October 2, 2017

Koolamalsi,

It’s been a busy summer since first being elected to represent you on the Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit/Delaware Nation Council last June. Today, I am happy to share my council update, as part of my commitment to support open communication and information sharing.

My priority is, and always will be to support community wellness, safety, fairness and equality.  I believe the first step toward achieving these goals is to create a supportive environment, through the creation of policies and procedures, which help us work well with each other. Where policies and procedures already exist, we need to ensure they are followed. A policy review is in the works at the council table. Ultimately, our policies need to stem from who we are as Lunaapeewak, and our cultural values of supporting one another with kindness and respect.

One such policy currently being reviewed by council is the residency policy. The current policy is based on Indian Act values, which does more to divide our community than support. I am in the process of drafting an update to this policy of council, which I hope will better reflect today’s reality of blended families, Lunaapeewak values, and the protection of our right to choose who lives in our community. I will be looking to you, as a member of our community to provide your input on what you’d like considered in this revision.

Instead of councillor portfolios, today’s council team chooses which board, committee or task force they want to participate in. I represent your interests on the following:

1. Health and Social Advisory Board, Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI)
   • Participated in one conference call so far
     • Discussion included the Nation’s participation in a Senior’s questionnaire, which will provide information to AIAI on the needs of seniors, to support lobby efforts. The questionnaire is completed. Also discussed was the development of an AIAI community crisis response plan, which may see the creation of a mobile crisis team that would travel to the different AIAI communities when crises arise.
     • As a result of the complexity of health and social issues, I have requested a local committee be established with health and social services staff, to ensure community needs are identified and addressed at the local and regional levels.

2. Public Works
   • Participated in one orientation meeting so far, where I was provided information on the status of our public works infrastructure. There are no immediate areas of concern, however we still need to conserve our community’s water source. A community update from our public works department is expected, once details are available.

3. Youth – no meeting to date, however, I look forward to working with our AIAI youth rep to support the development of a community youth council & increase youth engagement.
   

4. Waste Management Task Force – no meeting has been held yet, however, a community clean-up is expected this month. I also recommended fixed dates for spring and fall clean-up, so that community members can make plans/prepare.
   

5. Governance Task Force – no meeting to date.

As you will see in the newsletter this week, council is also planning an informal meet and greet, coffee night. This event began as an opportunity to be better connected to the community for those of us who are new to council. We hope to hold more of these nights, to provide you with improved access to your leadership and participate in discussions about the direction of our community, for the betterment of all. I hope you see you there!

If you would like to reach me, my cell number is: 519-401-5166.

Anushiik.

Sherry Huff
Councillor
Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit/Delaware Nation