Fort Frances Times

AND RAINY LAKE HERALD

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WEDNESDAY,MAY 19, 2010

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Printed in Canada Volume 117 Number 3

ISSN 0834-6283 PAP No. 07429

Band sets fees for toll booth

INSIDE

To open Friday at noon

By Peggy Revell and Duane Hicks Staff writer Couchiching First Nations plan to erect a toll booth on Highway #11 just west of the Noden Cause-

way is still a go for this Friday at noon. For now, the band was to begin a traffic slowdown today (Wednesday), where information will be handed out to passing vehicles outlining Couchichings reasoning for setting up the toll booth, which includes what it sees as a failure to be properly compensated for the land Highway #11 is built upon and failure to remedy the soil contamination from the former J.A. Mathieu sawmill where six residences now sit. Since first announcing in late April its intentions to set up the

toll booth, the provinces only offer to the community was from the province to put up some street signs, street lights, and possibly a bike path along Highway #11, noted Couchiching Chief Chuck McPherson. Those were maybesthose werent definite offers, echoed Coun. Eugene McPherson. Just today [Tuesday], we got a call from the deputy ministers office asking if wed like to have some serious discussionsthat begs the question, what were the discussions before, if they werent serious? wondered Chief McPherson.

Meanwhile, there has been little to no response from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the pair noted. The only response or communication received from the federal ministers office was that [local MP] John Rafferty [who] had sent two letters, along with Diane Kelly, the chief of Grand Council Treaty #3, asking Minister Strahl to convene a meeting with my council and myselfand they acknowledged that they received those letters, Chief McPherson said. Other than that acknowledgement, nothing.

Meanwhile, the fee structure for the toll booth was approved at a band council meeting last night. Councillors opted to set the toll at $1 per passenger vehicle and $10 for commercial vehicles, with tolls to be collected for those travelling in both directions. Monthly passes also will be available for $25 for passenger vehicles and $100 for commercial ones. Passes can be purchased at the C&C Complex and Great Bear, and tomorrow will be sold at the Couchiching multi-use facility. All emergency vehicles, such as Please see Band, A5

New command unit unveiled

Versatility is the key word when describing the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Services new emergency mobile command unit, which was publicly showcased yesterday outside the fire hall. Fire chief Gerry Armstrong said the unit is a welcome addition to the force.

First Nations, mining company ink agreement

By Peggy Revell Staff writer Local First Nations signed a memorandum of understanding with mining exploration company Rainy River Resources on Thursday afternoon to mark a mutually-beneficial relationship between them. I see this as something that we need in the district, and continue to make it happen, Rainy River First Nations Chief Jim Leonard said at the signing ceremony, which took place at the companys gold exploration project site in Blackhawk. And I hope that everyone can benefit, not only the First Nations people but people from the surrounding area. Were going to need a lot of help, and were here and were neighbours, he added. Representatives from Rainy River Resources and several First Nations that are members of the Fort Frances Chiefs Secretariat were on hand to sign the MOU. As part of it, the company has agreed to inform the First Nations of its exploration proposals and timetables, and conduct all exploration activities in an environmentally-responsible manner. Employment opportunities and the chance to bid on contracts also were highlighted in the memorandum, as well as plans to hire a full-time First Nation Engagement Specialist, who will serve as a liaison between the company and First Nations. Rainy River Resources also will begin working with the First Nations to develop and implement an Impact and Benefits Agreement. Thursdays signing ceremony began with elder Willie Wilson saying a blessing and some opening remarks. From what I know about the document, its going to provide opportunities not only for our First Nations people but for people in the whole district, noted Wilson. And I think that theres opportunity here that should come as a result of this. We started off with some fools gold first, he remarked. Eventually thats going to become real, I hope. To the chiefs and the communities of the secretariat, the seven areas that we could have some potential impact, too, were really looking forward to this, working with you, said Raymond Threlkeld, president and CEO of Rainy River Resources Ltd. He also thanked the local staff of the company for their efforts to make the MOU come together. And this is just a start, this memorandum of understanding, Threlkeld stressed. This memorandum of understanding will lead us farther on to [a] true impact Please see First, A5

See story on A3

Fish fry held at new venue

Located at a new venue, the 40th-annual Manitou Fish Fry was a great success Friday. This was the first time the fish fry was hosted at the new pow-wow grounds at Rainy River First Nations. I think it went well because of more facilities and it went smoothly, said RRFN Chief Jim Leonard.

