Mishkeegogamang and other First Nations in the News

Northwestern Ontario First Nation needs 300 homes
Mishkeegogamang Chief wants an end to shacks and outhouses

First Nations struggle to house, keep teachers
Chiefs frequently have to divert funding for community members' homes to provide adequate housing for teachers. Mishkeegogamang teacherage suffers flood damage.

NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO FIRST NATION NEEDS 300 HOMES
First Perspective Jan 24

The Mishkeegogamang First Nation in northwestern Ontario needs more than 300 homes, its chief says, and she hopes the First Nations housing shortage across the country

FIRST NATIONS CHIEFS PUTTING HIGH HOPES ON POWWOW WITH HARPER
Hamilton Spectator Jan 24
But you can’t move forward without looking back, said Grand Chief Stan Beardy of Ontario’s Nishnawbe Aski Nation

PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER, GOV. GEN. DAVID
JOHNSON OPEN FIRST NATIONS MEETING
Toronto Star Jan 24
Drums, chants and a smudge ceremony are kicking off a major meeting of First Nations leaders and senior federal politicians and officials

A DAY FOR CHANGE
Chronicle Journal Jan 24
Much is expected from today’s first nations summit - perhaps too much

DAVID JOHNSTON TO OPEN HISTORIC CROWN-FIRST NATION GATHERING
SOO Today Jan 23
David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will deliver the opening remarks at the Crown-First Nations gathering

FIRST NATIONS GATHERING TO GRAPPLE WITH EDUCATION GAP
CBC-Jan 23
One of the most urgent topics up for discussion at Tuesday’s Crown-First Nations gathering is also the one most likely to see concrete progress in the coming weeks

STEPHEN HARPER MEETS PRIVATELY WITH FIRST NATIONS LEADERS BEFORE SUMMIT
Toronto Star Jan 24
Prime Minister Harper huddled with First Nations leaders on the eve of the landmark summit to hear first-hand about the challenges facing aboriginal peoples nationwide

HARPER SHOULD ADMIT MISTAKE: MARTIN
Vancouver Sun Jan 22
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, at a meeting here Tuesday with aboriginal leaders, should emerge from the talks admitting the Conservatives were wrong

LACK OF SCHOOL FUNDING A HARD LESSON FOR KOOCHECHING
Toronto Star Jan 23
The children in the remote Ontario community of Koocheching don’t go to school because they don’t have one

THE HOUSING CRUNCH

Tbnewswatch Jan 23
There’s no running water in his three-bedroom home, so the family is forced to use a flat pedal when bathing

ADDICTED FIRST NATION STRUGGLES WITH HOUSING
CBC Thunder Bay Jan 24
Tears streamed down Rebecca Drake’s face as she explained what it’s like to live in a three-room house with five kids and her two parents

PIKANGIKUM: SCHOOL ON ONTARIO FIRST NATION CANCELS CLASSES DUE TO MOULD PROBLEMS
Canadian Press Jan 24
The only school in a troubled northwestern Ontario First Nation has closed down almost all of its classes because mould has driven away many of its teachers

MANITOBA RESERVE ILLUSTRATES FIRST NATIONS CHALLENGES
CTV-Jan 24
Sitting amidst the dense thicket of Manitoba’s boreal forest, the Wasagamack reserve illustrates some of the hardships faced by First Nations people across Canada

CHIEF SAYS COMMUNITY REACHING DEAL WITH THE FEDS A HISTORIC DAY

Tbnewswatch-Jan 23
Bingwi Neyaashi ANishinaabek First Nation has made a deal that community leaders hope will help them cut through bureaucratic red tape

THREE ABORIGINALS WHO ARE ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Winnipeg Free Press Jan 24

Fontaine, who is Anishinabe from the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba, has been a force in the aboriginal community since the 1970s.

ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL LAUNCHES NEW ABORIGINAL ARTS AWARD
Jan 24
The 7,500 dollar award will celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal artists and arts leaders in Ontario

UNDERSTANDING CAUSES OF OBESITY IN ABORIGINAL CHILDREN
Jan 24
To fully understand the causes of the obesity epidemic in Aboriginal children requires an understanding of the unique social and historical factors that shape the Aboriginal community

Chief talks to CBC about housing

Chief Connie Gray-McKay talked to CBC news about housing on the reserves.

more pictures

Women Leading the Way

Check out this new NAN video called Women Leading the Way.


In 2006, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) took on a major Women's project and focused on Leadership Development Training and Personal Capacity Building workshops held in NAN communities. "Kaninakitchik Esquaywuk" is a collection of interviews by the facilitators, participants, and evaluators that were involved with the project.

One story takes a look at a lady who took advantage of the training when it was offered in her community and used her new found skills to quickly become Deputy Chief of her community.

Passionate tales of growth and how the project has affected individuals on a personal level is the basis for "Kaninakitchik Esquaywuk".

The Fire

Here is a video of Sioux Lookout 35, the large fire near Mishkeegogamang, the footage was taken on July 28, 2011.

The video was created for a wide audience, with the interests of
Mishkeegogamang in mind. The images of new growth and renewal are
encouraging, and the video also features local people from
Mishkeegogamang helping to protect their community.

One New Councilor, Four Re-elected

Thomas Wassaykeesic, David Masakeyash, Mary Anne Panacheese and Laureen Wassaykeesic were re-elected as councilors. Michael Bottle got 107 votes to gain the remaining seat on Council. The list below shows the number of votes received by each candidate:

Name of Candidate
James Bottle 40
Michael James Bottle 107
Kristin Brisket 27
Robert Brisket 50
John Derouin 51
Brenda Fox 79
Eileen Loon 25
Marena Loon 42
David Masakeyash 138
Gloria Muckuck 49
Bella Panacheese 42
Mary Ann Panacheese 81
Tracy Panacheese 49
George John Skunk 36
Maureen Skunk 28
Michael Skunk 41
John Paul Spade 56
Linda Spade 21
Thomas Dino Spade 47
Jeffrey Wassaykeesic 25
Laureen Wassaykeesic 101
Thomas Wassaykeesic 145
Kenneth Wavy 53

Chief Connie Gray-McKay Re-Elected

Connie Gray-McKay has been re-elected as Mishkeegogamang’s chief, winning 92 of the approximately 300 votes that were cast in the August election. The alphabetical list below shows how many votes each candidate for chief received.


Name of Candidate

Michael James Bottle 38
John Derouin 27
Connie Gray-McKay 92
Glenn Kaminawaish 46
Marena Loon 59
Thomas Wassaykeesic 41