Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell named Native Women's Assoc. president

by Lindsay Kelly

WIKWEMIKONG-Long-time women's advocate Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell has been named the new president of the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC).

Voting for the position took place last weekend during the association's 35th annual general assembly in Ottawa. Ms. Corbiere-Lavell, who hails from Wikwemikong, joined two other women in putting their names forward for the position-Marilyn Buffalo, a former NWAC president, and Nahanni Fontaine of Manitoba, director of justice for the Southern Chiefs' Organization-which carries with it a three-year term.

Following her win, Ms. Corbiere-Lavell acknowledged those who supported her run for the position, suggesting she looks forward to continuing the organization's important work.

"I thank all of our grassroots women from our provincial territorial member associations who endorsed my candidacy," she said in a press release. "Marilyn Buffalo and Nahanni Fontaine were excellent candidates for the position of president and I thank them for presenting their candidacies. I also thank outgoing president Beverly Jacobs for her five years of service to NWAC."

"NWAC continues to be the only national voice for Aboriginal women in Canada, and I look forward to the work ahead during my three-year term to see gains to advance the physical, spiritual, economic, and social status of Aboriginal women in Canada," she added.

While the NWAC presidency wasn't part of her overall career plan, Ms. Corbiere-Lavell she felt strongly that she would be able to continue the foothold Aboriginal women have made nationally.

"I hadn't really been thinking about it, but the Ontario Native Women's Association, of which I'm an honorary board member, felt we needed to have good strong leadership at the national level, and I was available now that I'm retired and I can travel," she told the Expositor, noting that the position requires meetings with legislators, along with national and international travel. "I think I'm just at the right time in my life to do this; I have the ability to travel and I still have my health."

The long-time advocate is widely recognized for her 1970 challenge of the Indian Act, under which she lost her Indian status after marrying a non-Aboriginal man. Under the Indian Act at the time, an Aboriginal woman who married a non-Aboriginal man lost her status as an Aboriginal, while an Aboriginal man who married a non-Aboriginal woman did not. Ms. Corbiere-Lavell challenged this section of the act, arguing that it contradicted the principle of equality under the Canadian Bill of Rights, and won her case after a long battle that included two appeals.

The decision was an historic one, setting a precedent for Aboriginal women across the country, and prompting her to become more involved in Aboriginal women's rights. She has been involved in the inception of the National Aboriginal Health Network, the Native Women's Association of Canada, and the Ontario Native Women's Organization.

Last year, she was named the commissioner on citizenship by the Anishinabek Nation, which is working to develop its own citizenship law for all member communities.

Now that she is retired from teaching, and her children are grown, Ms. Corbiere-Lavell said she can devote herself full time to the work that needs to be done.

"I have the opportunity to do a lot of this work," she said. "I've had all that experience that I've gained over the years, dealing with government, dealing with issues, and I have been listening to the voice of our women all across Canada and I know what a lot of our women are going through."

She cites discrimination as a central issue, suggesting that Aboriginal child care services are not funded on an equal level with others. A vast number of children under the care of Children's Aid are Aboriginal (11 percent), she added, and there is also a disproportionate amount of violence happening in First Nations, largely because of poverty.

She also hopes to work to strengthen the provincial and territorial organizations, by gaining greater access to resources. "We need that," she said. "It makes them strong in their communities, and if they're strong in the communities then collectively we'll be a lot stronger to deal with the legislators, the people who come and impose their services and programs on us."

The former schoolteacher will continue her work as the citizenship commissioner, which she said "fits right in" with the work of NWAC. Ultimately, the Anishinabek Nation would like to see an amendment to Bill C-31 of the Indian Act, which prevents grandchildren of status Indians from having status. If allowed to continue, First Nations communities foresee that people with status will eventually die out, preventing them from gaining the benefits given to First Nations peoples under the treaties.

"The whole reason we're doing this is that we're losing our people-we're losing our young ones," Ms. Corbiere-Lavell said. "They're being let loose and we don't want to see that happen. We have to make sure that they know who they are, where they belong, they know their history, and their languages."

Violence and abuse remain significant issues in First Nations, and Ms. Corbiere-Lavell would also like to see NWAC "take a stronger stand on that." She points to NWAC's ongoing project to document women who have gone missing as an example of why more effort has to be put into helping Aboriginal families.

