The First Nation Healing Centre is a safe and secure crisis shelter for women & children who are in crisis; including physical, emotional & sexual abuse.

The mission of the First Nation Healing Centre is to provide a community resource for women and children who are victims of violence. The Centre will provide a safe environment, housing with services and will address the women and children’s physical, mental, social, emotional & spiritual needs.

To assist the male, supportive counselling to address the physical, mental, social, emotional & spiritual needs will be provided on a non-residential/outreach basis.

This holistic approach in a native cultural setting will include support counselling and advocacy for women, men and children as well as liaison with other community efforts to reduce and prevent violence through programming and utilization of elders for support and traditional healing. The Centre will aim to increase the self-esteem of and strengthen as community individuals and assist them to heal members.

We offer:

For women & children

Women’s abuse shelter accommodations from overnight to 50 days, subject to clients needs & centre’s policies. While you’re here we provide food, emergency clothing & personal hygiene necessities.

• on-going supportive counselling
• advocate services to appropriate resources
• "Healing our Spirits" 7 week program

Non-residential services include:

• Walk-in supportive counselling
• advocate services to appropriate resources
• Women’s support group, dealing with issues such as; abuse, parenting, self-esteem and other issues as they are presented
• 24 hour crisis line, available within Manitoba Region
• Clothing Depot
• Public Education presentations (at request) in an effort to promote an awareness about the issues of family violence.

To assist the men:

We provide services on a non-residential basis.

• Male Counsellor is available Mon-Fri; 8:30 - 4:30; services provided are:
• Walk-in supportive counselling
• Delivery of the Anger Management Program
• Community Home-visits (Upon Request)
• Advocate services to appropriate resources

For more information, contact us at

Telephone:  (204) 645-2750

Fax:  (204) 645-2745

24 Hour Crisis Line (Within MB) 1-800-692-6270

 

The Fisher River Builders are...

 

Located within the Fisher River Cree Nation, the Fisher River Grocery is a popular community owned store that serves the local population and consumers from surrounding areas such as Fisher Bay, Peguis and Jackhead.

Originally the store was completed in late 1999 and sat vacant until under the persistence and perseverance of the present Chief and Council to utilize at least a portion of the building and create employment, and also to provide a service to the community.

At the planning stage of opening the store, we felt that we would proceed with the understanding that we would eventually be a full service grocery store, but open at first with a gas/c-store format.  This would give us a better understanding of our consumer base in regards to items in the store, hours, and of course the local labor resources.

After careful consideration, we felt that we would benefit from being a part of a buying group which would enable us to decrease our costs and we could pass on the savings to the consumer and also we could utilize their expertise in store operations and expansion.

FISHER RIVER GROCERY facts and stats:

• Opened on December 13, 2004 - soon to be completed expansion - March 15, 2007
• Originally was 1700 square feet
• Employed 4 people - now has 10 people employed
• Member of the fine Foods brand and Triple 4 Advertising
• Member of the Canadian federation of Independent Grocers
• Member of the race Trac fuels chain
• Open 7 days a week

  • Monday to Friday: 7:00am - 9:00pm

  • Saturday:  9:00am - 7:00pm

  • Sunday:  11:00am - 7:00pm

As retailers we have to adapt to consumer changes - more nutritional value, healthy lifestyles and quick grab and go items and more non-traditional grocery products.  With that in mind, the Fisher River Grocery plans to have

• Diabetic section
• Heart Smart items
• Selection of organic items
• Dollarama items
• Hardware items
• Weekly flyer program
• In store sampling promotions
• Delivery service to Elders/Shut ins (with purchase of $30.00 groceries, and no flammables)

At present we offer the following services/items:

• Post Office
• Greeting cards
• Lotteries
• Magazines
• Coffee station
• food Service items on request

Our focus is to be a true one-stop store.  What does a one-stop mean?  It means ASSORTMENT, SERVICE AND VALUE.

I would like to thank all our customers who shopped in our store and we look forward to serving you in the future with our new, expanded store.

Ekosi!

Robert Harasemiw

Store Manager

Fisher River Grocery

Phone:  (204) 645-4205

Fax:  (204) 645-3106

 

Fisher River Board of Education recognizes that education begins in the home, continues in the school and is supported by the community. The needs of our students are the focus of our efforts.

The mission statement of the Board of Education is to create a learning community where children feel safe, respected and supported in their journey as lifelong learners.

