Equay-wuk (Women's Group) has received extended funding from the Aboriginal Healing Foundation to restore parenting skills lost due to the legacy of physical and sexual abuse experienced by many in residential schools. The project will be completed in March, 2005.

The goals of the project include:

• the development of a resource centre on parenting for use by Aboriginal women and their families from Northwestern Ontario First Nation communities. Equay-wuk will ensure these culturally appropriate resources on parenting will be available to individuals and communities through our resource library or on our web site.
• the parenting support program will also continue to facilitate parenting workshops at the request of the community during the duration of the two year project. We will make one visit per community during the duration of the project. Workshop topics will include parenting, child development, family healing, personal life management issues and other topics of interest to the community.
• the development of culturally appropriate Native parenting curriculum. This curriculum will be left with the communities for their use. Equay-wuk are planning on providing Train the Trainer workshops to interested individuals once the curriculum is completed.

Equaywuk will establish and maintain linkages with organizations, agencies and communities to benefit survivors and descendants of residential schools who are participating in the program.

The expected results of the Parent Support Program are to strengthen parenting skills and provide support to youth, parents, grandparents and communities in Northwestern Ontario in a culturally appropriate, positive way. Parents will be provided with opportunities to explore positive parenting techniques by facilitating workshops related to parenting. Resources on parenting will be available to individuals and communities through the resource library and on our web site.

Profile of Lorraine Kenny, Parent Support Worker

I am survivor of Residential School. When I was 5 years old, I went to Pelican Lake Indian Residential School. In Grade 7, I got transferred to Shingwauk Residential School in Sault Ste. Marie. Then in Grade 8, I ended up in Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School in Kenora. I am now able to share how this experience impacted my life; my life with my siblings; and my family life. Today, I can say I am happy to be where I am in my life in spite of all the challenging and difficult events that happened.

My personal experience with parenting includes sharing this parenting journey with my husband and four children, three girls and one boy. They now range in age from 25 years to 16 years. The journey with our children has been filled with many challenges and at the same time, we have been able to create many wonderful memories together as a family. I am now a Kokum to a darling granddaughter age 4½ years and an absolutely adorable 11 month old grandson.

My work experience for the past twenty years or so has been in community development in various capacities. Since 1990, my main area of interest has been in the learning and sharing of positive parenting skills. Which brings me to this current position of Parent Support Worker here at Equay-wuk. I look forward to talking with you about your parenting journey.

Profile of Liza Angeconeb, Parent Support Program Assistant

Hi! Everyone, I would like to introduce myself, My name is Liza Angeconeb. I grew up in Sandy Lake. My maiden name is Kakakegumick. I moved to Lac Seul about 14 years ago when I met my wonderful husband. We have three wonderful children, one boy 14 and two girls 10, 7. As of June 18, 2003 I started working for Equay-wuk (Woman’s Group) as the Parenting Support Program Assistant. Although I didn’t directly experience the residential school, my mother and my husband did. I can see the impact it had on their lives.

We can be contacted at:

Equay-wuk (Women’s Group)
Box 1781, 16 Fourth Ave, Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1C4
Email: parentsupport@knet.ca
Tel 807-737-2214
Tollfree 1-800-261-8294
Fax 807-737-2699
website: www.equaywuk.ca

NISHNAWBE-ASKI  LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation is a unique legal services office governed by an all-Native Board of Directors with its administrative office in Thunder Bay.  The Corporation provides legal, paralegal. And law-related services, public legal education, research and law reform services to the members of First Nations of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN).  This innovative legal service places substantial responsibility for the administration of justice and the provision of all legal services to the members of NAN.

The Restorative Justice Program is an initiative being undertaken by NALSC to provide alternative to the mainstream justice system to members within NAN through the Community Accountability Conferencing Model altered to incorporate traditional Aboriginal cultural components.  The NALSC is presently recruiting a Restorative Justice Coordinator to implement the restorative justice program for fourteen First Nations of NAN territory.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE COORDINATOR

Working under the direction and reporting to the Executive Director, the Restorative Justice Coordinator is responsible for the supervision and management of the delivery of this unique program. S/he will supervise restorative justice workers; work with the justice personnel and the communities to improve the administration of justice.  S/he will play a major role in the development and delivery of the Community Accountability Conferencing Model incorporating traditional approaches and would assist First Nations in the planning and development of alternative justice systems.