"They've been researching and documenting women who have gone missing and there are well over 600 or 700 women," Ms. Corbiere-Lavell said. "The police are not putting the same effort into it to follow through. Look at the (Robert) Picton case: many were Aboriginal women and it took long time for that to surface."

Additionally, making education accessible to women and disseminating more health information on issues like the H1N1 flu virus are part of her platform. On the issue of health, women are usually the ones who have to care for the elderly, or be in the home to care for ill family.

Referencing the recent incident in which body bags were sent to northern First Nations as part of an H1N1 kit, Ms. Corbiere-Lavell said it was insensitive.

"I would have been devastated had someone brought that to my house," she said. "I have no idea what the officials were thinking when they did that; I don't think they would do it to any other community."

Laughing when asked how she plans to fulfill such a full mandate during her three years in office, Ms. Corbiere-Lavell said she knows it seems ambitious, but she's confident that she can tackle the important issues, and she's eager to make a difference for Aboriginal women across the nation.

"I just see that so much needs to be done," she said.

Popular contractor from M'Chigeeng dies in tragic mishap with heavy machine

by Jim Moodie

M'CHIGEENG-An industrious member of the M'Chigeeng community died tragically last week in an accident at home involving heavy equipment.

Eric Lawrence Corbiere, 52, was found dead early Thursday morning at his Highway 551 property after failing to appear for a medical appointment. The exact cause of the fatality is "still under investigation," said Sergeant Rodney Nahwegahbow of the UCCM Anishinaabe Police, but is "not considered suspicious."

The popular contractor, who was known well beyond M'Chigeeng for the excavating and construction work he had performed, was apparently tending to some equipment when the fatal mishap occurred. Sergeant Nahwegahbow would only say that "heavy machinery was a contributing factor."

An inspector from the Ministry of Labour attended the scene but "determined it was not our jurisdiction," said Murray Baker, acting manager for the Sudbury district of the ministry. "It was a case of a private owner on private property."

Had Mr. Corbiere been on a job at the time, the incident would have fallen under the scrutiny of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, said Mr. Baker, regardless of the fact that he was self-employed, but "our investigation determined he was not working."

The death came as a blow to many in the area, as Mr. Corbiere counts many family members and friends on Manitoulin, particularly in the communities of M'Chigeeng and Aundeck Omni Kaning.

"It's a shock," said M'Chigeeng Chief Joe Hare. "He was a hard-working individual, even though he had health issues and probably shouldn't have been working anymore. But he kept working to support himself and his family."

Niece Debbie Debassige said her uncle will be missed by many. "He was a hard worker and also very much a family man, with four sons and a daughter," she said. "He was a heavy equipment operator and owned his own business, and he taught his sons to work hard like him."

When not at the wheel of his big earthmoving equipment, Mr. Corbiere "liked to hunt and fish," said Ms. Debassige, noting that "the bush was where he felt most comfortable." He also "liked to cook and provide for others," she added, with "potato pancakes and his famous bread pudding" being among his signature dishes.

Mr. Corbiere came from a big family, being one of 13 children born to Dora "Irene" Catherine Corbiere and Leonard S. Corbiere, both now deceased. A younger brother, Barry (B.J.), was killed 10 years ago while participating in a mud race event in M'Chigeeng.

Ms. Debassige, who has been involved ever since in running the B.J. Corbiere Memorial Hockey Tournament, said Eric was a key part of this event. "He was always in the kitchen at the tournament, and that presence will be really missed."

The hard luck contractor had injured his hand a year prior, in another mishap with machinery, said Ms. Debassige, but that didn't stop him from pitching in at the last B.J. memorial tourney. "He would cook with one arm," said his niece.

Ms. Debassige said this year's version of the hockey event will honour Eric as well the eponymous younger sibling. "It will definitely be in memory of both Barry and Eric," she said, adding that, "in a way, Eric was a lot like Barry. He was a people person and loved to laugh."

A wake was held for Mr. Corbiere at his residence, adjacent to the UCCM office, on Saturday and Sunday, with a funeral on Monday morning at the Immaculate Conception church in M'Chigeeng.

He will be particularly missed by children Cheyenne, Cora Lynn, Aaron, Tyler and Curtis, along with loving friend Cindy Charlebois, and siblings Francis Stark, Ron Corbiere, George Corbiere, Anges Mack, Darlene Corolewich, Henry Corbiere, Gladys Debassige, Wallace Corbiere, Glen Corbiere, Sandra Taibossigai and Gerald Corbiere.

