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Dr. Roger Strasser, Carol Otte and Darcia Borg from the new Northern Ontario Medical School along with Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic and Brian Walmark from Nishnawbe Aski Nation travelled to Balmertown on March 31 to meet with Keewaytinook Okimakanak and our partners. The team along with KO staff are chartering up to Deer Lake to visit their community and the local Health Centre. Meetings with Red Lake doctors and hospital administration, along with the municipality of Red Lake is making this trip an opportunity for networking and learning about the needs of rural and remote communities.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak looks forward to partnering with NOMS in the development of a program that will see medical professionals working in the First Nations as part of their training experience.

Check out the pictures.

The KiHS Steering Committee met from March 24 - 27 at the Sunset Inn in Sioux Lookout to discuss the various issues facing KiHS. Community representatives from the 13 partner First Nations were invited to share their experiences and recommendations on a number of topics including:

• local issues and successes;
• student retention;
• plans for 2003-2004 school year; and
• the KiHS / INAC five year pilot project.

Darrin Potter, KiHS Principal worked with Marlene McKay, KiHS Vice-Principal and Charlene Walsh, KiHS Secretary to facilitate this meeting. Representatives from each of the KiHS partner First Nations included:

• Cat Lake - Sylvia Wesley
• North Spirit Lake - Margaret Kakegamic
• Fort Severn - Moses Kakekaspan
• Slate Falls - Annette Loon
• Fort William - Pam Collins
• Frenchman’s Head - Albert LacSeul
• Sachigo Lake - Theodore Tait
• Keewaywin - Chris Kakegamic
• Webequie - Belinda Reid
• Kejick Bay - Roy Ninegewance
• Weagamow - Roy Sakchekapo
• Eabametoong - Harry Papah
• Deer Lake - Barbara Rae

The roles and responsibilities of the KiHS Steering Committee are posted for everyone to know the work that is being undertaken by this team.