See story on B1

Underpass closure extended to May 29

Staff The Portage Avenue underpass will be closed eight days longer than expected due to an unforeseen delay in construction. The underpass originally was to be closed to through traffic for 10 days in order to install piping in the Third and Fifth Street intersections, but that has changed, Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown reported yesterday afternoon. Initially, town records indicated the presence of a storm sewer manhole in the middle of the Third Street intersection, but further field investigation revealed this was not the case. As a result, special storm sewer fittings had to be ordered and manufactured. These fittings are scheduled to arrive at the site next Tuesday (May 25). Brown noted the contractor has advised the town that upon receipt of these storm sewer fittings, the work can be completed by Saturday, May 29 (weather permitting). The Town of Fort Frances apologizes for this eight-day delay in the opening of the underpass to vehicular traffic, stated a press release from the town. The town understands the public frustration over the closures due to the reconstruction of Portage Avenue, including the underpass, it noted. In closing, the Town of Fort Frances would like to thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter as it helps to ensure the project can proceed in a safe and effective manner. Previous arrangements with regards to emergency services will continue during this extended closure. Vehicles accessing the north end of town must continue to use McIrvine Road crossing in the west end. Pedestrian traffic, however, will continue to have access through the underpass during the construction.

Lakers unveil rst signings

The newest member of the Fort Frances Lakers knows a thing or two about winning championships the hard way. Brett Wur, who officially signed with the team on Sunday at the Memorial Sports Centre, helped his Selkirk Fishermen to a Keystone Junior Hockey League (Junior B) title earlier this spring.

Alyssa Chiasson, front, Kaitlyn Chiasson, Mikayla Chiasson, and their uncle, John Storm, climbed the stairs of the relocated and refurbished lookout tower here Saturday. The tower, Hallett, and Sorting Gap Marina all opened for the season on Friday, and so far have been quite popular. Duane Hicks photo

Heritage sites off to busy start

By Duane Hicks Staff writer The relocated and refurbished Hallett and lookout tower along the La Verendrye Parkway opened Friday and have been quite busy so far. Marina operator Meagan Berry said the sites saw about 50 visitors on Saturday, and every other day have drawn 15 or more people. The combined lure of the new attractions, the sunny, warm weather and availability of ice cream at the marina, has meant plenty of business for the Sorting Gap Marina lately, added Berry, who noted, It was one of our best opening weekends. Some of those who toured the sites in the first few days shared their thoughts on the waterfront attractions. I think its sweet, said Dustin Melrose just after coming down from the lookout tower Monday afternoon. Its really good for exercise, noted Karen Jensen. I like it, she added. You can see a lot of the townyou can even see how deep the water is from up there. You can see the Point over there, even, echoed Melrose. Jim Engelman and his six-yearold son, Colton, visited the sites Please see Heritage, A5

See story on C1

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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

