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Two former members of the Canadian Rangers were recognized for their service in a ceremony today in Sandy Lake.

Delilah Meekis and Frederick Meekis both served in the Canadian Forces as members of Sandy Lake Canadian Ranger Patrol Group before passing away.

"This is historically significant", said Capt. Bob Munroe, adjuctant for the Canadian Rangers. 

Sandy Lake is being featured in a newspaper article series on diabetes. 

The series' first installment features Sandy Lake's plight with diabetes. 

Canwest News is publishing the series in their newspapers and on the website www.canada.com.

Click here to view the article.

AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo, Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse, and NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy made a quick visit to Sandy Lake this morning.  The three were on their way to neighbouring community Koocheching.

Several community members welcomed the chiefs at the airport.  Sandy Lake chief Adam Fiddler, council members, and junior chief Cyrus Rae led the chiefs on a tour of the elementary and high schools and of the community before meeting for lunch and discussion at the band office.

The community choir is starting practices every Wednesday beginning October 7, 2009 from 6 - 7 p.m.

Please come to the United Church before 6 p.m. (doors will open early).

Jeremy is back to teach new songs.  Bring your guitar or voice.  No experience needed and new members welcome - especially guys.

The community choir will be performing their Christmas concert on Sunday, December 6th at the United Church.

For more information, please contact 774-1098.

Over the past months, Sandy Lake developed and implemented a two-week treatment program for prescription drug users.

The intervention project was designed by a working group consisting of Chief and Council, the Nurse-in-Charge, Sandy Lake Health Authority, and other parties, in response to the overwhelming need for support and treatment to help prescription drug users quit their addiction. 

The Child Wellness and Maternal Child Programs are sponsoring two events for International FASD Awareness Day.

There will be a free breakfast for the community on September 9th.  Everyone is welcome to go to the arena at 8:30 a.m.

Also, a community walk will start at the old airport terminal on September 10th at 1:00 p.m.

This is the third year the Child Wellness Program has hosted events in the community to promote awareness on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Young baseball enthusiasts enjoyed the last day of Lil League at the finals held on Saturday, August 22nd.

More than 120 children between the ages of 5-12 years participated in this summers Lil League, said coordinator Gary Manoakeesic.

The children were divided into two age divisions: Lil League for 8-12 year olds and Lil Tykes for 5-7 year olds.  Both divisions shared the same team names.

The final games between the RC Hawks, Old Sawmill Bears, River Wolverines, and Centre Coyotes were broadcast live on Sandy Lake radio.

Staff from the Sandy Lake Health Authority met with government representatives Wednesday afternoon to discuss the community's prescription drug abuse initiatives.

The Select Committee on Mental Health and Addiction is a group of 8 MPP's from southern Ontario. 

They discussed the community's new strategy on the intervention and prevention of prescription drug abuse.

 

Sandy Lake's Storm traveled to Big Trout Lake over the weekend to compete in the 2nd annual men's ball hockey tournament.

They returned with the championship cup for the second year.

Facing off against seven other teams, Storm won 6 regular games and tied two, taking them to the playoffs where they defeated the teams from Kingfisher Lake and Neskantaga.

The championship game against K.I. Strikers went into overtime and Storm's Paul Beardy scored the winning goal.

A new youth council was elected in Sandy Lake this past June.

On Saturday, August 22nd, the youth council was sworn-in by the Chief and Council in a live radio ceremony.  The newly elected youth council read their oaths on-air before signing them.  They were also given the opportunity to say a few words to the community, thanking the youth for allowing them to represent them in their new roles.

Family Health Day is an annual event hosted by the Sandy Lake Health Authority.

It is a time of sharing for the programs of the Health Authority as they promote and showcase their services to the community.

The day starts with a healthy breakfast for the community prepared by the health staff, followed by a walk outside led by council, booth showcases and finished off with a steak bbq.

Community members presented the leadership of Sandy Lake First Nation with thanks and appreciation for their dedication to the community.

In an outdoor feast organized by community members, Chief and Council each received gifts as a token of appreciation, encouragement, and support. 

Councillors were given painted paddles and artwork by local artists.  Deputy Chief Bart Meekis received a beaded leather knife case and knife.  Chief Adam Fiddler was presented with a traditional head dress that was made in Saskatchewan.

Lars fought her way through cold, slimy jello, taking down the likes of Grease Monkey, Joss the Boss, Insania Mania, and First Nation Domination to seize the belt of Jello Wrestling Champion of the World in the women's division at Treaty Days. 

Just when Lars thought her championship belt was safe around her waist, out of the dark woods appeared a large hairy creature.  It was "The Sasquatch" making a surprise appearance to challenge the champion in the jello-filled ring in a quest to raise money for cancer patients.

Sandy Lake received a shipment of 15 used bicycles donated by the former Kenora Police Service.

The donation was arranged by Lori Zroback, a nurse with the home care program in Sandy Lake.  The Kenora Police Service usually holds an auction for unclaimed or seized bicycles.  Lori, whose husband was an officer with the Kenora Police Service, suggested some of the bikes be donated to the community.

The bicycles were sent to the NAPS detachment in Sandy Lake and were then given away to kids as prizes during Treaty Days.

NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy, Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and NAN staff members were in Sandy Lake on July 16th to launch the planning of the Treaty 5 Centennial Commemoration. 

The historical event, which will mark 100 years since the signing of Treaty 5 is set to take place on June 9, 2010.

The Centennial Commemoration 2010 Project is being headed by two coordinators with support from the Chief and Council and a NAN working group.

Nominations for this year's Youth Council were held on Friday, July 10, 2009.

The Youth Council is a one-year term and is made up of five youth - one for each of the five geographical areas of the community.

Elections for the 2009-2010 Youth Council will be on Thursday, July 16, 2009 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Treaty Grounds.  All youth are invited and encouraged to vote.

For more information on the Youth Council, please contact the Brighter Futures Program at (807) 774-5242.

Coordinators of the Treaty 5 Centennial Commemoration are asking the community for theme ideas for the historical 100-year commemoration event.

Plans for the commemoration scheduled for June 9, 2010 are well underway, however, a theme is needed to officially launch the event. 

Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy will be visiting Sandy Lake on July 16th to help launch the planning of the commemoration.

Deadline for theme ideas is July 14, 2009. 

Organizers of the Muddy Water Music Festival have confirmed Juno Award winner Derek Miller as the headlining act for this year's festival.

Miller is a guitarist and singer-songwriter from Six Nations with a flare for blues-rock music, winning several music awards for his original work.

Other musicians scheduled to perform are:

Aaron Peters and Brownjovi, a rock band from Manitoba
Rodney Brown, a children's entertainer from Thunder Bay