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Of the 4,685 communities ranked in INAC's well-being index, 92 First Nations appear in the bottom 100! One First Nation community appears in the top 100 communities. Click here to read the Canada Newswire article.

INAC's First Nations Community Well-Being Index assesses quality of life based on indicators such as education, life expectancy and income (information can be found on-line at http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/ra/pub4_e.html). The government study ranks 4,685 Canadian communities, including 541 First Nation communities.

In response to the INAC document, the Assembly of First Nations published a document called "Federal Government Funding to First Nations - The Facts, the Myths, and the Way Forward" - Click here to read this document

The fall 2004 issue of UPDATE, the quarterly "news of interest to Aboriginal people from the Government of Canada", contains a set of articles about education opportunities available for First Nation students. The first story, entitled "Connecting to a world of learning" describes the work of the Regional Management Organizations from Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet program. Click here to read the Update news on-line.

First Nation schools are now getting connected to broadband networks so they are able to access information and share resources using a variety of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Some of the teaching and learning tools now available in First Nation schools include:

• video conferencing - http://streaming.knet.ca/schoolnet
• web conferencing - http://breeze.knet.ca
• e-learning platforms - http://g8.firstnationschools.ca or http://kihs.knet.ca
• web site development tools - click here for example
• discussion forums, chat and e-mail services
• multi-media production tools (video, camera, scanner, printer, etc)
• helpdesk services
• broadband and high speed connectivity solutions
• professional development activities
• training and support services
• along with the networking and peer-to-peer work that happens once a school gets connected into a high quality network service.

For more information about the Ontario Regional Management Organization or for ICT support, contact:

• Keewaytinook Okimakanak, K-Net Office, Sioux Lookout, Toll-free 877-737-KNET (5638)
• Jeannie Carpenter, RMO Administrator, ext 51250
• Brian Beaton, RMO Coordinator, ext 51251
• John Moreau, K-Net Helpdesk, ext 51253
• Jamie Ray, K-Net Helpdesk, ext 51256
• Cal Kenny, Web Site Development, ext 51254
• Dan Pellerin, Network Manager, ext 51258
• Adi Linden, Systems Analysis, ext 51257
• Lars Dixon, Video Conferencing Bridge, ext 51264

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is conducting another round of comprehensive studies for the long-term management of Used Nuclear Fuel in Canada.

The large ad in today's Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal asks, "How should Canada manage its used nuclear fuel in the future?" Now it has become Canada's problem. At least twenty-five years ago when they first were trying to get a town in Northern Ontario to consider taking their waste, the corporations that produced this deadly by-product accepted responsibility for needing to deal with it. Now organizations, like the Assembly of First Nations, are being funded to "educate" their members about this issue that is now being presented as "our problem".

The NWMO is hosting "Information and Discussion Sessions" in Thunder Bay, Kenora and Timmins this month where the public is invited. Registration is required for the follow up "discussion sessions". Click here to see the calendar of sessions

Everyone is invited to provide your views about how this waste material should be handled. One option that keeps being presented is to bury it in the Canadian Shield requiring complex transportation and disposal processes.

Click here to submit your suggestions to this issue. There are a number of ways listed at http://nwmo.ca for everyone to get involved in protecting the environment and our own back yards.

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute is now accepting registrations for the January 2005 Intakes for the following two programs being offered in partnership with Cambrian College

• First Nation Business Administration Certificate Program (Click here to read about the course information) - one year, 2 semester

• Native Early Childhood Education Diploma Program  (Click here to read about the course information) - two years, 4 semester

For further information contact:

Jacqueline Garwood
(807) 346-2779, 866-636-7454 (toll free) or (807) 345-2924 (fax)

Register Now !!
Time is Running Out !!

For the past year or so, Pikangikum has undergone a huge change for the better. Our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed the youth in our community with spiritual gifts and is empowering our youth. Almost everyday, we hear someone getting saved by giving their life to Jesus. It is just awesome how the numbers are growing.

