.

“All you can do as a driver, andas a team, is to put yourself in position to have a shot at makinga run for the win at the end,” hereasoned.

In Sunday’s Nationwide race,the Aaron’s 312, which was de-layed a day due to rain, Arpinran well for much of the way— hovering in second place at one point.

But he was dinged for speedingin the pit area and tumbled to a26th-place finish.

“I learned a whole bunch,”Arpin enthused. “We held in

By Dan FalloonStaff writer

The rookie came through.The local Ducks Unlimited

chapter, spearheaded by first-yearchairperson Kevin Begin, hosted yet another successful banquet at La Place Rendez-Vous on Fridaynight.

The 27th-annual edition of the dinner raised approximately

$21,000 for the national DU or-ganization—up from $20,140 last year.

“Some of the live auction itemswent for some pretty big bucks, sowe were pretty happy to see that everyone came out and spent alittle money and had a great eve-ning,” enthused Begin.

In total, the local chapter hascontributed roughly $650,000to the national organization since1984.

Begin was pleased with the out-come of this year’s fundraiser giventhere was a significant changingof the guard over the last year, in

both his position and Chris Wiel-inga taking the lead as treasurer.

“I’m very happy,” he remarked.“It’s my first year as chairman.Things went very well.”

With Begin and Wielinga as-cending to a pair of the top jobs,newer contributors pitched in toorganize some of the raffles.

Begin was impressed with their performances.

“We had some newer people,we gave them some big responsi- bilities,” he noted. “The younger bucks took the reins and we wereimpressed.

“They did a great job.“The committee had a little bit

of a younger flavour to it. They brought some younger, fresh ideas,” he added.

Begin thinks the newer blood at

the top will help lead to a bit of adifferent feel for the event in thecoming years.

“Change is good,” he reasoned.“It keeps it fresh.”

Begin said his biggest challengewas being unsure as to whether hewas on the right path, but the support of the committee helped himmake it through.

“It was not knowing if I was do-ing anything wrong,” he noted.

“Everybody kept asking me, ‘So, how do you think it’s going?’ andI said, ‘Well, if it was going badly,I don’t know if I’d know,’” he re-called.

“Everybody gave me a lot of encouragement.”

But Begin stressed even thoughthe younger members led the

Arpin pumped afterNationwide debut

Please see “Arpin,” A10

DU banquet big success yet again

Please see “DU,” A10

Aims to redress unresolved grievances

Please see “Couchiching,” A11

Please see “‘FITS,’” A11

“I’m very happy. It’s my first yearas chairman. Things went very well.”

—Kevin Begin



Wednesday, April 28, 2010 FORT FRANCES TIMES A11

More from A1

past, and had hoped to do an-other fundraiser this year.

But those plans have not moved ahead because the town hasn’t given them approval yet.

“We’re tied both ways,” heremarked. “They’re not giving usfunding nor are they expeditinga fundraising procedure.”

As noted above, the FITScommittee has applied to theDepartment of Canadian Heri-tage’s “Celebrate Canada!” grant program, just as it has in the past.

Unfortunately, the committeedoes not find out how muchmoney they’ll be getting, if anyat all, until literally a day or two before July 1.

“That doesn’t help us signifi-cantly at all,” said Turvey, add-ing that fireworks have to be or-dered several weeks in advance.

As well, any commitment tostaging fireworks has to be maderight away because, since the

passing of Charlie Turgeon, they have to bring in a person fromManitoba who’s licensed to set them off.

Turvey said the FITS commit-tee will be meeting next week,and within about two weeksshould have made a definitedecision as to what it will do forCanada Day this year.

But he conceded that “realisti-cally, at this late date, it is going

to be very difficult to put on aquality production.”

Turvey said he personallyfinds “the possible loss of [July1] celebrations in a border com-munity to be devastating.”

At this time, Turvey said theFITS committee needs all the help it can get to try and keepthe “Fun in the Sun” traditiongoing here.

“We are at a crisis point,” hestressed, adding if there’s corpo-rate sponsors or individual spon-

sors out there, they are encour-aged to contact one of the FITScommittee members as soon as possible.

“Realistically, we need to knowin the next week to 10 days,”Turvey said.

Those wanting to help out the“Fun in the Sun” committee cancontact FITS chair Paul Bock(274-5353) or Turvey (276-0800), or e-mail [email protected]

Couchiching eyeing toll boothMore from A1

social development ventures intheir community, he stated.

People “think nothing” of cross-ing the international bridge and paying a toll there, noted Chief McPherson, adding Couchichingresidents pay non-resident fees toutilize services such as the library,arena, and pool in Fort Frances.

“And that’s all we’re asking inreturn—that if people are utilizingour property and our facilities, wewant to be compensated for it,”said Chief McPherson.

“I don’t think that’s unfair, Ithink that’s reasonable.”

Besides the issue of the Highway11 corridor, the decision to set upthe toll booth comes following thefederal government’s handling of the contaminated grounds at theformer site of the dipping pondsof the J.A. Mathieu sawmill—wheresix residences are now situated.

“A large portion of Couchiching property has been found to be con-taminated with dioxins, furans, anda whole multitude of other chemi-cals,” noted Chief McPherson.

“The Department of Indian Af-fairs consented to a lease 100 years ago and in that particulararea, there were a series of saw-mills and wood treatment plantsand so forth, and the Department of Indian Affairs has an obliga-tion and a right to ensure that the property is restored to its original pristine state.

“They didn’t do that,” hecharged.

This contamination was knownas early as 2003, when soil testingwas done for a new police build-ing.

To date, Ottawa has spent almost $2 million “in doing studies, to findout, to confirm that which theyalready know—it’s contaminated,”Chief McPherson said.

“The land is contaminated—and

all they want to do is study it. Theydon’t want to do anything else,” heremarked.

“At some point in time, commonsense has to come into play. Peopleare being endangered up there.

“It’s a health issue,” he stressed.“We have residents living there

that have indicated that they arewilling to relocate. A number of them have taken out mortgagesand built their own homes, andthey just want to be compensatedfor that.

“And Indian Affairs is not pre- pared to do that,” Chief McPhersonsaid.

A preliminary estimate to fullyrelocate these six residences to anew site that would be the “samelevel of accommodations that they have right now” amounts to about $1.5 million.

“We don’t have the financialresources to compensate them orrelocate them,” noted the chief. “SoCanada has a responsibility.”

Yet Indian and Northern Affairsso far has refused to move thefamilies, he said, with band offi-cials being told that “if we do it forCouchiching, then we have to doit for everybody. We don’t want toset a precedent.”

“Well, certainly, if people arein contaminated lands, I think thegovernment of Canada has an ob-ligation to ensure that safety and health are ensured,” Chief McPher-son added, noting this lack of ac-

tion also “blatantly” ignores the pri-ority of the Canadian government relative to First Nations’ safety and health.

Couchiching Coun. Ed Yerxacalled both the Highway 11 corri-dor and contaminated site “histori-cal long-standing issues.”

“Those are issues that have im- pacted our community in not sucha nice way,” he said. “I think thecommunity has been patient, we’ve

been nice.“Some of the comments I’ve

heard from our community members is we’ve been nice too long.

“And we don’t owe anybodyanything out there,” Coun. Ye-rxa stressed. “When you look at the benefits that the highway has had for the district, the province,Canada, I think we need to becompensated, as well.”

As for the soil contamination,the site is a huge tract of land—andit’s land the band no longer canuse, he said.

“And the only thing that we do have, hopefully, is the land. Andwe have to take care of that.

“We have to keep it, and I don’t think we’re ever going to compro-mise what we do have when it comes to the land.”

As for the putting up the toll booth, Coun. Yerxa said he’s “pre- pared to be here for the long haul.”

“We’re not satisfied with the ser-vices provided by the federal andthe provincial government,” Chief McPherson said.

While health and education areto be provided to First Nationsas a part of the treaties, Chief McPherson cited a recent casewhere Health Canada refused tocover the costs of a root canal for a young Couchiching resident, deem-ing it “not essential.”

“So we have to take some kindof action to compensate for trying

to help our people,” he reasoned.“And if we can [apply] a toll feeto the million-plus cars that comethrough here on an annual basis,we’ll have to do that.

“Unfortunately, it’s an actionthat’s necessitated by the level of service provided by the federaland provincial governments.

“Taxpayers always say that, ‘We pay taxes and it goes to the First Nation communities’—and the tax-

payer does have a right to beupset,” added Chief McPherson,noting that allocations for everystatus Indian amounts to $20,000-$22,000 per capita every year.

