Employment Opportunity – Youth Property Monitors

The Lands Department is seeking energetic young members to act as Youth Property Monitors. The monitors will watch over the Nochemowenaing site, as well as be a steward of the site and Neyaashiinigmiing. Youth Property Monitors will promote awareness of Nochemowenaing’s history and the importance of the site, protect sites from human interference and other detriments, and prepare daily monitoring reports and logs. This role will provide the opportunity to learn about the history of Nochemowenaing and the Chippewas of Nawash, the ecology and natural heritage of the site, and the cultural uses and teachings of the site.

Learn more about this opportunity and others on the Employment page.

Council Considers Property Purchase on Purple Valley Road

The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Council is considering the purchase of the property at 952 Purple Valley Road, bordered on the west by Purple Valley Road, and the north by McIvor Road. The proposal has been forwarded to the Coldwater Trust for assessment and consideration. View the real estate listing here: https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/22688987/952-purple-valley-road-purple-valley

The property is situated on almost 200 acres and is almost adjacent to the First Nation (there is property between the First Nation, and this sale, that is owned by the Bruce Trail Association and the Conservation Authority). The house has 10 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, a commericial kitchen, sauna, pool, maple syrup operation, several outbuildings – the barns and pastures are currently rented to a local farmer, the drive shed has an engine hoist, large commercial freezer, and a large storage area. The home was used as a Bed and Breakfast, there is one Bunkie also on the property that was rented out and an outdoor barbeque area with pizza oven and running water.

The house comes FULLY furnished, including items in the outbuildings such as a large tractor with plow, small backhoe, etc.

There is a lot of potential for economic development. The purchase of the house and property would also allow time to conduct a feasibility study and community consultation on a Residential Aftercare Program which would offer life skills and trades in such areas as automotive, carpentry, culinary, farming, maple syrup, gardening, life guard, equine therapy, etc. as an example.

The listing is for $2,500,000.00. The furnishings and equipment included, and the size of the property need to be considered when looking at the asking price.

Funds for the purchase may come from the Coldwater Trust as the Coldwater Trust Agreement allows for funds to be used to purchase lands for the First Nation’s benefit. The Council believes that the addition of real estate to the Coldwater Trust portfolio will diversify the fund.

The Council is seeking the membership’s feedback on the proposed purchase. Tell us what you think by completing our brief survey here: Feedback Survey. You can also pick up a paper copy of the survey from the Band Office during business hours

Chippewas of Nawash Welcomes New Matrimonial Real Property Coordinator

Chippewas of Nawash welcomes  Nuala (pronounced as “new-la”) Robinson as the new Matrimonial Real Property (MRP) Coordinator.  Ms. Robinson is a longtime Grey-Bruce resident who brings a wealth of cross-discipline experience as an executive assistant to the role, in the fields of mental health and addictions, law, accounting and commercial development. She lists as just some of her passions raising her son, reading (particularly sci-fi and fantasy),  crochet, motorcycles, and music.  Despite Ms. Robinson’s many pastimes, she still finds time to volunteer with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society, and to serve on the Boards of the Victorian Order of Nurses in Grey-Bruce and the Sauble Family Health Team. Her positive outlook and cheerful work ethic is truly inspirational. Ms. Robinson will be an asset to our community and we are excited to have her as part of our team.

Council to Allow Registered Lessees to Access Cottages

Following the recent decision to allow seasonal campers access to Cape Croker Park, the Council has also voted to allow registered recreational lessees (tenants) access to their leased cottage lots. Note that this applies to registered leases only. Private lease or rental arrangements, not registered with Indigenous Services Canada, remain prohibited under the State of Emergency declared by the Council, as the Band does not have safety monitoring mechanisms in place for private agreements.

The Lands Department recommended the partial re-opening, supported by the multi-phase Registered Recreational Cottage Lease Re-opening Plan. The Plan was reviewed by the Council, our health professionals, and the Community Emergency Response Group (CERG), with the primary focus of the reviews being public safety and keeping Neyaashiinigmiing free of COVID-19. The first phase of the Plan will be in effect from July 31, 2020 to August 16, 2020. The situation in the community and the Plan will be re-assessed during the initial period to determine when and whether to move on to the next phase.

Under the terms of Phase One of the Registered Recreational Cottage Lease Re-opening Plan, registered lessees and guests will be given letters of access to the community, on a weekly basis. Lessees and guests will be allowed to access their leased properties, with some limitations designed to limit their contact with Neyaashiinigmiing residents.

The conditions of the Registered Recreational Cottage Lease re-opening include the following:

  • Lessees must register all guests each week
  • Community access restricted to five (5) people per leased lot at any given time
  • Lot access restricted to five (5) people per leased lot at any given time
  • Lessee must stay on their leased lot unless away for essentials (fuel, food)
  • Lessees must maintain physical distancing when at local businesses
  • Lessee must wear a mask when at local businesses and elsewhere on reserve
  • A Code of Conduct must be signed and kept on file at the leased site
  • Lessees must arrive at community during their registered days
  • The list of registered lessees and guests will be provided to Chippewas of Nawash Guardians at the monitoring station.
  • Lessees must display a validly issued vehicle access pass on the dashboards of their vehicles.
  • Public beach areas, docks and public areas of gathering will be off limits to non-member, non-resident lessees and guests at this time.
  • Trails on reserve lands are closed to non-member, non-resident guests and lessees
  • Infractions of terms will result in revocation of access letters for remainder of season

The situation in the community is continually being evaluated by the Administration and the Community Emergency Response Group, which makes recommendations to Council on steps forward during the pandemic. The implementation of the Registered Recreational Cottage Lease Re-opening Plan will be similarly assessed to assure that it is meeting the goals of keeping the community safe and respecting the rights of registered lessees. The Plan may be adjusted to accommodate new conditions as they arise.

Please contact Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Lands Department at 519-534-1689 if you have questions.