1

Points of Interest:

The Northern Association of Community Councils

Win

a

$4,000

Travel Gift

Certificate! (See page 5

For details)

Matheson Island

• 40th Annual AGM Updates • A Spotlight on Matheson Island • Community Festival Support Programs • NHFI Gardening Info. • Grants/Jobs • Classifieds/Events • Community News

Summer 2010 Edition

2

Reg Meade—President

NACC BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

PRESIDENT:

REG MEADE (204) 689-2165

EASTERN CHAIRPERSON:

HELGI EINARSSON (204) 659-5214

NORTHERN CHAIRPERSON:

FRANCES MCIVOR (204) 689-2165

WESTERN CHAIRPERSON:

ANNE LACQUETTE (204) 628-3275

EASTERN VICE CHAIRPERSON:

CHANDLER MCLEOD

(204) 947-2227

NORTHERN VICE CHAIRPERSON:

GLEN FLETT (204) 359-6719

WESTERN VICE CHAIRPERSON:

LARRY CHARTRAND (204) 628-3356

EASTERN SEC/TREASURER:

BARBARA MARCYNIUK

(204) 645-2619

NORTHERN SEC/TREASURE:

MARTHA CHARTRAND

(204)458-2420

WESTERN SEC/TREASURER:

HARLOLD FLEMING (204) 732-2675

Enjoy this issue and please let us know

if you have any comments, articles, or

suggestions for the next issue of Whispering Pines.

Let us know if you require

additional copies.

3

Anne Lacquette-Western Region Chairperson I attended the Executive meetings in January, February, March and April.

On February 9-12, I attended the Frontier School Committee Conference in

Winnipeg. I received my 25 year service Award for being a School Committee

member. Frontier School Division’s new Chief Superintendant is Ray Derksen.

On April 15 & 16 I attended Cancer Care meetings in Brandon.

I spent one week in Chicago to watch my granddaughter play hockey in the

World Championships.

I have been appointed to the PRHA Board by Theresa Oswald, Minister of Health. I would like to

wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer. I look forward to seeing

everyone at the AGM in August, which will be held at Canad Inn Polo Park.

Please send in your resolutions.

Happy 50th Anniversary for Tony and Marie Leperre of Waterhen, and Congratulations to Dwayne

and Roseanne Lacquette of Mallard and to Harold and Lorraine Chartrand of Baden for celebrating

their 25 year anniversary.

Helgi Einarsson—Eastern Chairperson Hello once again. Well it looks like Spring is here. Commercial fishing on Lake

Winnipeg starts soon, this is the earliest that it has opened since I can

remember.

Lately I have been busy going up and down highway #16 going to meetings in

Winnipeg. In our community we seem to have gotten things rolling again with a

C.A.O. now working and finally recovering the 1st quarter. I am now looking

into the Fisher Bay Park Reserve where it effects the communities of Dallas Red

Rose, Fisher Bay, Pine Dock and Matheson Island.

I hope all of the commercial fishers who start fishing soon have a good season and to the farmers I

hope that you have a better season than last year with not as much rain.

Frances McIvor—Northern Region Chairperson Its hard to imagine our communities with out volunteers. Many events will be

taking place Graduations, July 1st, Fish Derby’s, Manitoba’s birthday and many

more exciting events. To make these events a success we need everyone's

participation.

I attended a wonderful documentary film about the Mel Johnson School

Gardening Project celebrating the gardening accomplishments of the youth in the

community. Watching this film I could see a lot of hard work and dedication

went into the gardens. My vision is to one day see our communities have market

gardens. So people like me can buy their fresh vegetables, breads and jams.

Everyone have a safe and great summer. See you at the 40th AGM.

Congratulations to all the Graduates of 2010.

Chantel Chornoby no more pain you are with the angels, you will live on in our hearts and

memories. Sleep well young warrior.

4

Website Information

Inside this issue:

BOARD REPORTS 2

OFFICE NEWS 4

AGM UPDATES 6

A SPOTLIGHT ON MATHESON ISLAND

8

NEWS FROM THE NHI PROGRAM

10

FAMIILY SECTION 12

JOBS,GRANTS, & CLASSIFIEDS COMMUNITY INFORMATION

14

16

5

We have negotiated rates for the Marlborough Hotel in Winnipeg, and the Burntwood Hotel in Thompson.