On Couchiching, that wouldamount to $42 million a year, heexplained.

But the last financial agreement with Indian Affairs saw the bandreceiving a little over $6 millioneach year—of which 90 percent goes towards education.

At this point, the band council has yet to determine what theexact toll at the booth will be. But Chief McPherson said it will becomparable to what the privatecompany charges for crossing theinternational bridge, and with boat launching fees comparable to what the Town of Fort Frances chargesat the Sorting Gap Marina.

“We’re not being radical, we’renot being dissidents, we’re not being violent,” Chief McPhersonstressed.

“We’re just asking for the sameconsideration that private operators have and municipalities have.”

As for the contaminated soil, on-ly after the residents are relocatedwill chief and council be willing to participate in further studies of thelocation, said Chief McPherson.

And while only one site currentlyis being studied for contamination,the full extent of the contaminationis still unknown, he warned.

“We haven’t done further stud-

ies along the lakeshore to the east,towards the Five-Mile area. Therewere mills in operation in that area,” the chief said, pointing to theland where more Couchiching resi-dences and programs are located.

The contamination might not be exclusive to Couchiching, heremarked, noting that with the waythe water flows, the issue could beimpacting the whole district.

‘FITS’ plansin jeopardy over money

“Realistically,

at this late date,it is going to bevery difficult toput on a qualityproduction.”

—Scott Turvey

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Fort Frances TimesFort Frances TimesWEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2010$1.19 plus 6¢ GST, $1.25 U.S. Printed in Canada Volume 117 Number 1

INSIDE

The Fort Frances Chamberof Commerce held anothersuccessful Home & LeisureShow this past Friday and Sat-urday at the Memorial SportsCentre, seeing people comeout in droves.

About 2,500-3,000 peopleattended the event over thetwo days.

Home show called success

Three Fort Frances HighSchool students will be tak-ing their business plan for afuneral home to Ottawa next week to participate in the 10thE-Spirit National AboriginalYouth Business Plan Competi-tion.

Steven Mitchell, Max Calder,and Ryne Strachan will be joining more than 190 youththere on May 11-13.

Trio promoting business plan

Colton Spicer blazed throughthe competition in Winnipegover the weekend.

The rookie on the Muskie boys’ soccer team lit up oppos-ing squads, tallying four goalsduring the annual St. John’s-Ravenscourt tournament to help the black-and-gold cap-ture the consolation title while being named to the tourneyall-star squad.

Rookie leadsMuskie charge

See story on C1

See story on A2

See story on B1

‘Serious response’ to issues needed: politiciansBy Peggy RevellStaff writer

Local federal and provincial poli-ticians say a “serious response”to solving the longstanding issueswith Couchiching First Nation isneeded from government in thewake of the band’s announcement last week that it plans to put up atoll booth near the west end of theNoden Causeway starting May 21.

“I think this is an expression of frustration by Couchiching,” saidKenora-Rainy River MPP HowardHampton, stressing the band hasgiven the provincial and federalgovernments time to respond tothe issues at hand.

The band council’s decisionstems from longstanding issuesover compensation for the landwhich Highway 11 was built uponand what it sees as a failure to takeaction on the contaminated soil at the former site of the J.A. MathieuSawmill dipping ponds—where sixresidences now sit.

Prior to putting up the toll booth,the band said there will be trafficslowdown to hand out pamphletsoutlining the reason for their ac-tions.

The band also plans to institute afee to launch boats at the Five-MileDock, with proceeds raised goingtowards both social and economicdevelopment projects.

“I think the frustration is this.[Couchiching has] tried meetingwith officials, they have tried goingthrough all the official channelsover and over again on these is-sues, and they just feel like theyare not getting a response,” saidHampton, who vowed to do his best to try to get the province torespond to these issues.

“I think what has to happen issome of the ministers who havecharge over some of these issuesneed to give a serious response.

“I think the First Nation needsto hear that the issues are goingto be addressed and not just sit onthe backburner for years becausethat’s what’s happened with some

of these issues,” added Hampton.“They’ve been on the backburn-

er for years, and the communitywants to see if there’s going to be aresponse.”

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty hopes “cooler heads”will prevail when it comes to the planned toll booth.

“My overwhelming response toit is: let’s get something done withall the levels of government, andI think the town’s involved, too,so cooler heads can prevail,” heremarked.

“Because once a toll booth goesup, or even an information picket,there’s a danger that people on both sides will harden their views

and it will be more difficult tocome to a conclusion that benefitseveryone in the region.”

When asked what needs to bedone prior to May 21, Raffertycalled for the province to “get intodiscussion mode” when it comes toissues of the highway.

“And quite frankly, we have to have some fast action from HealthCanada on the rehabilitation of theold mill site,” he stressed.

“I’ve seen reports, I’ve seen acouple of different reports on thecontamination, and quite frankly,I don’t know why we haven’t hadany firm action yet.

“My initial reaction is: why are

By Duane HicksStaff writer

The Town of Fort Frances hasapplied for funding under Trans- port Canada’s Capital AssistanceProgram for perimeter fencing tokeep deer away from the airport.

But if the town doesn’t receivefunding for the 5,800-metre long,eight-foot high, specially-designedfixed-knot fence, which would cost about $300,000, airport superin-tendent Bill Caul said Friday he

has developed an action plan forthis year, which he submitted last week to the Ministry of NaturalResources for approval.

The action plan is as follows:•The town will apply to the MNR

to have a deer harassment permit in place by July 1 in order to installmotion detection noise equipment at the main deer trails near theairport.

The equipment will be supplied by the MNR.

•By Aug. 1, the town will haveapplied to have a deer removal permit in place so the town canimplement a cull if and when deer

become a major concern to air-craft.

They will use the Fort FrancesSportsmen’s Club, which has vol-unteered its members to bow hunt the deer for the cull.

The culling area will be expand-ed to include the rock ridges to thenorth of the runway.

•The town also will allow Fort Frances Sportsmen’s Club members to hunt on airport propertyduring bow hunting season in Oc-tober.

Bow hunters will have to follow procedures established by the townto ensure safe activities on the airport.

A public meeting was held March30 at the airport to gain input re-garding the deer problem there.

The sportsmen’s club suggestedthe archery cull, which has beenconducted at airports elsewhere togood effect.

At that time, Caul said the Fort Frances Airport has been expe-riencing problems due to the in-creasing deer population, adding2009 was the worst year for deer


The new NCDS Transition Cen-tre held its grand opening hereFriday, and the staff want the pub-lic to know they’re ready to assist unemployed and laid-off workers,the under-employed, those pre- paring to write apprenticeship orGED exams, or others hoping toreturn to post-secondary trainingto get the skills they need.

Centre manager/co-ordinatorCathy Emes said the need for atransition centre has been evident for some time, and identified bothlocally and provincially.

Emes recalled there’s been twolocal Business Retention and Ex- pansion studies conducted in the past five years.

“In both of them, employersasked for something like this fortheir staff, and now we have that,”she noted.

As well, dozens of representa-tives from various agencies at-tended a regional planning meet-ing organized by NCDS last July,and at that time also identified theneed for workshops and trainingavailable both during the day andin the evening.

Then in February, NCDS was

awarded a $403,000 contract bythe Ministry of Training, Collegesand Universities to improve localaccessibility and training focusingon the needs of employers andindividuals who wish to improveworkplace and essential skills.

The Workforce Literacy and Es-sential Skills program—one of 33in Ontario—reflect’s the ministry’svision of establishing Ontariansas the most-educated people and highly-skilled workforce in NorthAmerica.

“We really, really need a pro-gram like this because it is a step- ping stone for people who really have no clue what they want to

do, but they’re not college ready,”said Mike Anderson, president of the NCDS board of directors.

“It’s more than just literacy,” he stressed. “There’s a life skillscomponent, there’s computers.

“It’s going to give them a clearervision and direction, and get themto that point where they say,‘I want to finish high school to become ‘A’—get them to a point where they’re going to know what they want to do with their life,”Anderson added.

Emes clarified the NCDS Tran-sition Centre (located at 242 Scott

Katelyn Shortreed (vocal), Melissa Fletcher (drama), and Ur-sula Chojko-Bolec (piano) were presented with Rose Bowlsfor their excellent performances in this year’s Rainy RiverDistrict Festival of the Perfoming Arts. The Rose Bowls, along

with many other plaques and awards, were handed out during Sunday evening’s annual “highlights concert” at theTownshend Theatre.

