Thanks to the support of the Federation of Newfoundland
Indians, Eddie Joyce (MHA) and a wonderful group of fundraisers. The band council is
pleased to announce that our band is finally debt free.
For the past eighteen months we have been focused on paying off the debts left by the
former council. This was complicated by the lack of financial records; i.e., deposit
books, cheques, receipts and dispersement journals. It was a difficult process.
Thanks to the FNI and their support, without them none of this would have been
accomplished. Brendan Sheppard and Annie Randell have been there to answer our many
questions. Their leadership, guidance and financial support have been immeasurable. No
words can express our gratitude.
To the Board of Directors of the FNI, your words of encouragement around the table meant a
great deal to a new council. Many of you had traveled the road that we were on and knew
how to avoid the many bumps; your experience helped us, thank you. To the staff of the FNI
who listened and helped in every way they could, thank you.
In a meeting with our MP, Gerry Byrne, he promised to assist us to get federal funding for
future projects. Mr. Byrne has long been a supporter of the Mi'Kmaq people of Newfoundland
in Ottawa. He will continue to be a strong voice for the people of his riding. We look
forward to working with Gerry in the future.
Thanks to our MHA, Eddie Joyce has always been there to offer financial and moral support.
Whenever we need Eddie he is only a phone call away.
To the people of our band who gave their time to fund raise. With your tireless efforts
much has been accomplished. You gave prizes, came to our bingos and we thank each and
every one of you. Your band is on the road to a brighter future. In the next few weeks we
will be setting up an economic development group. This group will be made up of people
from our community with a wide variety of interests. The purpose will be to help people
develop business plans that will truly help our community.
Community projects to assist people are the way to make our band a part of the whole
community. We will be looking to partner with our local town council and other community
groups. We will be looking to develop projects that will benefit all. If you help your
community grow, you will grow along with it. Chief and Council, Elmastogoeg First Nation |