Dear Members,
I hope all of our Members are enjoying the summer. It has been a great year thus far with many positive news stories for McLeod Lake Indian Band. Although we have not totally recovered from the world wide economic downturn in 2008/2009, we have definitely have set the foundation on which we can move forward and will see an increased amount opportunity in jobs, contracts, and revenues for all our Band Members and companies.
Our Annual General Assembly is less than a month away I hope to see you all there. I am currently working on detailed report that will be distributed at this year’s AGA. In order to get as many members out to the AGA the Band, Duz Cho Logging, Construction and Summit will be assisting to provide a travel subsidy to help Members offset travel costs.
On June 18, 2008 I attended the Carp Lake Community Campout that was organized by the McLeod Lake Indian Band Health Team in conjunction with Mackenzie Police Detachment. It was a great success! We had Elders, Youth, Members and Constable Joe Plant in attendance. Constable Joe Plant from the Mackenzie Police Department brought the out RCMP boat and provided rides on Carp Lake. It was awesome!! Friday night a few of us went on the lake to set some night lines for lingcod. The next morning Joe, Scott and I went for an early morning fish. On our way out to check our night lines and fish we came upon a cow and calf moose swimming across the lake. After taking a few pictures of the moose we proceeded on to check our lingcod lines. It was the awesome; we caught a nice size lingcod. Then we went fishing. I got lucky and caught two decent size rainbow trout. (Check out the pictures.) We fished for a couple hours and then went back to camp to show off and clean our lingcod. Breakfast was waiting as soon as we got back to camp. Bacon, eggs and hash browns!!!! After breakfast, Joe took out another group on the water and they were gone for hours. Two of our Elder were on this trip and said they had an amazing time sightseeing and visiting some of the islands on Carp Lake. I would like to thank the Health Team, the RCMP, and all our Elders, Youth and Members that attended the campout. You all made it an overwhelming success and I was truly honored to be a part of the campout.
On June 22, 2010 the Woman’s Community Group and the Health Team organized the men’s BBQ night. It was originally suggested by the Women’s group that we should have a BBQ to honor our men in the Community. So, the Health Team organized steak night and woman’s group offered free haircuts to pamper the men. We had about twenty men from our community attend our dinner and it was great. Once again would like to thank the Women’s Group and health team for the organization of men’s night. I would also like to thank all the men who came out for a steak.
On a personal note, I am having an absolute blast this summer. I am enjoying a lot of time at the park, bike riding, or four wheeling out at Grandpa’s and just hanging out with our family. I continue to work on balancing my personal and professional life and am really happy with the progress that I have made in this aspect. Today, I feel my life is full and I am grateful for all the gifts that are provided to me on a daily basis. Arlene and I have selected our accommodations for our stay in Hawaii and I am looking forward to the family trip and wedding. We still have a few details to work out, but will have all the details finalized by the end of the month. Our youngest child, Owen is starting to talk more, which is a big step up from his usual point and grunt!! Owen spent his first night in his new bed and it must have been a good sleep because he did not wake up till 7am. Usually he is up anywhere from 5:30 – 6:00am. Erica finished her dance lessons with dance recital at Vanier Hall. It was the one of the cutest things I have ever seen. Erica danced to Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”. Logan has finished up Sprockids mountain bike skill development course. On the final day of Sprockids we went to Pidherny where the Prince George Cycling Club has set up a mini – skills development course for all the public to use whenever they want. I n addition, they are in the developmental stages of building a massive mountain bike course that will span over three acres. It will be great. Arlene continues to work 24/7 with her personal and professional life. Arlene is always planning, scheduling and trying to fit time in to take care of herself. Our family is blessed to have Arlene in our lives. I continue to improve my physical health and happy that I am in the best shape of my life and I feel great!! I am really enjoying mountain biking and have even managed to get to the swimming pool to swim a few laps. As I have said I feel good with the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance that I have right now.
I wanted to keep this month report focused on community activities as we will have lots of time discuss business at the AGA. So, I wish you and your loved ones a safe trip to the AGA. I look forward to seeing everyone to update you about our Business but most of all I look forward to seeing everyone share in great food, fun, friendship and lots of laughs!
Respectfully,
Chief Derek Orr
McLeod Lake Indian Band
Work: 250-750-4415
Cell: 250-981-1332
E-mail: dorr@mlib.ca
Copyright © 2009 McLeod Lake Indian Band. All rights reserved