The Board of Education, as the student’s advocate, is charged with the responsibility of providing for its’ students an education system organized and operated in their best interests. It exercises this responsibility through setting of local educational policies and the wise use of resources.

The Board also has developed and implemented post secondary policies and guidelines to maximize the use of fiscal resources and to assist individual band members in achieving success.

Consistent with the policies and mission statement, the Board will annually review and set its goals together with strategies and results.

The Charles Sinclair School Implementation Plan for 2006/2007 is:

• Goal 1: Implementation of a School Wide Discipline Policy.
• Goal 2: To enhance family and community partnerships in the school.
• Goal 3: To implement a stay-in-school plan.
• Goal 4: Develop a literary plan.

To contact the Fisher River Board of Education Office;

Phone: (204) 645-2283

Fax:  (204) 645-2788

 

Other Education links:

• Charles Sinclair School

• Verna J. Kirkness Institute

 

The Fisher River Cree Nation Gaming Commission has been in operation since 2000. The site originally began with ten machines, in 2004 we increased the number of machines to twenty. Our Gaming program currently has seven full time staff as well as two on-call workers.

The site is open Monday to Saturday and our hours of operation are as follows:

Winter hours – 10:00am – 1:00am

Spring (will be) - 9:00am – 2:00am.

The Gaming Commission is a sponsor of community events and contributes to our local community organizations as well.

The Fisher River Cree Nation Gaming welcomes and thanks all patrons who visit our facility!

For further information please contact:

Site Manager – Tony Bird.

Phone: (204) 645-3426 or (204)-645-4310

Fax: (204)-645-3649

 

The Fisher River Human Resource Program has been developing employment and training projects for the Fisher River community through innovative partnerships, with various organizations and Governments.

With great focus on training and employment needs the Fisher River Human Resource Program has become a focal point for those with a high need of these services.

 

 

The Fisher River, Dakota Tipi and Kinonjeoshtegon First Nations have been providing services since 1982.

Initially we were part of the Anishinaabe Child and Family Services agency, that comprised of nine Interlake First Nations. In 1987, the move towards decentralization was made to establish two separate administrative units that would create Anishinaabe East Side. The communities of Fisher River, Peguis, Kinonjeoshtegon and Dakota Tipi became to be known as Intertribal.

In the early 1990's, further decentralization occurred as agency funding was decentralized to each of the four communities. In 1995, Peguis First Nation sought its own mandate and was successful in securing its mandate in 1999.

In 2001, Intertribal received their mandate providing services to the communities of Fisher River, Dakota Tipi and Kinonjeoshtegon. With the proclamation of the Authorities Act in November 2003, Intertribal was granted a province wide mandate through the newly created First Nations Southern Authorities.

For more information, please contact us at

Phone: (204) 645-2744

Toll Free within MB: 1-866-573-4461

 

The Policing office is located in the band administration building.  The local office phone number is 645-2171, Monday to Friday 8:30-4:30.

In an after-hours emergency, contact the Fisher Branch RCMP at 372-8484.  Presently this police service also has scheduled on-call hours and can be contacted through the RCMP at that number.

Duties of the Fisher River Cree Nation Police officer include the protection of persons and their property, criminal investigation matters, Provincial and local by-law matters, crime prevention and intervention, keeping the peace, addressing community concerns pertaining to public safety, community safety and providing awareness presentations for community members.

We currently have one Police vehicle equipped with radio communications to be in contact with the RCMP.

For more information, please contact Walter at

Phone: (204) 645-2171

Toll Free within MB: 1-866-645-2171

 

 

The Fisher River Social Development Program operates under the supervision of the Councillor(s) with the Social Development Portfolio and the Chief Executive Officer. 

 The Social Development Program is accountable to maintain certain standards of rights and responsibilities of registered Fisher River First Nations people who are in need of income maintenance funds and services based on a "means test". It is responsible to set parameters of the program and its relationship to other programs, agencies and government services. It is responsible for maintaining an effective Social Services Personnel Management System. Our program must network with other programs and services to ensure an effective coordination of services and elimination of over lap while providing referrals when necessary. The program is responsible for informing band membership of services available, including criteria for eligibility and entitlement of services. Proper application and documentation must be maintained for all clients to ensure efficient processing of benefits. The program must ensure clients receive assistance in accordance with the policies, standards and guidelines. The program provides support to those clients that want to achieve self-reliance and independence. The Social Service program is also responsible to maintain an effective financial system that accurate records of revenues and expenditures. The program is responsible for forms and reports that are required. Administrators are required to participate in community information meeting to provide updates on progress of program. The program puts great emphasis clients pursuing education and employment opportunities when they arise. The Social Service Program networks with the Fisher River Human Resource Program and the Fisher River Adult Education Program to promote band membership to pursue a degree of higher learning and to explore options for oneself.