The Marlborough Hotel - in Winnipeg

Is pleased to offer all NACC communities staff, clients, family, friends or others associated with your

organization a special negotiated rate of $75.00 plus taxes per night for a Standard smoking or non-smoking

room with either one queen bed or two double beds. In addition, a special negotiated rate of $80.00 plus taxes

per night will apply to a Superior smoking or non-smoking room with either one queen bed or two double

beds. These rates will apply both to single or double occupancy. As well, a complimentary guest room upgrade

upon availability at check-in.

A complimentary breakfast coupon with every night’s stay including on weekends is also offered. The guest

breakfast, featuring five a la carte menu choices, is available in Joanna’s restaurant, the historic lobby level

Café. When making reservations by phone please call 1-800-667-7666 or (204) 942-6411

The Burntwood Hotel – in Thompson

Is pleased to offer all NACC communities staff, clients, family, friends or others associated with your

organization a special negotiated rate of $89.00 plus taxes per night for a Standard smoking or non-smoking

room with either one queen bed or two double beds. In addition, a special negotiated rate of $95.00 plus taxes

per night will apply to a Superior smoking or non-smoking room with either one queen bed or two double

beds. These rates will also apply both to single or double occupancy and a complimentary guestroom upgrade

will be provided upon availability at check-in.

A complimentary breakfast coupon with every night’s stay including on weekends is also offered. Our guest

breakfast, featuring five a la carte menu choices, is available in Grapes Restaurant on the lobby level of the

hotel.

When making reservations by phone please call 1-800-442-0635 or 204-677-4551

When booking rooms, you must mention what community you are from to receive discounted rates and

upgraded rooms.

In either location you will also have the option of joining our Guest Links Program – providing a free

one night stay for every 10 room nights used at any of our three Manitoba hotels

The purpose of NACC is to be a meaningful

and effective advocacy group.

To improve the quality of life in Northern

Association Communities by having

positive, proactive meetings with Ministers

and Cabinet on issues affecting our

communities and to inform and involve

community councils and residents in our

progress.

We believe that all communities are unique

and that their needs and interests should

be recognized.

The Capital Approval Board

consists of the

following people for the year

2010

Reg Meade

Northern

Ken Ducharme , Cross Lake

Jim Chornoby, Ilford

Eastern

Allan Atlookan,

Berens River

Anthony Seymour,

Seymourville

Western

Louis Genaille, Duck Bay

Sean Hummerston, Powell

6

“40 Years of Dedication

To the Continuing Growth of our Communities”

NACC was founded in 1970 and Incorporated in

November 1971.

NACC is celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year.

The first Executive Committee of the NACC was elected at

the first annual meeting, consisting of the following

individuals.

President: Kip Thompson of Ilford,

Northern Chairman: Don McIvor of Wabowden,

Eastern Chairman: Bill Bennett of Matheson Island,

Western Chairman: Delphis Flamand of Camperville.

40th Annual Trade Show We are inviting participants to be part of our

Tradeshow on August 17th & 18th, 2010; This

will be an excellent opportunity to market and

network with potential communities, clients,

partners and investors. Therefore we are now

accepting booth exhibitors and craft peoples

registrations for the trade show.

Booth fees (table 4” x 8”) at a rate of $200.00

If other services are needed, please make your

request as soon as possible.

Community Council’s may book their tables at

no charge.

If you are interested in becoming a tradeshow

exhibitor, or if you have any questions, please

contact our office. Toll Free: 1-888-947-6222.

The Northern Association’s 40th Annual

General Meeting & Tradeshow:

Will be held at the Canad Inns Polo Park,

Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 17, 18, and

19, 2010. This years theme will be

―40 Years of Dedication To the Continuing

Growth of our Communities.‖

A Social Evening will be held on August

the 18th. Cocktail hour will be from 5:30-

6:30, Dinner will be served at 6:30. Chris

Funk the Magician will be performing at 7,

there will be a social afterwards with music

and silent auction prizes.

All registered delegates will be no charge,

for all additional family and friends there

will be a $25 charge per guest. Tickets are

on sale at the NACC office.

What Can You Do for the

AGM?

Volunteer to help during the

AGM.

