Wabun Tribal Council’s 10th Anniversary celebrations, which featured an address by newly elected Grand Chief Stan Beardy of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, took place here August 24 and 25. The two day celebration was held around a Chiefs Meeting on August 24 and the Wabun Tribal Council Annual General Meeting on August 25.
Five of the Wabun community Chiefs were present including: Chief Joyce Luke, Mattagami First Nation; Chief Andrew Neshawabin, Brunswick House First Nation; Chief Paul McKenzie, Wahgoshig First Nation; Chief Elenore Hendrix, Matachewan First Nation and Chief Roy Meaniss, Beaverhouse First Nation. Chief Anita Memegos Stephens was unable to attend the event.
Elder Marie Boucher of Matachewan FN opened and closed the celebrations and the featured drum group was Indian Summer from North Bay, Stephen Pelletier, Cheyenne Kitchikeg, Harvey Bell, Lester Mianskum and Craig Trudeau.
Shawn Batise, Executive Director of Wabun Tribal Council, who also acted as the Master of Ceremonies for the celebration, called the event a major milestone in the development of the Tribal Council.
“I am very proud and happy to be able to share our success over the past 10 years with all of our Chiefs, Grand Chief Stan Beardy, the Wabun staff and all of our community members. We are here today as a result of the hard work and commitment of our Wabun Chiefs and community members. It has not always been easy but we have persevered and met the challenges over the years and now I believe we can all look forward to a bright future together,” said Batise.
Many events were run over the two days of celebration including a bingo, recreational fishing, a bonfire, games and activities for children, a barbecue and feast.
“I am here to congratulate you on your I Oth anniversary and I am very impressed with the past two days you have organized here in Matachewan, everything went like clockwork. Many thanks for the efforts of the Wabun Chiefs, Shawn Batise, the Wabun staff and the Matachewan community members for making me feel at home,” said Grand Chief Beardy.
Two of the original founding members of Wabun Tribal Council, past Chief of Matachewan, Barnie Batise, who now lives in Callander and past chief of Wahgoshig, Clifford Diamond were present and were honoured for their contributions. Also mentioned but not present were Lindy Louttit past Chief of Wahgoshig, the late Joseph Saunders past Chief of Brunswick House and Joanne Nakogee, past Chief of Chapleau Ojibwe.
“When we created Wabun Tribal Council we were told that it was not possible but we went ahead and organized ourselves and soon we were recognized. As First Nation communities accessible by road we were not getting much assistance from the government but with the creation of Wabun Tribal Council and the hard work of the Wabun staff much has been accomplished over the years and millions of dollars have flowed through to our communities,” explained Barnie Batise.
Wabun Tribal Council was formed or incorporated in October, 1989 and started operations in Timmins in April 1990. The Council was formed under the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) devolution policy to coordinate and deliver services devolved from INAC to First Nation communities at the local level. The main objectives of Wabun include: promotion of self-reliance, provision for its members’ health, education, social and economic development needs and the enhancement of the unique cultures, traditions and language of its members.
The Wabun Tribal Council is incorporated under the province of Ontario’s Business Corporations Act, as a non-share capital corporation (non profit) and administers funds and performs services as contracted with various funding bodies, including Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Employment and Immigration Canada, National Health and Welfare Canada, the Provincial Ministry of Health and others.
In 1993, Wabun was the first Tribal Council in Ontario to sign a health transfer agreement with National Health and Welfare Canada to take over the control of health programming from the federal government. In 1996, Wabun assumed responsibility for long term care programming in First Nation communities from the Ministry of Health of the Provincial government of Ontario. During the same year Wabun also set up and financed a development organization without outside grants. In 1998, Wabun purchased a commercial office building in Timmins, Ontario for its headquarters through sound financial management with no grant assistance.
