November 2015
Support services for First Nations members
Given the current social crisis, the Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) met in Val-d’Or, on October 27, to target priorities requiring immediate action. Among the proposed actions, the Chiefs have denounced the lack of tools and resources for First Nations to provide adequate services and tackle social issues and the root causes. In order to address the situation in Val-‐d’Or, the Chief of the AFNQL held a meeting with Premier Couillard in Montréal, on November 4, 2015.
In light of the situation in Val-d’Or, the AFNQL and the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC) have been getting many requests for information from First Nations members concerning what to do if they want to make complaints or disclosures concerning Criminal Acts such as sexual abuse or assault, and what kind of support can they access.
In order to guide First Nations members in their request to make complaints or requests for support, please refer to the following information: Information Guide
October 2015
“Meet the candidates” forum
Please join the Albany, NY community for the combined “Meet the Candidates” forum, and the annual Penibagos fall social.
This event is open to ALL citizens of the Odanak Abenaki First Nation and their families. The forum provides an opportunity for off-reserve Abenaki voters to meet the candidates and determine who best represents their values and who best understands the issues facing all Abenaki citizens, on reserve and those of us who live in communities such as Waterbury, CT, and Albany, NY.
September 2015
The annual report is now available
It’s now possible to consult the latest annual report by clicking here.
PUBLIC ASSEMBLY | SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2015
You are invited to attend the next public assembly of the Band Council on September 26th, 2015. These assemblies are opened to all Abenakis members of Odanak. Members with reduced mobility can easily attend the assemblies.
For more information, click here.
August 2015
THE ABENAKIS WIN A HISTORIC VICTORY
The discrimination based on gender that Indian woman and their descendants suffered from in the past concerning registration (“Indian status”) has continued to the present day and must cease, according to a decision from the Québec Superior Court handed down on August 3rd in Montréal.
READ THE PRESS RELEASE HERE
TEXT TABLE
July 2015
NATIONAL SAFETY COURSE | FIREARMS
Dates: August 15-16, 2015
Time: 8:00 am
Price: Free for status members
* A maximum of 30 participants is admitted to this course.
For additionnal information or to register, please contact the reception of the Abenakis of Odanak Council at 450-568-2810.
*** PLEASE NOTE THAT THE COURSE IS GIVEN IN FRENCH ONLY.
National safety course in the handling of firearms and introduction to hunting with firearms
June 2015
JULY 3 – 4 – 5 | 2015 ABENAKI ODANAK POW WOW
On July 3, 4 and 5, 2015, the annual Abenaki Odanak Pow Wow will be held. Several traditional activities will be held aware of these three days, such as singing and dancing offered by members of different Nations and a day dedicated to family. Please note that access to all Pow Wow activities is free and open to all at all times.
ACTIVITIES PROGRAM
OFFICIAL OPENING | NEW ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
It is with great pride that the Abenakis of Odanak Council team officially inaugurated its new administrative offices yesterday. Since October 20, 2014, major work has been carried out at our site at 104 rue Sibosis, in Odanak, and the end result shall now be unveiled.
This ambitious project, designed and developed by the Grand conseil de la Nation Waban-Aki (GCNWA) Technical Services team, was completed by the general contractor Construction G. Therrien following an investment of nearly 1.5 million dollars, largely from the financial surplus of the Band Council. For the occasion, Executive Director of the Odanak Band Council, Daniel G. Nolett, thanked Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) and the Secrétariat aux Affaires Autochtones du Québec (SAA), as part of its Community Infrastructures component of the Aboriginal Initiatives Fund II, for their financial contribution to the project. It is also important to highlight the quality design work of the facility’s parking lot carried out by the GCNWA’s Technical Services department. The work, valued at nearly $250,000, was then carried out by the Sorel based company Danis Construction Inc.
This occasion was also an opportunity for presenting the renovations that have just been completed at the Odanak Health Centre. Indeed, a reorganization of the archive department and management offices was made. The work, valued at over $400,000, was also designed and developed by the GCNWA’s Technical Services department. Note the active participation of several members of the community in the realization of the two projects.
It is therefore in the interest of Odanak community members along with excellent financial management by Chief Rick O’Bomsawin, the Executive Director and Band Council councillors that the Abenaki people of Odanak will now benefit from all
NOTICE | APARTEMENT FOR RENT
NOTICE TO THE BAND MEMBERS | APARTEMENT FOR RENT
The Band Council has two (2) apartements for rent. 30A et 30B Managuan Street (3½)
For more information, please contact Monique O’Bomsawin at 450-568-2810.
Apartement for rent
May 2015
PUBLIC ASSEMBLY, MAY 30 2015
You are invited to attend the public assemblies of the Band Council.
These assemblies are opened to all Abenakis members of Odanak.
Members with reduced mobility can easily attend the assemblies.
For more information, click here.
April 2015
SEVEN ABENAKI YOUTH MEET CAREY PRICE AT THE BELL CENTER
The Grand Conseil de la Nation Waban-Aki announced that seven young Abenaki hockey players each
received full hockey gear from the Goals and Dreams program funded by the National Hockey League
Players’ Association. The event took place on April 5 at the Bell Centre in the Montreal Canadiens
Children’s Foundation luxury suite where our youth, accompanied by a parent, attended a game
between the Canadiens and Red Wings.
At the end of the game, the lucky seven had the opportunity to visit behind the scenes of the Bell
Centre and meet their Aboriginal idol, Carey Price and his wife Angela. In appreciation of the
Canadiens’ goalkeeper, a painting of him in action on the ice was presented to him.
This event was the result of a project organized by the First Nations Child and Family Services
Program (FNCFS) in partnership with the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation. Our young
hockey players were presented to the NHLPA Goals and Dreams selection committee and they were
all selected. To be selected and presented to the committee, these youth had to show perseverance,
sports involvement, and to have played hockey for at least one year and be a resident of either Odanak
or Wôlinak.
This unique experience will remain forever etched in the memory of these young people as well as
their chaperons!
SUCCESSFUL DÉFI COURSE À LA VIE
The fourth edition of the annual Défi Course à la vie was held on Thursday, September 4 in Odanak. More than 100 people attended the event and nearly $1,800 was raised and given to Innu Meshkenu and the Fondation prévention suicide les Deux Rives. We would kindly like to thank all the participants. It’s always a pleasure to see so many people in the community hit the streets.
Around thirty children ran the 1km event and earned their precious medals. The real challenge is not measured with a stopwatch, but rather to participate, to push through and finish. A common feeling of pride resides in all walkers and runners at the end of a race. For us, it is the feeling of accomplishment. Join us again next year for a special fifth anniversary edition!