Donate an item to the Silent

Auction Draw.

Take photos of your community

and send them to us by

either e-mail or snail mail.

Send in your ideas for training

sessions or volunteer to lead a

training session.

7

SPONSORSHIP

ANNOUNCEMENT

NACC would like to invite your

organization to become a

Corporate Sponsor for our 40th

Annual General Meeting &

Tradeshow. With your

sponsorship you can contribute to

make our AGM a success for

Manitoba’s Northern

Communities. Gold Sponsor $3,500.00

Announcement at the (AGM)

of sponsorship

Reserved spot in the Tradeshow

Acknowledgment in the AGM program

Appreciation of sponsorship

on the NACC Website and in the

Whispering Pines Newsletter

Link to your website from the

NACC website

Signage - Acknowledgment on

NACC banner displayed at the AGM

6 – Tickets to the NACC

Social Gathering

Silver Sponsor $2,000.00

Announcement at the

(AGM) of sponsorship

Reserved spot in the Tradeshow

Acknowledgment in the AGM program

Appreciation of sponsorship

on the NACC Website and in the

Whispering Pines Newsletter

Signage - Acknowledgment on

NACC banner displayed at the AGM

4 – Tickets to the NACC Social

Gathering

Bronze Sponsor $1,500.00

Announcement at the

(AGM) of sponsorship

Reserved spot in the Tradeshow for

your organization

Acknowledgment in the AGM program

Appreciation of sponsorship on the

NACC Website

Advertisement of sponsor in the

Whispering Pines Newsletter

2 – Tickets to the NACC Social Gathering

Registration Reminder:

The registration forms have been sent out to each

Community Council. Please mail them back to us as

soon as possible. If your community has not yet

received your forms, please let the NACC office

know. Also resolutions should be submitted to

NACC by July the 15th.

Toll Free: 1-888-947-6222

The Northern

Association of

Community Councils is having a

fundraiser with the prize being a

―$4,000 Travel Gift

Certificate.‖

Tickets are available now and

you can pick them up from one of your local board

members or at the NACC office directly.

Call toll free at 1-888-947-6222 or 947-2227

Draw to be held on August 19th, 2010 at the 40th

Annual AGM, being held at Canad Inns Polo Park.

Tickets are $20.00 each.

Special Thanks

to our

Prize Supplier:

―Einarssons

Dreamcatcher

Win a $4,000

Travel Gift Certificate

Important Info:

8

Matheson Island is located in the

northwest corner of the Lake

Winnipeg Narrows area. Its location

at this strategic point on the lake has

given the island and its people a rich

history for over 100 years. Lake

Winnipeg has played a vital role in

shaping the island community of

Matheson Island right from the

beginning of time, and it continues

to do so even until the present.

Matheson Island was recognized as

a community in 1969, and is

represented by a mayor and council

under the Northern Affairs Act. The

people of the area most commonly

called it ―Snake Island‖ because of the thousands of garter snakes that used to thrive along the

rocky shoreline of the island.

Present economic activity centers around commercial fishing, followed by trapping, some

saw-logging and local services. Approximately 117 people live on the island.

Each year Matheson Island hosts an annual fishing derby. They use the revenue from this

fishing derby to help the community reach its 20% of locally generated revenue for their

budget. They have used some of this revenue in the past to build a sun shelter at the beach,

purchase welcome signs, street signs, flower planters, picnic benches and they also had a mural

painted on the rink. They have also built bat houses and bird houses. You can find out the

winners of this years fishing derby and more information on Matheson Islands new website:

http://www.mathesonisland.ca/.

Beach during low water Beach at Matheson Island

The Harbour

9

Page 9

The Whispering Pines Newsletter is having a photo contest.

Send us photos of your community and if you are the winner

your photo will be printed on the front cover of the next

Whispering Pines issue and your community will be

spotlighted. We will also add your photos to the NACC

website.

We ask that the photo’s be taken in communities that belong to

NACC. Please give a description of where the photo’s were

taken.

You can e-mail your pictures to naccinfo@mts.net or mail

them to: The Northern Association of Community Council’s,

750-331 Smith Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2G9 Dauphin River

Community Hall

A summer project—Enter our ―Photo Contest‖

Ingemar Carlson 11

Cable Ferry

Matheson Island is located at the end of

Provincial Road #234, which connects with

Provincial Highway #8.

