Wiky residents 'walk for change' as concerns about recent tragedies

mobilize Island's largest community

by Michael Erskine

WIKWEMIKONG-When one of the people she hung around with died recently, 15-year-old Nani Bell decided something had to change-it was time to shine a light on the challenges facing her community and she wanted to do something about it. With the help and encouragement of her friend Stephanie Trudeau, also 15, they organized a 'Walk for Change.'

"Things are not going to get better if everyone keeps pretending there is nothing wrong," said the young community activist. "Something has to be done about the rapes, the suicides, the drugs and the violence-we can't go on like this."

The march began Saturday as youths, mothers, grandparents and small children gathered at the Wikwemikong band office before setting out on a walk to the border of the community.

Waiting for them at the borderline was a sacred fire, ready to take the chill out of the walker's bones and give comfort to their spirits.

Ms. Bell and her friend passed out tobacco twists to the walkers before setting out. "As you are walking, pray for the changes you would like to have in our community," advised Ms. Bell in her address to the assembled group. "As you walk with the tobacco, you should think about these things, and when we get to the sacred fire you should let them go-the things inside of you that are causing you pain and hurt."

After a ceremonial cleansing with a smudge of sacred medicines, the group gathered up their signs and headed out into the bright morning sun. As they began the several kilometre walk, Ms. Bell advised those participating that she and her friend Stephanie were there if they needed to talk.

"I am so proud of these girls," said Grandmother Marie Eshkibok-Trudeau as she watched them prepare the smudge and deliver their addresses to the assembly.

Ms. Bell said that she was concerned that the community and its leaders will continue to gloss over the problems. "If we pretend they aren't there, they are not going to get better," she said. "They will just keep getting worse and worse-that is what has happened up to now, and that is what will keep happening if we stand back and let it happen."

The community of Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve has seen too many suicides, assaults and, most recently, murder, noted the teens.

Oxycotin and its companion painkillers have been cited as the most popular drug on the streets today, and the growth in its prescription rate over the past few years is setting off alarm bells in the medical and political communities. The drug has earned the nickname Hillbilly Heroin, due to its ready availability and potent addictive qualities.

"A lot of it (the violence and abuse) is because of the drugs, the ones the old people are given by the doctors," said one woman taking part in the walk. "The old people don't have enough money to get by, so they sell their pills, and people get hooked on them. It's like heroin only it's the government and the doctors who are giving it to people."

Ocycotin sells for roughly $1 a milligram, with the most potent 80 mg pills commanding a hefty $80 apiece on the streets. A tempting windfall for those deciding between pain and groceries.

"I know people who sell their pills at the start of the month, and by the end of the month they are looking to find some themselves because the pain has gotten too bad," said one young person familiar with the street scene. It results in a vicious and heartbreaking cycle that often leaves the pain sufferer in worse financial shape than when they began.

The problem is not limited to First Nations, having risen to epidemic proportions across rural and Northern Ontario and in the streets of urban centres to the south.

The solution to the problem lies within everyone, said Ms. Bell. "We need people to do more than just talk about it," she said. "We need people to actually do the kinds of things they say they are going to do."

Talk may be cheap, noted the teenagers, but the community can no longer afford the cost of inaction.

Northeast Town breaks with MMA; favours keeping old swing bridge in working order

by Lindsay Kelly

NORTHEAST TOWN-The repair-versus-replacement controversy surrounding Manitoulin's swing bridge has continued beyond a recent Manitoulin Municipal Association (MMA) meeting, with the Northeast Town definitively stating it is not in favour of replacement.

At a recent meeting, members of the MMA agreed to bring their concerns about the bridge to Transportation Minister Jim Bradley during the Rural Ontario Municipal Association/Ontario Good Roads Association (ROMA/OGRA) conference taking place this week.

"I would hate to see a part of our heritage being taken away," Tehkummah Reeve Gary Brown said at the time. "But for safety's sake, something needs to be done. The (current bridge) could be replaced and transported to an area close by where it could be used as a tourist attraction."

