b"CHIEF PROFILEChief Profile:Q&A withChief Scott McLeod, Nipissing First NationBY CHRISTINE MISKONOODINKWE-SMITHN ipissing First Nation (NFN)economic leadership and his manyprice; the first answer was a no, we dont is an urban reserve locatedsuccesses during his term of leadershipdo that, and we wanted to know why. on the north shore of Lakeso far. We politically elevated the issue and were Nipissing, which is approxi- Answers have been edited for length and clarity. successful. We were able to show the mately 320 kilometres north of Toronto.business and government sectors what Nipissings land base spans over 30 kilo- What have been some of your biggestour Nation can do.metres between the City of North Bayaccomplishments as Chief? Successfully partnering with Miller to the east and the Municipality of WestScott McLeod: Our biggest accom- Paving Ltd. and receiving the rebuilding Nipissing to the west.plishment, business wise, has been ourcontract for the Duchesnay Creek Bridge NFN has 11 communities distributedpartnership with Miller Paving Ltd. andmarked a significant change in the way across its land base: Garden Village,the replacement contract we won towe were doing business. The Duchesnay Veterans Lane, Mosquito Creek, Jockorebuild the Duchesnay Creek Bridge.Creek Bridge connects Nipissing First Point, Paradise Point, Meadowside,Before the partnership happened, weNation to the city of North Bay, Ont., Beaucage Subdivision, Beaucage Village,saw opportunities such as the replace- and was a two-year project valued at Serenity Lane, Yellek and Duchesnay.ment contract for the Duchesnay Creekover $12 million. The Duchesnay Creek NFN has a total registered popula- Bridge being overlooked, and we wantedBridge is a heritage site and the last tion of 3,141 members, with 968 ofa real chance to be a part of this oppor- wooden bridge in Ontario. Rebuilding those members on-reserve and 2,173tunity. We essentially wanted to get [thethe Duchesnay Creek Bridge marked off-reserve. Government of] Ontario to sole-sourcea step forward towards sovereignty, this to us. We didnt want a handout, butself-governance and reconciliation by Advocate recently sat down withmany of our communities have been leftproviding real opportunities for members Chief Scott McLeod to discuss howout of opportunities like this. We wantedof the NFN to participate in projects hes helping NFN become a leader inthe replacement contract at a fair markettaking place on their territory.POWER WORKERS' UNION POWER WORKERS' UNION The People Who Help The People Who HelpPOWER WORKERS' UNION The People Who Help Keep The Lights ON Keep The Lights ONKeep The Lights ON The PWU is the union of choice for over 17,000 The PWU is the union of choice for over 17,000The PWU is the union of choice for over 17,000 Power Workers across Ontario. Powerr Workers across Ontario. Powe Workers across Ontario. Our Members power Ontario communities by operating Our Members power Ontario communities by operating and The People Who Help Our Members power Ontario communities by operating and mainand maintaining Nuclear, Hydroelectric, Gas, Wind and taining Nuclear, Hydroelectric, Gas, Wind and Biomass maintaining Nuclear, Hydroelectric, Gas, Wind and Biomass Generating stations. They, then ensure this energy makes it to Biomass Generating stations. They then ensure this Generating stations. They, then ensure this energy makes it to Keep The Lights ON's your home through sustaining and repairing Ontario's your home through sustaining and repairing Ontarioenergy makes it to your home through sustaining and Transmission and Distribution lines, at all times of the day, and Transmission and Distribution lines, at all times of the day, and repairing Ontarios Transmission and Distribution lines in all weather conditions.in all weather conditions.at all times of the day and in all weather conditions.The PWU is the union of choice for over 17,000 The PWUs main focus is fair representation, and we do that The PWUs main focus is fair representation, and we do through listening and engaging in open dialogue to learn how The PWUs main focus is fair representation, and we do that Power Workers across Ontario. that through listening and engaging in open dialogue we can make our communities better for future generations.through listening and engaging in open dialogue to learn how to learn how we can make our communities better for we can make our communities better for future generations.BUILDING DREAMS.Our Members power Ontario communities by operating and We are here, at the service of people, in harmony with the land.future generations.maintaining Nuclear, Hydroelectric, Gas, Wind and Biomass We are herWe are, at the service here, at the service of people oe, in harmonf people, in harmony with the lyand.Generating stations. They, then ensure this energy makes it to FOR MORE INFORMATIONand.with the l VISIT OUR WEBSITECREATING REALITY. your home through sustaining and repairing Ontario's www.pwu.caTransmission and Distribution lines, at all times of the day, and FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITEwww.pwu.cain all weather conditions.At Better Building Solutions, we are not satisfied until you are! Our goal isThe PWUs main focus is fair representation, and we do thatjim@bbsinc.caFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAthrough listening and engaging in open dialogue to learn how to fulfill your building needs as quickly as possible while maintaining the@PWUConnectshighest quality workmanship. Allow us to make your dreams a reality!807-853-0479we can make our communities better for future generations.Contact us today for a free quote. bbsinc.ca We are here, at the service of people, in harmony with the land.FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA@PWUConnectsFOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITEwww.pwu.ca46l I ssue2 2022/23C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA@PWUConnects"