Archive - 2003

August 30th

SOS COnference - Video Stream (Moccasin Joe/Wilma Pelly)

We plan to video stream from the Wapekeka SOS Conference from 6:00 to 9:00 pm today (Friday).  The performance will be by Moccasin Joe (Comedian) and Wilma Pelly (Elsie Tsa Che) from North of 60.

Also, we may have a special appreance by someone who snuck into the community. SO listen on Wawatay starting 7:00 and watch video stream starting 6:00 pm,

Also, listen to CBC Radio today at 4:45 - 5:00 pm for special interviews.

Visit http://wapekeka.firstnation.ca for pictures from the conference and to leave your comments in our guestbook.

August 27th

KiHS Begins 2003/2004 School Year With Classroom Assistant Training

Keewaytinook Internet High School (KiHS) started preparation for the 2003/2004 school year last week with a training session for Classroom Assistants(CAs) from 13 of our partner communities. Lyle Johnson from Weagamow and Aaron Hardy from Fort William facilitated the workshop at the Northern Chief’s office in Balmertown along with KiHS administration.

The Classroom Assistants are an integral part in the functioning and success of the KiHS program in each of the communities. At the training sessions they took part in cooperative sessions on how to set up and maintain the classroom network, how to trouble shoot software and hardware problems, as well as how to assist the students and teachers to ensure a successful year. Part of the training involved a video conference connection with k-net, the technical partner of KiHS. The week was very exciting as the CA staff prepared for the new school year and became better acquainted with the KiHS program, the equipment, and each other.

This week the CAs are back in their respective communities ensuring that the computer networks are in place and preparing the local classrooms for the arrival of the community teachers and the students.  There were 13 classroom assistants from different communities. The classroom assistants are:

  • Rita Wesley - Cat Lake;
  • James Rae - Deer Lake;
  • Rick Allen - Fort Hope;
  • Clara Crowe - Fort Severn;
  • Aaron Hardy - Fort William;
  • Andrea Ignace - Frenchman’s Head;
  • Maxine Kakepetum - Keewaywin;
  • Loretta Quoquat - Kejick Bay;
  • Lyle Johnson - North Caribou;
  • Maxine Kakegumick - North Spirit Lake;
  • Howard Moose - Poplar Hill;
  • Martha Tait - Sachigo Lake;
  • Tracey Spence - Webequie.

KiHS will begin its fourth year in September, and is fast becoming a strong educational presence in the partner communities. We are anticipating a great year with the help of all involved.

If you are interested in becoming a student in one of the KiHS partner Communities to earn secondary credits, please contact the CA in your community. They will be eager to assist you in completing an application and choosing courses.

Darrin Potter (KiHS Principal)

Wapekeka First Nation SOS Conference - Day 1 Report

We survived our first day of the 10th Annual SOS (Survivors of Suicide) Conference and it was an interesting day.

Wawatay will do a video documentary on this event at a later date. Wilma Pelly (Elsie from North of 60) came in and will be with us until Friday.

For detailed updates, check our site at http://wapekeka.firstnation.ca. I will post pictures every lunch hour and evening.

We tried to video stream the opening ceremonies over the internet but the audio was not working for those watching on the internet. I finally figured it out. If there is an interest ... I will see if I can arrange to do another live video stream Friday Evening for the Moccasin Joe performance.

Check out the photos. Also, register for our site and submit items.

Next week, we have Youth Day and Dakota House will be here for that day (September 5). We also will have a Volleyball Tourney. Join us on-line, send your greetings and support to the conference participants. We look forward to hearing from you.

August 26th

August 21 Issue of Wawatay News contains more stories about the K-Net project

The August 21 issue of Wawatay News contains two more news stories about the work being completed within the Kuh-ke-nah Network of Smart First Nations demonstration project.