But following the decision, members of Northeast Town council expressed their dissatisfaction with the verdict.

At a recent council meeting, Councillor Al MacNevin suggested that the MMA should be made aware that not all communities are in favour of ditching the venerable structure for a more modern, state-of-the-art span.

"Maybe the next time you're at MMA, you could let them know that NEMI is not in favour of replacing the bridge," he suggested to Mayor Jim Stringer, MMA chair and the Northeast Town's representative on the committee.

The point is moot, according to Councillor Jib Turner, who noted that the Ministry of Transportation is already more than halfway through a planned refurbishment of the bridge. "With all due respect to the MMA, it's too late," he said.

He then took his concern a step further two days later at the town's Public Works Committee meeting, when he suggested that a second letter be drafted and presented to the minister stating that the Northeast Town "doesn't agree with changing the bridge and it was not discussed as a council."

His recommendation was quickly supported by Councillor MacNevin, who conceded he was torn on the issue. While the bridge definitely needs some work, "we're connected to it in a number of ways," he said, suggesting the span's link to Island history is worth preserving.

Councillor Dawn Orr also expressed uncertainty about the bridge. While it is a unique, iconic structure enmeshed in Manitoulin heritage, "I'm concerned because we're going to have to keep repairing it," she said, implying that future costs could make preserving the bridge a financial difficulty.

In a recorded vote, only Councillors Bill Koehler, Paul Skippen and Bruce Wood voted against the motion. The three favoured replacing the structure for a newer bridge, with Councillor Skippen holding out hope that a state-of-the-art bridge alternative could be in the works. "I heard a rumour that they could even build a tunnel under the North Channel," he said.

The Ministry of Transportation was on Manitoulin in 2006 to conduct a routine examination of the structure and determined the bridge to be structurally sound at that time.

This past fall, it engaged the McCormick Rankin Corporation to conduct a preliminary design study to determine the best method for repairing the structure. Members of the public were invited to offer their suggestions at a public information session; at that time, it was explained that prefabricated, stress-laminated wood panels would be put down on the deck, while the structure would be reinforced with steel and areas above shore would be resurfaced with concrete.

The MTO expects the preliminary design study to be complete by April, detail design work to take place through the summer, and with the study wrapping up in the fall. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2010.

Existing protocols not halting invasive species spread into Great Lakes

by Jim Moodie

CHICAGO-A recent report from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that the current regime in place to catch invasive species won't prevent dozens of new exotic pests from entering the Great Lakes.

The study, titled Predicting Future Introductions of Nonindigenous Species to the Great Lakes, identifies 30 non-native species that pose a medium or high risk of reaching the lakes and 28 others that have already gained a toehold and could proliferate more widely. They include such ominous-sounding critters as the monkey goby, the fishhook waterflea, and the doctor fish (technically called a tench fish).

These 58 newcomers would join the 185 invaders that are known to have already found a niche in the Great Lakes. Not all, it should be noted, are wreaking utter havoc: according to the EPA, only 13 of the existing intruders, such as the zebra mussel and sea lamprey, have done extensive harm to the aquatic environment and the regional economy.

Still, the report recommends prompt action to nip the ingress of more unwanted species, and points to a number of high-traffic ports as areas where tougher monitoring should be implemented. These include Duluth, Minnesota; Superior, Wisconsin; and Toledo, Ohio. Each is a site that receives a high concentration of discharged ballast water, a medium that accounts for over two-thirds of the invasive species that have entered the lakes.

Both Canada and the US now require ocean-going vessels to flush their ballast at sea, and have recently enacted requirements for ships to rinse empty tanks with saltwater in hopes of killing organisms that can lurk in residual pools at the bottom.

Still, even with such measures in place, "it is likely that nonindigenous species will continue to arrive in the Great Lakes," the report predicts, as some saltwater-tolerant species may survive ballast-water exchange and tank flushing. "Despite these ballast-water regulations, at least 13 new (invasive species) are believed to have entered the Great Lakes from ballast water since 1993," the report notes.

