TOBACCO PLAINS INDIAN BAND NEWSLETTER MAY JUNE 2016 DATES TO REMEMBER:

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1 TOBACCO PLAINS INDIAN BAND NEWSLETTER MAY JUNE 2016 Congratulations, Zoe Gravelle on receiving a 100% on the completion of the CEC s Construction Safety Officer Certification. Family Leisure Passes for Fernie Aquatic Centre - AVAILABLE!!!! **One family pass per family (One Parent must be a Band Member) ** Limited Passes If you would like to obtain your family pass, contact Front desk/reception to arrange for sign out and pick up. Are you between the ages of 13 and 30? Would you like to participate and join a youth leadership council for the community? May 09, 2016 will be the first meeting. Join us for food and introductions at 5:00 pm that evening. For more information contact Anna Gravelle at ext 3402 The Impact Management Benefit Agreement (IMBA) has been signed, cheques were delivered to each community within the Ktunaxa Nation. Councillor Corey Letcher is accepting the cheque from Nick Milligan, on behalf of Tobacco Plains Indian Band. We are pleased to announce as the newly hired Housing and Infrastructure Manager. Ryan Sarfeld s first day of employment with the Band was April 25, DATES TO REMEMBER: May 05 & 06 Mothers Day Gift Making 4pm May 06 Nutrition Kitchen, noon May 08 Mother s Day May 10 Council Meeting, 5:00 pm May hr Emergency Kit / Family Binder Making May 23 Victoria Day (Office Closed) May 24 Council Meeting, 5:00 pm June 03 Nutrition Kitchen June 19 Father s Day June 21 Aboriginal Day, TPB Arbour 11 am PLEASE NOTE* WE DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE ALL EVENTS PLANNED BEFORE NEWSLETTER IS SENT TO MEMBERS BUT WILL TRY OUR BEST TO GET THE INFORMATION TO MEMBERS AS WE RECEIVE IT

2 To all Band Members: Administration would like to thank those who took the time to fill out the survey, the information collected was informative. In working towards to finding an effective method to deliver updates and news to the membership, we would like to invite all Band Members to: Band meeting: May 12, 5:00 pm. Dinner will be provided; Door Prizes Tentative Agenda: 1) Health / Administration Building 2) Budget 3) Volunteer Fire Department 4) RCMP Quarterly Report (February 2016-March 2016) 5) AB Day Update 6) Community Initiative Program 7) Staff Annual Strategy Session 8) Staff Updates 9) Proposed Band Meeting Dates 10) News and Updates Delivery Suggestions 11) Q & A s Community Economic Development Community Economic Grants: There is a new policy being developed for the distribution of Community Economic Grants. The amount will remain the same, 4 grants will be awarded each year. What will change is that in 2016 one grant will be awarded every 3 months by distributing the grants this way we make sure that a good idea does not have to wait until next year because all of the Community Economic Grant money was allocated early in the year. Watch for the new applications, available the first week of May. Pesticide Applicator Certification: Five community members will be attending Pesticide Applicator Certification training in Cranbrook in late April. Successful completion of the training will enable TPIB crews to seek additional work managing invasive plants through spraying programs, a field of work that has many opportunities both on and Health and Administration Building feasibility study- David Kitazaki of dkarchitecture, and Dustin Hall of First Nation Health Authority were in the community April 19 to meet with project team, and to look at proposed sites. The Project team (Ann Hall, Tania Brewer, Bev Bull and Hugh Moore) expressed the Band s needs and expectations, and were able to identify possible opportunities for employment as well as the possibility and providing materials such as gravel, crush, and perhaps timber. FNHA has strict guidelines around site requirements and specifications, and have identified a site they believe to be suitable. The feasibility study, including environmental assessment, is targeted for completion by the end of May, Interim Treaty Agreement: Chief and Council were approached by Ktunaxa Nation Council regarding interest in an interim treaty agreement for lands currently held by the province which could be utilized for economic development and benefit by TPIB. Chief and Council have provided a Band Council Resolution indicating their interest in exploring this opportunity further. Economic Development Advisory Committee: Four people have indicated their interest to be a part of the Economic Development Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will have its initial meeting in early May to develop terms of reference and develop a plan for the coming year. 2

