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The Government of Canada's Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program is a new initiative created to assist communities that are currently without high-speed data services access. With a specific focus on First Nations, rural, remote, and northern, this is the first step toward the Government of Canada's commitment to high-speed connectivity for all Canadian communities by 2005. For more information, visit www.broadband.gc.ca. The Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program is an important part of Canada's Innovation Strategy. Broadband connectivity supports innovation at the local level, empowering Canadians to become more skilled and their communities to become more competitive. The program will demonstrate the benefits of broadband access in areas such as health care and education, and in unleashing communities' economic potential. Deadline for the first round of applications is OCTOBER 31, 2002

Weagamow Lake is holding our annual family awarness week, a time to gather with your family and have fun playing different activities and dancing. Annual Hunting week, where the Chief and Council will be giving out cash prizes has an entry fee of $300.00 per boat.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak is partnering with 16 Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities to deliver a Community Broadband Network Technicians employment and training project. The fifteen week, Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board funded project is employing a local technician from 16 First Nations. Each technician will work with the different organizations to help them prepare for the introduction of broadband infrastructure and services in their community. Starting September 9, 2002, an on-line training support program is being introduced to each of the project participants as a pilot e-learning environment. The new K-Net e-learning tool is adapted from the similar on-line tool developed for the Keewaytinook Internet High School. Training content and support is being provided by K-Net Services staff. First Nation workers include: Leroy McKoop, leroymckoop@knet.ca, Bearskin Lake FN Harlon Wesley, harlon.wesley@knet.ca, Cat Lake FN Jeremy Sawanas, jeremysawanas@knet.ca, Deer Lake FN Angus Miles, angusmiles@knet.ca, Fort Severn FN Gerald Anderson, geraldanderson@knet.ca, Kasabonika FN Blue Mason, bluemason@knet.ca, Keewaywin FN Gary Albany, garyalbany@knet.ca, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwog FN Margaret Lawson, margaretlawson@knet.ca, McDowell Lake FN Sean Kakegamic, seankakegamic@knet.ca, Muskrat Dam FN Martina Kanakakeesic, martinakanakakeesic@knet.ca, North Caribou FN Paul Campbell, paulcampbell@knet.ca, North Spirit Lake FN Gabriel Wassaykeesic, gabrielwassaykeesic@knet.ca, Poplar Hill FN Sarah Tait, sarahtait@knet.ca, Sachigo Lake FN Michael Meekis, michaelmeekis@knet.ca, Sandy Lake FN Lana Bighead, lanabighead@knet.ca, Slate Falls FN Crystal Barkman, crystalbarkman@knet.ca, Wapekeka FN This training project and the development of the e-learning training tool is part of the services funding under the Aboriginal Smart Communities Demonstration Project, a partnership between Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations with funding support from Industry Canada's Smart Communities Program, FedNor, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund (NOHF), INAC, HRDC - OLT, Health Canada's CHIPP project and SLAAMB.

Representatives from the different tribal councils from across NAN met on Thursday, Sept 5 to discuss strategies for working together to assist NAN First Nations to get connected to broadband infrastructure. Participants included representatives from the NAN office (Gordon Kakegamic - meeting coordinator, Ed Hoshizaki), Matawa (John Cole), Wabun (Darlene Lafontaine), Mushkegowuk (Bill Louttit), Mocreebec (Allan Jolly), Windigo (Ernie Buswa), IFNA (Tim Bergman) and Keewaytinook Okimakanak (Dan Pellerin, Brian Beaton). Updates on connectivity developments across the region were discussed along with some of the opportunities (Industry Canada's new Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program and needs (partnerships and sustainability) for the NAN territory to become the most connected region in Canada. See the pictures from the meeting.

First Annual Native Women's Broomball Classic October 11 - 14, 2002 Fort William First Nation Arena Thunder Bay, Ontario Registered Teams include: Chisasibi, Quebec Waswanipi, Quebec Mistissini, Quebec Michikan Lake Starz Keewaywin Pink Ladies Big Trout Lake Blazers Neskantaga Lady Hawks Eabametoong Northern Lights Muskrat Dam Saints Moose Factory Islanders D.F.C. Thunder Hawks Pelican Falls Timberwolves Fort William Wolverines Fort Albany Swampy Queens Nibinamik Stars Team Webequie Deer Lake Mishkeegogamang Cat Lake Sandy Lake For more information Phone: 807-625-0327 or Fax: 807-625-9303 Website: www.eteamz.com/broomball Email: seventhgeneration@shaw.ca

The Doors of the Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School in Thunder Bay opened its doors to allow students to further their education. As of August 27, at least 250+ students have enrolled and are slowly reviewing the basic reality of living in a urben world. Students and staff at the DFCHS have recently been told at least another 50 or so students are yet to be returning to attend school in DFC. Check out some Pictures of students at DFC in the coming weeks on Wawatay News. *If you would like to see your friends picture there i'll walk around search for them and boom, send it to the newspaper and then u can keep and cherish it forever... And hey, it's free... Just email me at JamesBenson@knet.ca

This is to remind every NAN territory member that September 18th is approaching quickly for the observance of NAN Day of Prayer as designated by the Chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation. The purpose of this solemn event is to pray for all our people who have been affected by suicide and to embrace life as given by our Creator. The Day of Prayer will commence with a Wawatay radio address by Grand Chief Stan Beardy at approximately 9:00am central standard time. Followed by messages and prayers by Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic, youth and area ministers/pastors. All churches within their respective communities have been encouraged to plan joint evening prayer services/events for that day. For more information please call your local band office or church, or Nishnawbe Aski Nation at 1-800-465-9952

Some students from Sandy Lake are attending Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School in Thunder Bay. The students that left are Candice Meekis, Richan Meekis, Evangaline Meekis, Jocelyn Mawakeesick, Nicole Meekis, Stefanie Mamakeesic, Charlene Anishiabie and Korey Day. This group of students left Sandy Lake on Monday August 26, 2002 at 7:00pm on Calm Air. Good luck to all of you and have a safe and wonderful year!!!!

1st place $8,000.00 2nd place $4,000.00 3rd place $2,000.00 4th place $1,000.00 Individual awards or cash prizes! CHECK OUT OUR ARTIFICIAL ICE!!!! Entry Fees: $1,000.00 Local teams/$800.00 Visiting teams (8) only. Status cards required, open tournament. 12 team format/round robin A & B Pools. Tournament open to 16 yrs. of age and older only. For more information, contact: Sandy Lake Recreation Office (807) 774-5445

A-Side Championship $5,000.00 + medallions & trophy $1,000.00 + medallions & trophy B-Side Championship $500.00 + medallions & trophy Entry Fees: $1,000.00 Local teams / $800.00 Visiting teams (6) only. 1 hour free ice time for visiting teams! Teams must be in Sandy Lake December 4. Deadline: November 25, 2002. Teams must consist of a maximum of 15 players, made up of eleven 15 & 16 year olds, two 14 year olds and two 17 year olds For more information, contact: Ozzie Kakepetum, Sandy Lake Recreation at (807) 774-5445