Hugh MacIsaac, a University of Windsor biologist and director of the Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network, believes the ballast regulations are quite effective, however, and that the picture painted by the EPA is unreasonably alarmist. Flushing and ballast-water exchange should kill 99 percent of organisms, he told the Associated Press, adding, "I would be very surprised if their prediction comes true."

Canada implemented voluntary ballast-water guidelines to stem the spread of invaders in 1990, with tougher rules introduced in 2006 that now require all ships entering Canada's waters to manage their ballast water.

The law, through the Canada Shipping Act, states that cargo ships must: exchange their ballast water in open ocean; treat their ballast water while in transit; discharge their ballast water to a reception facility; and retain their ballast water on board ship.

According to Environment Canada, a mid-ocean exchange of freshwater for seawater in a ship's ballast tanks will take care of most invaders, as the high salt content of the latter tends to kill off the freshwater organisms, while the number of salt-tolerant creatures are relatively few.

When this ballast is discharged at the port of destination, "the very small number of organisms that would be taken in from the high seas would not survive in the port's waters," the department states in an article at EnviroZine, its online newsmagazine.

However, there is growing evidence that this approach is far from foolproof, and a more effective way to stem the alien tide is to treat the ballast water during a ship's voyage with organism-zapping agents or by depriving these aquatic nasties of oxygen.

There are about 30 treatment systems being developed around the world, four of which are being tested in Canada. Two of the more promising methods that Environment Canada has been studying are The Peraclean Ocean treatment, which uses peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide to eliminate aquatic hitchhikers; and Ballaclean, which employs deoxygenation technology to choke the life out of the little stowaways.

Neither is perfect: the former leaves toxic residues in the treated water that may take up to a week or more to dissipate; the latter requires a long period of time for the process to be effective, and can cause increases in ammonia and other byproducts that render the discharged water hazardous for the environment.

While ballast-water discharge is the most prevalent pathway for invaders, the EPA report notes that a high rate of this activity in one area of the basin does not necessarily translate to more species invasions. It points to the example of Lake Superior, which counts the most discharges of ballast water in the Great Lakes, yet has fewer invasive species than the other lakes.

"The low nonindigenous species colonization rate in Lake Superior may be due to any of several factors including cooler temperatures, a high ratio of deeper waters, low food availability due to low productivity, and low calcium concentrations," the report states.

The US environmental agency attributes 65 percent of invasive species in the Great Lakes to shipping and ballast water. The remainder come through a variety of conduits, including canals, bait transfers, fish farms and aquarium releases.

The study employs a type of ecological modelling, combined with remote sensing data, in order to predict which areas of the Great Lakes would become suitable habitats for the next round of invasive species.

Lake Huron, for instance, is considered an area of "high suitability" for the blueback herring, a medium-sized fish very similar to an alewife.

Indeed, most of the Great Lakes, save for the deeper parts of Lake Superior and all of Lake St. Clair, are considered a promising habitat for this newcomer.

By contrast, Lake Huron is an unlikely home for the rudd, whereas circumstances on Lakes Erie and Ontario are ripe to receive these hardy, thick-bodied fish. We're also, thankfully, a zone of "low suitability" for the roach, a member of the carp family. (Again, Erie and Ontario are most apt to host this type of invader.)

According to Jennifer Nalbone, invasive species director for the advocacy group Great Lakes United, the EPA report acts as a wake-up call for tougher legislation and monitoring. She told the Associated Press that it "reinforces the need for further measures to keep foreign species out, including requiring onboard technology to sterilize ballast tanks."

EDITORIAL

Time past due to take invasive species seriously

There are invaders pouring into our inland waters and we are losing the war, battle-by-battle, lake-by-lake, because we are not taking the threat of invasive species seriously.