The community is connected with the

mainland by the Ingemar Carlson II Cable

Ferry, or in the winter months by a winter

road. It's only a short ferry ride across, or a

1.6 km winter road.

The Cable Ferry runs daily (7am-11pm),

weather permitting.

The Community Council has a community hall

available for rent, equipped with tables, chairs,

kitchen facility, and air conditioning.

Book your meetings away from the big cities/

towns and come enjoy our secluded area and

beautiful scenery of Lake Winnipeg, along

with the local sand beach. Accommodations

are available 20 km away at Jackpine Resort ~

(204) 276-2450.

10

Hello Whispering Pines readers, gardening season is upon us and it is time for us to get

outdoors, get our hands dirty and plant our vegetable gardens.

As the Project Coordinator for the Northern Healthy Foods Initiative (NHFI), I am in

charge of making sure that each community is equipped for the start of a new garden

season. This includes making sure that all garden tools and seeds have been purchased

and delivered. Along with my role as Project Coordinator I am also committed to

expanding my knowledge of gardening and other food related issues. I was invited to

attend Root Camp 2010 hosted in Leaf Rapids in mid February and jumped at the opportunity. This two day

workshop included presentations on garden soil preparation, fertilization, cold frame construction, raised bed

construction, planting techniques, seedling care and composting. I learned a lot and met a lot of incredible

people.

The month of May was particularly eventful for me and included a week

and half week road trip and an additional three day excursion. I visited

the 14 communities that are involved in the NHFI and conducted

gardening kick-off events in each community. I visited Barrows, Baden,

Pelican Rapids, Mallard, Crane River, Camperville, Duck Bay, Meadow

Portage, Spence Lake, Rock Ridge, Dauphin River, Berens River,

Matheson Island and Princess Harbour. I had been anticipating my

Northern adventure for months and was not disappointed. The

communities were welcoming, members of the community were

extremely responsive and the scenery along the way was breath taking.

As a result, I have returned to Winnipeg with a soft spot in my heart reserved for Northern Manitoba. Thank

you and I look forward to coming back!

If you or your community would be interested in starting a garden or would like any additional information

related to the Northern Healthy Foods Initiative, please feel free to contact me toll free at 1-888-947-6222 or

by email at nhfinacc@mts.net.

Talk soon,

Amy Yonda

Amy at Camperville Beach

11

It is barbeque season and it is

important to be aware of how to grill

meat and seafood on the BBQ

properly and safely!

FOLLOW THESE BASIC TIPS:

Preheat the BBQ grill before putting food on it, this will destroy any

bacteria that may have been on the grill

Always keep the BBQ grill area clean

Sanitize all cutting boards, dish cloths, and utensils which have been

in contact with raw meat, fish or poultry. Clean in hot soapy water

and rinse in a bleach solution (5mL of bleach to 750mL of water)

Marinade meat in the refrigerator overnight or at least a couple of

hours before grilling. Dispose of any leftover, unused marinade

Minimize the amount of times that you turn meat. Cook

the meat to the point of being about 40% done, flip it

once and cook the other side until the meat is

completely cooked through

Do not add salt to the meat while barbequing as salt will soak up the

juices. Also avoid pressing down on the meat, both will dry out

the meat

Always test the meat with a thermometer to ensure it is thoroughly

cooked. Wash and sanitize the thermometer stem after use. Meats

should be cooked to the following internal temperatures:

Beef, veal, and lamb 63-77°C (145-170°F)

Pork 71°C (160°F)

Chicken 77°C (170°F)

Whole chicken 82°C (180°F), in the breast

Ground beef 71°C (160°F) and ground poultry 80°C (175°F)

Steak 60°C (140°F) (rare), 71°C (160°F) (medium) and 77°C

(170°F) (well done)

Always cook ground meat and poultry until the meat is no longer pink

and the juices are clear

Never put cooked meat back on the same plate that was used to

transport the raw meat, unless it has been washed

Low (Below 300°F)

Used to BBQ meats that are high in fat or that are large in size. It is best not to cook meat at a temperature that is lower than 225°F

Medium (Between 300°F - 400°F)

This is the most commonly used temperature setting and is used to grill poultry, burgers and hot dogs

High

(Above 400°F)

This high temperature is

used to sear meat. This is

done when meat is first

put on the BBQ and

should only be done for a

few minutes. After, the

heat should be turned

down to medium. Searing

gives the meat a tasty

grilled taste

12

What you’ll need: • Empty quart sized cardboard milk carton

Scissors

String or cord

Hole punch or pencil

Bird Seed

How to make it: 1) Have an adult help you cut a hole in the bird feeder—it should be big enough so a bird could come and

sit and eat the feed, but not to big or the carton will become unstable.

