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UPDATE - Missing NAN Youth Located

8/19/2005 5:09:11 PM

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) community member Jules Benson (18) of North Caribou Lake First Nation has been located alive and well in Toronto, Ontario.

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) community member Jules Benson (18) of North Caribou Lake First Nation has been located alive and well in Toronto, Ontario.

“We are happy that Jules has been located safe and sound,” said family spokesperson Karen Kakekagumick. “At this time the family would like to thank the public and the community of Thunder Bay for their continued support. They would also like to thank the volunteers from Weagamow Lake that assisted with the search and the volunteer search coordinator, Morgan Austin for all his hardwork and effort.”

A formal search for Jules Adrian Benson began on Wednesday August 17, 2005 after he had been reported missing to Thunder Bay Police.

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Press Release: NAN assisting search for missing person

THUNDER BAY, ON, Aug. 19, 2005 - Nishnawbe Aski Nation and parents Cornelius and Nessie Benson are requesting information regarding the location of their son, Jules Benson (18), who was last seen in Thunder Bay 8:00 a.m. Tuesday August 16, 2005.

• NAME:              Jules Benson
• AGE:                 18 years (D.O.B.: July 2, 1987)
• HAIR/EYE COLOUR:   Brown
• HEIGHT/WEIGHT:     5ft 9/approx. 160 lbs
                                      Medium Build
• LAST SEEN WEARING: navy cap, beige jacket with navy stripes, blue jeans, navy shoes with white stripes
                          ----------------------

Jules is from North Caribou First Nation (Weagamow/Round Lake) and was last seen at his cousin's home in the Dease / Vickers area of Thunder Bay. He was scheduled to return home via airplane Wednesday August 17, 2005.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Jules Benson please contact Constable Lawson of Thunder Bay City Police, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, or family members at the following numbers:

• Thunder Bay City Police: (807) 684 1200
• Karen Kakekagumick: (807) 251-2745 (Thunder Bay cellular)
• Nessie Benson: (807) 737-9073 (Sioux Lookout cellular)
• Edna Quequish: (807) 469-5191 (North Caribou First Nation Band Office) or (807) 469-7501 (home)
• Nishnawbe Aski Nation: (807) 623 8228 Toll Free: (800) 465 9952

Keewatin Tribal Council's Ashmede Asgarali , Special Projects Officer, visited K-Net's office in Sioux Lookout to discuss plans for the installation and operation of the ten Manitoba First Nation C-Band satellite served communities. The construction of the two 2.4 m dishes and the local wireless network is now being completed across Northern Manitoba.

Keewatin Tribal Council and its ten partner satellite served First Nations are members of the Northern Indigenous Community Satellite Network (NICSN).

Yellowquill College (specializing in First Nation and Aboriginal Education), accepted the challenge to deliver a certified "traditional" in-classroom health program by video-conference. 

Keewaytinook Okimakanak Health programs and KO Telehealth have completed a successful pilot program with Yellowquill College. A week-long in-class "Case Management" program was adapted to be delivered by video-conference. Participants reported that the program was successful and of great benefit to their work. We are now looking at other opportunities to provide certified health education programs by video-conference.

Click here to learn more about Yellowquill College.

Click here to learn more about the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Telehealth initiative.