It has come to a point where the church where these youth meet almost every night has become too small to hold all of the youth. There are times when some people simply return home due to the lack of adequate space. It has come to the point where we need a bigger space to meet. It has been prophesied numerous times to us that outside help was going to come in and assist us in getting a bigger place to have church because more young people are on their way.

The youth of the church with the assistance of the church elders are going to try and raise money to put a down payment on a bigger place. We will kindly accept financial contributions made by anyone who's heart is in helping the youth of our community.

AND ALSO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR OUR RADIO BROADCAST COMING UP IN THE NEW YEAR.

You can email me if you have any questions or comments right here on K-Net at samsonkeeper@knet.ca.

Neskantaga will be hosting a Sobriety Pow Wow on November 19 - 21, 2004

The purpose of the pow-wow include:

• to celebrate sobriety and healthy lifestyles;
• to raise awareness on addictions and substance abuse;
• to promote personal and community healing;
• to encourage and enable people to continue their wholistic healing journey phsically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually; and
• to celebrate and validate our culture.

For those that will be coming in to our community, we encourage you to contact us so we can make appropriate local transportation and accommodation arrangments.

The airport is approximately 10km from the community. We do not want anyone to be stranded at the airport.

Committe:

Neskantaga Health and Social Services

Coordinators

• Bill Mequanawap, Community Resource Worker (807) 479 2530 billmequanawap922@hotmail.com
• Kelvin Moonias, Recreation Worker (807) 479 2570 kelvimmoonias@knet.ca
• Chris Moonias, Health and Social Services Director (807) 479 1152 chrismoonias@knet.ca

This event is sponsored by Neskantaga Otaminoweshonia Cultural Projects and Health & Social Services.

Thunder Bay, Tuesday 9th November 2004: The Chiefs of Matawa First Nations are publicly stating their collaborative rejection of the proposed Hydro Site Allocation policy that is set to be announced by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Following a presentation by Minister David Ramsey at the NAN Chiefs Assembly in Thunder Bay on November 4th 2004, the Matawa Chiefs agree that the proposed policy does not meet their expectations or provide the adequate foundations for First Nations to pursue Hydro development opportunities.

The Matawa Chiefs believe that the proposed policy neither addresses the need to engage First Nations in a formal communications format, nor provides sufficient clarity with respect to First Nation involvement in hydro development opportunities in the North. The Minister was able to divulge the content of the policy during the meeting last week but when questioned by the Chiefs, he could not adequately explain how the policy will be implemented in a practical manner for First Nations. The Matawa Chiefs were seeking a much stronger definition surrounding the MNR’s commitment to economic development opportunities.

On behalf of the Matawa Chiefs, Chief Charlie O’Keese of Eabametoong First Nation stated; “What the Minister had to say may sound good on the surface but we need a hard written definition in order for our communities to support this policy. At present, the Minister is asking us to support a policy that we have not seen and that he has only talked about. Historically, this approach by government to First Nations has resulted in the loss of opportunity for First Nations. If this policy is as good as Minister Ramsey claims, then why has it not been presented to First Nations for a thorough review?”

Chief Veronica Waboose says; “It is completely inappropriate for the Ministry to ask the First Nations to blindly approve a policy that we have not been given the opportunity to review. One particular note of concern from my understanding of the policy is that it divides Ontario First Nations, giving some First Nations in the far North direct award of sites but telling the rest of the First Nations in the South that they will not be offered the same level of opportunity. I find it inconceivable that the Province would want to introduce such a divisive and contentious document at a time when the Matawa communities have worked so hard to build relationships with the Province and its various ministries.”

The Matawa First Nation Chiefs have sent an official letter to the Premier, Dalton McGuinty to request intervention and mediation in resolving these issues for the benefit of all concerned parties.

The Matawa communities have repeatedly stated that they are not opposed to development but that they are no longer prepared to witness the ongoing lack of opportunity provided to First Nation communities.

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For more information please contact: Stephanie Ash or Vakerie Marasco at: 807 767 4443 or email: stephanie@firedogpr.com.

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) presents:

First Nations Youth Art Contest!