Elections for Chief and Council of Ginoogaming First Nation held on Aug. 21

Elections for the Chief and Council of Ginoogaming First Nation were held on Aug. 21 and Celia Echum was given her fourth straight two-year term, defeating Joanne Towegishig 194 to 60. The six councillors elected are Gabriel Echum, Sheri Taylor, Maurice Waboose, David Charles, Kelly Fortier and April Dore. For the next term Chief Echum promises to address infrastructure needs and housing to accommodate young families in the community and single parents living in overcrowded conditions. Ginoogaming has focused on skills development and training and employment programs for band members that it hopes will lead to employment opportunities in mining and forestry. “I am very proud of the capacity that we are building at the community level with trades skills, environmental monitoring, economic development, band management and training delivery. I am thrilled to see our own peoples gaining experience so we don’t have to rely too much on others from outside our community,” Chief Echum said. In October 2012, Ginoogaming signed an agreement with AV Birla Terrace Bay to sell pulpwood to their mill from areas that are the band’s traditional territory on the Kenogami Forest. The community has also undertaken a Cultural Impact Assessment that helps community members understand the impacts arising from Premier Gold’s Advanced Exploration activities, and to ensure that Ginoogaming First Nation has made an informed decision and was able to weigh all the risks, reads a press statement.  The community is also involved in negotiations as part of the Matawa Chiefs Council over the Ring of Fire mining development. She has also initiated talks with the TransCanada Corporation about the East-West Pipeline project. “Our elders have frequently reminded us that protection of environment is most important when it comes to major resource development projects, and that our constitutional Aboriginal and treaty rights remain guarded,” said Chief Echum. “Nothing happens on our lands without our free, prior, informed consent and we need to ensure our consultation and accommodation protocols are fully respected by industry and government.” Ginoogaming First Nation is located on the northern shore of Long Lake near the community of Longlac, Ont. Ginoogaming has a registered population of 773 people, of which 168 are residing on the First Nation reserve territory.