2) Have an adult help you cut a hole using the hold punch in the top of the milk carton and put a string

through the hold. Alternatively, you can poke a hold on either side of the flap at the top of the carton by

poking a pencil through the top.

3) Tie a knot in the string.

4) Fill the carton with bird seed until it reaches the top of the hole

5) Hang the cart on a tree branch and watch the birds enjoy their snack.

These tender, juicy beef skewers are wonderfully simple, marinated in zesty lime juice and onion with a

sprinkling of salt and pepper. Add cherry tomatoes, zucchini, peppers or other seasonal veggies if you like.

Ingredients

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cut beef into cubes 1x1/2 inch. Add to a medium mixing bowl along with the onion, salt, black pepper, and

lime juice. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate overnight.

2. Lightly oil grill, then preheat grill for high heat.

3. Thread beef on skewers, 6 to 8 pieces per skewer.

4. Cook kebobs for 3 to 4 minutes per side, 12 to 16 minutes total.

2 pounds beef tenderloin (can substitute deer/moose/caribou meat)

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon salt

1 pinch ground black pepper

1/8 cup fresh lime juice

13

14

Upcoming Events:

-Canada Day Celebrations July 1st.

- 6th Annual ―Under the Porcupine‖

Celebration of Music, July 7th-10th

in Barrows, Manitoba. This is the ultimate

music camp for all ages held in Manitoba. Don’t

miss out on the daily workshops in

fiddle, guitar, vocals, dance, mandolin and bass

lessons with some of the best instructors in Can-

ada. Lessons are available from the

beginner to the advanced from 9 am-4:30 pm

daily. For more information phone: Brenda

1 (204) 545-6215 or Email: gaubl@mts.net.

Canada’s first IIHF World Championship

Brigette Lacquette named best defenseman as First Nations Star leads

Canada to world under 18 Championship.

Its very likely that there is no better teenaged hockey player in Canada than

Mallard, Manitoba’s Brigette Lacquette.

Lacquette, Manitoba’s Tom Longboat Award winner as 2009 female athlete

of the year, was both the scoring and defensive leader as Canada’s national

under 18 women’s hockey team won the IIHF World Championship with a 5-4 overtime victory over

the United States in the final.

Lacquette who was named the Best Defenseman, set up Jessica Campbell with the winning goal in

overtime, her second assist in the gold medal game, as Canada

won its first IIHF World Under 18 women’s Championship.

Lacquette scored two goals and added 11 assists in the

tournament. Congratulations Brigette we are all so very proud

of you!

Brigette will return to play for Team Manitoba at the National

Championship in May and finish her season at Pursuit of Ex-

cellence School in Kelowna. Next year, she will play

defense for the University of Manitoba Bison's.

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary

Tony and Marie Leperre from Waterhen

Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary

Lorraine and Harold Chartrand from Baden

Dwayne and Roseanne Lacquette

From Mallard

The Staff of Mel Johnson School and

the Community of Wabowden would like to

Congratulate all the Graduates of 2010.

15

Community Festivals

Support Program The Community Festivals Support Program

provides financial assistance to rural and

northern community festivals in Manitoba

which are recognized as being signature

annual events to support the efforts of

volunteers in organizing their community’s

signature annual festival or celebration.

The deadline is November 1st for festivals

taking place between January 1 and March

31st. April 1st for festivals taking place

between April 1st and December 31st.

There is more information about this grant

on the NACC website: http://nacc.cimnet.ca

or call you can call the NACC office

at 1-888-947-6222.

Manitoba Healthy Living

Manitoba in Motion Funding is available to help community

partnerships plan and implement ways to

increase physical activity among citizens of all ages.