Mr. Corbiere also had five grandchildren with whom he enjoyed spending time, and was very fond of a chocolate Lab.

While the tragedy has been difficult for the family to absorb, Ms. Debassige said some solace can be taken from the fact that the death came quickly, and in a setting that was fitting for the inveterate tinkerer. "He passed suddenly," she said. "And he was where he wanted to be; he would have wanted to be at home, working on a piece of equipment."

Northland adapting to new wind-farm regs

Critics feel turbines should be set back more than 550 metres

by Jim Moodie

TORONTO-New guidelines announced last week regarding setbacks of wind turbines from dwellings are being taken in stride by the firm planning the McLean's Mountain project, while a group of opponents is hoping the legislation will at least afford some protection for owners of undeveloped land in the area.

Last week, the McGuinty government bolstered its Green Energy Act by revealing a final set of criteria that will steer the development of wind projects in Ontario. Among the components of the new legislation are a requirement that turbines be set at least 550 metres away from homes; a stipulation that at least 25 percent of the construction and transmission work associated with a wind farm be sourced locally; and the establishment of a set price by which producers of green energy can count on contributing their power to the grid.

While the new turbine rules have been touted as the toughest in North America, the province is also trying to facilitate investment in an industry it deems preferable to dirtier power sources like coal, and wind companies had a sense of what was coming.

"There are no big surprises," said Rick Martin, manager of business development with Northland. "It may be premature to make a blanket statement, but I don't think it will affect our project too much."

Mr. Martin said the company was fully aware that the province was working towards the finalization of the Green Energy Act and was braced for the idea that the project might have to be tweaked somewhat to fit within the new regulations. "We will have to make some micro adjustments, but it doesn't kill the project by any means," he said. "I don't see anything being a huge roadblock at this time."

While the Northland team was working under the earlier directives of the Ministry of the Environment in planning its farm, with distances of turbines from dwellings based on a sound limit (40 decibels being the maximum amount that can reach a home) rather than a set distance in metres, Mr. Martin said this ended up translating into buffers big enough to satisfy the 550-metre requirement anyway.

When it came to identifying inhabited "noise receptors"-industry speak for locations, like homes, that might be affected by noise-in its earlier plan, Mr. Martin said "we set the turbines so they'd already be back 550 metres. We've laid the project out based on that."

There are other setback requirements, however. Natural heritage features, such as significant wetlands or significant wildlife habitat, would be protected by a setback of 120 metres, with development only being able to move closer where there is a study demonstrating the ability to mitigate negative impacts.

And the act now includes a requirement that farms with clusters of six or more turbines would need to have these structures at a much bigger remove-as much as 950 metres-from a dwelling.

While Northland plans to erect 43 turbines altogether, Mr. Martin said "the majority of our turbines would not be that concentrated," so likely wouldn't fall into the category that would require a setback of more than 550 metres, but he admitted that this could have an influence on some of the turbine sites. "It's something we want to get more detail on," he said.

For Ray Beaudry, one of a group of concerned citizens with properties in the Green Bush and Honora Bay areas that will be impacted by the development, the setback rules are "a step in the right direction," but one that doesn't go nearly far enough. "In my opinion it's a start, as long as the more turbines there are the farther the setbacks are, but that doesn't seem to be a given and it doesn't really address the issue of vacant land."

In his view, the province should have legislated much more generous buffers between the power-producing towers and neighbouring properties-including ones that don't have buildings on them at present but whose owners might want to build in the future.

He noted that countries like Germany, Denmark, France, Sweden and Holland now have tougher rules requiring turbines to be "two kilometres or more away from dwellings," and "some counties in California are increasing buffers up to three kilometres."

It isn't that his group opposes wind energy altogether, he stressed. "We don't mind turbines, but to me they should be a kilometre away. They shouldn't be placed where they won't affect people's health, safety and property rights."

Mr. Beaudry and other Northland critics feel owners of vacant lots next to the turbine sites are getting a particularly raw deal, as the setback rules don't take into account the possibility of someone wishing to construct a dwelling later on. A wind turbine could be built along the edge of a leased property, he noted, devaluing the adjoining land and making it unappealing for the creation of a home-if a building permit would even be issued by the municipality for a site within 550 metres of a turbine, which is unclear at present.

"Landowner rights have gone right out the window," he said. "There's no regard for adjacent property owners."