Qualifications:

• Successful completion of secondary school and/or equivalent experience in a related field
• Knowledge and experience with the Euro-Canadian Legal system and Aboriginal justice systems and issues
• Experience in organizing and delivering training programs
• Experience in program management and administration capacity
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment
• Computer skills in word processing using MS Word
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written
• Must be able to travel extensively
• Ability to speak Cree, Oji-cree or Ojibway an asset

Location:  Thunder Bay, Ontario

Salary:  To be determined based upon experience

Closing Date:  Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 5:00 p.m.

Please send resume including three (3) references to:  Hiring Committee, Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation, 86 Cumberland Street South, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 2V3.

Tel: 807-622-1413, Toll Free: 1-800-465-5581, Fax: 807-622-3024

For more information and a copy of the complete job description, please call Jennifer McKenzie at 1-800-465-5581 ext. 7079.  

Please Note:  Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

NISHNAWBE-ASKI LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation is a unique legal services organization governed by a First Nation Board of Directors with its administrative office in Thunder Bay.  The Corporation provides legal, paralegal, public legal education, law reform, restorative justice and victim/witness services to the members of First Nations of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN).  This innovative legal service places substantial responsibility for the administration of justice and the provision of all legal services to the members of NAN.

The Victim Witness Advocate program is mandated to improve the quality of services to crime victims and witnesses of crime.  The NALSC is presently recruiting a Victim Witness Advocate to provide these services to NAN First Nations.

VICTIM/WITNESS ADVOCATE

Working under the direction of the Executive Director, the Victim Witness Advocate assists victims and witnesses of all ages in dealing with consequences of victimization and helps them through the criminal justice process.  S/he acts as support, ensures immediate needs are addressed such as safety, referring to appropriate resources, assists victims and witnesses with the court process and/or to participate in a restorative justice process and liaises with appropriate agencies and service organizations.

Qualifications:

• Successful completion of secondary school and/or equivalent experience in a related field
• Experience with the Euro-Canadian legal system and knowledge of Aboriginal justice systems
• Experience in program management, planning and budgeting
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment
• Computer skills in word processing using MS Word
• Good communication skills both oral and written
• Must be willing and able to travel extensively
• Ability to speak Cree, Oji-cree or Ojibway

Location:  Thunder Bay, Ontario

Salary:  To be determined based upon experience

Closing Date:  Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 5:00 p.m.

Please send resume including three (3) references to:
Executive Director
Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation
86 Cumberland Street South
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 2V3

Tel: 807-622-1413 Fax: 807-622-3024 Toll Free: 1-800-465-5581

For more information and a copy of the complete job description, please call Jennifer McKenzie at 1-800-465-5581 ext. 7079.  

Please Note:  Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Wawatay News has posted a news story on the tragic plane crash at Nibinamik on our web site at www.wawatay.on.ca.

Also posted are related messages from National Chief Phil Fontaine expressing his condolences and the Matawa tribal council's Nibinamik Support Fund efforts.

We plan to update the coverage as new information is received. Everyone is invited to send their messages to the families and friends affected by this tradegy.

KeewaytinookOkimakanak (Northern Chiefs Council)

Requires a HEALTH DIRECTOR in the Balmertown Office

Keewaytinook Okimakanak requires a Health Director to provide leadership and administrative direction in the management and development of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Health Services.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Managing the existing health programs and services as mandated by the board;
• Developing and maintaining working relationships with Keewaytinook Okimakanak member First Nations and government agencies;
• Representing Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations as directed by the board on different health related boards and committees;
• Working with other First Nations and other health care agencies and service providers to ensure adequate community based health care services are developed and supported;
• Developing and overseeing regional health projects and initiatives, such as Telehealth;
• Conducting community consultations for the development of programs as required;
• Attending and presenting at Keewaytinook Okimakanak and Regional Chiefs’ meeting, assemblies and other forums as requested;
• Coordinating and supporting KO health staff and community health care management and staff in the development and operation of community-based health care programs and services;
• Performing other professional duties as assigned by the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Health Advisory Committee, Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak and/or the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Working knowledge of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations and related health issues
• Must possess valid Ontario Driver’s license and be insurable
• Available to travel
• Ability to speak Oji-Cree an asset
• 5 years experience in management or a Post Secondary education degree in Health Sciences or Business Administration  

SALARY:                    Commensurate with experience and education

CLOSING DATE:      September 26, 2003 - 12:00 p.m.

