Direct Services Department

Little Grand Rapids Unit

Location

Little Grand Rapids First Nation is a remote community that is near the Manitoba/Ontario border. It is surrounded by majestic sceneries of rivers, lakes, and rapids. Main access to the community is by air with limited vehicle access on the seasonal winter road. During freeze-up and break-up a helicopter is used to commute between the airport and mainland.

Population

The on-reserve population is 1,368 and off-reserve is 385, with a total population of 1,753.

Chief and CFS Portfolio Councillors

Chief is Clinton Keeper and the CFS Portfolio Councillors are Wendy Leveque, Hilda Crow and Diane Keeper.

Little Grand Rapids First Nation

Services that are offered in the community of Little Grand Rapids are: Southeast Child and Family Services, Shawenim Abinoojii, Nursing Station, RCMP, Day Care, Head Start, Jordan's Principal, Brighter Futures, Building Healthy Communities, Community Health Representatives. There are two stores: Owen's Cash and Carry, and the Northern Store. The SECFS Family Healing and Wellness Centre was opened this past summer and is situated at the site previously known as Circling Thunderbird Centre.

Abbalak Thunderswift Memorial School is locally run by the First Nation and offers nursery to grade 9. Students are required to leave the community to continue their education in Winnipeg or other municipalities in order to attend high school. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school closed down and students have been provided with work to do at home. Construction of a new school will be completed by 2022 and this new facility will be able to educate students from nursery to grade 12.

There are 10 Shawenim Abinoojii Inc. homes that are placements for children to remain in the community and be close to their families.

Members of Little Grand Rapids enjoy the outdoors by going out to fish, hunt, and trap as well as go camping and boating. They treasure their land and often will seek refuge at their camps, trap lines, or on their waters. Families will go to the land to rejuvenate their spirts when things get overwhelming or chaotic. Members still have their Anishinaabe language which is still very prevalent in the community.

Staff

Director - Melanie Boulette, Elana Baseraba
Community Supervisor - Maureen Line, Jessica Boyle
Direct Service Workers - Christabel Ofori, Cassidy Emms-Shalagan, Janine Richard, Jasmine Cranford, Keegan Eaglestick, Olusola Oki, Taylor Allan, Emily Halchakar, Kayla Fucci-Twiss
Administrative Assistant - Samuel Bushie
Service Assistant - Kaela Lavallee
City Supervisor - Rebecca McIvor
Direct Service Workers - Rabia Harb, Stacy Belyk, Jeff Tyler, Shantel Seneshen, Cerys Evans
Service Assistant - Vacant

Highlights and Events

The community workers are committed to developing and delivering programs that meet the community's needs. Program development is done through the Family Enhancement Program and some of the new programs include: Red Road to Healing; Relapse Prevention; Grief and Loss; Cultural Teachings; Traditional Family Parenting; and the Emergency Food Pantry. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic these services have been limited as a result of the travel restrictions.
This past summer, a sweat lodge was built with several community members participating in the sweat that was held. Teachings that were offered include the 7 Sacred Teachings as well as a pipe ceremony. A second sweat was planned but was cancelled due to the community lockdown.
The Family Enhancement Funds provided for a Family Therapist to attend the community twice a month. Since the travel restrictions, the Family Therapist has had to have contact via phone services.
Both the city and community workers have continued to work with the parents so their children can be reunified to them despite the pandemic. When travel was permitted, family visits occurred. And where travel could not occur, visits happened by virtual means.
We partnered with Chief and Council to provide formula, diapers and wipes for the community, made a contribution to their Moose Harvest, and to provide a turkey for each household.
Our staff hosted and participated in community events including the delivery of the canoe camp with Waterways; provided Halloween candy to each household; delivering Personal Protective Equipment to each household; hosting virtual colouring and baking contests; helping with sending Letters to Santa; and, contributing to the New Year's Eve fireworks.
A trailer was purchased for the staff for their living quarters, but we are still waiting for the water and hydro to be hooked up. The office will undergo some renovations in the next year and we hope to be able to offer programming in this office area in the upcoming year.