—Peggy Revell photo

Rose Bowl winners

Please see “Bands,” A9

Deer control planat airport submittedfor MNR approval

Workplace literacy focusof new Transition Centre

Please see “Workplace,” A10

Please see “ ‘Serious,’” A10

Please see “Deer,” A10

Bandsopt toappealPoint ruling By Duane HicksStaff writer

The four First Nations involvedin the court case over Pither’sPoint Park are appealing a judge’sruling last week that the Townof Fort Frances can continue tomaintain it until either ownershipfinally is determined through thecourt case or a further order of thecourt.

Couchiching Chief ChuckMcPherson said this morning that the plaintiffs—Couchiching, Na-icatchewenin, Nicickousemenecan-ing, and Stanjikoming—will appealthe ruling, and that the appropriate parties likely would be notified bythe end of today.

“I wasn’t pleased with the initialoutcome,” Chief McPherson said.“That’s one of the reasons weagreed to collectively appeal it.

“None of the communities weresatisfied with that.”

But Chief McPherson also said he wasn’t surprised with the ruling

given judicial decisions historically have not been in favour of First Nations.

“I am disappointed in the tac-tics the town engaged in,” heremarked. “Nonetheless, it’s their prerogative to do it, I guess.

“We had, in good faith, last yearoffered them an extension to the[99-year] lease and they, in turn,used that public offer in the courtsagainst us in a negative fashion.

“So I was disappointed in that.“All we ask is that they sit down

with us,” the chief added. “We hadsaid that we would look at thecontinuation of a lease last year, if there was a fair market value rent paid, and that hasn’t occurred.

“And that’s why we’ve discontin-ued negotiations with them.

“There was no money crossing,and $35 [a year] just wasn’t goingto do it anymore,” he argued.

Chief McPherson said if a fair

market value lease was on thetable, negotiations could continue.But in his opinion, the town wantsthe park but wants someone elseto pay for it.

“The fact that they have got anapplication in the courts to have allof the unsold, surrendered land inthe Agency One reserve declaredtheirs, that’s another tactic that Idon’t necessarily appreciate,” henoted.

“It’s like leasing a car. Once alease is done, I have to bring it back. I don’t automatically own it just because I put gas in it, cleaned

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A10 FORT FRANCES TIMES Wednesday, May 5, 2010

SQUINKERS By Sandra Lamb

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More from A1 he’s ever seen there.

One private aircraft hit a deer inlate fall while it was landing, caus-ing serious damage to the plane.

In a second incident, a Bearskinairplane hit a deer with its land-ing gear while it was taking off (although there was no damage tothe aircraft).

Caul said Friday that the deeralready have started to come backthis spring.

“They’re roaming around,” henoted. “This week they’ve seemedto have slackened off.

“I don’t know why, but prior tothat, they were here every morn-ing, every night,” he remarked.

Airport staff has increased the

frequency of runway inspections prior to landings to try to ensuredeer, or any other animals, are not on the runway when planes comein.

“Between them and seagulls,there’s always something,” Caulchuckled.

Deer plan at airport submitted for MNR approval

Staff

The Fine Line Art Gallery herewill hold a mix-and-mingle to openits spring art show, “Go for Gold,”tomorrow (May 6) from 6:30-9

p.m.In what has become an annual

tradition for the gallery, locatedat 529 Mowat Ave., the mix-and-mingle kicks off the gold-themedexhibit that will run through Mayand into June.

There will be refreshments,door prizes, and a People’s Choiceaward.

Admission is $8, and everyone iswelcome.

Fine Line co-op member JeanRichards noted the gallery has been receiving a variety of entriesfrom local artists, some of which

will be for sale and others for exhi- bition only.

These range from paintings,stained glass, photographs, and pot-tery to the more unusual—airplanesmade of wire and jewellery madewith dried Yukon Gold potatoes.

All of them will, in some way,represent the “gold” theme.

“Gold” follows the alternating

pattern of colours and objects/concepts as themes for the annualspring show.

Last year’s theme was “Thread”while in 2008 it was “ThinkGreen.”

These were preceded by “Abra-cadabra” in 2007, “Seeing Red”(2006), “Cup and Dish” (2005),“Out of the Blues (2004), “Wild’n Woolly” (2003), and “Shades of Yellow” (2002).

For more info, call the gallery at 274-2242.

Art gallery going for ‘gold’

Fine Line Art Gallery co-op member Jean Richards decided where to display this Turbo Bea-ver, which Ray Cameron made of black and gold wire, in anticipation of the opening of itsspring art show, “Go for Gold,” starting with a mix-and-mingle tomorrow (May 6) from 6:30-9p.m. —Duane Hicks photo

More from A1St.) and NCDS Career Works and

Skills and Employment Source(300 Scott St.) are not the samething, but the agencies do work hand-in-hand.

“[NCDS Career Works] is an employment centre, and at this point there are two different programs being delivered from that employ-ment centre,” she explained.

“Career Works, who work withthe youth, and Skills and Employ-ment, who work with adults, par-ticularly those in the EI system.

“They help them with job search-ing, résumé writing, cover letters,and things like that,” Emes noted.

“Even there, we saw people whowere technologically challenged,”she added. “A lot of them just didnot have the computer skills that they need, and computers are a part of literacy.”

Emes said the NCDS TransitionCentre is for people who are not ready to go on to post-secondaryeducation, or maybe don’t want to but still need the skills to be effec-tive in today’s workplace.

“We’re working with people try-ing to pass their GED, with em-

ployees trying to upgrade theirskills, with people that are prepar-

ing to write apprenticeship exams,”she remarked.“We’re not going to have struc-

tured classes,” she stressed. “It’swhen you can come, and that’s thereason we’re open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

“If you’re working full-time, youstill have the ability to come in theevening.”

Emes noted the NCDS Tran-sition Centre already has beenworking closely with NCDS CareerWorks and Skills and Employment Source.

“We’re getting referrals fromthem,” she said. “It’s to say, ‘Yourskills aren’t at a level where theyneed to be for the career youwould like to have.’

“Send them down here. We’llwork with them. When they’reready to write that résumé andcover letter, then they’ll go backthere.’

“We work very closely together.We still go to weekly meetings.We’re a team,” added Emes.

“It would have been perfect if wecould have been attached to them,

but there was no room.”Emes said the NCDS Transition

Centre, which employs five people(including three instructors to en-sure one is on the premises at alltimes), has been open since earlyApril.

And so, far it’s been going “verywell.”

“We’re very pleased with thenumber of people that we al-ready have as customers,” Emesremarked, adding that being indowntown Fort Frances is the per-fect location for them.

“There’s lots of foot traffic andit’s easy access for people,” shereasoned.

The NCDS Transition Centre helps people learn and upgradecomputer skills, writing skills, mathskills, and more. These services arefree of charge to residents of RainyRiver District.

Services are delivered in a confi-dential, respectful, and comfortablesetting.

For more information, drop byNCDS Transition Centre or CathyEmes at 274-2666.

Workplace literacy focus of new centre

More from A1the provincial and federal govern-ments so slow to reacting to theseissues that, quite frankly, have beenlongstanding,” Rafferty added.

“Why are the wheels moving soslowly?”

Rafferty said he’s had the op- portunity to “speak at some length”with Indian Affairs minister ChuckStrahl, and also will be speakingto federal Health minister LeonaAglukkaq over the issue.

“I’m quite sure that certainlyChuck Strahl is concerned about the situation, and I’ve asked that we all sit down and think about

how these actions can be avoided because, quite frankly, it’s not goodfor anybody,” Rafferty stressed.

“It’s not good for First Nations,and certainly not good for peoplearound here, even if you just lookat something like tourism,” he re-marked, noting the move comes at the beginning of tourism season—an industry that already has taken blows with border issues and soonthe implementation of the Harmo-nized Sales Tax (HST).

Meanwhile, official statementsfrom both the provincial and fed-eral government touted discussionand dialogue when it comes to ad-dressing the issues at hand.

“The Ontario government is

committed to working with First Nations’ partners and in instanceslike this, our preferred approach isto enter into discussions and try tofind a solution agreeable to all par-ties,” said Ministry of AboriginalAffairs spokesperson Greg Flood.

“We believe it’s important to set-tle disputes and concerns through positive discussion and proactiverelationships,” he stressed.

A similar response came fromStrahl’s office.

“Our government is committedto working with the Government of Ontario and the First Nationto resolve this,” said Strahl’s press

secretary, Michelle Yao.“But while the land issue is stillin litigation, it would be inappro- priate to comment further at thistime.