This week's issue of the Kuh-ke-nah page in Wawatay News include the following articles:

  • Bringing new courses and past history on-line - Keewaytinook Okimakanak received funding from FedNor to construct an on-line training and skill development environment for First Nations across the region. Working in partnership with Wawatay, the Sunset Women's Aboriginal Circle and Oshki-Pimache-O-Win several new on-line resources are being produced to support learners and community members to access training and historical reference material.
  • Building economic initiatives and promoting tourism on-line - George Kakekaspan describes how Fort Severn First Nation is using their broadband infrastructure to create new socio-economic opportunities in his community.
  • K-Net Showcase - contains photos and URL addresses of pictures of the lands and resources of the traditional territory of Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

Rick Garrick is researching additional stories for future articles. If you have a story that you want to share about this project and the work that is happening in your community to get connected, please send us an e-mail.

Various newspaper articles are being scanned and stored for reference purposes in this photo gallery.

SOS Conference Opening Ceremonies - Video Stream from Wapekeka

We are running an SOS Conference this week and the opening ceremonies are online.

Look at link to listen and watch the event. It's also on Wawatay Radio.

http://streaming.knet.ca/Stream1

August 25th

Office Administrator with Keewaytinook Okimakanak

Keewaytinook Okimakanak (Northern Chiefs Council) in consortium with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board operates a Water Operator Training Centre.

This consortium seeks a full time Office Administrator who is an energetic team player that is detail oriented and is able to manage diverse tasks. Initially, this full time position will be located in the Balmertown office of Keewaytinook Okimakanak. Once completed in the fall of 2004, all Training Centre activities will be moved to Dryden Water Operator Training Centre.

Requirements :

  • 3 or more years of administrative or office management experience
  • Prior project management experience is preferable
  • Willingness to learn and support office computer systems is key
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills
  • Proficiency on MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access
  • Demonstrated experience with providing service to Aboriginal clients would be an asset.

Qualifications :

Secondary education or community College in the Office Administration or related field.

Please submit cover letter and resume with references by September 12, 2003 to :

Water Operator Training Manager,
Keewaytinook Okimakanak,
Box 340, 127 Mine Road,
Balmertown, Ontario, P0V 1C0
Tel. 1(807) 735-1381 Fax 1 (807) 735-1385

Copies of job description available on request and only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Operations and Maintenance Technologist with Keewaytinook Okimakanak in Balmertown

Keewaytinook Okimakanak (Northern Chiefs Council) located in Balmertown, Ontario provides technical services to its member First Nations communities in remote north-western Ontario.   Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Public Works Unit invites applications for an Operations and Maintenance Technologist, to be located at the Balmertown office.

Responsibilities :

Responsible for acting as a resource and advisor to KeewaytinookOkimakanak communities with regard to all matters to the operation and maintenance of community infrastructure.

Qualifications :

Secondary education or community College in the engineering related fields or an associated specialty. Experience in the theory and practice of operation and maintenance of public infrastructure, including community building, water and sewer systems, landfills/refuse sites, roads/bridges and other community services.

All applications will be considered, but preferences will be for a minimum of five years related experience in operation and maintenance field.  Current membership or eligibility for membership in OACETT.

Please submit cover letter and resume in writing by August 29, 2003 to :

Public Works Manager,
Keewaytinook Okimakanak,
Box 340, 127 Mine Road,
Balmertown, Ontario, P0V 1C0
Tel. 1(807) 735-1381 Fax 1 (807) 735-1385

Copies of job description available on request and only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

August 19th

Invitational men's baseball tournament

KITCHENUMAYKOOSIB

INVITATIONAL MEN'S BASEBALL TOURNAMENT

OPEN PICK UP TOURNAMENT: OPEN TO ALL PLAYERS

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 3RD TO SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH

ENTRY FEE PER TEAM: $1000.00 & 12 PLAYERS PER TEAM

   CHAMPIONS    $6000.00        FINALIST    $4000.00

CONSOLATION $3000.00     RUNNERS UP $1000.00

CHIEF & COUNCIL SPONSORED: $5000.00 & TOURNAMENT PRIZES ARE BASED ON EIGHT TEAMS.

THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE CONFIRMED ONLY IF THERE ARE EIGHT TEAMS.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH 2003

MINI RAFFLE: MAIN PRIZE 27" COLOUR TV

MONSTER BINGO : $5000.00

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

MARCEL MCKAY ;@ HOME 537 9949

WORK 537 2259            FAX 537 2568

TOURNAMENT POSTER AVAILABLE: CALL AND GIVE US YOUR FAX NUMBER

"UPDATE" - 2nd Annual "Nish Women's Broomball Tournament Classic

Booshoo, Wacheaye, Sago, Tansi and Hi

The 7th Generation Athletics Circle would like to update everyone on the upcoming "2nd Annual Nish Women's Broomball Classic" to be held in Thunder Bay at the Fort William First Nation Arena.  The dates for this event are October 10-13, 2003.  A-side champs will receive $10,000.00 and champion jackets and finalists will recieve $6,000.00.  B-side champs will receive $4,000.00 and runners up $2,000.00.  C-side champs will receive $1,000.00 and runners up $500.00.  A total of $23,500.00 in cash and prizes!!!  

We have been receiving numerous calls and expect a lot of people to join us on Thanksgiving weekend!  Team managers or coaches call us to confirm your spot!  Team entry is $1,500.00 (not thousand as in the previous entry...hehe) and this includes your players passes.  DEADLINE is August 29, 2003 or first 20 teams!!!!  

Confirmed teams to date:

1) Fort William Wolverines

2) Eabametoong Northern Lights

3) Eabametoong Charlie's Angels (new)

4) Michikan Lake Starz

5) Nibinamik Native Stars

6) Neskantaga Lady Hawks

7) Webequie (new)

8) Kingfisher Lake (new)

9) DFC Thunderhawks

10) Big Trout Lake Blazers

11) Team Mishkeegogamang

12) Wemindji Ice Stars, Quebec (new)

13) Team Chisasibi, Quebec (new)

14) Waswanipi Northern Stars, Quebec

We expect a good crowd and a good and safe time...come watch and support our First Nation ladies show their stuff!!  

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TOURNAMENT DANCE IS IN THE WORKS AND WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE TOURNAMENT!!

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FAMILY MEMBERS, FIRST NATION ORGANIZATIONS OR BUSINESSES!!  SUPPORT YOUR TEAM!!!

The following is available for your family members, First Nation organizations or Business...

TEAM ICE SPONSORSHIP

Support your team by sponsoring their game ($100.00 per game or $200.00 per championship game) and you will be granted the following:

  • Ice ime sponsors will receive 4 announcements per game, before, twice during and after;
  • Community, company or family sponsor on website; and,
  • Follow up by a thank you letter and card.

DUE DATE:  Friday, October 3, 2003

PLACE AN AD TO SUPPORT YOUR TEAM IN OUR SOUVENIR PROGRAM!!

Your community members or family members will have the opportunity to show their team support by placing an Ad in our Souvenir tournament program (8x10):

  • Quarter page ad:  $75.00
  • A half page ad:  $125.00
  • A full page ad:  $250.00

DUE DATE:  Friday, September 26, 2003

Please make cheque payable to:  7th Generation Hockey

For more information contact Joanne Mamakeesic at 807-625-0327 or email at ma2kzc@hotmail.com

OFNTSC Annual Conference Opening being carried over the Internet

The two hour opening of the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation 8th annual conference can be watched on-line by clicking here between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday August 19.

The 2003 OFNTSC Innovations Gathering is taking place at the Holiday Inn Waterfront, Sault Ste. Marie, ON between August 19th - 21st, 2003. The Conference Agenda is available on-line.

Dan Pellerin, K-Net's Network Manager is working with the OFNTSC team to set up the video conferencing equipment and bring this event to all the First Nations across Ontario.

The opening ceremonies will be archived and available on-line shortly after the event.