Mr. Martin feels this concern has been misrepresented. "So much of what fired up the petition (that concerned landowners submitted to the Northeast Town) is the assumption that no-one would be able to construct within the minimum distance from a turbine, but that is clearly not the case," he said. "Unless the municipality puts in a bylaw, there's nothing in the building code saying someone can't build."

The Northland rep used the analogy of a highway. Acknowledging that not everyone wants to live on the edge of a major thoroughfare, he maintained, "there's nothing stopping you from building there." He added that, while he appreciates that not everyone would want to live in the shadow of a wind turbine, these machines are much quieter than the trucks and cars that roar along freeways.

Adjacent landowners who would prefer that the development stays farther away to begin can take some heart in at least one respect: for those who already have building permits, or acquire them before the project is given an official green light, the same 550-metre setback rule applying to existing homes will apparently adhere.

Mr. Martin said that "this is something that has to be determined," while conceding that "the indications are that if a building permit is there and it's for a sensitive receptor (i.e., a habitation), then we would have to respect that."

Mr. Beaudry was less equivocal, stating: "If you have a building permit before they do, that takes precedence. So it's important to get your permit now."

The proximity of the towers is worrisome to Mr. Beaudry and his supporters not merely for the influence they could have on building decisions and the resale value of nearby land, but also the headaches and sleep disruptions that some claim occur as a result of low-frequency noise emissions.

These concerns, and others, have been voiced through a forum for public input that followed the completion of Northland Power's environmental screening report (ESR). Mr. Beaudry said "there have been a substantial number of elevation requests," meaning that calls have been made for the initial, streamlined environmental assessment (EA) to be "bumped up" to a full-scale EA, which would require more study and consultation. Whether that appeal is honoured is up to the discretion of the environment minister.

Mr. Martin feels Northland has been very thorough and transparent in creating and sharing the details of its environmental study, and will continue to work with the public to mitigate any issues. "Right now we're waiting for the comments of the environmental review board, and then there will be a period to respond to the requests for elevation," he said. "We'll have an opportunity to address concerns and make adjustments where necessary. And at the end of the day, when the ministry is satisfied and all the stakeholders are reasonably satisfied, we hope to get a 'leave to construct,'" which would be the final approval through the Ontario Energy Board for the project to begin.

He indicated that "there will be some fine-tuning" of the project, while pledging that "how it will be done will be made public. It's Northland's hope that we can all work together and enjoy the benefits together."

While the final pieces of the Green Energy puzzle will require some adaptations on Northland's part, Mr. Martin said the company is prepared to take whatever steps necessary. "We have to work within the law, whatever the law of the day is."

In general, he feels it is a fair compromise. "Some adjustments were made to appease opposers," he said. "It's encouraging local labour and input, which is something we were already committed to. It seems to be a well balanced-out answer."

Hydro to be out across Island

for five hours this Sunday AM

MANITOULIN-Islanders will be without power for five hours this Sunday, October 4, as Hydro One undertakes routine equipment maintenance.

Work is scheduled to begin at 8 am on Sunday, and will be restored at approximately 1 pm. Roughly 10,048 customers across the Manitoulin area will be affected by the power interruption; they will be contacted about the power outage via automated phone message.

The maintenance work is required "to maintain a reliable power delivery system," Hydro One notes in a news release.

For more information, customers can contact the Customer Communications Centre at 1-800-434-1235, or visit the website at www.HydroOneNetworks.com and click on the power outages shortcut.

Editorial

Sea cadets offer youth a healthy alternative

The entire Manitoulin Island community (as well as communities beyond even onto Espanola) owes a debt of gratitude to Little Current veterans Ed Kift and Jeff Marshall, the two main driving forces behind the incredibly successful Manitoulin Sea Cadet Corps. These gentlemen rightly deserve laurels and accolades for their vision and dedication as well as their indomitable spirits which helped to make the Manitoulin Sea Cadet Corps a reality.

The Manitoulin Sea Cadets have repeatedly won awards for their recruitment numbers-towering over corps with a much larger catchments areas from which to draw-and those young men and women drawn to the sea cadet uniform have attained accolades and awards in their own rights wherever they have competed.

Manitoulin may be hockey country, but, as sacrilegious as it may sound to some ears, not every young person wants to don skates and take to the ice stick in hand. The sea cadets provide both a team environment and opportunities to excel that are open to everyone-even parents, as there are plenty of openings in the ranks for civilian and military instructors.

For an area to which economic recession often seems more the norm than a transitory inconvenience, the fact that the Department of National Defence picks up almost the entire tab is also a welcome respite from the constant monetary demands made by other opportunities for youth.