“I want to reiterate that ourgovernment believes that open dia-logue is a much more constructiveand effective way of resolving thisissue, and we encourage all part-ners to work together to find asolution to this issue,” Yao added.

“In regards to the issue of [the]contaminated soil, I would liketo emphasize that the health andsafety of the residents of Couchich-ing First Nation is a priority of thisgovernment.

“INAC and Health Canada of-

ficials continue to work with thecommunity to address health is-sues,” she noted.

The OPP has declined to com-ment on the situation to date.

Meanwhile, Hampton believesthe public should take a “wait-and-see” approach to the toll boothissue.

“[Couchiching], if they were allset to put up a toll booth, theywould have announced the toll booth one day and put it up thenext,” he said.

“The fact [is] they’ve allowed afair amount of time here for boththe federal and provincial govern-

ments to come to grips with someof the issues and respond to someof the issues,” he reasoned.

“If somebody says, ‘If we don’t hear from the different levels of government, we’re going to haveto do something in three weeks ora month from now,’ what they’rereally saying is: we’re giving yousome time to think about theseissues and respond on them, andthat’s really what’s happening here,” Hampton added.

“And I’m hopeful that at least on some of these issues, the First Nations will get a serious responsefrom both the federal and provin-cial government.”

‘Serious response’ to issues needed





Fort Frances TimesFort Frances TimesWEDNESDAY,MAY 19, 2010 $1.19 plus 6¢ GST, $1.25 U.S. Printed in Canada Volume 117 Number 3

INSIDE

Versatility is the key wordwhen describing the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Ser-vices’ new emergency mobilecommand unit, which was publicly showcased yesterdayoutside the fire hall.

Fire chief Gerry Armstrongsaid the unit is a welcome ad-dition to the force.

New commandunit unveiled

Located at a new venue, the40th-annual Manitou Fish Frywas a great success Friday.

This was the first time thefish fry was hosted at the new pow-wow grounds at Rainy

River First Nations.“I think it went well becauseof more facilities and it went smoothly,” said RRFN Chief Jim Leonard.

Fish fry heldat new venue

The newest member of theFort Frances Lakers knows athing or two about winningchampionships the hard way.

Brett Wur, who officiallysigned with the team on Sun-day at the Memorial SportsCentre, helped his SelkirkFishermen to a Keystone Ju-nior Hockey League (Junior‘B’) title earlier this spring.

Lakers unveilfirst signings

See story on C1

See story on A3

See story on B1

Band sets fees for toll booth

By Peggy Revelland Duane HicksStaff writer

Couchiching First Nation’s planto erect a toll booth on Highway#11 just west of the Noden Cause-

way is still a go for this Friday at noon.

For now, the band was to begina traffic slowdown today (Wednes-day), where information will be handed out to passing vehiclesoutlining Couchiching’s reasoningfor setting up the toll booth, whichincludes what it sees as a failureto be properly compensated forthe land Highway #11 is built upon and failure to remedy thesoil contamination from the former J.A. Mathieu sawmill where sixresidences now sit.

Since first announcing in lateApril its intentions to set up the

toll booth, the province’s only “of-fer” to the community was fromthe province to put up some street signs, street lights, and possiblya bike path along Highway #11,noted Couchiching Chief ChuckMcPherson.

“Those were maybes—thoseweren’t definite offers,” echoedCoun. Eugene McPherson.

“Just today [Tuesday], we got a call from the deputy minister’soffice asking if we’d like to havesome serious discussions—that begsthe question, what were the discus-sions before, if they weren’t seri-ous?” wondered Chief McPherson.

Meanwhile, there has been littleto no response from Indian andNorthern Affairs Canada, the pairnoted.

“The only response or commu-nication received from the federalminister’s office was that [local MP] John Rafferty [who] had sent twoletters, along with Diane Kelly, thechief of Grand Council Treaty #3,asking Minister Strahl to convene ameeting with my council and my-self—and they acknowledged that they received those letters,” Chief McPherson said.

“Other than that acknowledge-ment, nothing.”

Meanwhile, the fee structure forthe toll booth was approved at a band council meeting last night.

Councillors opted to set the tollat $1 per passenger vehicle and$10 for commercial vehicles, withtolls to be collected for those trav-elling in both directions.

Monthly passes also will be avail-able for $25 for passenger vehiclesand $100 for commercial ones.

Passes can be purchased at theC&C Complex and Great Bear,and tomorrow will be sold at theCouchiching multi-use facility.

All emergency vehicles, such as

First Nations,mining company ink agreementBy Peggy RevellStaff writer

Local First Nations signed amemorandum of understandingwith mining exploration companyRainy River Resources on Thurs-day afternoon to mark a mutual-ly-beneficial relationship betweenthem.

“I see this as something that weneed in the district, and continue to

make it happen,” Rainy River First Nations Chief Jim Leonard said at the signing ceremony, which took place at the company’s gold explo-ration project site in Blackhawk.

“And I hope that everyone can benefit, not only the First Nations’ people but people from the sur-rounding area.

“We’re going to need a lot of help, and we’re here and we’reneighbours,” he added.

Representatives from Rainy Riv-er Resources and several First Na-tions that are members of the Fort Frances Chiefs Secretariat were on hand to sign the MOU.

As part of it, the company hasagreed to inform the First Nationsof its exploration proposals andtimetables, and conduct all explo-ration activities in an environmen-tally-responsible manner.

Employment opportunities andthe chance to bid on contracts also

were highlighted in the memo-randum, as well as plans to hire afull-time “First Nation Engagement

Specialist,” who will serve as aliaison between the company andFirst Nations.

Rainy River Resources also will begin working with the First Na-tions to develop and implement an“Impact and Benefits Agreement.”

Thursday’s signing ceremony be-gan with elder Willie Wilson say-ing a blessing and some openingremarks.

“From what I know about the

document, it’s going to provideopportunities not only for our First Nations’ people but for people inthe whole district,” noted Wilson.

“And I think that there’s oppor-tunity here that should come as aresult of this.

“We started off with some fool’sgold first,” he remarked. “Eventu-ally that’s going to become real, I hope.”

“To the chiefs and the com-munities of the secretariat, theseven areas that we could havesome potential impact, too, we’rereally looking forward to this,working with you,” said RaymondThrelkeld, president and CEO of Rainy River Resources Ltd.

He also thanked the local staff of the company for their efforts tomake the MOU come together.

“And this is just a start, thismemorandum of understanding,”Threlkeld stressed. “This memo-

randum of understanding will leadus farther on to [a] true impact

Underpass closureextended to May 29Staff

The Portage Avenue underpasswill be closed eight days longerthan expected due to an unfore-seen delay in construction.

The underpass originally wasto be closed to through traffic for10 days in order to install pipingin the Third and Fifth Street in-tersections, but that has changed,Operations and Facilities managerDoug Brown reported yesterday

afternoon.Initially, town records indicated

the presence of a storm sewermanhole in the middle of t he ThirdStreet intersection, but further fieldinvestigation revealed this was not the case.

As a result, special storm sewerfittings had to be ordered andmanufactured.

These fittings are scheduled toarrive at the site next Tuesday(May 25).

Brown noted the contractor hasadvised the town that upon receipt of these storm sewer fittings, thework can be completed by Satur-

day, May 29 (weather permitting).“The Town of Fort Frances apol-

ogizes for this eight-day delay inthe opening of the underpass tovehicular traffic,” stated a pressrelease from the town.

“The town understands the pub-lic frustration over the closures dueto the reconstruction of PortageAvenue, including the underpass,”it noted.

“In closing, the Town of Fort Frances would like to thank you

for your patience and understand-ing in this matter as it helps toensure the project can proceed ina safe and effective manner.”

Previous arrangements with re-gards to emergency services willcontinue during this extended clo-sure.

Vehicles accessing the north endof town must continue to useMcIrvine Road crossing in the west end.

Pedestrian traffic, however, willcontinue to have access throughthe underpass during the construc-tion.


The relocated and refurbished“Hallett” and lookout tower alongthe La Verendrye Parkway openedFriday and have been quite busyso far.

Marina operator Meagan Berrysaid the sites saw about 50 visitorson Saturday, and every other day have drawn 15 or more people.

The combined lure of the new at-

tractions, the sunny, warm weatherand availability of ice cream at themarina, has meant plenty of busi-ness for the Sorting Gap Marinalately, added Berry, who noted, “It was one of our best opening week-ends.”

Some of those who toured thesites in the first few days sharedtheir thoughts on the waterfront attractions.

