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A partnership comprising the Federal and Ontario governments, Mckenzie Forest Products and the Slate Falls First Nation will jointly invest $8.4 million in the construction of a new permanent, all-season road linking the First Nation to the existing road system.

An announcement was made on January 21, 2003 in Sioux Lookout by the Honourable Robert D. Nault, federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Mines, the Honourable Jim Wilson, Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines, company and First Nation officials.  All parties then travelled to Slate Falls to make the announcement to the excited community members and celebrated with a feast.

In a first ever partnership to expand all-weather roads into remote areas, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is investing $2.5 million in the construction of a 50.7km all-weather road that will link the community to the Vermillion River Road which connects to Hwy. 516 Northeast of Sioux Lookout.  

The Ernie Eves government, through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, is also contributing $2.5 million to the project.  Funding is being provided through the NOHFC's recently announced Far North Assistance Program which encourages the upgrading and development of infrastructure to support economic growth, and improve the quality of life for it's residents.

Other Partners in the project  are Mckenzie Forest Products, which is investing $3.4 million in it's share of the construction project, and the Slate Falls First Nation, which will manage the construction project.

Construction is expected to start in the spring of 2003 and is expected to be completed before the end of March 2005.  Slate Falls is located on the western shore of Bamaji Lake, approximately 140 km north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario.  The community, with a population of approximately 200 residents, is accessible primarily by air transport year-round, and by winter road during the coldest winter months.  

On Monday morning, January 27, Carl Seibel, Dan Pellerin and Brian Beaton were all scheduled to fly over Balmertown for day long meetings with other Keewaytinook Okimakanak managers. On the way to the airport, visibility was very poor due to the snow storm. At the airport, the airline let us know that there were possibilities of delays and not being able to land at the Red Lake airport. We phoned over to the KO office and were informed that the visibility was reduced to zero. Everyone agreed that we would return to our office and do the meetings by video conference.

The day long meeting included bringing together the Smart Communities program administrators in Ottawa and the program auditors by teleconference along with the two video conferenced sites (Balmertown and Sioux Lookout). The meeting proved to be very useful with the required plans put in place to ensure the success of the Kuh-ke-nah Smart First Nations Demonstration project.

Three Nishnawbe Aski Nation Tribal Councils are included in the first round of funding under Industry Canada's Broadband for Rural and Northern Development (BRAND) program. The complete list of successful applicants can be found at http://broadband.gc.ca/applications/applist-select_e.asp. There are at least 156 First Nations across Canada included in these different successful applicants.

Windigo First Nations Council in Sioux Lookout, Wabun Tribal Council in Timmins and Matawa First Nations Management in Thunder Bay will be working on developing business cases to develop local broadband connectivity solutions and applications for their member First Nations. Other NAN First Nations will continue to be supported in developing their business cases in partnership with NAN's Broadband ICT work.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak's K-Net Services will be partnering with many of these groups to support the development of successful business cases. As more First Nations access these resources the opportunity to develop and support more broadband applications become a reality for all the First Nations across the country.

Treaty #3 First Nation Councils were also successful in obtaining broadband business case development funding as well.

Sault College is offering the Aboriginal Resource Technician Program for the Fall2003 Semester.

The Program is unique:

• It allows students to stay within their communities to attain a Post- Secondary Diploma.
• It combines distance education through the Contact North Teleconferencing System, along with practical work experience with organizations in the field of Natural Resources.
• Aboriginal cultural & historical content is incorporated into the program’s course curriculum.
• A Native Outreach Support Officer and a Support Services Officer to ensure academic success throughout the program academically support students.

For Further information, please contact the Registars Office at Sault College: 1-800-461-2260 or 705-759-6700

http://www.saultc.on.ca/NativeEducation/AboriginalResourceTech.htm

On Monday, January 20, Florence Woolner, the course instructor for this session's First Nations Band Administration Program, organized an ICT orientation presentation by K-Net staff for her students. Student representatives were from Cat Lake, Fort Severn, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and North Spirit Lake.

Florence and the students were provided with a brief overview of the Kuh-ke-nah Network and some of the o­n-line services that are delivered by K-Net. E-mail and it business applications became the primary focus of discussion for the session.

K-Net staff looks forward to supporting the Band Administration Program in the use of ICTs for the delivery of their courses.

The new Northern Ontario Medical School (NOMS found at http://www.normed.ca/en) took another step in its development process with 300 people coming together from across Northern Ontario on January 16, 17, 18 in Sault Ste Marie. FedNor (Northern Ontario's Federal Economic Development Program) once again made it possible for everyone to gather for this historical conference. Their generous financial investment continues to ensure the furture social and economic development of Northern Ontario.

Dr. Arthur Kaufman, from New Mexico, stated during his presentation that for every doctor that comes and works in their region, there is an economic spin off of approximately 18 additional jobs for the community. With the new medical school, new resources that will come into this region, businesses and families will once again begin investing and moving to Northern Ontario.

Four people from Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Orpah McKenzie - Health Director, Jim Teskey - Education Advisor, Gibbet Stevens - Telehealth Project Scheduler and Brian Beaton - K-Net Services Coordinator, attended this gathering. As well, Mary Lawson represented McDowell Lake First Nation and James Kakepetum represented Keewaywin First Nation at the first curriculum planning conference. Nishnawbe Aski Nation was well represented at this gathering with both staff and other members from other tribal councils attending.

The new Northern Ontario medical school, with campuses in both Sudbury and and Thunder Bay, promises to engage First Nations from across the region in all aspects of its development and admissions for future Aboriginal doctors!

A elder passed away today. His name is David Quequish from Weagamow Lake. Sarah Sachekapo, another elder, annouced the death o­n the radio this afternoon. She spoke about her belief that he'll be in Heaven and will always be missed by his family and friends.

I felt sad that he died but I know that he will always be in our memory.

R.I.P we love you and miss you.

Muskrat Dam is pleased to announce it's first annual Ladie's Broomball Tournament beginning February 6,7,8, 2003.

Further information will be faxed to communities soon.

Entry fee: $500.00

first prize: $3000.00
additional prizes to be determined later.

*Plus*     $6000.00   JACKPOT BINGO
$125/Booklet, including specials.

For more fast information phone Joni at (807) 471-2524
or email Sean at seankakegamic@knet.ca

The Royal Conservatory of Music
Learning through the Arts Program
and
Keewaytinook Okimakanak

presents

Teachers and Artists as Partners in the Classroom

Jan 31st  to Feb. 2nd, 2003
Red Lake Training and Conference Center

for further information, please contact
Conrad Bobiwash,
First Peoples Program Manager
Learning Through the Arts
Royal Conservatory of Music
cbobiwash@hotmail.com