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Kash chief seeks autonomy

By Paul Yanchus - Sunday, December 03, 2006

KASHECHEWAN—People gathered in the Francine J Wesley Secondary School gymnasium Thursday to discuss “the next step” for their community following the release of a federal report that recommends their relocation to Timmins.

Chief Jonathan Solomon and the band council thanked everyone for their attendance and Silas Wesley called upon the Creator in prayer to watch over the proceedings.

“We need to do this right and we must, when all is said and done and the community has decided, act upon our decision,” said Chief Solomon.

“We will stand together. As your Chief, I don’t want to create any animosity or divisions in our community but rather an autonomy of hope for future generations.”

Solomon asked the people “to look beyond yourselves, look to the future and ask the question, ‘what do I want for my children and grandchildren?’ It is you who will make a difference.”

Former Ontario cabinet minister Alan Pope was appointed by Federal Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice to look at long-term solutions for Kashechewan’s troubled social and economic situation and presented his findings Nov. 9 in Ottawa.

Among a list of 51 recommendations, Pope recommends the community be relocated to the outskirts of Timmins.

During Thursday’s meeting in Kashechewan, Solomon introduced Dr. Emily Faries who explained her role in the process. Faries is a former teacher and has a Doctorate in Education and Research from the University of Toronto. She has many relatives in Kashechewan through the Wesley and Wynne families.

“It feels good to be here,” she said. “It brings me back to my roots to do this important work.”

Her main task will be “documenting what the people say”, especially with regard to the relocation recommended in the Pope report.

“Everyone will be asked,” she said.

“This is a community-driven project and it’s up to the people to say. The Native voices must be heard. The people will define their own destiny.”

To begin the project, a steering committee will be created to oversee the process consisting of the Chief, an elder, a youth, a woman and three other community members. Faries will then train and instruct workers to assist members in the community with completing surveys and various forms.

Then she will lead focus groups to determine “the will of the people” in an unbiased fashion. Faries intends to start work on the project as early as Dec. 12, and will be a familiar face in Kashechewan during January, as she gathers and records the data. She will follow up with a report of her findings.

James Wesley talked about the “sacredness of the site where we are now. We have power living on this reserve.”

He said his grandfather told him “we are rich within our land” and encouraged everyone to “locate within the boundary of our reserve”.

Tyson Wesley, a high school student, asked Faries if she thought the report is biased. She said “the report is biased because there is not enough input from the community. We have to be in charge of our future. You are very strong and your voices must be heard.”

Solomon reminded people that “the decisions made here will not only affect the people of Kashechewan but also First Nations communities across Canada.

“This is the first community meeting since the release of the report and to date there is no government plan, no community plan but Kashechewan will make the final decision,” he said.

“This meeting is the beginning of that process.”