FORT FRANCES TIMES A5

Band sets fees for toll booth

More from A1 police, fire, and ambulance, will be exempt from the toll, as will be school buses. First Nations members with a status card also will be exempt, which includes status First Nations from elsewhere such as the United States (the status card must belong to a passenger who is in the vehicle). Couchiching band members also may apply to get an exemption for vehicles owned by immediate family members who are non-status. An exemption application will be available online and at the Couchiching band office. The fee for launching a boat at the Five-Mile Dock has not been decided yet. While band council has approved these tolls last night, these amounts will be up for final approval at a Couchiching community meeting slated for this evening. Well try to achieve consensus, Chief McPherson said about what that meeting will entail, noting if a large number of community members disagree with the chosen amounts, council will revisit its decision. Fort Frances Mayor Roy Avis said hes concerned about the various ways the toll booth will impact Fort Frances and the surrounding area. I think it will really affect the commercial sector in our municipality and throughout the whole district, he warned. I strongly believe it will become quite contentious, in that it will put family against family. Theres so much inter-marriage in this area, he added. I hope it doesnt get to that. Mayor Avis said he has written a letter to provincial Aboriginal Affairs minister Chris Bentley and has met with Chief McPherson regarding the toll booth, and expressed his concerns. It is a provincial issue and it is a federal government issue, but as a municipality we are very concerned, and we hope it can get resolved, he remarked. Since first announcing plans for the toll booth in late April, there has been tremendous support from band members who attended the first community meeting on the matter, said Chief McPherson. There were some concerns about how they were going to be received in neighbouring communities, how kids were going to be treated in schools, he conceded. But for the most part, we think that common sense is going to prevail and the people of the Town of Fort Frances and neighbouring communities, for the most part, are sensible, logical people and theyll see that its a cause worth fighting for. Meanwhile, the duration of the toll booth will be for as long as it takes for solutions for both of the issues, Chief McPherson vowed. Talking to people in the district and thatthe sad part is, those people that come to me and say they have mixed emotions about this, those people dont understand the true story of whats going on, Coun. McPherson. Its not a fight between us and them, its a fight between those governments. All were asking for is the truth. Tell us the truth for a change. Simple, simple request, he stressed. We want to stress the point that its not a race issue, echoed Chief McPherson. Its non-aggressive, its non-confrontational, and the whole initiative is to help Couchiching, and its just claiming that which is ours. Were trying to stress a point that the government isnt living up to their obligations, he added. If theyre not going to do it, then were going to have to take the responsibility for it, and with that responsibility theres some fiscal costs, and we dont have those monies to do it. And we have to generate the monies to do that somehow. Many people have come forward to talk about the issue, noted band manager Smokey Bruyere, especially the ministers for local churches who want more information and understanding of the issue so they can discuss it with their congregations. People who come in to ask, people who phone, were very courteous to everybody that calls, explaining what the situation is and asking them to call the MPPs and MPs, the ministers, stressed Bruyere. The band also will be posting updates and information at it website at www.tollboothinitiative.com

Representatives from member bands of the Fort Frances Chiefs Secretariat, along with Rainy River Resources CEO Raymond Threlkeld (second from right), signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday afternoon concerning First Nations inPeggy Revell photo volvement with the companys gold exploration in the Blackhawk region.

