BIG GRASSY FIRST NATION

MEETING AGENDA/MINUTES

Type of Meeting: (Council/committee, etc)

Big Grassy Elders Advisory Council (regular meeting) Bi-weekly.
Date / Tuesday January 21/2014
Time / 10:00 a.m.
Location / Esiniiwab Health Center

Meeting Chair or Facilitator:

Facilitator: Joseph Duguay and Daryl Archie Special Assistant to Elders Advisory Council

Invited/Expected Attendees:

Elders Advisory Council , Presenter Rachel Copenace, guest observer Roy Tom (CCP Director)

Opening Smudge and Prayer: Robert Archie

Call to Order:10;15

Roll Call:Marcel, Victoria Gibbins, Robert, Stanley, Melvina, Leonard, Bella, Bessie, Albert, Geraldine, Joe Andy,

Patsy Tuesday, Virginia Archie, Bill Morrison.

Approval of Minutes: January 07/ 2014 Motion by: Marcel Seconded by: Melvina (Carried)

Agenda Items: / Time Allowance
Elders discussed events of yesterday’s education meeting. / .20
Rachel Copenace to Address the Elders this morning. (Education matter) An incident occurred with her daughter just before the xmas break. Her daughter was bullied. Discussed it with daughter. Parents have a duty to counsel their children. She works with the school for assistance for her daughter with her learning. She has spoken to the school staff to report to her when her daughter is disrespectful. She spoke to the parents of the children who were doing the bullying. Parents did not respond. Wants to know what precipitated the bullying when it did not occur before. If my children are disrupted or disrespectful then I will do something about it. I took my child to account for the bullying she did to other children. Every parent should take responsibility for the actions of their children. She has gone to a School committee meeting to find out what the committee is doing for the children. She is questioned and made to feel unwanted at the meetings. The bullying has stopped because the teachers have been notified. “Why are you here, why are you sitting here”? Because I am supportive of the school I feel that they don’t want to hear what I am saying. Classes are being disrupted because teachers have to spend time dealing with children experiencing problems. The other children have to wait until teacher returns. This is unfair to those children who want to learn. I am a board member on 7 Gens. I need direction from Council to bring to the 7 Gens. Board meeting. I am looking for direction from the Elders to bring to the Board meeting. I have felt safe here for me and my children. I am thinking of leaving here because of what is going on. I try to resolve my children’s problems and work with the school, not criticize them.
-Discussion ensued surrounding the obligations of parents to also teach their children about respect, love. Suggestion that Council has to take the lead in consulting with people and each other about how to change things that need to be changed. We can talk about it forever, but we need to take action somewhere along the line. Blaming and arguing is not going to resolve the problems. Yesterday’s meeting was not deemed to be constructive. We need to talk in a respectful manner about “the problem” not just about the school. We need to communicate with each other about the school. Sometimes we forget to live the right way. We have our 7 teachings but sometimes people just pay “lip service” to the teachings. It is hard but we have to start living the teachings and working together not against each other. We are not talking about individuals problems about the school, we have to talk about the “Community’s” problems and how we can make education a community issue not just a small group. We have dedicated professionals trying to teach our children. If we have recommendations as parents we should let the school administration and teachers know of our recommendations in an open and constructive manner, not attack them. We have to keep an open mind. Blaming and pointing fingers just gets in the way of solving problems.
Unresolved issues was brought up. Leads to blaming. Most of the issues have been around for many years. Bringing children into a meeting like the one held yesterday plants the “seeds of attitude” and gave the wrong impression to the children.
Guest spoke to the Elders forum: Happy to be at the meeting promise to try to be here at future meetings.
One Elder, speaks about his mind being his biggest enemy, not anyone in the community. Coming to terms with one’s own demons is hard enough. We all need help from one another.
Roy Tom was welcomed as a contributing member of the Elders Advisory Council. His name was entered in the membership list. / 1.00
Brief explanation of the cancellation of the proposed New Gold/CEAA community meeting that was planned for today. (Romeo) / .15
Upcoming IBA preliminary session with New Gold in Wpg. On the 31st of the month. Elders were informed of the upcoming community meeting (Wednesday January 29th at 1:00 p.m. (Community Center) to meet with Dr. Ginger Gibson from the Firelight Group on the community’s expectations from the IBA negotiations beginning on Friday the 31st of January in Winnipeg with New Gold representatives. Romeo showed some of the items from the Afton Mine Agreement that he has recommended for our “list” of negotiating items. Sharing any relevant information from the Teleconference of yesterday. / .30
Elders “community concerns/issues” template. (continuing work) / deferred
Other business?

Adjournment: 1:20 p.m.

Next meeting: February 04, 2014Big Grassy Community Center / New Gold Presentation

The previous was cancelled/postponed. Regular meeting at the Med. Services Boardroom will be carried out.