Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation

November 22, 2020

Positive COVID-19 Cases

It has come to our attention that two more positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified in our community. Both members live off-reserve and are in isolation with their family. There is no risk to Alexis community members on-reserve that we are aware of. Contact tracing has begun and those who have been in contact, will be notified.

It is our priority to keep our members safe - if you think you may have symptoms, please stay home until you can be tested. Runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, congestion, fever, fatigue, aches, loss of taste or smell, and pink eye are all causes for concern. Members can make appointments to get tested by calling 780-967-1090.

We can all do our part to keep each other safe by taking the necessary precautions. Wash your hands, wear a mask, keep six feet apart, and if you feel unwell, please stay home.

A gentle reminder that health information is private information. While we understand people want answers about who has tested positive, we can not release personal health information. We need to be supportive and show compassion and kindness to those who have tested positive. They need to take care of their physical health at this time without the added emotional and mental distress. Please keep them in your prayers.

If you're scared of contracting the virus, stay home, get your helpers to assist you when you need supplies.

We will get through this together.

Sincerely,
Chief and Council
Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation

We would like to honour and recognize our member, Orlando Alexis who served in the Gulf War and was part of Operation Desert Storm. We also want to acknowledge our youth who are serving now in the Canadian military. Your contributions do not go unnoticed. We are grateful for your courage to step up and serve the country we live in - Ishnish for your service.

Lest we forget. While Remembrance Day looks a bit different this year, it is still important to remember the bravery of our veterans who sacrificed everything.

We would like to take this opportunity to honour those who served in the military and the warriors and braves who fought for the rights and freedoms of all. You are in our prayers.

Please share your stories and pictures of members who served or continue to serve.

Ishnish.

Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation was just informed today that another one of our members, off-reserve, has tested positive for COVID-19. This person is now in isolation.

New changes to contact tracing have been put into effect due to the surge of new cases in the province. Alberta Health Services directly notifies close contacts of cases of COVID-19 confirmed in three priority groups only:

• health care workers,
• minors (parents will still be notified by AHS if their child is exposed at school); and,
• individuals who live or work within congregate or communal facilities.

Individuals who are not within these priority groups, who have tested positive for COVID-19, are asked to notify their own close contacts of the exposure.

It is our priority to keep our members safe - we urge you to follow the safety precautions provided to us by the health authorities. Wash your hands, wear a mask, keep 6 feet apart, and if you feel unwell, please stay home. Runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, congestion, fever, fatigue, aches, loss of taste or smell, and pink eye are all causes for concern.

If you think you may have symptoms, please stay home until you can be tested. Members can make appointments to get tested at the health centre by calling 780-967-1090.

We are not out of the woods with COVID-19. We are still in a pandemic. Edmonton's cases are closer and closer to hitting 1000 new cases per day. These are the highest new case numbers we have seen since COVID-19 arrived in Alberta.

We know it is difficult, but you must limit visitation with people outside of your immediate family to limit the spread.

A reminder that health information is private information. While we understand that people want answers about who has tested positive, we can not release that personal information. We need to be supportive and show compassion and kindness to those who have tested positive. They need to take care of their physical health at this time without the added emotional and mental distress from being called out. Please keep them in your prayers.

If you're scared of contracting the virus, stay home, get your helpers to assist you when you need supplies.

We will get through this together.

Ishnish,
Chief and Council

Below is a link to a survey regarding the recently acquired land near the community.

These questions are for members as well as locals near Alexis, and they ask about the potential services that you’d like see close to the community.

Click here for the survey!

"We are all Treaty people. That is the reminder I want to give today. October is supposed to be Mi'kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia, with the 1st of the month being Treaty Day. Instead, we are seeing the divide grow between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Not only in Mi'kmaq territory but across this country - 1492 Land Back Lane, Wet'suwet'en, Secwépemc, Algonquin, Kanehsatà:ke, Joyce Echaquan, and the list goes on.

We have been a very, patient people - creating awareness, sharing our stories, our pain and trauma in turn simply asking for only understanding. What we need now is action - from the RCMP and Canadian governing bodies.

Treaty rights must be upheld at all levels -we should not have to raise the alarm through social media to be treated fairly. The time is now to stop the divide and hold those who are destroying the little we have, accountable."

- Chief Tony Alexis

Date: October 2020 – December 2020

Every Monday & Wednesday
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: Online - Zoom Classes

Description: To pre-register, please email isga@ansn.ca

For more information contact Eugene at eugene.alexis@ansn.ca

We are very excited for the next talk in our Indigenous Methodologies series which will take place on:
Friday, October 2nd from 4 to 5:30 pm with Dr. Rebecca Sockbeson (Penobscot Nation)!

In her program, Dr. Sockbeson will discuss Maine’s Wabanaki Studies Law, popularly referred to as LD 291, and how the historical context of Wabanaki-colonizer relations alongside the current status of Wabanaki content delivery highlight challenges and opportunities in its implementation.

About the Series: These virtual sessions will highlight the ongoing work of Native researchers and scholars. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from Indigenous people working in fields such as Ethno-botany, Educational Studies, History, and Anthropology.

Tickets for each program are $10, a fee that helps compensate presenters for their time. To learn more about the series or purchase tickets, click here: https://www.abbemuseum.org/events . There is no cost for Wabanaki citizens and those facing financial hardship. Please email educator@abbemuseum.org for a link and questions.

Six year old Phyllis Webstad was proud to wear the shiny orange shirt her grandmother bought her for her first day at St. Joseph's School in Williams Lake BC.

