Big Island opens new band office

Last Thursday, residents of Big Island First Nation and guests officially opened their new band office.
The $1.1-million building has been a dream of band manager Val Pizey since 1983 when the population moved from its old reserve on Big Island to the mainland.
The first band office was an old house that was moved in and added onto over the years.
“This was long overdue,” Pizey enthused.
The building houses two beautiful conference rooms that overlook Lake of the Woods. It also is home to the band’s medical clinic and several counselling services.
The chief and council also have office space to deal with the community’s day-to-day business.
Big Island, home to about 150 people, received $100,000 in Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. grant money. Pizey noted there was no federal Indian Affairs money in the project.
The only federal money involved is yet to come from Health Canada. Royal Bank bridge financed that part of the cost, as well as the balance of the project.
Pizey is optimistic Health Canada will come through with some money towards the project.
Sticking with tradition, the front door of the building was locked and not allowed to be used until a blessing ceremony could be conducted.
Band elder and former chief Joe Big George led a group of drummers in song at about 12:30 p.m. He also thanked all for coming to the ceremony and the contractor, J.T. Judson of Emo, and the workers who built it.
Then at about 12:40 p.m., Big George gave a traditional Ojibwe prayer.
Chief Wes Big George explained they had the building blessed since it “is the hub of where all good things will happen in our community.”
He added the biggest challenge in getting the building off the ground was choosing a location. He also noted he appreciated the patience of the architect as they tweaked the design several times.
Guests of honour at the ceremony included Treaty #3 Grand Chief Leon Jourdain, Ontario NDP leader and local MPP Howard Hampton, Ron Green of the Department of Indian Affairs, as well as representatives from Royal Bank and J.T. Judson.
All offered their congratulations on the project.
Elder Joe Big George explained the significance of the coloured ribbons used for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. He said red represents the east, blue the sky, yellow the west, white the north, and green the Mother Earth.
Chief Big George cut the ribbons that were held by band councillors Robert Handorgan and Carl Big George, after which the building was opened for tours.
A fish fry also was held for all those in attendance.