“I think it’s sweet,” said DustinMelrose just after coming down

from the lookout tower Mondayafternoon.

“It’s really good for exercise,”noted Karen Jensen.

“I like it,” she added. “You cansee a lot of the town—you can evensee how deep the water is from upthere.”

“You can see the Point overthere, even,” echoed Melrose.

Jim Engelman and his six-year-old son, Colton, visited the sites

Heritage sites off to busy start

Alyssa Chiasson, front, Kaitlyn Chiasson, Mikayla Chiasson, and their uncle, John Storm,climbed the stairs of the relocated and refurbished lookout tower here Saturday. The tower,“Hallett,” and Sorting Gap Marina all opened for the season on Friday, and so far have beenquite popular. —Duane Hicks photo

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Wednesday, May 19, 2010 FORT FRANCES TIMES A5

Band setsfees for toll booth

More from A1 police, fire, and ambulance, will be exempt from the toll, as will be

school buses.First Nations’ members with astatus card also will be exempt,which includes status First Nationsfrom elsewhere such as the UnitedStates (the status card must belongto a passenger who is in the vehicle).

Couchiching band members alsomay apply to get an exemption forvehicles owned by immediate fam-ily members who are non-status.

An exemption application will be available online and at theCouchiching band office.

The fee for launching a boat at the Five-Mile Dock has not beendecided yet.

While band council has approvedthese tolls last night, these amountswill be up for final approval at aCouchiching community meetingslated for this evening.

“We’ll try to achieve consensus,”Chief McPherson said about what that meeting will entail, notingif a large number of communitymembers disagree with the chosenamounts, council will revisit itsdecision.

Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avissaid he’s concerned about the vari-ous ways the toll booth will impact Fort Frances and the surroundingarea.

“I think it will really affect thecommercial sector in our municipality and throughout the wholedistrict,” he warned.

“I strongly believe it will becomequite contentious, in that it will put family against family.

“There’s so much inter-marriagein this area,” he added. “I hope it doesn’t get to that.”

Mayor Avis said he has writtena letter to provincial AboriginalAffairs minister Chris Bentley and has met with Chief McPherson

regarding the toll booth, and ex- pressed his concerns.“It is a provincial issue and it is

a federal government issue, but as a municipality we are veryconcerned, and we hope it can get resolved,” he remarked.

Since first announcing plans forthe toll booth in late April, there has been “tremendous support”from band members who attendedthe first community meeting onthe matter, said Chief McPherson.

“There were some concerns

about how they were going to bereceived in neighbouring commu-nities, how kids were going to be

treated in schools,” he conceded.“But for the most part, we thinkthat common sense is going to prevail and the people of the Townof Fort Frances and neighbouringcommunities, for the most part, aresensible, logical people and they’llsee that it’s a cause worth fightingfor.”

Meanwhile, the duration of thetoll booth will be for as long as it takes for solutions for both of theissues, Chief McPherson vowed.

“Talking to people in the district and that—the sad part is, those people that come to me and saythey have mixed emotions about this, those people don’t understandthe true story of what’s going on,”Coun. McPherson.

“It’s not a fight between us andthem, it’s a fight between thosegovernments.

“All we’re asking for is the truth.Tell us the truth for a change. Sim-

ple, simple request,” he stressed.“We want to stress the point that

it’s not a race issue,” echoed Chief McPherson. “It’s non-aggressive, it’snon-confrontational, and the wholeinitiative is to help Couchiching,and it’s just claiming that which isours.

“We’re trying to stress a point that the government isn’t livingup to their obligations,” he added.“If they’re not going to do it, thenwe’re going to have to take theresponsibility for it, and with that responsibility there’s some fiscalcosts, and we don’t have thosemonies to do it.

“And we have to generate themonies to do that somehow.”

Many people have come for-ward to talk about the issue, noted band manager Smokey Bruyere,especially the ministers for localchurches who want more informa-

tion and understanding of the issueso they can discuss it with theircongregations.

“People who come in to ask, people who phone, we’re verycourteous to everybody that calls,explaining what the situation isand asking them to call the MPPsand MPs, the ministers,” stressedBruyere.

The band also will be postingupdates and information at it web-site at www.tollboothinitiative.com


The first of the two main issues

surrounding the band’s action iscompensation for the 33.9 acres of Couchiching FN land which High-way #11 was built upon decadesago.

The province and federal De- partment of Indian Affairs origi-nally negotiated an exchange of the 44.5 acres within what’s his-torically known as the “two-chainshore allowance,” Chief ChuckMcPherson had explained in a pre-vious interview with the Times.

But the band says this originalsurvey of the “two-chain shoreallowance” land was done “er-roneously” because the surveyorcommissioned to survey the neighbouring Agency #1 reserve backin 1876 included land that alreadywas part of the Couchiching re-serve.

As well, dam construction in theearly 1900s meant only nine acresof the original 44.5 acres exists.

The other reason for the toll booth comes from the federal gov-ernment not yet having relocatedthe six families whose residencesare situated on the identified con-taminated site of the former J.A.Mathieu sawmill dipping ponds.

“The whole approach fromHealth Canada and First Nations,Inuit Health Branch—they’re quiteflexible in changing their stan-dards,” said Chief McPherson, re-ferring to all of the testing andreports concerning the high levelsof dioxins, furans, and other chem-icals that have been identified at the site.

“On a scale of one to 10, if fourwas the danger zone, and we wereat a six, well, they elevated it toeight so we were under that healthstandard.

“It’s not a hazard anymore.”A report earlier this month, writ-

t b hi d lt t D Ntli d h th id tifi d h i

Best Available Technology [BAT].”The report also states concentra-

tions of dioxins and furans at thevarious residences and tested loca-

tions exceed the human health/Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment criteria.

“Under the current circumstanc-es, the overriding objective is toreduce the exposure to levels aslow as reasonably practicable,” thereport stated.

“This can only be achieved byrestricting access to the contamina-tion to authorized personnel and/or by remediating the soil to [be-low the given criteria].

“Thus conducting further inves-tigation while the residents are stillliving on contaminated soil cannot be justified due to the extreme tox-icity of the PCDD-PCDF mixtureand the continued exposure of residents.”

Remediation—which the report said would require full body pro-tection for those doing the work,and consists of excavating andstockpiling the contaminated soil—

is a process by which residencesstill would need to be relocateddue to safety and health, the report recommended.

“With respect to an update onthe current situation at Couchich-ing, INAC and Health Canadaofficials continue to work with thecommunity to address issues relat-ed to the contaminated site, INACspokeswoman Susan Bertrand saidin a May 18 e-mail to the Timesconcerning the current status of the contaminated site.

“INAC will continue to providefunding for the site assessment toidentify the extent of the contami-nation and to develop a remedialaction plan,” she noted.

“First Nations are responsible fortendering, selecting a contractor,and overseeing implementation of these projects,” Bertrand added.

“Accordingly, the First Nation

ld b b t iti d tid f th i f ti th

A look behind the issuesprompting the toll booth

More from A1Saturday. And, at Colton’s request,came back again Monday.

“I liked every part of the big boat,” said Colton.

“I am impressed they opened upthe ‘Hallett’ and all the rooms init,” added Jim Engelman.

Colton noted the lookout tower“had too much stairs,” later clarify-ing that “it made my dad tired, but not me.”

“He ran up there. I had to tell him to stop and wait for me,” saidEngelman, noting the tower had a“nice scenic view.”

But it could use a flag, andmaybe some lights inside so it alsocould be a nighttime attraction.

Generally speaking, Engelmansaid he thought the sites were “agood idea,” but hopes the water-front will be developed furtherdown the road.

“The only bad thing is you havea nice area and you don’t have arestaurant,” he remarked. “It’s sup- posed to be a tourist attraction, but there’s no place for the tourists to

come to and sit and enjoy them-selves, besides maybe having anice cream cone.

“You want to try and attract them to stay here,” he stressed.

“There’s lots they could do down here,” Engelman noted. “I keepthinking of Kenora . . . it’s beauti-ful.

“I think there’s more they could be doing here,” he added, sayinganother feature that would do well here is a “loonie bear” like they have at the Kenora harbourfront (the Community Foundation Loo-nie Bear is a five-ton bear which people put money into and taketheir photos with, with proceedsgoing to Kenora-area charities).

Admission to the heritage sitesis available at the Sorting Gap Ma-rina or Fort Frances Museum.

The cost is for $3.50 for adults,$2.50 for seniors and children 12and under, or a maximum family

f f $10 50

The Sorting Gap, as well as the“Hallett” and tower sites, are opendaily from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (depend-ing on weather).

