Anyone want to see Don Burnstick? For free?

Cree comedian Don Burnstick is coming to the Kiwanis Community Theatre on September 24.

Every tenth Garden River Band member who casts a community trust ballot will be going to see the popular comedian for free, says Garden River Trust Manager Alanna Jones.

She made the announcement during an open house at the trust office's new location at 16 Moccasin Street in Garden River yesterday afternoon.

Jones is seen outside the new office with Trust Chair Marg Hele and the banner they bring to events and functions around the community.

They set up information booths every chance they get so they can encourage Garden River Band members to become more involved in their community's economic future, Jones said.

The Garden River Trust office moved into Sewell's Plaza a year ago almost to the day when it suddenly lost its office space.

At that time it told Garden River's chief and band council it would be back in the community within a year, but it had some trouble locating an accessible building.

"The purpose of the trust is to encourage participation of all community members in the decision-making process," Jones said. "It is important that everyone has an opportunity to vote so we had to have wheelchair accessibility."

The the former Clip & Snip building on Moccasin Street provided that and more space for the 12-year-old organization than it had at Sewell's, she said.

The trust was formed in 1997 when Garden River negotiated an agreement with Ontario and Canada to transfer reserve land from federal to provincial jurisdiction for the construction of the four-lane bypass of Highway 17 east of Sault Ste. Marie.

The organization operates independently of the chief and band council and manages funds received as compensation for the loss of the land that's now the new section of Highway 17 East.

It functions primarily as an economic and cultural development agency, focusing much of its attention on involving youth, both as decision-makers and as project proponents.

Jones said it takes 35 percent support for a proposal to be funded by the trust.

That means roughly 450 band members, including off-reserve members, must vote in support of any given proposal for it to be funded.

If a member doesn't vote, it's considered a no vote, she said.

"The number one priority for any proposal the trust considers is that it benefit all Garden River First Nation members," Jones said. "If the trust members feel it meets the criteria then it will be put to the community for a CAP (community approval process) vote. Something much like a referendum."

Projects the trust has supported since its inception include a day care, an expansion to the cemetery, a recreation facility, a cultural gathering centre, a five-bay garage for Garden River Public Works, an education van as well as a playground, fencing and landscaping.

The trust also supported the Garden River Little NHL and the Pow Wow in both 2007 and 2008.

It supported programs and services such as a sports and recreation bursary, recreation reimbursement policy, Ojibway language as well as medical and bereavement expenses for community members.

Projects currently underway with trust support include the Garden River Fire Department, fire protection services and an addition to the Adults in Motion program and facilities.

For more information about the Garden River Trust, its projects and upcoming CAP vote opportunities, contact Jones at the new office at 705-942-1103 or fax 705-942-2706, or email [email protected]

Staff and trust members will also be available in the parking lot outside the Garden River Community Centre on September 16 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., during the chief and council election.