With each passing season, non-indigenous species make their way into our inland lakes to devastate waters that have no natural defences against their incursions-and yet people continue to neglect taking a few basic precautions that would go a long way toward protecting the very inland fisheries those same enthusiasts claim to hold sacred. There ought to be a law-literally.

Voluntary programs, educational efforts with the public, each has so far failed to bring about the kind of changes in behaviour we desperately need if we are to save our lakes and rivers and the native species that inhabit them. Perhaps it is time to put in place legislation, which will severely punish those who fail to take their responsibility for preserving our natural heritage seriously.

As a matter of course, this big stick approach would have to be taken in concert with a dangling carrot-making compliance as easy as possible by placing washing stations at every lake and river launch. This approach would have an added benefit in that the initial infrastructure construction could provide much-needed economic stimulus for a plethora of small rural areas of the province.

It is unfortunate that creating new laws to enforce behaviour which should be second nature is necessary, but something has to be done in order to bring home the full seriousness of the issue. Perhaps the lack of a law is why too many people do not take this matter seriously enough-wrongly believing that in this regulation-happy society, if it isn't against the law, how serious can it be? It is serious, and it needs to be taken seriously if we are to have any hope of preserving our natural legacy for a single future generation-let alone the requisite seven.

Letters to the Editor

Manitowaning clinic flourishes thanks to dedicated staff, board

Letter writer should get accurate details before making allegations

To the Expositor:

In regards to the February 11, 2009 letter to the editor, "Answer needed in regards to Assiginack doctor shortage," I would like to make the following response.

My family became a member of the Manitowaning community in 1988. Since that time Joanne, my wife, has worked as an RN at both sites of the Manitoulin Health Centre and in 1995 worked part time at the Manitowaning clinic. In 2000, she went back to university and obtained her BScN degree and nurse practitioner specialty, graduating in 2004. The motivation here was largely due to the fact that our community had identified stabilizing health care as a need and her desire to provide more to the community we now called home.

The township had worked hard to secure funding for a nurse practitioner and in 2004 she began her career as the full-time nurse practitioner for the Manitowaning clinic. In 2000, Lianne came on board as the part-time RN. In 2003, Sandra came on board as receptionist and, recently, part-time administrator. In 2008, Mary started as part-time receptionist. I mention this, firstly, to show the inaccuracy of the letter writer's statement, "the medical staff we have at our clinic, two part-time nurses," and secondly to put names to the clinic staff that the writer of the letter appears to identify as the reason that our town is currently without a physician. I need not mention this, but anyone who knows these ladies knows the level of dedication and commitment they have provided their clinic and community.

They will be the first to say that they are not doctors, but no four people have worked harder to find solutions and locum physicians during this transition period. When a full-time physician is found, it will be in no small part due to the dedication and work environment that these four ladies provide.

As to the statement, "Why do the doctors who come to work in Manitowaning quit after a short time?" I can only say this: Dr. Bullock was here from 1988 to 1990, Dr. Young from 1990 to 1992, Dr. Bedard from 1992 to 2001, Dr. Regenstrief from 2001 to 2003 and lastly Dr. Spruyt from 2005 to 2008. By my calculation, these physicians all stayed for years, NOT months. It was my pleasure to know each of them and I would not presume to have the right to ask why they have chosen to move on to other communities as those reasons are their own. I do note that two of them continue to maintain property in Assiginack as well as close ties to the community. Those doctors that have stayed for a short period are called locums and that is what they do: stay for a short period and move on.

As for the allegation that our reeve, council and medical board are somehow responsible I can only say this: the medical board is made up of community volunteers. They are people that donate their time and efforts to make things better for the entire community. The reeve is a member of the Assiginack Medical Board. This is not a conflict of interest but a job requirement. The reeve is a member of each board and committee within the township. It goes with the title. I took the time, as the writer suggested, and contacted each of the volunteer board members. I thanked them for taking the time out of their busy lives to make mine better. I also asked if they had been contacted by the writer of the aforementioned letter in their call for action for "Assiginack residents to speak up and make change." To my surprise, the letter writer had not, as of yet, taken the time out of her own busy schedule for the requested affirmative action asked of others.

