First Nations Voice

PAGE 4 • FEBRUARY 2013 A NEW WAY OF LEARNING - Chief Devon Clunis With the start of a new year, many of us use this point in time as an opportunity to begin refocusing our personal and professional interests. For the past couple of years, our Service has submitted articles for the First Nations Voice and the Grassroots News. We have written about a number of topics and tried our best to provide our perspective on the importance of maintaining and enhancing our relationships with one another. This certainly includes relations between the police and First Nations, Metis and Inuit people. As the new Chief of Police, I want to continue with our involvement in this manner, and I will try my best to provide important, informative and meaningful information, but, I also recognize that I am only one person. Our police service is filled with many members who have a wide variety of skills and experience. They have perspectives and viewpoints that are important to our community and can add value to our collective efforts. I have learned a lot from our members and hopefully I have been able to pass some of my knowledge onto them as well. With this in mind, I would like to encourage a greater understanding of all our perspectives relating to First Nations, Metis and Inuit people. I would also like to generate a greater amount of discussion related to our communities and the important topics that are on our minds. This is the best way for us to learn from, and understand, one another. As 2013 progresses, I will continue to write my column, but, you will also be hearing from other members of our Service. This will include members from various ranks. As we do this, my goal is to not only maintain, but enhance our efforts to understand history, emerging issues, and most importantly, our hopes for the future. At the same time, I also want to examine how members from our community can share their knowledge and history with the members of the Winnipeg Police Service in a more effective way. Greater information regarding treaty rights, the effects of the residential school system, and the great strides being made in aboriginal based commerce are just a few of the important topics that most of us need a greater education about to better understand where our community will be going in the future. I am very excited about the articles I hope to see submitted throughout 2013 along with the discussions that come as a result. It is through these discussions, and more importantly, our understanding of one another, that I believe we will create a safer and more prosperous community for everyone in Winnipeg. Keeyask Generation Project Share Your Views Regarding the Keeyask Generation Project The Manitoba Clean Environment Commission invites individuals or groups to apply to be a Participant (intervener) in the review of this project proposal. Project Overview The Keeyask Hydropower Limited Partnership proposes to construct and operate a 695-megawatt hydroelectric generating station to be located at Gull Rapids on the lower Nelson River. The project includes a powerhouse complex, spillway, dams, dykes, reservoir and supporting infrastructure. Selection Criteria If you are selected as a Participant, you must be committed and prepared to take an active role in the pre-hearing and hearing activities. Funding is available to assist Participants in their review of the proposed project. � Participants will be selected based on the identified level of impact the proposed project will have on them and/or their ability to bring additional comprehensive information to the hearing. � Funding proposals will be assessed on their applicability to the terms of reference, content, and whether products and costs are reasonable and realistic within the estimated time frame. This notice is not for citizen presenters. The general public will be invited to get involved in the hearing process when dates and locations for hearing sessions are set. Visit cecmanitoba.ca for more information about process, funding assistance and for applications. View the project proposal online, or at public registry locations: 123 Main St. (Union Station) Main Floor, Winnipeg Millennium Public Library, 4th Floor, 251 Donald St., Winnipeg Manitoba Eco-Network, 3rd Floor, 303 Portage Ave., Winnipeg Thompson Public Library, 81 Thompson Dr., Thompson Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, 701 Thompson Dr., Thompson Town office of Gillam, 323 Railway Ave., Gillam Band offices in Tataskweyak Cree Nation; War Lake First Nation Band Office in Ilford York Factory Future Development Office, York Landing or electronic registry or at www.manitoba.ca/conservation/eal/index.html. Registration deadline: NOON, February 15, 2013. To register, please complete the participant registration form and/or the funding application package and submit them to the Commission Secretary at: Manitoba Clean Environment Commission 305-155 Carlton Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3H8 Phone: 204-945-7091 or 1-800-597-3556 Email: cec@gov.mb.ca www.cecmanitoba.ca AMC, SCO AND MKO SUPPORT HUNGER STRIKERS DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) and the Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO) concluded their two-day Assembly today by supporting the Declaration of Commitment released by Chief Theresa Spence and Raymond Robinson.The Chiefs in Manitoba and visiting Chiefs from across the country at this Special Joint Treaty and Dakota Chiefs Gathering commend Chief Spence and Raymond Robinson for bringing global awareness of the issues impacting Indigenous people across the country and to the fact that the sovereign Nation-Crown Relationship is severely impaired by the Government of Canada. Chief Spence is a brave warrior and we commend her foresight and commitment to propel the First Nations agenda to the forefront which governments have dismally failed to do since confederation. The Chiefs in Manitoba agree to continue the fight that will bring expedient fundamental change. The Chiefs wish to thank the families and loved ones of Chief Theresa Spence, Raymond Robinson, Jean Sock and all the fasters that supported her efforts. -Renata Meconse

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