Rama chief seeks reelection
By Sara Ross, Orillia Packet & Times August 6, 2012
Rama First Nation’s longtime chief is going after her seventh term in the community’s upcoming election.
A strong desire to see an end to the Coldwater-Narrows land claim prompted Sharon Stinson Henry to run again.
“We’re almost there. We’re in the final stages,” Stinson Henry told The?Packet &?Times.
The Chippewas of Rama First Nation is having an election for its chief and council Aug. 31.
Stinson Henry is one of four nominees for chief. Other hopefuls are Teresa (Terry) Desormeaux, Cheryle Snache and Ted Williams.
The incumbent was in the position in 2001 when the land claim was filed by the Chippewa Tri-Council, comprised of Georgina Island First Nation, Beausoleil First Nation and Rama.
Chippewas of Nawash joined in 2008 and the federal government tabled the settlement agreement in May 2011.
In April, the Chippewa Tri-Council communities all voted in favour of the agreement and after a revote, Nawash First Nation voted 93% in favour in July.
“It’s now a matter of finalizing documentation and it’s into Canada’s hands now,” Stinson Henry said. “It could take several months.”
Working with the other chiefs through the years, Stinson Henry helped keep the pressure on the Canadian government.
“We kept the pressure on and I want to continue to do that to complete the file and settlement,” she said.
Stinson Henry never missed a land claim settlement meeting, which were held two days each month. She said she’s gained a lot of experience working on the file.
“Even at this stage… a hurdle can be thrown in,” she said. “I do have a very good working relationship with the other chiefs and I feel that’s important to finalize this…”
Rama First Nation has developed an interim trustee committee, which will be responsible for deciding how the land claim money will be used.
The settlement lays out ways the money can be used.
“(It can be used) in areas of community development,” Stinson Henry said. “(For example), enhancing existing programs, health, education, economic development.”
Stinson Henry would like to continue working toward making Rama First Nation self-sustaining.
Currently, the band must gain approval for decisions from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
“We send it to them for their stamp of approval,” Stinson Henry said, adding it takes at least 45 days. “We should be able to pass our own bylaws with respect to our own lands and Canada doesn’t have to get involved.”
While speaking to The Packet & Times last week, chief candidate Cheryle Snache spoke of her displeasure with the chief and council’s salaries.
Stinson Henry said band members know how much the chief and council are making, but she said she would not discuss it and said she’s unsure why it’s an issue.
“I don’t know. For certain folks, it’s been an issue,” she said. “It’s been an issue every election for a number of elections.”
Stinson Henry is pleased about the 2010 accomplishment of landing a 20-year renewable agreement with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
The First Nation now gets a 1.9% share of gross revenues from Casino Rama, which is about $30 million a year.
“Rama is secure for the next 35 years,” Stinson Henry said.
But talk of a casino coming to the Greater Toronto Area means the community needs more economic growth.
Since First Nations don’t tax their residents, all of the budget money comes from economic development (Casino Rama) and transfer payments from the government.
“We have to continue to find other economic engines, smaller ones perhaps and we’re certainly in the throes of doing that in a number of other diversified areas,” Stinson Henry said.
Possibilities are solar energy, adventure partnerships, hydro/electric joint venture partnerships and taking advantage of the Ontario government’s modernization of gaming.
Stinson Henry is proud of her council for creating a balanced budget this fiscal year.
“We budget going forward based on what we know we will be getting,” she said. “It hasn’t been easy.”
Since she has taken office, a housing list has decreased from 200 families looking for homes to 40 to 50, Stinson Henry said.
“These are people coming back because they’ve been away for years,” she said.
Rama has a new subdivision and offers mortgage opportunities for on-reserve members to purchase, renovate or build a home.
The band is working on developing a community education governing circle.
“That will go a long way in terms of moving forward with education and community involvement,” Stinson Henry said, adding band members sit in the circle. “We’re really, really proud of that community education governing circle.”
Stinson Henry appreciates the support the past 12 years.
“It has certainly been an honour and a privilege and I continue to work hard on their behalf every day,” she said.
Having known Sharon for years( xx) (and her Husband Walter) I can honestly say the Ramas first nation’s residents/people have been lucky that a person of her caliber has once again favored them, her people ,with her presence to come forward and once again represent them .
Best of luck Sharon.
As always