Chief's leadership inspires community at Pic River

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Chief Roy Michano of the Pic River First Nation has spent the last 22 years of his life working towards establishing a better way of life for the people around Marathon on Lake Superior's north shore. Where once there was only despondency and despair, today there is hope and a bright economic future, and Roy Michano has been a major factor in that change.

"The first thing we had to do was heal ourselves as a community," stated Michano, who has been around the political scene since he was 21 years old, serving as chief or as councillor. "Our problems were the same as experienced in most First Nations communities across Canada. We had a lot of social services problems to deal with and we had to be able to maintain a healthy community before we could start looking at business opportunities."

The negative effects of residential school attendance and church interference in their culture had resulted in alcoholism, physical abuse, and other social problems. A network of healing systems began with the council, who as leaders were expected to set an example.

"We went from ourselves to our staff, then to our Elders, and slowly the rest came along, including our youth," said the Objiway chief. Of the 500 band members who live on reserve, more than 350 took the healing program, he said, and as a result they were able to slowly start other programs, such as a day care and a Brighter Futures program with the youth. The Biidaaban Holistic Healing Centre continues to play an important part in the health of the people on the reserve, and residents from other areas of Ontario often sign up for programs.

Unemployment was the next problem the tireless leader undertook. "Today we have an average of 140 people employed and an active summer student hiring program as well," Michano said. "We are the largest employer in the area." Numerous arrangements were also struck with other local industries to ensure employment for many. An alternative high school was set up on reserve, and a current enrolment of 46 shows that many are anxious to graduate. "People often just couldn't make it in the system back when the Department of Indian Affairs had control of our education. The government brought in teachers who were new immigrants to Canada and who were not qualified or familiar with the Canadian culture," explained Michano, adding that he himself had had one of these foreign instructors. But now, it is encouraging to see the aunties and grandparents who are graduating alongside the young people coming out of nearby Marathon's high school, he said.

The forestry employment opportunities were originally offered as contract positions, which were to be reviewed annually, but Michano refused to accept the temporary terms. "That wasn't good enough. We wanted a licence of our own," he said.

He went directly to the office of the Minister of Natural Resources and reminded him of the goal of economic self-sufficiency that the government was urging all First Nations to undertake. The result of this meeting was an annual forestry management agreement that provided many jobs for local residents. Kimberly Clark, Domtar and other forest industry giants all have agreements with Pic River now. As a spin-off, a tree-planting enterprise and a fire-fighting group also require local staff.

Getting into the hydro business was also an exciting adventure. Because of their success in obtaining agreements and completing projects, the Pic River First Nation was invited to join in a tender to develop an Ontario Hydro project. "I said 'no, thanks, I'm not interested in a joint proposal, I want to put one in of our own'," the chief said. With control in their own hands, the council members selected key people, such as retired Ontario Hydro employees, to advise them how to be successful. "After a lot of hard work, we got an agreement which sees 50 per cent go to the developer, but 50 per cent come to our band. We got into a lucrative business which brings us a god revenue base." Encouraged by their successes, they have since signed other similar agreements. The industrious council has also brought high-speed internet and cable television to the area. Future projects include the ambitious development and reclaiming of 800 acres of marginal land on the reserve.

Dwayne Nashkawa of the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) agrees that the leadership of the Pic River First Nation has been outstanding in its success.

"Roy is a real driving force for his community. He is viewed across the broader Anishnawbek First Nations as a leader who will provide a real community perspective on things. Our organization works on behalf of 43 First Nations and he's very well respected throughout," said the director of intergovernmental affairs for the UOI. Michano and the council have served many years together, providing great stability, and Nashkawa feels this long-term committed service is part of their success. "In terms of dealing with government or with industry, Roy has never settled for second best," he added.

But most importantly, when provided with an opportunity, the chief and council have always delivered. "He's an inspirational leader in that he insists Aboriginal treaty rights are always respected, and that economic benefits will also be advantageous to the broader community. But most of all, he believes that First Nations people need not consider themselves anything other than first class citizens."