Funds can be used for a wide variety of

activities that help increase physical activity. Some

examples are: developing an action plan to become a

―Community in motion‖, increasing the awareness

among citizens of the health and personal benefits of

active living, removing barriers to physical activity,

developing ways to reach inactive groups of people,

providing new or expanded opportunities for active

living, and creating local policy, plans and programs

for physical activity.

There is more information about this grant on the

NACC website: http://nacc.cimnet.ca or call you can

call the NACC office at 1-888-947-6222.

STEP Services provides a central contact point for students who are interested in working with the

provincial government and related organizations such as Manitoba Hydro. Students will also be

considered for other employment opportunities with the provincial government in their community. Most

of the jobs occur during the summer months, cooperative education work terms occur year round and part

-time jobs are available to post– secondary students during the school year. In order to be considered for

referral to these jobs, students must register with

STEP Services at : http://www.gov.mb.ca/educate/studentjobs/

Students must be 16 years of age or older on or before the first day on the job to register for these jobs.

Priority is given to Manitoba students who are attending school full-time this year and returning to

full-time studies in the next academic year. As well, local students are given priority for the jobs in their

community.

Call Before You Begin A Project Summer is finally here and more than one construction project is under way. Whether you’re

planning to drill a well, dig postholes for a fence or start some other kind of project requiring

excavation, plan ahead and call before you dig.

Call 1-888-MB HYDRO for locating gas and electric underground lines or cables. Manitoba

Hydro’s trained personnel will mark the locations of underground power lines and gas lines and buried installations

such as vaults containing transformers or electrical switchgear..

By calling before you dig, you prevent damage and save the costs of unnecessary repairs. More importantly, calling

before you dig will prevent the loss of live, injury, environmental pollution, equipment damage, product losses and

service outages. Don’t forget to call other utilities such as the telephone or cable company to receive their clearance.

And remember that overhead power lines also need to be respected on any job site.

16

Legislative Assembly Honours Memory of

Chantelle Chornoby

Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson today led members of

the legislative assembly in honouring contributions of Chantelle Chornoby, a

young Manitoban from War Lake First Nation who dedicated much of her life to

improving Aboriginal registration rates for bone marrow and stem cell donation

until her death on May 9 at the age of 21.

Chornoby first beat cancer when she was 10 years old but was diagnosed again in

2007 with a rare form of leukemia that can only be treated and cured through

bone marrow transplants. Bone marrow transplants require a complicated set of matched genetic markers,

usually from a donor of the same ethnic group.

―Chantelle Chornoby was a true warrior in every sense of the word and her determination to help other

people and persevere inspired everyone who had the privilege of meeting her,‖ said Robinson. ―I urge all

Manitobans, particularly those of Aboriginal descent, to honour Chantelle’s tremendous legacy by

registering to donate with Canadian Blood Services.‖

The Canadian Blood Services One Match Stem Cell and Marrow Network has about 220,00 people

registered to be potential donors, but less than one per cent are Aboriginal. Recognizing the great need,

Chornoby setup a Face book group called Chantelle’s Promise to raise awareness and recruit Aboriginal

people to register as donors.

Chornoby was enrolled in the addictions and community services diploma program at CDI College with

the intent of graduating and giving back to her home community of War Lake First Nation. CDI College

held a mass registration event for One Match in Chantelle’s honour. Those interested in participating can

visit www.blood.ca and follow the links to register for the One Match Stem Cell and Marrow Network

online.

A Gold Medal

Stacy Parker plays hockey for the ―Winnipeg Aces‖

hockey team.

Her team won the Western Shield Tournament.

The Western Shield is the highest level of Canadian female

hockey for teams playing below the

AAA level of hockey.

It brings together individuals from

the western provinces:

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba

and Saskatchewan.

Stacy is from Wabowden, Manitoba.

Congratulations to the ―ACES‖

who captured gold this past

April in Victoria British Columbia.

The nest issue of the

Whispering Pines

Newsletter will be sent

out in September.

Please have your

articles submitted by

August the 15th.

Send to:

naccinfo@mts.net

947-2227

1-888-947-9446

17

Quilt made in Wabowden has crossed the ocean to Holland

Silver and Gold Club of Wabowden-Quilt

made by the club has been taken to

Holland.