As to the statement that there were "no nurses available for numerous days this month," Joanne and I took a vacation to Costa Rica. The weather was wonderful and we had a great time. I believe everyone is entitled to a little time off, even medical professionals.

My grandmother told me once, "Opinions are like outhouses: everybody has one but some stink more then others." If you base your opinion on rumours then your opinion likely has an odour.

The support for the Manitowaning clinic and those that make it work has been overwhelmingly positive by those that use it. This will be what makes the difference when it comes time for a doctor to choose our community to call home.

Rob Mellan

Manitowaning

Assiginack clinic staff do an excellent job for residents

Councillor urges participation of concerned letter writer

To the Expositor:

This is a response to the February 11 letter to the editor ("Answers needed in regards to Assiginack doctor shortage") from C. Bowland.

I am responding to C. Bowland due to the fact that she has included me in her concern that councillors are maybe a part of Assiginack's problem. I wish it were that simple. I would change my ways in a minute but I don't know what I have done.

Finding fault is great, but finding fault and not contributing to correcting the problem is completely idiotic. If you feel that this community needs to be improved, jump on board, apply to become a board member and have your concerns heard, and offer a solution or plan that can correct it. I don't see your name on any committee list and have never seen you at a council meeting. For a person who has concerns about your family's and your own health, a person would think you would petition the council to allow you and whoever else is concerned to speak at council as a delegation.

We are a very small community and do not have the ability to include a lot of benefits to possible candidates that might be thinking of coming to Manitowaning. I have also been concerned about the turnover in doctors that have been here and left, but have not received the negative response that, I presume by your letter, you have. I would certainly appreciate a conversation with you and some facts about what you heard is going on.

Until about two years ago I didn't have much need for medical attention and then everything went to hell in a hand basket. In the last year I have needed lots of medical attention and have only the highest respect for the way I have been treated in Manitowaning, from the office staff to the nurse practitioner and nurses. The ability of these people to arrange appointments with specialists in a very short period of time amazes me.

I think it is time that some of the people on this Island go to Sudbury or any other area and try to get an appointment, or even go to a walk-in clinic or emergency room and see what happens. You better be prepared for a long day or even two. Better pack a lunch.

I would certainly like to have a permanent doctor in Manitowaning as well as you and every other member of our community, but until then you should be thankful for the capable people running our clinic.

Bud Rohn

township councillor

Manitowaning

Name-calling dissuaded in discussion of doctor shortage

Progressive thinking needed to keep community viable

To the Expositor:

Ignorance: definitions: 1) lack of knowledge or education; 2) unawareness of something, often something important.

That's the word that came to my mind as I read the letter ("Letter writer should focus on the positive in Assiginack") in the February 18 edition of the paper.

Apparently, Mr. Rick Armstrong chooses to take a serious medical concern down to a pre-adolescent name-calling level. Mr. Armstrong may be elated at the "very personal, friendly service" he receives at the Manitowaning Medical Clinic; however, there are many residents of our fine town who are not receiving this "very personal friendly service."

As my wife's letter stated, I did speak with our last permanent doctor and I do know some of the reasons why she left. "Thankless and demanding patients" were not any of those reasons.

What kind of stagnant thought process is it to say, "If you are not happy somewhere, move somewhere else?"

Manitowaning is a fantastic little community into which both my wife and I have put numerous hours of "thankless" volunteer work; however, it needs progressive thinking to keep it that way and to help it flourish.

Wanting a town's population to get involved in a serious matter is a good thing. If we didn't care about our community of Manitowaning and its residents then we would leave.

I applaud my wife for wanting better service for our community as well holding those responsible for the doctor shortage in Manitowaning accountable.

Matthew Bowland

Manitowaning