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Cambrian College President Sylvia Barnard and Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute Executive Director Ruth Baxter signed a Agreement for Partnership and Collaboration in Higher Education though Community-Based Delivery August 7, 2003.

Through the Agreement, Cambrian College and Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute will foster educational opportunities and encourage excellence in the development and delivery of postsecondary education and training programs. Objectives of the partnership include improving accessibility, retention, and success of Aboriginal students in postsecondary programs; ensuring quality programmming; responding to the employment and training needs within First Nation communities; and working together to contribute to the advancement of First Nations self-governance, economic development and self-sufficiency.

The agreement will also provide a vehicle for collaboration in future program development, student services, and faculty professional development.

Pictures at http://photos.knet.ca/CambrianCollegeAndOshkiPartnership

On Thursday August 14th at approximately 15:00 CST a huge power outage in southern Ontario and the North Eastern United States was experienced.  K-Net's network equipment in Toronto was affected as it ran out of battery backup power affecting community access for internet and other networking services.   Rolling blackouts  (electrical wave?) are expected to continue for the next two days.   K-Net apologies for the inconveniences.

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/08/14/blackout030814

NISHNAWBE-ASKI  LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

Employment Opportunity

The Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation (NALSC) 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.  NALSC is presently recruiting a Full Time Executive Director to manage and direct the overall operations of the Corporation.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Working under the direction and reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for the implementation of NALSC policies and procedures in the supervision and management of the overall services and program delivery of this unique organization.  He/she will plan, assess and implement the future direction and operation of NALSC to improve the administration of justice.  In addition, he/she is responsible in a variety of duties including the supervision of all staff; the preparation of financial, annual workplans and reports; negotiations for additional resources; and liaises with funding agencies, governments, First Nations and justice/court personnel.  He/she will facilitate, plan and direct the on-going development and delivery of Community Accountability Conferencing incorporating traditional approaches as outlined in the NALSC Strategic Plan and assist First Nations in the planning, research and development of alternative justice systems.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University/College degree in management studies, law, social services and/or equivalent.
• Knowledge and experience with the Euro-Canadian legal system and Aboriginal justice systems and issues.
• Five to ten years work experience in program management and administration capacity preferably in an Aboriginal organization.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Anishnawbe way and a proven ability to work effectively with people of diverse educational and cultural orientations and affiliations.
• 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 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:  WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2003

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 Zelda Watt at 1-800-465-5581.  Please Note:  Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Eric Tsang and Jim Hamilton from the Communications Research Centre in Ottawa travelled to Sioux Lookout on Monday, August 11 to meet with K-Net staff about the Kuh-ke-nah satellite network. Carl Seibel from FedNor in Thunder Bay joined the meetings on Tuesday, August 12.

Homecoming Pictures at

http://acec.firstnationschools.ca

Check on the on-line Photo Gallery and be sure to sign the Guestbook.

The August 7 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:

• Filmmaker, videographer visits KO communities - The last two weeks of July saw two different groups with video cameras touring the communities of Poplar Hill, North Spirit Lake and Keewaywin. Visits included stops in the KO offices in Sioux Lookout and Balmertown and on the way to Keewaywin, the crew stopped off in Slate Falls First Nations.
• Guestbooks offer interesting comments, potential economic opportunities - The on-line guestbooks that appear on different First Nation web sites offer an insight into some possible ways to attract the development of new initiatives across the region.
• K-Net Showcase - contains photos and URL addresses for different First Nation artists who are posting their art work on-line on their own personal web sites at http://myknet.org and at http://artists.knet.ca.

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.

As the Board of Directors of Keewaytinook Okimakanak, the Chiefs of the KO First Nations meet regularly to review and approve the work being completed by their organization. Recent elections in some of the KO First Nations have resulted in new community leaders in Deer Lake, Fort Severn and North Spirit Lake. Deer Lake Chief Evelyn Meekis, Keewaywin Chief John McKay, McDowell Lake Chief Eli James, North Spirit Lake Councillor David Campbell and Poplar Hill Councillor Danny Owen attended the one day meeting in Balmertown.

On Wednesday, August 6, the Chiefs reviewed this past year's audit with Kevin Houghton, KO's Finance Officer. They met with KO's new economic development officer and reviewed recent developments under the Smart Communities Demonstration project. The next full board meeting is planned for early September.

Click here to view the pictures from this meeting.

On Wednesday, August 6, Peter Campbell, Keewaytinook Okimakanak Public Works Manager presented Peter Barber with a gift recognizing the many years of service and support that Peter provided to the KO First Nations. Peter worked as the Project Officer with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines overseeing numerous infrastructure projects in all the KO First Nations. The development of housing, water and sewer, roads, hydro, telecommunications and many other projects were successfully completed with Peter's support and encouragement. His work over the years has contributed to the development of the First Nation communities across the region.

We are fortunate that Peter recently accepted a position where he will be able to continue to work with the First Nations across the north as a special projects officer developing economic initiatives with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. We look forward to more opportunities to develop new economic projects  working in partnership with Peter Barber.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Minister Robert Nault was in Balmertown this morning to announce funding of the All Weather Road Initiative north of Red Lake. The event was streamed on the Internet live and there is now an archive that you can view at  http://streaming.knet.ca/allweatherroad.wmv . Representatives from several of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations participated in this event via video conference.

Click here to check out the pictures of this event.

The inaugural e-newsletter from Northern Ontario Native Tourism Association is now available. Click here to read this summer's newsletter (4 pages PDF, 419K). Other newsletters are available in a hard copy format from the NOTA office.

This issue highlights the 3rd Annual Aboriginal Tourism Conference held in Sault Ste Marie in May 2003. Additional pictures from the conference are available at www.instapicphoto.com/tourism.  Click here to see the Conference Report (39 pages PDF, 1.9M).

The Aboriginal Tourism Development Strategic Plan for Northern Ontario (282 pages PDF, 2M) is also available on the NONTA web site.

Mitchell Diabo
Partnership Development Advisor
Northern Ontario Native Tourism Association
Website: www.nonta.net
E-mail: mitch@nonta.net
Tel: (807) 623-0497
Fax: (807) 623-0498
Cell: (807) 472-7867