Want to Cut Your Energy Costs and Reduce Your Footprint?

FACT: The Northeast Superior Region of Ontario spends an estimated $25 million annually for the provision of heat and h ot water from electricity, fuel oil, propane, and wood.

Potential Solution?

To help address this issue, the NSFC, in cooperation with the Northeast Superior Regional Chiefs' Forum, will be conducting a telephone survey to determine the opportunities for renewable energy solutions in our region. The results of the survey could lead to innovative solutions that might cut energy costs for local residents, businesses, and institutions. Such innovative solutions may affect individual buildings, a group of buildings, or even entire communities. Following the survey each municipality will be responsible for giving identified energy options further consideration, and for voluntary application. The results of the survey may also point to new industry opportunities for the region, stimulate greater self-sufficiency in energy generation, and contribute to improving our region's environmental footprint. In essence, the survey is a step in the right direction towards 'going green'.

Expect to hear from us...

Over the next few months, the economic development offices from communities throughout the region will be conducting telephone surveys to determine how local businesses, residents, and institutions currently heat their buildings, and also how they heat their water. The first round of surveys will be undertaken in Manitouwadge, and will begin around December 1st, 2010.

Help us help you!

We urge residents and businesses to contribute to this economic development initiative by taking the time to participate in the survey when they are called. The survey will take just a few short minutes, and all information gathered will be kept completely confidential. The survey will take just a few short minutes, and all information gathered will be kept completely confidential. the survey is not for property taxation or property insurance purposes, and the information will only be used for determining how heat is provided in the region and the estimated quantities of energy used annually.

Need more info?

To find out more about the survey contact us (NSFC) at (705) 864-2031, or your local Economic Development Office.

In the News...

Over 500 Forest Sector jobs to be created in Sault Saint Marie and Algoma Region

Yesterday (Nov. 9), The Soo News announced that the provincial government and St. Mary's Paper "reached a ten year, 30 megawatt Power Purchase Agreement that will enable the company to build a $175 million biomass fuelled cogeneration plant, creating 555 jobs."

Click here to read the entire article

It's Sweeping the Nation...

I was working in the office late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my coworker from her desk began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise...


She did the mash
She did the Rainbow Brite mash
The Rainbow Brite mash
It was a Chapleau smash
She did the mash
It caught on in a flash
She did the mash
She did the Rainbow Brite mash

From my office space in the northeast
To the lunch room where the vampires feast
The Femme Fatal came out from her cubicle abode
To get a jolt from my caffeine electrodes

She did the mash
She did the vampire mash
The vampire mash
It was a Chapleau smash
She did the mash
It caught on in a flash
She did the mash
She did the vampire mash

The politicians were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Mayor Freeborn,
Andre Byham, and...he won



The scene was rockin', all were digging the tunes
Boreal Forest on chains, backed by his calling loons
The Tree-Lovers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, "The NTFP Five"

They played the mash
They played the NSFC mash
The NSFC mash
It was a Chapleau smash
They played the mash
It caught on in a flash
It's now the mash
It's now the NSFC mash

Out from her Blackberry, Clara's voice did ring
Seems she was troubled by just one thing
She shrieked loudly and raised her fist
And said, "Whatever happened to my Timmins twist?"

It's now the mash
It's now the NSFC mash
The NSFC mash
And it's a nation-wide smash
It's now the mash
It's caught on in a flash
It's now the mash
It's now the NSFC mash

Now everything's cool, Clara's part of the band
And my NSFC mash is the hit of the land
For you, the blog followers, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Cindy Lou Who sent you



Then you can mash
Then you can NSFC mash
The NSFC mash
And do my Regional smash
Then you can mash
You'll catch on in a flash
Then you can mash
Then you can NSFC mash

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE NSFC!!!

In the News...

The Far North Act (Bill 191) Causing a Stir

To say that the Far North Act, which was passed on September 23rd, has been a sensitive issue for many northerners would be an understatement. The act aims to protect 225,000 square kms (or 21% of Ontario's land mass) of Boreal Forest from development, but Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Chiefs' say that the bill violates their treaty rights to land ownership, and they "do not, and will not recognize this legislation on [their] homelands". The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has also voiced its opposition to the bill, stating that "the act would effectively paralyze development in the north".

Additional stakeholders, including the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, the Ontario Prospectors Association, Treaty Three Grand Council, and the Ontario Forestry Industries Association have also voiced their concerns.

To learn more about this issue, browse through the links below...

Showdown in the Far North

Northern Communities United in Opposition to Far North Act

Far North Act will bring "unrest" and drive away business, say leaders

Minister compares Far North Act to creation of Algonquin Park

United Nations designates 2011 "International Year of Forests"

Let's take a look at the facts...

