Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre

Welcome to our two new Board Members!

The A/OFRC would like to welcome two new members to its Board of Directors – Ms. Pam Crowe and Mr. John O’Nabigon. Mr. O’Nabigon works for and lives in Long Lake #58 First Nation and was chosen by the Superior Regional Chiefs to represent the communities of the Superior Region. Ms. Crowe is very involved with and lives in Alderville First Nation. Southeast Regional Chiefs chose Ms. Crowe to represent the communities of the Southeast Region. The Board is composed of equal representation from Ontario and the Anishinabek Nation and is comprised of academic leaders, fishers, fisheries researchers, and tourism and resource managers who provide progressive program direction. The Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and the Grand Chief of the Anishinabek Nation each approve four directors and the chairperson is jointly approved.

 
 The A/OFRC would like to welcome its two new Board Directors: Pam Crowe and John O’Nabigon.

Right Hook, Wrong Angle

Excerpt from "Right Hook, Wrong Angle" Special to Globe and Mail Update

By: Peter Meisenheimer and Rick Smith

 

One of us represents an industry based on the capture and sale of fish from Ontario waters. The other is the head of an organization that just released a report analyzing official consumption advisories for fish from Ontario waters and concluded, among other things, that levels of toxic chemicals in Great Lakes fish are alarmingly high, and not improving.

 

We both buy and eat fish from Ontario waters.

 

In light of the kind of headlines prompted by the release of the Environmental Defence report, this may strike some members of the public as odd. Regardless, there is no doubt that some sellers of Ontario fish have been receiving calls from concerned clients who have interpreted the report to mean that they should not eat fish, especially if it comes from Ontario, even though that clearly wasn't the report's finding.

 

That is unfortunate, because when all things are considered, the fish being offered for sale is a very good food product. The Ontario fish sold at your neighbourhood fish market is nutritious and safe, thanks to a rigorous system of harvesting and processing regulations that determine where fish can be harvested, what size of certain species can be sold into the food market, how it must be handled and what records must be maintained for inspectors. The regulations are subject to periodic review and licence conditions for commercial fishing are updated annually to take new information into account. It's about as good a system as you will find anywhere in the world.

 

To read the complete artcle follow the link below...

 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/right-hook-wrong-angle/article1250863/

 

Peter Meisenheimer is Executive Director of the Ontario Commercial Fisheries' Association (and also a Director of the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre - picture posted above). Rick Smith is Executive Director of Environmental Defence Canada.

Congratulations to the new Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee

New Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation Patrick Madahbee poses with incumbent Deputy Grand Council Chief Glen Hare after both were chosen to lead the Anishinabek Nation in a traditional leadership selection ceremony in Aamjiwnaang First Nation (near Sarnia) June 9th/09 .  

The Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre is proud to have Patrick (Chair of the A/OFRC) take the helm of the Anishinabek Nation.  He has served our organization with great honor and pride. We will miss his leadership and wish him well in his new role as Grand Council Chief.

Madahbee has been involved in First Nation political organizations for over 30 years, including the office of Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation. As former Chief of Aundeck-Omni-Kaning, Patrick continues to look to the future of First Nations peoples.

Patrick has a strong interest in bringing economic opportunities to his nation and also involved in the Wabano fish culture operation on Manitoulin Island.  In the past he has served as Manager of Aboriginal Banking Services at Toronto Dominion Bank.

Congratulations Patrick! 

The Board & Staff of the A/OFRC

A/OFRC Annual General and General Business Meetings

The A/OFRC is conducting its Annual General and General Business Meetings in Ottawa, Ontario this year in conjunction with the American Fisheries Society's Annual Meeting and Conferences.

This year's meeting date is Augsut 18th, 2008.  The Annual General and General Business meetings are attended by the full Board and several staff and are integral to the operations of the Centre.  Each Director brings with him/her a unique perspective on the issues and the environment in which we operate.

Discussions at these meetings will include: 

• Approvals of Directors/Committees for the 2009/10 fiscal year
• Updates to the Board on the current field program
• Updates to the Board on the A/OFRC Capacity Building Initiative
• Financial update/discussions
• Policy items