Children under 14 must be ac-companied by a caregiver age 16or older. Appropriate footwear is

required.Visitors also are asked to take

care and use caution as surfacesare uneven and platforms are steepand high.

The Fort Frances Museum,meanwhile, is open daily from 10a.m.-5 p.m. until Oct. 10 (hourssubject to change).

In related news, a multi-day cel-ebration is planned in conjunctionwith “Tourism Week” to mark thegrand opening of Phase II of theHeritage Tourism Project.

On Friday, June 4, there will bea reception at the Ontario Tour-ism Information Centre at 10 a.m.,followed by a walk down thewayfinding route (from the borderto the waterfront via Victoria Av-enue.

This will be followed by a grand-opening ceremony at the lookout tower at noon, followed by aninternational tug-of-war at 12:30

d “F i th S ” f d

ing, and more.Back on Scott Street, a new

exhibit at the museum focusingon lumber camps will open whilework by local artists will be ondisplay at downtown businesses.

There also will be art activities

at the museum, coinciding witha visit from Community Arts andHeritage Education Program co-ordinator Lila Cano.

Museum curator Pam Cain saidother groups interested in hold-ing events during the celebrationshould let her know by calling274-7891 or e-mailing [email protected]

Then the annul “fly-in, drive-in” barbecue is slated for Saturday, June 5 at the Fort Frances Air- port.

At the museum, there will bea workshop about grant writingwith Cano on Saturday morning,followed by some sort of event tofurther promote the “What HooksYou Here?” rug-hooking project.

Finally, an afternoon paddle onthe upper river is scheduled forSunday, June 6.

Residents are invited to comeout with their canoes and paddles(th t l ill h li it d

Representatives from member bands of the Fort Frances Chiefs Secretariat, along with Rainy River Resources CEO Raymond Threlkeld (second from right), signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday afternoon concerning First Nations’ in-volvement with the company’s gold exploration in the Blackhawk region. —Peggy Revell photo

First Nations, mining company ink agreementMore from A1

benefits agreement that will fur-ther define our relationship.

“We’ve come off with a goodstart,” he continued. “Our rela-tionship with Chief Leonard has been excellent, and we’ve had veryfrank and not-so-easy discussionsat times.

“But I think our friendship[means] we’re able to sit down andspeak to each other very openly.”

“I think that we hope that in theend that we see this really improvethe community and all the com-munities,” echoed Chapple Coun.Rick Neilson, who spoke on behalf of the township at Thursday’s cer-emony, stressing the importanceof making sure everyone has anopportunity to be involved and

benefit from the project.“I think that it’s really good that First Nations [are] involved in thisway,” Coun. Neilson added.

“Their culture has led them tothe point of really viewing theenvironment as where we come

from, and I think that tha t is a very,very important element to have inthis endeavour,” he stressed.

“The other point I would liketo make, from the Municipalityof Chapple, is that we want to beinformed and want to know what’s happening,” Coun. Neilson said.

“We want to know how we canmake it happen better and how wecan plan to make things work forthis endeavour.”

As part of the pending “Impact and Benefits Agreement,” whichwill be developed by Rainy RiverResources and the involved First Nations, provisions to be devel-oped include:

•the relationship between the parties and the impact and benefitsof the First Nations’ communities

and their traditional lands;•a process which sets out therequirements of notice and con-sultation during the development,construction, and operation phaseof the Rainy River Resources proj-ect;

•a process that will enable theFirst Nations’ communities to ac-cess information to satisfy them-selves that the mining activitieswhich are carried out within theirtraditional territory comply withrelevant federal and provincial leg-islation, including compliance withenvironmental legislation;

•First Nations’ rights with respect to access to, and maintenance of,their traditional territory without adversely affecting the company’scontinuing operations;

•the identification by the First Nations of registered traplines and“sensitive sites” having significanceto the communities or individualswithin the communities, so that the company can avoid and protect such sites to the extent reasonably

possible;•the identification of the train-ing needs and human resourcescapacity of the First Nations’ com-munities, including employment, business development, investment opportunities, and other related

enterprises both parties may see fit to include;

•the identification of potentialsources and responsible agenciesto work towards the establishment of a social-economic fund for theuse and benefit of the First Na-tions’ communities, with fundingto be related, in a predictable andreasonable way, to the economicscale and value of the exploitationof the resource identified in thearea designated as the Rainy River project area; and

•a process for resolving disputesor disagreements arising out of theterms and provisions of the inter- pretation of the IBA.

The seven First Nations’ com-munities that signed the MOUincluded Rainy River First Nations,

Naicatchewenin, Mitaanjigamiing(formerly Stanjikoming), Couchi-ching, Nigigoonsiminikaaning (for-merly Nicickousemenecaning), LacLa Croix, and Seine River.

Heritagesites off to busy start

Alice Cupp and Talon Cantor checked out the galley in the “Hallett” on Saturday. Whether itis the engine room or the captain’s cabin, all areas of the ship are open for people to see.

—Duane Hicks photos





Fort Frances TimesFort Frances TimesWEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2010$1.19 plus 6¢ GST, $1.25 U.S. Printed in Canada Volume 117 Number 4

Toll booth subject of praise, threats: chief By Peggy RevellStaff writer

Couchiching First Nation has re-ceived everything from praise tothreats after following through onits controversial plan to set up a toll booth on Highway #11 at the west end of the Noden Causeway lateFriday afternoon.

“We’ve had a number of well-wishers. Some people said that weshould have done this a long timeago. Some people actually gavetips,” said Chief Chuck McPherson,referring to the response from mo-

torists who have passed throughthe toll booth, which the band sayswill stay up until the federal and provincial governments adequatelyaddress compensation for the landHighway #11 sits upon and theidentified contaminated soil at theformer J.A. Mathieu sawmill site.

“But on the other side of thecoin, we’ve had people that havemade a number of derogatoryremarks, mostly racist in nature,”noted Chief McPherson.

“And I had hoped that it wouldn’t get to that point of bringing raceinto it,” he added, admitting that

while that is their freedom of speech, he would hope peoplecould express their disagreement in a more “civil nature.”

“If there’s any violence, it’s not going to be started by the mem- bership of Couchiching,” Chief McPherson vowed, recounting howat one point a person had sug-gested bringing in warrior societ-ies and council replied that if that happened, they would remove the booth themselves.

“Because that’s not what we’relooking for,” he stressed.

“I’m disappointed that some

people have to make threateningremarks, racist remarks, becausewhen all is said and done, we’renot going anywhere, we’re going tocontinue to live here.

“The people of Fort Frances aregoing to continue to live here, andwe have to get along.”

“We’ve been telling [communitymembers that] it’s not personal—unfortunately, it’s based on this toll booth being here, to try as best youcan not to internalize those things,to be strong, the cause is biggerthan any one of us,” said Coun.Sarah Mainville about how the

community is dealing with threats,and the supportive way the com-munity has set up alongside the toll booth.

“I think that our resolve strength-ens when we come here,” shenoted. “We’re using our spiritualitya lot to strengthen what we’re do-ing.

“The older people here, the com-munication between the youth andthe elders, it’s strengthening our re-solve to continue, to fight for thosethings, those issues, to be resolvedand negotiate a just settlement.


With the Couchiching toll boothnow in place, many people arefacing the experience of a dailycommute through the site—and adecision as to whether or not theywill pay the $1 toll.

Those working at the toll booth have been courteous, noted oneReef Point resident, although go-ing through it feels like “being in azoo” with everyone watching fromalong the side of the highway.

“I think it’s kind of a dangerousset-up,” the man said. “I don’t likethe way it’s being done but otherthan that, they’re not forcing youto pay, it’s optional.

“Other than slowing the trafficdown a bit, it’s fine,” he added,reiterating that those who have been working at the toll booth have been very courteous and he has been the same back to them

in return—despite not paying thetoll.“My feelings are is that I don’t

think they [the band] should in-clude us,” he explained. “[Includ-ing us is] not going to help themresolve their situation.

“They’re just making it hard forus.”

The man is “very much so” hop-ing the situation will be resolved,adding “that would be a godsendif they figured to do that.”

Another resident of Rocky Inlet Road said she is surprised the toll booth went up since she hoped anagreement between Couchiching

and the federal and provincial gov-ernments would have been made beforehand.

“Each time that we’ve [crossed],we’ve just handed over our loonie,and they’ve been very polite andsaid thank you for that,” she said.

