President Matt Villella welcomed a sell out crowd today which include 3 new inductees and Derek Lennox (guest of President-Elect Hector Dougall)
A: Induction of New Members:
The club celebrated:
- Luci Doucette: carpenter with a passion for service in many realms including the health of her colleagues within the profession. (Introduced by Chris Bailey)
- Bassie Kargbo: CEO of CanSerra Development Organization, assisting children in a large number of comprehensive of ways (from school building to education) in his home country of Sierra Leone. Bassie is a former member of PA Rotary in 2009-2010. (Introduced by Art Warwick)
- Devin Turgeon: legal assistant at Erickson and Partners LLB and former veteran Thunder Bay Rotoract Club member. (Introduced by Kevin Holloway)
Past president Shelley Crawford read the charge for all 3, who were officially welcomed after receiving their pins and new member kits.
B: Keynote Presentation:
The Importance of Housing in First Nations presented by Tim Krug, Infrastructure Specialist/Advisor-Ontario First Nations Technical Services (tkrug@tbaytel.net)
Tim is a resident of both Big Trout Lake (KI) and Sachigo Lake FN, who has devoted his life to teach and expand awareness of Indigenous housing issues, in their myriad realms.
In his easy going story telling way, he outlined the Before and Now (Mudigwain (Tipi) and Wahkaheegun (House) as a physical reality and metaphor for the housing situation in former days to current very challenging and unsustainable times.
There is a clear issue of essential housing need (The chief says "bring me 100 houses"). The causation is generally well known but very thorny to manage and improve. Fortunately there are many bright lights now and on the horizon. His "What can we do?" slide confirms a basic truth that the start (government) must interact meaningfully with the finish (the grass roots).
This was a fine eye opener and powerful lesson from a dedicated advisor who has generated great respect by many in his and outside communities.
He was introduced by Brian Walmark, past president and thanked by President Matt Villella.
C: Key Club Business/ Event Updates
- Saturday May 24th: garbage pickup at Boulevard Park south east corner Cumberland St (as in past) (Dave Silliman). Bags et all supplied. To volunteer contact silliman@tbaytel.net
- Jim Madder: reported successful recruitment of 3 (St Ignatius) students for RYLA in Crookston MN in July. (Jim Madder and Brent Boyko)
- Summary of very successful Y2Y Conference (an Honouring Indigenous People (HIP) Canadian Rotary event ) in Wolfville NS (Acadia U). Shelley Crawford verified it was life altering for most if not all (25 Indigenous and 25 non-Indigenous students together and experiencing 2 Eyed Seeing). The 3 Thunder Bay youth participants will present in August. Shelley was a "helper" working with a dedicated staff and herself was profoundly impacted.
- June 7, 2025: International Trails Day at Pool 6 for Rotary volunteers planting Indigenous plants et al (1000-1200 h) followed by get together at the Baggage Building and interaction with other like minded groups (Warren Philp and WTRCAT major event). To volunteer contact wphip@tbaytel.net
- April Dew Drop Inn service: went well with many members at both shifts (450 plus served). (Bob Tomlinson)
- Budget update: brief bottom line-the general account needs some help so annual dues will increase, but the treasury team is working to keep this manageable (Hector Dougall, Kevin Holloway and team)
- Happy dollars (galore) orchestrated by Albert Brulé.