PaBIA eBlast September 6, 2017

 Volume 9 No. 15

You are receiving this special eBlast due to the importance of the matters involving the proposed settlement of the Wiiky Land Claims. Our President, Tom Scoon, asks that you pay particular attention to the issues outlined below and consider responding to the government’s invitation to comment.

Wiiky First Nation Land Claim:

Comment Deadline September 15 for

Submitting Any Interests and Concerns

The long-standing land claims of the Wiikwemkoong First Nations (Wiiky) stretch from Manitoulin Island at the north end of Lake Huron, along the north and east coast of Georgian Bay south to O’Donnell Point below Parry Sound. After conducting an Environmental Assessment Draft Report (ESR), the Ontario government is preparing to enter into a major settlement with the Wiiky on the first phase of that land claim impacting as many as 1000 islands and an area of approximately 16,000 acres including Prince Edward Island and its archipelago at the north end of the Bay. Public comments to the ESR process and procedures regarding the proposed settlement have been invited and will be open until September 15, 2017.

PaBIA members have been inquiring about their interests in and what precedent may be established by this first phase of the Wiiky claims settlement as the issues relate to our area of the Georgian Bay east coast down to O’Donnell Point. Your Board urges each of its members to familiarize yourself with the settlement issues, including particularly the ESR process and procedures, and to accept the government’s invitation to comment in your own words on this proposed resolution. The issues may be reviewed in greater detail by reference to the GBA website and the Ontario Government website; and your comments may be sent to Alison McClaren, Senior Negotiator, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation [MIRR]and The Hon. David Zimmer, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation [MIRR].

Georgian Bay Skies Photo Contest

Deadline September 15th!

We’ve all seen some dramatic skies over Georgian Bay this summer, and chances are most of us have snapped a couple of photos. Now’s your chance to see your best shot in print! Submit your three best Georgian Bay sky photos by September 15th for a chance to be featured on the Georgian Bay Land Trust’s upcoming poster.

Creativity and variety is encouraged – there’s so much more to Georgian Bay than sunsets! Night skies, interesting cloud formations, bright blue skies, storms, and more all make great photos and capture the many moods of Georgian Bay.

Submit your images and see full contest details at gblt.org/photocontest.

Please Consider Submitting YOUR Story!!!

As you look back on this 2017 summer, are there stories about which you think others might enjoy reading?

I am always looking for good material from our members, and that means YOU! Please consider contributing! Contact Hilde Clark with any questions. I would appreciate knowing you would like to write an article this fall, but the deadline for informing me is mid January, with the article due by the end of January. I’d encourage anyone to write it now while it is still fresh on your mind!!!

Florence Universal Church’s

Fall Rummage Sale

Don’t forget the Florence Universal Rummage Sale on Saturday, Sept 21!

Please bring any and all donated items to the church door (back or front) before leaving for the off season so that they can be sorted for the Sale on September 21! The church can be accessed either off the South Shore Road or from the Main Station Channel across from Desmasdons.

All items should be in plastic bags and will be retrieved daily off the steps All proceeds go toward the maintaining of this historic building. Contact Barb Leitch with any questions!