But after five trips and $10, sheadmitted she is upset and worriedthe toll booth will become a per-manent fixture on the highway.

The woman has decided she nolonger will pay the toll, like otherfriends she has spoken to, althoughshe added that having friends onCouchiching, she respects wherethe band members are coming

from and are sympathetic to what has been happening—which is whyshe had paid the toll to beginwith.

“I think the most important thing is that cooler heads prevailand that in the law, that they cometo some agreement that’s going towork for everybody, that’s fair toeveryone,” she stressed.

“And fair’s important, too, be-cause they have to realize that there are limits to what can bedemanded, too.

“I really wish they could in somelawful manner, within the law, get together and settle this,” she con-

tinued.“I am upset, and I think most of

my friends and people out here[are, too],” she noted encouragingthe Couchiching chief and coun-cil to sit down and negotiation asettlement with government.

“It is harassment for the general public, and I think most peopleare feeling bullied by it,” echoedScott Stafford, a local logging truckoperator who crosses the NodenCauseway about four times a dayand 20 times a week.

“I know for sure if my wife wasto drive through there, that shewould really feel intimidated by

it. “Like, I don’t think she wouldfeel that she had enough strengthor whatever to refuse paying thetoll.”

Although he stops each time at the toll booth, Stafford said he hasrefused to pay so far.

“[It’s] just on a matter of principle,” he explained. “I don’t believeI should be paying twice to driveon a provincial highway when I’vealready licensed my commercialvehicle to use that highway.”

Stafford noted this principle isthe same even after the band’s re-duction of the commercial vehicle

toll from $10 to $1 per crossing.“I would just like the word

spread to everybody that I’m pass-ing through unhindered without having to pay,” he said, adding hewishes the band would be moreupfront with the fact that theyaren’t going to force people to pay.

After passing through without paying the toll, Stafford admit-ted he has received a threateninganonymous phone call, which theOPP currently is investigating.

But he still will be going throughthe toll booth without paying.

“If I’m asked to pay $40 a dayto do my [job], in my line of work,$40 a day is far more than what it costs to even feed my family,”Stafford argued.

“I’m a 32-year-old self-employedfather of four, with a brand newmortgage—we’ve just moved tothe outskirts of Fort Frances to get closer to work, and now I see this

as another obstacle that I have todeal with to support my family.“I was hoping that reason would

prevail,” he said about his reactionwhen the toll booth first was an-nounced.

“I don’t see any benefit in theFirst Nations using the general public as fodder in their argument with the government.

“I don’t see where they feel that that will gain anything as far asa neighbour relationship goes—touse your neighbour as fodder in your argument doesn’t seem right to me,” he remarked.


With the Couchiching toll boothat the forefront of many residents’

minds, Fort Frances council servedup a slew of questions for OPPdetachment commander Insp. JohnKendrick at last night’s meeting.

“Our highway’s been blockadedon the reserve since May 21,” saidCoun. Ken Perry. “It’s an illegal act,and I’d like to know what the OPP plan on doing about it to correct the problem?”

Insp. Kendrick replied the OPPwants to maintain the peace and protect the public. Any complaintsthat are received will be investi-gated, with follow-up and appropriate response taken sometimeafterwards.

“Our goal right now is to keepthe highway open, to protect the peace,” he stressed. “And anythingthat occurs after that will be a mea-sured response.”

Coun, Andrew Hallikas askedwhat advice could Insp. Kendrickgive to motorists approaching thetoll booth.

Because it is an obstruction onthe highway, motorists should slowdown and proceed with caution, heanswered.

“As people approach the toll booth, they have to make a person-al decision,” Insp. Kendrick added.“It’s an individual, personal deci-sion whether or not to pay the toll.

“The OPP can’t comment onwhat action will be taken or pro-vide advice further on a matter that is being dealt with at higher levelsof government.

“It’s a continuous, ongoing thingat the present time.”

“Really, who is calling the shots?Who is making the decision as to how the OPP will react to variouscircumstances that could occur at that toll booth?” wondered Coun.Hallikas.

“Ultimately, for the OPP, Com-

missioner Julian Fantino will makethe decision about how we react,and that will be based on his con-versation with other provincial par-ties, other provincial agencies,” saidInsp. Kendrick.

“They’re working actively nowto address a problem, and we’reasking the public’s patience whilethis dialogue goes on,” he added,noting the situation is “somethingnew” and the OPP wants to makesure its response is “measured andcorrect.”

Coun. Sharon Tibbs asked if thetoll booth is an “illegal action,” to

CouncilgrillsOPPon tollbooth

Please see “Council,” A5

Most feeling ‘bullied’ by toll booth: trucker

Local trucker Scott Stafford stopped to speak with Holly Cogger, who was among the first to work at the Couchiching toll booth once it was set up late Friday afternoon on Highway #11 just west of the Noden Causeway. Some motorists, likeStafford, have been refusing to pay the toll. —Peggy Revell photo

“I don’t see any benefit in the FirstNations using the general public asfodder in their argument with thegovernment.”

—Scott Stafford

Please see “Toll,” A5

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The Fort Frances CanadianBass Championship thinkscountry star George Canyonis “one good friend.”

The two-time Juno Award-winner will headline theentertainment lineup at this year’s tournament, taking thestage at the Ice For KidsArena on Friday, July 23.

Canyon toheadline FFCBC

As part of a national fund-raising campaign, the Voya-geur Lions and the Fort HighLeo Club are planning theirfifth “Purina Walk for DogGuides” here this Sunday (May30) at Pither’s Point Park.

Intended to raise money forthe Lions Foundation of Cana-da Dog Guides training facilityin Oakville, Ont., the walk getsunderway at 1 p.m., with reg-istration starting at noon.

Dog walk all set to go

Attending OFSAA is old hat for Josh Strain.

Making some noise at theall-Ontarios has been a littlemore elusive.

“Going into it, last year, Ikind of had an off-year,” Strainacknowledged. “This was myredemption year.”

Field athletesqualify for OFSAA

See story on C1

See story on A10

See story on B1



Wednesday, May 26, 2010 FORT FRANCES TIMES A5

As the first vehicles went past the newly-erected toll booth late Friday afternoon, members of Couchiching First Nation lined the side of Highway #11 to applaud those who opted to paythe $1 toll. Band members did not impede drivers who chose not to do so.

Couchiching Chief Chuck McPherson and Coun. Dan Mainville (not pictured) were the firstto step into the toll booth and start collecting tolls from passing vehicles late Friday after-noon.

Council

grillsOPPon tollbooth

More from A1which Insp. Kendrick replied, “It’sa complex issue.”

“It deals with jurisdictional is-sues, land claim issues, who ownswhat portion of highway,” he ex-

plained, adding the OPP has beenactive in keeping open lines of communication with CouchichingFirst Nation, as well as meetingwith community leaders to try toget out the message that the situa-tion is going to take time before it’sresolved.

“We understand that the publicis very frustrated, as are the police, but it’s a process that has to take place, and we want to do it safely,”Insp. Kendrick stressed.

“The public safety is the mainthing.”

Coun. Tibbs said many peopleare unclear as to whether theyshould pay the $1 toll, and theyshould know it’s an individual de-cision.

“You can talk about it being a personal decision you make on your own,” she remarked. “How-ever, what is happening here isan illegal action in process, andregardless of how we’re going tocarry on to get this thing solved,the bottom line is people are feel-ing intimidated into doing that—they feel obligated to do that—andI don’t think they should be feelingthat way.

“It should be clearly stated tothe public they are not required tomake that payment if they choosenot to. It’s an individual decision,”

Coun. Tibbs continued.“Are we being policed by the po-lice or policed by the government in this issue?” asked Mayor RoyAvis.

“The term they use is a mea-sured response. What can be doneat the present time is being done,”replied Insp. Kendrick, noting that until the government leaders cometogether and decide which routethey want to take, the only thingthe OPP can do is protect the pub-lic and keep the peace to the best of its ability.

“A lot of people who live in themunicipality and the district feelreally let down by the OPP on thisissue,” said Mayor Avis. “That’swhy I asked that question.

“Because if your hands are tied,and it’s the government that’s mak-ing the response, the criticism isgoing to the wrong spot.”

“Like any other contentious is-sue, when people don’t know what to do, people turn to the policefor answers,” acknowledged Insp.

Kendrick.“And when the answers they’regetting from the police are verystructured, which they are in thiscase because we’re trying to keepeverything calm, they don’t get a very good feeling that they’re

being well-represented,” he admit-ted.