This past summer was a terrible time for youth seeking employment across the country, yet members of the Manitoulin Sea Cadet Corps not only got the opportunity to attend military bases across Canada in a leadership role, learning new skills and tradecraft, they also got paid for their efforts.

The efforts of volunteers like outgoing Corps Lieutenant Commander Deborah Goode and incoming Corps Commander Navy Lieutenant Dennis Blake, as well as a host of other parent and community volunteers who work tirelessly in supportive roles, find their reward each year when the cadets return with top honours in competitions across the province and the nation. To those volunteers the community also owes a great debt of gratitude.

Sea cadets learn the importance, and the rush, of working as a team to accomplish a goal. They also learn leadership skills which will serve them very well in whatever other realms of endeavour they choose to pursue in later life.

The Manitoulin Sea Cadet Corps meets each Monday night at the arena in Little Current and is open to youth and parents from any community who wish to take part in one of the most rewarding opportunities available in the region.

Mr. Kift and Mr. Marshall have shown the rest of us just how much can be accomplished when a dream is coupled with drive, determination and plain old hard work.

Letters to the Editor

Boater's card test available at Mindemoya library

Sole location on Island to offer in-person exam

To the Expositor:

Re: "Boaters urged to get operator card as September 15 deadline passes" (September 23).

Just to let you know the Mindemoya Library, at 6020 Hwy 542 in Mindemoya, also gives this boating test to enable people to obtain their operator's card. This is the only place on the Island that can give this test in person, as shown on the Ontario boating league website.

The librarian-yours truly, Claire Cline-at the library is the proctor for this test. The cost is only $35 (online it is over $50) and people do not have to use the computer at the library. It is a written test-multiple choice. If the person receives a mark of at least 27 out of the 36 questions, which is considered a pass, they will receive a paper immediately that shows they have passed the test to carry with them and then they receive the actual card in the mail.

Hours available to take the one-hour exam are Tuesdays 1 to 4 pm, Wednesdays 10 am to 4 pm, and Thursdays 1 to 4 pm. Please call Claire at 377-5334 or come in to the library to set up an appointment.

Claire Cline

Mindemoya

New Green Energy Act favours industry

Electrical self-reliance favourable to new incentives

To the Expositor:

The new regulations in relation to wind turbine facilities proposed by the province's Green Energy Act are in favour of the industry and the rights of adjacent property owners are directly impacted. Many people cannot afford the $600 permit let alone a dwelling. Many property owners who live remote from this area aren't aware of this impact and may find out later once it is too late for accessing a building permit.

The municipality may not issue a permit within the 550-metre limit of a turbine once built, whereas that limit is allowed to impact or cross the fenceline onto the neighbouring land, and I don't believe most people would want to. Even on a 100-acre lot there are only some areas where a landowner can build, depending on the terrain or wet area.

The regulations have rules in place but below them are exemptions to those rules in favour of the industrial wind industry in regards to setbacks, which impact the health and safety of the public in relation to regular noise, low frequency noise, flicker effect, blade failure, ice throw, natural environmental issues, and landowners rights of use.

Smaller projects that do not have these impacts would perhaps be acceptable to our area and for Manitoulin use. New technologies are in place as well as more coming to have residential solar and wind energy use which would greatly reduce the dependency on the electrical grid.

There are many examples under the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure website. I understand public incentives may be coming for some of these projects. To me conservation and electrical self-reliance would be the preferred alternative to mega projects.

Raymond Beaudry

Green Bush

Answers needed on new tax

Levy will take toll of families

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a letter to Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown and has been reprinted at the request of the author.

To the Expositor:

Dear Mike,

Consumers are most likely to notice an increase in the price of gasoline and heating fuels. Electricity will no longer be exempt from provincial sales tax, nor will tobacco; personal services like haircuts, membership fees for clubs and gyms; newspapers and magazines; taxi fares; and the professional services of lawyers, architects and accountants. Real estate commissions will also be taxed.

In regards to your government's proposed harmonized tax which, it is purported, will cost taxpayers quite an amount of grief in the future, I ask you to respond to the following with your own letter to the editor or press interview. Please share with us as our representative!

How are you voting on this issue, and how is it better for Northern Ontarians? Now that it includes a whole list of new and wonderful previously tax-free items, how much will it increase the average family's monthly expenses?

Larry Killens

South Baymouth