Far North Friday #84: Colleagues are Important

This Far North Friday note is recognition of a colleague, Lori Churchill. Today (April 29/22) is her last day as Director, Indigenous Consultation and Partnerships Branch, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.

Lori and I worked together at the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) between 2000 and about 2006, when she graduated from the OGS and started a new career at Ontario’s Ring of Fire Secretariat.

I am uncertain how to recognize and acknowledge the breadth of her contributions, but because my Far North Friday notes have a far north flavour, I will highlight a few of her far north experiences.

I reflect on our first visit with Bearskin Lake First Nation, where Lori was swarmed by friendly, but energetic kindergarten kids in the school yard who detected a bag of chips inside her pack sack. Later, we bought two bags of old fruit to share with those kids on a school field trip. Buying fruit for community events became an important practice.

I reflect on the many visits to the far north First Nation communities by Minister Bartolucci. All were remarkable, but all involved Lori’s quiet participation with the community planners in the background (Photo 1).

I reflect on the week-long Treaty 9 commemoration week in Fort Hope (Eabametoong First Nation), where we learned a lot about Treaty 9 and what it meant to community members and Lori had the opportunity to display her baseball skills (Photo 2).

I reflect on the 1st band meeting with Webequie First Nation, where the emotions were powerful. Not angry emotions, but powerful community emotions - you had to be there. Mike Rae, Economic Development Officer with Matawa First Nations, a tribal council, recognized our struggle and advised us how to maintain some balance (Photo 3).

I reflect on a video project created by First Nation people, Ontario (MNDM), Canada (NRCan), and Chikak Communications (Winnipeg). Lori was the Ontario project manager. “Dr. Dave” (Professor David Pearson, Laurentian University) described it as the way to create a First Nation - Government video (or words to that effect) (Photo 4).

I reflect on the visit to the ancestral village of Kasabonika Lake First Nation. It was an epic boat trip with Eno H Anderson and band members who shared with us the amazing ambiance of the old village and the ancestors (Photo 5).

I reflect on the Albany River boat trip with Chief Eli Moonias and Norm Baxter (Marten Falls First Nation) to look at fossil “dinosaur teeth”, on a rainy day. The river passage took us through a smouldering forest fire. We subsequently met several Marten Falls First Nation band members in the Nakina airport a day later and they knew what had happened - word travels fast (Photo 6).

I reflect on the hilarious meeting with Neskantaga First Nation leadership, where we learned, when Lori stepped out for a break, that some names may have a very interesting Ojibway meaning. We learned that a colleague’s last name has a meaning that I won't share because…just because. I note that Chief Peter Moonias, Chris Moonias or Wayne Moonias were NOT willing to explain to Lori the meaning of the name. They were seldom at a loss for words when in the presence of Government folks!

I reflect on those scary plane flights where Lori’s role was to talk-down those who feared flying, while bouncing around in turbulence. I know all of us appreciated that.

No one does anything alone. Colleagues work together to achieve outcomes. Thank you for sharing your time and learnings with me.

May 20/22; Facebook April 29/22.