A message from Chief and Council

Re: Pow Wow Grounds

May 4, 2010

RAMA – Chief and Council are pleased to announce that Rama First Nation plans to establish permanent outdoor Pow Wow and Ceremonial Grounds in the community. This project was identified as a key cultural priority in the 2005-2006 Ten Year Community Vision report, an extensive survey produced with input from the entire membership. The Community Cultural Advisory Circle (CCAC) and Pow Wow committees, having reviewed their priorities and budget for the next few years, made this recommendation to leadership and are pleased to be moving forward with this long held community goal at this time.

Rama First Nation has enjoyed hosting the Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving Pow Wows for many years but weather issues dictated that these celebrations be held indoor in our MASK arena.

Rama is looking towards holding an outdoor event in our proposed new permanent grounds. In order to begin the transition towards an August Pow Wow event, we will be holding a final Thanksgiving Pow Wow on October 9^th

and 10^th this year. The Mothers Day Pow Wow will not be held in 2010. Our Culture Department, Pow Wow Committee and Community Cultural Advisory Circle will begin to focus on planning for the new venue. We look forward to welcoming our many visitors to our new permanent grounds.

Chief and Council would like to acknowledge the many community members who attended meetings over this past year and provided input into this decision. Recommendations made to leadership were arrived at after much deliberation by the Pow Wow Committee and the Community Cultural Advisory Circle.

A meeting of the Pow Wow Committee is planned for May 12^th, Community Room, MASK. at 12.00 noon. Everyone is welcome. Lunch will be provided.

A message from Chief and Council

A RALLY IS BEING ORGANIZED THROUGH THE CHIEFS OF ONTARIO AND WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010, IN OTTAWA on the front lawn of Parliament Hill by the fire pit at 1:00 p.m. The route is approximately 1 km from Parliament Hill to the Ministry of Finance. The march will begin at approximately 1:30 pm.

RAMA FIRST NATION IS ORGANIZING TRANSPORTATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF THIS IMPORTANT RALLY.

DEPARTURE DETAILS:

6:30 a.m. (to be confirmed) Rama Administration Building Parking Lot AT 5884 Rama Road. The bus will travel express to Ottawa. Given the travel time to Ottawa, we are asking participants to bring lunch as there are no plans to stop.

RETURN – We will be departing from Ottawa at 4:00 p.m. Chief and Council will provide a complimentary dinner stop during the return back to Rama.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, PLEASE CONTACT KELLI SNACHE AT 325-3611 EXT. 1227 TO REGISTER BY NOON ON FRIDAY, MARCH 5^th, 2010. TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS WILL DEPEND

ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE REGISTERED.

The Chiefs of Ontario flyer is attached with further details about the rally.

THIS IS A PEACE DEMONSTRATION STAGED TO SEND A UNITED VOICE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA THAT WE DO NOT SUPPORT FURTHER IMPOSITION OF TAX ON OUR PEOPLE

A message from Chief and Council

2nd call for registration - HST Rally

Say NO to HST March 10, 2010

2^nd call for registration for HST Rally March 10/2010

DEADLINE this FRIDAY

leaving morning of 6am - returning at 4pm

(travel times tentative)

CONTACT Kelli Snache directly 325-3611 ext 1227

This is a Chief and Council initiative as posted February 22, 2010

Staff encourage to go with managers permission.

Band Members only. Dinner will be provided, but please bring own bag lunch.

Duplicate notice has been sent out to staff and community

More Deatail on HST Rally March 10, 2010 time 1:30 p.m.

ATTENTION FIRST NATION CITIZENS

Say No To The HST!!



Please call Kelli Snache 325-3611 ext 1227
if you are interested in going to Ottawa.

Chiefs of Ontario Bulletin

Harmonized Sales Tax - Questions and Answers

Please call Kelli Snache 325-3611 ext. 1227
if you are wanting to attend rally on March 10, 2010

Chief and Council would like to establish groups numbers, so transportation can be arranged.

Tax alert

Tax alert

The Canada Revenue Agency warns Canadians of

mail scam

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is warning taxpayers to beware of a recent scam where some Canadians are

receiving a letter fraudulently identified as coming from the CRA and asking for personal information. The letter is

not from the CRA. A PDF version of the letter is available on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/alert.

The letter claims that there is “insufficient information” for the individual’s tax return and that in order to receive

any “claims,” they will have to update their records. The letter attaches a form specifically requesting the

individual’s personal information in writing, via fax or email, including information on bank accounts and passports.

This letter is not from the CRA and Canadians should not provide their personal information to the sender.

All taxpayers should be vigilant when divulging any confidential information to third parties. The CRA has well

established practices to protect the confidentiality of taxpayers’ information.

The CRA has notified the proper law enforcement authorities of this scam.

For information about this and other similar scams, or to report deceptive telemarketing activity, visit

www.phonebusters.com, send an email to info@phonebusters.com, or call 1-888-495-8501.

Chief and Council Report

Casino Rama Post 2011 Agreement Announced
On January 26th, Chief and Council for Rama First Nation joined with the Honourable Chris Bentley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, in announcing a new partnership with the province which will ensure Casino Rama’s future for up to 35-years. The announcement took place in the lobby of the Casino Rama hotel with a large audience including our community and staff, Casino Rama Management and CREW, Ontario, Ontario Lottery and Gaming, local leadership and businesses.
This agreement officially starts on August 1, 2011 with a 20-year term and two renewable options which extend the agreement to 35 years. It is estimated to be worth $1-billion dollars to Rama First Nation.
Miigwech to the many who joined in the celebration at Casino Rama. We are looking forward to the new opportunities that this brings to our community , particularly in economic development initiatives.

35% Revenue Sharing Appeal Released by Court
The Court of Appeal for Ontario released a decision on Friday, January 22nd. The court ruled against Rama First Nation in the 35% Revenue Sharing case, finding that the 35% funds currently held in escrow should be shared among Ontario First Nations.
Chief and Council are working with legal counsel to examine the options, which includes the possibility of an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court is the last available appeal. Chief and Council have 60 days from the date of the ruling to file an appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court may take some time to review their position so it would likely be heard sometime in 2011. We will continue to keep you informed on this issue.

Chippewa Tri Council Update
Chief and Council continue to meet with the CTC to discuss strategies for settlement of the Coldwater Narrows Land Claim. We are working with Beausoleil First Nation and Georgina Island First Nation to lobby members of Cabinet to assist in speeding up resolution of our claim. We have been advised that it is currently going through committee review, which precedes being put on Cabinet’s agenda. Members of this committee report that the thorough settlement preparation undertaken by the CTC negotiating team has helped move this through administrative channels quickly
Meetings are planned with Members of Parliament Bruce Stanton, Simcoe North, and Honourable Peter Van Loan, York North, within the next few weeks.
We will continue to keep you advised on progress in this settlement process.

Upcoming Meetings and Events
Feb. 15 Family Day
Feb. 16 First Nations Public Library Week begins
Feb. 19 Rama Community Social
Feb. 23-25 Chiefs of Ontario, Health Forum, Toronto

Please see notices in the Ojibway Times for more community events and notices.

Note that Family Day on February 15th is a statutory holiday so the Administration offices will be closed. Essential services will continue to be provided.