In the August 23 edition of The Expositor, the Page 3 article ‘Patsy Corbiere hopes to lead AOK through a third term as chief, the story incorrectly states that “a band member can’t vote in an election unless they’ve lived in the community for one year.” The statement should actually read “a band member can’t run in an election unless they’ve lived in the community for one year. The Expositor regrets this error and any confusion it may have caused.”
The Aundeck Omni Kaning advance poll takes place today, Wednesday, August 23, at the community centre from 6 to 9 pm with the election taking place this Saturday, August 26 from 9 am to 6 pm.
AUNDECK OMNI KANING—The final list of candidates for the 2017 Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation election are in with Patsy Corbiere, incumbent, and Mike Abotosaway running for the position of chief of the community.
Those running for the seven-seat council table are: Max Abotossaway, Marvin Assiniwai, Craig Abotossaway, Terry Abotossaway, Joyce Madahbee, Beverly Wilson, Michael Bucknell, Alicia McGraw, Nicole Howard, Monica Madahbee-Noble, Irence Altiman, Ryan Corbiere, Karen McGraw, Lauren Quinn Abotosaway, Scott Madahbee, Anne Marie Sandford, Kelly Abotossaway, Deborah Francis, Kathleen Negonnegijig, Sue Ramsdin, Jason Abotossaway, Ingrid Madahbee and Norm Obotossaway.
The advance poll will be held today, Wednesday, August 23, from 6 to 9 pm with election day Saturday, August 26 from 9 am to 6 pm. Both polls will occur at the Aundeck Omni Kaning community centre.
Michael Abotosaway promises fairness and dedication if elected AOK chief
During his time on council he helped update the elders’ centre, build the Four Directions building, the outdoor rink upgrade, upgrade the daycare, increase housing sizes, was a part of the Wind Farm Project and the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre partnership.
He is family oriented with three children Michaela (17), Tierra (14) and Gavin (5), giving him an understanding of the issues young families face.
Mr. Abotosaway is a recent graduate of the Georgian College construction and maintenance electrician apprenticeship program and received his Red Seal.
He has strong community ties and has been a volunteer firefighter in the community for 10 years, the commissioner of the Manitoulin Men’s Fastball League, a member of the UCCM Police Commission for one term and helped provide instruction to community members for Jiu-Jitsu.
“I stand for community unity, proactive changes, power back to the people, leadership that listens and accountability and transparency,” states Mr. Abotosaway in his election platform.
“Collectively we will work towards further utilizing our strong health and well being team and letting them take the lead on finding avenues to engage the community in positive and healthy activities,” added Mr. Abotosaway in his election platform pamphlet. “We will also work closely with lands and resources to develop an economic development plan that utilizes what we already have in our traditional territories. Therefore, taking a step forward in becoming self-sufficient. We will also ensure that all staff follows the policies and procedures of the band. The chief and council will adhere to the roles and responsibilities so that the voice of the community is heard.”
Patsy Corbiere hopes to lead AOK through a third term as chief
Ms. Corbiere points to her extensive experience of working for the band—either through her time as chief, the previous 18 years spent on council and her years spent working in band administration—that has given her an excellent working knowledge of what it takes to oversee a progressive First Nation such as Aundeck Omni Kaning.
“Being a chief today is not like it was 30 or 40 years ago,” Ms. Corbiere told The Expositor in a pre-election interview. “The role of chief has magnified,” she added, noting the government cutbacks the community is seeing, the land claims to handle, the community self-sufficiency to foster and grow, as well as, most importantly she said, the community’s needs. “You need the skillset and knowledge to handle these things and more.”
Some of her accomplishments over the past term include the building of the $3.9 million multi-complex; $100,000 in grant funding from FedNor for community fitness; $110,000 from the Anishinabek National Capital program for repairs to the daycare centre; funding from CMHC to complete repairs on four housing units; funding from Health Canada for repairs to the community health centre; and the negotiation of a lease agreement with Cole Munro Fisheries to operate the Wabuno Fish Farm to the tune of $100,000 a year.
Ms. Corbiere said that, should she be re-elected to the position of chief, she would like to work on election reform as, for instance, she doesn’t believe it to be fair that a band member can’t run in an election unless they’ve lived in the community for one year. “That might have been fine in 1991, when the code was written, but it doesn’t work now,” she said. “There is no difference between on-reserve and off-reserve members. The fact is that they are all Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation registered band members.”
Ms. Corbiere is also keen on increasing accessibility, for instance paving the roadside walking trails seen along the highway, as well as investigating a new elders’ complex in the community. Ms. Corbiere also spoke of the importance to her of: seeing through the Addition to Reserve (ATR) process then determining what to do with those lands; funding for the third phase of the development of the Amelia Heights subdivision; working on the community’s parks and beach; renovations to the band office; the implementation of the newly-signed Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement; and “the needs and growth of this community” as projects she would like to see through if re-elected.
Ms. Corbiere said a conversation also needs to be had over the McLean’s Mountain wind farm money and how best to spend it.
“The hotel is coming around too,” she added, noting that soon the returns will come back to the community—an additional source of funding.
“We also require a comprehensive plan for lands development,” Ms. Corbiere said.
“If you have positive action, you’ll have positive results,” she continued.
“It’s about looking at the future, not backwards,” Ms. Corbiere said.
As chief, she said, one should also keep at the forefront “who do you work for, the people, and never forget that.”
