Give new meaning to the term Leadership'. We intend to introduce a form of leadership that involves and more importantly, requires the membership. By hard work and example, we intend to set a standard for the future. 

Many of the components for a new form of leadership are highlighted below.

Install a solid conflict of interest policy -- immediately. As a first step, we promise to put a strong conflict of interest policy in place to protect your interests and to guide our decision-making. Membership deserves and must have confidence that their interests are being represented at all times.

Conflict of Interest Policy developed and adopted On March 26^th a Band Council Resolution (2002-08) was passed adopting this new policy. We are currently using it in our band operations.

Create a sense of cultural value. Our culture is dying before us. We intend to involve our youth and elders in a low cost, high-energy experiential program to reclaim our culture.

• We are profiling two of our seniors in each issue of the 21^st Migration to expose younger members to our history and people.
• A Youth Ice Fishing Derby was held in February.
• We had our 1^st Annual Traditional Spring Goose Hunt "SEQUINISH NANO" from April 15^th to the 27^th on the Groundhog River between Chapleau and Timmins.
• A New Youth Journalism Awards Program is planned for 2002 school year. Youths link up with an elder to write a story about the elder Winners of the essay competitions receive a small reward and have their works published in the 21^st Migration newsletter.
• We remember and honour members who have passed on. In this issue, we honour Jerry Mercier, Douglas Ritchie, and Jean Morrison.

Ensure that current operations and services continue. We are not about to change things that are working well. Several of our current programs (health, education, healing, etc.) are valuable and worthwhile and administered well. These are government-funded programs, and simply require administration. We will ensure that these continue as is. Change is considered only where it can be shown that improvements are necessary or benefits gained. 
 

• We applied to INAC to drill a new well and update water plant equipment. We must have our water plant approved for the new provincial standards before we can access provincial funding. Ian Fortin met with an engineer who can assist us in the application to the new standards. We are required to contribute $20k towards the costs while INAC contributes 185k.
• Deputy Chief of NAN Goyce, the Chief of Police Wes Luloff, and other NAN staff visited CCFN. 
• Wade informed Wes that we would like to see laws enforced on our to ensure safety and council liability.
• Applied for summer student funding so we can offer summer employment to youth.
• We are awaiting results of our Mushkegowuk Employment and Training applications, which are expected end of April or beginning of May.

Manage the CCFN Budget. Financial affairs have always been a problem for CCFN. Our Finance Committee developed a comprehensive budget process manual in 1998. It is yet to be implemented. It outlines a budget calendar, identifies roles and responsibilities for developing and managing a budget. It awaits implementation. We will implement and follow a process to develop and manage the CCFN Budget.

We are carrying over 200k from last year and an additional 100k for the year before. In addition we owe 1.6 million in long term debt. Our Accountant is  designing a financial recovery action plan due end of the February. The plan eliminates our deficit over a five year period. To meet this goal, we must pay 140k per year; 70k as interest on loans, and another 70k towards the deficit.

Manage RAMA contributions for the long term. Many recent CCFN benefits like the 2000 Homecoming and the Band Complex were financed by a lump-sum contribution from RAMA casino proceeds. Other payments will not be as large as the first contribution. There are rules for how this money is spent. The amount received is not pre-determined; therefore we need a policy that governs how these funds are put to best use. 

Implement the recommendations of the July 2001 Operational Review. This comprehensive review delivered many recommendations to improve the administration of CCFN. Litigation has delayed adoption of those recommendations. We will adopt the recommendations as quickly and as orderly as possible throughout the next term. 
 

• working on developing job descriptions for all staff members.
• Mandate approved for Finance Committee. On March 26^th we passed a Band Council Resolution (2002-07) in which we approved a Mandate for the Finance committee.
• Reviewing the INAC Band Administration Manual Reviewing policies. Plan to use the INAC Band Administration Manual as a model for operations.
• Accountant will perform on our 2001-2002 year end audit.

Develop a Strategy for Treaty Land Entitlement (LTE) Negotiations.
LTE negotiation must involve the membership. It is not a process delegated to a few individuals. Our key representatives must have our confidence and be appointed by the broad CCFN membership. The roles and skills required for our representatives in the negotiations are far too important to be decided by a simple job description and hiring process. The process must be understood by our membership before appointments are made and terms proposed. You will help us develop the strategy we need.

Three one-day meetings. in Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, and Chapleau plus 5 discussions with lawyer Ron Maurice, who is doing preliminary work on our claim. Ron submitted a TLE budget on our behalf for $73k for the year ending March 2002. The application has been approved. We received about 75k for work towards the TLE claim. We must work to develop and submit our statement of Claim to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. We are preparing for our First meeting with the Provincial and Federal negotiating team.

