Aamjiwnaang (Chippewas of Sarnia First Nation)
Environment Department
The Environment Department works under the Environment Committee who works under Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief and Council.
Aamjiwnaang is a small First Nation Community located on the shores of the St. Clair River in South West Ontario. Being situated within the city limits of Sarnia Ontario provides Aamjiwnaang, and its members, many unique opportunities, economic development and employment to name a couple. Bordered on three sides by Canada’s largest petrochemical refining concentration, (40% of Canada’s Petrochemical refineries), Aamjiwnaang also has a disproportionate amount of pollution related illnesses and side effects. The Environment Committee was formed in 2002 in response to the announcement of Suncor’s new Ethanol Plant location, on our borders. In 2007 and Environmental Officer was hired to oversea daily operations of the Environment Department. 2 additional contract positions were created a Health and Environment Consultation Worker and a Health and Environment Worker.
Environment Coordinator
Sharilyn Johnston
Annex Building
978 Tashmoo Ave.
Sarnia, ON N7T 7H5
Phone: 519-336-8410
Ext. 245
Fax: 519-336-0382
Environment Committee
The Environment Department organizes meetings for the Environment Committee. The Environment Committee meets every first and third Tuesday at the Maawn Doosh Gumig, often following the Chief and Council regularly scheduled meetings. If you have an environmental issue that you would like to raise please talk to one of the Environment Committee members or any of the Environment Department Staff. The committee’s term is 2 years and members are chosen by Chief and Council.
Environment Committee Members
Janelle Nahmabin, Councillor
Marina Plain, Councillor
Danalynn Williams, Band Member
Charles Rogers, Band Member
Carolyn Nahmabin, Band Member
Sharilyn Johnston, Environment Coordinator
Chirstine James, Environment Asssistant
Courtney Jackson, Environment Worker
Environment Projects
There are several ongoing projects as-well-as new projects starting every week. When a company wants to build something new, install something, change a piece of equipment, change the current layout of the land within our defined traditional territory, they must inform Aamjiwnaang First Nation about their plan.
For each submission, a project summary is created for review by the Environment Committee. The committee will decide whether or not any projects need further investigation or if they will have an impact on our First Nation.
The Environment Committee will then make a recommendations to Chief and Council regarding the type of engagement needed from the company whether it be Community information sessions or open houses on the project.
Capacity funding is also requested to ensure full and meaningful involvement. It is a formalized agreement with the company that the company will cover any additional testing or cost associated with reviewing the impacts of the project. This often includes a third party review of the proposed work and allows Chief and Council and the Environment Committee time to review the project and for community information sessions. See related documents on the Consultation Process the Consultation Flow Chart and the Aamjiwnaang Consultation Protocol.
The Department also hosts a Chief and Council seminar quarterly to update Chief and Council on all the projects the department is working on.
Some Current Projects:
- Clean Harbors Environmental Assessment
- Traditional Land Use Study
- St. Clair Area of Concern Beneficial Use Impairments Delisting
- Sediment Management Options
- Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Annexes
- Suncor Benzene Remediation
- 419 Air Standard Regulation External working Group
- Nova 2020 Expansion Project
- Greenhouse and Native Plant Nursery
- Species at Risk Assessments
Greenhouse and Native Plant Nursery
On September 16, 2015 the Environment Committee along with Aamjiwnaang Chief and Council, and Environment Staff and fellow Community Members participated in a Grand Opening Ceremony of the Maajiigin Gumig (Aamjiwnaang’s Greenhouse). The Green House is 54 x 34 it sits just outside of the Maawn Doosh Gumig parking lot. Maajiigin Gumig is a native plant greenhouse focusing on growing native plants for the Aamjiwnaang community and surrounding Sarnia-Lambton Area.
Some initiatives of the green house will be Native plant rescue and restoration, seed collection and cleaning, native plant propagation, multi-generation teaching and learning, ecology stewardship education, and reconnecting with the Earth. The greenhouse will also be a gathering place for learning how to help native plants thrive once planted. There will be upcoming workshops coming in 2016 to learn how to take care of native plants, as well as what to plant where, and purposes for traditional medicinal plants. A full time greenhouse caretaker job posting is being created and further details will be posted in an upcoming Tribe Une.
Source: https://www.aamjiwnaang.ca/environment-department/
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Bus Driver – Student Transportation
The Aamjiwnaang First Nation Education Department is currently seeking a school Bus Driver, to provide transportation to students who reside on the Aamjiwnaang First Nation and attend the Kindergarten program, public school and other educational institutions.
Housing Case Manager
This position is responsible for establishing permanent housing and supporting Indigenous and other Housing Clients who have a serious mental illness and are homeless or at risk of being homeless.
Personal Support Worker (PSW)
To deliver homecare to the Aamjiwnaang First Nation community members.
Human Resources Officer
Reporting to the Band Manager the Human Resources Officer is primarily responsible to support staff and management on policy interpretations and grievance matters; conducts recruitment and selection processes and provides progressive and expert HR guidance to all levels of staff on policy and legislation interpretation, providing solutions to a wide spectrum of complex HR issues.