“But I can assure you there aremany, many police officers arounddoing many, many different thingsin order to keep what has occurredover the past several days in thestatus it currently is,” he stressed,noting the OPP will continue toensure the highway remains openand the public safe until a decisionis reached and the OPP will takethe necessary actions.

Toll booth

subject of praise, threats

More from A1“It’s an amazing community—the

community has really come to-gether around [it],” Coun. Mainvilleremarked.

“We had a meeting on Sun-day and they resoundingly said tocontinue fighting, to continue thefight,” she noted.

“The cause is worthy of thedisruptions and we’ll protect eachother, and that’s what we’ve beendoing.”

In the meantime, the toll boothremains, with a charge of $1 for allvehicles.

The band is offering a monthly pass of $25 available at the boothor the band office (current passes

combine both the months of Mayand June).While some motorists have paid

the toll, others have opted to drivethrough without paying a cent.

In a press release issued yester-day, Couchiching chief and councilstated they will not impede motor-ists unwilling to pay the toll.

However, they support the appli-cation of Section 30 of the IndianAct which states, “A person whotrespasses on a reserve is guilty of an offence and liable on summaryconviction to a fine not exceeding$50 or to imprisonment for a termnot exceeding one month, or to

both.”Meanwhile, the OPP continues

to monitor the toll booth area,with OPP officers present to ensurethere is a safe and orderly flow of traffic.

“The OPP recognizes the needto balance individual rights andfreedoms with the need to main-tain public peace and order,” OPPCst. Anne McCoy said in an e-mailto the Times yesterday about howthe police are approaching the situ-ation.

“As police officers, we will utilizeour police discretion as a validand appropriate approach to de-escalate situations.

“The primary role of the OPP isto keep the peace and ensure pub-lic safety, and as such the event hasremained peaceful,” she added.

“There are many actions the police are taking to approach thematters at hand.”

Cst. McCoy said the proper exer-cise of police discretion should not

be confused with a lack of enforce-ment, noting that officers activelyare investigating unlawful acts.

But “we ask the public to recog-nize patience is required to handlethe matter as public safety is the

priority.”Her e-mail also noted the OPP

is “not in a position to resolve theunderlying issues.”

“We appreciate the public may have many questions and weacknowledge frustrations,” she

wrote.“Please note our approach has been professional and measured,as officers recognize the matter isvery complex and includes manylegislative authorities who are cur-rently reviewing the issues.”

When there are traffic delays,they are minimal, the OPP alsostated.

“The Fort Frances detachment of the OPP has open lines of com-munication and a good workingrelationship with chief and councilof Couchiching First Nation andthe mayor and council of the Townof Fort Frances,” police also re-marked.

“Our Provincial Liaison Teamis working with the Couchiching

First Nation community, as well aswithin the Town of Fort Frances,to encourage respectful behaviourand fielding questions from the

public.“Our Community Services Of-

ficer is working to keep the flow

of information current and timelyto the media, and has been work-ing to relay the messages to ourcommunity partners including ourschools, businesses and serviceagencies,” police added.

As for how long the toll boothwill be up, Chief McPherson saidthat it depends on how the prov-ince and federal government re-sponds to the issues behind the

band’s decision to erect it.“We hope to be making some

headway, and I’ll know later on inthe week,” he said, noting he andthe provincial minister of aborigi-nal affairs will have a meeting to-morrow (May 27) concerning com-

pensation for the land on whichHighway #11 sits.

“We’re going to see what they have to offer and we’ve got someideas that we’re going to present tothem, and we’ll see how responsivethey are,” Chief McPherson said,adding that the band is lookingfor “fair and adequate” compensa-tion—something it hasn’t receivedto date.

When it comes to the contami-nated soil at the former J.A. Ma-thieu sawmill site, Chief McPher-son said hey have spoken with fed-eral Indian Affairs minister ChuckStrahl, who has indicated that the“study period” is “definitely overand it’s time for action.”

“He didn’t specify what the ac-tion is,” cautioned Chief McPher-son, but noted he also will bemeeting with the regional directorof INAC tomorrow and that Strahl

has committed to meeting the bandcouncil the “very near future.”

“In terms of progression, we’regetting to talk to the people that make the decisions, and that looksfavourable,” said Chief McPher-son.

Since first going up late Fridayafternoon, Chief McPherson, coun-cil, and members of the Couchich-ing community have taken turnsmanning the toll booth.

“I’m doing it for my childrenand their children, and to protect our land that we have—it’s not

very much and that worries me,”Couchiching band member DanielMorrisseau said Friday right beforethe toll booth went up.

Morrisseau, a father of four, hadvolunteered to man the toll boothon Saturday morning.

“Fear—it’s scary,” he said about his feelings of the toll booth goingup, noting that if arrested, it would

be the first charge he’s ever hadlaid against him, but he’s doing it for the community.

“It’s the first time we’ve everdone this as a community, and Idon’t know how it’s going to turnout,” he admitted.

“I don’t know how it’s going toturn out and I hope it turns out good, as peaceful as can be.”

Two OPP officers handed out notices to participants Friday evening, warning them of pos-sible criminal charges that could come if the toll booth continued. —Peggy Revell photos

Toll booth drawing outside supportBy Peggy RevellStaff writer

The toll booth initiative under-taken by Couchiching First Nationis drawing support from beyond itsimmediate community, includinga visit from Grand Council Treaty#3 Ogichidaakwe Diane Kelly yes-terday.

“I’m here to support Couchich-ing First Nation,” said Kelly, whotook a turn in the booth collectingtolls from passing vehicles.

“I think it’s a drastic step that they have to take, and it’s unfor-tunate that after all these years, allthese decades, that these land is-sue is still unresolved,” she added.

“I think it’s unfortunate that we have to put people on the highway,it’s a safety concern, it’s a risk,”Kelly continued.

“But I think it’s an important statement, and I hope that the fed-eral government and the provincialgovernment wake up and start trying to resolve [this] because thisisn’t the only outstanding thing.

“There’s numerous claims that still have to be resolved,” shestressed.

Reaction from other First Na-tions within Treaty #3 have in-cluded support for Couchiching

because “we’re all in the same boat when it comes to unresolved landissues,” Kelly explained, pointingto the talk about reconciliation of a relationship between aboriginal

people and Ontarians—somethingof which there’s “still a lot of work

to be done on.”“I can understand that it’s an in-convenience to the tourists, as wellas the townspeople, but at the sametime it’s been an inconvenience tous, as First Nation people, to haveour land issue unresolved,” Kellyremarked.

“So again, let’s all work togetherand try to resolve the situation andreconcile some of the hurt feelingsand maybe the misunderstandings—because I think a lot of it seemsto be misunderstanding.”

Becoming educated about First Nations’ issues is one of the thingsTerry Waboose, deputy grand chief for the Nishnawbe Aski Nation(NAN), asked the greater com-munity for during his visit to the

Couchiching toll booth site yester-day afternoon.

“I’m here basically to support Couchiching and what they’re do-ing here, which is basically assert-ing their jurisdiction over theirland and trying to call attention tothe governments in terms of someof the grievances that they have,”noted Waboose, pointing to theissue of land contamination andcompensation for the land uponwhich Highway #11 sits.

Couchiching is not unique when

it comes to the issues First Nationcommunities are dealing with withthe government, he stressed.

NAN itself represents 49 com-munities within James Bay Treaty#9 and Ontario portions of Treaty#5.

“Like many other First Nationcommunities, we do have a lot of unsettled issues with claims—landclaims, particularly—and unfortu-nately what happens is when things

aren’t settled in a timely manner,First Nations, unfortunately, haveto resort to these things,” Waboosesaid.

While some may disagree withthe toll booth, Waboose said it’sright what Couchiching is doing,and encouraging people to educatethemselves when it comes to First Nations’ issues.

“A lot of the grievances are his-torical in nature, but somethingthat should be solved today,” heremarked.

“If they were solved a while ago, you wouldn’t have these typesof issues,” he added, hoping thegreater population of Fort Francesshould support the community.

“We are nei ghbours,” he stressed.“We want the same things as theywant.

“They want a good educationfor their children, nice, safe com-munities, nice clean air, and goodenvironment.”

Grand Council Treaty #3 Ogichidaakwe Diane Kelly visitedthe site of Couchiching First Nation’s toll booth yesterday tooffer her support and take a turn collecting tolls, as did NANdeputy grand chief Terry Waboose.

“It’s an amaz-ing community—the communityhas really cometogether around[it].”—Sarah Mainville

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Couchiching FN Toll Booth