SFN Public Works
December 2011 News Letter
Website edited version
Aanii, and Merry Christmas to Everyone in Big Beautiful Downtown Shawanaga First Nation!
Public Works continues to be extremely busy, especially with winter bearing down on us. The ##################### Grader works GREAT!!!, and got its’ first real test with the minor snow which fell at the end of last week. Those who saw it in action probably noticed the absence of a ridge at the end of their driveways. This is due to the fully hydraulic blade (mold board), and the ability to swing the blade forward across the heads of driveways, then back to deposit the snow along the yards. I Love It, and will be training E### J#### and P#### T########## to plow with this machine as well. Currently we are installing the studded snow tires and side wing, and look forward to massive amounts of snow :). I would add that our small crew provided an excellent response, a full 18 hours before Shebeshekong road was even touched. Chi Miigwetch to J#### H##### for volunteering and operating the loader. Since the accumulation was minimal, and the ground still soft, driveways were not cleared. As indicated by Chief & Council, the gas bar, business offices, community buildings access, and school are all to be cleared in time for opening. For purposes of efficiency, effectiveness, and safety, the Elders lane way access on the east side of hwy 69 will be cleared after the Gas bar, specifically because this enters one of the most dangerous highway sections in the province. Next will be the heads of Elders driveways, in no particular order, but taking into account efficiency, and of course Ladies before Gentlemen. Chi Miig also to E### W####### for his efforts to salt, sand, and clear around the 10 plex stairs & sidewalks :).
Everyone must have seen the incredible effort by Belanger to repair the water system at Abetung & Pawis, and at #4 Shebeshekong during some nasty weather conditions. The delay time between my finding that leak at the beginning of August, and commencement of repairs was thanks to funding delays at ….you guessed it, INAC. I’m pleased to report the repairs were a complete success, and the pressure tests (done twice) proved positive. This corrects a leak of approximately 20,000 litres/ day into the bush, or about 2 truck loads/day. The water quality tests were expedited by Health Canada, and that segment of the water system is now back on line. Both repairs were 100% funded by INAC, and cost us just a little of Public Works budget. Community members may be proud to learn that during this difficult time, Shawanaga has been identified as the most water conservative First Nation on the Hwy 69 corridor! WE’RE #1 Woot! Woot!
Significant efforts to make ####### ####, through the bush, passable have been suspended until the ground firms up. An exceptional amount of 4×4 traffic this summer had chewed 12” to 18” deep ruts along 100 metre sections of the saturated ground. Huge amounts of heavy rock, stone and sand were excavated along the trails edge and packed into the roadbed. This also just sank out of site until the loader and mini excavator could go no further in the slop. Drainage ditches were cut to aide in establishing water spillways. If C&C agrees to the project proposal, we will attempt to drain off water with several bush spillways, and pack a heavy rock & sand road with culverts. I estimate 3-4 weeks of work, and we are anxious to tackle it if directed. We can likely make temp repairs for snow machine and quad access to firewood, once the ground freezes.
Everyone is aware that village road is in a deteriorated condition, and the tar & chip surface has reached the end of its’ serviceable lifetime. The 6 campaigns to patch potholes with almost $#### worth of ‘cold-patch’, have met with limited short term success, and in my view has been almost a complete waste of limited dollars and manpower. Not to say the road shouldn’t be repaired, however the ‘A’ plan would have been to use hot tar spray and gravel. I anticipate adopting this repair capacity to our capabilities next year. As to the primary issue of a long term solution, we invited a major contractor to inspect & quote on resurfacing Village Road, and surface Abetung, Pawis, Jacob & Church Streets, and the 10 plex parking lot. Cost is in the $###k range, with provisions to employ signal and safety people from SFN for the project. This is approx 1/10th the cost of paving, and provides a superior surface for our winter conditions (pavement MUST be salted, and easily fractures during annual frost heaving). Chief and Council have been provided the information, and as this type of surface must be applied during the heat of summer, should have substantial time to consider finances and community input.
Beaver trapping efforts have put a dent in the population, and much thanks goes to D### P#### for trapping 14, and S## K######## for getting 4 more. Public Works has spent a lot of time keeping culverts clear, and opening dams that threaten our roads and water reservoirs at the water plant. We have received information that indicates this beaver over population problem may have had some help. Apparently, as seen from the air, many beaver dams were dynamited east of hwy 69 from Wahta to North of the French River, and as the water moved west toward the Bay, so did the Beavers in unprecedented numbers. The problem exists in every community east of the hwy 69 corridor. This is being looked into, but for now we will continue to deal with it as best we can. Sorry for the inconvenience and mess in the mean time, but hopefully everyone understands the importance of protecting our infrastructure in Shawanaga.
We were able to get the ### ###### down to the Landing one last time this year, to trim off the ridges and fill developing depressions, though the road surface had already begun to freeze up. All things considered, I believe the Landing road enters this winter season in extremely good condition, free of washboards and bumps. The effort to reclaim & resurface the Landing road will resume next spring & summer, with a brief suspension during Misquadis egg laying time. We may need to #### ## ####### # ### ## #### ######### ## ####### to fully recover & screen the road material from the edges, and re-establish proper drainage ditches.
The Docks were left in as long as reasonably possible, and are all located on the parking lot area at the Bay. They are in need of foam replacement and galv. Screen installation for protection from repeated muskrat damage. This work should be completed before spring. There was also some C&C discussion about adding to the dock system, providing a no docking area for fishing and swimming access. The docks will be going back in as soon after freeze up as reasonably possible, honouring the 12,000 year tradition of the Shawanaga Bands’ spring return to the Bay, and providing Band Members’ access to exercise their inherent right to hunt, fish, and gather at will. :)
It was great to see everyone turn out for the CP Christmas Train, and it was our privilege to clear a large space in the snow for Santa to greet his waiting fans.
In a major initiative to improve the facility, custodian A#### W######## has begun a huge effort to clean out and sterilize every corner and surface in the Rec Centre Kitchen area with bleach & water. One fridge has been removed due to rotting food, and since Shawanaga does not have a licence to incubate bio hazardous life forms :) j/k. It is likely both stoves will also be replaced due to 1 electrical hazard and 1 general condition. Other appliances are yet to be assessed. This project will take some time to properly complete, but we have to start somewhere. From this point A#### W######## will be the Kitchen Enforcer, and will post clear instructions that all cupboard space must be properly registered with him, to the group using it, and maintained by those persons. The Fridges and Freezer will have similar policies and a master policy that all contents will be disposed of on a weekly basis, unless clearly labelled by the owner with an expected ‘continued use’ date. The kitchen will be left clean after events, by the event sponsors, and this should make A#### and C######### jobs much less depressing. This is not intended to lay any blame or point any fingers, we are simply dealing with a situation that has been accumulating over a very long period of time. It is our hope that the senior cooks within our community will again feel comfort and confidence in using the facility to prepare their awesome feasts :).A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New year to ALL :).
Chi Miigwetch
Mike Cadeau, Manager of Shawanaga First Nation Public Works, proudly servicing the community :)