On arrival at the Mission, however, she and all of the other children were stripped of their clothes, and Phyllis never saw that orange shirt again.

"The colour orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn't matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing," she said. "All of us little children were crying and no one cared."

Learn more about Canada's Residential School history and talk to your kids about it. www.orangeshirtday.org

Processing Support and Information Session:

Date: Wednesday September 30, 2020
Time: 10AM - 4PM
Location: ANSN Council Chambers

This session is to assist in filling out the claim forms so that your application can be processed. Every effort will be made to answer your questions regarding the process for the day school compensation, so please be patient if we cannot address your concerns.

Thank you to all the Elders and members who attended today’s announcement! Our company, Backwoods Energy, made history today by leading Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Enoch Cree Nation, Whitefish/Goodfish Lake First Nation, Kehewin Cree Nation, O’Chiese First Nation, and Paul First Nation in the first commitment from the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation. With an equity stake in the Cascade Power Project, this investment will provide direct benefits to our nation for future generations. We have grown from minor roles in economic development to pursuing equity ownership in major projects.

Chief and Council would like to thank all the Elders and members who attended today. A very special thanks to Paul Poscente, CEO of Backwoods, Ryan McQuilter COO of Backwoods and Scott Alanen Senior M&A Advisor of Backwoods, for their dedication and hard work to make the Cascade Project a reality for our community.

More details will be shared with our members at the upcoming Band Meeting on September 23, 2020.

2nd Quarterly Band Meeting
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020
ALEXIS ARBOUR
11:00 AM

Alexis Chief and Council invite members to attend the 2nd quarter Band Meeting. Leadership and Program Departments will provide updates and activities.

All band departments will have a table set up with their departmental information and will be available to answer any questions members may have.

AGENDA:
Master of Ceremony: Francis Alexis
- Opening Prayer
- Welcoming Remarks
- Chief & Council
- Presentation on ANSN Election Law & Constitution
- Department Updates by Managers

Members are asked to PRE-REGISTER. Registration will be limited to the first 200 participants. To pre-register, contact Courtney Alexis at (780) 977-8606 or via email at courtneyalexis@ansn.ca.

All participants must wear a mask, sanitize their hands and maintain 2 meters of physical distancing. Thank you for your cooperation.

* Please stay home if you feel unwell; have a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, or shortness of breath, or are a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 *

Lunch and refreshments will be served.

Ish Nish,
Chief and Council
ALEXIS NAKOTA SIOUX NATION

Friday, August 21, 2020

Mass at 10 AM (Church)

Ceremony at 12 pm (Arbour)

Feast to follow

Inviting all ANSN members of different nationalities to come and educate or share their culture with the community

We are also having a mini powwow after, so bring out your drums and regalia! Hokaaa

Location: Fort Pitt, Saskatchewan
When: September 6, 7, 8, 9

Sunday September 6, 2020
Pipe Ceremony/Camping Day

Monday September 7, 2020
Kakakisimo Ceremonial Day
Pipe Ceremony
Pipe Stem Ceremony
Men & Women Sweat
Feast (hosted by Frog Lake)

Tuesday September 8, 2020
Pipe Ceremony
Onion Lake - Bill 1
Confederacy Treaty 6 Chiefs - Update
Frog Lake - revisiting history
Knowledge Keepers
Other pipes - Separate tent

Wednesday September 9, 2020
Pipe Ceremony
Honouring the Warriors
Round Dance
Wrap Up

CAMPING AVAILABLE
OLCN IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEFT, LOSSES, OR INJURIES
COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS IN EFFECT

For more information:

Director of Treaty Governance: Vernon G. Lewis - (306) 307-2135
Elders Coordinator: Clarence Whitstone - (306) 307-4160
Elders Council Chair: Joe Waskewitch - (306) 344-5111

As part of Alexis Heritage & Language Hunting Project, we are Inviting young men between 14-21 that want to take their fire arms test to register for this training.

Location: Alexis Heritage & Language
When: August 12 - 21, 2020

Contact: Liz Letendre (Project Manager)
Email: liz.letendre@ansn.ca
Phone: 780-984-4387

Please make a note that we will only take those that are serious.
(30 spots – two classes of 15.)

Taking place August 21st, 2020 at the ANSN Powwow Arbor.

• Mass at 10:00AM
• Community prayer & ceremony at 12:00PM
• Feast to follow

Social distancing must be practiced and face coverings worn at all times to reduce the risks of exposure to COVID-19.

ATTENTION MEMBERS:

Chief Tony will provide a community update Tuesday, August 11 at 12PM regarding Covid-19.

The announcement will be made through Facebook LIVE on the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation page: http://facebook.com/alexisnakota

If you are unable to view the LIVE video, you can join using the phone (long distance charges will not be applied).

Call in number: +1 (587) 328-1099 (Canada)
Meeting ID: 820 9645 0864
Note: You will not be able to join the call until 11:45 a.m.

Ishnish,

Chief and Council

Emergency Response Lead
Duane Kootenay
duane.kootenay@ansn.ca
(587) 784-1355

Communications
Brandis Roan-Alexis
communications@ansn.ca
(587) 598-5001

Elder Liaison
Dale Alexis
dalexis.sr@gmail.com
(780) 966-7586

Edmonton Member Liaison
Charlene Stroeder
charlenekootenhayoo@gmail.com
(780) 908-0412

Collecting contacts for members outside of the Edmonton Region
Tina Cardinal
cardinalt28@gmail.com
(780) 668-4416