Summary, Minutes and Motions from September 14 Chief and Council Meeting

Chief and Council held a session at Maqiyahtimok on September 14, 2021, with the intent to discuss a variety of topics. The first portion of the meeting took place with the economic development board of directors present. This portion was intended to inform Chief and Council of ongoing updates around the operation of SMEC, Retail Sales and broader economic development initiatives.

The second half of the meeting was a general session and included a brief presentation by a candidate for federal MP followed by an information session from representatives from the Small Mouth Bass Eradication Consortium. Additional presentations followed by education on behalf of two members, as well as an information session with the Director of Operations.

Another business was to sign a Band Council Resolution affirming a previous band council motion to approve financing for the construction of homes on reserve. Additional time near the end of the meeting was granted to the Cody Brooks of the Emergency Measures Operations team to discuss the evolving fourth-wave COVID-19 response and measures.

Summary of Motions:

Seven motions were made, four during the Economic Development portion of the meeting and three during the latter half.

Motion One, EcDev: Call for closure of all band-owned entities (emergency medical services excluded) on September 30 in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Motion Passed.

Motion Two, EcDev: Request to purchase a used vehicle on behalf of Retail Sales to assist with timely snow removal from community-owned businesses, cash price of $7,000. Motion Passed.

Motion Three, EcDev: A motion to open a band-owned candy shop at the Two Nations One Stop. Retail Sales provided data to support the feasibility and viability of such an operation. Motion Passed.

Motion Four, EcDev: Demolition of building at 519 Union Street (Old Taxi Stand) and landscape the area afterward to allow for future development on the property. Motion Passed.

Motion One, General Session: Motion to support an employee’s personal request. Motion Passed.

Motion Two, General Session: Motion to support an employee’s personal request.  Motion Passed.

Motion Three, General Session: Motion to support an employee’s personal request. Motion Failed. (Council had asked for additional information on the matter.)

Small-Mouth Bass Eradication Presentation:

Guests from the Atlantic Salmon Federation, Miramichi Salmon Association and North Shore Micmac District Council representing The Working Group on Smallmouth Bass Eradication in the Miramchi presented a presentation on their information in advance of a community session to be held on September 15, 2021. This session was purely informative and was not a part of consultation or rights management.

This presentation included information on their timeline, who The Working Group is and what their goals are. This included some background on when Small Mouth Bass (SMB) were first introduced and detected by monitors within the Miramichi Lake (and later the Southwest Miramichi River). They provided information on the previous efforts to address this invasive species, including manual fishing, electrofishing and fish gating.

Efforts to contain the SMB have failed according to The Working Group and their plans to introduce rotenone into the Miramichi Lake and Southwest Miramichi River are to attempt to eliminate the spread of this species into the other portions of the Miramichi River. This is the only invasive species the group has detected within the Miramichi and this course of action is their best effort to remove it from the ecosystem before it takes root permanently.

Members of The Working Group noted they’ve also worked with other partners as a means to increase prolonged salmon viability in the area, ranging from creation of additional cold-water spawning locations and mitigating risks from deforestation to opening discussions with fisheries in Greenland to ensure the existing Atlantic Salmon stock isn’t being overharvested outside of Canada.

The Wolastoqey Chiefs were in agreeance with the plans based on the science presented to and by Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick (WNNB) with all but one condition being met. That condition being access to fish salmon in the area in accordance with our inherent and treaty rights. This has not been fulfilled and support from the Wolastoqey will be rescinded if left unaddressed.

St. Mary’s Entertainment Centre (SMEC) updates:

Walter Brooks of SMEC provided updates on the operations under his purview, noted closure on September 30 for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation would cost SMEC some income, but they would be more than happy to take direction on the matter from Chief and Council. Construction of the new dining area for the Pine Tree Pub will start by the end of September, with no shutdown occurring as a temporary dine-in area will be implemented in a portion of the old Bingo Hall A area. This project would be completed within four weeks if the forecasted timeline is correct.

Brooks noted the significant anniversary coming up for the SMEC in October, during which the SMEC will be celebrating 25 years in operation. Suggestions for celebrations included a community breakfast, perhaps with door prizes or a chance to win bingo passes. Concern around the viability of this due to the recent rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in the province, with particular interest being placed on the announcement set to release September 15. If no lockdown mandate is issued though, the SMEC is prepared to reopen for bingo every day of the week, even if it means mandating masks be worn.

Additional concerns for SMEC arose from a lack of reliable staffing for the Pine Tree Pub. The restaurant has lost a cook and hasn’t found a general supervisor despite efforts to do so and highly competitive wages being offered. Current plan is to promote internally, with a split duty for management being assigned to a worker from the front end and a worker from the kitchen. This will be tested on a three-month trial run.

Economic Development Coordinator and Committee Updates:

Kim Nash-McKinley provided broader Economic Development updates, noting an ongoing discussion with investors around potential expansion of Economic Development initiatives. These investors are looking at scoping out the viability of a hotel and other joint ventures within the community and have past experiences working with First Nations as well as communities in other countries. Council asked for a packet on these investors and to meet with them when possible.

Discussions with Starbucks are ongoing about the viability of launching a franchise along Union Street, past efforts fizzled due to traffic concerns around the placement of a Starbucks franchise at the Two Nations One Stop location.

The committee has also discussed the viability of beer and wine sales at the Supermarket location, with advisors indicating it may be feasible but there’s some hesitancy about seeking the necessary licences if the Tax-Revenue Sharing Agreements aren’t reinstated with the current provincial government.

The New Brunswick Smart Energy Community Accelerator Program (NBSECA) is looking to continue working with St. Mary’s First Nation, more details on this are to come in October. Current efforts include home improvements and clean energy exploration, with past projects covering similar goals. Chief and Council agreed to having Kim Nash-McKinley sign the terms of reference (TOR) required to enter and/or continue this partnership with NB SECA.

Retail Sales Updates:

Ron Wood provided updates on Retail Sales, noting salaries remain the largest expense for the community-owned businesses. This is to be expected given they’re the largest single employer of band members, however this has led to costs exceeding income at times. An overarching goal is to restructure slightly to allow management to identify where staffing is and is not best utilized in a way that doesn’t slash employment opportunities or reduce the strong loyalty within the workplaces under Retail Sales.

Retail Sales has identified a need during the winter to increase the rate at which the community businesses’ driveways and parking lots are cleared. There’s already a salt and plow assembly in possession, so SMRS is looking to purchase a truck at a cost of $7000, as noted in the motions above.

The feasibility of purchasing and installing a generator to prevent power outages at the Supermarket and other Kchikhusis Plaza businesses is being evaluated. This could be offset by preventing losses from future outages.

Miscellaneous Agenda Items:

St. Mary’s EMO also provided an update on the process of developing an ongoing COVID-19 response and protocol for band-owned entities. 75-80% of the community is currently vaccinated, but with increasing exposure rates in the province as a whole and 12 schools, including FHS, being closed recently due to exposures, there may be a demand for more protective measures.

A Band Council resolution was signed to reaffirm a previous motion by council to approve financing for three homes on reserve. This was passed unanimously without need for a second motion.

Conclusion:

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, feel free to contact band administration or a member of Chief and Council at the band office by calling +1 (506) 458-9511 or toll-free at +1 (888) 445-6644 during regular business hours. The next Chief and Council meeting is slated for early September.

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