First Nations, mining company ink agreement

More from A1 benefits agreement that will further define our relationship. Weve come off with a good start, he continued. Our relationship with Chief Leonard has been excellent, and weve had very frank and not-so-easy discussions at times. But I think our friendship [means] were able to sit down and speak to each other very openly. I think that we hope that in the end that we see this really improve the community and all the communities, echoed Chapple Coun. Rick Neilson, who spoke on behalf of the township at Thursdays ceremony, stressing the importance of making sure everyone has an opportunity to be involved and benefit from the project. I think that its really good that First Nations [are] involved in this way, Coun. Neilson added. Their culture has led them to the point of really viewing the environment as where we come from, and I think that that is a very, very important element to have in this endeavour, he stressed. The other point I would like to make, from the Municipality of Chapple, is that we want to be informed and want to know whats happening, Coun. Neilson said. We want to know how we can make it happen better and how we can plan to make things work for this endeavour. As part of the pending Impact and Benefits Agreement, which will be developed by Rainy River Resources and the involved First Nations, provisions to be developed include: the relationship between the parties and the impact and benefits of the First Nations communities and their traditional lands; a process which sets out the requirements of notice and consultation during the development, construction, and operation phase of the Rainy River Resources project; a process that will enable the First Nations communities to access information to satisfy themselves that the mining activities which are carried out within their traditional territory comply with relevant federal and provincial legislation, including compliance with environmental legislation; First Nations rights with respect to access to, and maintenance of, their traditional territory without adversely affecting the companys continuing operations; the identification by the First Nations of registered traplines and sensitive sites having significance to the communities or individuals within the communities, so that the company can avoid and protect such sites to the extent reasonably possible; the identification of the training needs and human resources capacity of the First Nations communities, including employment, business development, investment opportunities, and other related enterprises both parties may see fit to include; the identification of potential sources and responsible agencies to work towards the establishment of a social-economic fund for the use and benefit of the First Nations communities, with funding to be related, in a predictable and reasonable way, to the economic scale and value of the exploitation of the resource identified in the area designated as the Rainy River project area; and a process for resolving disputes or disagreements arising out of the terms and provisions of the interpretation of the IBA. The seven First Nations communities that signed the MOU included Rainy River First Nations, Naicatchewenin, Mitaanjigamiing (formerly Stanjikoming), Couchiching, Nigigoonsiminikaaning (formerly Nicickousemenecaning), Lac La Croix, and Seine River.

Heritage sites off to busy start

More from A1 Saturday. And, at Coltons request, came back again Monday. I liked every part of the big boat, said Colton. I am impressed they opened up the Hallett and all the rooms in it, added Jim Engelman. Colton noted the lookout tower had too much stairs, later clarifying that it made my dad tired, but not me. He ran up there. I had to tell him to stop and wait for me, said Engelman, noting the tower had a nice scenic view. But it could use a flag, and maybe some lights inside so it also could be a nighttime attraction. Generally speaking, Engelman said he thought the sites were a good idea, but hopes the waterfront will be developed further down the road. The only bad thing is you have a nice area and you dont have a restaurant, he remarked. Its supposed to be a tourist attraction, but theres no place for the tourists to come to and sit and enjoy themselves, besides maybe having an ice cream cone. You want to try and attract them to stay here, he stressed. Theres lots they could do down here, Engelman noted. I keep thinking of Kenora . . . its beautiful. I think theres more they could be doing here, he added, saying another feature that would do well here is a loonie bear like they have at the Kenora harbourfront (the Community Foundation Loonie Bear is a five-ton bear which people put money into and take their photos with, with proceeds going to Kenora-area charities). Admission to the heritage sites is available at the Sorting Gap Marina or Fort Frances Museum. The cost is for $3.50 for adults, $2.50 for seniors and children 12 and under, or a maximum family fee of $10.50. Paying admission provides access to the Hallett, lookout tower, and the Fort Frances Museum. Visitors are given a time sensitive tag with an access code that is changed daily.

