Ontario Electricity Support Program will be visiting our Community March 2nd and 3rd 2016. 9am-4pm at the Georgina Island Library. Bring your hydro bill and Social Insurance Number to have your application completed. For further information contact Carol Taylor, Ontario Works… All applications are at the Library if anyone would like to get a head start….
OESP-BROCHURE2 ApplicationEnglishOESP ConsentEnglish-OESP
Here is the Ferry Schedule for the 2015 Holdiay Season!
Have a safe and Happy Holiday!
Community Presentation
INTRODUCTIONS AND PROCESS
Our Team, Mel Jacobs
Michael Jacobs
Community has pressured C&C to examine the Code Hired our team to examine the Code to ensure it reflects the present day and future desires of the community.
We looked at it in two ways: Does the Code support GIFN in 2015 and beyond?
Ease of Use – Is it a practical document?
OUR FINDINGS – DOCUMENT AND COMMUNITY
It was found that the document is ‘satisfactory’ for 2015 but will become less and less relevant as more and more time passes.It was also found that “who can be a member” issues are well beyond the scope of our work and required detailed assessment and community consultation The concepts on belonging to Georgina Island are sophisticated and the issues are very personal/emotional
The depth and scope of these types of changes require detailed research and comprehensive consultations with community members and familiesThere is a need to develop a version 2.0 This could take place over the next 2 – 5 years
WHAT CAN WE DO TODAY?
The intent of the 1987 Membership Code was for Georgina Island to be able to control membership to reflect Georgina’s needs. This document does not do that. It has a restrictive threshold.
AANDC applied strict rules on First Nations for voting on change: 50%+1 of all members have to vote in favour
Ridiculous considering the Quebec referendum / required only 50% +1 of those who voted to be in favour for Quebec to separate
Today, we can amend the Code so that when we are ready to vote on – the far reaching membership criteria – we are able to have a successful vote
WE RECOMMEND
That the community position themselves to be ready when significant changes are required
How? Replace Section 11 that requires 50% + 1 of all members over the age of 18 to vote in favour of a change.
Substitute so that 50% + 1 of those members over 18 who vote can approve change The vote would have the same rules
The vote has no possibility of being invalid as the threshold would always be met
It allows the community to respond in a timely manner to membership rule changes coming from community consultation in the upcoming years
HOW DO WE DO IT?
November 10, 2015 is the Vote Date
Members 18 years and over by that date will be have the opportunity to vote in the community or by mail-in, just like in an election
The threshold is high – approx. 345 of our eligible voters have to vote and vote yes
So there will be incentives to get people to vote
INCENTIVES TO VOTE
The biggest incentive is to author change and remove yourselves from an Indian Affairs’ restricting vote threshold and there will be 4 draw prizes of $250.00 for those who vote in the community and four draw prizes of $250.00 for those who vote by mail-in.
DATE: SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 2015
TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Casino Rama Hotel – 5899 Rama Road, Rama First Nation
Silvernightingale Room
GENERAL ASSEMBLY DRAFT AGENDA:
9:40 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.: Doors Open/Registration
10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.: Opening and Welcome Prayer
10:10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Review draft Agenda
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Opening Remarks – Chiefs
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Overview by Hutchins Legal of the Williams
Treaties First Nation Litigation
11:30 a.m. – 11:40 p.m.: Refreshment Break
11:40 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.: Presentation by Dr. Darrel Manitowabi
12:20 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: LUNCH BREAK
1:00 p.m. – 1:40 p.m.: Presentation by Dr. Janet Armstrong
1:40 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.: Presentation by Duncan Bell
2:20 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Refreshment Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.: Presentation by Dr. Carl Beale
3:10 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.: Presentation on Treaty 20 and related matters –
Karry Sandy McKenzie
3:25 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.: Question and Answer Period
3:45 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.: Closing Remarks – Chiefs
3:55 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Closing Prayer
WHEN: Saturday October 3rd, 2015
TIME: 10:00AM-4:00PM
WHERE: SILVER NIGHTINGALE ROOM,
CASINO RAMA
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED
WE WILL BE TAKING A BUS TO
RAMA FIRST NATION
PLEASE SIGN UP @ BAND OFFICE
WILLIAMS TREATY FIRST NATION BAND MEMBERS ONLY
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE LOG IN TO THE MEMBERS SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE
CHI-MIIGWETCH CHIEF AND COUNCIL
Chippewas of Georgina Island 
