Anishinabeg
Abitibi8inni
Abitibi8inni First Nation
Abitibi8inni First Nation is a member of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation. Its ancestral territory is vast and includes the shores of Lake Abitibi, know as “APITIPIK,” where the Abitibi8innik would meet every summer. Today, the community’s land, the heart of which is the village of Pikogan, covers just over 2.77 km2. Around 600 of the First Nation’s 1,102 members live in Pikogan, while the others live elsewhere in the ancestral territory or in other regions. More than 40 % of members are aged 18 years and under. The main languages spoken are French, followed by English and Anicinapemowin. Many awareness building and educational initiatives with youth are underway, to keep the language and culture alive. The community is very dynamic: there are around 34 active committees, covering a variety of topics (e.g., OCITCIKAN (culture), women, housing, Elders, trapping, sports and recreation, etc.).
To learn more :
What was the
starting point
of the CCP?
In 2016, the elected officials and general management decided to participate in the CCP pilot project, which was coordinated by the FNQLSDI. Their objectives were: to ensure that the vision, values, and development priorities of the First Nation would echo the voices of its members; and to use the planning process as an opportunity to improve coherence and complementarity between local government services and programs.
The funding received from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada made it possible to hire a CCP Coordinator – Chantal Kistabish – and to begin the planning process.
How did the planning process move forward?
During the first two years, the process progressed rapidly, thanks to Chantal’s work and to the support of the community volunteers that made up the planning team. Multiple community engagement activities were organized to reach as many Abitibi8innik as possible, including:
- Participatory mapping meetings in the Mina8asi Hall
- Dreaming workshops at Mig8an School
- Family-based workshops on culture and language
- History activity at the 8atapi Elders Home
- Participatory timeline
- Conference and booth at the Annual General Assembly
The pandemic and staff changes forced the team to review their planning calendar. The arrival of Daren Germain, the new CCP Coordinator hired in the fall of 2021, put the planning process back on track. The newly created Culture, Sports, and Recreation department’s team was a great support. Various virtual and in person engagement activities were held, starting in the Spring of 2022. It’s important to highlight the involvement of four CCP Committee members, who have been active from the very beginning: Chantal Kistabish, Nathalie Rankin, Sammy Kistabish and Patricia Kistabish.
Since April 2023, Kimberly Roy, the new CCP Coordinator, has kept the process alive and kicking. The planning team now includes a 10-person CCP Committee, who meets with the common goal of moving ahead with the plan. Team members are Sammy Kistabish, Daren Germain, Danah Flamand, Chantal Kistabish, Félix Thibodeau-Gagné, Patricia Kistabish, Nathalie Rankin, Billy Kistabish-Côté, Jane Larivière and Kimberly Roy. Thanks to the team’s hard work, the writing of the plan is underway. An updated version of the logo was created, based on the medicine wheel’s four colours, along with a Pikogan CCP Facebook page. Last but not least, a short film on the history and culture of the Abitibi8innik is also in the works.
Promotional videos and a logo contest helped raise awareness about the process among members.
CCP website (in French only) :
CCP VIDEOS (in French only) :
What changes
did CCP
bring in pikogan?
Combined with other ongoing initiatives, the CCP has had many positive effects, particularly in terms of relations and members’ involvement in community life.
Here are a few examples of concrete changes observed :
A growing number of members participate in community activities (gatherings, cultural and sport activities, pow wow, etc.).
Many people give their time to help in the community, for example to support isolated families, help Elders out, etc.
The adoption of new communication and facilitation practices, combined with the equipment provided to citizens for remote access, improved communications between the administration and community members.
Alignment has improved between the Council’s strategic planning and the comprehensive community planning process, thanks to the management committee.
The creation of this new department made it possible to increase and diversify cultural and sport activities offered in the community, especially at the Youth Center.
What are the next
steps?
The goal is to finish writing the plan and to have a final document by the end of the year, so that the plan can start to be implemented by March 31st, 2026, and presented at the general assembly.
To learn more (in French only) :