A look behind the issues prompting the toll booth

By Peggy Revell Staff writer The first of the two main issues surrounding the bands action is compensation for the 33.9 acres of Couchiching FN land which Highway #11 was built upon decades ago. The province and federal Department of Indian Affairs originally negotiated an exchange of the 44.5 acres within whats historically known as the two-chain shore allowance, Chief Chuck McPherson had explained in a previous interview with the Times. But the band says this original survey of the two-chain shore allowance land was done erroneously because the surveyor commissioned to survey the neighbouring Agency #1 reserve back in 1876 included land that already was part of the Couchiching reserve. As well, dam construction in the early 1900s meant only nine acres of the original 44.5 acres exists. The other reason for the toll booth comes from the federal government not yet having relocated the six families whose residences are situated on the identified contaminated site of the former J.A. Mathieu sawmill dipping ponds. The whole approach from Health Canada and First Nations, Inuit Health Branchtheyre quite flexible in changing their standards, said Chief McPherson, referring to all of the testing and reports concerning the high levels of dioxins, furans, and other chemicals that have been identified at the site. On a scale of one to 10, if four was the danger zone, and we were at a six, well, they elevated it to eight so we were under that health standard. Its not a hazard anymore. A report earlier this month, written by hired consultant Dr. Naz, outlined how the identified chemicals have been linked to the original site INAC had leased to the sawmill, and as such INAC has a contractual obligation to restore the site by remediation/clean-up of contaminated properties using the Best Available Technology [BAT]. The report also states concentrations of dioxins and furans at the various residences and tested locations exceed the human health/ Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment criteria. Under the current circumstances, the overriding objective is to reduce the exposure to levels as low as reasonably practicable, the report stated. This can only be achieved by restricting access to the contamination to authorized personnel and/ or by remediating the soil to [below the given criteria]. Thus conducting further investigation while the residents are still living on contaminated soil cannot be justified due to the extreme toxicity of the PCDD-PCDF mixture and the continued exposure of residents. Remediationwhich the report said would require full body protection for those doing the work, and consists of excavating and stockpiling the contaminated soil is a process by which residences still would need to be relocated due to safety and health, the report recommended. With respect to an update on the current situation at Couchiching, INAC and Health Canada officials continue to work with the community to address issues related to the contaminated site, INAC spokeswoman Susan Bertrand said in a May 18 e-mail to the Times concerning the current status of the contaminated site. INAC will continue to provide funding for the site assessment to identify the extent of the contamination and to develop a remedial action plan, she noted. First Nations are responsible for tendering, selecting a contractor, and overseeing implementation of these projects, Bertrand added. Accordingly, the First Nation would be best positioned to provide further information on the site assessment as it is managing this project. INAC is currently awaiting the final site assessment report from the First Nations consultant, Bertrand noted.

Alice Cupp and Talon Cantor checked out the galley in the Hallett on Saturday. Whether it is the engine room or the captains cabin, all areas of the ship are open for people to see.
Duane Hicks photos

The Sorting Gap, as well as the Hallett and tower sites, are open daily from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. (depending on weather). Children under 14 must be accompanied by a caregiver age 16 or older. Appropriate footwear is required. Visitors also are asked to take care and use caution as surfaces are uneven and platforms are steep and high. The Fort Frances Museum, meanwhile, is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. until Oct. 10 (hours subject to change). In related news, a multi-day celebration is planned in conjunction with Tourism Week to mark the grand opening of Phase II of the Heritage Tourism Project. On Friday, June 4, there will be a reception at the Ontario Tourism Information Centre at 10 a.m., followed by a walk down the wayfinding route (from the border to the waterfront via Victoria Avenue. This will be followed by a grandopening ceremony at the lookout tower at noon, followed by an international tug-of-war at 12:30 p.m. and a Fun in the Sun fundraiser barbecue. Also at the waterfront, Fred Scheers Lumberjack Shows will perform at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., featuring log-rolling, cross-cut sawing, pole-climbing, axe-throw-

The lookout tower is now open to visitors, providing an opportunity for people to get a scenic view of the waterfrontand a little exercise.

ing, and more. Back on Scott Street, a new exhibit at the museum focusing on lumber camps will open while work by local artists will be on display at downtown businesses. There also will be art activities at the museum, coinciding with a visit from Community Arts and Heritage Education Program coordinator Lila Cano. Museum curator Pam Cain said other groups interested in holding events during the celebration should let her know by calling 274-7891 or e-mailing pcain@ fort-frances.com Then the annul fly-in, drive-in barbecue is slated for Saturday, June 5 at the Fort Frances Airport. At the museum, there will be a workshop about grant writing with Cano on Saturday morning, followed by some sort of event to further promote the What Hooks You Here? rug-hooking project. Finally, an afternoon paddle on the upper river is scheduled for Sunday, June 6. Residents are invited to come out with their canoes and paddles (the town also will have a limited supply of them available through the recreation program). For more information, contact the Fort Frances Museum at 2747891 or via e-mail at ffmuseum@ fort-frances.com