Call to order: 6:08
Land Acknowledgement: read by Prudence McKenzie for Treaty 6 (Prince Albert, SK and St.Paul, AB)
Review and Revisions to agenda: None
Review of minutes: Moved by Steven Whiteman; Seconded by Janette Husak
Chairperson report presented by Prudence McKenzie
In 2022 the RIPC gained momentum with a strong executive and interested members attending meetings and events. Our intent this year was to participate in land-based learning events, hands on Indigenous culture skills and Indigenous cultural events. These included:
Food security field trip, the RIPC committee acknowledged that with increasing food costs that food security is a threat for most people. Jessy’s Garden located 17 kms west of Prince Albert and is run by an Indigenous family. The garden provides fresh produce to the Prince Albert area at a reasonable cost of $1.00 per pound and if someone cannot afford that, then it is free. They also provided free produce to school groups and the food banks. The committee visited the garden, an assisted the family with cultivation of garden and saw the Indigenous plants portion of the garden. As a group we would like to continue to support the garden by taking care of the Indigenous plant portion as it has been neglected and will need to be maintained.
We also planned to attend a medicine walk to have more land based learning for the members to strengthen their relationship with Mother Earth. The medicine walk will teach which plants can be used for medicine and learn about the gifts the Earth provides. The Elder was not available on the date planned and we were unable to attend this year.
The RIPC acknowledged National Indigenous Day (NID) by attending a couple of events on June 21, 2022. We began the day with a feast for all members and then participated in a teaching by making beaded orange shirt pins. We then attended the Prince Albert Friendship Centre’s National Indigenous Day in the park. We gave a donation to help offset the costs of National Indigenous Day for the Friendship Centre.
Finally on September 25th the RIPC encouraged all members to participate in local and regional events. We were able to supply orange shirt pins to all members that they would be able to wear annually on this national day of reflection. We also gave a small donation to the PA Friendship Centre to purchase gift bag products for vulnerable people attending ceremonies at the riverbank in Prince Albert.
I would like to thank the rest of the RIPC executive and members for participating in these events, Janet Husak and regional staff for supporting us. I look forward to attending and planning more events for our circle to participate in the future.
Vice chairperson report by Kelsey Dreaver
It has been a pleasure to be the Vice Chair for the RIPC for the past year. I have immensely enjoyed and am proud of the volunteer work we have done for our community. And have been grateful for the opportunity to learn about our culture and traditions as a First Nations person that did not have the opportunity growing up. I am looking forward to the future projects and ideas in the coming year.
I have been selected to attend the Canadian Labour Congress in Montreal from May 8-11, 2023.
Treasurer Report by Brenda Walsh
From January 2022 to May 2022 the RIPC had banking at the TD bank, there were issues with the bank not providing statements as there was no activity in account. Therefore the executive decided to change banking to the Diamond North Credit Union in Prince Albert Sk. Prudence McKenzie, Chair; Kelsey Dreaver, Vice-Chair; and Brenda Walsh, Treasurer attended the credit union to become signatories on the account. Opening balance was $735.48 in Jan 2022, $559.92 in Dec 2022.
| Balance January 31, 2022 | $735.48 |
| 26-May-22 | $724.63 |
| $682.92 | |
| 31-May-22 | $680.92 |
| 23-Jun-22 | $480.92 |
| $478.92 | |
| 1-Jul-22 | $378.92 |
| 9-Jul-22 | $178.92 |
| 19-Jul-22 | $1,178.92 |
| 31-Jul-22 | $1,174.92 |
| 19-Aug-22 | $994.92 |
| 31-Aug-22 | $992.92 |
| 27-Sep-22 | $592.92 |
| 29-Sep-22 | $567.92 |
| 30-Sep-22 | $565.92 |
| 31-Oct-22 | $563.92 |
| 31-Dec- | $559.92 |
Reports accepted and moved: Steven Whiteman; Seconded by: Janette Husak
Elections for executive: conducted by Janette Husak PRC
Chairperson: Prudence McKenzie Nominated by: Kelsey Dreaver; Seconded by Brenda Walsh.
Vice Chairperson: Kelsey Dreaver nominated by Prudence McKenzie; Seconded by Brenda Walsh
Treasurer: Brenda Walsh nominated by Prudence McKenzie; Seconded by Steven Whiteman
Secretary: Steven Whiteman nominated by Brenda Walsh; Seconded by Kelsey Dreaver
Delegate to PSAC regional convention: Prudence McKenzie nominated by Brenda Walsh; Seconded by Steven Whiteman
Alternate delegate to PSAC regional convention: Steven Whiteman. Nominated by Brenda Walsh. Seconded by Prudence McKenzie.
Roundtable:
Janette Husak – update from PRC. On-line training for Strike Vote on February 2nd to April 19th . Registration information available on PSAC website. 9th Triannual Prairie convention at the Delta Hotel in Regina SK from June 9th to 11th, 2023. Canadian Labor Convention May 8th to May 12th, 2023 in Montreal QC.
Next meeting: Tentative date for second week in April, 2023.