Rick Garrick — Wawatay News

About 18 vulnerable residents from Michipicoten First Nation have been evacuated after being stranded due to an Oct. 25 record downpour that washed out the road connecting Michipicoten to Wawa.
The First Nation has also evacuated about 40 other residents since the vulnerable residents were evacuated by helicopter to Wawa on Oct. 27 by Emergency Management Ontario.
“Following a night of heavy rain, the Municipality of Wawa has declared a state of emergency as a result of severe flooding,” said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty on Oct. 26.

The 2012 Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund corporation of the year was recognized for successful investments in camp and catering services, a cell phone company and the recent acquisition of a security company.
“Attawapiskat Resources is still fairly young, but we already have a growing record of business development that is improving opportunities for Attawapiskat First Nation members,” said Steve Hookimaw, board chairperson for Attawapiskat Resources Inc. “We are also contributing to the economy of northern Ontario as a whole.”

The 2012 Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund businessman of the year has been instrumental in working with communities as they move into the resource sector.
“It excites me to see communities start talking project and finances and regulatory stuff that allows them to be an active participant in an exciting sector,” said Michael Fox, owner of Fox High Impact Consulting and a Weenusk First Nation band member.

Webequie’s proactive approach to economic and business development was celebrated on Oct. 24 during the 22nd Annual Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund Business Awards.
“We see prosperity from the development that is going to happen in our area,” said Webequie Chief Cornelius Wabasse. “After the stake rush, we started to realize that we have to get involved and we have to develop business opportunities for our people so that they can have jobs, they can have benefits and all those things that are required at the community level.”

Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong’s Marie Seymour remembers her father, World War II veteran Peter Seymour, as a patriot who believed in his country.
“He believed it gave him a lot and he wanted to fight for his country,” said Seymour. “But he put his family first, because he stayed here as long as he could before he joined the army because he was a provider for his family.”