3 Our annual strategy session was held on March 14 & 15, this year the session was facilitated by Wayne Hauenstein, Learning Curve Consultants. During the two day session, the staff participated in a program called Put me in coach, keys to building and sustaining a winning team. At the end of the two day session, the staff identified Goals, Bold Steps, and SMART objectives. Tobacco Plains Administration held a luncheon on March 15, 2016 to recognize and to thank the following employees for their hard work and dedication to the Band. Dawn Mahseelah, Receptionist 10 years Roberta Gravelle, Finance Manager - 18 years Alex Highland, Finance Clerk 10 year Leanna Gravelle, Social & Education 17 years Ann Hall, Health Manager 6 years Juliann Leach, Home maker/janitor 5 years A n g e l a P a r a d i s, Janitor 10 years (Left to Right) Alex Highland, Ann Hall, Juliann Leach 19 th Annual Aboriginal Day Tobacco Plains was approached by the Recreational Club, as they wanted to host a BBQ for the community. The idea was to hold a potluck dinner after the Annual Aboriginal Day festivities, as it would provide an opportunity to bring both communities together. However, if membership is not in support of the idea, we will not proceed to move forward with. Band Members are invited to participate in the planning of the 19 th Aboriginal Day. The next meeting will be held at 1:00 pm on May 12 if you cannot attend the meeting and would like provide your suggestions and ideas, contact Anna Gravelle. 3

4 Post-Secondary Applications Are now being accepted!!! Deadline: June 1, 2016 Eligible post-secondary levels include: Level 1: Community College and CEGEP Diploma or Certificate Programs Level 2: Undergraduate Programs Level 3: Advanced or Professional Degree Programs Application Process: All applicants must be a registered Band Member of Tobacco Plains A completed application form A copy of status card A copy of acceptance letter from an eligible post-secondary institution Funding is limited, not all those who apply will be approved. Recent high school graduates and continuing post-secondary students will be given preference. For more information, please contact Tania Brewer at or at TBrewer@tobaccoplains.org COMMUNITY INITIATIVE PROGRAM Ktunaxa Nation Council has entered into a 5 year agreement with CBT on behalf of the four communities. Within the agreement each community will receive funding for the following three areas: a) Language Summit b) Recreation and Culture Activities c) Community Events and Celebrations Who can access the funding? Band Members on and off reserve and/or one parent is a Band Member Program Policy Guidelines: To ensure members receive an equal opportunity at receiving individual grants, those who have not received the funding in the past will be given preference. If approved for the funding, individuals are required to submit all receipts. Up to a maximum of $ The total Individual grant budget for the year is $ allowing us to assist 10 individuals this year. The funding is based on a first come first serve basis. Applications will be reviewed on the 1 st of each month by the CIP committee the funding was used to provide youth programs, the basketball court and nets, individuals to participate in music lessons, cultural activities, and sports tournaments. As well as to assist with recreational registration, purchase of cultural supplies and travel to participate in a language summit.

5 Specific Claim Roosville Custom House Update Completed The Claimant served its expert report on historical compensation on September 17, The Respondent advised that it is not serving an expert report at this time. The parties substantially completed the Common Book of Documents in August 2015, however, the parties may add further documents. The parties finalized the Agreed Statement of Facts on October 2, The parties completed the exchange of will say statements and will ask statements on December 18, In Progress The parties have not reached agreement on the Common List of Issues. The parties have agreed to update the Tribunal regarding progress on the Common List of Issues by April 1, Witness preparation is required prior to Hearing No. 1. Hearing No. 1 (lay witness and expert witness), which was previously scheduled for April 2016, has been adjourned because the claimant expert witness was not available. Justice Mainville is following up with the Chair of the Tribunal to pursue other dates for the hearing as she was not available on the alternative dates proposed by the parties. The parties will prepare and exchange memoranda of fact and law following a review of the witness transcripts from Hearing No. 1. Hearing No. 2 (submissions on fact and law) is yet to be schedule The Health Department would like to host a Mock Emergency Evacuation in the near future. No date has been confirmed as of yet, please keep your ears open for this. A notice will be delivered to community members when the date is scheduled. Fitbit Challenge Winner Robyn Alexander receiving a gift from Health Manager Ann Hall

