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On October 02, 2002, Keewaytinook Okimakanak hosted an all weather road meeting at the Balmertown Recreation Centre. It was attended by approximately 43 people from the Red Lake district First Nations of Pikangikum, Deer Lake, North Spirit Lake, Poplar Hill, Keewaywin, McDowell Lake and Sandy Lake. Representatives from INAC, MNR, MNDM and the Municipality of Red Lake were also in attendance.

The meeting focused o­n strategies o­n how we can advance the all weather road initiative and the need to establish the governance structure. The governance structure, proposed to be known as "Northern Roads Transportation Authority" will comprise of appointed directors from each of the district First Nations. This group will oversee all developments related to the entire project. The initiative will be a joint First Nations driven project and utilize various government personnel o­n a technical and advisory capacity.

While the all weather road initiative is a long term project, a short term plan of upgrading the existing winter road network is a priority, particularly the Berens River crossing. The warming climate is a major concern to all users of the winter road.

Pikangikum First Nation, whose traditional territory through which the proposed road is being accessed, has complied with the requests from its northern neighbors for construction of a temporary bridge at the Berens River crossing. This would be used during the winter road season o­nly. A permanent crossing site will be evaluated during the feasibility study phase.

More meetings are being planned in the coming weeks. These next meetings will be planning sessions to further develop the governance structure and frame work agreement.

On the weekend of Sept 25 to Sept. 29, the Bearskin Lake Band supported a cultural hunting trip to McKoop Lake at the Band's Tourist Camp. The camp is located 36 miles south of the reserve. There were 13 men that went o­n the trip, 8 teens and 5 chaperones.

The trip consisted of: hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor stuff. The people that went o­n the trip were Chris Beardy, Trevor McKoop, Victor Fox, Scott Nothing, Langford Gray, Kevin Peters, Edward Fiddler, Stuart Kam, Louie Fox, John Day, Randy Fiddler, David Meekis and myself. Four of us left for McKoop Lake o­n Wednesday afternoon. The rest came o­n Friday afternoon.

Although, we were unsuccessful with the moose hunting, we had a chance to go Goose and Duck hunting which was fun. I hope the band will do this again in the future. Thanx.

Matawa First Nations Management staff organized a planning meeting with different stakeholders to determine a strategy to access the resources required to bring broadband connectivity and applications to their member First Nations.

Representatives from Nishnawbe Aski Nation (Gordon Kakegamic), Matawa (Paul Capon, John Cole), FedNor (Carl Seibel) and Keewaytinook Okimakanak (Brian Beaton) met by video conference discussing Industry Canada's Broadband for Rural and Northern Development (BRAND) program and how everyone can work together to ensure EVERY First Nation across Treaty 9 territory is included in this initiative.

Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation's Annual Conference, "Tradition and Technology for a Better Tomorrow" was opened by Fort Severn Elder Elijah Stoney and Chief George Kakakespan joining the conference by video conference. Elder Elijah Stoney said a prayer for the gathering from the Fort Severn First Nation band office. Chief George Kakekaspan said a few words to the conference participants about the importance of these communication tools for his community.

Working in partnership with Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Bell Canada and Adcom, OFNTSC Conference participants will be able to link with different Tribal Councils and First Nations that have access to video conferencing services during the trade show scheduled for Wednesday, Oct 9. A workshop session is also scheduled for Thursday to discuss the different issues surrounding developing and sustaining video conferencing connections in the different organizations and First Nations.

See additional pictures at http://photos.knet.ca/OFNTSC-conference

Boozhoo!!!

Fort William First Nation had it's open house o­n September 20, 2002. Initially things were slow, but picked up in mid afternoon. We had about 15 people from around the community come and check out our site. A few showed interest in enrollment into the program, so, hopefully we will have some more new faces around the KiHS center here in FWFN. We have a picture of the school attached. Come and visit us anytime!

Thank you for your time...

Teacher/Mentor...Craig H
Classroom Technician...Aaron H
Students
Aaron B., Luke B. Andrew P., Kara P., Coty K., Joseph C., Trevor W., Nathan M., Jesse B., George S., Rob M., Summer B., Jamie B., Brenda H., Terry L., Lyle P., Sara G., Lucas S...and more to come!!!

We have a new K-Net News site which should make submitting your News Stories much easier.  Included is a new HTML editor and the ability to add pictures to your news stories.

The week September 30th to October 3rd Fort Severn hosted a Community Economic Development Strategic Planning Session at the local  youth centre. The host was Victoria Matthews our local resource worker. The workshop facilitator was Peter Dixon from Macleod Farley and Associates. Refreshments of coffee and cookies were provided.

The elders, youth and Chief and Council were invited to provide their input o­n developing an up-to-date economic development strategic plan for Fort Severn First Nation. 

See Photos from the workshop at http://photos.knet.ca/albun02

Two representatives from Cisco Systems Networking Academy travelled to Sioux Lookout o­n September 30, 2002 to meet with K-Net staff. Anne Miller, Canadian Education Marketing Manager and Jane Brooke, Senior Education Technical Specialist are exploring strategies to deliver their training programs in rural and remote First Nations. Anne and Jane are working with a number of First Nation organizations across Canada to partner in the development and delivery a training program delivery strategy that will best serve learners located in rural and remote First Nations. For more information o­n Cisco Career Certifications visit http://www.cisco.com/training and check out the pictures of the visit.

The barge run from Moosonee arrived in Fort Severn. Excitement is everywhere across the local community as the barge delivers housing material, gas, fuel, and store goods.

See Photos

On September  24 to 26, 2000, Fort Severn hosted a  Personal Support Worker Workshop.  Kaaren Olsen of  Keewaytinook Okimakanak came in to coordinate the Workshop.  Five woman from the community,  including Diane Bluecoat, the Home Care Coordinator, participated in the workshop.

See Photos