Please send resume along with a covering letter and three employment references to:

Hiring Committee - Health Director Position
Keewaytinook Okimakanak
P.O. Box 340,127 Mine Road
Balmertown, Ontario P0V 1C0

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Special Church services in Sioux Lookout September 26, 27, 28, 2003 at the Legion Hall.

Featured singers are the Philadelphia Gospel Band from

Pequis, Manitoba (Curtis Choken), David Harper (Wpg),

Hank Williams (Shoal Lk), Lynda Beardy (Sioux Lkt).

The preacher will be Lott Thunder (Wpg) and Justin Free

(St. Catherines). Services start @ 7:00 nitely, everyone welcome.

Information call: 737-4630 and 737-4166

• candidates must possess a graduate degree in education or related discipline or equivalent combination of education and related experience;
• this position will require an experienced individual who has a comprehensive work experience and background in First Nation education and training services or delivery of such;
• this position will require excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills;
• ability to manage a limited program budget
• ability and willingness to travel a must
• ability to speak a First Nation language an asset
• candidate must be an independent worker, capable of working under limited supervision and able to work as a team member.

SALARY: Negotiable

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Send letter of application, resume and three (3) recent letters of reference to:

Sara Neuert, A/Executive Director
Chiefs of Ontario
Administrative Office:
188 Mohawk Street
Brantford, Ontario
N3S 2X2
Phone: (519) 750-1016
Fax: (519) 750-1316

For a copy of the Education Policy Analyst/Coordinator job description, please call Dianne Simon at (519) 750-1016.

On Friday, September 5, Charles Ailey travelled to Sioux Lookout to meet with K-Net staff. Charles is developing a regional strategy to support the successful implementation and operation of the telehealth and teleradiology initiatives being undertaken by the NORTH Network. The meetings with K-Net staff involved discussions around the technical requirements and support services needed to make these initiatives work in the remote First Nations across the region.

During his visit to the K-Net office, Charles was able to discuss some of the challenges affecting Fort Severn with Mel Orecklin, the Band's Co-manager.

Douglas Crust is a Program Officer with the Community Access Program from Industry Canada’s Toronto regional office. On Monday, September 8, he flew to Thunder Bay and met with Carl and other people in the Thunder Bay FedNor office. Then he drove to Sioux Lookout to meet with K-Net staff and learn about some of the work being done in this region.

After a tour of the satellite earth station site and the fibre network hub at the local library, Doug visited the local community CAP site located in the library which was a beehive of activity with nearly all the terminals being used by community members. Check out the pictures of this portion of the visit.

At supper, Robert Thomas from Fort Severn joined us and shared information about the development and operation of the CAP sites in his community. Discussions also focussed on local needs and issues that can influence the present and future successful operation of these resources in remote communities.

Doug’s journey continues with a drive over to Red Lake to visit the McDowell Lake public access sites located at the KO office in Balmertown and the Band Office in Red Lake. Then on Wednesday, Doug will be flying into North Spirit Lake to visit the CAP sites and to meet the people in that community.

The three far northern Cree First Nations of Fort Severn, Shamattawa and Weenusk signed a joint declaration rejecting the boundaries outlined by the Group of 10 in its MOU. Fort Severn, Shamattawa and Weenusk are located in the far north of Ontario and Manitoba, along the coast of Hudson Bay.

Leaders, elders and youth from the three communities gathered this week in Fort Severn to review the Group of 10's M.O.U. and to formulate their strategy for dealing with what they saw as encroachment on their ancestral and traditional lands.

For more details about this meeting and photos log on to http://www.fortsevernfirstnation.com