For more information, please contact us at

Phone: (204) 645-2171

Toll Free within MB: 1-866-645-2171

 

 

 

Our goal is to improve the lives of our community members within the community by providing opportunities to youth, adults and elders through sport. The way we plan to do this is by coordinating and implementing programs which will strengthen their skills, to enable them to excel at the higher level of play. These higher levels would be the Manitoba Indigenous Summer and Winter Games and from there possibly North America Indigenous Games.

Sports and Recreation are also responsible for looking after all Annual Events in Fisher River such as Winter Carnival, May Long Weekend, Heritage day, New year's Eve Celebration and Treaty Days. With these events we hope that it will give people an opportunity to socialize and participate in various events that occur during these times.

For more information, please contact us at:

Phone: (204) 645-5526

Fax:  (204)

 

 

The Ochekwi-Sipi First Nation Personal Care Home, better known as the Fisher River Personal Care Home is owned and operated by the Fisher River Cree Nation via a governing Board with representation from the Chief and Council.

The Personal Care Home was officially opened in 1986.

Ochekwi-Sipi First Nation Personal Care Home is dedicated to excellence in the personal, nursing and medical care that it provides to the occupants. The Home chooses residents based on need, geographical location and social characteristics and provides service to the elderly and infirm regardless of race or creed.

The facility relies on a well-qualified and committed staff to deliver quality care. A staff of 46 maintain this fully modernized home of 32 beds.

Services Provided

The Fisher River Personal Care Home provides personal, nursing and medical services to residents who are assessed at all levels of care, including extended care.

The Home has 25 rooms at present with several being double rooms. Each room contains a bathroom with a sink and toilet and is equipped with bathroom aids to facilitate mobility. Residents are encouraged to bring some of their own decorations and perhaps a chair or other articles to make the room as cozy as possible.

There is a lounge area, dining room, activity room and church area. There is also a patio area which is used in the summer months. A “Rainbow Room” with a mural done by local artist, Sydney Kirkness is beautifully designed and used as a palliative care area.

How do you get into the home?

An assessment is done by Home Care Nurses or by the Physician, if in hospital, and a committee reviews the application. You can call the Administrator of the Home for a tour and the fees that are charged per day.

Respite care is also available for those who are assessed as needing this type of care for a short period of time.

Most of the residents in the Home are from the Fisher River community and speak the Cree language. There are also residents from other areas of the province who make their home here.

Our Philosophy

It is our philosophy at the Ochekwi-Sipi First Nation Personal Care Home to provide the best possible holistic and quality personal, nursing and medical care to our residents in a safe, caring and supportive environment. We believe this means promoting the best possible physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health for each resident. It encompasses respect for individuality, values, beliefs, a positive lifestyle and participation in decisions about care and treatment.

We believe that nursing is a therapeutic, interpersonal process that assists the resident in maintaining or achieving optimum health and independence.

The nursing process is based on scientific principles involving assessment of the needs of the resident, planning and implementing care and evaluating! adjusting the care plan as required.

We believe that every resident has the right to expect and receive care that is respectful, of excellent quality and considerate with dignity.

We believe residents and their families should participate in decisions about treatment, benefits, risks and alternatives. We encourage a partnership between resident, family and the healthcare team.

We believe the needs of the residents shall direct the program planning for the Home and we strive to meet these needs.

We will strive to maintain a home-like atmosphere for the residents.

For More information, contact us at:

Phone:  (204) 645-2811

Fax:  (204) 645-2450

Email:  frpch@mts.net

 

Current Employment Opportunities

 

 

The Ockekwi-Sipi Economic Development Corporation (OSEDC) was incorporated in March 1990. OSEDC is currently funded through an agreement with the Fisher River Cree Nation Chief and Council via Indian Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). OSEDC is a community economic development corporation that is managed by a community representative Board of Directors. The focus of OSEDC is to build community and entrepreneurial capacity, with emphasis on long-range strategic planning and results.

