It is interesting that Region 1 is at the Border between Ontario and Manitoba. This reminds one of the border between Mother Earth and the Great Creator. When you look at the waters or land you catch a glimpse of Mother Earth’s and the Great Creator’s fingers touching. The colours seem to mix and blend into each other. To say that this is pretty is to understate the true beauty that is before you. Even in the winter when it appears all is asleep, there is the touching of Mother Earth and the Great Creator. Even the rock beneath your feet seems to border a new world. It is the same with the Members of Region 1 they ever walk with a sense of the Earth and with a Spiritual center that just leads OCIP to want to go on and bridge the border between what Has Happened and what Will Happen. Does it not make perfect sense that Our Founding Chief, Brad Maggrah came from this Region and is it no wonder that under his steadfast Vision of the Past and the coming Future that OCIP bridged many hard days. This idea of border or merging of two things has given OCIP its true voice and vision.

Region 1 Governors Biographical Info.

My full name is Bradley John Maggrah Jr, I prefer to be called BJ. I am 44 years old and I identify as 2 Spirited.

My Ancestry Comes from Sucker Creek First Nations near Little Current Ontario & Wabigoon Lake First Nation near Dryden Ontario.

In November 2019 I received Indian Status as a result of the Descheneaux Decision amendment to the Indian Act.

Some of my Past involvements are:

-Region 1 Youth Director (Métis Nation of Ontario)

-Region 2 Youth Director (Métis Nation of Ontario)

-Co-Chair (Thunder Bay Métis Council)

-Board Member (Dryden Native Friendship Center)

-Board Member (LGBTQ2S Advisory Committee – MMIWG)

I was appointed the Zone 1 Governor for Ontario Coalition of Indigenous People (OCIP) in June of 2020 and I look forward to serving in this role

In Closing I look forward in my new role as OCIP Zone 1 Governor to help and serve our Indigenous people in our area from Manitoba Border to Thunder Bay Districts and Hudson Bay to USA Border.

If you have access to Facebook please don’t hesitate to send a friend request with any questions or concerns you may have. I also started the closed Facebook group OCIP Zone 1 Members as I share information on the group as well.

Covid-19 Funding & Response

Region One (1) of OCIP has been tasked with the oversight of the Covid-19 funding for our area. So all Applications (see link below) must be made by Indigenous Peoples in urban and rural centres or living off reserve. Authentication of Indigenous Status is done, as a certain amount of verification is undertaken by OCIP. However If you attach your OCIP Membership Number this becomes a simple process. Next Please note, below a full list of activities serviced by this Covid-19 funding to help you confirm you might qualify for funding. If so then just fill out the application, ensuring it is signed and dated. Then return it to the “Contact Me” link above. If you have any questions and/or concerns please feel free to contact me either by phone or email: ocipzone1@hotmail.com . Special Note: You will be asked to complete a “Needs Survey” for your Region as this will help OCIP better serve our Region. You will be sent this Regional Needs Survey.

1. Emergency response staff
2. Housing and shelter
3. Essential goods
4. Health and medical
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
6. Transportation and delivery of goods
7. Support for Elders, Youth, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable community members
8. Educational support for children and youth
9. Communications and utilities
10. Cultural and spiritual supports
11. Other activities related to supporting COVID-19 preparedness and response measures

OCIP RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVIEW, ALLOW OR DISALLOW ALL CLAIM(S) MADE DEPENDING ON ELIGABILITY.

Please remember If You are Filling out an Application you should include your Needs Survey in this package as well. Otherwise we ask that you Please Fill out this Region 1 Needs Survey as it will help OCIP and your Region target the specifics needs of Our Indigenous People.

Thanking you for your Help.