• The livelihoods of 1.6 Billion people depend on forests
• Forests cover 31% of total land area globally
• Trade in forest products was estimated at $327 Billion in 2004
• Forests are home to 300 million people around the world
• Forests are home to 80% of our terrestrial biodiversity
• 30% of forests are used for production of wood and non-wood products

These statistics are currently being displayed alongside images of forests across the globe on the United Nations website. The reason the UN is sharing the importance of our forests, is because they have made the decision to designate 2011 the International Year of Forests. The United Nations General Assembly made this decision "to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation, and sustainable development pf all types of forests".

As part of the year long celebration, the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat is organizing an international forest film festival following the theme "Forests for People". The film festival is intended to "raise awareness on the importance of forests, their relationship with people and the planet we share, and consequently, to inspire a sense of personal responsibility and stewardship for a greener, more equitable, sustainable future". The winning films will be screen around the world.

For more information regarding the International Year of Forests visit the United Nations website.

Another Year of Success for the NSFC!

This past year was the busiest yet for our team at the NSFC, and on October 6th at the Ecole Secondaire Catholique Trillium in Chapleau we celebrated our hard work and success during our Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The Mayors of Chapleau, Dubreuilville, Hornepayne, Manitouwadge, Wawa, and White River were in attendance, as were the Chiefs' of Chapleau Cree, Michipicoten, Missanabie, and Brunswick House First Nations. We also had a chance to share our success stories with the Federal government, as Ted VanLunen, the Director General of Natural Resources Canada's Canadian Forest Services, attended the AGM.

During the AGM we selected our new Board of Directors, appointing Manitouwadge Mayor John MacEachern as the new President, Michipicoten First Nation Chief Joe Buckle as the new Vice-President, and Chapleau Mayor Earle Freeborn as the new Secretary-Treasurer.

Also included in the evening was an awards ceremony and gala which was a joint initiative between our organization and our partners (and friends) at the NSRCF. Our organizations both presented awards to recognize the dedication of certain individuals to the Northeast Superior region. We presented the first annual Earle J Freeborn award to Chapleau Mayor Earle Freeborn, and the NSRCF presented the first annual Chief Keith 'Keeter' Corston Award to Chapleau Cree's Chief Corston. Both men were recognized for their outstanding commitment to and involvement in the Northeast Superior region.

Chief Corston addressed the attendees of the gala, stressing the importance of continuing to build the relationship that has been fostered between the Chiefs' Forum and the Mayors' of the communities in the region. He passed on that the cross-cultural activities the partner organizations have participated in are great stepping stones towards ensuring that they are able to better understand one another in the coming years.

Mayor Freeborn reinforced Chief Corston's message, saying "if there is one message I will take away from this journey, it's that there is strength in numbers. The NSFC has facilitated the joining of the Mayors' of 6 municipalities in the Northeast Superior region, with 6 Chiefs' of 6 First Nation Communities in the area to work towards a common vision for managing our forest resources. Tonight, the Mayors' and Chiefs' are given the opportunity to come together in celebration of the achievements we have made, and the bonds that we have created. The strength of our bond and the level of our partnership is unique across Canada, and has been a key factor in our ability to achieve success."

The NSFC would like to thank the Mayors' and Chiefs', our funding partners, stakeholders, and the residents of the Northeast Superior region for your continued support, and we look forward to many more successful years of innovation in the forest industry.

The Mayors of Chapleau, Dubreuilville, Hornepayne, Manitouwadge, Wawa, and White River, along with the Chiefs' of Chapleau Cree, Brunswick House, Michipicoten, and Missanabie First Nations.

The NSFC Project Officer, Administrative Assistant, General Manager, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, and Education Coordinator

NSFC Administrative Assistant and Project Officer, Chapleau Councilor and Mayoral candidate Andre Byham, NSFC partner and Chapleau councilor candidate Larry Lacroix, and NSRCF intern

Chapleau Mayor Earle Freeborn and Chapleau Cree Chief Keeter Corston. Both men were award recipients at this year's Gala

Make this Friday even sweeter! (if that's possible...)

Mmmmmmm...the delicious smell and warm taste of sticky-dark Birch Syrup.

Getting your hands on some birch syrup might be easier than you think... a quick trip over the weekend to Cochrane (not too far considering the reward) could end up taking you to North of 49, a local business which produces and sells pure birch syrup and birched honey. You should head over to their Facebook page and check them out!

Want to learn about the journey that takes birch sap and turns it into yummy syrup? Our friends over at the newest CMFN partner site also have their hands in the Birch Syrup business! Check out the link below to watch an Alberta Prime Time TV report on Weberville Community Model Forest's birch project:

Birch on Tap- Airdate August 26, 2010


For some recipe ideas that incorporate birch syrup (and some that use maple syrup too) visit the NSFC Facebook page!