The Ochekwi-Sipi Economic Development Corporation is responsible to the Fisher River Cree Nation resident members. The corporation will provide an organized and coordinated approach to economic activity, encouraging entrepreneurial spirit, increase employment opportunities and financial wealth. This approach will stimulate economic activity both on and off the Fisher River Cree Nation, which would lead to increased employment and financial returns to its members. Enhancing the economic, social and cultural well being will enable the members to affect greater control over their environment, increasing their level of independence and self-determination.

Why is OSEDC needed?

The principles of OSEDC require that residents get together to confront those issues affecting the quality of life in their community. Using those principles, OSEDC assists in wealth creation, job creation, value added activities, business and cooperative development and enhanced viability for the community, the region and the province.

What are the objectives of OSEDC?

• Diversifying the local environment
• Reducing economic vulnerability
• Making the community more competitive
• Improving existing infrastructure
• Replacing declining business and industry sectors
• Reducing the out migration of youth by providing job opportunities in the community
• Enhancing the investment and entrepreneurial environment
• Building capacity within the community by developing people and organizations capable of managing positive change.

What are the key issues?

• Commitment to the role of volunteers
• Sustainability and stewardship – sound resource management and environmental protection
• Strategic planning – a guide for development efforts
• Businesslike attitudes recognize the importance of market-driven enterprises, profitability and long-term viability
• Entrepreneurial attitudes – the private sector is the main engine of real economic growth
• Emphasize changing knowledge-based economy – to remain in the new economies, industries must become knowledge-based and innovative
• Human resource development – education and training must be consistent with the strategic economic plan of the community
• Modern telecommunications – modern communication tools enable people to become knowledgeable and well informed about new economic activities
• Global outlook – “think globally and act locally”
• Partnerships – the key is partnerships among communities, agencies, government and business
• Commitment from government – rather than being regulators and deliverers of programs and services, government officials and agencies play a developmental and supportive role in community-based initiatives

Also, see the Leigh Cochrane Memorial Visitor's Centre

For More information, contact us at:

Phone:  (204) 645-3733

 

Wee Care Centre consists of two separate programs. The Head Start Program and the Daycare Program. Two totally different approaches to early childhood programs yet similar in the philosophies and goals.

Staff of both programs, do work very closely in sharing and providing appropriate daily activities for our little ones. Both programs are under one roof so we do share some staff members.

Philosophy

The aim of Wee Care Centre is to provide the highest quality of childcare services to the children in the community of Fisher River Cree Nation.

Guided by the culture, values and traditions of Fisher River people our intent is to work as a team to provide a safe, nurturing, and positive learning environment for our children to grow and be healthy.

We believe that each child is a unique individual, who learns easily through play. By providing appropriate learning activities, we hope to nurture your child’s ability to grow socially, emotionally, mentally, and physically.

The daycare has been in operation since March 1994. It provides paid childcare for working parents and students returning to school, if space allows we may provide childcare for seasonal workers, or children in need of social interaction. Children are enrolled on preferably a full-time basis, or half days. There is one full-time Early Childhood Educator and one full-time Early Childhood Assistant, and a shared cook, janitor, and director. The children enrolled in this program are between the ages of 2-6 years, once they reach grade 1 they are no longer eligible. Children enrolled in both programs have the opportunity daily to enjoy; art activities, circle times, rest periods, literature, singing, making friends, outdoor play, nutritious food and some free time to do whatever they chose within the centre.

The Head Start Program opened its doors on September 2004; the goal of this program is to recognize parents as the primary caregivers and give them a chance to be involved with all aspects of the program. Another major goal of this program is to give the children a head start in learning and developing social skills to be better prepared for school. It does require a lot of parental/guardian involvement, which is why the target group for this free program is families on social assistance, single parents, or parents with low incomes. This program runs from Monday to Thursdays, with two different classes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Children enrolled are between the ages of 2-5 years; once they reach kindergarten they are no longer eligible. There is a full-time Early Childhood Educator and a full-time Early Childhood Assistant on the floor with the children at all times. There is also a part-time early childhood assistant/bus driver. The program also has a parental involvement worker who is here to support the parents and ensure they are being actively involved in the program. Again this program shares a cook, janitor, and director.

For more information, contact us at

Phone: (204) 645-2433