Initiate a Membership Information Program Re: Treaty Land Entitlement.
We will introduce a membership LTE education program. Working with aboriginal resource agencies, we will provide the structure and the means to arrive at informed decisions by our membership. As explained above. Each member must have an opportunity to influence the process, and to contribute to decisions. 

You are reading this newsletter. It presents two full pages of TLE information for you. 

The TLE lawyer will make a presentation to the membership at our spring general meeting.

Improve communications between Council, Administration and Membership. Little has been done to resolve this problem. Much of the strife within the CCFN is a result of restricted, unclear or incomplete communications and follow-up. Almost all members acknowledge this. We will initiate a communications plan project to a meet membership needs and reduce misunderstanding and conflict. 

Stop Losses, Move towards growth. Past administrations have been fairly successful in administering government-funded programs such as health, education, meals on wheels, and seniors’ services. In growth and economic development areas, they have not been as successful. In fact, such operations have been a serious drain on our resources and need to be reviewed. We intend to manage for growth by involving the on and off-reserve CCFN community in our programs and with solid planning. We will move beyond training; towards justifiable development and self-sufficient businesses for members.

Gerry Lasage, the FedNor representative, announced that FedNor approved a pre-feasibility study of eco-tourism options for our First Nation and received around 110k from to conduct the Eco-Tourism feasibility project. Most of the money will pay consultants to do the research. Brian Faherty of Faherty and Associates, Dr. Scott Hamilton of Lakehead University, Dennis Forbes of Forbes & Associates, Tanya Wheeler of Blue Loon Adventures visited to discuss the project. We will be scheduling interviews with key people who could add valuable information to the history of the Chapleau Cree people. 

Lori Martin holds a part time position as Economic Development Coordinator for this project She will also assume other duties as we direct her. Lori was the only person who applied for the position.

Develop the CCFN Management Plan. Beyond the items listed in this overview, we intend to create a Band Management Plan that outlines and details the programs and projects needed for CCFN to prosper. It will map our progress over the next five years, and it will be understandable by you. We consider this a goal of prime importance in 2002. Many, not only a few, will help to develop this plan. 

Involve members in the decision making process. The Chapleau Cree First Nation needs to come to a consensus on the priorities or the many tasks that face us. When members understand the issues and are a part of the direction-setting process, conflict is reduced.

Prioritize CCFN issues and create projects to address these issues. Several issues face CCFN. Some are urgent, while others are not so urgent, but critically important in our development as a First Nation. We will host a CCFN Forum and invite experienced people to Fox Lake to assist our work. A number of individuals with demonstrated experience in economic development, strategic planning, project management, business and human resource management, and policy development etc. have already committed to work with us to meet this goal 

Two-Day "Introduction to Effective Strategic Planning Workshop" scheduled for May 6-7

One Day "Factors Influencing Community Economic Development" Seminar May 17

Clarify CCFN administrative roles and responsibilities. First Nations across the land are demanding accountability from their leadership. The Minister of Indian Affairs, Robert Nault, is also progressing in this direction. So are we. It is best that we set our own expectations rather than have them imposed. For example, In December of 2000, the Chair of our Finance Committee identified role and responsibility issues and asked Chief and Council for clarification. This issue is still outstanding. We intend to clarify and where necessary, define roles and responsibilities for committees, committee members, and other positions designed to ensure effective administration and operation of our First Nation.

working on developing job descriptions for all staff members.

Mandate approved for Finance Committee. On March 26^th we passed a Band Council Resolution (2002-07) in which we approved a Mandate for the Finance committee.

Reviewing the INAC Band Administration Manual Reviewing policies. Plan to use the INAC Band Administration Manual as a model for operations.

Accountant will perform on our 2001-2002 year end audit.

We have asked Moose Cree First Nation Chief Norm Hardisty Jr. for copies of all policies their band has

We will use these policies as models when we update ours. 

We will also be using the election procedures from Moose Cree and also Missinaibie Cree as models for our own.

Improve the CCFN Policies and Procedures. The current policies in many cases do not provide the guidance required to operate an administration free from conflict. Other administrations have developed drafts that still need work. This council will see that the work is done, and policy established.

As you can see, the process has begun. We’re a long way from being done, but it is happening. We hope to bring you progress reports in each issue of this newsletter. Should you have questions, please contact us. We are always happy to keep you informed.

Until Next time, Megwetch!