6 Lands and Resources Hardly any winter, early spring, thank goodness for the rain Fuel Treatment - We have successfully completed the On-Reserve Fuel Treatment Project, including all mapping and silviculture. The FNESS inspector was impressed with the quality of work and there is a possibility this will lead to more On-Reserve work this year if INAC comes to table with more funding. We have a total of approximately 80 Ha under prescription for treatment on the Reserve and we completed 10 Ha through this project. The Off- Reserve Fuel Treatment project is almost complete. Of the approximately 32 Ha, all has been slashed and about half has been burned. We will complete the burning next winter when there is snow on the ground and the crew can be more productive by not having to monitor the piles as they after they are lit. The deadline for this project is February On Reserve Habitat enhancement - We have again applied to the Interdepartmental Recovery Fund to continue the spacing work On-Reserve to enhance the Spaldings Campion habitat and will know soon if we are successful. Keefer Ecological has also applied to the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Fund to continue with the weed management On-Reserve. We are discussing bringing in a goat herd for a week or so to graze on the Leafy Spurge weeds and will also be doing some spraying. We were successful in our application to Columbia Basin Trust for a grassland restoration project on reserve. We are currently working on the prescription and will provide more details when it is complete. Land Use Planning: Transformation is currently finishing off the report for the Land Use Plan and we hope to have a final meeting for this phase of the process in the next two or three weeks. Approximately 30 surveys will be captured in the report but we are still very interested in receiving as many as possible, so if you haven t completed one yet or sent it in, please do. We would like to make the Lands Advisory Committee a permanent Band- sanctioned entity and Advisory meetings a regular function. Once we establish a terms of reference and have Council approve it, we will send out a request for participants. April 27, 2016 Administrative Professionals Day, staff received beautiful fruit bouquets and cards L R Dawn Mahseelah, Alex Highland, Anna Gravelle, Chief Mary Mahseelah, Robyn Alexander, Melissa Carter

7 FINANCE The Finance Department is preparing for the audit. Attached you will find a copy of the 5 year Financial Plan. March 22, 2016 The Tobacco Plains Chief and Council recognized the importance of having policies and procedures to ensure that there is sound management and governance of the Tobacco Plains Indian Band; therefore do hereby enact all policies and procedures within the Financial Administration Manual. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT In March a meeting was held to discuss the Emergency plan for Tobacco Plains Indian Band. Marianne Stone is the Emergency Manager for the South Country, she was on site to provide a summary to the well attended Community Meeting. On May 20th Marianne Stone will be at the Band Hall to do an open workshop for all families. This will be an informational workshop as well as each family will be putting together 72 hour Emergency kits for their household. Nutrition Kitchen dates are May 06th, June 3rd..Our Fit Bit Challenge held between December and March 11, 2016 is now complete. Congratulations to Robyn Alexander, the Fitbit challenge winner. Ann Hall (L R) Elder Theresa Pierre, Health Manager Ann Hall, Elder Elizabeth (Hilly) Igntius visiting the Yaqan Nukiy Round House Congratulations to Ralph Gravelle, the winner of the second draw for a tablet from the Land use Planning Project. All entries will be put into a final grand prize draw, which will be done at the next advisory committee meeting. Thank you to all who took the time to fill out the surveys Tobacco Plains Band Hall 3603 Elko-Rooseville Hwy 93 Mailing address: Box 76 Grasmere BC V0B 1R0 Paqmi Nuqyuk Aboriginal Early Years Services Parents with children under the age of 6, Chelsea Nicholas would like to work with families in the community to prepare their children for school by providing the ASQ-3 Assessment which screens for broad child development, Ages and Stages Program which supports the social and emotional development, and various other areas. This is a great opportunity, we have also inquired about our children who attend daycare in Eureka, Chelsea has agreed to try and pursue the programs in conjunction with the Daycare and/or offer the program in the evening for the families. If you want to take part in the Aboriginal Early Years Services, please contact Anna Gravelle to sign up. Once we receive the names of those interested we will start the process in arranging times and dates with Chelsea Nicholas. YOUR LOGO HERE Do you have any stories you would like to share? If so your write up to Anna Gravelle at AGravelle@tobaccoplains.org

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