In 2002 Dawny Bayer, Wabowden’s Recreation

Director at that time, had a group of seniors who

called themselves the Silver and Gold Club.

These wonderful women made a quilt with the help of

Vicky Fleming. This quilt has designs and

pictures that reflected the history of Wabowden.

The quilt was then donated to the Mel Johnson School

to be raffled off for some playground equipment.

A group of seniors from Winnipeg called the ―Seniors on the Run‖ raising money for the

Children's Hospital in Winnipeg passed through Wabowden and the winner of the quilt was

won by Mr. Hennie Van Gerwin one of the runners of Marquette, Manitoba.

This past month Hennie reported to us that he went back to his homeland of Holland. While he

was there he gave his God Daughter the quilt for her 40th birthday. A big thank you to the

Silver and Gold Club, Community members and everyone else involved in the making of the

quilt.

A Northern Woman who has truly

given back to her Community

Florence Hamilton was Wabowden’s midwife, in spirit and in practice.

Now in her 91st year, she can lay claim to having borne 17 children and

delivered 43 babies. She has 189 grand-children (including great and

great-great) of her own, Florence has no shortage of people calling her mom

and Granny. Florence Hamilton had her first experience with delivery when

she was 15 years old, and ever since then she has been helping and doing

her own. She was 17 years old when she delivered her first baby. Florence inherited the gift of midwifery from

her Aunt whom she was close to.

Aboriginal midwives have passed their teachings and experiences down through generations, regarding the

event as sacred and treating it as such. Florence has delivered babies on almost everywhere including trains

and planes. Drawing into her bank of teachings and a lifetime of skills, Florence has had a successful

career of midwifery.

Florence's daughters and granddaughters are not the only ones who now value their matriarch's knowledge of

midwifery. So, too, do the elders and administration of the University College of the North. So much so that

they have used her teachings as part of the curriculum used in their Aboriginal Midwifery program. In fact,

two of Florence’s own family (one granddaughter and one grand-niece) are currently enrolled in the college’s

study of traditional birth.

Florence has led a long and blessed life, raising a large, happy family and sharing in the joy of many beautiful

births. Florence is Reg Meade the president of The Northern Association of Community Council’s mother.

Did You Know that

NACC

Is on the WEB?

http://nacc.ciment.ca

18

NACC

750-331 Smith Street

Winnipeg, Manitoba

R3B 2G9

Phone: 204-947-2227

Toll free: 1-888-947-6222

Fax: 204-947-9446

Email: nacc@mts.net

Whispering Pines is a quarterly publication of The Northern Association of Community Councils, which provides an essential means of communication between isolated communities and regions. WHISPERING Pines has been serving as an information tool of northern communities since the early 1970’s. We encourage community council members and members of the community to submit comments, suggestions, articles, and ideas to the editor. When submitting letters and articles please include the author’s name, address and telephone number . Letters may be edited and represent the opinions of their writers, they do not reflect the opinions of the Whispering Pines or its staff. Whispering Pines is printed by Esdale Printers of Winnipeg, Manitoba. We look forward to hearing from you.

T H E N O R T H E R N A S S O C I A T I O N O F C O M M U N I T Y C O U N C I L S

Canada Day is an opportunity to gather in our communities, from coast

to coast, and to proudly celebrate all we have in common. It is an

opportunity to celebrate our achievements, which were born in the

audacious vision and shared values of our ancestors, and which are

voiced in nearly all of the languages of the world through the

contribution of new Canadians.

Canada Day is a time to celebrate the heritage passed down to us through

the works of our authors, poets,

artists and performers. It is a time to

rejoice in the discoveries of our

scientific researchers, in the success

of our entrepreneurs, and to

commemorate our history—a history

in which each new chapter reveals

itself to be more touching, more

fascinating than the last.

As we look ahead, we have every reason to face the future with

confidence and enthusiasm.

Canada’s Birthday Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada), formerly

Dominion Day (French: Le Jour de la

Confédéduration), is Canada’s national day, a

federal statutory holiday celebrating the

anniversary of the 1 July 1867 enactment of the

joining of the British North American colonies of

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province

of Canada into a federation of four provinces (the Province of Canada

being divided, in the process, into Ontario and Quebec).

Canada Day observances take place throughout Canada

as well as internationally. What events does your community have

planned?