(Left) Health Branch staff at the Timmins Annual General Meeting: (l-r) Back row: Richard Aubin, Jennifer Frappier, Jessica Cameron, Nicole Charron, Natalie Durocher. Front row: Cheryl Macumber, Cyndee Desrochers, Santa (Côme Lefebvre) Louise Cloutier and
Lynne Picotte front right. Missing from photo: Colette Risewick.
Drumming during the Chapleau Feast: (l-r) Lise Bouchard (Wolf Pipe Woman), Jennifer Jacasum (White Eagle Dancer) and Senator Micheline Boisvert (Njashe Tja Nebwa … meaning Mother of many).
By Richard Aubin, AHBHC Coordinator
On November 28, the Métis Nation of Ontario Timmins held its Annual General Meeting and Christmas Feast for the Timmins and area citizens. The 21 people who attended the meeting heard updates from Council members and listened to presentations on Health Branch programs. The feast attracted 95 people who enjoyed Christmas activities including a visit from Santa. (Coal for Rick).
On December 14, 50 citizens celebrated the Chapleau Council Christmas Feast and 35 attended their General Meeting. The MNO Health Branch Long Term Care Coordinator and both Aboriginal Healthy Babies Healthy Children (AHBHC) Coordinators made presentations at the meeting to promote the services they provide the Chapleau community. Follow up workshops to support the Chapleau Council are planned for in early 2011. AHBHC Coordinator Cheryl Macumber attended the Aboriginal Peoples Alliance of Northeastern Ontario (APANO) Feast prior to the Chapleau events to support the MNO’s partnership with that agency. Cheryl provided an overall presentation on Health Branch programs and then joined everyone at the Chapleau feast afterwards.Link